Dog-Inspired Leadership Posts
You will find the real gifts of the season here!
Happy Holidays! ‘Tis the season to be jolly and thankful for all we have. That includes our homes, our health, our family and friends. During this holiday season, there is something else very important to recognize and appreciate, something that we sometimes forget or don’t acknowledge. Grace helps me remember and I hope hearing her…
Read MoreTurn obstacles into opportunities for better management outcomes
We had a good-sized winter storm this week, leaving about a foot of heavy, wet snow overnight. Some see this as an obstacle, others an opportunity. For better management outcomes, you can see them as both! A deep covering of snow conjures up an array of sentiments, depending on who you talk with. If you…
Read MoreGraceful Giving offers opportunity to inspire and be inspired
Inspiration can come in very unlikely packages. My dog, Grace, has influenced me in countless ways over the years. She has persistently nudged me in directions that expand my knowledge and understanding of how to interact and care for her. This journey has taken me places I never even knew existed and it has benefited us…
Read MoreWhat to do when you don’t know what the problem is
Managers are often expected to have all the answers. And of course, good managers will find solutions when they see it as a priority. Yet what do you do when you don’t know what the problem is or don’t see it as important? Often times, we do nothing. I’m guilty of this, too, but Grace gave…
Read MoreTaking action matters to others, especially when faced with overwhelming odds
Last week, I visited Puerto Rico for the first time. It offered the opportunity to see how one place can simultaneously offer beauty and despair, and how one person who takes action makes a difference in the lives of many. This U.S. territory is a beautiful Caribbean island rectangular in shape, approximately 100 miles long by…
Read MoreHow to deal with a manager (or president) that you can’t stand
There are times in our lives when we are faced with dealing with someone or something that we don’t like. Sometimes that is a co-worker or manager, and this week, half of the country is faced with a president-elect that they can’t stand. I fell asleep on the sofa Tuesday night around 11:00 and as…
Read MoreDog’s birthday party provides opportunity to celebrate in creative way
How can a dog help non-profits? Why, with a birthday party, of course! In October, I’m hosting a birthday party for my dog, Grace. The gathering has a twist, which is to help non-profits gain exposure to new audiences, receive new donations, and have the opportunity to win a facilitated leadership workshop. This month-long virtual event is designed…
Read MoreDo You Stand Out from the Crowd or Are You Lost in Your Environment?
Work days are often so hectic that we can get lost in the “sameness” of everything and everyone. Even things and people that we like and enjoy become routine. Behaviors are expected and even good ones get lost in the predictability of patterns we have come to rely on. Then when someone does something to…
Read MoreWhat to do when it’s all bark and no bite
Ever had an employee who raised her hackles all the time? It’s tempting to coddle that person, in an attempt to avoid the unsavory hostility, but that just leads to more headaches and no resolution. Yesterday I took our two cats to the vet for their annual visit. Grace came along to get her nails clipped,…
Read MoreAllow employees to take unexpected paths: It leads to unexpected gifts
Yesterday Grace and I were outside in the backyard for a while and as we headed in, I lost track of her. I called for her, patiently waiting for her to return. Starting to get irritated at her lack of responsiveness, I grumpily headed to find her. Going through my mind were thoughts of how inconsiderate…
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