‘My Work Should Speak for Itself’ Neela was known to be brilliant. She had turned around two teams without seeming to have broken a sweat. As a reward, she was given a third team to turn around. Four months into that new role, her company reached out to me and asked me to be her […]
Getting Your Voice Heard Read More »
Never Before! I am excited to do something new with you. After 17 years, I’m doing my first interview. I look at people like Dave Stachowiak on the Coaching for Leaders podcast. I see what it takes to create a great interview week after week, and I think, “Man, oh, man, that looks like a
Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office Read More »
“In Her Own Way.” Maxine was going to be a star – if she could just “get out of her own way.” Those were the words people used when they talked about Maxine. They were even her words for herself. During a coaching session, after she’d spoken the phrase again, I asked her what it
The Dread of Discovery Anastasia felt like a fraud. She’d landed a position that was five times greater in scope and responsibility than any she’d held before. During our first coaching conversation, she told me, “Everything’s been fine on the job so far, but I’m walking on needles. I can feel it in my gut.
Coaching versus Therapy Read More »
Networking + Elevator Pitches Pavni had plans for her future. In a year or so, she wanted to leave her leadership role in a global corporation to become a chief officer at a mid-sized company. She worried that a major roadblock would be her distaste for networking. We spent an entire coaching conversation exploring her
Networking Conversations – Part Two Read More »
“Plant, Don’t Hunt” Pavni was thinking ahead. She was in year two of a three-year project. When the project ended, she wanted to leave her giant multi-national corporation and leverage her momentum to get hired as a chief officer with a mid-sized company. She’d mentioned this during our coaching conversations, but today she lingered on
Networking Conversations – Part 1 Read More »
Not thinking much of himself Noah was pissed at a co-worker named George. At least that’s where he started his story. “I’ve told you about him, Tom,” he said. “All flash. No substance. Well, he and I were in a client meeting, and it was like he thought he was going to charm their business
Conquering People Pleasing Read More »
“People Get Hurt in Politics” Hui Min was tired of losing. As an art director in animation, she was constantly competing for scarce resources. She saw other people get what they needed when she didn’t.
Leading with Political Savvy – Part 2 Read More »
“I’m Not Good at Politics” Hui Min was an art director in animation. Our initial coaching conversations happened when she was “between jobs.” But in short order, she was hired by a small animation studio to build an art department, establish systems, and create a pipeline of talent.
Leading With Political Savvy – Part 1 Read More »
‘Conflict House’ Ashley wanted coaching on how to argue. I had told her about a concept I call “Conflict House,” a place where people with conflicts have to go if they want to resolve their conflicts. Whether an argument is large or small, whether it goes well or is a disaster, every conflict happens inside
The Conflict Conversation Read More »
