May 2017 – Melissa Williams-Gurian

26May 2017 by melissa No Comments

Take the Leap With Self-Reflection

Article

What is it you really believe? What is it you really want? What is it you are here to do? When was the last time you asked yourself questions like these? Many high school and college students about to graduate are quizzing themselves like this right about now, as they stand on the threshold of a new life stage. This kind of wondering can stir up a mix of emotions—excitement about the future, hope, and self-doubt. But it’s not just students who find themselves reflecting on life this time of year. As others witness a threshold moment like graduation, we might find ourselves also thinking about who we have become since our last big moment of change. Have we met our goals? Do we have new ones? Are we still…

Use These Lessons To Create A Powerful Team

Article

If you’re a fan of team sports, you know how varied the styles of even great players can be: flashy or modest, balletic or bulldozing, comfortable in a supporting role or always seeking the limelight. If these disparate types are playing together successfully, there's likely a balance of types on the team, and a coach wise to the ways of bringing the best from individuals within a group. The same applies to business teams, and now, researchers Suzanne M. Johnson Vickberg and Kim Christfort have taken a deep dive into the science behind bringing out the best in a team. The researchers used brain chemistry and molecular biology research as background to create an assessment of business-relevant traits and preferences of individuals at work. The assessment has been completed by more…

A Cheat Sheet for Warm Leadership

Article

A few months ago, I wrote about warm versus strong leadership. Spoiler Alert: "Behavioral research suggests that people may comply with the demands of a leader who is not warm, but privately are less likely to feel motivated to perform well for such a person than for a leader who, for instance, validates feelings, asks about others, and uses more open gestures." If you suspect you need to warm up your style, I created the following cheat sheet to help. I suggest a liberal sprinkling of warmth in email, in person, and on the phone. Especially if you're someone who shows up strong and sometimes brusque, warmth can help draw your team closer together, motivate your employees, and inspire loyalty. Examples of cold and warm questions and comments: Cold: Did…