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I often wonder what people in leadership positions think their jobs are all about. Isn’t leadership about bringing out the very best in other people? Yet, according to Talent Management magazine, while nearly 60 percent of employees think their direct...

There’s an interesting paradox that plagues our workforce: Professionals want to be given opportunities to grow, and leaders want driven team members who step up and make themselves indispensible. Yet, we keep hearing, “Why don’t they see how hard...

Two days before moving in, I walked through my new apartment with my leasing agent, Jennifer. With the stress of moving, my anxiety and attention to detail (OK, my OCD) were escalated. I immediately noticed dirt and water all over the hardwood floors. I swiped my...

Originally published by Zig Ziglar: https://www.ziglar.com/newsletter/?p=1143 For years, leaders have been scratching their heads, wondering what to do with this new generation of high-maintenance workers – with their high expectations (and high...

After a recent workout, I stopped in to say “hello” to Rick, the sales manager at my gym. I found him agonizing over whether to fire one of his salesmen, Keith. I was stunned. Keith signed me up. He takes care of any customer’s complaint, whether...

As I was leaving the gym a few weeks ago, I met a gentleman who I ended up sparking up a conversation with about my new book, Hidden Heroes.  When I told him the title, he said something that stung my heart: “There’s a severe lack of heroes in this...

In this challenging business economy, even the best leaders may be too distracted by the crisis of the moment to think about the big picture – namely, creating work environments that foster collaboration and high employee morale, factors that lead to innovation,...

It’s not news to anyone that today’s job market is a tough one, but this challenging business environment is also a great opportunity for motivated employees to shine while everyone else wastes time complaining. One of my readers recently asked: Will you...

“It’s going to take time to heal, Misti,” said my physical therapist, Jon – for about the fifteenth time in one week. “Today, we’re just going to work on strength.” “And then what?” I asked. “Then, we see how...

“Fifty percent of our employees will be eligible to retire in the next two years,” said Peter, the CEO of a major utilities company. “I want to be sure we’re doing what’s necessary to keep our young employees and motivate the older ones...

As 2011 begins, I think about how blessed I am to have so many extraordinary people touch my life in various ways, how enriched my life has been because of these people, and how much I have learned and grown. No doubt that 2011 will bring its own set of...

You’ve got a clear vision and some solid goals for your team. And that’s a great start. But does your team know what you’ve got in mind? Jeff, the CEO of a large corporation, is passionate about his vision for the company and the impact it could have...

Have you ever listened to an amazing vocalist, witnessed exceptional leadership or watched an Olympian win the gold by just a fraction of a second? I have, and those experiences inspired me deeply. On a recent drive with my best friend, Mali, a song came on the radio...

If you have a job and aren’t getting complaints from your managers, does that mean you are doing a good job? In Boomer world, no news is good news … but is that really true? How do you know? No news probably means your performance is up to par, or at...

Just after completing what felt like my best-ever speech last week, I was on top of the world, giving thanks and letting my colleagues in on the good news. Just four weeks prior I was hardly able to look myself in the mirror, fearing I had let my audience down. Yet,...

“The culture shift is finally happening, Misti," said Carla, so giddy with excitement that I wished I could reach through the phone and give her the world`s biggest high five.  "I got a glimpse of it today. A culture shift in an organization this big is...

Lanette burst into my office, excited to share about a gentleman who wanted to work for her company so much that he was willing to take any job. “At the beginning of my interview with him, Yao slogged through all the impressive jobs and experiences he’d...