- Inspire Me
- Tell Me I'm Not Alone
- Challenge My Beliefs
- Make Me Laugh
- Teach Me Something Useful
- Show Me Everything
How to Re-Energize Stalled Career Growth
Despite our fondest wishes, career progress isn’t always a straight, upward trajectory. For most of us, it looks more like the Colorado Plateaus, which the folks at Encyclopedia Brittanica (remember them?) describe as “dominated by high mountains … gashed by river...
The Hurry in Your Head
A New York Times Op-Talk blog got me thinking about a common theme among my clients and friends: chronic overwhelm. The article focuses on breathing, reframing and working less as solutions, but in my experience, those can be helpful only after we’ve gone a bit...
Practical Emotional Intelligence: Mindful Interviewing
For interviewers and candidates, mindful interviewing can help accurately assess the quality of the fit Long before I began making my living as an emotional intelligence coach, I was a “headhunter.” I taught candidates how to ace an interview, and to prepare to meet...
Identifying Your Greatest Gift(s)
Confused about your greatest gift(s)? Here's an easy way to recognize them. Our friends Grant and Erin are in town with their 7-year-old son, G. As we visited the community overlook on a beautiful early-summer evening, we ran across a neighborhood couple, Greg and...
When “Not Today” is Better Than “Never”
In the course of conversation with a friend last night, the topic of family relationships came up. Listening intently, a nifty skill I picked up in coach training, I noticed that she used the word “never” to describe future interactions with her sister. “I’m so done....
House Fire Chronicles #2: In Case of Fire
What would you grab if your house was on fire? We’ve all played that game where we imagine that scenario and name the precious items we’d be devastated to lose: wedding pictures, grandma’s necklace, computer, precious artwork. The cat. So, what would I grab? I can...
When “Not Today” is Better Than “Never”
In the course of conversation with a friend last night, the topic of family relationships came up. Listening intently, a nifty skill I picked up in coach training, I noticed that she used the word “never” to describe future interactions with her sister. “I’m so done....
The It’s-No-Use Tabernacle Choir
I’ve been in a bit of a dark place these last few days, feeling as though I “should” be dispensing inspiration, because, well, it’s my job. When I get into these dark moods, which come and go like any other cycle of nature—the waxing and waning of the lunar cycle, the...
Authentic Networking
I have attended many networking events over the years, but one stands out in my mind: a skin-crawling presentation--ironically on effective networking--during which the presenter quoted statistics on how many contacts it takes to be remembered by someone you’ve just...
Flotsam I’ll Jettison
This post was inspired by Susan, a brilliant attorney, sensitive and intuitive seeker, and dear friend. Susan, thanks for suggesting this topic. I suspect that most of us are aware of some legacy beliefs or behaviors we’d like to leave behind in the Old Year, and I...
What Are You Swallowing?
One of my beloved clients, a lovely, bright and talented thirty-something world-class MBA goddess, had a major insight. She realized that rather than speak a tender truth, something important to her that might hurt another person’s feelings, she often closed her mouth...
“But HE Pursued ME!”
Breakups are a messy and painful business. Unless both parties are unusually kind, generously truthful, and unattached to the ideal of ‘til-death-do-us-part, the storm of red-faced tears, anger, and self-pity we unleash during de-coupling can obliterate our ability to...
House Fire Chronicles #3: The Place Has a Memory
Remembering It’s been a year and a half since the fire. I’ve noticed that lately, neighbors and friends have been asking if we’re “back,” although we moved back at the beginning of March. The house is completely rebuilt, and is in better condition structurally and...
How to Re-Energize Stalled Career Growth
Despite our fondest wishes, career progress isn’t always a straight, upward trajectory. For most of us, it looks more like the Colorado Plateaus, which the folks at Encyclopedia Brittanica (remember them?) describe as “dominated by high mountains … gashed by river...
The Hurry in Your Head
A New York Times Op-Talk blog got me thinking about a common theme among my clients and friends: chronic overwhelm. The article focuses on breathing, reframing and working less as solutions, but in my experience, those can be helpful only after we’ve gone a bit...
Practical Emotional Intelligence: Mindful Interviewing
For interviewers and candidates, mindful interviewing can help accurately assess the quality of the fit Long before I began making my living as an emotional intelligence coach, I was a “headhunter.” I taught candidates how to ace an interview, and to prepare to meet...
Identifying Your Greatest Gift(s)
Confused about your greatest gift(s)? Here's an easy way to recognize them. Our friends Grant and Erin are in town with their 7-year-old son, G. As we visited the community overlook on a beautiful early-summer evening, we ran across a neighborhood couple, Greg and...
When “Not Today” is Better Than “Never”
In the course of conversation with a friend last night, the topic of family relationships came up. Listening intently, a nifty skill I picked up in coach training, I noticed that she used the word “never” to describe future interactions with her sister. “I’m so done....
Reading Tea Leaves: How to Solve Your Most Pressing Problem
I never quite understood exactly how those clever gypsies and turbaned fortunetellers interpreted tea leaves. It seemed so farfetched—what could possibly be told from a clump of wet leaves at the bottom of a teacup? I’ve changed my opinion about this after exploring...
Through My Own Lens
Still not fully awake, I glanced out the window while preparing my morning coffee. I love that liminal time—no longer asleep, not yet plagued by the ruminations, obsessions, and judgments of my conscious, squirrel-powered, highly critical mind. Hot coffee was...
The It’s-No-Use Tabernacle Choir
I’ve been in a bit of a dark place these last few days, feeling as though I “should” be dispensing inspiration, because, well, it’s my job. When I get into these dark moods, which come and go like any other cycle of nature—the waxing and waning of the lunar cycle, the...
Authentic Networking
I have attended many networking events over the years, but one stands out in my mind: a skin-crawling presentation--ironically on effective networking--during which the presenter quoted statistics on how many contacts it takes to be remembered by someone you’ve just...
Blind Contours
In Sunday’s New York Times Magazine, Sam Anderson reflects on how letting go of control in his drawing led to delightful surprises and a rekindling of his love of doodling. He wanted to change the way he drew (he felt it was “cutesy and severely limited and…boring”),...
Things I Have Been Wrong About: #4,687
I have always thought that making a vision board is a great idea, and leads to ideas and inspiration and alchemical magic. In theory. I do recommend it as an exercise for my clients. But actually getting me to sit with scissors and glue and a stack of old Oprah...
Just Walking Each Other Home
The first time I heard this quote from Ram Dass, “We’re all just walking each other home,” it resonated so strongly that I created a series of events based on the idea. What if groups of women came together to talk about how our relationships could be deeper and more...
Using Emotional Data at Work
In this ten-minute video, I riff with burnout prevention coach Travis Roznos about using emotional data at work, and tell a story about what happened when one client, an elite sales executive, didn't recognize an emotional trigger. After the video, I'll describe how...
What I Don’t Like About You, I Mean Me
That person you despise? I hate to be the one to tell you, but they are showing you the traits you least like about yourself. Here's how that works: -All humans have the capacity to behave in ways that all other humans behave--from the most honorable to the most...
Avoiding “Nightmare” Hires: A Case Study
How to Employ Emotional Intelligence to Build Your Team and Boost Your Career Have you noticed that those who hire the best talent tend to have the most successful careers? Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the key: understanding and practicing the EQ skills that support...
Why That New Year’s Resolution Didn’t Take. Hint: Because, Bacon.
I’m ten days into the New Year, and already one of my well-meaning intentions is faltering. It’s not that I don’t want to make that change. I’ve realized I’m simply not emotionally ready yet. Changing or creating habits takes effort, but before we can even make the...
Holiday Cards: Yes or No?
For many of us, the winter holidays have changed from a time of pleasant relaxation, quiet celebration, humble gratitude and once-a-year-special treats into a carnival of frenzied activity, regret-filled gluttony, fretful spending and massive angst. The transformation...
Despite our fondest wishes, career progress isn’t always a straight, upward trajectory. For most of us, it looks more like the Colorado Plateaus, which the folks at Encyclopedia Brittanica (remember them?) describe as “dominated by high mountains … gashed by river... A New York Times Op-Talk blog got me thinking about a common theme among my clients and friends: chronic overwhelm. The article focuses on breathing, reframing and working less as solutions, but in my experience, those can be helpful only after we’ve gone a bit... For interviewers and candidates, mindful interviewing can help accurately assess the quality of the fit Long before I began making my living as an emotional intelligence coach, I was a “headhunter.” I taught candidates how to ace an interview, and to prepare to meet... Confused about your greatest gift(s)? Here's an easy way to recognize them. Our friends Grant and Erin are in town with their 7-year-old son, G. As we visited the community overlook on a beautiful early-summer evening, we ran across a neighborhood couple, Greg and... In the course of conversation with a friend last night, the topic of family relationships came up. Listening intently, a nifty skill I picked up in coach training, I noticed that she used the word “never” to describe future interactions with her sister. “I’m so done.... What would you grab if your house was on fire? We’ve all played that game where we imagine that scenario and name the precious items we’d be devastated to lose: wedding pictures, grandma’s necklace, computer, precious artwork. The cat. So, what would I grab? I can... Peace.” “Comfort.” “Liebe—love.” “Joy.” Our yoga instructor had asked each us to think of one word, in any language, that was our favorite. Asking a writer for a favorite word is the ultimate Sophie’s Choice. How can I favor one word over another? And to what end? Did... If you’ve ever engaged in a conversation with me, you’ve probably been subjected to my fondness for metaphor. We all think in metaphors—“this is like that”—in order to make complex, abstract concepts more concrete and easily understandable. We use metaphors several... I never quite understood exactly how those clever gypsies and turbaned fortunetellers interpreted tea leaves. It seemed so farfetched—what could possibly be told from a clump of wet leaves at the bottom of a teacup? I’ve changed my opinion about this after exploring... Still not fully awake, I glanced out the window while preparing my morning coffee. I love that liminal time—no longer asleep, not yet plagued by the ruminations, obsessions, and judgments of my conscious, squirrel-powered, highly critical mind. Hot coffee was... I’ve been in a bit of a dark place these last few days, feeling as though I “should” be dispensing inspiration, because, well, it’s my job. When I get into these dark moods, which come and go like any other cycle of nature—the waxing and waning of the lunar cycle, the... Once you’ve raised your awareness of what you feel, when you feel it, and where you feel it, you can take full responsibility for regulating the emotional energy you bring to the events of the day. You’ll have an opportunity to consider how you are contributing to a...How to Re-Energize Stalled Career Growth
The Hurry in Your Head
Practical Emotional Intelligence: Mindful Interviewing
Identifying Your Greatest Gift(s)
When “Not Today” is Better Than “Never”
House Fire Chronicles #2: In Case of Fire
Cultivating Albóndigas Practice: The Zen of Meatballs
House Fire Chronicles #1: What Needed to Burn
Reading Tea Leaves: How to Solve Your Most Pressing Problem
Through My Own Lens
The It’s-No-Use Tabernacle Choir
Emotional Energy Part Two: Sowing What You Want To Reap