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Articles from Angie Thompson | Selfgrowth.com
- If Developing Leaders is the Question, Training May Not Be the Answer - by Submitted on Feb 18, 2013 from Angie ThompsonThat is a very strange title to read from a guy who has designed and delivered training for the last 25 years, and whose company provides a wide range of workshops, both inside organizations and in public settings. But the title is accurate. Training may not be the answer, and it most ...
Views: 591(1 vote) - If Developing Leaders is the Question, Training May Not Be the Answer - by Submitted on Feb 18, 2013 from Angie ThompsonThat is a very strange title to read from a guy who has designed and delivered training for the last 25 years, and whose company provides a wide range of workshops, both inside organizations and in public settings. But the title is accurate. Training may not be the answer, and it most ...
Views: 616(1 vote) - Ladies and Gentlemen . . . Start Your Engines - by Submitted on May 28, 2013 from Angie ThompsonI live in Indianapolis, Indiana – the only town in America that doesn’t have Memorial Day weekend - we have Race Weekend. This doesn’t mean we don’t honor those who gave their lives for our country (in fact, we honor them in more ways than most), it just means that the last weekend in May is ...
Views: 835(1 vote) - Leading in Living Color - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2013 from Angie ThompsonI’m of the age where I remember television shows moving from black and white to color - Bewitched, The Beverly Hillbillies and Andy Griffith immediately come to mind. When these transitions happened they were widely advertised, but we didn’t have color television yet (the fall of 1972 for us). ...
Views: 748(1 vote) - Olympic Lessons for Everyday Achievers - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonEvery two years the Olympics come onto the collective consciousness of the world. And while some watch for the pageantry, the human drama, the patriotism or the actual athletic competition (all of which can be compelling reasons), I believe there is another universal and more useful ...
Views: 572(1 vote) - The Power of Talent – a Leadership Lesson from Babe Ruth - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonIn 1919 the Boston Red Sox had a star pitcher who also had home run power like no one had ever seen. He helped them win 3 world championships. His name was Babe Ruth. At that time they were a powerhouse in baseball – winning 5 of the first 15 World Series match-ups. In 1920 the Red Sox ...
Views: 569(1 vote) - Turning Creative Sparks into an Innovative Fir - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonDuring a recent guest conversation for members of our Remarkable Leadership Learning System, creativity expert Josh Linkner said “an idea is a like a spark.” I’m sure that isn’t the first time I’ve heard that metaphor, but it struck me in a new way. Like you, I’ve experienced sparks, and ...
Views: 564(1 vote) - What Leaders Can Learn From Teflon - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2013 from Angie ThompsonPTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene was discovered on April 6, 1938 by Dr. Roy Plunkett at the DuPont research laboratories and it was patented in February of 1941. You know PTFE as Teflon – the non-stick coating used on things like pans, griddles and grills. This chemical now has a growing list ...
Views: 903(1 vote) - Five Things That Matter More When Leading Other Leaders - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2014 from Angie ThompsonYou may be thinking “I don’t lead leaders; I don’t need to read this.” Even if you don’t (yet), there are three important reasons why you need to keep reading: • Some day you might lead leaders – and thinking about these ideas now is worth the minimal effort required. • You may want to share ...
Views: 923 - How to Start Coaching Existing Team Members - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2015 from Angie ThompsonAs a leader/manager/supervisor in an organization, part of your responsibility, obligation and an implied (if not stated) expectation is to be a coach. Recently I was asked a very valuable question about that role, and the reality that many leaders live in. The question came from someone ...
Views: 951 - Ten Ways to Turn Individual Contributors into Collaborative Colleagues - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2015 from Angie ThompsonIt happens often. You are leading a team and some (maybe all) of the members see themselves as individual contributors, not necessarily members of a team. They state (and show) that they’d rather work alone, and prefer individual accomplishments and results to tying their fortunes to a ...
Views: 854 - The Leadership Principles That Matter Most - by Submitted on May 14, 2013 from Angie ThompsonIt is a bit daunting to write an article with the title I just typed. It reminds me of those questions you get asked during ice breaker exercises or at dinner parties . . . “If you could take only five books to a desert island what would they be?” I’m not very good at those kinds of ...
Views: 1962 - What Adults Can Learn From Show and Tell What Adults Can Learn From Show and Tell - by Submitted on Jan 12, 2015 from Angie ThompsonApparently today is Show and Tell Day at Work. Who knew? When I read this fact, it got me thinking . . . I went back to Mrs. Fredrick’s kindergarten classroom on a warm spring day. I was called to the front. It was my turn to share! No, I don’t remember exactly what I showed off, but I ...
Views: 932 - 7 Ways To Harness The Power Of Questions - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2007 from Angie ThompsonWe all use questions everyday – in every part of our lives: as a leader, as a peer, as a parent, as a team member, as a spouse. We can’t get through the day without asking at least some questions. Even if the only questions you ask all day are: “How are you doing?”, or “What’s new?” You are ...
Views: 834 - 9 Reasons Organizations Don’t Train Their Leaders - by Submitted on Dec 01, 2014 from Angie ThompsonThere are hundreds of companies large and small that offer services to help leaders grow and get greater results, ours included. This means there is a large market of organizations that look for, secure and use these services to equip their leaders to become more effective. There are many more ...
Views: 866 - A 90 Minute Activity for New Year’s Eve - by Submitted on Dec 29, 2014 from Angie ThompsonIt is possible you could take longer than 90 minutes, and you could perhaps spend a bit less time, but if you will look at your calendar for New Year’s Eve and give yourself 90 minutes to do what follows, you will be very glad you did (and it will give you one more reason to celebrate). Find a ...
Views: 1108 - A Starter Collection of Questions - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2007 from Angie ThompsonPeople collect everything from McDonalds Happy Meal toys to antique guns to books to cars. Of all the things you’ve heard of people collecting, perhaps questions isn’t on that list. Collecting questions might seem unusual, but consider this: people typically collect things for at least on of ...
Views: 861 - Are You A Great Listener? - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2008 from Angie ThompsonI could start this article extolling the importance of listening in our everyday lives, in our ability to lead others, in our ability to improve relationships and communications in general. I could lament that while throughout our school experiences we were taught the communication skills of ...
Views: 741 - Beating Blue Monday - the “Worst Day of the Year” - by Submitted on Jan 26, 2015 from Angie ThompsonAbout ten years ago Cliff Arnall, a British scientist, reportedly created a calculation to determine “the most depressing day of the year.” The equation includes seven variables: (W) weather, (D) debt, (d) monthly salary, (T) time since Christmas, (Q) time since last failed attempt, (M) low ...
Views: 993 - Building Your All-Star Team - by Submitted on Jul 06, 2015 from Angie ThompsonProfessional sports leagues create special event games called All Star Games. They create teams of the best players from their leagues to play a game, show off their talents and sell tickets. One way or another (by votes of media, players or fans), the players are selected and the game is ...
Views: 915 - Business Lessons from a Farm Party - by Submitted on Jul 27, 2015 from Angie ThompsonBefore I get to the lessons, I need to give you a bit of background. On July 4th, we hosted the ninth annual Farm Party at our farm in Michigan. A flag was signed by nearly all of the 88 attendees of this event. Present also were the flags from the last four years, hanging as banners in our ...
Views: 934 - Business Lessons From Presidential Politics - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2007 from Angie ThompsonThe most influential CEO in the world (George W. Bush) is facing mandatory retirement in 16 months and already there are 20 men and women vying for the job – very publicly. They are talking about how they will do things differently if they are chosen, and they are doing everything they can to ...
Views: 736 - Creating a Balanced Reading Die - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonSince at least 1894, the US Department of Agriculture has created guidelines and models for creating a balanced diet. With each iteration of their recommendations the dietary experts try to give us an easy-to-use guideline for eating in a healthy and well balanced way. This is a useful practice ...
Views: 568 - Creating Moments That Matter - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2015 from Angie ThompsonWhen you think back over your life and the strongest relationships in it, you will quickly find moments that played a big part in those relationships becoming what they became. While this might very well be true for your relationship with your spouse or a romantic relationship, it is just as ...
Views: 1039 - Don’t Fence Me In - by Submitted on May 27, 2008 from Angie ThompsonFarmers and ranchers put fences up primarily to keep their animals where they want them. The fence defines the boundary of where it is OK for the animals to live and graze. Fences serve several practical purposes – as I said, they keep animals where they want them and, as important, out of where ...
Views: 768 - Eight Uncommon Approaches To Better Presentations - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2008 from Angie ThompsonSomewhere in your organization someone will give a presentation today. It may be you, the person in the next office, or someone who works in another department. Even if you work solo, there are times when you will be the presenter. Few would argue that being able to present effectively – ...
Views: 640 - Exercise Your Learning Muscles - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2007 from Angie ThompsonRecently I was asked to be interviewed for a podcast, and the interviewer asked me to pick a couple of articles from his website to comment on during the interview. As I reviewed the site and looked at a variety of articles, I selected two and decided that rather than just commenting on each, I ...
Views: 864 - Feedback Isn't Enough - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2007 from Angie ThompsonWe all want feedback – we want to know how we are doing. Getting that input gives us a benchmark of our current performance and helps us improve. It is important. It is necessary. And it isn’t enough. Consider your basic performance review (even if it is a really effective one) or most any ...
Views: 758 - Five Birthday Gifts Leaders Should Give Themselves - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2014 from Angie Thompson“Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday you leader . . . Happy Birthday to me.” Today is my 52nd birthday – a year for every week in a calendar year. The other day I was thinking about how birthdays are different as an adult than as a kid. If you are like me, birthdays ...
Views: 759 - Five Key Conversations to Have with Your New Boss - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2011 from Angie ThompsonRecently promoted? Leadership and learning expert Kevin Eikenberry shares the 5 conversations you need to have with your new boss - right away. (These work even if you're a veteran.) If you`ve just been promoted, this is obviously for you. If you have been in your role for awhile, but your ...
Views: 870 - Five Keys to Delegation That Work - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2014 from Angie ThompsonDelegation is something that every leader has feelings about. Some feel they do it well. Some don’t even know where to start. Some have seen a good example of it. Some feel like every time someone has “delegated” to them, it felt like they’d just been dumped on. Some think it is something ...
Views: 850 - Five Keys To Great Questions - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2007 from Angie ThompsonToby was a young and ambitious salesperson. Part of his training had been to spend time with Janice, a veteran and very successful salesperson at the firm. As Toby went on sales calls with Janice he took notes, and one of the things he marveled at was Janice’s ability to ask great questions. In ...
Views: 947 - Five Keys to Overcoming Virtual Team Conflicts - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2015 from Angie ThompsonWhen we think about remote or virtual teams, we may think about flexibility, freedom and perhaps even high productivity. And when people are working out and on their own, we typically think that interpersonal issues might not matter as much or happen as often. Unfortunately, this isn’t always ...
Views: 884 - Five Leadership Lessons from the Apollo Moon Landing - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2015 from Angie Thompson46 years today and tomorrow (as I post this), July 20 and 21st, 1969, are days that everyone my age or older remembers. These are the days when the Apollo 11 spacecraft landed on the moon (the 20th) and when Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon (on the 21st). This was an ...
Views: 900 - Five Lessons All Leaders Can Take From the NFL Draft - by Submitted on May 12, 2014 from Angie ThompsonUnless you live under a rock, live outside the United States or are a non-sports person, you know the National Football League held their draft of players last week. If you don’t know, this annual event allows teams to pick players based on a prescribed order that they have the right to hire for ...
Views: 803 - Five Powers of Encouragement - by Submitted on Nov 03, 2014 from Angie ThompsonI spent most of last week coaching leaders on their skills, abilities and results through the use of 360 assessments. While the experience, scope and overall skill of these leaders varied widely, one of the lessons I received from this process was a reminder of and deepening appreciation for the ...
Views: 902 - Five Songs From My iPod That Will Make You a Better Leader - by Submitted on Nov 23, 2015 from Angie ThompsonMusic can move us, make us smile; bring back memories - both good and bad - and many other things. Today, I plan to show you how music can help make you a better leader. Everyone has a connection to at least some music; everyone has favorite songs, genres and more. In this article, I am not ...
Views: 950 - Five Ways Confident Communication Builds Trust - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2015 from Angie ThompsonThe leader purposefully strides to the front of the conference room table and is prepared to begin. Smiling warmly, she turns to the group, and asks the group a question. Since she wants their response she allows the pause to encourage people to participate. After creating a conversation, she ...
Views: 938 - Five Ways Gratitude Will Change Your Life - by Submitted on Nov 24, 2014 from Angie Thompson"Thank you" Saying "thank you" is something most of us learn at a young age. It's also something we teach to our children . We all know that gratitude is important, which is why, in many parts of the world, we have a day called Thanksgiving to remind us to be thankful. It is unfortunate in ...
Views: 772 - Five Ways Leaders Can Declare Their Independence - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2014 from Angie Thompson238 years ago this week, a group of men, a group of leaders, risked their lives and livelihoods to declare their (nonexistent) country’s independence from England. If you are from the United States, I wish you a Happy Independence Day! But actually I am wishing that all of you (regardless of ...
Views: 767 - Five Ways To Avoid Your Biggest Presentation Nightmare - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2014 from Angie ThompsonLots of people have visions of crashing and burning when giving a speech. The nightmares seem real, and yet while you may not like presenting and may have had some blunders, you’ve likely not had a presentation-nightmare-come-true like Michael Bay (Director of the Transformer movies, among many ...
Views: 754 - Five Ways to Create Greater Vision - by Submitted on Aug 24, 2015 from Angie ThompsonEvery leader deals with leading, championing or even driving change. And every book and article about doing that will talk about the importance of the vision for the changed state. There is a good reason for that – a vision of the changed state you want people to move towards is critical to a ...
Views: 925 - Five Ways to Have More Luck - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2014 from Angie ThompsonLuck. Some think it is some kind of magic. Some think there is no such thing. Some think only others have it. Most wish they had more of it. Years ago I heard the definition of luck as: Labor Under Correct Knowledge While I believe there is truth in that clever acrostic, ...
Views: 798 - Five Ways to Make Your December More Productive - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2015 from Angie ThompsonWhen you hear or think about the word December, many things likely come to mind; but one word that likely doesn’t is . . . productive. Today I want to challenge that thought, and even give you some very specific ways to use the last month of the year to be as productive, or perhaps more so, ...
Views: 922 - Five Ways to Pick Your Best Development Tools - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2010 from Angie ThompsonPersonal development. Professional development. Leadership development. Regardless of which words you use, chances are as the New Year begins, you are thinking about some sort of development; some sort of approach to creating change, growth and advancement in your life. As you think ...
Views: 874 - Five Ways You Can Learn Something Today - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2015 from Angie ThompsonLearning. In a world where change seems to come hurling toward us like a bullet train, we know learning is needed just to survive, let alone thrive. And while most everyone would nod at the idea that we must be lifelong learners, the list of excuses people have for why they aren’t and can’t be ...
Views: 876 - Four Leadership Trust Busters - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2014 from Angie ThompsonTrust. Your ability to lead is severely hampered without it, and the more of it you have, the easier leadership becomes. Plus, with greater trust comes greater speed of implementation, clearer communication and much more. It is certainly something that leaders must spend time creating and ...
Views: 840 - Four Lessons Leaders Can Learn from Camels - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2011 from Angie ThompsonLet me start by saying I am not a camel expert. Some of what I know about camels, I have learned from reading throughout my life. Some I learned yesterday when talking with colleagues - people who know more about them than I do. I however have become more interested because of my recent personal ...
Views: 884 - Four Questions That Will Improve Your Results - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2015 from Angie ThompsonI’ve got four questions for you… four questions that can, as I promised above, change your results. I’m going to say more about each of them, how they can make a difference, and when you would want to apply them, but first, here they are: Why? Why not? Why not me? Why not now? You can apply ...
Views: 906 - Four Reasons Why Great Leaders Aren’t Firefighters - by Submitted on Feb 10, 2014 from Angie ThompsonThe role that firefighters play in our society is secure. The way that we honor their service is appropriate. I have close friends who are and have been firefighters, and so I personally hold them in high regard. Great firefighters are leaders of their teams in situations far beyond what most of ...
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