Articles

9 Elements of an Effective Request

By Melissa Eisler |

Most leaders don’t get what they really want or need from their teams because they don’t know how to ask for it. Here are nine things to consider to ensure your next request is a productive one.

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activities to spark creativity

6 Activities to Spark Creativity and Innovation on Your Team

By Melissa Eisler |

If your team is struggling to generate new ideas, you may have to do something different. Try one of these activities – perfectly suited for brainstorming sessions and leadership retreats. These exercises offer a great way for your team to feel more connected, think outside the box, and have some fun.

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creative team environment

10 Ways to Create a Team Environment That Fosters Creative Thinking

By Melissa Eisler |

Creative blocks happen. When a team has been working together for a while, particularly on the same brand or product or mission, it’s easy for them to get stuck in a creative rut – together. As a leader, how can you spark creativity and create an environment that fosters creative thinking?

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power at work

Power at Work: What it Really Means and How to Gain Power (Even When You Think You Have None)

By Melissa Eisler |

Most people think of manipulation and deceit when they think of power at work. However, power is often misunderstood – and it is not inherently bad. The more you understand power, the more power is accessible to you. Learn about 11 types of power and find tips on how to gain more power at work.

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compassion and candor

The Intersection of Compassion and Candor in Workplace Communication

By Melissa Eisler |

We must cleanse our organizations of the negative stigma of direct communication, and replace it with the sense of generosity. Saying something that needs to be said is a gift that strengthens people, teams, and organizations if done with care. Here is how to balance compassion and candor in your communication.

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self-awareness

10 Steps to Develop Self-Awareness – the Most Critical Leadership Competency

By Melissa Eisler |

Self-awareness is the cornerstone to strong leadership. If you are a leader, you must be aware of where you fall short if you are to close the gap between where you are and where your organization needs you to be. Because you cannot fix a problem you are unaware of, you have to be proactive about discovering your blind spots. Here are 10 ways to gain a more complete picture of who you are as a leader.

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active-listening

Active Listening: 12 Levels to Enhance Your Listening Skills

By Melissa Eisler |

When most people are listening, their minds are elsewhere. By contrast, active listening is when you place all of your focus on the speaker – paying attention at 12 distinct levels. Find out what they are and how to practice them – to establish trust in your relationships, build psychological safety on your teams, and deepen your connections both personally and professionally.

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surprising benefits of imposter syndrome

5 Surprising Benefits of Imposter Syndrome

By Melissa Eisler |

While feeling like a fraud is a common problem for high achievers, new research suggests there are some surprising benefits to imposter syndrome, or rather, to imposter thoughts. Here are the notable benefits, as well as some strategies you can take to strike the right balance between confidence and humility.

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psych safety

Psychological Safety: What It Is and How to Build it on Your Teams

By Melissa Eisler |

Psychological safety is the secret ingredient that sets highly effective teams apart from those that are average or under-performing and the reason some teams retain long-term superstars, while others have high turnover. Once you understand what it is and why it’s so important in team cultures, you can begin to take some steps to foster more of it in your organization and environment, and ultimately create a team everyone wants to work for.

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slow-down-to-speed-up

A Strategic Leadership Paradox: Slow Down to Speed Up

By Melissa Eisler |

Moving too fast can cause errors, self-centeredness, misunderstandings, lack of innovation and strategic thinking, chaos, and so much more. Yet … it is what we do all the time. Here are six slow-down strategies for fast movers that will leave you more productive and engaged.

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Building a Better 2021: Goal-Setting for Uncertain Times

By Melissa Eisler |

If 2020 taught us one thing, it is to slow down and focus on what matters most. Before setting any New Year’s resolutions, goals, or intentions, take some time to reflect on lessons learned from 2020, and use them to plan your year ahead.

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Reduce the Noise: 8 Ways to Be More Intentional with Your Attention

By Melissa Eisler |

How would it feel to create discipline in your life that enables your time and attention to be fiercely loyal to what’s most important to you? Let’s explore screen/life balance, focusing on long-term over short-term goals, setting boundaries, winning against temptation, and other ways to be more intentional with your attention.

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Quiz: How Much Control Do You Have Over Your Attention?

By Melissa Eisler |

From dings, pings, and beeps to pop-ups, ads, and meeting invites, it is hard to know where to look or focus. Do you know how much time you have in your work and life that is distraction-free? Gain some insight so you can gain some control.

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Executive presence

What Is Executive Presence?

By Melissa Eisler |

What does it mean when you hear the phrase executive presence? Find out what it takes to build executive presence, and what nine competencies are key if you want to master this important skill.

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A Toolbox to Help You Thrive During the COVID-19 Era

By Melissa Eisler |

With so many more questions than answers available and no end in sight for the “new normal” way of life, stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on the mind. If you’re struggling with being stuck at home, follow these tips to endure the tough time.

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5 Exercises to Improve Your Conscious Listening

By Melissa Eisler |

The simple act of listening – real, conscious, active listening without judgment or advice-giving – can be life changing. Yet most people only retain 25% of what they hear. Learn how to practice conscious listening to connect better with those around you.

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6 Ways to Overcome Decision Fatigue

By Melissa Eisler |

It may seem liberating to live in a world where variety is abundant. However, too many decisions can negatively impact your cognitive capacity, increasing the likelihood of procrastination, making poor choices, and setting you up to be exhausted and overwhelmed.

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Melissa is the founder and principal executive coach at Wide Lens Leadership. As an ICF Certified Executive Coach with a Master's degree in organizational leadership, Melissa has coached hundreds of leaders ranging from C-suite to entrepreneur, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, and across diverse industries. She is passionate about supporting leaders and teams on their growth journeys toward greater impact, more collaborative teams, and stronger results.