Communication
The Three Personas of the Advice Monster and Six Foggy-fiers
Continuing our study of Michael Bungay Stanier’s book, The Advice Trap, this article will explore two concepts – The Three Personas of the Advice Monster and Six Foggy-fiers. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it. Michael says the Advice Monster likes to inhabit three personas – Tell-It, Save-It, and Control-It. Using his tag line from the book –…
Read MoreThoughts for Uncertain Times
“In times of great change, the learners will inherit the Earth while those attached to old certainties will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” Eric Hoffer What is this time of uncertainty teaching us? Coach leaders are present and future focused. We are learners and hold a growth…
Read MoreWhat to Do with Emotions Coming from Others?
“Coaching gives people a safe space to be themselves with all their emotions and moods.” Marcia ReynoldsCoach the Person, Not the Problem, 2020 This month we have been talking about emotions – yours and mine. Why the emphasis on our emotions? Because it is an expectation of a coach to develop and maintain the ability…
Read MoreWhat Do Rod Stewart and Thoughts on Emotions Have in Common?
“I wish that I knew what I know nowWhen I was youngerI wish that I knew what I know nowWhen I was stronger…” Rod Stewart Thank you, Rod Stewart, for the words from “Ooh La La.” Rod may have been talking about a girl and yet the words are metaphoric for our better understanding of…
Read MoreWhat Does A Tale of Two Cities Have to Do with Us?
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it…
Read MoreDecember Wish #2 – The Powerful Paraphrase
The last year has been a hurricane of conflicting political messages, omnipresent in our world of news, print, and media. Our country is more polarized than it has been in many years and it’s crept up on us. Even after a bitter and emotional election our country is deeply divided, and we are realizing there…
Read MoreFinding Joy in the Present Moment
This month we’ve emphasized the importance of finding joy in the midst of challenges and uncertainties. It has to do with where we focus our thinking. And remember, science supports the value of looking for what is good in every day or even every hour. It increases the opportunities for greater joy, health, and happiness.…
Read MoreCelebrating What’s Good in the Midst of Uncertainties
As you read this, most likely you’re still dealing with some uncertainties connected to COVID-19, not to mention all the unrest happening in our country. And yet, there are good things happening in the midst of uncertain and challenging times. It makes a difference where we place our focus. For example, look at the child…
Read MoreThe Speaking Up Continuum
NLI sorts speaking up into three distinct categories: sharing your ideas, questioning other people’s decisions, and challenging other people’s behavior. These categories sit on a continuum – known as the Speaking UP Continuum – which ranges from least threatening to most threatening. One reason this continuum is so important is that if people can’t speak…
Read MoreWhat We Miss When We Don’t Speak Up
Ethical breaches loom large in people’s mind, but the reality is they happen much less frequently than the speaking-up moments that produce new ideas or refine strategy. These are the moments, we argue, toward which leaders should devote the bulk of their attention. In one study… 40% of people who didn’t speak up during a…
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