Some people seem to naturally communicate in a confident and engaging way without coming on too strong or being a pushover. Many professionals are able to present their ideas and solutions in ways that get attention, authority and respect while others seem to flounder...

As a leader, when you give directions or outline a new policy or procedure, you likely want to make sure you’ve been understood. So, you say what you and other leaders have said countless times before... Does anyone have any questions? And the response? Crickets....

What is your mindset? Do you have a “fixed” or a “growth” mindset? For more on the difference between a “fixed” and “growth” mindset, read Carol Dweck’s groundbreaking book Mindset. You will also discover the multitude of benefits of a “growth” mindset.  As leaders,...

How do you know if you are cut out for leadership? One key indicator is how comfortable you are with decision-making. I recently had a conversation with an Executive Vice President of Human Resources about the critical qualities of a leader. High on his list was the...

Did you make a few resolutions recently? Set a few goals? Maybe you even did what I did and created a personal strategic plan for 2016? If so, you will want to know this key to leadership success. Tie your goals, plans, and resolutions to emotional outcomes. When we...

Are you resolving to be a better leader and a better communicator in 2016? If so, you might find yourself setting some big goals that sometimes can be daunting to achieve. There is good news if you sometimes find yourself running out of steam and failing to achieve...

As a graduate of San Diego State University (Go Aztecs!), I knew that I wanted to speak and write about communication and leadership in the future. As an undergrad studying Speech Communication I was able to live in glorious San Diego, California for a few years....

"Confirmation bias" is the normal human tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions. For example, if you have a preconceived notion that your solution is the best solution to a problem, you will tend to interpret data or information...

When you change the way you look at things, what you look at changes. This common adage illustrates the power of perspective. Understanding the power of perspective can boost our communication skills and leadership abilities. Exceptional communicators and leaders know...

The ability to disagree without being disagreeable is a vital communication skill for success both at work and at home. Here is a not so obvious way to increase the likelihood your next difficult conversation doesn’t escalate or do damage to the relationship. Watch...