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Gratitude
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…
Can you please put your phone down and look up?
I was walking through the Atlanta airport recently and I noticed how many people were walking while looking down at their mobile device. Then there she was, out of the crowd a woman looking down at her phone, walking right toward me on a direct collision course. Hmmmmm, do I move or do I let…
Role or Purpose
All of us have roles. We are leaders, agents, employees, parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives etc, etc. We perform numerous tasks based on the roles we identify ourselves in. While these roles are important and help us build our perception of ourselves and our lives, I am wondering if there might be a deeper, more…
Do the small things get in the way of the big things?
Bakersfield is a city in Southern California, near the southern end of the (drought stricken) San Joaquin Valley. I was there for a speaking engagement and was invited to dinner with a large group. I was fortunate to sit next to a gentleman that is a BIG time farmer and sits on the California Water…
Are you burnt out?
There I was sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting for a flight when WHAM I got hit with what felt like a bolt of lightening. Screaming kids, inadequate air conditioning, flight delay and two weeks on the road all contributed to the realization that I simply was not happy, and I didn’t want to do…
Is your life balanced?
If it is, stop reading this and begin to write a book. I didn’t ask if you knew something about it or if you attended a seminar on it. I mean, is your life really balanced? The point is, I think life balance is a futile pursuit, and it leads to unnecessary pressure and guilt.…
Are your ducks in a row?
Over the last few weeks, I have heard several people say they were getting their ducks in a row. I think that is another way of saying they are getting things in order. Nikki is the managing broker of a real estate office in Houston, Texas. She shared an interesting twist on that phrase with…
Are you about effort or achievement?
“Effort is admirable, achievement is essential.” This is what I heard the Fortune 500 CEO, John Chambers of CISCO Systems, say just before I went on to speak. I could have just stood up and said, “Well, that just about sums it up folks. Thanks for coming!” I didn’t, of course, but he did pretty…
Are you competitive?
I watched the Olympics for the last couple of weeks. Talk about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! There is nowhere that the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is any more evident. I was struck by the focus and commitment the athletes have to their sport. Whether it was…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
What to Do When a Capable Employee Underperforms
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the common problem of an employee who is capable but consistently underperforming. He suggests that this issue often stems from a lack of clarity regarding what high performance truly entails from the employee’s perspective. Mike advises evaluating whether the employee understands…
Coaching Clients Through Tough Decisions
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the common challenge of clients who freeze when faced with tough decisions. He suggests that this hesitancy often stems from fear of negative outcomes or concerns about impacting others. Mike proposes starting by asking what the client is most concerned might…
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…