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Is there peace?
I am in New York. I was fortunate enough to have a few hours of free time so I went online and purchased a guided tour ticket to the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Others have told me about how well done the museum is and how moving it was. It was breezy, cool and raining consistently…
Do you have a place?
An hour ago I got back from a walk on the beach. You know, trying to get my steps in so this pesky bracelet on my arm doesn’t bug me for failing at my goals. What can I say….. it works. As I walked down the beach the wind was at my back. I was…
How much should you tolerate?
Boundaries are lines of distinction. A place where something starts and another ends. The importance of personal boundaries cannot be overstated. Boundaries are one of the keys to a healthy and clear way of seeing the world and relating to people. There is often a misunderstanding about the nature and use of them. There are…
When is the low road the high road?
The fact is, if you live long enough, you are going to get betrayed, taken advantage of or treated unkindly. That’s life and if none of that ever happens to you then you just aren’t living large enough or far enough out on the limb. The question is how do you know which course of…
Ever had a great idea?
Throughout the course of our lives we come up with ideas, inventions, opinions, solutions etc, etc. If we really love the idea we enthusiastically share it and think about it. Has that ever happened to you? If you are like most people it has happened. What also happens is that there are varying degrees of…
Does your health matter?
I just completed my Mayo Clinic Executive Health Physical. Colonoscopy, endoscopy, full history and physical – the whole shooting match. Two days of being poked and prodded and examined and questioned. This is at least the fourth time I have done this. Fortunately, Dr. Rodriquez said that on almost every measure I am healthier than…
Do you make smart choices?
Sheena Iyengar, Ph.D., has done interesting research on choice. It is very American to desire choice; to believe that choice ultimately is the greatest freedom. Dr. Iyengar has found that the desire for choice is not always a constructive desire, and that when there are too many choices we actually begin to make poorer choices.…
Are you a ‘from scratch thinker’?
I often hear people say, “I have no regrets.” Really? Seriously? Then I am weirder than I thought, because I have some regrets. Not self-loathing, oh what a worm I am regrets, just some things I look back on and wish I would have done or not done. There is value in the question ‘if…
Is Osama Bin Laden’s death relevant to you?
He’s dead and there’s no doubt about that! Last Sunday night, as I was watching news coverage and the President’s brief speech, I felt a sense of relief. It wasn’t relief because I felt safer or because a dangerous person was out of the way. It wasn’t relief because I will sleep sounder as I…
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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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