Posted: October 14, 2014 | Categories: Leadership, Self-Improvement, Team Building

Today I would like to talk about the first quadrant of the four personality types listed in the last blog – the “Driver” (choleric).  Before I begin, I want to emphasize that this is not one of those personality tests where someone tries to categorize us or put us in a box.  The purpose here is to improve our skills in communication and managing relationships.  In the roles we play each day, the understanding of ourselves and the basic personal style of others can create more quality conversations.Read More…

Posted: October 8, 2014 | Categories: Leadership, Sales, Self-Improvement

“If out of reading this book you get just one thing – an increased tendency to think always in terms of other people’s point of view, and see things from their angle – if you get that one thing out of this book, it may easily prove to be one of the building blocks of your career” -Dale Carnegie (How to Win Friends and Influence People)

I read the above words for the first time about 40 years ago.  In my years of managing and coaching since then, I have found this to be an absolute truth.  Since I read that book, I have been on a never-ending search on ways to keep growing in my ability to understand and positively influence others.

I want to share with you one of the most useful tools I have learned in keeping communication and understanding strong.  I call it the four quadrants.  Their origin goes back to ancient Greek/Roman times.  They have been used as the foundation of personality profiles in modern day.  Here they are:Read More…

Posted: September 30, 2014 | Categories: Leadership, Self-Improvement, Time management

“For want of a nail…the shoe was lost…for want of a shoe…the horse was lost…for want of a horse, the battle was lost.  What a sorry tale!  And all for the want of a horseshoe nail” – An old nursery rhyme

If we want to be the best, attention to details are critical.  As General Colin Powell put it, “Check small things…be demanding”.  Top achievers know and live the value of relentless attention to detail.  Everything counts.  Everything matters.Read More…

Posted: September 23, 2014 | Categories: Self-Improvement, Time management

Last week I was working with a client on time management.  She is a CEO, and like most in that position, has more coming at her than she can attend to.   As Peter Drucker often said, effective executives know how to manage their time well.  Here is what she already had in play:Read More…

Posted: September 16, 2014 | Categories: Self-Improvement

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Norman Vincent Peale

The quote above we hear often in one form or another.  Stress control expert Dr. Hans Seyle believed that we spend over 60% of our time either dwelling on something in the past or worrying about something that may happen in the future.  That leaves 40% of the time to enjoy life in the present moment.  The question is:  How do we discipline ourselves to live in the moment?Read More…