If you can delay your actions for just a few minutes, hold off your come back until the next break, take a couple of deep breaths, put the computer aside late in the afternoon and sleep on the issue. Then you will find yourself focusing on the content rather than the emotion. And when you … Continue reading Outbursts
Tag: empowerment
My door is always open
If your door is always open, you should go out in the world and see what's going on. Way to often the open door is a lazy excuse. Sure, come to me with your questions, doubts, concerns, just don't expect me to ask first. Because, well, you do not care. We keep reading of how … Continue reading My door is always open
Fan
If you want people around you to be motivated, be their fan. Cheer for them, clap for them, believe in them. Tell them they will be successful. Find what they are good at and nudge them. Promote them, advocate for their cause, put their work forward, write them references, and be their marketing department. Particularly … Continue reading Fan
What question
What are the next steps? Do I get to be involved? These are two questions, or is it actually one? We could ask what is our real intention. If we are genuinely curious about the next steps, then we should just stop at the first question.If we want to know if we need to allocate … Continue reading What question
The golden mean
I bought this yesterday, what do you think? Do you like my new haircut? I heard you were at my presentation, did you enjoy it? Honesty is a wonderful thing, but if you have ever had to answer the questions above (or any of their variations) you know that honesty has its dark side. Actually, … Continue reading The golden mean
Pick one
Since you have just started here / you have time / you have done it until now / I don't want to do it, why don't you take responsibility for this project? Or alternatively. I have noticed you working on a past project, and I appreciate how you could keep things on track while still … Continue reading Pick one
Doubt
Doubt is what will eventually strengthen us. When we are not sure we are doing the right thing. When we feel we are not being the better version of ourselves. When we do not know if we are qualified enough. When we struggle to find an answer. When we can't figure out how to approach … Continue reading Doubt
The best list
The best thing to get something done on a lazy day is to make a list. And the best list you can do is planned, intentional, and purposeful. Planned, because you have to prepare it in advance. To give it time to rest, to ensure you are putting some thoughts into it, to have it … Continue reading The best list
Fairly and kindly
The things you believe you do to others, you actually end up doing them to yourself. The smart comeback to your colleague's comment is going to hurt a relationship that is important to you. The reply you have not sent to that important message is holding the project back and yourself accountable. The carefully planned … Continue reading Fairly and kindly
Not going to work
The things you say have a life of their own. They do not fade once you are done saying them. They keep floating, and those who have heard them carry them around for an indefinite amount of time. They change in meaning. They change in strength. They change in effect. Often they are still there … Continue reading Not going to work