Next Level Blog

MAY 3, 2022

Ask questions that open up thinking : Then, he gets to the coaching by asking questions that open up creative thinking and help his team member develop insights about the problems they’re trying to solve and the goal they want to accomplish.

Team 176

Team How To Constraint Short-term 176

Next Level Blog

DECEMBER 6, 2013

With the humility, forgiveness, selflessness, vision, creativity, resolve, warmth and so many other traits that he exhibited, he embodied the term servant leader. I took an hour or so this morning to read as many as I could. There''s so much that can be learned about leadership from the life of Mandela. Click headline to continue.

Servant Leader 160

Servant Leader Creativity Leadership 160

Next Level Blog

MARCH 31, 2020

That can lead to some predictable conflict-management problems that you can avoid with a little foresight and creativity. In the new “Work from Home” (WFH) era sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, being in the same room isn’t an option. Think back to that distant time of February 2020 and earlier. You remember how those went.

Crisis 178

Crisis Executive Coaching Engineering Participative 178

Next Level Blog

MAY 16, 2022

If you know what you need in your life, you can be creative in how you get it and have confidence in the fact that the rhythm is going to come and go. And the good news is that tomorrow or the next day, you’ll be more likely to get more of what you want or need. That’s the rhythm of it.

Books 249

Books Creativity Commitment Report 249

Next Level Blog

JANUARY 22, 2020

You feel creative, connected and relaxed. Here are some of the signs that you’re engaging in transformational listening : Your focus is on the connection between you and the other party. Your goal is to learn more about the other party – what they think, what they value and how they feel. So, what do you think?

Long-term 182

Long-term Executive Coaching Goal Creativity 182

Next Level Blog

NOVEMBER 13, 2019

An easy way to do this is to look at your calendar or notes for the past month or so to identify the events or conversations that sparked your creativity, enthusiasm and optimism. What patterns do you see? They’re showing you who your energy givers are. On the flip side, review the record for energy drainers.

Energy 174

Energy Budgeting Brainstorming Executive Coaching 174

Next Level Blog

MAY 26, 2020

It’s really a process of unlocking assumptions to the point where creative thinking about different possible scenarios can truly begin. I’ve been facilitating some of those for clients over the past couple of weeks and have been struck by how the answers to one set of questions can shape and influence the answers to other sets of questions.

Disruptive Innovation 244

Disruptive Innovation Christensen Innovation Globalization 244

Next Level Blog

MAY 12, 2020

Tap into their perspective, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit by creating processes that solicit and incorporate their input. You can consult customers, partners and experts from outside if that’s helpful, but you should most definitely engage the people in your organization who are closer to the customers and the day to day work.

Learning-by-Doing 244

Learning-by-Doing Uncertainty Conference Definition 244

Next Level Blog

OCTOBER 6, 2020

In addition to learning chords and riffs, I find I’m usually more productive and creative when I get back to work the next morning. One of the things I love about the practice is that it’s completely immersive. It engages my senses in a whole different way from what I do in my work all day.

How To 246

How To Learning-by-Doing CEO Report 246

Next Level Blog

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Then coach the team to find best solutions by embracing dynamic tension and bold creativity.”. Holly Kortright, Chief Human Resources Officer for Navy Federal Credit Union explains what that enables: “Build a safe environment where everyone can bring their full and true selves to the team. Make the Roles Clear. As Cynthia Horner, M.D.,

Advice 238

Advice Execution Team Chief Operating Officer 238

Next Level Blog

JULY 7, 2020

A little creativity in a pandemic never hurt anyone! Variety is the spice of life. Spark new connections by changing up your meetings and routines and inviting others into a different mix that brings fresh energy by shaking things up. Strong, healthy relationships are vital to both productivity and health and well-being.

Learning-by-Doing 186

Learning-by-Doing Open-book Stress Positioning 186

Next Level Blog

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

Once I locked back into the “get to” mindset, the project really took off for me and my creativity and energy soared. And I can’t wait for you to see the 3 rd edition this Fall – I think you’re going to love it!). So, what is it for you – “have to” or “get to”?

Energy 229

Energy Conference Audience Advice 229

Next Level Blog

APRIL 1, 2013

To a person, each of them said they felt more productive and creative at work because they had scheduled some regular time to be present with their families. By taking some time to recognize what they’d been doing, these leaders renewed their relationships with their families and, at the same time, renewed their own perspective.

Participative 194

Participative Creativity Course Examples 194

Next Level Blog

JULY 13, 2021

They have time for hobbies and other pursuits that make them more creative and happier people. When that’s taken care of, many people have found that working from home enables them to get more sleep, eat better, and have more time for living their lives because they’re not spending hours and hours commuting five days a week.

Execution 246

Execution Policies Content Learning-by-Doing 246

Next Level Blog

JULY 11, 2018

For example, a study conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership shows that 40 percent of new executives fail within eighteen months of being named to their positions. Available in October, you can pre-order it here. Research shows that moving to the executive level is among the toughest transitions of any career. What’s going on here?

Leadership 181

Leadership Execution Operations Learning-by-Doing 181

Next Level Blog

DECEMBER 8, 2020

You’re not creative. Instead of putting your head down and grinding on even though you’re exhausted, cry uncle and acknowledge that you can’t keep doing things this way. It’s not a long-term strategy for success. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite of that. You’re not doing your best work. You start overlooking critical things.

Stress 246

Stress Short-term Long-term Learning-by-Doing 246

Next Level Blog

MARCH 12, 2019

The key, though, is to use that power wisely and creatively. Talk About the Big Picture and Where Everyone Fits – One of the perks of a leadership role is the power to convene. If you want to call a meeting, you can call a meeting.

How To 157

How To CFO Teamwork Learning-by-Doing 157

Next Level Blog

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

What kinds of reading and activities are feeding the creativity and perspective you need to perform at your best? All of that fine tuning and attention helps prevents wipeouts. What would productive time in the garage look like for you? If you want to avoid a wipeout you need to spend some regular time in the garage.

Engineering 100

Engineering Short-term Long-term Execution 100

Next Level Blog

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

You can be more creative when you have open blocks of uninterrupted time. A bunch of reminders and ah-ha’s about the value of uninterrupted time to think without the deadline pressures of getting ready for a particular meeting. They include: 1. It’s fun to learn new skills and create something that you’re interested in.

Project 100

Project Video Efficiency Creativity 100

Next Level Blog

JANUARY 19, 2017

If they know their best thinking and creative work comes early in the day, they keep their first hour or two clear of meetings. Operating Rhythm – Great leaders know and leverage their operating rhythm. They know what times of the day and the week are the best fit for getting particular things done and then they schedule it.

Self-aware 100

Self-aware Leadership Learning-by-Doing Operations 100

Next Level Blog

OCTOBER 25, 2010

"  He's looking for the creative and entrepreneurial spark with this question.    Again, it's interesting to consider what kinds of questions you can have in your tool kit to uncover the creative spark in someone's thinking. .    A different era back then.) 

Leadership 150

Leadership Executive Coaching Blog Bond 150

Next Level Blog

JANUARY 3, 2019

I’m more creative. It’s because I realized during my annual retreat with Diane (my all-star life and business partner) that I am better when I write regularly. You can read our tips for how to do a great annual retreat here ) I think more clearly and deeply. I see patterns better. I learn more. I connect with more people more frequently.

Class 118

Class Follow-up Learning-by-Doing Metrics 118

Next Level Blog

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

There are lots of creative and helpful ways to say things other than “yes” to requests for your time and attention. And two, if you do, does anyone else know what they are? If you don’t communicate your boundaries, you may as well not have them. Learn how to say no gracefully. Learn how to say no without seeming and feeling like a jerk.

Tactics 315

Tactics Strategy Management Collins 315

Next Level Blog

DECEMBER 24, 2010

  It's a really cool story about how some creative people with a vision came up with something that has touched the lives of millions and endured through the years. .  For an inside look at how he worked with his collaborators to create this classic, check out this great article that ran a few weeks ago in the Washington Post.

Company 154

Company Executive Coaching Blog Letter 154

Next Level Blog

OCTOBER 6, 2010

In a truly innovative move, the new management team rewrote the employee handbook giving the green light to profanity and dirty jokes “because a loose, fun, nonlinear atmosphere is important to the creative process. This should be understood, should not be a surprise and not considered harassment.”

How To 169

How To Handbook Executive Coaching Case Study 169

Next Level Blog

OCTOBER 10, 2017

A lot of thinking is really just reacting. On any given day, there’s so much coming at us that we just react or reflexively respond to the input. That’s not all bad. A lot of stuff gets done that way. But who’s stuff is getting done – yours or someone else’s? To get your own most important stuff done, you have to create space to think.

How To 221

How To Conference Learning-by-Doing Document 221

Next Level Blog

AUGUST 18, 2010

If you’re clear on the goals, you’ll be able to be more creative and flexible about the different ways to reach them. Be as specific as you can be with yourself about the optimal levels of energy and engagement in the room. That picture represents your goals for the event.

Audience 160

Audience How To Energy Executive Coaching 160

Next Level Blog

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

In case you haven’t noticed, summer is more or less over. As we look back fondly on the somewhat lazier days just ended, it’s a good time to ask, “What did I learn this summer?” One of my big lessons learned is that stay-cations can be fun, mind-expanding and energizing. That’s what Diane and I decided to do the last week of August.

Project 100

Project Creativity Video 100

Next Level Blog

JULY 6, 2015

If you’ve been reading anything I’ve written over the past few years, you know what a big fan I am of routines. I’m especially fond of the routines – physical, mental, relational and spiritual – that help you show up at your best. Mindful routines help us groove the behaviors that lead to incremental improvement.

Creativity 100

Creativity 100

Next Level Blog

APRIL 27, 2012

Every week, I share a recap of some of the best things I’ve seen on Twitter. This week, I’m highlighting tweets and links on how exercise can make you smarter, the difference between competing and inventing, and the relationship between management and marriage, among others. Click headline to continue.

Management 165

Management Creativity Leadership Development Development 165