Mike’s Blog
This is for everyone who is interested in Leadership, teams, and people.
There are currently 1,226 posts on this site. Narrow the list by searching for topics that are important to you.
The impact of webcams on creativity
I've spent the past two years of working at home, perfecting what it means to be in front of a webcam. One of the most impactful skills I've learned is to look right into the webcam when I'm talking, coaching, or teaching. It wasn't easy to learn this skill when I...
How are you using your positional power?
I once quit a job that I really cared about. The reason? My boss used his positional power in ways that created many problems for the team. For example, one day, he phoned me while I was travelling home from a client site. He told me about a change that was happening...
Well I guess it was bound to happen
After more than two years, we had Covid in the house for the first time. It started with one of us testing positive. Then, within a couple of days, the rest of us were testing positive. Thankfully, none of us had any severe symptoms. It also seems that none of us will...
Try being abnormal this week
I'm mediocre. There, I said it. It's hard to admit to mediocrity in a world that values those who stand out. However, there's nothing special about me or what I'm doing in the world. At least, this is the story I told myself for a long time. Take a moment and assess...
What to do when someone is upset
Several years ago, a client asked me to put together a plan to get the team trained and up to speed on a new way of working. While presenting the plan to the management team, one of the VPs became angry as he felt I was trying to upsell him. I was taken aback and...
Are you resilient or recovering in the face of burnout?
There are times you need to be resilient and keep going forward in your life. Other times, it’s prudent to pause and recover.
Stop trying to get it right
In January 2019, I found myself frustrated with the process and experience of writing. I was finding the process of writing and publishing blog posts challenging. I would spend a lot of time working on each post as I tried to get it ‘right.’ To change the writing...
Offering feedback – what’s your mindset?
Giving useful feedback is challenging
What didn’t you say?
You never know where your intuition might take things.
How much control do you have in life?
Have you noticed how the more you try to control life, the less you seem to have control of life?
How bold are you?
I wouldn’t be leading if I’m not willing to risk it all.
The best time to solve a problem
I guarantee you will not fix 100% of the problems you can’t see.
Feedback without permission is not going to be heard
Feedback is best when you have permission to give it. B.T.W: Being the boss doesn’t mean you always have permission.
Feeling supported starts with your feelings
People are impacted by what’s in the news, so make it safe to feel what they feel. Who knows, you might be the only person who does that for them.
Who’s problem is Quiet Quitting?
If you haven't heard, the latest buzzword in the world of work is "quiet quitting." Once that one emerged on TicTok, we started to see "quiet firing" being talked about as well. In case you don't know: Quiet quitting is doing the bare minimum in your job while looking...
Your leadership is defined by your actions
Leaders take small deliberate actions that move things towards the goal. What actions will you take today?
Perspectives and teamwork
Why is it two people can look at the same thing differently? It’s what makes teamwork so powerful.
Are you paying attention to the buoys?
Ignoring buoys while boating is dangerous. What buoys are you ignoring in your life?
Don’t apologize for being on vacation
Vacations help you recharge so you can be at your best. So, don’t apologize when responding to messages.
Do you appreciate the people around you?
Don’t take the people around you for granted. Eventually, you will find they won’t be there anymore.
Your intentions are taking you somewhere
Actions are the result of intentions. What intentions are you holding today?
Failure is not an end-state
Failure is not an end state, it's a stop along the journey towards learning, innovation, and #Growth.” — Dave Dame
Sitting in nature
How often do you sit quietly in nature? It’s amazing what you can hear both around and inside you.
Getting things done and space go hand in hand
Open your calendar. How much unreserved time do you have this week? If the answer is 'not much,' you may want to change your reality as it's hard to get anything done without space in your calendar.
