Read or Hear the Latest Blog Posts
Six Good Career Books to Add to Your Library This Year
Summer is a natural time to indulge in some new reading material. With summer reading in mind, here are six good career books worth adding to your library whether as a physical book you’ll want to highlight and underline, or as an audiobook, which is a great use of time when you’re driving, walking, gardening, etc.
Rethinking and Modernizing Executive Presence
As an executive coach, clients sometimes ask me for advice on how to develop their executive presence. And every now and then, someone will make it clear that they have a very narrow definition of executive presence — and it usually rubs me the wrong way. The unstated subtext is that “real executives” fit a certain template, and that template does not include certain types of leaders, despite being accomplished and effective. Thankfully, after so many years of tech executives capturing headlines and broad attention, attitudes have certainly shifted — and the dress code has definitely evolved.
The Pitfalls of Being Too Nice at Work
Are you in the habit of saying yes to every request, even when it’s not in your best interest? Have you ever felt like a pushover, allowing coworkers or superiors to take advantage of your kindness? It’s time to address the pitfalls of being too nice at work.
The Surprising Upside of Healthy Workplace Rivalry
Does rivalry always have to be negative? After my last blog post about Workplace Jealousy, I started reflecting on the potential pros and cons of the related idea – workplace rivalry. There have been famous rivalries throughout history for which competition made them both better: John Lennon vs. Paul McCartney, Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova, or, more recently, Venus vs. Serena Williams.
The Insidious Impact of Workplace Jealousy
What happens when we see others succeeding at work? Does it trigger inspiration, or does it trigger workplace jealousy?
I am grateful that I have seen countless examples in life and at work when the presence of excellence is so inspirational that others realize what may be possible for them, and they act accordingly. This may play out as extra effort, extra training, more research, and other healthy and appropriate behaviours to “level up” and live one’s best life. Most of us have seen this in action, and it is glorious. Everybody feels wonderful. But it doesn’t always play out this way …
Micro-Kindness in the Workplace
Recently a post on LinkedIn about organizational culture and inclusion caught my attention – and got me thinking about the concept of micro-kindnesses in the workplace. To paraphrase, my LinkedIn connection said: “I sometimes worry that I’m not doing enough to effect the big, systemic changes necessary within my large corporate organization” …
Characteristics of Good Hybrid Work Arrangements
One topic that is popular among employees, leaders, and HR professionals is the hybrid work arrangement, combining both in-office and remote working. Returning to the office is exciting for some, but a daunting prospect for others. Organizations are at various stages of implementing hybrid work environments. Leaders, HR folks, and employees may continue to experience growing pains as they transition into this new paradigm.
The Importance of Trust in Remote and Hybrid Workplaces
Many professionals are still working remotely or in hybrid work environments. While this type of arrangement can be great for convenience, productivity, fostering creativity and better use of resources, one issue I keep thinking about is the challenge associated with building trust.
