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Stress & Burnout
Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver addresses a leader’s concern about how to increase team engagement without overwhelming an already stretched-thin workforce. Mike distinguishes between overloading employees with more tasks and fostering engagement, explaining that engagement stems from a deep connection to the organization’s vision and purpose,…
Are you hungry to learn?
Perhaps there is no better skill to have and master than the skill of curiosity. Having a sincere interest in learning and understanding seems to me to be a much nobler pursuit than having a sincere interest in being understood. What opportunities do we miss when we are concerned that people understand US. What relationships…
Success leads to happiness or happiness leads to success?
That question has been the source of debate from the halls of academia to the board rooms of corporations to parenting classes and beyond. Do happy people accomplish more or does accomplishing more make them happy? Since we were children, you and I have been taught both subtly and directly that if we work hard…
How often do you get defensive?
If you over-explain yourself, make it someone else’s problem, or tend to think or say that you did what you did because someone else did what they did, then you are challenged with being defensive. If you are not open to this blog and willing to consider that from time to time you may get…
What do you stand for?
Some time ago I asked one of my clients to answer that question. He was surprised at how difficult it was to come up with an answer. When I asked him what his sales numbers were the previous month, he was able to recite them without a second thought. It is not that the numbers…
Do you love what you are doing? Does it matter?
If you listen carefully, you can hear the murmur of debate. The debate is whether people should be doing something they love for work. Should people be actively enjoying their work and living out at least part of their purpose in life through their careers? In 2013, Gallup released some research that indicated 24% of…
Does generosity pay off?
Give and it will be given to you. That’s part of the tradition I was raised in. Be nice, be helpful, be generous and ultimately it will come back to you. With all due respect, I am not certain that is true at all. It is certainly a good character quality to be generous. It’s…
How well do you know and live by your core values?
Your core values matter, all the time. There is much talk about core values. There are courses on identifying your core values. I have written and taught extensively about core values. I am a believer in them as the core of who we are as people. A few things to know about your core values.…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
Coaching vs. Giving Advice
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver clarifies the crucial distinction between coaching and simply giving advice. He explains that great coaching often involves very little advice-giving. Instead, it’s about the intersection of being directional and conversational, with the best coaches asking good questions to help individuals uncover their…
How to Give Motivating Feedback
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver tackles the challenging but crucial topic of giving feedback that genuinely motivates a team rather than deflating them. He shares two key strategies. The first involves clearly stating the desired outcome, such as “flawless execution,” and then providing feedback within that framework,…
What to Say When Your Team Doesn’t Listen
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common leader’s frustration: “My team just doesn’t listen.” He explains that often, the issue isn’t a lack of listening, but a lack of clarity in communication. Mike advises leaders to emphasize and expand on what they are saying, then verify…
How to Communicate Assertively and Respectfully to Leadership
Episode Summary In this episode of Monday’s with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question: “How can I effectively communicate my ideas and concerns to upper management in a way that is assertive but still respectful?”. Mike discusses the true meaning of assertiveness and provides key strategies for communicating effectively with upper management. Key…
Coaching Versus Criticism
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question: “Some of my team members seem resistant to coaching. See it as criticism rather than support. How can I shift their mindset to see coaching as positive?” Mike provides insights on how to re-evaluate your coaching approach to ensure…
How to Foster a Culture of Innovation
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question: “How can individuals and organizations foster a culture of innovation and adapt to the rapidly changing job market and technological advances?” Staver emphasizes the importance of celebrating experimentation and viewing failure as a stepping stone to innovation, using the story…
Long Term Career Goals
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question, “Should you stay in a job for stability even if it doesn’t align with your long-term goals?” His emphatic answer is “no.” He argues that your career should align with your long-term goals, similar to how his company only pursues…
Team Member Decorum
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question, “How do you manage a team member who’s brilliant but drives everybody crazy?” He advises establishing team operating principles to set behavioral expectations. If the disruptive behavior continues, the manager needs to address it directly, focusing on specific behaviors rather…
What Do People Take Too Seriously?
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question, “What’s one thing you think people take too seriously in life?” He believes that people generally take themselves and many aspects of life too seriously, including politics, religion, relationships, and their possessions. Mike encourages listeners to give themselves a break,…
Trusting Your Gut
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question, “When should you trust your gut over data when making business decisions?” He advises that relying on gut feelings should be infrequent and emphasizes the importance of verifying hunches with data and facts. Mike suggests that while data should guide…
How to Negotiate a Raise Without Sounding Entitled
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question, “What’s the best way to negotiate a raise without coming off entitled?” He emphasizes that the key is to present the results and impact you’ve created for the company, rather than focusing on what others earn or simply stating you…
Work-Life Balance
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike discusses the concept of work-life balance and why he believes it’s largely a myth. He introduces the idea of work-life focus, emphasizing the importance of being present and focused in whatever you’re doing, whether it’s work or personal life. Mike also addresses the seeming…
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