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Articles from Angie Thompson | Selfgrowth.com
- Are You Living Life Like an Olympian? - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from Angie ThompsonI love the Olympics. I love the athleticism and the story lines and the preparation and the inspiring moments and the psychology and the history ... and so much more. Olympic Torch - As I`ve talked with people during the Games, I`ve found that even people who generally aren`t sports fans ...
Views: 839(4 votes) - 4 Reasons You Need Bigger Goals - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Angie ThompsonIn May of 1961 in Houston, Texas, President John F. Kennedy set one of the biggest goals in human history - to put a man on the moon and bring him home safely before the end of the decade. And many in the U.S., and around the world, thought he was being utterly ridiculous. The validity and ...
Views: 697(2 votes) - 4 Ways Goal Alignment Creates Great Leverage - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Angie ThompsonRecently I wanted to remove some concrete footings from the property of my boyhood farm home. On the surface these slabs averaged 2-3 feet across and about 8 feet wide. This surface area may not seem very large, but because they had been built to carry the weight of a very large tank I knew they ...
Views: 970(2 votes) - 5 Ways to Share Your Leadership Influence - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Angie ThompsonThe young leader might not recognize it, and the veteran may no longer think about it, but neither situation obscures the truth: leaders influence all the time. At one level this makes complete sense. After all, as leaders we are trying to take people towards a desired destination, and since ...
Views: 852(2 votes) - 5 Ways You Serve Others as a Leader - by Submitted on Sep 28, 2009 from Angie ThompsonRecently someone asked what I thought about "servant leadership." My short answer was that using the word servant is redundant. Don`t misunderstand, I believe in the concept of servant leadership, and what you read or learn about leadership from that prism is extremely valuable. It`s ...
Views: 849(2 votes) - Change and (Positive) Emotions - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2013 from Angie ThompsonFor years in training around the world I've said – “There is always an emotional component to change.” And people have typically nodded in agreement. After all, personal experience will tell anyone this is true. There have been changes in your life you were excited about, and those where your ...
Views: 834(2 votes) - Programming Your Personal Remote Control - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Angie ThompsonWalk into most any house and you will see at least one (usually several). They are as helpful as they are ubiquitous. You use them without even thinking about them and even though you don`t know how they work (or how to program them) you probably use them every single day. What am I ...
Views: 649(2 votes) - Seven Leadership Lessons from Great Basketball Coaches - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from Angie ThompsonThe first thing I remember purchasing with my own money that I earned was a basketball. Basketball GymAs a boy, when I wasn`t working on the farm, often I was shooting baskets. While my high school career stalled for a variety of reasons (being small, 5`9", and having mononucleosis as a ...
Views: 934(4 votes) - Take a Tip from Tiger, Lance and Kobe - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Angie ThompsonTiger Woods. Lance Armstrong. Kobe Bryant. These men are just three examples of people acknowledged to be among the very best in the world at their craft. They all have something in common though that might not immediately spring to mind. They all have coaches. While I picked ...
Views: 783(2 votes) - The Best Gifts Ever - by Submitted on Sep 28, 2009 from Angie ThompsonI don`t know about you, but I can pretty easily make a top five list of gifts I`ve received for my birthday or Christmas. Some things stand out for their usefulness, some for the thought that was behind them and some just because they were cool. And while I have enjoyed all the gifts on my ...
Views: 684(2 votes) - The Gift of Goals - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2013 from Angie ThompsonTwelve days ago I started a series of posts I called The 12 (Leadership) Days of Christmas. In it I said that for each of the next 12 days, in keeping with the song, I would offer you a leadership task, designed to be a gift to both you and your team if you completed it and acted on it. The ...
Views: 712(2 votes) - Are You a Responder or a Reactor? - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2010 from Angie ThompsonIn a recent leadership workshop a participant asked me: "How can I get staff to think about choices or decisions and not just react?" My first thought was of a classic Zig Ziglar story that talks about the big difference one word can make. Zig said (and I`m paraphrasing): Imagine going ...
Views: 3301(3 votes) - Five Reasons Why Every Leader is a Salesperson - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2010 from Angie ThompsonWhat images, thoughts and feelings come to mind when you think of or hear the word "salesperson"? * Stereotypical, slick-talking, used car sales people * Well-spoken financial manager * The guy everyone loves who sells his wares on the golf course Whether you have positive thoughts and ...
Views: 696(3 votes) - What Do You See? - How Your Vision Drastically Affects Your Results - by Submitted on Jun 14, 2010 from Angie ThompsonWhile I`ve never worn any sort of corrective lenses, at my age, I am becoming increasingly more aware of my vision. Things that were once perfectly clear are now sometimes hazy. I once took my vision for granted; now it is becoming harder to do so. (Before you all give me the name of your ...
Views: 739(8 votes) - How to Watch the Super Bowl for Leadership Lessons - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2013 from Angie ThompsonChances are, in a few days you will be watching the Super Bowl. Whether at a party, or home alone, whether you are a true fan, or are watching for the commercials (or as an excuse to eat), the Super Bowl offers you a leadership learning opportunity, if you know what to do. Just like the ...
Views: 643(1 vote) - Leadership and Juggling – the Unlikely Lessons - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2013 from Angie ThompsonI have used juggling as a way to relax, to start conversations, I’ve used it as a metaphor to teach lessons in training, and as a result have taught hundreds of people how to juggle as well. Since I learned that Saturday was World Juggling Day, I decided to share some connections and ideas ...
Views: 915(1 vote) - Leadership Lessons at 10,000 Feet - by Submitted on May 24, 2013 from Angie ThompsonIf you have flown anytime in the last several years you have heard some version of this announcement: At this time, we request that all mobile phones, pagers, radios, and remote controlled toys be turned off for the full duration of the flight, as these items might interfere with the ...
Views: 812(1 vote) - Seven Ways to Be a Better Meeting Participant - by Submitted on Mar 06, 2013 from Angie ThompsonHere’s a safe bet. If you are reading these words, you’ve been in a meeting this week. Here’s a nearly-as-safe bet. You’ve been to at least one meeting recently when you were disengaged, bored, or wished you could have been at your desk getting some “real work” done. While this ...
Views: 699(1 vote) - Thinking About Leadership Style - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2013 from Angie ThompsonThe topic of leadership style is an important one, and one that usually comes up as I teach leadership to groups everywhere. Sometimes the phrase “leadership style” itself isn’t mentioned, and yet it is underneath many conversations, questions, and even excuses (I’ll get to that in a bit). My ...
Views: 649(1 vote) - Trust at a Distance – And How to Build It - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2013 from Angie ThompsonTrust is all over the news these days. People don’t trust the judgment of a jury in Florida. The Yankees don’t trust one of their star players. The Congress doesn’t trust the President, and vice versa. And now the media is asking people if they trust candidate for Mayor of New York (and former ...
Views: 712(1 vote) - 10 Questions to Make You a Better Listener - by Submitted on Jul 28, 2014 from Angie ThompsonListening is a skill we’d all like to get better at – I can’t think of a time when I asked someone or a group if they wanted to be a better listener and someone said, “no”. It is a life skill that impacts our ability to communicate, build relationships and get things done. It helps us learn. ...
Views: 795(1 vote) - 5 Reasons Stories are Powerful Communication Tools - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from Angie ThompsonWe all grow up with stories. Stories of our family, stories from our friends and stories we read. There are stories we hear at school, at work, on television and in the movies. Stories are everywhere! And while you`ve been around stories your whole life, you also likely realize that stories ...
Views: 1156(1 vote) - 7 Strategies When People Don't Want to Change - by Submitted on Jul 13, 2010 from Angie ThompsonJoni showed up at her boss Bob`s office more frustrated than he`d ever seen her. Joni was a relatively new supervisor and had been developing well - but on this day, she seemed, well, different. When Bob asked what was wrong her frustration came out immediately. "What do you do when people ...
Views: 1255(2 votes) - A Buffet of Goal Achievement Approaches for Leaders - by Submitted on Nov 29, 2012 from Angie ThompsonImagine walking into an upscale restaurant with a sumptuous buffet – offering a wide range of tantalizing salads, entrées and desserts. (Perhaps a more clear picture will come on Thursday at a Thanksgiving dinner). There are all sorts of foods, providing you with a wide variety of ...
Views: 605(1 vote) - A Business Case for Forgiveness - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2012 from Angie ThompsonWe all want it. And sometimes it is hard to grant to others. While there are psychological and spiritual reasons why forgiveness is important, that isn’t the focus here. Make no mistake; I am going to try to convince you why forgiveness is important for you and your business ...
Views: 650(1 vote) - A Forgotten Ingredient to Creative Success - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2013 from Angie ThompsonThis coming month, members of the Remarkable Leadership Learning System will be focused building their creativity skills. These are of course important skills for leaders to possess – both for them personally and to support the creative ideas of the rest of their team. Think about it this way ...
Views: 703(1 vote) - A Fresh (and Important) Look at Strengths and Weaknesses - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2013 from Angie ThompsonMany years ago on the way to lunch an obviously upset friend asked me if he was stubborn, explaining that someone had told him that a few minutes earlier. Rather than immediately answering him, I paused and asked a question instead. “Do you think you are persistent?” To which he ...
Views: 671(1 vote) - Be Better Than Your Best - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonA No-Excuses Leadership Learning Strategy Leading effectively is a complex mix of skills and behaviors that don`t all come naturally and can`t be mastered quickly (if ever). To put it simply, to be a great leader, you must be a continual learner. That is easy to say. It is easy to believe. ...
Views: 900(1 vote) - Coaching Success by the Alphabet - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from Angie ThompsonBeing an effective coach is a leadership skill - as you coach successfully you help create the future you are leading people towards. However, being an effective coach is more than leadership - it is an important life skill as well. We all can be more effective at coaching in our communities, ...
Views: 682(1 vote) - Conquering the Leadership Paradox - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonConquering the Leadership Paradox It happens all over the world, every day. Josie is a great performer. She is very good at her technical expertise, and for that she is rewarded with a promotion. Her supervisor calls her into her office and gives her the good news. Congratulations ...
Views: 909(1 vote) - Create a Challenge and Create Your Future - by Submitted on Nov 29, 2012 from Angie ThompsonThink of the times in your life when you have grown the most, excelled at new levels and felt the most satisfaction with your life and results. Chances are, in all of those situations, a common element was a challenge that you faced and surmounted successfully. Whether it was the challenge ...
Views: 586(1 vote) - Create a Challenge and Create Your Future - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonThink of the times in your life when you have grown the most, excelled at new levels and felt the most satisfaction with your life and results. Chances are, in all of those situations, a common element was a challenge that you faced and surmounted successfully. Whether it was the challenge ...
Views: 654(1 vote) - Creating and Communicating a Compelling Vision for Change - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonStatus quo requires no leadership. That has been a mantra of mine for a long time. It encapsulates an important point about the role of leaders - leaders are in the change business. After all, if everything in your organization was perfect, there would be no need for leaders because there ...
Views: 834(1 vote) - Developing the Right Attitude to Support Goal Achievement - by Submitted on Aug 20, 2010 from Angie ThompsonAchievers are always looking for ways to become more successful; to reach goals more quickly and with greater assurance. And, for centuries authors have been sharing the factors that help anyone reach their goals. If you consider achievement and achievers, you hopefully would recognize that ...
Views: 755(2 votes) - Eight Supportive Behaviors Every Coach (and Every Person) Should Use - by Submitted on Aug 20, 2010 from Angie ThompsonAsk ten people to describe the best coaches they have experienced and chances are seven or more will mention support in some way. Underline and highlight that fact in your personal thinking about coaching. The best coaches are supportive. Knowing and agreeing with that idea is one thing. ...
Views: 651(2 votes) - Find Your Story - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2012 from Angie ThompsonFinding a Story for a Specific Communication Purpose Tom had a major presentation coming up in less than a week, and he was concerned. This presentation was important not only for his team and his company, but also for his career. He knew that if he did well it would make all the ...
Views: 830(1 vote) - Finding Your Leadership Style - by Submitted on Jan 14, 2013 from Angie ThompsonHere is some very good news for you. There is no perfect leadership style, which means there is more than one way to lead effectively. Why is this good news? Because it means you, yes you, can become a highly effective leader. Read that again and let it sink in. Whatever your past ...
Views: 926(1 vote) - Five Ways to Visualize Your Goals - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonYou`ve got your goals set. You`re excited about them and the prospects of achieving them. Whether those are true statements for you personally, for your team/organization or both, congratulations! They`re both necessary and important steps. And, they aren`t enough. I`m guessing you`ve ...
Views: 849(1 vote) - Go Ahead, Fall in Love! - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2012 from Angie ThompsonFive Love Affairs Leaders Should Have Caught up in the spirit of Valentine`s Day, that day we celebrate romantic love, I began thinking again about the connection between the words love and leadership. Before you even read about these five love affairs, you might be put off by using the word ...
Views: 1157(1 vote) - Home Runs or Singles? A Leader’s Choice - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonToday in 1961, Roger Maris broke the single season home run record of the legendary Babe Ruth when he hit his 61st of the season. Babe’s former record had stood since 1927, and had been seen by many as untouchable (Maris’ record was topped 37 years later and has since been eclipsed ...
Views: 612(1 vote) - How Leaders Get Lucky - by Submitted on Mar 19, 2013 from Angie ThompsonOftentimes people look at others who appear to have gained stature or success and explain their results as “luck.” While leaders are rarely as popular or visible as rock or movie stars, more than once I've heard people talk about a leaders as being lucky. They started at the right company . ...
Views: 725(1 vote) - How Leaders Must View Opportunity - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2013 from Angie Thompson124 years today, something amazing and historic happened. The United States government made about 2 million acres of public land in Oklahoma available to homestead. Here’s how it worked.Oklahoma Land Rush Starting at noon April 22, 1889, legal settlers could claim lots up to 160 acres. If ...
Views: 632(1 vote) - How to Get Lazy People to Work - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Angie ThompsonIn our Bud to Boss Workshops we get asked different versions of this question frequently. Sometimes it is asked in a more politically correct way. Sometimes it is asked as a curiosity. Most times, however, it is asked bluntly, directly and with frustration: "How can I get lazy people to ...
Views: 1188(1 vote) - How to Harness the Power of Our Visual Minds - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonI often do the following exercise with groups (you can try it after you read it, but I’m not sure it will translate perfectly in writing). “Close your eyes and clear your mind. I’m going to say a word. I want you to think about the word briefly then open your eyes. The word is ...
Views: 652(1 vote) - Influence Isn’t a Guarantee - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonThere is a difference between what we can control, and what we can merely influence. Sometimes we get these mixed up and this confusion causes many problems for leaders (and all of us as human beings too). Today, I want to clarify one piece of this mix-up, a piece that starts with us ...
Views: 662(1 vote) - Is it OK for Leaders to Be Scared? - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Angie ThompsonAt this time of the year being scared or scary is kinda cool – after all it is Halloween! But this is a short season and leaders lead all year long, so the question asked by the title of this piece is a good one – “is it ok for leaders to be scared?” Most leaders would say No! After all ...
Views: 691(1 vote) - It’s All About You...or Not - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2012 from Angie ThompsonWhen you reach milestones in life, like a 50th birthday, it is a good idea to reflect (actually, reflection is valuable every day, but that is a different post). And as my 50th birthday came and went over the weekend, I reflected on some of the most valuable things I have learned in my work and ...
Views: 631(1 vote) - Leadership and The Power of Perspective - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2013 from Angie ThompsonI’ve been thinking recently about the importance of perspective to our role as a leader. And when I recently saw the work of Gus Petro, who put a new perspective on New York City and the Grand Canyon, it prompted me to write this article. The project is called merge (and the website can be found ...
Views: 712(1 vote) - Leadership Lessons from Hamburger (Yes, Hamburger) - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2012 from Angie ThompsonPerhaps this post will prove you can stretch a metaphor a long way (almost as far as a mother of six can stretch a pound of hamburger). The reality is that I decided to see what I could come up with because this week is National Hamburger Week. I spent some time thinking about hamburgers and ...
Views: 678(1 vote) - Leadership Relationship Building – One Step At A Time - by Submitted on Sep 17, 2013 from Angie ThompsonI’m a big believer in the power of relationships in leading others more effectively. After all, would you rather (and are you more likely to) follow someone you know and like, or someone you don’t? In part because of this belief, I have often used an exercise at the start of leadership ...
Views: 817(1 vote)