We’ve all suffered from the words or actions of others. We’ve all experienced the sting of a passive-aggressive remark, a betrayed confidence, or being excluded from a meeting or social setting, often without cause or warning. Sometimes they’re one-time infractions, and sometimes they go on for years. They can be humiliating and hurtful. Plus, they …
Author: John Stevenson
Adversity
Adversity comes in all shapes and sizes. For some, it’s the daily grind of stress and self-doubt. For others, it’s the gut punch of loss, failure, or unexpected change. Whether it’s a missed opportunity, a health scare, or a major life transition, we all face moments—big and small—when life doesn’t go as planned. And while …
Negativity
Negativity is contagious, and if left unchecked, it can poison a team’s energy and derail progress. Executive coach and author Peter Bregman offers a grounded, empathetic three-step approach to managing it in a recent HBR article. First , Bregman warns against the most common leadership mistake: trying to shake people out of their negativity, either …
Pausing
For many of us, activity and noise consume the greater part of our modern workdays. We hustle through our to-do lists, rush from meeting to meeting, and wear busyness as a badge of honor. This doing mode may keep the wheels turning, but according to research by Megan Reitz and John Higgins, authors of “Speak Out, Listen …
Listen
Great communication isn’t just about speaking clearly — it’s about listening intentionally as well. Yet, most of us are never formally trained in how to listen well. The result? Missed signals, misunderstood meanings, and weakened trust. Debra Schifrin is a consultant and lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, and outlines four practical listening techniques …
Joy
This may just be the sleeper tip of the year for sales, marketing, and company culture: Expressing joy and enthusiasm about making your products or delivering your services is more likely to help you sell more. That’s the finding of researchers who conducted 11 experiments on 30,000 seller profiles on social media and peer-to-peer marketplaces, …
Feedback
Feedback is often framed as a necessary tool for managing performance and ensuring employees stay on track, but it actually serves a deeper purpose: it helps employees find meaning in their work. In fact, feedback is one of the most powerful ways leaders and managers can create an environment of growth, trust, and motivation. Effective …
And
It’s easy to become trapped by a mindset of either/or thinking. Do you want a fulfilling career or a happy personal life? Should you focus on profitability or purpose? Must you choose between capital conservation or innovation? This limiting perspective—what Jim Collins of “Good to Great” fame calls the Tyranny of Or—forces us into false dilemmas where we believe only one …
I may be wrong
There is no faster way to make an enemy than to tell people they are wrong. Think about it. Have you ever told someone he is wrong by your words, deeds, or gestures, and had him agree with you? Never! That’s because it strikes a direct blow at that person’s pride, judgement, intelligence, and self-respect. …
Kindness
Imagine walking into work and being greeted with a sincere compliment, gesture of generosity, or simple thank you. It can completely shift the tone of your day. According to a recent HBR article, this isn’t just a feel-good extra. It’s a powerful tool that can transform organizational culture, boost morale, and even improve business outcomes. Research consistently …