Dear Manager, thank you for being self aware
This morning when we spoke about a challenge I faced, you came across with judgmental tone. You saw me go silent, you paused a moment, then self-revealed out loud, “Whoa, ...
The latest from Carol Schillios
Dear micro-manager*, this is why I quit
Tomorrow I am handing in my resignation. I want you to know why because I think you deserve candid feedback to help you grow. Here are a few things that ...
International CU development: How guava chips fund college
Her braid. It was the first thing I noticed. It lay thick and silky across her shoulder like a Gauguin painting. She wore a traditional Malay ikat fabric skirt and ...
Here’s why you didn’t get the CEO position…
(…with apologies to all the wonderful candidates I’ve interviewed for retiring CEO positions…) My head is spinning. 200 CEO resumes. 180 cover letters (yes, some actually didn’t follow ...
Are you leading or ego-ing?
As the leadership advisor to my credit union client’s executive team, one of my favorite roles is to observe and give feedback during group discussions. Recently during a heated ...
Want to be a more inspirational leader? Bite your tongue
Remember when “constructive criticism” was considered an effective way to give feedback that would somehow illicit behavior change? Authority figures would tell an employee their bad behaviors (criticism), then tell ...
International credit union development: Working with credit unions in Liberia changed me forever
I had the opportunity to serve the struggling credit union movement in Liberia, Africa, as part of the USAID/ACDI/VOCA Farmer to Farmer program. The U.S. government-funded Liberian ...
Leadership lessons from hip surgery
Who knew hip replacement surgery would teach me inspirational leadership lessons. I’ve suffered from extreme hip pain the past two years. First I took aspirin. Then I scheduled massages, ...