The word "feedback" can create feelings of anxiety, fear and anger.

And yet, your team says they want feedback.

So what is it they REALLY want?

Most likely they want to grow, or become a better version of themselves in some way.

The problem is if we don't know how to have that conversation, we can actually create the opposite effect - that is, a team member resistant to change.

In this episode I present how to see feedback the way your team wants to receive it, and how to make it a regular...

As a leader who wants to strengthen your team, sometimes you need to teach them, and sometimes you need to coach them.

There is a time for each - either your team member needs information to take action (training) versus needing self-reflection (coaching).

I see many frustrated leaders who think they need to teach something - yet again - for someone to take action when in reality what's blocking them is something deeper, such as lack of confidence or motivation.

Understanding when to use...

Whether you know it or not, you have a certain way of leading your team.

They are used to you doing things a certain way.

So if you suddenly change that without saying anything...

It could be very disruptive, and unproductive.

In this episode I share what I've learned about how to introduce a new way of leading to make it successful, in part by making the transition more comfortable and inclusive.

Resources Mentioned:

The Coach Approach Leadership Style

There are many benefits of a proactive team.

A more proactive team means greater diversity of thought, higher team motivation and more time for you to work on the important things on your to do list.

Sometimes just asking your team what they think is not enough to make them more proactive and independent.

There are reasons why some team members may be hesitant to offer their ideas or make decisions on their own.

In this episode we explain these reasons, and then address what you can do so...

We've all been there as a humanitarian or development leader.

You have a meeting with your team, or community, or implementing partner, and you think you've agreed on what to do next.

You come back a week later, and find out... nothing has been done!

Why is that?

The more responsibility we take for our team, the community, government, implementing partner (or even your kids!) not taking action on something, the more likely we can fix it.  

Because chances are, there's something we...

Understanding how to acknowledge our team can be the difference between gaining their trust and breaking it.

It's more than just saying "nice job!" or "you're amazing!"

In this episode I share tips on how to acknowledge (hint, it's different from a complement) and how you can use it to motivate your team's performance and productivity.

Has your organization returned to five days in the office?

If so, how was the reasoning behind it communicated to you?

Or maybe you made the decision for your team.

I have been hearing more and more of organizations going back to the five days in the office work week.

There is nothing wrong with that, but it seems that also the majority of people I've talked to don't fully understand what the rationale behind this decision is.

And when we don't understand the reasoning - we tend to create...

When we plan our Development Plans for the year, and we want to be stronger in a certain area, we usually assume we need a training.

And that may be partially true.

But training alone does not guarantee action.

Have you ever wondered why your team member attends a training on how to be an amazing presenter, and then still does not want to present?

Or maybe they learn how to have a difficult conversation, but they still avoid having it.

Many times the real reason we don't take action does...

It's important to recognize how much we have accomplished and milestones along the way in our leadership journey.

Today I am celebrating episode 250 with a special guest, Mark Peter Notaras.  We discuss some recent achievements we have both accomplished, and the importance of recognizing how far we have come.

Mark Peter Notaras was on episode 7 and now is back to share the handover of the Timor-Leste Food Lab and its flagship restaurant Agora Food Studio to a local team.  

In...

Successful leaders have strong relationships with their teams.

When your team feels you value them and trust them, they will want to help you succeed.

When they win, you win.

So how can you build a strong relationship?

It starts with strong communication.

Learn more in this week's episode on how certain communication skills (especially listening) can make the difference between building connection or fueling disconnection.