Episode 158 – Are you caught up in fast thinking?

Episode 158 – Are you caught up in fast thinking?
by | October 6, 2020

My husband Mark and I have been watching a fascinating series on PBS called Hacking the Mind.  In the first episode, they talk about slow thinking vs. fast thinking.  Fast thinking is that knee-jerk, lizard brain, flight or fight response and actions.  Slow thinking is pausing, taking time to reflect on the situation and the bigger picture. We’re finding our clients are struggling with feeling overwhelmed and in that “always on” and “respond now” mode.  As our clients’ consultants and partners, we help them come up with solutions to manage the overwhelm.  Listen in as I share three actions you
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Managing Working at Home with Children – Egad!

Managing Working at Home with Children – Egad!
by | September 30, 2020

As many organizations continue to work remotely, and now many school districts are doing remote learning as well, the challenge of managing bodies at home, all with different needs, agendas, goals, and emotions, continues to grow. One of our corporate clients asked us to put together some techniques and tips they could share with their employees who have young children at home.  My husband and business partner Mark has a master’s in clinical psychology and had a private marriage and family therapy practice for 28 years.  I have certifications in English, business, and secondary education, as well as having run
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Episode 157 – We’re entering the 8th month of COVID-19…. what should you be asking your employees?

Episode 157 – We’re entering the 8th month of COVID-19…. what should you be asking your employees?
by | September 29, 2020

I mentioned back in March that here at The Shuler Group, we were halting all projects involving our proprietary Company Climate Inventory.  It just didn’t make sense in this time of turmoil to try to get a “normal” temperature reading of the climate at an organization.  Everything would have been skewed. Almost eight months later, though, it’s time to get that temperature reading, especially in terms of how organizations are supporting their remote workers, changing priorities, and setting themselves up for success.  Listen in as Dawn Shuler shares the 7 new questions they are adding to their standard Company Climate
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Episode 156 – Passionate about forward motion

Episode 156 – Passionate about forward motion
by | September 4, 2020

When I had my issue with feeling at capacity, I struggled because I didn’t know how to move forward. I hate stuckness more than I hate going backward – because you can retrace your steps forward – or take a slightly different path toward the same destination. Stuck is just… stuck.  What is your take on forward motion? Other podcast episodes referenced:  Still at capacity, At capacity, and Forward motion
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Episode 155 – Still at capacity

Episode 155 – Still at capacity
by | September 1, 2020

A few months ago, I published an episode called “At capacity.”  Three months later, many of us are still feeling “at capacity.”  We’re less productive, more anxious, less focused, and more overwhelmed.  Listen in as I share my personal breakdown around this as well as what’s needed to thrive. Other podcast episodes referenced:  At capacity
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Episode 153 – How you do feedback right

Episode 153 – How you do feedback right
by | August 4, 2020

In the last episode, I talked about how “volunteered” feedback needs to be invited.  However, there are times when feedback is an official process between manager and employee.  Listen in as I discuss how often and how to deliver the best feedback to produce the best results. Other podcast episodes mentioned:  Have you been invited to give feedback? and Are you an A, B, or C player?
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Episode 152 – Have you been invited to give feedback?

Episode 152 – Have you been invited to give feedback?
by | July 31, 2020

There is a difference between a formal process of feedback (for example, when a manager and employee meet weekly to discuss performance) and volunteered feedback. If feedback is not welcome, if you have not been invited to give said feedback, then your feedback may not be received well. So, how do you give feedback? And on the other side, how do you express your expectations clearly about what you’re looking for in terms of feedback (or not)? Other episodes referenced:  Feedback – what it really is
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Episode 149 – Empowerment does not mean perfection

Episode 149 – Empowerment does not mean perfection
by | July 8, 2020

As a manager, you’re expected to manage others, as well as do your own job.  If you’re responsible for an entire team or department, how do you make sure your staff delivers results? Do you micromanage? (No.)  If you empower people to do their jobs, what if they make mistakes? Other podcast episodes referenced:  Are you an A, B, or C player?, Right people in the right seats, and 10 traits of effective leaders
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Episode 142 – Do I say something?

Episode 142 – Do I say something?
by | April 28, 2020

Since we are proponents of a strengths-based workplace and culture, we firmly believe in employees working and playing to their strengths.  We also recommend a collaborative communication and feedback model where employees ask for and constructively receive feedback, and managers productively communicate and give said constructive feedback. That being said, what happens when an employee plays to her strengths and takes initiative when her manager is too overwhelmed to notice? Does she say something? Does she point it out? Listen in as Dawn Shuler recounts an actual experience with a client and their recommended solution. What would you recommend? Other
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Episode 141 – Jack, be nimble. Jack, be quick.

Episode 141 – Jack, be nimble. Jack, be quick.
by | April 21, 2020

With the Coronavirus epidemic, we’re having to shift and adapt rapidly, more so than ever before.  At the same time, many of us are finding we don’t have as much energy as we’re used to, yet we still might be expecting the same level of productivity. Honestly, right now, that’s just not possible. Listen in as Dawn Shuler shares a helpful concept to understand our shifting and waning energy levels – and what to do about them. Other podcast episodes referenced:  Navigating turmoil, Crisis and compassion, and Are you counteracting the din?
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