Does Your Brand Have It?When you hear the word leader, what traits come to mind? Dedication, influence, expertise, and confidence, perhaps. Additionally, a leader simply must have a big dose of self-awareness. How do you know if you have it?By definition self-awareness is “the conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives, and desires.” It’s a trait that allows you to recognize how your presence affects othe...

We’ve all had to endure the “dreaded” interview. Have you ever left the interview thinking, “Did I do this right? Did I say that wrong? How did I look?” I’m sure you have, along with many other thoughts that flood our brains after an interview.This is when having a positive presence counts! Your credentials are, of course, important—but a first impression with impact speaks volumes. You never know exactly what an interviewe...

I’ve been thinking about the reason I enjoy executive coaching so much. Yes, I enjoy watching people move forward in their careers. Yes, it’s humbling to know I’ve made a difference in how people think or behave — habits they learn to change. But above all these things — my love for coaching comes from seeing someone do something that is transformational.Here’s a recent example. I’ve changed the name to protect the innocent...

It’s hard to believe, but May is almost here…and summer isn’t too far behind. I remember the rhyme from my school days: “April showers bring May flowers.” While my part of the world wasn’t too rainy this past month, we’re beginning to see Mother Nature’s colorful spring bouquet everywhere we look.It’s also exciting to see the pace of business picking up in many areas that have been in hibernation through the winter. So now’...

Burnout is common! There is more work to do and fewer resources to get it done. Here are a few points I made on KTXD-TV as their guest Leadership Excellence expert. Host Courtney Kerr and I discussed ways to avoid burnout. Leadership must care. Leaders must believe in their employees’ well-being. That starts with taking care of themselves. Leaders should model the ability to be successful and productive without wo...

It’s hard to read minds…or to know what a client or co-worker is really thinking. Here are five habits you can develop that will not only be noticed, but will help your brand succeed with just a little bit of effort in 2014. 1. Be prompt! - When you think about it, there are 20 minutes between success and failure. You show up 10 minutes before work and people will think you love your job, you’re motivated, and a go-getter....

So what happens when you make a mistake? How do you recover? First of all, own up to it. It’s difficult, but bad news over time only gets worse. Sometimes we just want to put it to the side and make nice. Instead of hiding it, be honest and try to right the wrong. Lastly, don’t beat yourself up, and move on.Here are a few points I made on KTXD-TV as the guest Leadership Excellence expert.TIPS:1 – Fess up NOW. Remember that...

“I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I’ve become. If I had, I’d have done it a lot earlier.” -Oprah WinfreyHere are a few points I made when I was the guest Personal Brand Expert on KTXD-TV in Dallas, TX.1. Have a story to tell. When was there a time that you used your brand strengths to reach a departmental goal or affect the bottom line of the company? Too often, we reach a goal and neve...

At a communications conference, the speaker asked how many of the attendees used iPhones? Hands shot up. “How many of you use Twitter?” came the next question. “How about FaceBook?” Again hands–at least every other person’s–waved in the air.Obviously, the audience had become adept in social networking and the associated electronics. But, then came the question, “How many of you communicate effectively?”The room became quiet...

Networking is essential to advertising your personal brand – and, as you may realize, networking is sort of like power walking. If you wear light workout clothing and athletic shoes made for the terrain you walk, you almost glide down the track or path. If you strap on leg weights, step into steel-toed boots and pile on heavy coats, you’ll cover less ground and add time to your walk.Here’s how to avoid moving in slow motion...