I admit to feeling relieved last week after I spoke up in a meeting. I had an opinion on the topic and I wanted to add value, be a leader and improve my credibility. The dialogue moved quickly. I had to act fast, be clear and be compelling. Anxiety was building as I considered this
Maybe it’s the holidays…maybe it’s the winter season. The cards with pictures of old friends and family. The darkness and solitude of memories. Remembering the past and its accompanying emotions should be a more regular and intentional activity. This anchoring to history holds both personal and business lessons for us as leaders—if we’re willing to
For no one can be alive on a pedestal. – Anthony de Mello, in The Song of the Bird “It would really mean a lot to us if you also came to our house for Thanksgiving. We’d be so disappointed to spend the holiday alone.” In the US, it’s the season for giving thanks…and for
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who
Certain topics are considered off limits at work. In most organizations discussions of faith and religion fall into that category. One of the reasons is that many approach or experience these subjects as “causes” or “judgments” designed to make others uncomfortable and encourage them to change. However, I believe it is possible – and beneficial
Moving through life feels like chasing fireflies. It lights up and you try to capture it, only to find the moments simply can’t be contained. Perhaps the best way to enjoy it is to stand back and just watch the show…letting go of the need to hold onto it. Last week we hosted our twin
Sometimes life prompts us to ask: what progress am I making? Am I moving closer to my vision of what’s worthwhile, or am I (even inadvertently) moving farther away? Most of us have a natural tendency to keep score. The question is whether we’re measuring all of the right things. I’m learning to add dimensions
Disappointment: the difference between what we expect and what we get. Events, circumstances and people disappoint us and we disappoint ourselves. To move from disappointment to contentment, we have to process our emotions and surrender our expectations. This Mother’s Day, my wife Kari was supposed to be entering her third trimester. We miscarried that baby
The Greek word for “anxiety” is merimnaō, which means to be divided or distracted. Leaders today face so many external and internal disruptions that anxiety, by the Greek definition, is nearly unavoidable. Anxiety depletes energy and confidence and makes courageous decisions difficult. One way to minimize anxiety is to pursue the opposite of division and
Joy is an uncomplicated word. It’s the feeling of goodness that comes from being fully alive. And it can be present regardless of circumstances – pain or pleasure. Wouldn’t it be cool to create joy all over the place – at home, at work, in the community and in ourselves? One way is through lasting
Matt Norman is president of Norman & Associates, which offers Dale Carnegie Training in the North Central US. Dale Carnegie Training is a global organization ...READ MORE