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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
How to Hold Someone Accountable Without Micromanaging
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver tackles the common challenge of holding people accountable without resorting to micromanagement. He redefines accountability not as a weapon, but as “a promise kept.” Mike emphasizes that true accountability hinges on clarity of expectation and mutual agreement. He provides clear examples to…
Why Your Feedback Isn’t Landing Right
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the common excuse for not giving feedback: “it never lands right.” He firmly states that avoiding feedback for this reason is a “terrible idea” and that feedback must be given regardless. Instead of avoidance, Mike advises a diagnostic approach. He prompts…
Emotional Intelligence
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the question of how to deal with individuals who have low emotional intelligence. He explains that the approach depends on the specific area where their emotional intelligence is lacking. If they exhibit low self-awareness, Mike suggests kindly making them aware of…
Coaching vs. Giving Advice
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver clarifies the crucial distinction between coaching and simply giving advice. He explains that great coaching often involves very little advice-giving. Instead, it’s about the intersection of being directional and conversational, with the best coaches asking good questions to help individuals uncover their…
How to Give Motivating Feedback
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver tackles the challenging but crucial topic of giving feedback that genuinely motivates a team rather than deflating them. He shares two key strategies. The first involves clearly stating the desired outcome, such as “flawless execution,” and then providing feedback within that framework,…
What to Say When Your Team Doesn’t Listen
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common leader’s frustration: “My team just doesn’t listen.” He explains that often, the issue isn’t a lack of listening, but a lack of clarity in communication. Mike advises leaders to emphasize and expand on what they are saying, then verify…
How to Communicate Assertively and Respectfully to Leadership
Episode Summary In this episode of Monday’s with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question: “How can I effectively communicate my ideas and concerns to upper management in a way that is assertive but still respectful?”. Mike discusses the true meaning of assertiveness and provides key strategies for communicating effectively with upper management. Key…
Coaching Versus Criticism
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question: “Some of my team members seem resistant to coaching. See it as criticism rather than support. How can I shift their mindset to see coaching as positive?” Mike provides insights on how to re-evaluate your coaching approach to ensure…
How to Foster a Culture of Innovation
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question: “How can individuals and organizations foster a culture of innovation and adapt to the rapidly changing job market and technological advances?” Staver emphasizes the importance of celebrating experimentation and viewing failure as a stepping stone to innovation, using the story…
Long Term Career Goals
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question, “Should you stay in a job for stability even if it doesn’t align with your long-term goals?” His emphatic answer is “no.” He argues that your career should align with your long-term goals, similar to how his company only pursues…
Team Member Decorum
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question, “How do you manage a team member who’s brilliant but drives everybody crazy?” He advises establishing team operating principles to set behavioral expectations. If the disruptive behavior continues, the manager needs to address it directly, focusing on specific behaviors rather…
What Do People Take Too Seriously?
Episode Summary: In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver answers the question, “What’s one thing you think people take too seriously in life?” He believes that people generally take themselves and many aspects of life too seriously, including politics, religion, relationships, and their possessions. Mike encourages listeners to give themselves a break,…
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