Messaging matters
top of page
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!
Search
Messages are only effective if received as intended. Consider multiple distribution channels: Email: Keep it brief, without emotion, and...
Lisa Pickard
Apr 17, 2023
Awareness and fairness
Leaders who want consistent communication can schedule regular check-ins to provide all team members with clear, honest, positive, and...
186 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Apr 10, 2023
The silence trap
Great leaders develop relationships with their teams. These deeper connections often lead to more timely communication and prevent...
317 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Apr 3, 2023
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...
288 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Mar 23, 2023
Everything's Fine
Creating a positive work environment isn't smiling and telling your team everything will be fine. An actual positive environment...
177 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Mar 13, 2023
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...
179 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Mar 2, 2023
Lessons from traffic
Construction zone traffic flaggers have critical jobs. The effectiveness of their communication determines the safety and potential lives...
230 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Feb 27, 2023
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...
228 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Feb 21, 2023
One-on-One's
Building relationships and establishing trust as a leader is crucial in developing effective teams. Adhering to a regular schedule of...
233 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Feb 16, 2023
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...
195 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Feb 7, 2023
In the moment
Every day, leaders find themselves in situations that provoke emotional responses. Stress and fatigue can heighten these responses, and...
264 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Feb 2, 2023
What am I doing?
Do job descriptions and role expectations matter? YES! They create purpose and focus. Stated expectations also create a common language...
189 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Jan 24, 2023
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....
224 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Jan 18, 2023
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...
231 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Jan 17, 2023
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,...
263 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Jan 9, 2023
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...
203 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Jan 5, 2023
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...
214 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Jan 4, 2023
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...
253 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Jan 3, 2023
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...
272 views0 comments
Lisa Pickard
Dec 29, 2022
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,...
231 views0 comments
bottom of page