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Are you consistently connected?
On a hill overlooking the ocean in Otsuchi Town in northeastern Japan is a phone booth known as the “Telephone of the Wind”. It is connected to nowhere, but people come to “call” family members lost during the tsunami of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Many visit the phone booth including a mother and…
Are you polite?
If you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything. It’s not what you say it’s how you say it. Once you’ve said it you can’t take it back. You can disagree without being disagreeable and on and on it goes. There are many, many clichés. Many wise words of counsel speaking to the need…
What energy do you create around you?
As I write this, I am on a plane flying to Chicago. The reason I am going there is to do the first phase of a three phase series on leading. This first phase, or pillar as we call it, is about culture and how culture drives results. At the core of that is a…
How are your relationships?
Relationships matter. All relationships matter. While many overuse the term it is a fact that they matter all the time. Most importantly who you are in relationships with and then how you RELATE to them. The primary issue facing relationships today is focus. Focus of time and energy has a direct and lasting impact on…
Are you hesitant to make a change?
This morning I read a quote: “That which we settle for takes up space for what we really want in life.” Pretty powerful, right? When we resist change, it is usually because of fear. Fear and anxiety are ALWAYS created because our minds create a scary story about ‘THE FUTURE’. Contrary to popular opinion, we…
How do you deal with change?
Many have said, “Change is difficult.” Here is something I want everyone to remember: Change is NOT difficult…unless and until we equate change with something dangerous or bad. Once your mind is convinced that it is going to be bad or dangerous, your brain literally triggers an alarm that causes you to repel the thought…
How do you make sense of the senseless?
I waited a long time this month to write this newsletter. I was very ambivalent about what to share with you. Now I am clear. I found myself watching the Today show this morning with shock and sadness as student after student recalled the tragic events on the Virginia Tech campus. Reggie, my business partner,…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
How to Hold Someone Accountable Without Micromanaging
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver tackles the common challenge of holding people accountable without resorting to micromanagement. He redefines accountability not as a weapon, but as “a promise kept.” Mike emphasizes that true accountability hinges on clarity of expectation and mutual agreement. He provides clear examples to…
Why Your Feedback Isn’t Landing Right
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the common excuse for not giving feedback: “it never lands right.” He firmly states that avoiding feedback for this reason is a “terrible idea” and that feedback must be given regardless. Instead of avoidance, Mike advises a diagnostic approach. He prompts…
Emotional Intelligence
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the question of how to deal with individuals who have low emotional intelligence. He explains that the approach depends on the specific area where their emotional intelligence is lacking. If they exhibit low self-awareness, Mike suggests kindly making them aware of…
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,…
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