by Shelley Row | May 2, 2017 | Leadership
Think, think, think. We live in a culture that values thinking. We have big thinkers, deep thinkers, creative thinkers, out-of-the-box thinkers. There are think tanks and a sculpture called, The Thinker. We think out loud; we think to ourselves and then we think...
by Shelley Row | Apr 25, 2017 | Leadership
We talk about creating consensus all the time. What we do, however, is have a meeting and hope to reach agreement without appreciating what “consensus” really is and the benefits it provides when done well. Consensus when well-executed will: Generate a wide range of...
by Shelley Row | Apr 19, 2017 | Leadership
In leadership positions it’s inevitable that situations arise that generate an emotional reaction. Some emotions are low grade but others are like five-alarm fires. We are taught to control our emotions in the workplace to be credible, strong and unshakable. “Don’t...
by Shelley Row | Apr 11, 2017 | Leadership
Years ago, when I led an office at the Department of Transportation, we invested in a 360 assessment for the top managers and me. I looked forward to the results because I appreciate getting others’ perspectives. Or at least I thought I did— until I got the results. ...
by Shelley Row | Apr 4, 2017 | Leadership
The brain really likes feeling important, but it’s not just about giving out raises or promotions (although that’s okay, too). As a manager, there are simple ways to activate the brain’s reward response by helping people feel important and give them a sense of clout....
by Shelley Row | Mar 21, 2017 | Leadership
“But it’s not fair!” Have you ever heard that from someone on your staff or from a frustrated colleague? At one time or another, everyone has felt the pangs of unfairness. There’s a reason for that. The brain is wired to easily detect and react to perceptions of...
by Shelley Row | Mar 15, 2017 | Leadership
Is there someone you work with who could use a little motivation? Could you use a little motivation? You can’t motivate someone else if you can’t motivate yourself and, frankly, we could all use a little motivation sometime. Too often we think of motivation as money...
by Shelley Row | Mar 7, 2017 | Leadership
There’s a reason that we experience resistance to change whether it’s us personally or staff. The brain wants the world it experiences today to be as expected based on its past. The brain likes “the way we’ve always done it before.” That’s easy, comfortable and...
by Shelley Row | Mar 1, 2017 | business, Business Skills, communication, Decision-Making, Employee Culture, Employee Engagement, goals, Leadership, Neuroscience, over thinking, purpose
Is there someone you work with who could use a little motivation? Could you use a little motivation? You can’t motivate someone else if you can’t motivate yourself and, frankly, we could all use a little motivation sometime. Too often we think of motivation as money...
by Shelley Row | Feb 22, 2017 | Decision-Making
You’re wired to see what you already believe. It’s a simple statement but the implications for decision-making are complex. What you already believe is built layer upon layer from your experiences which create a filter through which you see the world. Good...
by Shelley Row | Feb 14, 2017 | Neuroscience
When a person or situation triggers you, learn to recognize how it feels in your body. That’s your first line of defense to slow a knee-jerk reaction. Subscribe
by Shelley Row | Feb 7, 2017 | Neuroscience
The brain has two important electrical circuits for motivation. One activates feelings of reward and the other, feelings of threat. Whether staff, teams or clients, the reward circuit is the more reliable, long-term motivator of behavior. Unfortunately, the threat...
by Shelley Row | Jan 31, 2017 | Business Skills
Pilots use it; some doctors use it. The benefits of its use have been documented. What is it? A simple checklist. Are you taking advantage of it? My sister and her husband are pilots. Each time I fly with them they pull out their pre-flight checklist. Even with hours...
by Shelley Row | Jan 24, 2017 | Business Skills
Where are the keys? They must be here somewhere. I drove to Starbucks between a meeting and my flight home. Clearly, I had the keys when I arrived. The Starbucks staff helped me search. No keys. “Maybe you left them in the car?” they offered. Maybe....
by Shelley Row | Jan 17, 2017 | Leadership
I didn’t see it coming. The executives were gathered for our work on communication skills for the sake of enhancing productivity. (Poor communication skills are a leading cause of productivity loss.) Based on their input, we had flip charts around the room each with...
by Shelley Row | Jan 11, 2017 | Decision-Making
Sometimes those snap decisions are not your best choice. Learn to recognize the people and situations that trigger an emotion-filled reaction. Subscribe
by Shelley Row | Jan 2, 2017 | Decision-Making
Each year we make them and break them in short order. Why continue to do the same thing over and over? Your New Year’s resolution doesn’t have to be hard or frustrating. This year, make your resolutions meaningful, achievable and impactful. How? Try...
by Shelley Row | Dec 22, 2016 | Uncategorized
As you rush home with your treasures… …I want to take a moment to say thank you. I continue to be humbled by the emails and comments I receive from you the readers of this blog/newsletter. Your comments, thoughts and suggestions are my reward and encouragement to...
by Shelley Row | Dec 14, 2016 | Neuroscience
After 75 interviews with leaders, it’s clear. Leaders rely on intuition for decision-making in complex situations. Making decisions in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty is part of the job. There is neither the ability to know all the facts nor time to find enough...
by Shelley Row | Dec 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
Fear influences your thinking more that you recognize. Fear can be the reason for over-thinking it. In this video, explore steps to work with fear and stop its hold on your decision-making....
by Shelley Row | Nov 30, 2016 | Leadership
He died on September 1. I have not yet tackled his closet, clothes, shoes, sweaters, and ties. But, living in the house, I run into what I call the “stuff of life.” It’s the stuff we collect, save and hang on to whether it makes sense or not. There...
by Shelley Row | Nov 22, 2016 | Business Skills
I’m a big fan of giving thanks for all the great things in life. This year, let’s turn Thanksgiving upside down. Let’s give those around us something to be thankful for. And, I have the perfect thing – your attention. A friend recently said to me, “The most precious...
by Shelley Row | Nov 15, 2016 | Business Skills
The workplace is filled with awkward situations that are hard to discuss. Perhaps there’s been an unpleasant exchange between co-workers and there’s a lingering undertone of anger. Maybe someone didn’t get the expected promotion and remain disappointed. Perhaps...
by Shelley Row | Nov 2, 2016 | Decision-Making, Neuroscience
When over-thinking it, have you ever felt that there’s just more going on than meets the eye? There is. This video shows why you need to honor that feeling and dig in for more information. Your brain is trying to bring insight to you if you are willing to listen....
by Shelley Row | Oct 17, 2016 | Leadership
I’m not a caretaker. I seem to have missed that gene even as a woman. But then came the diagnosis – lung cancer – again. It was my husband. Now, I would push his wheelchair into radiation; fetch whatever he needed, and run errands in the weeks until...
by Shelley Row | Oct 10, 2016 | Decision-Making
Have you ever noticed that you are more likely to do the things you like to do? Given the choice between doing something we have to do and doing something that we want to do, it’s much easier to choose the latter. It simply feels good to do the thing that...
by Shelley Row | Sep 26, 2016 | Neuroscience
My computer crashed…again. I was right in the middle of writing a big proposal. And just like that, I become the snippy, curt version of Shelley instead of the attentive, polite Shelley. I’ve been triggered. This is not a defect of character – it’s something that...
by Shelley Row | Sep 19, 2016 | Decision-Making
Have you ever heard, “There’s no place for feelings at work?” We like to think that we can block out feelings at work but we can’t. Feelings are an integral part of who we are. Dr. Jill Bolte-Taylor noted that while many of us think of ourselves as thinking...
by Shelley Row | Aug 29, 2016 | Business Skills
You know a flaming email when you see it. Sarcasm, anger, or a belittling tone seep through the screen. It’s astounding how much tone we read into an email. It’s easier than you might think to send a flaming email. In fact, most executives that I work with don’t...
by Shelley Row | Aug 24, 2016 | Neuroscience
Video #6 of the Series – Effective Decision-Making in an Over-Thinking World In this video series, Shelley works with you to understand the under-the-surface influences that impact your decision-making. You’ll learn how to stop over-thinking decisions; slow...
by Shelley Row | Aug 15, 2016 | Decision-Making
You want to make a sound, thoughtful decision but it’s a tough one. How do you know when you have given adequate consideration? How do you know when it’s time to decide and move on? An executive that I work with calls that question, “Is it soup yet?” Have you...
by Shelley Row | Aug 9, 2016 | Decision-Making
You have a secret weapon anytime you face a tough decision. That secret weapon is your value system. Understanding and aligning with your values are a particularly useful addition to your decision-making toolset. Your value system indicates if a particular decision...
by Shelley Row | Aug 1, 2016 | Decision-Making
You are faced with a big decision and you hesitate, debate and procrastinate. It’s a moment where you could benefit from the experience of others, particularly your boss, mentor or the executive who you admire. That’s a good thing. You can learn a lot from the input...
by Shelley Row | Jul 26, 2016 | Decision-Making
You are in a meeting with a group of people trying to discuss a project, program, course of action, you-name-it. But it isn’t really a conversation. It’s more like competitive talking. One person starts a thought only to have their sentence stepped on by another. ...
by Shelley Row | Jul 18, 2016 | Leadership
Have you ever led a group discussion that wasn’t a group discussion? Sure, a few people jump into the discussion immediately but many sit quietly, particularly at the beginning. It’s particularly true for a high-stakes meeting with the boss in the room and everyone...
by Shelley Row | Jun 26, 2016 | Business Skills, Decision-Making, Leadership
Do you desire to make a substantial career shift but find yourself paralyzed with inaction? Does the risk seem too big to surmount? You doubt your courage and fret over lost opportunities. The German philosopher Goethe once said, “Leap and the net will...
by Shelley Row | Jun 19, 2016 | Business Skills, Neuroscience
Look around. Take in everything that you see. There’s the stack of sticky notes with calls to be returned; a report that needs to be reviewed; the partially finished cost proposal for your big client; and a half-eaten sandwich sitting next to the book club book that...
by Shelley Row | Jun 12, 2016 | Leadership, Neuroscience
A leader sets the course for the organization. And while that can be challenging, even more of a challenge is retaining focus on that course. Each day brings new twists and turns that can distract, dissuade, and undermine the pathway to a goal. It takes discipline to...
by Shelley Row | Jun 5, 2016 | Business Skills, Decision-Making, Leadership, Neuroscience
Have you noticed that it feels good to help a co-worker, neighbor, or friend? And have you noticed that it feels good to play a key role in a well-functioning team? In both cases, the reason is that participation activates the reward center in the...
by Shelley Row | May 30, 2016 | Business Skills, Decision-Making, Leadership, Neuroscience
You’re wired to see what you already believe. It’s a simple statement but the implications for decision-making are complex. What you already believe is built layer upon layer from your experiences which create a filter through which you see the world. Good...
by Shelley Row | May 24, 2016 | Uncategorized, Business Skills, Decision-Making, Leadership
They started with two helicopters, an office crammed into the corner of the hangar filled with beat up furniture. Today, there are eight helicopters, a flight simulator, an office building outside the hangar and services offered in three locations across the country....
by Shelley Row | May 16, 2016 | Uncategorized, Business Skills, Decision-Making, Leadership, Neuroscience
He worked fast and it was mesmerizing to watch. I was speaking at Asbury Communities on leadership decision-making using infotuition. As I spoke, Bruce drew. Bruce is an illustrator who graphically records programs as they unfold. It is remarkable to watch him work....
by Shelley Row | May 1, 2016 | Business Skills, Neuroscience
Chances are…you are losing time and productivity due to distractions at work. And there’s neither time nor energy in the day to waste. We choose to allow distractions to get in our way and it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s as though the...
by Shelley Row | Apr 24, 2016 | Decision-Making, Neuroscience
The morning was a bit cool for April as we finished our run. Trees were flowering white and pink like cotton and cotton candy. Yards popped with vibrant yellow and purple pansies. It looked beautiful and happy. If you aren’t a gardener you may not know that...
by Shelley Row | Apr 18, 2016 | Neuroscience
The big day was approaching. By “big day” I don’t mean election day (which can’t come soon enough) or a wedding day, I mean the Super Bowl-THE big day for U.S. sports fans. To be clear, I am not a U.S. sports fan, but even people like me watch...
by Shelley Row | Apr 10, 2016 | Decision-Making
Around and around you go…Your mind whizzes and churns. What if this? What if that? You feel like a dog chasing its tail. The culprit is over-thinking. Over-thinking wastes time, money and energy. If you don’t have any of those to spare, then let’s look at three...
by Shelley Row | Apr 4, 2016 | Business Skills, Decision-Making
NO! Wham. NO! Wham. My partner, large pads strapped to her forearms, shouted her encouragement. My forearms hit the pads with as much force as I could muster. Wham. “NO!” I yelled as loudly as I could over the other shouted “Nos” in the room. The power of yelling...
by Shelley Row | Mar 27, 2016 | Business Skills, Decision-Making
Perhaps you’re like me. You pack more into the day than it can possibly hold. The items on the to-do list stack up and the top priorities that need your undivided attention slip as you deal with unexpected emergencies that can’t wait. Frustration builds and...
by Shelley Row | Mar 21, 2016 | Leadership
The wedding was filled with music. The bride looked simply mesmerizing in a wedding dress similar to those found at www.winniecouture.com/stores/wedding-dresses-chicago-il/. We sat in the wooden pews listening attentively as music consumed the church. As the choir...
by Shelley Row | Feb 22, 2016 | Leadership
After 75 interviews with leaders, it’s clear. Leaders rely on intuition for decision-making in complex situations. Making decisions in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty is part of the job. There is neither the ability to know all the facts nor time to find enough...
