Using familiar narratives from fairy tales can help you communicate complex ideas, inspire your team and shape branding and marketing strategies. These stories create a shared language and cultural reference point, making them practical tools for driving employee engagement

Focus on what emotion your team member is trying to convey through their slang before deciding whether to use the term yourself, Robinson advises. "Saying, 'I hear your concern about the timeline,' is more effective than trying to casually drop a slang word into a sentence."

Think about the last time something didn’t go the way you expected. Maybe a plan fell apart, a process didn’t work, or a goal just wasn’t met. Those moments can be frustrating — but they’re also opportunities. Opportunities to slow down, think critically, and solve problems creatively. #leadership

Gain a sense of how trusted you are by tracking indicators such as whether employees are bringing up critical issues, whether your customers remain despite negative press or whether stakeholders approve of corrective actions, Papacosta notes. "These measures reveal whether trust is being rebuilt."

Games of strategy can help sharpen your team's skills in decision-making and effective leadership. Leaders such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman swear by them. "Moving pieces on a complex game board has a lot of dynamism around it, and that's partially why I like it,"

Micro-habits, which are small, consistent actions, can significantly improve workplace productivity, reduce stress, aid cognitive function and create a more engaged workforce, writes Mary Kelly, author of "Stop Procrastinating Tomorrow."

When we project our own feelings onto others, even if we've experienced similar situations, we can fall into the "perspective gap," Haden writes. "Every experience, no matter how likely to be shared in a general sense, is still unique in specific."

Schembra writes. "[R]emember that the future doesn't belong to those who pick one truth -- it belongs to those catalysts who can hold two, or three and weave them into something powerful and new."

Over the past several weeks’ I have produced a series of vlog posts on Appreciative Inquiry. As we come to the close of this series, let’s take a moment to reflect on what Appreciative Inquiry truly invites us to do. youtu.be/qE0ZJUzyb3Y #leadership, #appreciativeinquiry

If you want to keep your New Year's resolutions successfully, you'll need a system for mapping out the time you'll allot to those activities during the 168 hours of the week, writes Harry Kraemer, a clinical professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management,

Trying to understand what motivates your colleagues' annoying behavior can also help you turn the situation around in a healthy way, Wiederman writes. "For example, if you suspect a difficult person acts a certain way to gain attention, try giving that attention only when they act more acceptably."

Ethics and honesty were guideposts for Buffett in his business practices, according to Larry Restieri, CEO of wealth management firm Hightower. "From Warren Buffett, I've learned that excellence really is a discipline. Set a clear direction, stay true to your principles and execute patiently."

Short - Using Positive Language Daily

ICF also supports coaches with resources and a global network, enhancing their skills and opportunities. By maintaining these standards, the ICF fosters trust and growth in the coaching industry. hashtag#CoachingExcellence

Welcome to this week’s video blog post and the final in my series on Appreciative Inquiry. This week let’s talk about something at the heart of every successful team and individual - creating a positive core. youtu.be/YSz67ZzNwno #leadership,

The urge to track our reading habits is never so strong as it is near the turn of the year, when cultural forces press us to revise ourselves. We look back on how many we got through, what gave pleasure, and what incurred disappointment.

Some of the changes made by the AI summarizer that the research uncovered were minor, but Silverman warns that even small changes can skew the main point of an email and lead to misinterpretations.

Alleviate your employees' anxiety about your company's adoption of AI by being hands-on with the technology and addressing their concerns about it, Elliot writes. "Clear leadership support of AI matters, and requires active participation, not just statements."

Make disagreements normal by inviting opposing views before a meeting, asking what's missing from ideas during the meeting and following up with those who don't regularly speak up to gauge their feelings, Lopata writes.

By prioritizing agility and responsiveness now, you can secure a decisive competitive edge as traditional strengths become a liability, Lawrence writes..

To prevent your own stress from stressing out your team, Cugnon recommends prioritizing time for yourself during the holiday rush. "It's critical to maintain discipline about whatever rituals you need to get through the week, even when you're surrounded by noise."

Reed suggests asking questions such as "Who thrives here, and who shrinks here?" and "Are we creating a culture, or are we clinging to a legacy?" "Because here's the truth: Culture doesn't lie. Culture doesn't negotiate. Culture doesn't fake it. Culture exposes leadership, instantly."

The Power of Being Alone: Why Solitude Is Good for You

Pay attention to how your team reacts to your story, especially if they become quiet or their body language indicates they are uncomfortable, Dunn cautions. Check in with them and refocus on your intention to share a lesson through your story.

Being genuinely present with another person builds trust, creates connection and improves communication, Vanourek writes. "What people really want from you when they're with you is your presence -- your full and undivided attention. Signs of focus and care."

Design your rituals around transition points in your day by arranging your desk before you start work or taking a moment to breathe deeply before big meetings, Le Cunff suggests.

Begin now to cultivate a culture of positive feedback, McLeod advises. "At your next team meeting, facilitate a conversation about how to encourage positive feedback and help colleagues recognize and appreciate each other's contributions."

If you've made every effort to shift the tone of the conversation but nothing changes, it's time to walk away, Hale says. "There's absolutely no shame in stepping away from a toxic political conversation. You're simply done expending energy on a conversation going nowhere ... and that's ok."

ICF also supports coaches with resources and a global network, enhancing their skills and opportunities. By maintaining these standards, the ICF fosters trust and growth in the coaching industry. hashtag#CoachingExcellence

youtu.be/_rApv1rJSn4 #leadership

"Approach each AI interaction as an opportunity to exercise leadership -- to develop the judgment and coordination skills that define the orchestrator's role."

SMART Goals Aren’t Enough

Generosity becomes a competitive advantage when it is small, consistent and intentional," Shembra writes. That means quietly mentoring others, going the extra mile for customers and sharing credit publicly, which builds relationships and loyalty, Schembra adds

You make poor decisions when you get angry, and that can result in low team morale, stalled innovation and job dissatisfaction, Rockwell writes. "Frustration is a signal, not a solution. It says something is wrong."

Instead of telling yourself that you "have to" run a meeting or make a call, Martin recommends reframing those tasks as things you "get to" do. "It transforms responsibility into opportunity. And when I lead from that mindset, my team feels it. Clients feel it."

youtu.be/uHNX5oqfwiE #leadeership, #appreciativeinquiry,

Short - Avoiding Negative Traps

ICF supports coaches with resources and a global network, enhancing their skills and opportunities. By maintaining these standards, the ICF fosters trust and growth in the coaching industry. hashtag#CoachingExcellence

You don't have to wait to walk away until you've hit a wall in your thinking, Robertson writes; you can do it any time to get a fresh perspective. "That's how most of us think of walking away -- as something done under duress or pressure, as an occasional thing.

Science Says Super-Achievers Don't Set Avoidance Goals. Here's Why Successful People Set Approach Goals

This week's Vlog is about something simple but powerful—positive imagery. You might be surprised how much it can shape your attitude and your results at work. #leadership, #appreciativeinquiry,

ICF supports coaches with resources and a global network, enhancing their skills and opportunities. By maintaining these standards, the ICF fosters trust and growth in the coaching industry. hashtag#CoachingExcellence

#leadership, #leadershipdevelopment,