Join the journey of becoming a more focused thinker. 90% of the distractions that keep you from being a focused thinker come from within. Nir Eyal Two open-ended questions to ask yourself after a significant experience: #1: What do I think about myself and my leadership? #2: What value did I add? What did I add that was useful? What did I add that was meaningful? What did I add that was unique and had enduring potential? The bottom line: Start from within if you want to be a...

Collaborative Thinking Elevates Cerebral Leadership! Leadership is not a race to the finish but a dive to the deep! Six Essential Principles in a Successful Collaborative Thinking Group: Value yourself and others.Proceed with intentionality.Embrace a purpose-driven mentality.Strive for equity with no perspective unnoticed.Stand ready for debate.Never neglect activation! As a Cerebral leader, ask yourself: Are our current metrics driving us toward a success that is enduring, transformative,...

Reimagining Work-Life Balance Discovering work-life balance isn't found outside of us but within us! Two questions you may want to consider: What perspective do I have about work-life balance that needs to shift? Which system in my life highly influences me and needs reexamination? In The Song of Significance, Seth Godin writes, "We need to make a living, but how do we make a life?" You can connect with me at [email protected]

Up-and-Coming Leaders: The Shaping of our Future Three opportunities for leaders to support those who are up-and-coming! Opportunity #1: Provide the space for emerging leaders to become a larger version of themselves. Opportunity #2: Model the value of connecting with those who can contribute to their growth (after learning to grow from within). Opportunity #3: Support gaining a depth of expertise before branching out to lead others. You are invited to listen to The Practice of...

Making Choices That Matter Most Join me in considering the leadership skill needed for identifying choices that carry the most significant weight. This is not just about making good choices; this is about gaining the skill to ensure you are focused on the highest priority choices that drive success and make a lasting impact. To gain this skill, I believe you will need to lean into the following six qualities: Think Critically.Acknowledge diverse viewpoints.Bring Emotional Strength.Adapt...

Lighting up Liminal Spaces Liminal spaces are that space between past and present. Liminality is the "in between", a transition from where you have been to where you are going. Liminal space is like standing on the edge of a precipice of something new but not quite being there yet. Here are 6 recommendations that will help a leader prepare for the liminal spaces in their lives: Accept that you have entered a liminal space. Recognize it and don't resist it. Confirm as quickly as possible...

Launchpad Leadership: Some advantages of being a launchpad leader: 1.            Sets a standard for growth and being growth minded 2.            Helps guide the hiring process. 3.            Helps leaders to get to know others in the early days of their employment. Some challenges in committing to be a launchpad leader: 1.            People are going to leave 2.            Accepting that investing in people is worth the emotional and operational toll 3.            Having those on the...

When I see a leader who is thriving, I notice someone who has a consistent thread in their life of energy and enthusiasm. They are willing to explore with courage. Thriving in leadership is about the choices we make, not the situation we live in. We choose to make choices that enable us to thrive.: 8 questions derived initially from Dr Laurie Schreiner's content (Thriving Quotient) that will open your mind to see your willingness to pursue thriving: 1.      Can I identify that I am...

LEADING WITH DISCERNMENT Discernment is an essential leadership skill resulting in powerful outcomes. Discernment brings clarity and wisdom to the table. 3 ways to add discernment to your daily life: Optimize timeOptimize resourcesOptimize your own instincts Are there benefits to becoming a discerning leader? First Possible Benefit: the power of discovery Second Possible Benefit: patience Third Possible Benefit: depth in leadership Resources: Unlock your voice, your place and your path. ...

Insights into Positive Compromise Some of the most sought-after soft skills are problem solving, collaboration, and negotiation. All of these include the skills needed for positive compromise. Three primary approaches with leaders around this idea of positive or negative compromise: #1. The first group acknowledges the possibilities in positive compromise serving as a necessary tool for resolving conflicts and promoting cooperation and collaboration. #2. The second group of leaders talk...

Economic opportunities with soft skills As a leadership strategist, I help leaders grow through the development of the soft skills that are in demand in our job market today. One way you, as a leader, moves from success to significance is that you become adept in leveraging the balance between hard and soft skills every day. Hard skills are demonstrated through technical expertise with clearly measured goals and action plans. Hard skill development often focuses on the WHATHard skills are...

Self-awareness in all seasons "I must know who I am before I can go telling. How can I share myself, if I don’t know who I’m sharing" Dr Nina Ellison at age 13 Uncovering who you are, what you are, how you are and why you are! This is self-awareness! Being aware of the who, what, how and why of YOU plays a key role in how you approach new seasons. “A workplace that encourages self-awareness is an environment where the most productive, curious, and innovative people thrive.” – Neil...

Gratitude is a load-bearing word If gratitude is an active choice and not a passive emotion, then learning how to develop gratitude is a skill that can be acquired – a soft skill.  Gratitude turns what we have into enough. Anonymous Lilly’s Lessons in Gratitude: Gratitude, found in hard times, shapes character  Gratitude, like a new prescription of eyeglasses, reframes thought and behaviorGratitude, serves as an antidote, counteracting the poison of bitterness in times of chaos and...

Back to exploring the soft skill of being teachable….  Learning, Unlearning, Relearning: Part 2 “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. “Alvin Toffler Why is unlearning is more difficult than learning? First, learning is not implemented through a google search or a new app.  Unlearning comes through self-awareness and networking with others to gain new insights and knowledge. Unlearning includes the...

Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: Part I Three Steps to Unlearning Unlearning looks to a future where the things of the past that that are no longer relevant, accurate, or true are intentionally left behind.   Care must be taken in unlearning so that the elements of value are not lost. Three bite-size chunks for the process of unlearning: Bite size chuck #1: Pick one thing Bite size chunk #2: Get to the place where you can say with confidence, "Yes, I am willing to let go of this one thing." Bite...

The Secret Sauce for Interprofessional Collaboration 4 reasons that IPC is a soft skill worthy of developing: #1. IPC creates common good #2. IPC amplifies curiosity and gives it space to stand " Curiosity has its own reasons for existence." Albert Einstein #3. IPC yields opportunities for a change in perspective "When we are in bubbles of sameness, we are trapped in rooms of ignorance." Derwin Grey #4. IPC increases critical thinking and problem solving Steps to consider when adding IPC to...

Today we are going to explore the soft skill of indirect communication.  Learning the skill of indirect communication fosters positive working relationships that impact the morale and efficiency of those you influence.  Sharing hope is a form of indirect communication.   Let’s acknowledge out loud that life is difficult, painful, unfair, and unpredictable. When we are in the midst of difficulties that are beyond our control and, sometimes, beyond our comprehension, there is an increased need...

Leader with a decided heart  In this discussion today I have purposely linked 4 pairs of words. The first 4 words describe those with a decided heart: consistent, articulate, passionate and hopeful. The second set of words come from research that defines the 4 basic needs of all who follow leaders: Stability, trust, compassion and hope.     You may have already noticed how I paired them: A decided heart leader is consistent. Those who follow them feel stable. A decide heart leader is...

From Frustration to Forward Thinking: one leader’s journey Learn from an experienced architect and leader, Aju Johnson, Ten lessons learned in moving from frustration to forward thinking: 1.  Be real about your emotions.  Call them out! 2.  Understand that it may take time to heal. 3.  Identify what you are responsible for. 4.  Connect with a mentor who believes in you. 5.  Recognize that the sacrificial cost of growth does not end when difficulties arise. 6.  Borrow the belief others have...

Making Space for Generative Dialogue Generative dialogue is the ability to produce new value and meaning through words. Can a leader truly create the space for generative dialogue to happen? Absolutely.  Five characteristics of leaders who create spaces for the possibilities with generative dialogue: Readiness to honor othersWillingness to forgo sharing their own storyDesire to connect before gathering informationUnderstanding of the role of facilitatorPursuit of uncovering the...

Lessons Learned in Paradoxical Leadership Three growth lessons in the paradoxes of leadership: Number One: Be aware of the Pyrrhic victory: being wrong by being so very right. Number Two: Discovering the win comes in being both timely and timeless. Number Three: Being other centered is a complementary part of being self-centered.   Join me in a brief, free call to learn more about how I can partner with you in the growth and sustainability of healthy leadership. Head to my website...

What IS life enriching love in the workplace? “The thread woven through all principles of RAFT is love.  Love connects the dots. Learning how to love those you work with in an authentic and appropriate way not only advances a sense of worth and value in all relationships but serves as a platform for credibility and deeper relational connectivity. When the passion you bring to work each day translates into seeing real people with real lives, you have unleashed a source of untapped power...

Leaders connected to personal purpose Without purpose a leader cannot flourish!  A leader’s purpose is not the same as an organizations mission, vision and values.  Purpose guides life decisions; influences our actions and the direction our life takes.  3 steps to consider having a purpose statement: Step One: Identifying what you are curious about.  Step Two: Determine if you are ready and willing to give the gift you have uncovered away.  Step Three: Show up with generosity and have fun....

Launch a hero through value-recognition   Four steps to consider when seeking to launch heroes through value-recognition: #1. DISCOVER YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLE IN VALUING OTHERS #2 ACKNOWLEDGE WHO THE HERO IS #3 PICK THE RIGHT TIME TO COMMUNICATE THE VALUE YOU SEE #4 LET THE VALUE SPEAK FOR ITSELF Resources: RaulBurgos. President of the Dominican Foundation for Transformation TimElmore on nine leadership traits we see in Generation Z You can reach Niña Ellison at healthyleadership.online