Difficult situations

How to Give Feedback Using the SBI Approach

by

Last month, I took a leadership training session called Feedback that Works, created by the Center for Creative Leadership. At first, I figured it would be a nice refresher for my skills, but to my surprise, I learned a lot more than I expected. The session introduced me to a new, simple yet powerful framework for giving feedback—the SBI approach: Situation, Behavior, Impact. It completely changed the way I approach feedback, making it both more effective and less stressful. ...  read more

How to Improve Your Life and Work Today? Try OACS

by
improve your life and work

I have been interviewing therapists to see if I can find one that is a good fit.   This post is not about recommending you to get a therapist.  That’s totally up to you.   It’s about sharing a useful tip one therapist shared with me that immediately improve my perspective and thus my life and work.   Apply OCAS!  What is OCAS?  I will get to that in a few paragraph. ...  read more

Four Deaths in One Week – Prioritize Life Now in Your Decisions

by

Perhaps I am just getting older or perhaps it’s a life message that I need to hear.  I heard of four deaths that happened to my immediate friend circles this week and am saddened by their loss.   Two are my friends’ parent who died of old age and health issues in their 80s.  At least they lived a full life.  Two others are however people in their 50s and 60s.   Life can be so short and brutal. ...  read more

8 Subtle Signs of a Toxic Culture and What You Can Do About It

by

The #1 reason people quit their jobs today is due to a “toxic culture.”  Just what is the definition of a “toxic culture”?  Can you recognize it if you are in one?  I would argue that everyone can recognize the obvious signs of a toxic culture.  However, not as many can recognize the subtle signs of a toxic culture in development. ...  read more

My Failures in My 20s and What I Learned from Them

by

I have never shared these stories before.  Perhaps it’s because it took me 20+ years to realize that I do not need to be ashamed of my “failures.”  Each one taught me something and in reality ended up working out better for me.  🙂  When they happened however, they were devastating to me and especially to my ego. ...  read more

How to Deal with the Unexpected – Shift Your Action to Shift the Outcome

by

We all have to deal with the unexpected at work and in life.   It is how we choose to respond to these obstacles that shifts the outcome.    The following is a personal story to illustrate my point.   If you came with us on this beach trip, how would you have reacted?

Trip to the Beach

It took some convincing but my mom reluctantly agreed to go to the beach.   Ever since COVID started, my mom has refused to go anywhere, even after being fully vaccinated.  She is the most comfortable at home.  She doesn’t like surprises and lately she seems to see the negative in every situation.    My dad wanted to take her to the beach but she has refused many times. Now that I was visiting for a week, she finally agreed and lamented that dad and I were gaining up on her. ...  read more