Professional Development Blog
“Openness to learning and growing is partially achieved in how you deliver feedback in the moment, and partially in what you have done the days, weeks, and months prior to that moment.”
— Kristen B. Hubler | One on One 101
The What, Why, and How of Emotional Intelligence
Get In The Habit Series | Part 1
As someone that has hired, fired, and worked with all kinds of people, I have one request for the world: can we please stop using the phrase soft skills? It is a term used to describe things like communication, empathy, patience, active listening, punctuality, giving feedback, receiving feedback, leadership, etc. These are all very important things people should strive to improve, but by applying the term soft to these vital attributes, we are sending the message that these skills are lesser than so-called hard skills—that they are a bonus but not a must…
One on One 101
If you are new to the corporate world, you will likely start hearing the term one on one, often spelt in the shorthand 1:1. For most people, their idea of what these interactions should look like is limited to their own experience, which then leads to some people reinforcing the poor habits of those that came before them. The only way to break this chain when you become a manager is to do a little research; whether you had a poor experience or a great one with those that have managed you, it is always great to expand your horizons and see if there are some other 1:1 tools you can add to your manager toolbox. Even those that have been excellent at 1:1s in the past may be struggling with how to lead them in our current hybrid world. This article will look at the what, why and how of this type of meeting in the modern workplace.
Stop Saying “so what I hear you’re saying is…”
How to Make Difficult Conversations a Little Less Difficult | Part 2
I have heard from many different people some version of the phrase So what I hear you're saying is…. It is a sentence that, when used in the right conversation, can be a good tool. On the other hand, when used in a difficult conversation, can destroy your chance of a positive outcome.
Using Affirmation When Giving Feedback
How to Make Difficult Conversations a Little Less Difficult | Part 1
When most people think about affirmation or self-affirmation, they might imagine someone looking into the mirror telling themselves they are strong and brave. I personally flashback to a Friend's episode where Chandler was trying to quit smoking and fell asleep to tapes reciting you are a strong, confident woman, and you don't need cigarettes. Which of course led him to wrapping a towel around his head and being more sensitive and prone to tears. Gender stereotypes aside, this is not what I'm talking about when I speak of affirmation.
Focus Time That Actually Lets You Focus
Clearing the Path for Change | Part 4
It is ironic that the only way I have managed to start writing this article on Focus Time, was to wake up at 5am on a Saturday. It has been on my To Do list for weeks, but somehow there was always something more pressing that bumped it down the line. Does this sound familiar to you? Too often the environment that we are living and working in does not leave enough uninterrupted space to focus on the things that matter most.
The Path to Modern Collaboration
Clearing the Path for Change | Part 3
When I was just shy of 2-years- old, I drove our old red minivan into a tree. My mother had left the car running and parked in our neighbor’s driveway, just stepping out for a quick moment to drop something at their front door. In the minutes she was gone I successfully broke out of my car seat, climbed over three rows, put the car in drive, and drove down the hill into a tree. Before you try to cast blame on my mother, you should know that I also tried to jump off the dresser claiming I was super baby and therefore could obviously fly. So clearly no number of straps were holding this child down. At least not in 1987.
The Path to Effective Meetings
Clearing the Path for Change | Part 2
It is no secret that meetings have a bad rep. When you search for images of typical meetings it is not uncommon to see picture after picture of bored faces and heads on the table. If you want a real laugh, try searching for meeting memes.