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Articles from Angie Thompson | Selfgrowth.com
- Six Ways Leaders Can Help Others Measure Success - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2014 from Angie ThompsonGrowing up on a farm, one of earliest tools I learned how to use was a tape measure. There are several reasons for that - it is often used, using it won’t hurt you (think hammer, saw, or torch!), and my Dad carried a small one in his pocket. And as a boy, emulating Dad was always a good ...
Views: 815 - How to Keep the Negative Attitudes of Others From Impacting You - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2014 from Angie ThompsonIt is a proven fact – the attitude of those around you is contagious. This fact is great, when the attitude we are infected with is a positive one, but that isn’t the purpose of this article. Since negative attitudes are just as contagious as positive ones, you’d like to guard yourself from ...
Views: 813 - 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) - Leadership Lessons at 10,000 Feet - by Submitted on May 24, 2013 from Angie ThompsonIf you have flown anytime in the last several years you have heard some version of this announcement: At this time, we request that all mobile phones, pagers, radios, and remote controlled toys be turned off for the full duration of the flight, as these items might interfere with the ...
Views: 809(1 vote) - Doing the Impossible - by Submitted on May 06, 2013 from Angie Thompson3:59.4 On May 6, 1954 the world heard that number. That was the time that Roger Bannister ran the mile at the Iffley Road track in Oxford. It was the first time someone ran a mile in less than 4 minutes. Legend has it that doctors thought the 4 minute mile was a barrier that humans ...
Views: 805(1 vote) - Getting Back to the Basics of Problem Solving - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2010 from Angie ThompsonEveryone has problems. Big problems, little problems, work problems, relationship problems; pick an area of your life and you probably have at least one, or have had one. At some point along the way you may have received some problem solving training. I know a little bit about that kind of ...
Views: 802 - Five Lessons All Leaders Can Take From the NFL Draft - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Angie ThompsonUnless you live under a rock, live outside the United States or are a non-sports person, you know the National Football League held their draft of players last week. If you don’t know, this annual event allows teams to pick players based on a prescribed order that they have the right to hire for ...
Views: 800 - It is Time for Spring Cleaning! - by Submitted on May 27, 2009 from Angie ThompsonI don`t know how spring cleaning became a tradition, and I know that phrase means different things to different people. And while some of that cleaning could take place at any time of the year (and often does), there`s just something about the spring to help you think about airing things out and ...
Views: 800 - The Walls are Talking - Stress, Passion and High Performance - by Submitted on May 19, 2010 from Angie ThompsonIf you don`t know me, I`m the office of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. I`ve not always been an office - in fact for the first 47 years of my life I was, well, a house. I had kids and grandparents roaming my wooden floors. I`ve heard laughter and seen tears. Frankly, I thought I`d seen it ...
Views: 800(2 votes) - The Best Leaders Are Bold Leaders - by Submitted on Dec 26, 2013 from Angie ThompsonIf you make a list of leaders who have made a difference – whether the list is global and historical, or local and recent – you will find they all have one thing in common. Those leaders are bold. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines bold in part with these three definitions: not ...
Views: 797 - Making Metrics Matter - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2014 from Angie ThompsonWhen I talk to many leaders, the term “metrics” seems to cause one of two responses: a gleam in the eye of those leaders who love the numbers...or a blank stare from the rest who know that measures and metrics are important, but will say they “aren’t numbers people.” You are likely one of those ...
Views: 795 - Five Ways to Have More Luck - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2014 from Angie ThompsonLuck. Some think it is some kind of magic. Some think there is no such thing. Some think only others have it. Most wish they had more of it. Years ago I heard the definition of luck as: Labor Under Correct Knowledge While I believe there is truth in that clever acrostic, ...
Views: 794 - Six Keys to Better Impromptu Speaking - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonHave you ever found yourself in a situation like these? You are sitting in the meeting, when your boss’ boss asks you – “what do you think?” Or you are asked to stand and share your thoughts on a topic you haven’t considered before or weren’t prepared to discuss. impromptu speakingIf ...
Views: 794(1 vote) - 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 - The Five Perspectives Leaders Must Have to Succeed in 2014 - by Submitted on Jan 07, 2014 from Angie ThompsonOne of the truths about leadership, not often talked about, is that when we become leaders we must begin to look at and see the world differently – at least if we want to be successful and effective. Following that idea, the obvious question is, what are the ways we need to look at the world ...
Views: 792 - 10 Questions to Make You a Better Listener - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2014 from Angie ThompsonListening is a skill we’d all like to get better at – I can’t think of a time when I asked someone or a group if they wanted to be a better listener and someone said, “no”. It is a life skill that impacts our ability to communicate, build relationships and get things done. It helps us learn. ...
Views: 791(1 vote) - Six Limits Leaders Need to Challenge - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2014 from Angie ThompsonWe all have limits – the boundaries beyond which we just don’t go. After all, it wouldn’t be safe. It wouldn’t be prudent. It wouldn’t be easy. We set limits for safety purposes, for logical purposes and sometimes as excuses. Limits are a part of life. But as leaders, we must be in the ...
Views: 791(2 votes) - Stop, Listen and Lead. - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2014 from Angie ThompsonThere’s no controversy here: everyone knows that listening is important. In every training event I facilitate, conversation turns in one way or another to listening. We all realize it to be important because people are talking to us, and we need to understand the messages or information they ...
Views: 791 - Seven Ways to Support and Grow Your Top Performers - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2014 from Angie ThompsonRecently I wrote about why as leaders and coaches we mess up when we focus all (or far too much) of our coaching time on lower performers. In that piece, I made the argument for spending at least 50% of your energy, focus and time on coaching and further developing your top or best ...
Views: 790 - Your Role In Creating Your Work Environment - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2008 from Angie ThompsonFor years there have been a variety of ways to freshen the air indoors. You can use a spray air freshener, open a door, light a candle, or in more recent years plug a device into the wall that freshens the air continually. Recently, I’ve also noticed a new type of air freshener called a ...
Views: 788 - Five Performance Lessons from The Biggest Loser - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2010 from Angie ThompsonMy wife`s favorite television show is the The Biggest Loser. If you`re not familiar, it`s an NBC reality television show that chronicles a group of seriously overweight people from all walks of life as they try to become more healthy - and lose lots of weight. To give you an idea, the most ...
Views: 787(8 votes) - When is the Best Time to Coach? - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2013 from Angie ThompsonHave you ever heard the old quotation, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears”? It has a Zen-like quality to it, and inside those few words is the answer to the question posed in the title. The best time to coach is when the student is ready. At that moment of readiness, we are ...
Views: 786(1 vote) - Six Reasons Leaders Need to Stop! - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2014 from Angie ThompsonEvery leader I talk to has plenty to do. We live in an age of the full plate, the fast pace and the stuffed to-do list. While this may be a sign of our times, there is another sign that we see and observe every day; and we don’t really realize that this sign can do more than keep us safe and ...
Views: 784(2 votes) - The Most Powerful – and Potentially Dangerous – Question of All - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2009 from Angie ThompsonWhy? We hear it all the time (especially from kids) and ask it often (more on that later). "Why?" is a question used in all sorts of situations, and its prevalence should hint to its usefulness. And yet, for all of its value, "Why?" can cause a lot of problems, miscommunications, ...
Views: 782(2 votes) - It's Time to Go Back to School - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2009 from Angie Thompson"Back to school" has many meanings - some positive and some maybe not-so-positive. In my mind, those three words together conjure a whole swirl of thoughts emotions and memories from shopping for school clothes, to new teachers and friends, to fresh notebooks and more than a little ...
Views: 781(2 votes) - 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 - Take a Tip from Tiger, Lance and Kobe - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Angie ThompsonTiger Woods. Lance Armstrong. Kobe Bryant. These men are just three examples of people acknowledged to be among the very best in the world at their craft. They all have something in common though that might not immediately spring to mind. They all have coaches. While I picked ...
Views: 780(2 votes) - Get Out of Your Comfy Chair - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2010 from Angie ThompsonAhh, the comfort zone. As humans, this is a place we love. We look for, strive for and have created products and even entire industries to help find and maintain high levels of comfort (hello Lazy-Boy!). You`ll find this desire for the comfort zone in all areas of life - physically, mentally, ...
Views: 778(3 votes) - Sail the C's for Successful Collaborations - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2008 from Angie ThompsonMost everyone I talk with wants greater success in some (or many) parts of their life. And however independent you may think you are, no one can achieve as much working alone as they can with the collaborative help of others . . . if that collaboration is truly helpful. You hopefully have ...
Views: 778 - Why Being a Fool Isn't So Foolish - by Submitted on May 24, 2009 from Angie ThompsonA fool can be defined as "someone who lacks good judgment." I`m sure you would agree that being called a fool isn`t something most would consider a complement. So why then am I suggesting that you consider being a fool? Actually, I`m not encouraging you to "lack good judgment" - on the ...
Views: 776(1 vote) - Motivation or Inspiration: There is a Difference - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2009 from Angie ThompsonOften on airplanes people ask me, in casual conversation, what I do for a living. After explaining it in a few sentences, they often knowingly smile, and say: "Oh, you`re a motivational speaker." Well, honestly, I believe that is NOT true; nor is it even possible. So I cringe internally, ...
Views: 774(2 votes) - Put on Your Mask First - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonIf you have flown very often, you will recognize the following . . . In the event of a loss of cabin pressure, an oxygen mask will drop down in front of you. To start the flow of oxygen, pull the mask towards you. Place it firmly over your nose and mouth, secure the elastic band behind your ...
Views: 774(1 vote) - Unlocking the Passion Paradox - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2010 from Angie ThompsonIn my opinion, passion is one of the most attractive qualities a person can possess. When you are passionate about something, others are drawn to you; you are able to influence more effectively and lead more successfully. Beyond these interpersonal facts, there are valuable personal ...
Views: 774(1 vote) - Gallup is Wrong, and You Should be Happy - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2014 from Angie ThompsonGallup is a very smart organization and they do many things well. They also provide great services to organizations and those that lead them, especially in understanding the problems, challenges and solutions to employee engagement. But their findings, in some recently reported research, could ...
Views: 772 - 3 Ways to Keep Your Next Meeting Out of the Weeds - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2010 from Angie ThompsonGrowing up on a farm I know a little bit about getting in the weeds. And I know when you find yourself there, especially if the weeds are thick and tall, the going gets tough and you might even lose your way. I don`t know about your office, but my experience is that this happens in meetings ...
Views: 769(2 votes) - 4 Ways to Create Greater Accountability in Meetings - by Submitted on Dec 04, 2009 from Angie ThompsonMeetings, in most corners, don`t have the best of reputations. I often hear people say, "I`ve got to go to a meeting," but I don`t think I`ve ever heard someone say, "I get to go to a meeting." Why? Too many meetings with too few results; often rehashing or revisiting issues and actions ...
Views: 768(1 vote) - Five Ways Gratitude Will Change Your Life - by Submitted on Nov 24, 2014 from Angie Thompson"Thank you" Saying "thank you" is something most of us learn at a young age. It's also something we teach to our children . We all know that gratitude is important, which is why, in many parts of the world, we have a day called Thanksgiving to remind us to be thankful. It is unfortunate in ...
Views: 767 - Training Is An Event, Learning Is A Process - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2008 from Angie ThompsonI say that phrase often. It’s part of my personal philosophy, and it’s part of my business philosophy. Let me explain… People around the world (you included) buy learning materials, books, audio programs, webinars, tele-seminars and attend lectures and workshops every day. These learning ...
Views: 767 - Make The Jump To Better Decisions - by Submitted on May 27, 2008 from Angie ThompsonIn 1919 Leslie Irvin made a decision. He decided to jump from an airplane. He wasn’t the first to jump from a plane; and it wasn’t even the first time he jumped from a plane – in fact he had been jumping for five years. But on April 28, 1919, Leslie did something no one had ever done before. ...
Views: 765 - A Leadership Primer on Celebrations - by Submitted on Dec 21, 2009 from Angie ThompsonIn talking with leaders over the years, I`ve noticed that most seem to struggle with celebrations. Some struggle with when to celebrate. Some struggle with why they should. And some don`t have a struggle because they don`t celebrate at all. (Here the struggle is for those they ...
Views: 764(7 votes) - Don’t Fence Me In - by Submitted on May 27, 2008 from Angie ThompsonFarmers and ranchers put fences up primarily to keep their animals where they want them. The fence defines the boundary of where it is OK for the animals to live and graze. Fences serve several practical purposes – as I said, they keep animals where they want them and, as important, out of where ...
Views: 764 - Five Ways Leaders Can Declare Their Independence - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2014 from Angie Thompson238 years ago this week, a group of men, a group of leaders, risked their lives and livelihoods to declare their (nonexistent) country’s independence from England. If you are from the United States, I wish you a Happy Independence Day! But actually I am wishing that all of you (regardless of ...
Views: 764 - The Antidote for Unsuccessful New Year's Resolutions - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2007 from Angie ThompsonMany people spend some time at the end of the year working on the New Year. These people typically fall into two groups: those who use the end of the year as a way to be introspective and look back on the past year, and those who spend time looking forward; setting goals and planning the coming ...
Views: 764 - What Leaders Can Learn From Homemade Bread? - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2014 from Angie ThompsonThis post is written to celebrate Homemade Bread Day, and while it may seem strange to connect homemade bread and leadership, please get past the quirkiness and follow along. I believe there are powerful points that follow, even if you aren’t (gasp!) a fan of homemade bread. As I made notes to ...
Views: 763 - Take These Four Leadership Leaps - by Submitted on May 08, 2014 from Angie ThompsonIn 1919, Leslie Irvin became the first person to jump out of an airplane with a parachute. Think about that leap – once you jump, you are completely committed. You can’t turn back, you are heading downward towards your target. Today I want to encourage you to take some leadership leaps – and ...
Views: 761 - 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 - Take This Oath to Communicate Change More Effectively - by Submitted on Dec 26, 2013 from Angie ThompsonPhysicians take the Hippocratic Oath before they can practice medicine. Lawyers take a professional oath after they pass the bar. And people elected to all sorts of positions take an oath of office. Considering how important the leader’s role is in communicating change effectively, and how ...
Views: 759(2 votes) - Unleash Your Energy - by Submitted on Mar 02, 2010 from Angie ThompsonSince experts say we all are truly complex bundles of energy, it makes sense to think about how we can manage, use and increase the amount of energy in our bodies and minds. Because when we are better energy managers, we can create better results in all areas of our lives. The topic of ...
Views: 759(2 votes) - Five Birthday Gifts Leaders Should Give Themselves - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2014 from Angie Thompson“Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday you leader . . . Happy Birthday to me.” Today is my 52nd birthday – a year for every week in a calendar year. The other day I was thinking about how birthdays are different as an adult than as a kid. If you are like me, birthdays ...
Views: 756 - Feedback Isn't Enough - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2007 from Angie ThompsonWe all want feedback – we want to know how we are doing. Getting that input gives us a benchmark of our current performance and helps us improve. It is important. It is necessary. And it isn’t enough. Consider your basic performance review (even if it is a really effective one) or most any ...
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