Excellence 2.0

Anger, power and soul

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:20:16 PST

Power is part of our DNA, who we are. Power (and passion) are woven into our life's purpose - why we're on the planet. Absent power, life is a humdrum experience - lacking meaning or real engagement. When we lack or lose our sense of power, we feel less than, deficient, and invisible. What results is anger. Sometimes our anger is overt - violence, abuse or aggression, or silent - sadness or depression.

The problem is�

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:18:45 PST

How many times a day � at work, at home, ay play and in relationship - do you hear someone say, "the problem is�" in a way that communicates, "I'm a victim;" "someone is doing something to me;" "I'm powerless," etc. In fact, how often do you make such a comment?

It's not a fact of life that a "problem" means defeat. That's a characterization you're choosing to make. Like beauty, "problem" is in the eye of the beholder. Sadly, many seem to react in a knee-jerk manner and tack towards the negative as soon as a "problem" presents itself.

Leadership @ Google with Marshall Goldsmith

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:45:39 PST

If you ever make a list of experts on leadership and coaching, make sure that Marshall Goldsmith is included. In this video, he talks to the good folks at Google...

Motivation Revisited (Video)

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:36:24 PST

What motivates you to put in that extra effort? In general terms, motivation is an academic concept, but when you go beyond the general to the specific, interesting insights emerge. Dan Pink offers us some of those insights in this engaging video...

Empathy - it's not about cognition

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:47:38 PST

In his recent book, "Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis," Jeremy Rifkin concludes in one of his chapters, "�what is needed is a more transparent public debate around views of freedom, equality and democracy�a moratorium on the hyperbolic political rhetoric and incivility and begin a civil conversation around our differing views on human nature. This would offer us a moment in time to listen to each other, share our feelings, thoughts, concerns and aspirations, with the goal of trying to better understand each others' perspectives, and hopefully find some emotional and cognitive common ground."

While Rifkin's book is a detailed explanation of how we came to be a culture of incivility, and how empathy is a "way out," his conclusion falls short of a real solution. He equates "cognition" with "consciousness" and assumes we can talk ourselves into being empathic. Love and empathy are matters of the heart, not the mind, and here is where Rifkin and so many others who posit intellectual, social and cognitive solutions for social ills come up short.

Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Maturity

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:18:37 PST

What I experience personally and professionally with folks who have done "emotional work" is many of them learned the concepts well, can readily discuss the ins and outs of emotions but who, in real-time situations - at work, at home, at play and in relationship - fail to effectively manage or cope with their emotions, quickly reverting to old patterns of self-sabotaging emotional reactivity. Why?

What are you doing, and why?

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:39:50 PST

When we experience harmony and balance in our lives, it's most often because there is a conscious alignment between what we think, feel, say and do. We are in integrity. Our life choices and decisions - at work, at home, at play and in relationship, have a "felt-sense" of being true, honest and sincere. We have a "knowing" that our thinking, feeling, be-ing and do-ing come from a place that is honest, sincere and self-responsible.

Happiness - money vs. inner work

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:32:44 PST

These are tough times. Millions of folks are experiencing pain and suffering - lost jobs, reduced wages, foreclosures, bankruptcies, lack of health care and on and on. According to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, the most basic need is that of survival. These folks are experiencing that desperate state - simply looking to survive. Curiously, there's another group among us which is surviving, has covered their basic needs, but who experience a similar state of desperation - namely, unhappiness - those who feel that more money is the one element that will bring them happiness.

Anger - show me the love

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:53:00 PST

Anger is a human emotion, ranking up there with fear as the most common emotion. Curiously, anger is an often an unconscious expression of the need for contact. Strange, but true. Our innate essence is composed of three subtle energies - love, intelligence and power. We manifest anger when we sense a lack in one of these three energies. Here, we'll consider the energy of love.

The New MBA

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:42:28 PST

Have you ever wondered how business schools need to change in order to turn out better MBA's? Blair Sheppard is dean of Duke University�s Fuqua School of Business, and in this video from McKinsey & Company discusses how the expectations of MBA students are changing�and why the traditional MBA education needs to change as well.

Haiti - and a deeper meaning

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:42:26 PST

I seldom write about "current events." However, the disaster that is taking place in Haiti has grabbed me and won't let go. So, like so many others, I feel compelled to ask "why?"

Why change triggers a fear of dying

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:24:55 PST

Probably the greatest obstacle to a life worth living is the fear of death - not death itself - but the fear of death. Think about the last time you chose to, or were asked to, embrace true and real change - at work, at home, at play or in relationship. What was that like for you?

Daniel Goleman on Leadership (Video)

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:15:36 PST

Daniel Goleman offers his views on the emotional attributes of good leaders...

Tom Peters on the Attributes of Great Leaders

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:34:38 PST

Tom Peters offers up his personal point of view on what makes a great leader...

Daniel Goleman on Emotional Intelligence (Video)

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:32:00 PST

In this video, Daniel Goleman talks about his findings on Emotional Intelligence...

How To Communicate Your Strategy

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:57:13 PST

How can you successfully communicate your strategy?

Video, text, images, in person presentations…the appeal of these formats depends to a great extent on the recipient’s personal preferences, or persona. Think of it this way...

One Way We Might Subvert Resolve in 2010

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:08:11 PST

New Year's resolutions are on the tip of most everyone's pen and tongue. Thousands of suggestions, "how tos," and "best ways" are being offered to help folks make, and carry through on, their New Year's resolutions. Sadly, as in past years, 98% of those who make resolutions will have given up or failed by Valentine's Day.

Resolve to Achieve Inner Peace in 2010

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:09:15 PST

Resolving to experience inner peace on a consistent basis in 2010 will support you to master your life, achieve your goals, connect to your higher self and live peacefully in the present, in the moment, each and every day as you journey through the New Year...at work, at home and at play. Will you choose to make this resolution?

Holidays � Ho, Ho, Ho, Or Ho Hum!

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:11:29 PST

The holiday season is often most difficult to navigate � mentally, physically, and emotionally. The glitter and shine of red and green often turns to blue. For many it is a season of darkness, not light, facing the challenges of sadness, stress, loneliness, and unfulfilled longings � a time to "get through."

The Yin and Yang of Leadership

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:45:28 PST

While the search for the 'secrets' to effective leadership has been going on for decades, accomplished leaders will tell you that there are no secrets. There are however numerous examples of leaders who exhibit tremendous flexibility in their behavioral styles, and by doing so increase their capacity to influence others.

It's that ability to influence others that separates successful leaders from those who struggle.