growth and development

Are you clear on success in 2021?

  Roger Bannister set out to become the first athlete to break the four-minute mile. “Experts” told him it was impossible.  Some even suggested he was risking death; doctors told him his heart would explode! Not only did Bannister not die, but the week after he broke the barrier another runner followed in his footsteps,…

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8 Traits of Winning Product Managers

Do you wish your product manager could get more done? Chances are they’re missing some or all of the critical winning traits. Product managers play a critical role in many organizations. However, judging from the number of complaints I hear when working with CEOs and company leaders, good ones are hard to find and even…

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New Job. New Opportunity: Tips for Getting on the Same Page as Your New Boss

Holly welcomes guest blogger James Mitchell- Photo by viganhajdari Being “the new guy” at a new job or internship can be quite overwhelming at first. Every five minutes you are meeting someone new or being taught another couple company acronyms that make you wonder, “Are they still speaking English to me?” After you walk around the…

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Set Up Your Team To Be Successful

The first month of 2016 has already come and gone. By now you’ve (hopefully) set your primary strategic goals for the year, pinpointed the destination, and painted a clear picture of what winning looks like for your organization. The next step involves one of the most important leadership roles and skills – setting up everyone…

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Employee Engagement 2015: Not Much Has Changed

Do you have an engaged, committed workforce?  How do you know? Here’s one way to find out. Each year, Gallup surveys a broad base of employees on this issue. They identified 12 key indicators that translate to high levels of employee engagement: I know what is expected of me at work. I have the materials…

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Creating the Pathways to Excellence

If you talk to winning athletes – not the one-time wonders, but those who win on a consistent basis – they’ll tell you that winning is a habit. What they don’t tell you is just how hard they work to develop that habit. Winning takes a lot of things, like talent, commitment, resources and support….

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Are You Engaging to Win?

It’s time for my annual update on employee engagement, and once again the news isn’t good. In fact, based on data from Gallup, the trusted public opinion and research firm, the current state of employee engagement in the U.S. could well be described as dismal. In a recent State of the American Workplace Report, Gallup…

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Are You Ready to Win in 2014?

Did you blink and 2013 zipped right by? Don’t worry, it happened to me too. Which means it’s now time to start getting ready to win in 2014! Here are the top five things you can do to prepare your organization to win in the year ahead. 1. Get clear on winning (your destination). Specifically,…

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The “Short Pass” Approach to Winning in Business

The long bomb is one of the most exciting plays in football. Lofting a well-placed ball into the hands of a receiver streaking down the field can instantly change momentum and turn a losing effort into a dramatic win. But is it the best strategy for reaching the goal line? In 2012, NFL quarterbacks collectively…

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Talking to Your Car Can Kill You!

If you follow my blog, or perhaps have checked out my new book Using Your Brain To Win, you know I’m not a believer in multi-tasking. And the evidence continues to grow that it is not only unproductive, but in some cases downright dangerous. Did you eat breakfast in your car on the way to…

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Show ’em Some Love!

Three Strategies for Creatively Recognizing Employees Valentine’s Day is for lovers. Usually we stay away from the topic of ‘love’ at work but we’re talking about positive recognition here, not the stuff that gets you in a sexual harassment lawsuit! Smart leaders and managers know that it’s a good time to show your employees some…

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The Most Dangerous Misconception About Innovation

Holly recently contributed to a series of blogs on innovation. She was asked to respond to the question, ‘What is the most dangerous current misconception in innovation?’ …that innovation can only be done by a few, naturally talented individuals. Each of us has the power to be innovative. There are some simple ways to use…

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