Resources

Build Culture · Develop Your People · Grow Your Business

Can you admit when you are wrong or don’t know what you are doing?

By Mike Staver | January 22, 2019

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…

How effective are you at handling change?

By Mike Staver | January 22, 2019

“Change is difficult” may be one of the biggest lies people buy. If you won 100 million dollars in the lottery, your life would probably change, and you probably wouldn’t find that change difficult. Change is only difficult when you believe that the change is going to produce negative or undesirable results. “People are afraid…

Have you ever gotten really good bad news?

By Mike Staver | January 22, 2019

2014 was (to put it mildly) a very difficult year. Then, in January 2015, I got a call sharing some bad news. It struck me how relieved I was to hear this bad news. When I thought about why I felt so relieved I realized that, compared to the news I actually expected and was…

Are you kidding me?

By Mike Staver | January 22, 2019

If you have been reading this blog for any time at all, you know I think that a constant need to feel comfortable limits our potential and the results we create. Every major or minor accomplishment that has meant anything to you in your life has required that you work through discomfort. Yet for some…

Are you playing to win or playing not to lose?

By Mike Staver | January 22, 2019

In many ways, we have let the pendulum swing too far in the “can’t we all get along” direction. While I think it’s a good idea to look out for each other and to live in alignment with our values I think it’s not a good idea to play things too conservatively. The papers this…

Are you optimistic?

By Mike Staver | January 22, 2019

Recently I was giving Harrison feedback (the predictive selection and development assessment I use). I shared the feedback with the client that their Harrison indicated they had a tendency toward optimism. They said, “I think that’s true, I am usually positive and happy.” There are many who believe positive and happy is optimistic. While optimists…

As Featured On

Bloomberg_Businessweek_whitetxt1
Washington_Post_whitetxt_long1
USA_Today_whitetxtedit1
Fox_News_Flat_White1

MONDAYS WITH MIKE

Weekly leadership lessons for lasting success.

Mondays with Mike is your weekly guide to bringing out the best in you and those around you.

Have a question you'd like Mike to answer on a future episode?

Click below to submit a question, then keep an eye out for your answer!


Get Mondays with Mike right to your inbox.

Every Monday we send out the latest episode of Mondays with Mike. Don't miss out! Enter your information below to start receiving weekly episodes.

Want more Mondays with Mike?

View the most recent posts below or watch the archives on Mike's YouTube Channel!

MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE

How to Give Feedback That Motivates

By Mike Staver | April 13, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the challenge of giving feedback that motivates teams rather than deflating them. He offers practical advice on how leaders can structure their feedback conversations to inspire and energize their teams, particularly when discussing areas that need improvement. Mike suggests that…

Leading Teams That Do Not Listen

By Mike Staver | April 6, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver responds to a common leadership dilemma: what to do when a leader feels their team just doesn’t listen. Mike re-frames the issue, suggesting that communication breakdowns are often driven by lack of clarity rather than unwillingness to listen. He highlights…

Are There Uncoachable People?

By Mike Staver | March 23, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses a direct and often debated question: “Is there such thing as an un-coachable person?” Drawing from his experience as an executive coach, Mike explains that un-coachable individuals do exist, and he defines clear signs that indicate someone may not…

How to Help Leaders Shift From Reactive to Proactive

By Mike Staver | March 16, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver explores a fundamental leadership challenge: how to help someone shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one. Mike responds to a listener’s question by breaking down practical strategies for fostering proactive thinking, both for individuals and within organizations. Drawing…

How to Help a Client Improve Self-Awareness

By Mike Staver | March 9, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver explores the delicate process of guiding someone to the realization that their actions, not their character, may be causing problems. Drawing on his coaching experience, Mike explains why it’s crucial to uncouple a person’s behavior from their identity. Rather than…

How to Address Toxic Behavior in a Defensive Employee

By Staver Group | February 23, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses a common leadership dilemma: how to confront toxic behavior without triggering defensiveness. Drawing from his personal experience working with defensive individuals, Mike Staver shares the practical techniques he’s found most helpful—while acknowledging that no approach is foolproof. He emphasizes…

How to Use Questions to Diffuse Tension in a Meeting

By Staver Group | February 16, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver delves into the art of defusing tension during meetings—a critical leadership skill for maintaining a constructive environment and fostering effective collaboration. Responding to a viewer’s question about coaching techniques to ease tense situations, Mike stresses the first essential step: acknowledging the tension in…

How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt

By Staver Group | February 9, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses a common personal development question: “How do I set boundaries without feeling guilty?” Drawing from his coaching expertise, Mike Staver explains that guilt stems from the belief that you’ve done something wrong, whereas shame comes from believing you are bad. He emphasizes…

How to Help a Coaching Client Identify Their True Priorities

By Mike Staver | February 2, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver answers the question: How do I help someone identify their true priorities? Drawing on his experience as a coach, Mike Staver discusses the foundational steps to guiding individuals, whether personally or within organizations, to recognize and align with what matters most. For personal…

How to Change the Energy of a Resistant Team

By Mike Staver | January 26, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses the challenge of changing the energy within a team that persistently resists their leader’s suggestions. Mike uses a real-world approach, recommending that leaders foster open conversations rather than playing the authority card. He shares the importance of surfacing and addressing the root…

How to Balance Coaching and KPIs

By Mike Staver | January 21, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses the practical challenge: How do leaders balance coaching their direct reports with achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) when time is short? Using the relatable analogy of car dashboards, Mike clarifies that KPIs are simply tools to measure the performance and progress…

How to Encourage More Authentic Feedback in the Workplace

By Mike Staver | January 12, 2026

” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”>   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver tackles the important question: How do you encourage more honest communication? Drawing from his coaching experience, Mike Staver explores why fostering authenticity and openness is critical, yet so often lacking in organizations. He begins by emphasizing that creating a safe environment is the single…

Trusted by the world's most influential leaders.

allstate-logo1
fedex-logo1
mayo-logo1
cisco-logo1
lrecw-logo1

Scroll To Top