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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…
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…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
What to do When Your Top Performer Loses Initiative
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a challenging workplace question: what should you do when a top performer suddenly loses initiative? Drawing from his experience as an executive coach, Mike emphasizes the importance of proactive diagnosis and direct communication. He explains that a sudden decline in…
How to Help Clients Discover Their Blind Spots
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver tackles the practical question: “What’s a simple way to identify blind spots in a person?” Drawing from his coaching experience, Mike shares a straightforward approach—don’t accuse, but rather invite awareness by gently asking if someone has noticed a particular behavior. For example, he…
Your Obligations as a Coach
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver answers a nuanced question about obligations as a coach when supporting both a direct report and their supervisor—especially if the direct report is unhappy and considering a career change, but hasn’t disclosed this to their boss. Mike clarifies that as a coach,…
When to Consider Coaching
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver answers a common leadership and personal development question: When is the right time to consider coaching, either for yourself or for someone you manage? Mike provides a straightforward guideline: coaching is valuable when the results you’re getting don’t align with your intentions.…
How to Build a Coaching Culture
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver tackles a foundational question: what are the first steps to building a long-term coaching culture within an organization? Drawing from his experience as a coach to top executives, Mike emphasizes that creating a strong coaching culture starts with genuine buy-in…
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…
Why You’re Not Getting Results and What to Do About It
” allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Episode Summary In this episode, Mike Staver responds to a common frustration: “I’m doing all the things, but I’m not seeing results. What should I ask myself?” Mike Staver challenges the assumption that someone is truly doing “all the things” if the desired results aren’t showing up. He emphasizes the need for…
How to Challenge Someone Who Shuts Down
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common coaching challenge: how to help an employee grow when they shut down every time they are challenged. Mike explains that the coaching approach itself often plays a central role, coaches must perform honest self-reflection to consider whether their style…
How to Coach a Team Member That Keeps Clashing 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…
An Employee Who Keeps 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…
How to Coach Those Who Resist Change
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common coaching challenge: how to help someone who resists change. He reframes the idea that people inherently resist change, arguing instead that resistance only happens when individuals don’t see a meaningful benefit for themselves. Mike Staver suggests that effective coaching…
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…
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