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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 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…
Supportive vs Directive Coaching
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver explains how leaders can discern when to be supportive and when to be directive in their coaching. He clarifies that directive coaching involves teaching, telling, and guiding, while supportive coaching is more collaborative. The key is to evaluate what the individual is…
Team Members Who Clash With Others
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses how to coach a team member who is clashing with others. He begins by emphasizing the importance of working on relationships and cultural dynamics as much as on work dynamics. Leaders should foster good relationships through socializations and team meetings where…
Employees Missing Deadlines
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common management challenge: an employee consistently missing deadlines despite claiming they’re doing their best. Mike suggests starting by re-emphasizing the deadline and ensuring the manager was clear about expectations. He then advises discussing the downstream importance of meeting deadlines and…
Change Management
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver tackles the challenge of coaching individuals who resist change. He debunks the myth that people inherently resist change, asserting instead that people resist change when they don’t perceive a personal benefit. Mike advises painting a clear picture of how the change will…
Working Harder Than Your Team
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common concern from managers: feeling like they work harder than their team. He explains that it’s often normal for leaders and owners to work harder due to higher responsibilities for driving strategic results. Mike emphasizes that while working harder might…
How to Stop Procrastinating on Important Work
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the pervasive issue of procrastinating on important work. He suggests that procrastination often stems from deeper concerns, such as fear of failure or perceived lack of resources. Mike, acting as the viewer’s coach, would first ask what they believe is at…
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