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Do you feel things are out of control?
If you have not been able to break away from your interest in the news, then I am certain you are riding the ups and downs of the geopolitical world we are now living in. There was a time when only my real estate clients were actually experiencing the turmoil. Now everyone is feeling it;…
Who should you blame?
From the time we are very young, we engage in a game of blame. How many times do parents ask their kids why they did something and get the answer, “Everybody does it” or, “Because so-and-so did it”? How often do we hear adults blame themselves, their environment, the market, their significant other, their heredity,…
How wise are you?
These days, you have access to mountains of information. You can discover answers to almost any question by simply typing your question into a search engine. You go to seminars, classes, read blogs, books and brochures. You watch videos, listen to podcasts, attend webinars, Twitter, and join braintrusts and any number of other think tank…
Get things in focus!
Vacations are ending, summer’s heat is fading, school is back in session, and the days will soon get shorter. The hectic pace of life is returning and as it does, it’s important to maintain focus on the things that REALLY matter. Some years ago I went to the doctor because I was concerned about my…
Can you be still?
I saw a commercial over the holidays that had the line, “Sure, you are active, but why?” This month I want to encourage you to be still. If you are like most people, you are very busy. Think of all the times you have been asked how you are doing and you have answered, “Busy.”…
Do you need to lose weight?
The number one New Years resolution is about losing weight. I was on a cruise recently and made the mistake of having a toxicity evaluation. They measured my body fat, metabolic rate, lean body mass, etc. Why I would do that on a cruise is beyond me. But what I found interesting was the amount…
Why are ‘shoulds’ so bad for you?
A should is simply an expectation imposed (emphasis on imposed) by us on another person or circumstance. The worst kind of shoulds are those imposed on ourselves. The reason they are so bad for you and your family and work is that they are usually irrational or worse. Now before you go getting all uptight…
Do you think?
With all of the swirling information and competing priorities being thrown at us every day, not only from the media but from friends and family and all manner of sources of opinion, it is critical that WE think. It occurred to me last week on a flight from San Francisco, that too often in life…
Why should Billy Graham matter to you?
Regardless of your faith or lack of it. Regardless of whether you are an atheist an agnostic or a believer, Billy Graham is an example to us all. First let me say that I never hold any one person up as THE example of anything. But as I thought about how one person could have…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
Work-Life Balance
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike discusses the concept of work-life balance and why he believes it’s largely a myth. He introduces the idea of work-life focus, emphasizing the importance of being present and focused in whatever you’re doing, whether it’s work or personal life. Mike also addresses the seeming…
Habits of Successful People
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike discusses one habit successful people have that most people overlook: persistence and the ability to tolerate failure. Mike emphasizes the importance of not giving up on your goals and pushing past obstacles. He also shares a personal story about a business venture he regrets…
Honest Feedback for Your Boss
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike addresses a viewer question about how to give honest feedback to a boss who can’t handle criticism. Mike advises viewers to ask clarifying questions and avoid criticizing their boss’s character or behavior. Instead, he suggests framing feedback in terms of improvement and offering specific…
When to Leave a Well-Paying Job
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike addresses a viewer question about deciding when to leave a well-paying but miserable job. Mike advises viewers to take an inventory of what makes them unhappy in their current role. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that you always have a choice, even if…
Impossible Clients
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike answers a viewer question about how to respond to a client who’s impossible to please without losing your mind. Mike emphasizes the importance of taking a “fearless inventory” of your own actions and responsibilities before jumping to conclusions about the client. He suggests evaluating…
Advice For Our Younger Selves
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the thought-provoking question: What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you in your 20s? His answer is straightforward—invest and save money, no matter how little. He reflects on his younger years when he believed he didn’t have enough money…
Politics & Family
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver tackles a common dilemma: dealing with a family member who constantly brings up politics at gatherings. His approach is simple—do not engage. He shares his personal strategy of staying neutral, avoiding the discussion entirely, and not reacting emotionally. Instead of debating or arguing,…
Office Politics
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver tackles a tough workplace dilemma: How can you get ahead in a company where office politics seem more important than performance? He acknowledges that succeeding in such an environment is extremely difficult and even questions whether staying in such a company long-term is…
Feeling Like You’re Too Old
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a fun yet relatable question: What’s a polite way to say, “I’m too old for this” when declining a party invite? Mike emphasizes that age should never be the excuse—plenty of older individuals still enjoy late-night socializing. Instead, he encourages people to…
Nice Guy Managers
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers a question about balancing being “too nice” and “being the hammer” as a boss or manager. He explains that the key lies in adjusting leadership behavior to the performance needs of employees. By being more directive when performance falters and more supportive…
Embracing Change
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a leader’s struggle to adapt to organizational changes and how their resistance is affecting their team. He offers practical advice on embracing change, from understanding personal resistance to conducting behavioral experiments with the team. With humor and empathy, Mike emphasizes the inevitability…
Identifying True Company Culture
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers a question about identifying a company’s true culture, whether as an investor, prospective employee, or vendor. He emphasizes the importance of going beyond a company’s marketing materials and mission statements to understand their genuine values and practices. By reviewing public documents, engaging directly…
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