As a professional speaker, it’s not uncommon to review presentation notes or nap on a 6 am, 5-hour flight to the east coast. So recently, when I woke up to witness my male seatmate peering over my tray table and reading my women’s career leadership notes, I was not surprised. Yet, his actions laid the…
Change is inevitable. As humans, we reject change naturally because we are creatures of habit. Even the most adventurous individuals often long for rituals and everyday normal routines. After all, consistency and control over our schedule lowers our stress. Yet, if you strive to be a leader and a person of influence in your place…
One of the questions I am asked as a speaker who teaches the power of relationship building is this: How can I be more influential in the workplace? You already understand the benefits of being an influential person at your place of work. People look up to you, respect you, etc., and this…
As a professional speaker, I’m always stressing the value of mindful, genuine communication in building effective business relationships. So, it’s no wonder I get excited when I hear of companies ready to step outside their comfort zone to put this into practice. That’s especially true when corporate leaders show they’re willing to break out of…
Can you remember the last time you spent an hour with someone between the ages of 12 and 64, when neither of you checked your phone? Let’s face it—these days, media-free time is a rarity. In fact, according to research reported on Axios, we check our phones 50 times each day on average, with some…
How did Kendra Scott go from designing jewelry out of her spare bedroom with a $500 investment in 2002 to being valued at $1 billion in recent months? This smart, savvy businesswoman knows and leverages the power of connection. Witnessing Kendra on the platform at a recent event, I walked away with certainty that your…
No, this article is not about setting aside your judgement and becoming more compassionate towards those you lead to create better connections. In fact, it’s just the opposite. I’m proposing that to maximize your relationships with others, you must first boldly accept yourself…flaws and all. Let me explain. Acceptance requires reflection and ownership of your…
Be honest, now. Are you seriously and selflessly dedicated to your job? Are you willing to always be there for your employer, even if that means working after hours, on weekends, or being on-call 24/7? If you are, you are not in the minority. According to research published in this month’s Harvard Business Review, the…
“Did you do your homework?” my militant mother, a teacher by trade, would respond to my request to hang out with friends. Without a “yes” you did not pass go, nor collect $200. Rather you went directly to homework jail as work preceded reward. At the time, I despised her ridiculous rituals that restricted my…
No matter how kind, compassionate, or empathetic you have become, the moment you meet someone, the unconscious part of your brain instantly formulates a preliminary assessment of that person. Amy Cuddy, a Harvard Business School professor who’s been studying the science of first impressions for years, says the two basic questions the brain answers when…