In the journey of leadership, we often hear about the importance of skills, experience, and networking. But there's a less-discussed factor that can be just as crucial: perspective. Recently, I had an enlightening experience that brought this idea into sharp focus.

The Power of Perspective: Insights from Top Executives

Last week, I found myself in a unique position. Seated around a table with a group of powerful executives during a group coaching program I run about women at work, I listened intently as we delved into a pivotal question: When had the switch flipped for them? At what point did they find their confidence, and what changed?

Their responses were both surprising and enlightening. While most admitted to occasionally still experiencing imposter syndrome (a reminder that self-doubt can persist even at the highest levels), they all pointed to a significant change in their professional lives as the catalyst for their increased confidence. For some, it was a new job. For...

From our Brains to the Olympic Podium

We've all been there: locked in a heated argument, hearts racing, faces flushed, desperately trying to prove our point. But why do we get so caught up in being right? And what consequences does this have for ourselves and those around us?

The Brain's Reward System

Our brains are wired to seek pleasure and avoid pain. When we're right about something, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This creates a sense of satisfaction and reinforces the behavior. Over time, we can become addicted to this feeling, constantly seeking the next "hit" of being right.

The Challenge of Holding Two Truths

One of the most challenging aspects of human cognition is the ability to hold two seemingly contradictory ideas as true simultaneously. This concept, known as cognitive dissonance, can be uncomfortable for our brains. We often prefer simple, black-and-white thinking because it's less cognitively demanding and...

In the elusive hunt for a mentor, consider that a Thought Partner can be just as valuable to your personal and professional growth.

What is a Thought Partner? It goes beyond a co-worker, a manager, or a friend. A thought partner is someone who shares your interests and curiosities. They believe in abundance, are driven to think bigger, want more, and are always ready to explore. 

Here is how to spot the relationship:

• Your conversations are rarely transactional; you spend much of your time co-creating, solving problems, and dreaming of the future
• You push each other to think bigger beyond your current situation
• You both seek the unknown and then find the answers
• You want the best for each other
• There is no competition, no one has to "be" smarter - you are both smart
• You appreciate each other's strengths
• You look for ways to lean in and support the success of each individually 
• You go down rabbit holes of inspiration
• You co-create, and no one takes or needs the credit
...

Despite the widespread acknowledgment of mentorship's benefits, many individuals face a daunting challenge: finding a suitable mentor. Mentorship is a tricky road because while some programs will "match" you with a mentor, the mentee and mentor must connect on a deeper level to get the whole experience. 

Mentorship requires dedication on both sides but is not always a reciprocal relationship. One person gives more and is needed more, and not always at opportune times for the giver. Now, the mentor does get a reward; they experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction through the dopamine boosts derived from feeling needed, offering valuable advice, and the positive emotions associated with contributing to others' growth and well-being.

As you pursue a mentor, remember what you ask of this person. They need to be able to make the time for you, be honest and willing to provide difficult feedback and push you out of your comfort zone into the space where growth happens....

We all have those moments when self-deprecation feels like an escape route, a way to avoid facing discomfort. Instead of viewing the situation as an opportunity for growth, we quickly resort to self-limiting beliefs, such as thinking we're not smart enough, strong enough, or good enough.

Maybe you believe something is missing:
There is not enough time or money.

Perhaps you give it to others:
They deserve it more.
They will be better at it.
I could never do as good of a job.

Or is it about something you are lacking:
I am too old (or too young).
I am not ready.
I don't know enough.
I can't change it.

Do you struggle with priorities or not wanting to appear selfish:
I have other responsibilities.

And then there is the doozy - tied to our identity - how will it look?
They won't take me seriously.
I will look stupid.

Does any of this sound familiar? Our limiting beliefs come in all shapes and sizes, as the stories we tell ourselves - stopping us from moving forward.

But when we recognize it as a...

It is starting to happen, the question, "Do you have a New Year's Resolution?" Whether it is just small talk or curiosity, it is a question you can expect to get at least once this time of year. But before you blow off the idea of a New Year's Resolution, let's discuss why and how you should do it.

Maybe you have heard these statistics before, but only 3% of people set goals, yet setting goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve goals. So, if you want something different for yourself in the new year, just knowing the math proves setting goals is a good idea.

So, why do you hesitate to do it? Could it be the fear of failure? Having to admit that you have already failed by mid-January, breaking your New Year's Resolution is demoralizing.

Failure, or admitting to ourselves that something might be impossible, can be scary. Even worse, when we attach the goal to our identity, if we fail, then we, too, become a failure. It's essential to remember that the outcomes do not define...

Stepping into her new role, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease.

Working alongside Ph.D.s was uncharted territory for her. Before a single word was exchanged, she filled her mind with doubts. What if they asked her questions she couldn't answer? What if they ignored her completely? The idea of being approached by a team of Ph.D.s, eager to hear her thoughts, was a scenario she never could have fathomed in a different industry.

You see, she worked for the same company for over 25 years.

She held several jobs and moved up, down, and sideways as the company expanded and contracted.

She loved the job until she didn't, yet she still stayed too long.

One day, the fear of staying finally overcame the fear of going.

Once she did the work, she had opportunities she could not have imagined previously.

It was beyond her wildest dreams a year ago; now, it is her life.

What dreams have you not yet dreamed?

Ready to explore what a promotion or job move would mean to your future? Let's...

Do you feel like you are spinning wheels, rolling the dice, and moving backward as much as forward at work? When did work become more complicated than a board game, and what can you do about it? First, identify the issues. For example, which of these board games sounds most like what is happening at work?

TROUBLE: a race around the board.

The goal: move multiple game pieces across the finish line.

Do you feel like you are trying to move so many projects, people, and ideas across the finish line, spreading your attention so thin that you fear you are mediocre at a lot and great at nothing?

You can't move until you roll the die. 

Every move is a role of the dice, a risk you must take to move forward. And no matter how big you want to go, there is still a bubble over you - holding you back from and influencing the outcome.

The only way to win is to knock others back.

No collaboration here; land in the same space, and you send your opponent back to the beginning. There...

What Are You Building at Work? Legacy or History?

Legacies and histories are both important, but they are not the same thing. The legacy you leave at work is what defines your career, while your work history is simply a record of where you have been. As a leader in the workplace, it's important to ask yourself: what am I building—a legacy or a history?

What's the Difference Between Legacy and History?
Legacy is something that will stay with an organization after you've gone. It's the impact you have on the people around you and the ideas that remain long after you leave. A legacy is about making a lasting impression on your team, your organization, and even future generations. It's about leaving behind something meaningful and inspiring others to do more than they thought possible.

The Meaning of Legacy
Legacy is an intangible concept that has everything to do with the reputation one leaves behind. It's all about making an impact on future generations and leaving something...

We all have that one friend who is always talking about their career and how they are grateful for every second of it. And while we may not be at that point yet, take some time to focus on the little things in our careers that make a big difference. 

It is a skill to be present in the moments that may feel unimportant or like time wasters. If you find yourself annoyed or viewing these moments as hindrances or inconsequential, you are not thinking strategically about your career.  

Instead, take some time to reframe the moment. It will help you show up as the leader you are and ensure you slow down to make the most of the moment.

Here are a few examples:

Random introductions

We don't know where people are going; this introduction might lead be your future boss, CEO, or competitor contact. So send a quick LinkedIn invite and if the relationship progresses, find out something personal about them and stay in touch - even if it is just a quick note annually. 

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