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What would you do?
Last night I was at a party of speaker industry people. A speaker who is a paraplegic wheeled up to the four seat table where a friend and I were seated and asked if there was a spot for him. Of course there was. During our lively conversation, the subject of disability came up and…
Are the rules always important?
I was sitting next to a woman on a four and a half hour flight the other day. Turns out she was 80 years old. Not a withering little old lady 80, but rather a smart, well-dressed, very healthy 80. She got on the plane with a very unhappy little 10lb dog in a carryon.…
How do you make decisions?
There are two factors in most decision making. Fact and Gut, when used together, lead to the best decisions. Sometimes they are in conflict, or one seems to be louder than the other. While many people seem to say, “just go with your gut”, others want all decisions to ‘make sense’. Which is better, smarter…
Why should a pharmacy chain’s decision matter to you?
This week CVS Pharmacy made a decision to stop selling all tobacco products in their stores by October 2014. I posted to Facebook that I thought it was a courageous decision for leaders to make. My point was NOT about tobacco. I don’t really care if CVS was doing it for publicity. It was courageous…
Do you make good decisions?
The National Speakers Association decided to change their name and brand to PLATFORM recently. The decision stirred up so much anger that the President of the Association decided to put the change (two years in the making) on hold. Why so much anger, you ask? Three reasons: a perception by the membership that is was…
How smart are you?
Most coaches (executive, athletic, etc.) will tell you that playing up is necessary for real performance improvement. Playing up is how willing you are to spend time around those that are smarter, more talented or further along their development path than you are. Doing that stimulates you to play up to the higher level of…
How do you make difficult decisions?
All of us have times when we are faced with difficult decisions. The reasons for the difficulty are as varied as the decisions each of us faces. Perhaps the difficulty is because it might have financial consequences or maybe someone’s feelings are going to get hurt. Maybe the difficulty is because, regardless of the choice…
Sale or customer – what’s more important?
Seems like an obvious enough question, doesn’t it? My buddy called a Harley Davidson store to find out if they have a leather jacket exactly like the one he has (his has worn out.) The salesperson at the Harley store says, “We don’t have it in stock, but I would be happy to call around…
Are you creating a world-class customer experience?
Please read the headline carefully. Then read it again. When all extraneous issues are stripped away, the customer experience is the single most critical factor in determining your success. In a very real sense, nothing else matters. How that experience is defined is your key to continuing to prosper. I sometimes hesitate to speak of…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
Managing Underperformance
Episode Summary: In this episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver answers a question from a manager struggling to address an underperforming employee without appearing harsh or dismissive. Mike offers a clear, step-by-step approach for handling the situation effectively. He starts by emphasizing the importance of clarity—leaders must first ensure they have clearly…
Managing Stress & Decision-Making
Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver dives into a common challenge faced by leaders managing high-stakes projects: how to reduce stress to make clearer decisions. Mike explores practical strategies that allow leaders to manage stress effectively without compromising leadership quality. Key among these strategies is the concept…
Professionalism
Episode Summary: In this week’s episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver addresses a crucial question from a manager in his 50s, who expresses frustration with young employees frequently using their phones during meetings and social settings. Mike confirms that this behavior is not only unprofessional but also a sign of disengagement, potentially…
Burnout
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “I’m in the helping business I help others every day. I’m burned out, and I really cannot talk to anyone about the sadness and discouragement I feel…
State of Leadership
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “What is your opinion on the overall state of leadership? And what is one thing you would change?” I think, overall, leaders are too timid in their…
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “How can individuals and organizations foster a culture of innovation and adapt to the rapidly changing job market and technological advances?” You guys are getting legit on…
Communication & Conflict
Hi, everybody. I’m Mike Staver. This is Mondays with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people just like you. Here’s this week’s question. “How can couples communicate effectively and resolve their conflicts in a relationship?” Holy cow. You’ve been sending me questions that I can write books about. Practice, practice,…
How To Deal With My Husband’s Bad Attitude?
In this week’s episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike Staver addresses a challenging and sensitive question from a viewer regarding how to handle her husband’s prolonged unemployment and negative attitude after being fired. Mike provides thoughtful advice on how to approach the situation with empathy, while also emphasizing the importance of open communication, mental…
Demonstrating that You’re Promotable
In this week’s enlightening episode of “Mondays with Mike,” our host, Mike tackles the question: “What is one thing I can do at work to demonstrate I am promotable?” The conversation highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and personal responsibility as key traits that can set an individual apart in the workplace. Mike discusses the…
Develop Stronger Work Relationships
In this week’s practical episode of “Mondays with Mike,” our host Mike addresses the important question: “How can I develop stronger professional relationships with my colleagues and superiors?” The discussion revolves around the significance of interpersonal skills and personal development in fostering professional relationships. Mike highlights the importance of taking initiative, offering solutions instead of…
Handling Constructive Criticism
In this week’s insightful episode of “Mondays with Mike,” host Mike addresses a pressing question: “What are the best ways to handle constructive criticism and turn it into an opportunity for growth?” The conversation centers on practical strategies for receiving and utilizing feedback effectively. Mike emphasizes the importance of asking concluding questions to derive actionable…
Stand Out In Meetings
In this week’s engaging episode of “Mondays with Mike,” our host, Mike, tackles a common question: “What strategies can I employ to increase my influence and presence in team meetings and discussions?” Mike delves into the essential elements of effective communication and presence in professional settings. Mike emphasizes the importance of contributing valuable insights, maintaining…
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