If you have ever blown it or failed at an important task, you have likely felt the keen sting of self-disappointment or even self-loathing. At these moments, when you feel the lowest, have you noticed how you treat yourself? Do you respond with self-compassion or self-flagellation? If you’re like me (and like most of my…
pLink Leadership Blog
Happy New Year!
The New Year, which is really just another day or number, traditionally conjures up the fresh blank page, the new possibilities, the opening for untrodden paths and new directions. And resolutions. I don’t know about you, but resolutions give me a visceral lurch. When I think of resolutions, I think about something immovable, something set…
Savor the Season
It’s that time of year. Frigid temps, a stark landscape, and for many, it’s dark outside for both daily commutes. It’s the season that sends so many of us into hibernation mode. Just the thought of cold fingers and toes can make you head for the couch with your favorite hot beverage and pile on…
Developing Talents, Skills and Strengths (With a Little Help from a Horse)
I am a “can do” type of person, whether at home or on the job. Achiever and Responsibility are two of my top Gallup Strengths, and I’ve invested time developing these over the years. Given a task or project, I can easily jump in and go it alone, and forget that I can brainstorm, share…
Leading from the Inside Out
I am a huge Chicago Cubs fan. Not a “lifer,” but for the last 13 years, I have loved the Northsiders passionately and am excited to see where the next month will take them. One of the benefits of following this amazingly talented group of athletes and coaches this year has been watching the way…
What To Ask When You Are Looking For Training
An organization’s ability to learn faster and better than its competitors is a strategic competitive advantage. So why do so many training programs fail? We’ve all attended ineffective programs and then promptly forget everything we’ve learned and carry on, business as usual. What are the differences between effective, engaging training programs that lead to desired…
The Power of Focus
I don’t have a great sense of direction, particularly when driving. I find it stressful to drive in locations I’m not familiar with, especially in rental cars that don’t come with a functioning GPS. The ability to hit the Locate Me symbol on Google Maps, see exactly where I am on the map, and then…
Striver Fatigue and The Art of Well Compensated White Space
I have been a striver all of my life. I love the emotion of anticipation and I am future oriented. This meant that, for the first few decades of my life, I was always looking to what was next. I set a relentless pace for myself and I was enchanted by my sense of accomplishment….
pLink Mindful, Minute Savoring
Savoring is a practice to build positivity and boost feelings of well-being. It simply means thinking about the good things in your life in such a way as to intensify, and prolong your deep enjoyment of them. To build this mental habit, slow down and take the time to mindfully pay attention, pump up and…
pLink Mindful Minute, Be Present or Be Absent But Don’t Be Both
From across the room I watch my daughter type on her computer (theoretically doing homework), keep an eye on her phone and occasionally glance at the television. From the front of the meeting room I watch people “participate” in a meeting, shuffle papers and interact with their phone. On conference calls I hear fingers flying…