Would Your Career Be Different If You Knew How To Conduct Productive Conversations?

by: Fredia Woolf August 13, 2010

In preparation for an upcoming workshop I am conducting with a Board of Directors, I have been rereading the excellent book Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton and Sheila Heen. The need for this workshop arose during the last Board Meeting I facilitated when it became clear that the work of the Board, and consequently of the organization, was hampered by poor communication.

Rebuilding Humpty Dumpty – The Five P’s that can help Fragmented Organizations Feel Whole again

by: Fredia Woolf August 6, 2010

People often adopt a myopic attitude at work.  They focus on what they, themselves, need to do, lock themselves into their own universe and are often blissfully unaware of the impact they have on other team members or stakeholders.  Communications are scattered via cyberspace, and electronic noise proliferates while human voices grow silent. Unity, community and alignment [...]

Taking the Pain Out Of Feedback

by: Fredia Woolf July 2, 2010

Giving, gathering and receiving feedback is on my mind this week as I have conducted thirty six interviews with managers, peers and direct reports of six of my executive coaching clients, five of whom are ending a six month program and one of whom is at the start of hers.  Indeed, feedback is on my mind!  Feedback [...]

Are You Disengaged At Work? What Can Be Done About It?

by: Fredia Woolf June 10, 2010

At times, organizational life by virtue of its structure has the capacity to stamp out the human spirit. It can shut down the spark of creativity, cramp boldness and individuality and perpetuate mediocrity. The result is a pitiful waste of human potential.  Careers fail to flourish, learning dries up, and opportunities for positive change and growth wither [...]