She Didn’t Believe – But Others Did

The incompetent may not recognize their ineptitude. It’s called the Dunning-Kruger Effect. I’ve known individuals who had no idea how unskilled they were.  Competence: The research of Dr. David Dunning and Dr. Justin Kruger… Continue reading

Solution Saturday: Aspirations Exceed Qualifications

Dear Dan, I have a team member who aspires to a lofty leadership position. However, the position requires skills and attributes the individual has failed to demonstrate. I want to keep him positively… Continue reading

5 Ways to Find Vitality in Disagreement

Giving solutions, without exploring issues, lets people know you aren’t listening. Solutions found in isolation are irritations to others. 3 ways to let others know you aren’t listening: #1. Focus on positions. Defensive conversations are… Continue reading

How to Wipe Steam From the Mirror

All of us are blind in part. Some are blind to their strengths; others to their weaknesses. You grow when you see yourself more clearly. Feedback wipes the steam from the mirror. Giving feedback is saying… Continue reading

Buckets of Muck and Other Problems with Delay

Bring up poor performance when it happens or smile and let it go. Don’t keep filling buckets with muck to throw later. Delay isn’t compassion, when it comes to feedback. It may be cowardice.… Continue reading

The Five Powers of Your Strengths

During a recent keynote I asked participants to write a colleague’s strength on a sticky note.  They stood behind the person and wrote a strength, or something they admired about them. They pressed the… Continue reading