I was participating in a group study and the subject of “difficult” people came up.  Every one agreed that the problem seemed to have few real, long-term answers, that no matter what you tried with these annoying behaviors, the “fix”  renders itself temporary at best. The group leader was a former thug (more…)

If you do not live in a free country and do not understand the self-healing workings of capitalism, you could easily mistake counterfeit leadership for the real thing.  To recognize what one (more…)

Two work associates and two words or the lack there of and a wall is built that may never be demolished: a wall of misunderstanding (more…)

When the “solution” to a difference is to “agree to disagree,” a principle and a relationship have been compromised. When an issue is at hand and we are debating it, there is also some principle at hand. If the debate moves to emotional “blood letting,” one or both of us is “out there” flapping with emotion and probably not much substance. (more…)

Leadership or corporate business competence is not about age attained or expertise; it is about the vulnerability factor. True leaders, people our kids can look up to and we can learn from are consistent in their personal lives to what they are in their business lives. They are not hiding the ugliness of control freaks who have personal relationships that you and I would readily see as unseemly, to say the least. (more…)

How many of us think that silence from another means the other person agrees? If you answered yes, you are being deceived. Do you also believe that taking the “poor pitiful me” approach (more…)

Peace of mind is not found with money, acclaim, or pornography (sometimes so easy you think no one knows you are into it). In fact, those very things may create the greatest dissonance for creating anxiety of mind. One deterrent for obsessive “secret” unrest is choosing or hiring (depending upon which side of the table you reside) to StrengthBank® – the plan for each life that brings peace of mind. Two key questions must be answered for starters:

1. What criteria do you use for choosing a job?
2. How do you choose who you hire?

If your answer to the above is listed below, you have bypassed peace of mind.
• best listed items on a resume
• good enough to fill the slot
• at least it will allow me to pay the bills
• I can do that if you will pay me
• past performance
• one hour interview
• best-dressed
• most company benefits
• looks good in a uniform
For the “rest of the story,” consult Sandra as an executive coach, for a stellar presentation to your workforce, or read The StrengthBank® Principle by sandra Shelton with a willing heart to apply it.

Most of us lack anything but self-interest and that is way American customer service lacks consistency and vitality. The typical employee serves to get, that is, serves because (more…)

If we, the multi-generational workforce, take our cue about service and workplace relationships from the Christmas Dinner table, we are in trouble! Have you noticed? Yep, we are in trouble (more…)

Snow White and the 7 dwarfs should be our mantra for an engaged workforce. Keep in mind the picture of Sweet Snow White sending each of her admirers off to work. Happy faces, lilting walks, and energy for the task at hand. Smart companies understand…”According to Supply Chain and Logistics Association Canada (SCL) people are a company’s greatest resource. Companies that invest in human resources are richly rewarded. Productivity improves and employees can better satisfy customers when they possess the skills, ownership, and commitment necessary to achieve their objectives.”

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