Does Confidence Trump Competence?

If you’ve ever wondered why someone with similar skills seems to get ahead faster, it may be due to their level of confidence rather than competence, according to a recent article, “The Confidence Gap,” in The Atlantic Monthly. No matter how comfortable we are in our skin, we all find ourselves in situations where we…

Read more

Three Truths to Protect Your Brand

In recent weeks, a frenzy has erupted over a photo that ran in a woman’s magazine. It wasn’t the picture that caused the outrage, but rather the less than transparent way it was obtained and how it was used. If you missed the story, I’ll bring you up to speed. Monika Allen, a 35-year-old San…

Read more

Are You Sabotaging Your Relationships Over a Need to Be Right?

Shortly after sending out my monthly e-zine a few years back, I received an email from one of my subscribers, an executive assistant. “You are completely professional, articulate, and obviously a very intelligent speaker. So, when I read you’re most recent e-zine, I wondered if it was a test for us to see if we…

Read more

One Surprising Way to Avoid Unhappiness

Be Here Now! Not only is that the title of spiritual teacher Ram Dass’s book published over 40 years ago, but it’s the rallying cry of the mindfulness movement (and the cry of the frustrated homeowner waiting for the cable guy). Based on the latest research, it’s also a way to avoid unhappiness.   Be…

Read more

How to Get Started in the Speaking Business

If you’ve ever thought about launching a career as a speaker, you’ll want to read two blogs by my friends and fellow speakers Linda Larsen and Kelly Swanson. Linda shares some real-life experiences she has had during her speaking career that reveal the not-so-glamorous truth about being a motivational speaker. Kelly surveyed a dozen female…

Read more

A Sincere Apology

Recently in the media we were able to witness a beautiful example of a professional woman who, in an awkward situation over something she was ultimately responsible for, chose to take ownership, be vulnerable and speak her truth. Would you have done the same? A little background: Melissa Harris-Perry, a writer, professor and political commentator,…

Read more

Attraction Requires Action

How many of you spent mind-time visualizing what you want your 2014 to look like? It’s a good idea to do so, because after all, the Law of Attraction, popularized by the book and movie The Secret, says that you will draw to yourself situations that reflect your dominant thoughts and beliefs. Perhaps you even…

Read more

#1 Way to Survive the HoliDAZE

Keeping this month’s article short and sweet because we know that this season is chock full of additional, and often unrealistic, expectations–entertaining relatives, parties, decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, and cleaning. Emotions run high as most are sharing this seasonal stress, as well as crowded mall parking lots. Number one way to lower your stress? Crazy…

Read more

Serving Sarcasm This Season?

“Oh boy, another juicy turkey this year,” my aunt proclaimed, rolling her eyes as my uncle struggled to carve the dry-as-sawdust bird. Ah yes, the holiday tradition of a dry turkey and a sarcastic comment. Can anyone else relate to this scenario shared by a friend? As we head into the season when loved ones…

Read more