What is this comfort zone we hear so much about, and where did it originate? You’ll hear people describe their comfort zones differently, but my clients tend to describe it as an emotional state where things feel familiar-a place where they experience low levels of anxiety and stress. When we’re in our comfort zones, weRead more
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April 18, 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the dramatic bombing of Japan that followed the attack on Pearl Harbor. On this day in 1942, at 8:20 in the morning, 16 B-25 bombers under the command of Jimmy Doolittle took off from the USS Hornet 750 miles from Japan. In 1942, most experts found theRead more
Early in 1998, my doctoral committee met to approve my dissertation proposal. Or, at least I thought that was the goal of the meeting. As it turns out, they met to discuss all the reasons for their disapproval: My research thesis was inconsistent; I had proposed a flawed research methodology; and I had formulated inaneRead more
Prior to the Patriots’ stunning comeback in Super Bowl 2017, quarterback Tom Brady answered the question about what makes his team so special: “Mental toughness.” He could have said exceptional physical strength, training, and superior talent, but he didn’t. What team that makes it to the Super Bowl doesn’t embody these? Mental toughness involves somethingRead more
In 2016, Wells Fargo fired more than 5,000 employees who learned the hard way that carrots don’t work–at least not in the long run. Decision-makers tied a substantial piece of these employees’ compensation to steep sales targets and made reaching them a condition of continued employment. They saw movement, if not true motivation. Even whenRead more
