Choose your words

Choose your words

I cringed when I read this post by Karin Hurt of Let’s Grow Leaders. It reminded me of many times when I’ve spoken without carefully choosing my words. Most often, the results weren’t awful, like the loss of credibility Hurt examines. However, I know...
Yay, me!

Yay, me!

What have you accomplished this week/month/year? If you can’t answer that question, your contributions may not be on your boss’ radar either. That could spell trouble when it comes to career advancement – or in some cases, keeping your job. There is...
How to really help

How to really help

When a coworker comes to you for help with a problem, you’re probably like me. In your quest to be helpful, you give her some advice. Or you share your brilliant process for solving problems. While your aim is to be helpful, you really aren’t maximizing...
Questions to activate growth

Questions to activate growth

Humanergy spends a lot of time helping people ask powerful questions. We know that, in contrast with telling people what to do, questions can help people learn and grow. It’s not just asking more questions each day. Your motive for asking is extremely important,...
Make space

Make space

How many times have you asked a question – hoping to engage others – and the only response is silence? That can be pretty unnerving, and if you’re like me, your first impulse is to keep talking, to provide more background, to fill the dreaded empty...
WAIT

WAIT

I’m reading The Power of Questions by Scott Richards. One question I try to ask myself regularly is, “Why Am I Talking?” Easily remembered as WAIT, this could be a helpful mantra for many people. Distracted by excitement or impatience or...