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Articles from Angie Thompson | Selfgrowth.com
- Five Keys to Success as the Rate of Change Accelerates - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonFor hundreds of years, people have felt the world was changing faster and faster. You can find writing from two hundred years ago lamenting the rate of change that you would believe was written yesterday, yet with the perspective of history, there is no question that the rate of change today, in ...
Views: 538(1 vote) - The Power of Talent – a Leadership Lesson from Babe Ruth - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonIn 1919 the Boston Red Sox had a star pitcher who also had home run power like no one had ever seen. He helped them win 3 world championships. His name was Babe Ruth. At that time they were a powerhouse in baseball – winning 5 of the first 15 World Series match-ups. In 1920 the Red Sox ...
Views: 564(1 vote) - Creating a Balanced Reading Die - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonSince at least 1894, the US Department of Agriculture has created guidelines and models for creating a balanced diet. With each iteration of their recommendations the dietary experts try to give us an easy-to-use guideline for eating in a healthy and well balanced way. This is a useful practice ...
Views: 565 - A Business Case for Forgiveness - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2012 from Angie ThompsonWe all want it. And sometimes it is hard to grant to others. While there are psychological and spiritual reasons why forgiveness is important, that isn’t the focus here. Make no mistake; I am going to try to convince you why forgiveness is important for you and your business ...
Views: 649(1 vote) - Lessons From Dads – With a Leadership Twist - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2012 from Angie ThompsonI, like many people feel I learned so much from my father. He was my first boss as well as my Dad, so I learned about Leadership and Customer Service as well as learning about life. Knowing that I wanted to write this and post it the day after we celebrate Father’s Day, I decided to go to ...
Views: 634(1 vote) - The Leader’s Guide to Popularity - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2012 from Angie ThompsonI don’t really watch it, but the tenth anniversary of American Idol’s first show got me thinking about popularity. Millions of people watch this show, and engage with it by voting for the singers they like best. All of the contestants are vying to win the hearts and votes of the viewers. At ...
Views: 610(1 vote) - It’s All About You...or Not - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2012 from Angie ThompsonWhen you reach milestones in life, like a 50th birthday, it is a good idea to reflect (actually, reflection is valuable every day, but that is a different post). And as my 50th birthday came and went over the weekend, I reflected on some of the most valuable things I have learned in my work and ...
Views: 628(1 vote) - Ya Gotta Believe - by Submitted on Dec 03, 2012 from Angie ThompsonDuring an unlikely 1973 comeback from last place to first place in the final month of the season, a New York Mets pitcher was credited with the phrase that became the rallying cry of the team and city – “ya gotta believe!” That phrase was widely credited with helping the team go 20-8 to finish ...
Views: 655 - Leadership Lessons from Hamburger (Yes, Hamburger) - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2012 from Angie ThompsonPerhaps this post will prove you can stretch a metaphor a long way (almost as far as a mother of six can stretch a pound of hamburger). The reality is that I decided to see what I could come up with because this week is National Hamburger Week. I spent some time thinking about hamburgers and ...
Views: 676(1 vote) - Leadership Lessons in Humility, Gratitude and More From Kathy Ireland - by Submitted on Dec 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonLast Saturday I had the opportunity to hear Kathy Ireland speak, and as the picture proves, meet her and give her a copy of From Bud to Boss. Guy Harris, the co-author, and I wrote this book to help new leaders gain success as they move into their new position. Most know Kathy is a supermodel ...
Views: 690(2 votes) - Scope Creep Doesn’t Have to Be Creepy - by Submitted on Dec 03, 2012 from Angie ThompsonHave you ever cleaned your garage? When you started the project, the task was pretty well defined. You could look at the garage and see what needed to be done. But once you got started, two things happened. First, you realized there were more necessary parts to the job than originally ...
Views: 749(1 vote) - A Buffet of Goal Achievement Approaches for Leaders - by Submitted on Nov 29, 2012 from Angie ThompsonImagine walking into an upscale restaurant with a sumptuous buffet – offering a wide range of tantalizing salads, entrées and desserts. (Perhaps a more clear picture will come on Thursday at a Thanksgiving dinner). There are all sorts of foods, providing you with a wide variety of ...
Views: 603(1 vote) - Create a Challenge and Create Your Future - by Submitted on Nov 29, 2012 from Angie ThompsonThink of the times in your life when you have grown the most, excelled at new levels and felt the most satisfaction with your life and results. Chances are, in all of those situations, a common element was a challenge that you faced and surmounted successfully. Whether it was the challenge ...
Views: 585(1 vote) - Read This First! - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonDear Learner, I don`t know why the training is on your calendar. Maybe you are being told to go. Maybe you don`t even really know what it is about. Maybe you`d rather go to training than be at your desk. Maybe training means a chance to get away from home for a day or two. Maybe you are ...
Views: 839(2 votes) - The Truth About Influence - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonEight year old Sam Baker was wondering about something, so he asked his parents, "How come our town doesn`t have a Christmas tree lit up for everyone in town to enjoy?" He reasoned that other nearby towns had trees, that they had a tree at the White House, and that he saw them light a tree at ...
Views: 905(2 votes) - The Secret of Surrender - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonSurrender? When you think about surrender, you don`t likely think of great leadership. People who surrender, lose, right? The dictionary tells us that surrender, as a verb, means things like: "to yield possession or power," "to give (oneself) up," "to give up, abandon or relinquish." These ...
Views: 877(1 vote) - Finish this sentence - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonBrick WallWould you like a way to get better ideas, faster? Would you like to nearly automatically tap into your subconscious brain to help you solve your vexing problems? Would you like a tool that would help your team think more clearly? What if I told you that tool was free, except ...
Views: 1178(2 votes) - Raise Your Glass! - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonI caught myself humming a tune from my past the other day. It`s an old Tom T. Hall song titled "I Like Beer". Just to give you a flavor, here is the second half of the chorus . . . "Whiskey`s too rough, champagne costs too much, and vodka put my mouth in gear. This little refrain, should ...
Views: 1728(1 vote) - Managing Leadership Expectations - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonHave you ever stopped to really look at a spider web? If you aren`t afraid of spiders, the next time you have a chance, stop and look at a spider web. What you will find ais an intricately designed work of art and engineering marvel. Every part of the web is connected to every other part ...
Views: 687(1 vote) - What is Organizational Culture Anyway? - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonHave you ever been in the woods, walking on a trail? If so you know that while you see the trees in front of you it is hard to describe the whole forest. At that moment, the forest for you is the trees – because you just see the trees around you. Patterns, dimension and perspective are hard to ...
Views: 1166(1 vote) - Be Better Than Your Best - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonA No-Excuses Leadership Learning Strategy Leading effectively is a complex mix of skills and behaviors that don`t all come naturally and can`t be mastered quickly (if ever). To put it simply, to be a great leader, you must be a continual learner. That is easy to say. It is easy to believe. ...
Views: 897(1 vote) - Conquering the Leadership Paradox - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonConquering the Leadership Paradox It happens all over the world, every day. Josie is a great performer. She is very good at her technical expertise, and for that she is rewarded with a promotion. Her supervisor calls her into her office and gives her the good news. Congratulations ...
Views: 906(1 vote) - Go Ahead, Fall in Love! - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonFive Love Affairs Leaders Should Have Caught up in the spirit of Valentine`s Day, that day we celebrate romantic love, I began thinking again about the connection between the words love and leadership. Before you even read about these five love affairs, you might be put off by using the word ...
Views: 1153(1 vote) - You Were Born to Win - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonI first read See You at the Top (Zig Ziglar`s classic first book) over Christmas one year during college. I had heard of Zig, and checked out the book from the library. I took pages of notes since I couldn`t write in the book. I still have the notes. Soon after, I started listening to Zig`s ...
Views: 1091(1 vote) - Find Your Story - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2012 from Angie ThompsonFinding a Story for a Specific Communication Purpose Tom had a major presentation coming up in less than a week, and he was concerned. This presentation was important not only for his team and his company, but also for his career. He knew that if he did well it would make all the ...
Views: 828(1 vote) - Telling a Story that Influences Others - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2012 from Angie ThompsonThere are many reasons you might want to tell a story. You could tell a story to entertain, to inform, or to get a laugh. You could tell a story to a friend, write it in a blog post, or include it in a presentation. While there are many situations when a story can be a powerful communication ...
Views: 781 - There's No Such Thing as Organizational Change - by Submitted on Jan 24, 2012 from Angie ThompsonThere’s No Such Thing as Organizational Change It is everywhere. . . . . . Political leaders promoting changing policies. . . . Organizational leadership touting new products or strategies. . . . Team leaders outlining a process improvement. Leaders everywhere think their job is ...
Views: 855 - Ten Morning Habits That Promote Greater Success - by Submitted on Jan 24, 2012 from Angie ThompsonDo you want to get more done, reach more of your goals, and make a bigger difference? If so, the morning is when that can all begin! However you came to read these words, I`m confident you are interested in greater productivity, achievement and success. Perhaps you want that for yourself, ...
Views: 761 - Four Lessons Leaders Can Learn from Camels - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2011 from Angie ThompsonLet me start by saying I am not a camel expert. Some of what I know about camels, I have learned from reading throughout my life. Some I learned yesterday when talking with colleagues - people who know more about them than I do. I however have become more interested because of my recent personal ...
Views: 879 - Six Ways to Avoid Being a Micro Manager - by Submitted on Oct 03, 2011 from Angie ThompsonLeadership and learning expert Kevin Eikenberry wants to help you avoid being - or becoming - a micro manager. Think about your perfect supervisor/manager/leader for a minute. Build a mental list of the attributes that perfect person would possess and think about the words you would use to ...
Views: 794 - Six Ways to Build on Recent Success - by Submitted on Oct 03, 2011 from Angie ThompsonYou've had a success - congratulations!! Now what do you do? Leadership and learning expert Kevin Eikenberry has 6 steps to help you turn this success into your next success (and more). Your team has just completed a major project, introduced a new product or closed a major deal. Tremendous ...
Views: 584 - Using the Four Types of Feedback Effectively - by Submitted on Oct 03, 2011 from Angie ThompsonAre you incorporating all four feedback methods when working with your team? What? You think there are only 2 types of feedback? Leadership and learning expert Kevin Eikenberry shares tips for using all FOUR feedback techniques. You`ve likely heard when you deliver feedback it should be ...
Views: 621 - Five Key Conversations to Have with Your New Boss - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2011 from Angie ThompsonRecently promoted? Leadership and learning expert Kevin Eikenberry shares the 5 conversations you need to have with your new boss - right away. (These work even if you're a veteran.) If you`ve just been promoted, this is obviously for you. If you have been in your role for awhile, but your ...
Views: 867 - Take a Leadership Listening Tour - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2011 from Angie ThompsonJoan received an opportunity to lead a large organization in a new industry. Her background prepared her for many of the expectations of the new role, but she didn`t have industry specific knowledge and she didn`t know the company or the people. While she is hardly the first person to be in ...
Views: 697(1 vote) - Six Ways to Avoid Being a Micro Manager - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2011 from Angie ThompsonThink about your perfect supervisor/manager/leader for a minute. Build a mental list of the attributes that perfect person would possess and think about the words you would use to describe that person. Done? I don`t know what is on your list, but I`d bet the farm on what isn`t. Micro ...
Views: 674(1 vote) - Using the Four Types of Feedback Effectively - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2011 from Angie ThompsonOne of the hardest things for leaders is giving effective feedback. It’s perhaps most challenging when you are new in your leadership or supervisory role. If you find yourself in that leadership situation, consider reading From Bud to Boss – Secrets to a Successful Transition to Remarkable ...
Views: 619(1 vote) - Six Ways to Build on Recent Success - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2011 from Angie ThompsonYour team has just completed a major project, introduced a new product or closed a major deal. Tremendous effort and dedication was required and as a result success was achieved. Everyone is excited, and everyone is pleased. And, everyone is tired and might not know what comes next. This ...
Views: 696(1 vote) - Nine Steps to Greater Team Ownership - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonAs a leader you know results and productivity are higher when people are committed to their work. You also know higher levels of commitment or engagement also increase job satisfaction, safety performance and focus while reducing on-the-job stress and turnover. Commitment, engagement or ...
Views: 705(1 vote) - Making Better Decisions in Meetings - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonLots of things happen in meetings - some of them even helpful! 5 KeysWhile most everyone has horror stories about meetings, there also are far too many examples of meetings that, while not awful, are far from effective. One of the reasons for these less-than-stellar experiences is that ...
Views: 812(1 vote) - Valuing Your Own Expertise - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonIf this title has you scratching your head, wondering if I am suggesting you become an egomaniac, relax! That is the furthest thing from my mind (though I`ll talk about it before I`m through). The truth is, while there are people with super-high self images related to their expertise and ...
Views: 693(1 vote) - The Difference Between Feedback and Advice - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonFeedback and advice. In modern organizational life they are related terms. When you look at them grammatically, they are connected, but not as related as I thought before I researched them a bit. From Dictionary.com here are the relevant definitions for each word, and some synonyms ...
Views: 1537(1 vote) - Creating and Communicating a Compelling Vision for Change - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonStatus quo requires no leadership. That has been a mantra of mine for a long time. It encapsulates an important point about the role of leaders - leaders are in the change business. After all, if everything in your organization was perfect, there would be no need for leaders because there ...
Views: 833(1 vote) - Five Ways to Visualize Your Goals - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonYou`ve got your goals set. You`re excited about them and the prospects of achieving them. Whether those are true statements for you personally, for your team/organization or both, congratulations! They`re both necessary and important steps. And, they aren`t enough. I`m guessing you`ve ...
Views: 847(1 vote) - Seven Ways to Properly Set the Size of Your Goals - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonHere is a piece of good news - there are hundreds of books, websites and other resources that teach systems for setting goals. And the better news is that most, if not all of them, will work (if you do the work needed to make them work). The bad news - one piece of the goal setting puzzle ...
Views: 746(1 vote) - How to Get Lazy People to Work - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonIn our Bud to Boss Workshops we get asked different versions of this question frequently. Sometimes it is asked in a more politically correct way. Sometimes it is asked as a curiosity. Most times, however, it is asked bluntly, directly and with frustration: "How can I get lazy people to ...
Views: 1184(1 vote) - Three Ways to Effectively Show Your Gratitude - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonMost people realize the value and importance of being grateful for the positive and meaningful things in their lives. Much has been written about the benefits of an attitude of gratitude. It doesn`t take much prove that value - your experiences likely are proof enough. When you take the time ...
Views: 747(1 vote) - Six Ways to Overcome Your Biggest Attitude Challenge - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonMost everyone has a relatively positive attitude when things are going great. But we all have those certain situations . . . those situations that push our buttons, or seem to sour our attitude as soon as (or whenever) they take place. Dealing with our attitude during those times is your ...
Views: 697(1 vote) - Seven Ways to Be More Comfortable and Confident When Receiving Feedback - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from Angie ThompsonThere is lots of advice for leaders, managers and coaches on how to give better feedback. I`ve written and taught quite a bit about it myself. But today I want to write about something else. Something that is discussed less often and is often misunderstood. It`s a skill that when well ...
Views: 726(1 vote) - Six Strategies for Boosting Morale - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from Angie ThompsonA participant from a workshop I led several years ago posed a question to me last week. While she shared more details, this is the crux of her question: "Currently low morale is my major issue. With all of the changes there were reductions to staff and responsibility changes . . . I appreciate ...
Views: 711(1 vote) - Coaching Success by the Alphabet - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from Angie ThompsonBeing an effective coach is a leadership skill - as you coach successfully you help create the future you are leading people towards. However, being an effective coach is more than leadership - it is an important life skill as well. We all can be more effective at coaching in our communities, ...
Views: 682(1 vote)