Karen’s Articles
Is Your Leader Wearing the Emperor’s New Clothes?
Your colleague just bombed his presentation to the board. He went on way too long, and the data portion was so confusing. But when he asks how he did, you reply, "Nice job. Is that a new tie?" Our basic survival instinct tells us to answer positively, even if there...
Terrible, Horrible Day?
At some point, we all have what my now 18-year-old daughter liked to call "stinky-poo days." It's an amusing way of recognizing that sometimes you just have to get over yourself and deal with the circumstances at hand. In fact, my epic stinky-poo day involved my...
The More Specific, The More Terrific
You can’t improve if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Many of us complain about underachieving co-workers, but don’t give them the type of feedback they need to do their jobs better. Let me give you an example: Several years...
Pay No Attention to the Pink Elephant
Pay No Attention to the Pink Elephant. At a recent retreat of senior-level managers, we started the day with a yoga session. What a positive way to open a meeting, don't you think? The instructor arrived early, set up the room, and greeted the participants as we...
I Prefer a Carrot, Thanks!
I always build group discussion into my training programs; it helps reinforce the messages and ensures we've delivered everything participants need. But I must say, there are many moments when I think to myself, "I couldn't have said it better myself." I had one of...
Tape and W-D40
Last week I taught presentations skills. Just as we were beginning the first break, someone new came in. "I couldn't sign up for this class," she said, "but I hope you'll help me anyway. I'm speaking at a conference next week. Do you have any quick suggestions for...
Fruit Loops
I still remember the first time I noticed fall. I must have been four or five years old. I was with my family driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I, through some miracle (or, more likely, maternal intervention), was sitting by the door, nose pressed...
Make Lemonade
Julie and I went to college together. When others saw lemons, Julie made lemonade. It's not that Julie had fewer challenges than the rest of us, It's that Julie wrote the book on turning challenges into opportunities. These days, Julie and I don't talk as often as...
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