"Because my first role is advocate for children…” I hastily scribbled those words in my notes a few years ago, while listening to Sherry Cleary lead a professional development segment. She was recalling a conversation with a staff member and shared some excellent strategies for delivering feedback and facilitating difficult conversations. Although advocacy was not [...]
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Ready to read?
In today's mail, there was a flyer advertising reading skills programs for children and speed reading programs for adults. Programs meet for one hour weekly, for 5 weeks. At a glance, these "fun summer programs" seem like a nice enrichment program for readers who might need a skills-boost. Considering that the classes are offered by [...]
Workshops don’t work.
I earn a living facilitating professional development -- including lots of workshops! -- yet I'll be the first to tell you that workshops (alone) just don't work. Managers often rely on a workshop or a training session to assure employee compliance, or to remedy a performance concern. Some organizations will even schedule a workshop to [...]
“Here’s to strong women.”
"Here's to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, and may we raise them." As a woman and as a mother, that quote has always resonated with me. It rings especially true on this celebration of International Women's Day. I've been fortunate enough to be inspired by so many strong women who [...]
“Contests don’t motivate me.”
When I saw this on Facebook, I couldn't stop laughing; I wish I was this self-aware at age 10. (Photo credit to Beth Teliho.) "Contests don't motivate me" is undeniably the reason why some managers don't connect with some team members. Recognition is arguably a key to engagement and satisfaction, but recognition via contests, rewards, [...]
