Innovation

You Need 3 Kinds of Wealth—Here’s Why

2017-11-16T11:05:54-07:00Career, Innovation, Leadership, Strategy|

As the old saying goes, “Money alone can’t by happiness.” That’s true, but there’s something else too: Lacking wealth can make you very unhappy. If you doubt that, try asking people who have lived in poverty. Much of my work is about helping people build resilience, overcome challenges, and find ways to turn adversity into [...]

What I’ve Been Reading – September 2017

2017-09-28T07:12:58-06:00Career, Innovation, Leadership, Strategy|

“Spend time walking with thinkers.” That’s something a mentor of mine used to say, and he was referring to reading.  He saw reading as a way to connect with great thinkers and enrich intellect. He was right. When people make the time to read, they become more inspired, engage and empowered. But there’s also a [...]

Map Your Relationships and Save that Critical Project

2017-08-10T09:02:54-06:00Innovation, Leadership, Strategy, Uncategorized|

Susan is a COO for a rapidly growing company, and she’s been charged with rolling out a customer care initiative. She seemed like the perfect lead, she’s good with technology and she is great at project management. But the project is in trouble, and the CEO is losing confidence. Here’s Susan’s big mistake: She neglected to manage the relationships needed to make the project successful. It’s a very common mistake and there’s a simple tool that can help—relationship mapping.

Building Diverse & Inclusive Businesses—A Leadership Imperative

2017-08-10T09:03:43-06:00Innovation, Leadership|

Several weeks ago, I participated in a panel discussing diversity in the workplace. The title of the panel was “Diversity and Innovation,” but the real topic was “Why are we still having this conversation, and why haven’t we made progress?” It’s an important question for the future of American business, and it’s an area in [...]

How to Build a Culture of Innovation—Part 2: The Pillars of Innovation

2017-08-01T11:11:16-06:00Innovation, Leadership|

Over the years, I’ve seen that certain behaviors support innovative corporate cultures. If leaders build a solid foundation upon those behaviors in the workplace, there’s a better chance that their organizations will be stronger and enduring. These three “pillar” practices create a work environment conducive to generating ideas, encouraging productive behaviors, and sparking imagination.

How to Build a Culture of Innovation—Part 1 Understanding Innovation

2017-07-19T21:14:00-06:00Innovation, Leadership, Strategy|

  It’s hard to pick up a business book or magazine without seeing the word “innovation.” I believe that’s a good thing because innovation is the life-blood of any business—it’s how we serve our customers and differentiate ourselves from the competition. However, many business leaders privately tell me how much they struggle with innovation. They [...]

A Better Way to Do Business—Why I Became a B Corp

2017-07-19T21:14:00-06:00Innovation, Leadership, Strategy, Uncategorized|

I want to share some very good news. Vision Executive Coaching recently became certified as a B Corporation, or B Corp for short. B Corp certification means that Vision has undergone a rigorous assessment of our ethical, social and environmental business practices, and that we meet the highest standards. I’m extremely proud of this move for a number [...]

How to Be a Courageous Leader

2017-07-19T21:14:00-06:00Career, Innovation, Leadership|

I work with many tremendously talented people who repeatedly overcome obstacles and succeed, but I also see others who remain stuck in a perpetual negative cycle they believe they’re powerless to escape. As an executive coach I’ve learned that there’s one key differentiator: courage. And it’s not just the run-of-the-mill “gladiator” archetype of courage. Rather, [...]

7 Steps to Simple, Straightforward Strategic Planning

2017-07-19T21:14:00-06:00Innovation, Leadership, Strategy|

In my last article, Get Your Year Off to the Right Start, I discussed the importance of strategic planning and goal setting. However, annual strategic planning can become arduous and complex. The result is unproductive meetings, plans that are never implemented, or (worst of all) people who give up on planning entirely. Unless you’re a Fortune [...]

Get Your New Year Off to the Right Start

2017-08-10T05:48:11-06:00Career, Innovation, Leadership|

Most of us are now back in the office after a well-deserved holiday break, and even though jumping back in after the year-end vacation can feel overwhelming, I believe the beginning of the year is the perfect time to take stock of the past, celebrate your accomplishments, and set some goals for the coming year. [...]

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