Resources
Build Culture · Develop Your People · Grow Your Business
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…
As Featured On
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 Hold People Accountable Without Micromanaging
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses a common leadership challenge: what’s the best way to hold someone accountable without resorting to micromanagement? Drawing from his coaching expertise, Mike explains that true accountability is not about enforcement or constant checking in; rather, it’s about clear expectations…
How to Handle People With Low Emotional Intelligence
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a practical and common leadership challenge: how to deal with individuals who demonstrate low emotional intelligence. Mike explains that the first step is to identify the specific area in which emotional intelligence is lacking—whether it is self-awareness or social awareness.…
How to Give Feedback That Motivates
” 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
” 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?
” 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
” 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
” 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
” 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
” 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
” 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
” 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
” 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…
Trusted by the world's most influential leaders.
