Every time I work with a client, speak at a conference or deliver a corporate training workshop, questions about social media dominate the conversation. Social media is a big mystery (and concern) to many entrepreneurs and organizations. Why? Because many people asking the questions built their businesses and careers in a time before social media was a large part of…

There is nothing like being a parent to push you out of your comfort zone and hit you with life lessons you may or may not have been prepared to learn. This was true last week. The lesson I was learning (repeatedly) was the importance of fully listening without trying to fix or solve a problem. Listening to hear what…

We’ve all taken personality tests – either online or part of a corporate training program. They are a great way to see how our personality traits shape how we present to the world as well as how the world sees us. The problem with these tests is too often we focus solely on our results. While it’s important to know…

Floods, forest fires, tornadoes, snowstorms, and windstorms are just some of the natural disasters that make the news every day. Thanks to climate change, communities are seeing more severe weather events than ever before. This is why it’s essential that every organization has a crisis communications plan. Lately I’ve been doing a number of workshops helping organizations understand the importance…

How many times in a week does someone say to you – oh, I’m so busy. Usually this starts with – I’d love to help you, but I’m so busy. Sorry I can’t attend, I’m so busy. Somehow saying I’m so busy has become the go-to excuse to get out of a work and social commitments. But here’s the problem….

In an age of social media, video and shortened attention spans, how do you get people to not only listen to what you’re saying but also engage? Through the ancient (and still relevant) art of storytelling. While we now have unlimited ways of sharing information, one thing hasn’t changed. The impact a story has making a personal connection. Stories can…