Author: Rachel Hanson

Carrot and stick management systems can be effective if what you want is a defined system that reliably gets X amount of work for Y amount of reward...AND you're willing to eat the cost of employee turnover when they jump ship because  X amount of work is rewarded at a Y+1 level elsewhere. What is … Continue reading Carrot and stick

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us." You've probably read or heard Marianne Williamson's quote above. It's a soul-stirring one. And I think it's not the full story. I don't think our … Continue reading Powerful beyond measure

We are not merely comprised of flesh and bones, atoms and synapses. Humans are also a bundle of spiritual energy, I believe, and that energy can have larger than life impacts on others. In one study, it was found that the energy and emotion we show up with can pass through and influence others through … Continue reading Greatness

Wouldn't you love to have a competitive advantage that no one else can buy or replicate? Good news is you can, it just takes hard work to turn it into a real advantage. A strong core is your competitive advantage. Not because no one else will have a strong core, but rather because you'll be … Continue reading Competitive advantage

A CEO client of mine has a problem with someone on his team. He's talked to him about the issue, but hasn't really held this player accountable to the standard. I asked what he was going to do about it and heard the usual - I just don't have time to do it. I called … Continue reading Curious and challenging

High performers want to be coached hard and want to be held to a higher standard. High performers don't sit around hoping someone will coach them harder, they ask for it. Demand it even. And if their leader won't give them the coaching, they find someone who will. High performers act. They move. When they … Continue reading High performers

When times are hard (or boring) where you work, there's an easy temptation to look around at competitors and think that X company is running things better, would be more enjoyable, would pay you better, etc. You can see all the flaws of your own company and you've grown somewhat immune by that point to … Continue reading Look before you leap

There are no permanent advantages. It's baked in to the process. The moment you rise to the top, you're facing new headwinds. Opportunity for hubris, increased focus from competition, a skill set that becomes outdated, a desire to "relax" after what you've earned, etc. When you think your competitive advantage is so great it can't … Continue reading No permanent advantages