In this historic time in our lives, five generations occupy the workplace — with a sixth-generation on the way. Now is the time for women to stand out and shine as leaders. It’s time to see the importance of being self-aware. We must understand our work styles, avoid…
Andrea Zintz
Ph.D., Leadership Coach
Andrea Zintz is the President of Strategic Leadership Resources LLC (SLR). She specializes in executive and high potential leadership strategy, succession and development. To learn more, visit her website: strategicleadershipresources.com
Entries Andrea Zintz
How often do you feel drained and find yourself wishing for more hours in the day? You know you need a break and promise that you will take some time for yourself as soon as you finish... just one more thing. The problem is, there is always just one more…
If you have a goal to improve your social-emotional skills, it’s essential to know how to give and receive honest feedback. Suppose you are seeking feedback from your boss or peers. In that case, feedback helps you learn the right or better way to evolve your approaches, behaviors, skills, and…
Mentoring and sponsorship networks are excellent sources of inspiration and support that can help professionals grow. Virtual sponsorship and mentoring relationships are often provided in companies and organizations, and can provide great value to employees who are looking to advance in the company and in their field. Before…
In this time of virtual meetings, how can you stand out as these meetings become a more significant part of the business? The benefit of working remotely with virtual meetings allows you to advance your career when you stand out. How can you be more engaging, dynamic, interesting, and entertaining…
Emotional intelligence affects how we manage behavior, navigate social complexities, and make personal decisions that achieve positive results. Social-emotional skills play an important part in our ability to work efficiently with others. Research shows that 90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence includes personal competence and…
During the last 18 months of COVID, leaders are looking for ways to be more effective in difficult times. Because of the pandemic-related, social and emotional challenges all of us have experienced, now is an excellent time to consider the core pillars of leadership. These crucial elements help us know…
Many of us have experienced loss and grief over the last 18 months. As we enter the holiday season during active COVID transmissions, you may find it challenging for friends and family members to gather safely. How can we manage the stress of the holiday season when heightened by the…
Do you give generously because you want to, or is there some manipulation involved because you think you have to? For many of us, the habit of false giving is the only form of generosity we know because we’ve done it for years. But in reality, inauthentic giving is disempowering.…
As companies figure out how to best adjust to hybrid workspaces, employees are trying to learn how to navigate virtual office environments while still maintaining the same visibility they had in-person. In this new work environment, how do you get noticed by your manager, and attract sponsors and mentors to…
Over the last year and a half, many employees began working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now with work-from-home mandates easing in many places, companies are creating environments with people working from both the office and their homes. But this hybrid model will not be without its challenges.…
This article was written by Jane Firth and Andrea Zintz Even without having a management or leadership title, you are having animpact on the people you work with. We've identified the qualities that areimportant: grit, grace, and gravitas. 1. What is Grit?Grit is when you push…
Coping with the loss of a close friend or family member may be one of the most difficult challenges many of us face. When we lose a spouse, sibling, or parent, our grief can be particularly intense. Loss is understood as a natural part of life. However, we can still…
We all find ourselves having difficult conversations at some point in time. Whether at work or in our relationships outside work, having difficult conversations are never easy, and that’s why they are “difficult.” There are ways to make these conversations both productive and as painless as possible. These conversations are…
Have you found that it’s incredibly tough to break a bad habit? Maybe you already tried it several times and then just gave up once and for all. A bad habit is created the same way as a good habit -- through repetition. With repetition, we become masters in anything we…
We all know that constant negativity can get in the way of happiness, add to our stress and worry level, and ultimately damage our health. Some people are more prone to negative thinking than others. So, here’s an uplifting New Year’s challenge for your mind and soul! Make this the…
We are all different in how we deal with stress and can easily default to negative thinking when worried and uncertain. What causes negative thinking? When you are triggered by exhaustion, stress, hunger, sleep deprivation, the common cold, illness, or allergies, any of these can shift you into depression, which…
If you find yourself feeling anxious and lonely – even if you are surrounded by family, a partner, or a roommate- you are not alone! So many of us who have been home-bound for more than a month are feeling anxiety and loneliness. For example, when you look back at…
Are you feeling especially antsy, depressed, or under-productive after more than a month of quarantine? Here are 10 ways to use your time well. Learn a new skill: The business world is rapidly changing. New skills are needed constantly. Now that you are home in quarantine, you can…
A devastating event will never be easy to live through. A crisis might be a poor diagnosis or disability, or some unforeseen disaster such as our current pandemic. Sheltering means right now, you don’t have freedom of movement. You’re spending most of your time in one place. Your world has…
Do you find yourself asserting your ideas or diminishing yourself because you hesitate in making your views or desires known? Sometimes it seems more natural to go with the flow to avoid a potential conflict. However, letting people walk all over you increases your stress and anxiety. Over time, it…
If you live with a family member, partner, or roommate, the coronavirus quarantine is all about being able to coexist with someone. This involves meeting your needs and all of their needs and anxieties. You will likely have disagreements in the best of cases. But, if the other person or people you…
Narcissists are masters of language who use words to deceive, coerce, seduce, and mislead. They have no remorse, even though they may make it seem they are apologizing. This is born from a need to manipulate for control and they can be masterful at saying the right thing at the…
Setting high expectations. You can always ask for better. If something or someone consistently falls short, you should always speak up when a colleague doesn’t step up, or you feel a relationship is lacking. You do not have to exist in a relationship that feels one-sided, say “I’m sorry” when…
In a toxic relationship, verbal abuse is a kind of interpersonal violence that is more calculating and insidious than it seems. It is a means of maintaining power and control over another in a relationship. This kind of treatment causes the person on the receiving end to question themselves, wondering if…
What is “Undermining Behavior”? A standard definition for the term undermine is “to erode the base or foundation” or “to weaken or damage, especially gradually or insidiously.” The way you may experience this at work are times when someone acts to weaken another’s position, goals, or successes, with intent to…
What does it mean to have a presence? How do women achieve their goals when working with others in the workplace and at home? Having a classy presence is about your style of being — your demeanor— through your body language, tone, and attitude. Your presence is unique to you. It’s your individual…
It doesn’t matter if you are a full-time stay at home mom or you work a 50-hour a week job--if you’re a mom, you are always working to take care of your kids. Raising children takes a lot of energy! A lack of sleep, not eating right, and constant stress…
You are most likely aware of at least one person who is not authentic in your relationships. Although they say they are interested in you, your well-being, and happiness, they are anything but. The current term for these people is “fake friends.” These people come into your life seeking a…
Starting something new is always stressful. As we ramp up our New Year commitments, resolutions, and responsibilities, we need practical ways to address stress when it arises. Our moods often depend on our stress levels and impact both our relationships and our outcomes. When we’re in a calm or joyful…
The experience of attachments to loved ones, grieving, troubled relationships, and desires that we can’t seem to achieve are all a part of life. When we face these emotional attachments, it can bring about feelings of loss, anxiety, and worry. When these feelings overwhelm us, especially when we can’t change…
What do people such as Bill Gates, Paul Allen who started Microsoft, Mohammad Dewji of the METL Group, Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines, and Mark Cuban, who started Broadcast.com, all have in common? They are all billionaires who have sustained their business and personal success over many years. What are…
We are all vulnerable to the voice in our heads that tells us we aren’t good enough, that we aren’t prepared, that we are imposters, or that others are better than us. These moments of self-doubt often occur when we have an exciting opportunity – when we are prepping for…
Are you a night owl? Do you find yourself procrastinating when your brain tells you, “I should really be going to bed right now?” Thanks to our circadian rhythms, your body can feel more awake or asleep at different points of the day. It’s a naturally occurring phenomenon, and not…
In my recent article, 3 Signs You're the Target of Narrow-Minded People and What to Do, I described how women and people of color are often the target of bias and are much more likely to encounter the subtle forms of prejudice than the more obvious signs. In this article,…
Many women deal with mood swings at different stages of their life. Frequently, these mood swings are hormonal due to menopause, menstruation, or birth control changes, and we can feel like our moods are out of our control. Hormone imbalances cause many women to overreact to things that never used…
As women, we are usually aware of blatant examples of workplace bias. Typical experiences are receiving nasty racist notes and using disparaging language to black employees, apparent pay disparities between women and men, and supervisors’ admonitions that women need to just get along with the boys. These are only a…
Procrastination is a common problem for almost everyone. We find ourselves thinking, "I should really be getting this project finished," as we binge-watch the next episode of our favorite TV series or stand in front of the open fridge for the fourth time in an hour. It affects our commitments…
There are many successful relationships and marriages that originate at the workplace. Research about employees’ reactions to workplace romances shows that most of them do not mind seeing a romance develop between two unmarried colleagues. On the other hand, employees do object to relationships in which one or both coworkers…
How do you know if someone is “toxic”? You can sense it when that person leaves a conversation – you shake your head, trying to gain clarity after feeling overwhelmed. A toxic person may appear as a verbal bully, a narcissist or a manipulator. However, all types can be negative…
For women who juggle work, family, and other responsibilities, managing grief seems impossible for some of us to prioritize. When Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, lost her husband while vacationing in Mexico in 2015, she returned to her high-profile job 10 days after her husband’s death. This was…
Bullying isn’t just for the playground. Consider the bullying behavior at work or adults who use emotional power tactics to dominate their peers. We all have hidden vulnerabilities, and a common fear is social rejection. This hidden fear can be what emotional bullies use to generate shame in others. Since…
Worrying is healthy and can be helpful when it spurs you to act and solve a problem. However, if you're preoccupied with "what ifs" and worst-case scenarios, chronic worry can become anxiety. However, it is possible to train your brain to work more productively with emotions and develop mental habits…
When someone is being irrational, they don't listen to reason, logic, or even common sense. Toxic people may overreact – often making up stories about a situation you may be both involved with. These types of people are entirely focused on fulfilling their needs. You might be asking yourself, “Why…
Sometimes, family members can be very difficult to relate to. We usually have at least one person in the group who we see as toxic, and while we’d like to avoid them, these people are ours for a lifetime. Is there anything you can do? A smart way to view…
Around the holidays, we can experience feelings of being overwhelmed. While you can feel this way any time, how do you recognize your exhaustion is severe enough that you are burned out? Having self-awareness helps you see it is time to act on your self-care so you can be your…
Have you ever felt terrified to tell your boss how much you needed their help or support? Or perhaps you’ve avoided bringing up an issue with a close friend or colleague because you didn’t want to seem inadequate or unlikeable. You may have decided that the person doesn’t like you.…
A healthy relationship, even with those people you find toxic, requires the space to maintain your personal integrity. Most people will respect you for your boundaries, values, and assertiveness. Of course, relationships are a two-way street, but not so with toxic people who don’t understand where you end and they…
You may have heard that people are generally more extroverted or introverted. What does this really mean? If you are more of an extrovert, then you become more energized by being socially active. If you tend toward introversion, your energy is fed from within. Too much external stimuli can deplete…
Have you ever had an offer of help from a trusted co-worker, volunteer or friend when you were in need, but they didn’t follow through? These people mean well at the moment and aren’t purposely trying to make things harder for you, but they do because something important isn’t getting…
Many people have had relationships with someone who criticizes them, assigning them negative intentions that aren’t theirs. If you have had this kind of relationship, how can you remain open, non-defensive, and emotionally intact when someone uses you as a place to unload their anger, guilt, and shame? How do…
I have known many clients in my line of work as a coach who have survived emotional abuse at work or in other relationships. They usually possess a special kind of resilience that helps them rise to a higher level of functioning after experiencing significant adversity. Believe me that if…
We are creatures of habit. It is in our nature to want predictability. Deciding that you could change your habit to something different will lead to new opportunities. Over the course of your day, identify all the tasks you do without thinking. Then, take a moment to talk about how…
Forty percent of Americans are sleep deprived – many get less than five hours of sleep per night. While most people don't give lack of sleep much thought, there are in fact life-threatening consequences. When you allow yourself to work late, watch TV, stay out until midnight or get caught…
Career success largely depends upon three elements: Do you have sufficient credibility based on knowledge and experience? Are you perceived as having high standards of performance along with skills to negotiate and handle conflict? Do you have high emotional and relationship intelligence? Watch for these four mistakes,…
Manipulators are masterful in using a variety of tactics that distort the reality of their victims and deflect responsibility by blaming others, putting them down and silencing them. Know these tactics so you can recognize that it isn’t you, and what you can do. Projection Notice that when a manipulator…
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is more of an essential factor for success than one’s IQ. Research confirms that EQ is the critical factor that distinguishes the highest performers. It affects our choice of behavior, helps us deal with difficult people, and allows us to form decisions that lead to successful outcomes.…
Burnout is more common than ever, with distractions from social media, e-mails and information overload. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy by being perfectionistic. Of course, not all stress is bad. Good stress helps generate an energy boost and increased focus. But toxic stress can lead to the black…
We have all had people in our lives that are toxic to us in some way. They may be family members, colleagues at work, friends we’ve known since childhood, or bosses. These people may act as they care, but their behavior and tone give off signals that indicate they are…
Demonstrating grace is the essential element in a successful interpersonal style. Many people think that “being nice” is the way to go, but this often comes from a place of insecurity and needing the approval and validation of others. People who are too nice are usually people pleasers. People-pleasing always…
Neuroscience has evolved our understanding of how our brains function, allowing us to be more confident in what we can do to increase our brain-function for optimal well being and happiness. Of course, our brains act in concert with the rest of our bodies, working like an orchestra that produces…
What is the difference between narcissists and psychopaths? Psychopaths think very highly of themselves, don’t need acceptance or attention except as a means to an end and create different personas when manipulating others. The difference with narcissists is that they are deeply aware of their inadequacies, crave attention and envy,…
You can always tell when you are being underrated or you’re not being supported. Whether you hear it outright when someone expresses an assumption about what they think your limitations are, or there is just a sense that they are dismissing your contributions. However, you know more about yourself than…
Narcissists are masters of language who use words to deceive, coerce, seduce and mislead. They have no remorse, even though they may make it seem like they are apologizing. This is born from a need to manipulate for control, and they can be experts at saying the right thing at…
What is catastrophic thinking? It’s a distorted thought – not a reflection of reality – that can result in having anxiety. Feeling anxious can undermine your ability to feel good about life or yourself. And when you catastrophize, you magnify the importance of the situation and its implications. Imagining things…
We all know how difficult it is to change your habits. Here are five ways to make it possible for you. Create a goal, not a resolution Be sure to set up your goal to be small, simple and specific. Resolutions are declarations that you want to find a new…
How do you know that someone is a judgmental person? Judgmental people get a kick out of making negative moral assessments of other people. They build up their sense of worth by comparing others who they consider to have a lesser moral status. The best defense in the face of a critical…
I read a lot of books about what to expect before having kids, and I didn’t always remember the many bits of wisdom when I needed them. Of course, hindsight is always crystal clear, but that is often how we learn best. I’m sharing the most cherished insights I wish…
Human beings are hardwired to make split-second judgments based on body language. Until you get to know someone, your brain relies on snap judgments to determine if someone is a friend or foe, predict what he or she will do and anticipate how you should react. You may have heard…
People respect others for speaking their minds when it adds value to a relationship, well-being, and a team or organization. Verbally standing your ground gives others a sense of your boundaries, values and what you offer. Conversely, choosing to remain silent can make your life more difficult. Here are five…
What does it mean to be classy? Traditionally, a classy woman describes a person with a distinctive style who is kind, gentle, empathetic and giving. Also, class has meant being polite with good manners. Why have the desired qualities of classiness shifted to favoring a sassy woman? Before the turn…
What causes people to act like victims? When you believe that your feelings are a reflection of what’s happening around you, you’ll interpret your emotions as a result of what is happening to you. For example, you feel pain when “bad” things happen and pleasure when “good” things happen. You…
Most of us experience stress, and some fairly often. How can you deal with stressors in a way that works to keep you calm, focused and capable? When painful emotions arise, it’s because there is something to which your subconscious is reacting that is not aligned with what you need.…
When put to use, intuition is a superpower for better thinking, relationships, decision-making and problem-solving. It is what sets apart the brilliant from the average. In any given situation, you can experience nagging thoughts and feelings of suspicion, anxiety, doubt, curiosity or wonder. Your body emits signals like goosebumps for…
We usually think of narcissists as those who are a bit more than vain. But narcissism is far more complicated than that. There are many shades along a continuum from having an extra-healthy ego to a pathological one. Research has clarified this definition as people who are in love with an…
What is a snide comment? It’s usually a remark that seems sarcastic, mocking, rude or condescending. For example, when you ask a question, and someone says, “Duh, everyone knows that!” – this is a snide comment. Consider the goal you wish to achieve in how you respond to people who…
Being a woman with class primarily comes from a sense of yourself – through confidence, behaving courteously and through etiquette. Classy women never permit a bad mood to affect their manners. Commanding attention comes from a combination of grit, grace and gravitas. The grit is based on conveying courage and…
To have passion is to have a strong fondness, enthusiasm or desire for something (such as music). When you experience powerful feelings of attraction, you also have the motivation to make the object of your passion a priority. Having a purpose means looking for the desired result, aim or goal.…
Do you find you are stumped when it comes to working with unreasonable co-workers? Here's a short list of the types of people I categorize under "unreasonable": · Those you can't have a reasonable conversation with; they twist your words or totally confuse you and then tell you that you're…
One of the more difficult problems in life is allowing the behavior of other people to affect how we judge ourselves. When we feel rejected by family, friends or co-workers, we tend to look at ourselves as wrong or unworthy. So what do you do when you are not feeling…
The most successful leaders in history displayed a combination of grit, grace, and gravitas; qualities and strengths that led to their great achievements. If you want to increase your leadership skills, consider these 16 characteristics: Grit is an uncompromising commitment to performance excellence and strategic focus. Characteristics include: 1) Being…
Trust and respect go hand in hand in the office, and disrespect is an early warning sign that trusting relationships are being threatened. A lack of respect can be obvious or subtle. Sometimes it comes from a toxic work environment or some co-workers who may be mean-spirited or not collaborative.…
Authenticity comes from self-awareness. This involves understanding your personality and the things that bring you greatest satisfaction. When you are authentic, you are being yourself and when you live an authentic life, you are more content. Some work environments have a culture where you may feel pressured to shift your…
Your presence is developed through many factors: how you appear physically, the expression on your face, what you say and the tone you use, and what you do – the actions you take. The words that come out of your mouth can seem ugly to others, triggering reactions that cause…
Have you ever felt like your back was against the wall and that circumstances beyond your control stacked the deck against you? Here are three critical things that you can do to rise above a tough situation to create success. 1. Dare to own your true power Maintain your commitment…
Sunset Boulevard, starring Glenn Close as the tour de force diva Norma Desmond, was a riveting musical. The opening begins with a larger-than-life projection of black and white movie clips recalling the Hollywood 1940s era. A full orchestra, on-stage in the background, is something you don’t experience much on broadway…
Savvy women are able to tell when they are not being dealt with authentically and honestly. How can you learn to see the signals that tell you others may not be truthful? Here are 5 tips: 1. Look at the face: You can see the signs their brain is working…
Have you ever tried to bounce back from a disappointment or rise to a new task when you were already feeling burned out and running on empty? The way to deal with this is to increase your capacity to rest, handling one task at a time. Did you know that…
A positive executive presence is a quality women must cultivate to advance in their careers. It takes a combination of grit, grace, and gravitas to do this. Grit means having an uncompromising commitment to performance excellence and strategic focus. There are five ways strong-minded women show up when grit is…
Many people wish they could, um, stop using verbal fillers that can make them, like, sound, you know, nervous or not so smart. These “um,” “aah,” “you know” and similar expressions are verbal pauses that happen when we are trying to think of the next thing we are going to…
I’ll bet you’ve heard the words “executive presence” more than once in relation to career development. I have experienced it as the most common prerequisite to advancing through the ranks of leadership. What does presence mean? Your presence is a unique combination of your energy, attitudes, and beliefs that influence…
Many of my clients wish to appear more confident, especially in the workplace. If you don't feel confident, there are some ways to look like you are that will help as you build the real thing. You can learn skills to appear confident when it matters the most such as…
Do you ever feel like you are not comfortable communicating with another person? Social style differences may be the reason. Type-differences often trigger negative feelings such as defensiveness and frustration. It’s not that there is anything “wrong” with you or the other person or either of your intentions. We each…
Is money a source of stress in your life? Finances can create tension in your life and relationships if you don’t manage it well. Think of money like it’s green energy. Money can enrich your life, just like a personal relationship with a friend. Like negative energy, it can trigger…
You want to get paid what you believe is right. So don’t sit idly complaining about it to your friends. Follow these five tips so you are fully prepared and confident in earning and getting the raise you deserve. Stay optimistic If you’ve been teeming with resentment, have faith that…
Let’s get real. To have a successful professional career – whether it’s your own business or working for someone else in a business firm or corporation, there will be sacrifices. There have been several articles out lately that mention some of the common sacrifices women make for their careers As…
Reinforcing stereotypes about women or men is damaging to both genders. Stereotypes can inhibit self-expression and one’s full potential. It solidifies outdated gender roles, as well. These stereotypes are created socially, not biologically. How can women bust the most common stereotypes that occur at work? 1. Reflect on the…
When you think of people you want to follow, what is it they say and do that makes them a leader for you? As you develop your leadership skills, you must be able to inspire others, bring out their ideas, and get the best effort from them. Here are five…
What is the best defense for a toxic relationship? In a toxic relationship, your painful feelings are constantly triggered; you experience a drop in positive energy, and find yourself reacting with negativity, anger, defensiveness, and often built-up resentment. This relationship may be with a family member, co-worker, partner, or friend.…
I didn’t get that job. There’s a lot to learn from a job you didn’t get. Can you call back for feedback on why you weren’t chosen? Can you improve from what you learned? Was this job really the right fit for you? Can you benefit by some further training…
Your professional presence is something you project to others at work, with friends and in every environment where people evaluate you. It’s important to be aware of your self-concept and how it works for or against your goals and ambitions. Have you ever noticed… How many times you apologize to…
Have you ever caught yourself saying things like: I had to take that job. It was my only choice. She hurt my feelings. There was nothing I could do about it. We all tell stories about what happened and then, in the way we relate it to others – or…
I used to have a story about myself that when I spoke in front of people, I would go blank. It occurred pretty often - I would feel prepared, but the minute I was standing and eyes were on me, my knees would start to shake and my brain shut…
When I’m frustrated, I scream. I stomp. And sometimes I just quietly fume. But none of this is a problem when frustrated. Why? I find out a lot about what I think as I listen to my rant. However, the one thing that is entirely unproductive is blaming the…
What can seriously hinder career advancement? How can knowing this help build your awareness of how your beliefs and behaviors that can derail success? If you see these in yourself or others, it provides the opportunity to consider other options and make better choices. Here are four things that can…
Have you had the good fortune to cross paths with at least one leader in your career that made a lasting difference in your life, how you see yourself, or your outlook? I’ll never forget the excellent leader I witnessed early in my career. He was open to seeing things…
What is the difference between a manager and a leader? Managers are concerned with building a sustainable foundation for strong performance and achieving goals and measurable outcomes. On the other hand, leaders anticipate the future and develop plans to leverage that future for a competitive advantage to the organization. Managers…
What makes a colleague "toxic" in the first place? When I meet someone I don't trust, it may be that my subconscious is picking up signals that they are toxic. Toxic colleagues may be... Running a hidden agenda. Motivated by their needs without interest or consideration of others'. Argumentative about…
I find that healthy relationships are important to my happiness and wellbeing. We are social animals, hard-wired neurologically to be social and to thrive in communities. That's why I make it a priority to spend time with my family, be part of a women's barbershop chorus, nurture my friendships, and…
As we start our new year with some fresh New Years resolutions, it is easy to get off to a good start and then lose focus as we tackle more things and feel the strain of more pressures. This requires setting boundaries. What do I mean by boundaries? It involves…
Today it's essential to improve your strategic thinking if you want to move on from being a manager to a leader. It’s no secret that the environment in which your organization does business is always in the midst of change. One of the main requirements of a leader is the…
How can we ensure that our decisions are right for the situation, for those impacted by them, and especially for ourselves? There is a powerful method I use to help me make the best decisions. The method is called TENOR, and is an acronym for 5 steps to effective decision-making.…
Your decisions define who you are. Why? Decisions are ultimately tied to our performance as professionals, managers and leaders. When you make decisions, you use them as the basis for taking action and your action leads to results. These decisions can be about who you communicate with, your approach, how…
What is the secret to creating a strong leadership presence when our main duties are managing? Let’s look at what usually takes up most of our time; managing work, problems, people and ourselves. Managing is all about ensuring the production of consistently excellent outcomes. To get there, we strive to…
There are three things we can do when faced with a challenge to our authority that upstages our leadership presence: Speak up about it with the person who is upstaging you. This step involves facing and neutralizing negativity by letting the other person know how their behavior affected you. You…
Today I discussed with my friend, Lauren, our impressions of the TV series, Madame Secretary. One of Lauren’s observations hit home with me. She noticed that Tea Leoni’s character has flaws. Some days, she is knocked down by challenges, and needs help. Don’t we all need help when we feel…
In my blog on self-compassion this month, I wrote about how important it is to treat yourself like a nurturing parent. This is a positive practice for building our confidence and adds powerfully to our professional presence. An often unconscious habit that can hurt our professional presence is unnecessary apologizing.…
A reader of ours wrote in with concerns about feeling lost and wanting to discover what her passion and skills are in order to build a fulfilling career. The process of discovering and claiming something you love to do has an amazing impact on your life. Think of it…
Questions are such an important tool for accessing the best thinking – our own and from others. If you observe a room of people – or even just two – having a dialogue, it’s always the person asking the questions that has the power. Why? Questions naturally direct the attention…
As women fighting for equality in the workplace, it is embarrassing when we cry at work – especially when others interpret our tears as a sign of weakness. It can undermine their trust in us and even derail our paths to the top. Andrea Zintz offers advice on what to…
You’ve prepared for a dynamite presentation. The message is planned, the slides are strong, and you know your material inside out. But as soon as you stand in front of the audience, your mind goes blank and you break out in a nervous sweat. Gemma Page Thompson, an opera singer,…
Questions are such an important tool for accessing the best thinking – our own and from others. If you observe a room of people – or even just two – having a dialogue, it’s always the person asking the questions that has the power. Why? Questions naturally direct the attention…
A powerful confidence-thief is the little voice in our head that tells us that we aren’t enough: “You’re not ready for this.” “Who are you to lead this change?” “You don’t know enough.” When we feel stress, we cannot perform at our best. For me, there are times when I…
I received a question the other day, “What if you have been in the same position for 10 years and have not been valued? I have told my boss all of the stuff I have done well but have been overlooked for advancements. What advice would you give?” When situations…
I can't stand when a colleague (or one of my daughters!) refuses to even consider trying something new. Over time, I have discovered a failsafe method to move such a person from resistance to cooperation. These four steps come from Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist who wrote the book I’m…
Many of us pride ourselves on our ability to tell it like it is, but fragile egos and fear of litigation make engaging in "straight talk" a challenge. Managers often find it difficult to be candid without crossing the line, and words, phrases, and attitudes that might have been fine…
I am always on the lookout for simple and practical strategies for regaining internal balance during the times when I am feeling overwhelmed, afraid, and generally stressed. Our thoughts make up our experience of the world - moment to moment - and being aware of them is important. A wonderful…
I'm promoting the concept of learning to be the “perfect protégé,” a person who others are attracted to and want to mentor. Mentors provide a trusting supportive relationship for seeking advice, feedback and coaching. A "perfect protégé," for example, knows the value of listening over talking. An important aspect of making…
April 2012 Putting your whole being into work, a.k.a. workaholism, has long-term consequences. You could wake up one morning and ask, “Where’s my life?” Whether you work too much for someone else or for yourself, it is possible to conquer the problem. Heed the suggestions of a former workaholic Andrea,…
