Podcast Episode 15: Messy Desks vs. Cleans Desks (and Why It Matters)
Is a messy desk or clean desk better for productivity and creativity? The answers might surprise you. The results from different studies help us to understand, from a family systems perspective, how we can help the team we work with do their best work. Show Notes: Why Google Encourages Having a Messy Desk, from Business […]
The Need for Non-Anxious Leaders Is Greater than Ever
The recent blow up in the Oval Office between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky got me thinking. Effective leaders say what they believe, while giving others the freedom to disagree. This is needed now, more than ever. This is certainly true in political discourse. What was once a civil activity intended to work toward the […]
Podcast Episode 14: Murphy’s Law, Entropy and Managing Your Response
Leadership is hard. Things go wrong (a lot). Responding as a non-anxious presence is a key to effective leadership. Sometimes, it’s in the worst situations that people can produce their best work. Show Notes: Success Story: Keith Jarrett and the “Unplayable” Piano by Joseph C. Bentley, Ph.D The Koln Concert album.
Podcast Episode 13: Rules, Values and Motivation
Understanding the relationship between rules, values and motivation can help you as a leader. This is true for any organization, especially those that are mission-based. Show Notes This article from Business Insider documents one of the Zappos’ record calls. Here is Zappos’ own post about the call, including a video interview with the customer service […]
Use the Power of “I Don’t” to Gain Control of Your Life
How often do you feel like life is out of control? There’s not enough time. It’s too easy to do the things you don’t want to do, and too hard to do the things you do want to do. Learning the difference between “I don’t” and “I can’t” will help you gain control of your […]
Podcast Episode 12: Balancing Gratitude and Ambition
The benefits of gratitude are proven. But how can one be both grateful and ambitious? It’s clear that holding these concepts in their proper perspective is an important aspect of leadership. Show Notes: Here are two articles about gratitude from Psychology Today: 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude Do Gratitude Journals Really Work? 4 New […]
Podcast Episode 11: What to Do When You Are Verbally Attacked
Remaining a non-anxious presence when someone unloads their anxiety on you is extremely difficult. Learning how emotional process works can give you the perspective to help you be calm. It can also help you to focus on how to respond to reduce the anxiety of the situation, as well avoid taking responsibility for other people’s […]
Creativity: Are You a Seeker or a Finder?
I was introduced to this concept in a Freakonomics podcast series on creativity. It was a small part of the overall broadcast, but it stuck with me. David Galenson is an economics professor at the University of Chicago. He is best known for his theory of creativity, which he developed by studying the ages […]
Podcast Episode 9: Salience, Slug Lines and the Perception of Risk
One job of a leader is to analyze risk appropriately, then make a decision on how to move forward. However, our perception of risk is not always rational. Your ability to discern the difference between perceived risk and real risk will make a difference. This episode deconstructs perceived risk to help you know the difference. […]