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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
Coaching Problem Solving
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common leadership question: how to balance providing guidance with allowing team members to solve problems independently. He emphasizes the importance of observing performance, evaluating its quality, and adjusting leadership style accordingly. Mike outlines a flexible, situational approach to coaching that focuses…
Happy Thanksgiving 2024
Episode Summary: In this special Thanksgiving episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver shares a heartfelt message about the true power of gratitude. Mike explores the difference between thankfulness, which resides in the mind, and gratitude, which comes from the heart and spirit. He encourages viewers to not only think about what they’re…
Managing Underperformance
Episode Summary: In this episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver answers a question from a manager struggling to address an underperforming employee without appearing harsh or dismissive. Mike offers a clear, step-by-step approach for handling the situation effectively. He starts by emphasizing the importance of clarity—leaders must first ensure they have clearly…
Managing Stress & Decision-Making
Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver dives into a common challenge faced by leaders managing high-stakes projects: how to reduce stress to make clearer decisions. Mike explores practical strategies that allow leaders to manage stress effectively without compromising leadership quality. Key among these strategies is the concept…
Professionalism
Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver addresses a crucial question from a manager in his 50s, who expresses frustration with young employees frequently using their phones during meetings and social settings. Mike confirms that this behavior is not only unprofessional but also a sign of disengagement, potentially…
Burnout
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 in the helping business I help others every day. I’m burned out, and I really cannot talk to anyone about the sadness and discouragement I feel…
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…
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
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. “How can individuals and organizations foster a culture of innovation and adapt to the rapidly changing job market and technological advances?” You guys are getting legit on…
Communication & Conflict
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. “How can couples communicate effectively and resolve their conflicts in a relationship?” Holy cow. You’ve been sending me questions that I can write books about. Practice, practice,…
How To Deal With My Husband’s Bad Attitude?
In this week’s episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver addresses a challenging and sensitive question from a viewer regarding how to handle her husband’s prolonged unemployment and negative attitude after being fired. Mike provides thoughtful advice on how to approach the situation with empathy, while also emphasizing the importance of open communication, mental…
Demonstrating that You’re Promotable
In this week’s enlightening episode of “Mondays with Mike,” our host, Mike tackles the question: “What is one thing I can do at work to demonstrate I am promotable?” The conversation highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and personal responsibility as key traits that can set an individual apart in the workplace. Mike discusses the…
Develop Stronger Work Relationships
In this week’s practical episode of “Mondays with Mike,” our host Mike addresses the important question: “How can I develop stronger professional relationships with my colleagues and superiors?” The discussion revolves around the significance of interpersonal skills and personal development in fostering professional relationships. Mike highlights the importance of taking initiative, offering solutions instead of…
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