Inc. Magazine’s Post

The title for this article is grossly misleading. I almost didn’t read it. Here’s why: I’m tired of having “happiness” shoved in my face as if it’s the emotional marker of success. Let me explain. I experience a relatively high-level of comfort in openly sharing thoughts about the impact of anxiety and depression on my life, both as a specialized diagnosis I have and the diagnoses of others in my work as a practitioner, mentor, educator, etc. However, I also experience discomfort when trying to navigate the safest spaces to open dialogue about our society’s obsession with happiness because part of the mental health problem is that no one wants to talk about how the incessant pursuit of happiness is disabling. Please don’t mischaracterize this message as me saying I don’t enjoy being happy or don’t want myself or others to feel it. I do. It feels good, no doubt. But I also want individuals to learn how to feel all of their emotions, whatever they are, and responsibly learn to find fulfillment regardless of their presence and the circumstances from which they arise. After reading this article, there were notable references to Oprah’s tenets of living that explore many emotions and feelings separate and apart from happiness. The author examines Oprah’s assertions that: (1) confidence is built from vulnerability; (2) a feeling of connection is achieved through intentionally validating how the people you meet, matter; and (3) in place of worrying about success, use your highest self-expression to serve the world. If you agree with Oprah on these three tenets alone, and you make best efforts to live them out intentionally, accountably, and exceptionally, then you are going to feel more than just happiness…you’ll likely feel a broad range of emotions that summarize the triumphs and challenges that your experiences will inevitably explore. Try this approach: feel all of your emotions, learn to responsibly navigate them, and find fulfillment in the ways that memorialize your life proudly. #seemenotasd #incmagazine #liveintentionally #mentalhealth #mindfulness #livingaccountably #livingexceptionally

In the world of Human Resources and Recruiting, embracing the significance of compliments isn't just about professional protocol—it's about nurturing authentic connections and fostering a sense of belonging. As Vanessa Bohns, a social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University, illuminates, the essence of feeling valued and respected resonates deeply within each individual. Compliments serve as meaningful gestures, offering glimpses into how we're perceived by our colleagues and leaders. This form of acknowledgment isn't merely a nicety; it's a catalyst for positive energy, sparking joy and confidence within us. Bohns' research underscores the ripple effect of compliments, showcasing how they elevate both giver and receiver, infusing workplaces with a spirit of appreciation and camaraderie. By embracing the power of compliments on a personal level, HR professionals can transform workplace dynamics, cultivating environments where every individual feels seen, valued, and inspired to thrive. #HRinsights #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceCulture #PositiveFeedback #RecognitionMatters #BoostMorale

I love this clip of Oprah sharing how Gayle encouraged her to take the role in Chicago despite doubt and hesitancy from others in her circle. Gayle told Oprah that not only could she be successful, but Gayle believed that Oprah could be Donahue. At the time, Donahue was the biggest national talk show host. Oprah was skeptical and comfortable in her current role, but she decided to take a chance based on Gayle’s belief in her, not her own. This clip resonates deeply with me because Gayle's support exemplifies what so many executive coaches do daily. We see opportunities that might frighten our clients, push them out of their comfort zones, or challenge them to prioritize what is most important to them. Just as Gayle saw Oprah's potential and encouraged her to take that leap, executive coaches help clients envision possibilities beyond their current scope. Then, we support our clients in strategically planning how to execute their vision, ensuring it aligns with their core values, personal aspirations, and professional goals. This alignment is crucial for authentic and sustainable success. My favorite part of being an executive coach is witnessing my clients' transformative journeys. It's incredibly rewarding to see them take bold steps, overcome their fears, and achieve what they once thought impossible. It’s about believing in their potential, sometimes even before they do, and guiding them to a place where they can thrive. This story reminds us all that sometimes, the key to unlocking our potential lies in having someone who believes in us unconditionally. As an executive coach, my role is to be that believer who sees the greatness within you and supports you in realizing it. In what ways has coaching pushed you to grow and develop beyond my expectations? Catch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gGrWMZXV

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Such an interesting and highly practical read, thank you to Amazing If and Cal Newport - I'm enjoying my free copy and will definitely be putting it into practice! 💡 My aha moments so far: 🔍 It's okay to be transparent about how you manage your workload - in fact it helps build trust and manages expectations more effectively when others can see exactly what you're working on. This reminded me of personal Kanban and how it can be applied outside of Agile working teams. 🤖 Systemise your task/ project/ meeting requests from others so that there is a gateway to your time - helpful in managing your workload, but equally useful in that it forces the other person to reflect on what they really need from you, nudging them into intentionality. ⏳ We’re really bad at estimating our future productivity for cognitive tasks - so when you are agreeing a deadline, think about the amount of time you’ll need, then double it. As much as we want to be seen as super-speedy productivity machines (🙋♀️), the reality is, we rarely are, and no one's that impressed by people who over-promise and under-deliver, so don’t put yourself in that position! Listen to the podcast (and my question at the end!) & look out for the Podsheet summary for all the juicy bits. #squigglycareers #slowproductivity #nowreading

What a great conversation with Lois Barth-ACC last Friday to complete our month-long celebration of National Effective Communication Month! We have learned many ways and tips for becoming an effective communicator these four weeks! Lois introduced her new topic of "being beautifully honest" in our communication, and we had a great example to show our audience to begin this conversation! As we are live-streaming, we always take a risk of technical issues, and we are normally fine with that. But just like being in person, things can happen! Lois shared right up front her sound issue, but you will find you can still be an effective communicator even when dealing with anything you are faced with! The good news is that you can still hear and see her message, and also, you can put a closed caption, so thank you, Lois, for showing us how to overcome whatever we may face in an effective communication style! We laughed as she shared her "Lois-isms" and where becoming an effective communication expert began. Learn the 4 C's of "Creating a Life that Lights You Up, and that we "learn the best in an environment that's upbeat, creative, and fun!" Want your corporate conference, teams, and leaders to learn how to have the "Courage to Sparkle" and increase engagement and effectiveness through communication and emotional intelligence? Contact us today to book Lois for your next event! https://lnkd.in/enf8tZmH "It's been a while since we've had a morning motivation get-up-on-your-feet type of speaker, and, it was a hit and set the tone for the rest of the conference." ~ Emily Synk, Governor, Society of Women Engineers #Rebroadcast #PersonalDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #Communication #Humor #Resilience #Stress, #TeamBuilding #HR #SHRM #CouragetoSparkle #CorporateEventPlanners #CorporateMeetingPlanners #Conferences #Associations #ExecutiveCoach #CorporateTraining https://lnkd.in/eBfSWt_b

If you'd like to receive regular updates on the launch of my new magazine, ASCENDING, please consider following the LinkedIn page, which can be found here ---> Ascending Magazine. Ascending is a print-only publication but there will be some digital components, like Live Interviews with featured writers, powerful panel discussions and in-depth conversations with subject-matter experts featured in the magazine - and it will all happen via that page! So, help me get to 150 followers so we can go live from the page by the time the inaugural issue publishes in the Fall. I can't wait to bring you all the goodness. Here is another snippet associated with the anonymously written article from my "Too Taboo" series. These are responses to two questions I asked as part of the accompanying sidebar: -- Q: How did you find the courage to share such a personal story anonymously?  A: Pain, suffering, and shame thrive and grow in silence. To move forward, I must speak my truth, defend my character, and own my story. Q: Looking back, what would you have done differently to navigate the situation?  A: I would have listened to my gut and never continued the interview process beyond the initial interview. He showed me who he was, and I chose to make excuses for him. Interested? Please head over to the page and give it a follow. Here it is again: Ascending Magazine. And if you want to pre-order the inaugural issue - here is the link! https://lnkd.in/eYghxMzs Many thanks to those of you in my network who have already placed your orders!! It means more to me than you could possibly know. #ascendingmagazine #womeninspiringwomen

I'm pleased to share a recent publication "Managing Battle Grounds at Work and Banishing the BFF Myth" in HR Grapevine, where I had the privilege to contribute alongside Michelle Parry-Slater, with the article written by Annie Hayes. In the piece, we explore the dynamics of managing conflict at work and the importance of self-awareness in fostering positive outcomes. We discuss the value of diverse viewpoints, the role of respectful disagreements in driving innovation, and how to navigate workplace tensions effectively. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e8ieH_Vu #LearningAndDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #ConflictResolution

“All we have to do to create the future is to change the nature of our conversations, to go from blame to ownership, from bargaining to commitment, and from problem-solving to possibility.” - Peter Block Check out these #questions that breathe #possibility into your conversations. #LeaderAsConvener

After an hour and a half, trading three witty comebacks, enduring five rounds of "you do it then," and entertaining a divorce threat later... What is it about couples attempting to assemble a cubby house (or any flat-packed item, for that matter) that sends our stress levels soaring? Why does the mere thought of it send shivers down our spines? Does B4 truly belong in slot J12, and why am I always left with a spare screw? Throughout my years of team management, I've come to understand that my way isn't always the best way. I firmly believe in the power of teamwork, bringing individuals together, leveraging their strengths, and working towards a shared objective to witness magic unfold. (Although, that's a secret I'll keep from my husband.) It's astounding that only half of Australians confess to bickering while assembling flat packs—clearly, some are saints! Yet, eight out of ten would entertain the idea of hiring a professional to reduce stress and potential marital strife. Could flat pack assembly become a component of your next team-building exercise, refining skills such as communication, creativity, leadership, and teamwork? (Whether you choose to document the endeavor or simply sit back with popcorn, anticipating the chaos, is entirely up to you.) #teambuilding #communication #leadership #flatpack