Mondays with Mike

   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, a viewer asks for a good way to clarify someone’s goals. Mike introduces the well-known and effective SMART goals framework. He breaks down each letter of the acronym: Specific, Measurable, Actionable (or Achievable), Relevant, and Time-bound. To illustrate the concept, Mike uses the example…

   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses a common leadership concern: what if you don’t feel confident enough to lead others? Mike explains that confidence is not a prerequisite for effective leadership but rather, it’s the result of putting yourself out there and taking action. Drawing from…

   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…

   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common workplace struggle: procrastinating on important work. Responding as a coach, Mike Staver explores what truly drives procrastination, asking listeners to consider the underlying causes, whether it’s fear of failure, lack of resources, or concerns about outcomes. He underscores that…

   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses a common challenge: what should you do when an employee is clearly capable, but continues to underperform? Mike explains that persistent underperformance often stems from a lack of clarity about what high performance looks like. He walks through a step-by-step process…

   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver addresses the common challenge of clients freezing when faced with tough decisions. Drawing on his coaching experience, Mike explains that the root cause is driven by fear. Usually, it’s the fear of making the wrong choice or of negatively impacting others.…

   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…

   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, host Mike Staver answers the question: when should you take a supportive approach, and when should you be more direct in coaching or leadership? Mike explains that the choice between being supportive or directive depends on the situation and the needs of the person…

   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…

   Episode Summary In this episode of Mondays with Mike, Mike Staver addresses an insightful question: What is the difference between coaching somebody and simply giving advice? Mike explains that great coaching is fundamentally different from advice-giving. Coaching is not primarily about offering solutions or telling others what to do; instead, it focuses on…