Inspiring Management Tips
The secret to how to trash your bad habits
Bad habits. We all have them. Nobody wants a bad habit. Even fun ones, like eating a big dish of ice cream, are enjoyable in the moment, but not beneficial in the long-run. That’s why we call it a bad habit: it’s an event that happens repeatedly, over a long period of time, and impacts…
Which leadership trait do you use most: Control or Wisdom?
Being an effective leader means having control and being in control. That’s what a lot of people think, anyhow. It’s certainly true that there are times when a leader has to take the helm and move things forward. It is especially critical for a leader to take control during difficult or contentious situations. Chaos and…
These cool rodents exposed me to a new kind of rat race
In today’s business world, where being busy is a badge of honor, it’s easy to get caught up in the corporate rat race. Sometimes the pressure comes from a demanding organizational culture, sometimes we impose unrealistic expectations upon ourselves to do more, work harder. We feel compelled to achieve more than is humanly possible and feel…
April Fool’s Day can be everyday in the workplace, if you do it right
Today is April Fool’s Day, a time for pranksters to have some fun and have an excuse to justify it. These impromptu games might be acceptable today, but they are characteristic of the same kind of irritants that managers unknowingly create for employees on any given workday. Some employees feel invigorated by spontaneous announcements, but…
Icing your concerns can be a good stress management method
When faced with a big problem, we can do one of two things: plunge ahead to fix it or ignore it. Many times, it’s the right thing to immediately jump in and take care of an issue, most especially when our safety and security are at risk. But it’s rare that any situation will benefit from ignoring…
Do you stand head and shoulders above the rest?
Since I was a little girl, giraffes have been a favorite animal of mine. I was drawn to their sleek, tall stature and spotted coat, feeling a slight familiarity with my childhood face full of freckles. The tallest mammal in the world captivated my attention, this creature was imposing and powerful. Yet, even more enthralling to me, this…
How to bring two competing employees together: find a carrot
In our house, you won’t ever see Grace, our 10-year-old pooch, curling up next to either one of our cats. Grace likes to keep her distance from the felines in the family and will avoid them whenever she can. Oliver and Dodger oblige, rarely infringing on her personal space. So as I curled up on the sofa, I chuckled…
Love at First Sight: How first impressions can pull you off course in your hiring process
Most every week I volunteer at our local humane society. When I started last spring, I expected to fall in love with every dog and cat I interacted with. To my great surprise, that just didn’t happen. Each animal has had their endearing characteristics, bringing hours of enjoyment to my life, but none has tugged…
Take a Break to Rejuvenate
This week, like many, has been hectic. It feels like I never have enough time to do the things I intended to do. Responsibilities from many important facets tug at precious moments of the day. I feel certain that you can relate. Yet I try hard to make time for things I enjoy, like walking Grace, my weekly yoga…
A month of Dog-Inspired Leadership Tips from Grace — starting now!
The best leadership lessons are often simple ones. When we aspire to be an effective, and perhaps even beloved leader, there are lots of ways we can grow and develop. We can attend intensive classes, participate in specialized training sessions, and immerse ourselves in books and literature to inform us of best practices. All of these…
