The other day I was talking with a leader I admire about the importance of authenticity in leadership. We were discussing a particular issue within her organization and she said “I feel like I never hear anything authentic from him. There isn’t much I can do (for him) if he doesn’t get real.” Simultaneously, I…
Today is Dr. Martin Luther King day. A day we remember and honor him for his peaceful and hope-filled approach to conflict resolution. His quote “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy” has resonated with…
The last couple of weeks of the year are such a crazy-busy time. At work we scramble to get everything done with “skeleton” crews, and there is so much to do outside of work. Preparing for our holiday celebrations, braving the shopping crowds and, ugh, the traffic! As we all move through the last two…
Gratitude: A feeling of appreciation or thanks. (Source: Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary) As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, and kick-off the “holiday season”, I want to share one of the easiest ways to keep your peace through all the preparation, hustle and bustle, and time with friends and family: Practice gratitude. Studies have proven the feeling…
Sometimes we mess-up. It happens. Today I want to emphasize the importance of a terrific save when mistakes occur. I’m calling it a “customer service save” because, at Pelot & Associates, our practice focuses on the workplace. However, these tips transfer beautifully to your personal life as well. One example: Last week I took my…
We all have triggers. today i have a surprising concept for why we can be easily triggered by the behavior of others. Let’s start with what I mean by “triggered”: Agitation, frustration, and anger are a few of the negative feelings associated with being triggered. They bubble up (or explode) when we bump into specific…
I nearly had a full-on temper tantrum the other night. For real, I thought I was going to explode all over everyone, and it was all because of some seriously unmet expectations. It was the fifth evening of a fabulous vacation: Beautiful resort, perfect weather, and lots of exciting fun combined with plenty of “chill”…
Ever feel like you are stuck in a frustrating and unproductive communication spiral? One where you, and the other involved, keep saying the same things but nothing is getting resolved? At times like this, you probably feel like you’ve tried everything humanly possible to get the other person to understand you, but it simply isn’t…
Ever notice how complicated and convoluted communication gets when you are in the midst of a highly emotional “discussion”? You think you are making great points, but the other person is not picking up what you are putting down. How about all those discussions you re-play in your head over and over, but with loads…
Believe it or not, organization and productivity really do go hand-in-hand. I already know what some of you are thinking: There’s a methodology to my mess!” If I move it off the top of my desk, I’ll forget about it.” Or how about this one – It takes too long to calendar and set reminders….
Have you ever felt stuck in the middle of workplace conflict? I don’t mean the one stirring the pot – that’s a topic for another day. I’m talking about being in a position where two people, in conflict, are “confiding” in you. Giving you their side of the story and justifying their positions and behaviors,…
One of my long-time mediation clients loves to argue and tease me about “just wanting everyone to agree about everything.” He usually begins the good-natured ribbing right about the time I offer-up an “Is it possible…” or “What if…” question, which is of course geared toward eventually reaching agreement. This client absolutely enjoys a hearty…