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Leadership and Life Blog
Quick tips, ideas, and stories that won't take much time to read and might help you consider new ways forward. We will cover leadership and life topics, which will be honest, vulnerable, and, at times, probably controversial. Feedback is welcome. The views expressed are those of the authors, and while we encourage debate, we ask for respect in any comments. If there are topics you'd like covered, we take suggestions too!
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Messaging matters
Messages are only effective if received as intended. Consider multiple distribution channels: Email: Keep it brief, without emotion, and...

Lisa Pickard
Apr 18, 2023
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Awareness and fairness
Leaders who want consistent communication can schedule regular check-ins to provide all team members with clear, honest, positive, and...

Lisa Pickard
Apr 17, 2023
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The silence trap
Great leaders develop relationships with their teams. These deeper connections often lead to more timely communication and prevent...

Lisa Pickard
Apr 10, 2023
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Appreciation and recognition
Nearly every job requires asking someone to do something and to be asked something. It is the nature of work. The ask is necessary, but...

Lisa Pickard
Apr 3, 2023
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Everything's Fine
Creating a positive work environment isn't smiling and telling your team everything will be fine. An actual positive environment...

Lisa Pickard
Mar 23, 2023
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Alignment
It matters when driving your car and is also essential for your team. It sounds easy, but if you were to take each team member, put them...

Lisa Pickard
Mar 13, 2023
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Lessons from traffic
Construction zone traffic flaggers have critical jobs. The effectiveness of their communication determines the safety and potential lives...

Lisa Pickard
Mar 2, 2023
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Train the brain
We all learn in different ways. If you’ve ever seen an incredibly effective trainer or sports coach in action, they give detailed...

Lisa Pickard
Feb 27, 2023
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One-on-One's
Building relationships and establishing trust as a leader is crucial in developing effective teams. Adhering to a regular schedule of...

Lisa Pickard
Feb 21, 2023
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Mad and Wrong
Many people default to anger when something doesn't go their way, or they realize they are wrong. It is easier to voice anger than to...

Lisa Pickard
Feb 16, 2023
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In the moment
Every day, leaders find themselves in situations that provoke emotional responses. Stress and fatigue can heighten these responses, and...

Lisa Pickard
Feb 7, 2023
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What am I doing?
Do job descriptions and role expectations matter? YES! They create purpose and focus. Stated expectations also create a common language...

Lisa Pickard
Feb 2, 2023
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I said the same thing
Do you ever wonder if you need to be more articulate? You have great ideas and no problem voicing them, but no one seems to hear them....

Lisa Pickard
Jan 24, 2023
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Not in the room
If someone questions your integrity, what does that mean? It might mean they didn't like what you said. It can be easier to point a...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 18, 2023
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Just because you can?
Think about what you need as a senior leader. Employees are likelier to jump through hoops to do what you ask. Someone will stay late,...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 17, 2023
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No video
Video chats and meetings have given remote workers a greater sense of connection. Video calls have a lot of positives, but they can also...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 9, 2023
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One size fits all
"If we do it for Sally, we should do it for Ally too." Well, then, what about Cally? Next thing, you are rewarding many for the...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 5, 2023
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Compromise
What are the stakes? Sometimes we won't compromise because of resentment, righteousness, or fatigue. Take a step back and take a break if...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 4, 2023
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Asking for help
I'm not very good at asking for help. I'm even worse at accepting it, but I love to help others. I need to remind myself regularly that...

Lisa Pickard
Jan 3, 2023
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No news is not good news
There are all kinds of leaders: under-sharers, selective-sharers, I thought I shared-sharers, I thought someone else shared that-sharers,...

Lisa Pickard
Dec 29, 2022
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