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Do you know the difference between your gut and your guilt?
I was having a conversation with a friend the other day who was working through a challenge. During the conversation they kept saying that their gut was telling them to do ‘X’. I stopped them mid-sentence the next time they went down that road and said, “Is that your gut or your guilt?” Turns out…
What do you think about when times are tough?
Every day we are faced with challenges in our personal and professional lives. These challenges are sometimes controllable but often are not. The fact is we are either dealing with a difficult issue now, or are about to, or have just finished dealing with one. Now, don’t you feel better? The key to success has…
Are you smarter than a sea turtle?
I was snorkeling yesterday off Maui. Once the initial part of the adventure was complete, the captain of our boat said we were going to pull anchor and go look for sea turtles to dive with. That’s exactly what we did. When I got back on the boat, the first mate asked us some sea…
Obstacles or opportunities? Where is your focus?
We live in a real world with real problems that are really challenging. It is foolish to attempt to dilute that reality with cheesy clichés or platitudes. The fact is, Nietzsche was wrong: it is not always true that “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” It is not always true that “every cloud has…
How effective are you at graduations?
Maxx, my step son, just graduated from High School on Saturday. Last week we spent 2.5 days at his college orientation at The University of Central Florida (GO KNIGHTS). During the orientation, there was a presenter who talked about staying connected and letting go in your relationship with the student. As I was listening, it…
How do you deal with challenging people?
Last week I was asked by a coaching client to help her deal with a direct report who was challenging to her. The direct report kept sticking her nose into things that were none of her business. This nosiness was not only distracting and annoying, but it took focus off the work that needed to…
Is your life about transition or transformation?
You and I experience about 20,000 moments a day. Negative, positive, or neutral, they are moments nonetheless. Many of those moments result in change–change in thought, change of plans, change of attitude, etc. My questions for you this month are: Are the changes that happen in your life and work simply transitions, or are they…
How realistic are you?
As most of you know, I returned from riding my Harley around the perimeter of the USA on Labor Day weekend. It was a 40 day adventure that’s hard to put into words. I was asked many questions during the 6 weeks, but the one that was the most interesting was, “How can you just…
Can you admit when you are wrong or don’t know what you are doing?
I had an issue with my new laptop. I accessed the Dell customer service chat feature only to be told 10 minutes into the chat that my problem had to be handled by a live person and should only take 10 minutes. I called. I was rerouted to the Philippines. The gentleman was nice and…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
Considering the Future as a Stakeholder
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “I’m a consulting partner and shareholder in a failing company. I have no authority, but I do have influence. I am about 60% sure it’s going to…
Quiet Quitting
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “I remember you saying something about caring less when it came to work. At the time, it might have been during the pandemic, I understood it, but…
Advocating for Additional Resources
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “I’m a senior faculty member at a major university where I have been for over four years. During that time, basic administrative needs have been provided for…
Personality & Hiring
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “What are your thoughts about using personality tests as part of the hiring process? If you believe they are a helpful tool, which test do you like?…
Letting Clients Go
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “When do you know it’s time to let a client go?” I could teach hours on this topic, but I don’t have hours. How do you decide…
State of Leadership
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “What is your opinion on the overall state of leadership? And what is one thing you would change?” I think, overall, leaders are too timid in their…
Three Keys of Focus
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “I’m trying to remember the three keys of focus you talk about. I think they are growth and some other two, please remind me. And do they…
Increasing Accountability
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “We are looking to increase accountability without it appearing punitive or heavy handed. Any thoughts?” The first thought is don’t treat accountability like punishment, right? Because a…
Correcting Superiors
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “I’m a mid level leader in my company. My boss often says things in meetings that are flat out wrong. I’m not sure why he says these…
Corporate Instability
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “Our company just downsized 10% of our workforce. I was not part of this round of cuts. However, it feels unstable to me. Do you believe companies…
Boundaries & Structure
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “When my significant other and I met, we agreed to certain boundaries and structure. We both discussed it, and without pressure, agreed. We have been together five…
Division
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “I think people are more divided than at other times in my life. Granted, I’m only 43, so I haven’t had all the time in the world….