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For the coaches and the coached
This month I would like to make a few suggestions on how to effectively coach and how to effectively be coached. If you are in a leadership role, one of your primary responsibilities is to coach your direct reports. It will make you a better leader and it will add value to those you lead…
The power of gifts
This time of year is designed to be about giving and the power of gifts. It usually does not work out as designed as the giving sometimes turns into a frantic focus on urgency and the anxiety that goes with choosing the right gift. I want to encourage you to be mindful during this time…
The five characteristics of courageous leadership
Continuing Onward Under Rigorous And Grinding Experiences Judy House, the best boss I ever reported to, used to say to me, “Mike, the higher you move in an organization the less freedom you have.” In any endeavor where you have people looking to you for leadership, they are watching you and waiting to see how…
Leading with heart
Great leadership doesn’t require lofty positions. Leadership is the degree to which you are willing to influence those around you. The key to great influence is your values. What do you value most? To what extent do you exercise your influence in places and in ways that make a difference and are aligned with your…
Are you a coward?
Relax! I’m not calling you a coward…yet. I am simply asking you to take a moment to evaluate the extent to which courage and fear each influence the way you live and work. I am not here to judge, just to ask tough questions: “What are you afraid of?” “What is the most courageous thing…
Find your courage
Never make a life or business altering decision in a moment of high emotional intensity, especially when that emotion is fear or anxiety. There have been more regrettable decisions made because of what we are afraid of than probably any other emotional state. Fear manifests when you think about what will happen or what won’t…
Are you really grateful?
As is my tradition in November, I am dedicating this piece to gratitude. We live in a world that is so fast-paced and busy, time is seldom taken to truly and deeply express gratitude. I am not talking about a polite ‘thank you’. I am speaking here about something deeper, something that you take the…
Recognition and gratitude – Roped Club
What do you think the world would be like if each of us committed to verbally recognize one person every day? As the season of Thanksgiving approaches I have a challenge for you. The challenge is a lifelong commitment to verbal recognition and gratitude. With that in mind, I have started a club inspired by…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
When to Consider Coaching
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver answers a common leadership and personal development question: When is the right time to consider coaching, either for yourself or for someone you manage? Mike provides a straightforward guideline: coaching is valuable when the results you’re getting don’t align with your intentions.…
Coaching for Accountability
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver answers the question: How can I coach my team to take more ownership? Drawing on his coaching expertise, Mike explores the foundational elements of fostering true ownership within a team. He emphasizes that the key is to clearly define expected outcomes, then empower…
How to Build Executive Presence
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver tackles the practical and essential question: how does a new leader build presence and confidence in meetings? Drawing on his coaching expertise, Mike shares clear, actionable advice designed to help leaders close the gap between intention and execution when it comes to executive presence.…
Knowing vs. Doing
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver tackles the frequent objection: “Why do I need coaching when I already know what I need to do?” Mike Staver explains that simply knowing what to do is not enough—action and consistent execution are crucial. He introduces the concept of a “performance gap,”…
How to Conquer Imposter Syndrome
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses a common and personal question: how do you deal with imposter syndrome, whether in yourself or when helping others through it? Drawing on his own experiences and insights as a coach, Mike explores the reality that imposter syndrome is…
How to Build a Coaching Culture
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver tackles a foundational question: what are the first steps to building a long-term coaching culture within an organization? Drawing from his experience as a coach to top executives, Mike emphasizes that creating a strong coaching culture starts with genuine buy-in…
What to do When a Team Member Constantly Plays the Victim
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Mike Staver addresses a question from a listener frustrated by a team member who is constantly “playing the victim.” Mike acknowledges that without the full context, it’s important to consider whether the person may genuinely have reasons to feel victimized—such as being picked on or lacking…
What to do When Your Top Performer Loses Initiative
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Mike Staver responds to a viewer concerned about a top performer who has suddenly stopped showing initiative. Mike’s approach as a coach is to diagnose what triggered the change in behavior. He notes that a loss of motivation can often be the culprit—sometimes top achievers lose…
Why You’re Not Getting Results and What to Do About It
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Mike answers a question from a viewer who feels like they are doing “all the things” but are not seeing results. Mike directly challenges this premise, stating that if you’re not getting results, you’re simply not doing all the things. He explains that the phrase “I’ve…
How to Clarify Goals Using the SMART Framework
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, a viewer asks for a good way to clarify someone’s goals. Mike introduces the well-known and effective SMART goals framework. He breaks down each letter of the acronym: Specific, Measurable, Actionable (or Achievable), Relevant, and Time-bound. To illustrate the concept, Mike uses the example…
What to Do When You Lack Confidence in Leading
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, a viewer asks a fundamental question about leadership: what if I don’t feel confident enough to lead other people? Mike’s answer is both direct and reassuring: confidence comes after the behavior, not before it. He explains that you will never feel confident until you…
How to Challenge Someone Who Shuts Down
Episode Summary In this week’s episode, Mike Staver tackles a viewer question about how to coach a person who shuts down every time they are challenged. Mike advises that the first step is to take a “fearless self-inventory” and evaluate your own challenging style. He explains that being too harsh or direct can…
