Character

Banish traits that start arguments

January 2, 2020
Some days it seems everyone is in a bad mood. Or maybe it’s just you. If you’re getting into more than your share of altercations, perhaps you need to work on one or more of these issues.

Harness the power of the thank-you note

October 11, 2019
If the last time you remember penning an actual thank-you note was at age 10 when your mother insisted you couldn’t spend the birthday money Aunt Helen sent until you wrote one, you’re missing out on a simple way to connect with others—and enhance your own life.

The one thing everyone I ever admired had in common

August 8, 2019
Thinking back through the leaders I’ve personally considered worthy of admiration over the years, I’ve been struck by a stark commonality.

Are you the jerk at work?

July 24, 2019
We all work with toxic people. If you’re doing the following, you could unwittingly be one of them.

Oh, these people…

July 11, 2019
Q. Over the years I’ve become more annoyed by certain idiosyncrasies in others: fidgeting, casual tardiness, whispery voices, terrible grammar, etc. Little things like this make me seethe. How do I snap out of it?

Look hard at yourself and your business … then keep looking

July 11, 2019
In his book The Messy Middle, Scott Belskey asserts that “The only ‘sustainable competitive advantage’ in business is self-awareness.” Here’s a summation of his ideas in his valuable grounding chapter.

9 nasty names I’ve been called as a female leader … or were they compliments?

May 2, 2019
When I started work as a doctor, I allowed more of my natural leadership qualities to show. The negative feedback about my “personality” began immediately.

4 actions that make you unlikeable

April 25, 2019
Do you need everyone to like you at work to succeed? No, but it sure does make the time you spend there a whole lot better. Avoid these behaviors that lower your likeability.

Rant at your peril—it never works

April 11, 2019
By their very nature rants are unplanned and instinctual; any solid advice of pre-announcement cool-down or discussion of a more productive and reasonable attack are likely lost as the dam gives way.

Forget someone’s name? What NOT to do

March 20, 2019
Never guess. You’ll likely get it wrong.