FORBES – Beyond AI: The Power of Reputation, Relationships and Human Connection

As leaders and professionals, we often face a complex dynamic: being too hard on ourselves or letting ourselves off the hook too easily. This internal struggle can strip away joy, ease and true connection while allowing poor behavior and bad habits to flourish. Our inner critic constantly tells us we’re not doing enough, not good enough or not achieving fast enough. This self-judgment robs us of presence and keeps us trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction. We forget we’re human, not machines. Left unchecked, our inner critic drains us of joy and our ability to connect deeply with others—two essentials for a fulfilling life. On the other hand, we can also be too easy on ourselves, neglecting exercise, rest and self-reflection. We push work ahead of family and friends, only to feel resentment for our choices. We indulge in poor habits—overeating, drinking, mindless scrolling (or worse, porn and illegal drugs)—to avoid feelings of disconnection. There’s a popular message today: “I don’t care what others think.” But that’s not only untrue, it’s dangerous. As humans, we are social beings. We thrive in community, camaraderie and connection. Without these, we starve emotionally, which can lead to darker paths—addiction, loneliness and isolation. The [...]

By |2024-11-01T08:53:52-07:00November 1st, 2024|
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Navigating the AI Revolution: A Leadership Journey Towards Humanity and Relevance

“The Daily Show reported recently that scientists in Japan had invented a robot that can recognize its own reflection in a mirror. ‘When the robot learns to hate what it sees,’ said Jon Stewart, ‘it will have achieved full humanity.’ ― Steven Pressfield, Turning Pro The rapid evolution of AI technology presents us with a paradox. On one hand, it offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency. On the other, it challenges us to keep pace with its advancements, ensuring our skills, our businesses, and indeed our very sense of self, remain relevant and in demand. Amidst this tsunami of change, one truth stands clear: the future we are steering towards will reflect our inner selves. The creations of today, powered by AI, will amplify our beliefs and values like never before, at a velocity that history has not seen. It is within this context that I invite you to engage with a conversation that transcends the immediate challenges of technology and touches the core of our leadership ethos. Steven Bartlett, in his podcast The Diary of a CEO, hosts an enlightening dialogue with Mo Gawdat, a luminary in the realms of technology and human happiness. Mo's journey—from spearheading innovation as Google's Chief Business Officer to exploring [...]

By |2024-04-25T09:55:29-07:00April 25th, 2024|
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The Power of Language: A Key to Effective Leadership and Influential Organizations

Language is a beautiful thing. It’s far more than just a tool for communicating, but a magic wand that shapes our view of the world and how others perceive us. It’s a vehicle for expressing thoughts, emotions, and values – and it’s at the core of all human connections. There is a fascinating connection between language and leadership, and how the power of words can shape the course of teams, organizations, our world. Let’s explore. As leaders, our choice of words can do wonders. It’s more than just sharing information, it’s a chance to inspire and motivate our teams, fostering a dynamic, positive, and productive work atmosphere. Our words carry weight, instilling trust and confidence. Conversations become chances to influence, connect, settle disputes, and effectively convey our vision. One concept that beautifully highlights the influence of language on our minds is Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). In a nutshell, NLP is a set of tools and techniques that allow us to understand how our minds work and how we communicate with others. It provides insights into our patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and offers strategies to make positive changes in those patterns. The term ‘Neuro’ refers to our brain and nervous [...]

By |2024-01-18T08:10:23-08:00June 8th, 2023|
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FORBES: What Are You Focused On? How Your Thoughts Impact Your Future

As published in Forbes We create the world as we are. In a very real sense, you create in the external world whatever you focus on internally. Thoughts of lack create lack. Thoughts of problems create a life filled with problems. Thoughts of possibilities and solutions create new ideas, energy, possibilities and solutions. You can decide to focus your thoughts on the issues of the day or on the faults of others, and many do. If you are often disappointed, frustrated and angry, this may be why. Focusing only on the present situation or the shortcomings of others is a terrible way to live, but because so many people are doing this, it can seem normal. This is the antithesis of leadership. You can decide to focus your thoughts on things that happened to you in the past or on your own faults, but to do so is to be completely self-absorbed. Focusing only on yourself, you will interpret everything that happens as being about you. If you are easily jealous, hurt or offended, this may be why. This is another terrible way to live. I know because I spent years doing exactly this. Alternatively, you can choose to focus [...]

By |2022-09-15T08:57:59-07:00September 1st, 2022|
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Forbes: Leaders, Dreaming Matters.

As published in Forbes. If I could impart one idea that would have the greatest potential to advance you and your future success, it would be this: Master the ability to dream. Now, I know this sounds light and fun. Perhaps even easy. It isn’t. The ability to dream is a discipline, and it is one that few of us are actually good at doing well or consistently. First, let me define what I mean by dreaming: the ability to focus your thoughts on ideas that give you energy. It is the skill of keeping your attention for an extended period of time on an outcome you want to create, often in the absence of any evidence that its realization is even possible. Dreaming is the ability to see in your mind’s eye a positive future and glimpse the realization of that future, and to experience the feeling of the dream’s realization along the way, such that the accomplishment of the dream is merely another rewarding moment in a long series of rewarding moments. Unfortunately, many of us have a hard time focusing our thoughts. Sure, we can think about an outcome that we want to occur — a successful [...]

By |2022-05-12T13:03:18-07:00May 12th, 2022|
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CU Insight: Leaders, How Are You?

As published in CU Insight At this stage in your life, with everything occurring in the world and the vast implications to the global economy, your industry, and your business, few things get to be about you—how you are feeling or really doing, deep inside of yourself. As an experienced leader, your job requires you to give to everyone else: vision, strategy, answers, time, attention, information, approval, feedback, coaching, encouragement, validation, and confidence. It seems everyone around you either wants or needs something from you in order to perform and be successful. You focus on others all day at work. Then, if you are a spouse, parent, child to aging parents, and/or volunteer in your community, you continue this focus on others throughout the majority of your personal life. When is your life ever about you?  Steve Jobs used to walk with his coach, Bill Campbell, on Sundays, which he used as time for himself; time to reflect, talk freely, hear himself think, get perspective, and focus himself. If you don’t currently have someone like Bill in your life, please use this post as one way to quiet the demands, fears, and noise of the world to make time for [...]

By |2021-10-22T16:34:17-07:00October 22nd, 2021|
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CEO Magazine: What Can Only You Do?

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. I know it feels quicker or more rewarding to do it yourself: to answer that question, respond to those emails, and/or solve the problem of the day. However, every time you jump in and do something that others could do, you detract from your work, work that only you can do. You also hinder others from learning, leading, and working at their appropriate level. We each have only eight to ten good working hours per day, so it’s imperative we leverage ourselves first, and then coach and develop others to do the same. Start With You What are the two or three key things someone at your level of leadership needs to be spending the majority of his/her time on? What is your real job? What is it that only you can do from your title and position of power? Where do you need to show your face because your presence matters enormously? What communication can only come from you? Where do you currently spend the majority of your time? Look at your calendar. What changes need to occur? What do you currently do that really needs to be owned [...]

By |2020-09-30T15:52:07-07:00September 30th, 2020|
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FORBES: Between Stimulus and Response, Where Are You?

As featured in Forbes Your CFO resigns. A merger proceeds. A key leader is let go. You lose a major deal. Your direct report handles an important task poorly. A water pipe bursts in your home. Authorities warn of a pandemic virus. Your children make decisions you wish they didn’t. Your spouse uses a certain tone of voice. World leaders take actions that scare and affect us all. How do you react? Do you find yourself wanting to vent to anyone who will listen, perhaps instantly taking to social media? Do you look for someone or something to blame, righteous about the fact that this should not be occurring? Do you allow yourself to feel hurt, angry, scared, sad or disappointed? Or do you mostly cover up your real emotions with a facade you believe to be more socially acceptable? Perhaps you shut off, go numb and, as Brené Brown put it, “have a couple of beers and a banana nut muffin.” On the other hand, maybe you find yourself relaxed and able to easily lean into the event. Are you open, curious about the news and eager to research it fully, taking nothing at face value? Do you focus [...]

By |2021-06-17T09:28:19-07:00May 1st, 2020|
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FORBES – Joining The Executive Ranks? Begin with the end in mind.

As featured in Forbes. Beginning a new executive role is exciting. It can also be daunting and overwhelming, with so many people to meet and things to think about, prepare, do, and achieve. The role begins as soon as your position is announced and everything you do from that moment on communicates and has a significant impact. Your first three months are critical. Get these early days right and the positive momentum you establish can do a great deal of work for you, making everything that follows that much easier. Get distracted and fail to think through who you need to be, the relationships you need to build, the communications you must have, and the culture you must live and foster, and this important first impression opportunity is lost. If you are beginning as an executive (or simply want to be more effective in the role you currently hold), take pen to paper and answer the following questions. Then, place your answers where you can see them daily and schedule time to review your progress weekly. What kind of leader do I aspire to be? Who do I want and need to be to foster the ideal culture and to [...]

By |2022-08-08T11:48:01-07:00April 8th, 2020|
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Leadership impact: Let’s get real, arrogance won’t get you anywhere

Featured in the May 2019 Issue of The CEO Magazine, Executive coach Susanne Biro from Syntrina Leadership shares what it takes to be an impactful leader with CEO Magazine.  There’s a question I routinely ask potential clients because I want to understand what led them to seek out an executive coach: “Why are we speaking?”“Well, apparently I’m an asshole.” This is an answer I have heard countless times, sometimes verbatim and sometimes couched in politer words. “Are you an asshole?” I inquire. We both laugh. “Yes, I suppose I can be.”“Hey, me too. We all can. Here is your coaching: stop doing that.” Again, we both laugh.We then get to work, exploring all that is occurring for the executive: the challenges of leading in a global marketplace; the politics playing out at the senior leadership level and the resulting lack of trust; engagement and specific results throughout their organisation.And this is to say nothing of their personal life and its complexities, which might include raising children, caring for ageing parents or coping with divorce, illness and death.“What is actually happening within you?”The answers to this question vary greatly but the essence is always what is happening within each of us: our personal histories are impacting our present [...]

By |2019-05-16T09:06:52-07:00April 23rd, 2019|
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