While you were growing up, did you ever hear an adult say: “Let cooler heads prevail?” As adults, maybe this adage makes more sense than it did when we were…

What’s toxic for one person may simply be an annoyance or disappointment for another. The best way to gauge if a workplace is too toxic for you is to: Re-engage with…

I’m sorry to say that there’s no one right answer. But there is evidence that bosses who are best friends with someone who reports to them (or even elsewhere in…

A frustrating work environment can be when your supervisor simply doles out work and directives to you or your team of experts without any conversation or feedback from those around…

Last year I had the privilege of working with a smart, successful, and tenured Economics professor who intentionally chose to add breadth and depth to her expertise by becoming a…

“Everyone has a story that will break your heart. And, if you’re really paying attention, most people have a story that will bring you to your knees.” – Brené Brown Every…

I recall, a few years ago in a leadership program I was facilitating, that one of the participants expressed a degree of annoyance when someone described their response to a…

“True self-confidence is the courage to be open—to welcome change and new ideas regardless of their source. Real self-confidence is not reflected in a title, an expensive suit, a fancy…

Currently, a great deal of attention is being paid to the challenges associated with a business climate that is often described as volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA). This acronym…

During my recent month-long sabbatical in California, I spent a few days in Los Angeles. Many times during my visit, I was struck by a simple gesture of human connection….

“I do know that detachment is important.  A surgeon can’t be weeping into an empty wound.” – Randa Haines, Director “Detachment produces a peculiar state of mind. Maybe that’s the…

“I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life. And when we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our…

My last blog was posted on January 12, 2017.   I was starting to rethink my future, as my business partner (and daughter) was leaving Real-Time Perspectives to forge her…

During a recent leadership team meeting that I was facilitating, the subject of “accountability” was a major topic of conversation. Group members saw it as a critical value, one they…

At this time of year, many of us pause to engage in some kind of personal reflection. What came to mind for me was a practice I developed during my…

This time of year, it’s easy to let stress and anxiety build in your work life and your personal life. Here are five “mantras” to help get you through, from…

Years ago, when I worked for Steelcase, Inc., I had the privilege of attending a conference where the keynote speaker was General Normal Schwarzkopf, leader of the coalition forces in…

When you’re looking to get that coveted promotion, don’t underestimate the value of extensive prep for the conversation. If you’re fully prepared, you’ll have the confidence to represent your authentic…

I’ve had four careers (so far). My first was in college administration; my second in health care marketing. Both of those careers preceded a 20-year engagement with a Fortune 500…

If you’re a New York Times – Sunday Edition fan like me, you’ve read the Sunday Business section. Each week, The Corner Office offers conversations about leadership and management between Adam Bryant…

Recently I was asked to serve as a coach to participants in a clinical research trial, an opportunity that would lead to being recognized in a research paper which ultimately…

As part of Real-time Perspectives’ ongoing blog series focusing on millennials, we sat down with Tyler Nickerson, Director of Investments and State Strategy with The Solutions Project in Washington D.C.  RTP: What…

As part of Real-time Perspectives’ ongoing blog series focusing on millennials, we sat down with Grand Rapidian Holly Anderson, 29, Program Manager of the Community Food Club of Greater Grand Rapids. …

As an executive coach, I love the work I’ve been doing for over a decade. And part of what I love the most is the fresh challenge of helping people…

As part of Real-time Perspectives’ ongoing blog series focusing on millennials, we sat down with Grand Rapidian Emily Richett, owner of Richett Media, entrepreneur at EmilyRichett.com, and mom. RTP: What do you…

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been struck by how many of my new, younger clients have benefitted from a tool I’ve had in my toolkit for years. These clients…

You’re trying. You really are. You get up every weekday morning and head to work, believing it’s truly possible to be authentic and professional, to work hard and make time for relationships, to function…

I’m excited to share my recognition in an article recently published in The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science! The article shares results of research conducted at a West Michigan company where…

Feeling bullied at work? Here’s what to do. Whether you’re seven or 77, it’s likely you have experienced bullying to some degree. And while the type of bully you deal…

In my work as an executive coach, one issue that pops up over and over for my clients is how to manage difficult coworkers. That’s no surprise, because all workplaces,…