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Do you find fault or favour?
I know, I know, you are probably thinking you find both fault and favor. Admittedly, some people are balanced in their view of people and events but for the most part everyone has a bias.Everyone tends to lean one way or the other. Everyone, that is, that has any real interaction with people or life…
Dealing with conflict
Conflict is a fact of life. I have spent the majority of my life in conflict…well not actually IN conflict, but at least helping people through it. Even though I know how to handle conflict, it is not always easy. It is important to remember that you aren’t supposed to enjoy it. But there are…
Do you understand people?
I was listening to a couple of people in a conflict the other day. As I listened, I noticed something so glaringly obvious that I had to make this month’s RESULTS about it. As the two struggled to communicate, the conflict seemed to get more frustrating for both of them. It’s not like the conflict…
What is going on?
This month I want to share a brief message that my friend sent to his staff after the Dallas shooting. Leo Ardine is the CEO of United Teletech Credit Union in New Jersey. His daughter sent him a text expressing her sadness about the recent tragedies going on in our country. His response moved me…
Are you ‘out of the box’?
Those of you that have been reading this blog for a while realize that I really dislike clichés. In fact, I dislike them so much that I regularly make fun of them. So you may be puzzled as to why I chose the first comments of 2013 to have a cliché at their core. The…
Do you jump to conclusions?
A few days ago, I was having a conversation with a friend who was very upset about a text message she received from someone she was dating. On and on she went over what it said…..and the “attitude and emotion” of the text. Clearly there is no emotion in a text, and people certainly can’t…
Has a lack of clarity ever created trouble for you?
It has for me, THAT’S for sure. At the time of this writing, the Malaysian Airlines 777 hasn’t been found. Not only has it not been found but it seems that those at the airline are wandering around in the wilderness. Were it not for the support and help of the international community there is…
Communicating with the opposite gender
WARNING: Contrary to my usual tendency, I am writing a much longer newsletter this month. I STRONGLY urge you to read the whole thing. Recently I have received numerous requests for this topic and so I am giving you the full meal deal this month. Be open to what you read here… it will make…
How politically correct are you?
I am very tired of having to watch everything I say to make sure I don’t offend anyone. Sure, I understand there are some things that are unquestionably offensive and I do my absolute best not to offend anyone intentionally, but come on!! Christmas Day is a national holiday – do we all understand that?…
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MONDAYS WITH MIKE POST ARCHIVE
Supportive vs Directive Coaching
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver explains how leaders can discern when to be supportive and when to be directive in their coaching. He clarifies that directive coaching involves teaching, telling, and guiding, while supportive coaching is more collaborative. The key is to evaluate what the individual is…
Team Members Who Clash 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…
Employees 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…
Change Management
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver tackles the challenge of coaching individuals who resist change. He debunks the myth that people inherently resist change, asserting instead that people resist change when they don’t perceive a personal benefit. Mike advises painting a clear picture of how the change will…
Working Harder Than Your Team
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common concern from managers: feeling like they work harder than their team. He explains that it’s often normal for leaders and owners to work harder due to higher responsibilities for driving strategic results. Mike emphasizes that while working harder might…
How to Stop Procrastinating on Important Work
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the pervasive issue of procrastinating on important work. He suggests that procrastination often stems from deeper concerns, such as fear of failure or perceived lack of resources. Mike, acting as the viewer’s coach, would first ask what they believe is at…
What to Do When a Capable Employee Underperforms
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the common problem of an employee who is capable but consistently underperforming. He suggests that this issue often stems from a lack of clarity regarding what high performance truly entails from the employee’s perspective. Mike advises evaluating whether the employee understands…
Coaching Clients Through Tough Decisions
Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses the common challenge of clients who freeze when faced with tough decisions. He suggests that this hesitancy often stems from fear of negative outcomes or concerns about impacting others. Mike proposes starting by asking what the client is most concerned might…
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…