Some people are a little confused about their role at work. They believe that showing up is their job. The reality is that you don’t get paid to go to work, you get paid to get the job done. In other words, performance, not presence. Have you ever been to a restaurant where the f … | Continue reading
Have you ever totally trusted someone? I’m not talking about how you might normally trust people; I’m talking about making yourself completely vulnerable — because you’re absolutely convinced they have your best interest at heart. If you can point to a handful of people who meet … | Continue reading
When was the last time something disappointed you? It may have been a friend who didn’t come through for you as predicted, a product that didn’t function as advertised, or a contractor who didn’t deliver as promised. You may have shaken your head thinking, What’s wrong with peopl … | Continue reading
Bad news travels fast. And yet, most negative chatter about you or your organization isn’t a result of external events outside of your control; it stems from lapses in judgement that could have been prevented. Negative comments are detrimental to your reputation. And once bad new … | Continue reading
The post The 13 Key Ingredients of a Strong Work Ethic appeared first on Frank Sonnenberg Online. | Continue reading
We’re all taught that 3-1=2. But what if I told you that’s not always true. It’s easy to overlook the profound joy that we get from giving. Contrary to popular belief, the act of parting with something tangible opens the door to a treasure trove of intangible rewards for the give … | Continue reading
Did you ever wonder why some people are so mean-spirited? It’s one thing to get up on the wrong side of the bed and quite another to live your life that way. Some folks argue with people, chew them out, and make fun of others like it’s a sport. And even though it’s obvious that.. … | Continue reading
Everybody’s definition of success is different. Some folks crave wealth, power, and status while others yearn for deep-seated relationships. Some people collect things while others collect memories. Some folks strive to be the best while others must know that they tried their bes … | Continue reading
Is there a gap between who you are and who you want to become? Which of the following 20 traits best describe the desired you? | Continue reading
If you’ve ever shipped something valuable, I bet you took extra care to wrap it securely. By the same token, some folks treat their kids like delicate crystal — shielding them from adversity and disappointment. While I’m sure those parents have admirable intentions, well-intentio … | Continue reading
Did you ever go to a restaurant where the server was so fantastic that they significantly impacted your dining experience? We all have. Every once in a while, you run into an employee who’s so fantastic at what they do that they make your head spin. Those folks are worth their we … | Continue reading
It’s only natural to put your life, your career, and the well-being of your family first. But do you think your job is done when you get what you want, or do you feel any obligation to others? For example, do you have a responsibility to lift others up, share your good fortune, o … | Continue reading
One of the most valuable skills you can have is the ability to think clearly and rationally. Here are 15 ways to gain a fresh perspective. | Continue reading
President Harry S. Truman famously said, “The buck stops here,” meaning he accepted full responsibility for his decisions and had no intention of shifting the blame to others. That said, many people today treat accountability like a hot potato. They seek recognition when things g … | Continue reading
People care so much about their popularity, their appearance, and their status. They care about what people think, whether others approve, and how they measure up. What’s more, people buy things to appear successful and even lower their personal standards to gain acceptance. That … | Continue reading
When I was young, my mother told me what it was like to grow up in Berlin when Hitler and the Nazi party came to power. They personified the worst of humanity. It is unfathomable how one person caused so much misery. But he didn’t act alone. Neighbors snitched on neighbors. Famil … | Continue reading
There was a time when hard work was a celebrated virtue, PC meant computer, and face-to-face conversations weren’t made via phone. It was a time when airline travel was luxurious, politicians were considered role models, and celebrities were famous for the roles they took on, not … | Continue reading
Life isn’t about the number of ups and downs that you experience, but how you deal with them. Here are 7 ways to ride life’s ups and downs. | Continue reading
Wouldn’t it be great to live your life in reverse? That would enable you to benefit from all your life experiences. While I can’t make that happen, I can certainly share valuable lessons and encourage you to make the most of them. Please take 10 minutes to read this. It’ll blow y … | Continue reading
One of the mantras that you see all over social media is, “Be kind and considerate.” But should you need a reminder to behave that way? Although it’s easy to be considerate, some folks act like it’s a chore. They’re so focused on their own personal needs that they don’t even real … | Continue reading
If you care about someone and see them struggling, it’s only natural that you want to help them. The same can be said for someone with promise, but who’s falling short of their potential. Even though you want to help, your assistance isn’t always welcomed. In fact, it may be met … | Continue reading
There may be very little you can do to prevent tough times, but you can certainly prepare for them. Keep these 8 guideposts in mind. | Continue reading
When the subject of manners comes up, most people think about how to behave at the dinner table. Some behaviors that come to mind include chew with your mouth closed, refrain from reaching across the table, and leave your cell phone in another room. In addition, folks think about … | Continue reading
Did you ever face a problem so monumental that you felt like the world was caving in on you? You had no control over the situation, no one to help you, and you thought you’d never dig yourself out of the hole. Feelings of anger, fear, and hopelessness came over you. And you just … | Continue reading
What price does a leader pay for not having the trust and respect of his or her constituents? What does an employee lose by having a careless and unreliable reputation? And, what’s the downside of being a friend who’s known as a taker? The fact is that moral character can provide … | Continue reading
Don’t count your friends — count on them. Treat your friendships like a valuable treasure. Possessions wear out; relationships are forever. | Continue reading
Think of the people you idolize. Why do they impress you? Is it the possessions they’ve acquired, the power they’ve secured, or the fame they’re enjoying? Are you in awe of them because they’ve been able to achieve what most people can only dream about? On the other hand, when yo … | Continue reading
When was the last time you paused to acknowledge all the wonderful things in your life such as good health, a roof over your head, and people who love you? The fact is that most people are so busy chasing things they don’t have, that they fail to appreciate the things they do. Be … | Continue reading
Who contributes more to a household, the person who washes the dishes or the one who takes out the garbage? The person who cooks dinner or the one who does the laundry? The main breadwinner or the one who spends more time with the kids? If you think keeping score in any relations … | Continue reading
We live in an age of abundant information. You can search websites, read books and blogs, listen to podcasts, and examine research to become knowledgeable about almost every subject. But just because you get an answer doesn’t mean it’s accurate. As Richard Dawkins, the British au … | Continue reading
The power to achieve your goals is totally within your control. Here are 10 factors that may be holding you back. | Continue reading
If you want everyone to clear the bar, just lower it, right? Folks who embrace this fairy tale strategy won’t have a happy ending. They believe if you want to reduce complaints, don’t ask for feedback. If you want kids to have good self-esteem, offer praise — regardless of whethe … | Continue reading
When you request the status of something, some people respond by saying that they’ve assigned a lot of people to the effort, thrown tons of money at it, or they’ve already put in loads of time. Unfortunately, that doesn’t answer the question. It doesn’t matter how many hours they … | Continue reading
There are moments when you’re not at your best. You may be going through a tough time or having a bad day. I get it. But how do you behave the other 364 days of the year? Do you consider yourself a decent human being? We’re not talking about being a saint…just being a good... [Re … | Continue reading
People make promises at the drop of a hat: Politicians promise a better future, job applicants promise they’ll take the world by storm, and people like you and me promise to invest in our personal growth, take better care of ourselves, and even cut back on desserts. (Oh no!) When … | Continue reading
Achieving success doesn’t say as much about you as how you choose to wear it. Do you know the danger signs of an inflated ego? | Continue reading
With GPS, it’s so easy to find your way these days. I wish the same could be said for life’s journey. Some people give the journey of life considerable thought while others take each day as it comes. When we look back, we see how life unfolded and how we ended up at the finish... … | Continue reading
Some people think you learn the difference between right and wrong in some magical way. Others think schools or houses of worship are where morality and values should be taught. The truth is, if you don’t accept responsibility for shaping the moral character of the next generatio … | Continue reading
When you sail, you constantly maneuver to respond to changing wind conditions. That holds true in life. Although it’s great to have a plan, it’s equally important to roll with the punches to respond to an ever-changing world. As Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, … | Continue reading
Everyone knows that you can learn a lot from an exemplary role model. But despite that, you can learn from a lousy role model too. While outstanding role models showcase what you’re supposed to do, terrible role models demonstrate what not to do. What can you learn from someone w … | Continue reading
To My Readers: I’m honored to republish, with permission, Ideas to Transform You from Good to Better to Best by Rodger Dean Duncan, which first appeared in the June 29, 2023, issue of Forbes. In it, he interviewed me about issues that make the biggest difference in relationships … | Continue reading
We all know folks who sit on the couch with a beer in one hand and chips in the other screaming at the TV. They lambast the coach for the play that was called, as if they’re in a better position to know what to do. It’s so easy to second-guess decisions, criticize people for... [ … | Continue reading
Here’s to the superstars who epitomize the good in the world. They’re ordinary folks who make a difference in extraordinary ways. | Continue reading
Do you know how to inspire greatness in people? Here are 15 guideposts to consider. (FREE downloadable poster) | Continue reading
Most people start to think about their future in their 20s. They formulate their dreams of achieving wealth, power, and fame…and try to balance their professional goals with a rewarding life outside of work. But, if you reached those goals, would that constitute a meaningful life … | Continue reading
Leadership by Example: Be a role model who inspires greatness in others If behavior is contagious, is yours worth catching? Role models don’t have to be rich, powerful, or famous. They don’t have to be the most attractive, wear the fanciest clothes, or drive the most expensive ca … | Continue reading
Sometimes when people do bad things, alarm bells go off. Other times the act flies under the radar — because the only person who knows about the deed is the person committing it. They oftentimes dismiss the incident as unimportant because they didn’t get caught — and think that m … | Continue reading
Generally, when you make a mistake, you learn from it and move on. In other cases, however, poor choices become deeply ingrained as habits — which can lead to a lifetime of regret. Here are 25 choices that can change your life forever… Do you: Surround yourself with top-notch peo … | Continue reading