Insights: Communication
The Art of the CEO Deep Dive
As CEO, do you really know what’s happening in your company? That may sound like a strange question. You would think CEOs would have a bird’s-eye view and be deeply informed. But no. In reality, most CEOs inhabit a bubble where the stakeholders around them exquisitely manage the information they can see. CEOs have to […]
It’s All About Trust: Building a Leadership Team That Meets Today’s Challenges
The higher you go in an organization, the less insulated you are from the realities of the world. Given the unprecedented volatility all around us and the centrifugal forces within companies, leadership teams are facing extreme pressure. Some senior executives we’ve worked with have left the workforce entirely, and it’s unclear if or when they […]
Does Coaching for Executive Presence Work Against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?
Is “executive presence” just code for adopting a style that’s just like the most dominant group?
How to Succeed in a Collaborative Company, Part 3
Today we move into new territory in how to succeed in a collaborative company–with some things that may not come naturally.
How to Succeed in a Collaborative Company, Part 2
Today I continue our series with four more ways to succeed in a collaborative company.
To Ease Conflict, See to Everyone’s Needs
Sometimes when people don’t get what they need, they fight. Take Monique and Anil, cross functional peers in a global technology company. When Anil was hired, Monique thought he would report to her. But a month later Anil ended up working for her boss. This created a rift, partly because Monique was hoping for a […]
To Ease Conflict, Give and Receive Honest Feedback
Conflict is a norm in corporate life–whether it’s a peer, a boss or a direct report. It can also be painful and time consuming. But many leaders dread conflict so much they will do almost anything to avoid it. As trust erodes, people in conflict tend to pull back from communicating. Usually that hurts everyone. […]
How Coaching Works
Often a new client asks me: So, how does this work? What they’re really asking is: What is coaching going to be like? How are we going to spend our time? How will this be structured? What should I expect? Here’s an overview of what we’ll do: Talk about your context. I’ll want to learn […]
Truths About Public Speaking
In my former career as a minister, I used to speak every week to hundreds of people. In the past decade as an executive coach, I’ve helped leaders prepare for mission-critical presentations with billions of dollars at stake. Through these experiences, a few crucial truths have emerged about public speaking. First, it’s important for every […]