You know that awkward moment when you’re chatting with a coworker and realize you’ve leaned in way too close? Well, I once got so excited sharing a story that I practically ended up in my colleague’s lunchbox! We both laughed, but it made me realize how ...

We often encounter situations that test our communication skills, especially when we work in an office with lots of different personalities and communication styles!This month, let's focus on a vital aspect of workplace relationships: fostering positive i...

As someone who has attended countless networking events, I've learned the importance of business card etiquette firsthand. I still remember the time I forgot my business cards at a conference and had to resort to scribbling my contact information on a nap...

Picture this: you walk into a room buzzing with chatter, the air thick with anticipation and opportunity. It’s a networking event, and you’re about to dive headfirst into the sea of unfamiliar faces. Sounds daunting, right? Trust me, I’ve been there.I've ...

Explore, Grow, Thrive!  I was taken back at lunch when my friend Susan said, “Valerie, kudos for always learning new things and new ways of doing your work.” My inner voice was saying, “how could anyone NOT want to learn? (I don’t expect an answer here!) ...

Let's talk about something that's often overlooked but super important: etiquette in today's business world. I'm sure you've noticed how everything seems to be changing so fast, right? But guess what? Good manners never go out of style! As someone who's a...

One topic has echoed recently in almost every client conversation I've had: "How do I elevate my personal brand in today's digital world?" Likely throughout your career you have showcased resilience, innovation, and an unwavering drive. These qualities ha...

Do you sometimes feel like you're on a never-ending treadmill, running faster and faster just to keep up? Are you pushing yourself to the breaking point to prove your worth to others, or even to yourself? Well, it’s time to take a deep breath and disrupt ...

How effective is your Social Savvy?  Here is a surprising twist on the old Covid Story:  Now that employers are insisting that people return to the office, leaders are beginning to mandate etiquette classes! In fact, in a survey of 1,548 business leaders ...

The last few weeks I have taken time out of the office to capture happy moments and experiences in Europe.... and it was the perfect opportunity to combine some of my not-so-secret passions in one glorious joy-fest! Two things that I adore is cooking goo...

How does that word hit you? I sure needed some Calm for awhile….a new place (I’m writing from a conference on the ocean in San Diego. It is perfect for Calm).That leads me to say to you - where can you find your Calm? See the list below and check your ans...

Spring Cleaning is a ritual in our home!  Every Spring we do deep cleaning – vents, corners of the rooms, behind the furniture. Here’s the hardest spring cleaning for me. Cleaning out my closet. The clothes I haven’t worn in awhile are calling me to eithe...

Meetings are getting a major makeover in 2023!It's a fact that COVID re-arranged the way we did business. Overnight, we were all getting used to meeting each other virtually.  Now we are habitually using the virtual meeting space. Research tells that the ...

What a year that was!What a year 2022  was! I’m personally ready for a new page to be turned with 2023. What about you?  It seems like a blur of time—time with good, bad and in-between experiences.The good, the bad and the ín-between of 2022 The good:I’m ...

That’s what December will be for me this year. A parenthesis. A time to undo stress and uncover rest. Maybe it’s something you also could consider?Oh, I know, I know! This is the first day of the last month of the year, and you must rush to get things don...

Okay, not literally – pranksters have that taken care of this month! I’m talking about crushing the 4th quarter of 2022! It’s another opportunity to crush our goals, stamp them out and sing about it.  When Theresa (my exercise trainer) sends text reminder...

Let’s just start with reality – it’s impossible to be liked by everyone. And the further up the ladder of success you go, the harder it becomes. The truth is - you do NOT want to worry about everyone. Instead, you should focus on your target audience; tho...

Let's talk about critics. We all have them. They can be as close as the person across the breakfast table or as distant as an anonymous nasty “tweet.” I’m talking about critics. People who love to judge, criticize, and sneer at anything you’re doing, wear...

I’m often asked how to best define what leaders do. Their responsibilities…how they should act…on what they should focus.   I found an interesting article with the job description of a shepherd. Take the word shepherd literally— it’s someone who takes car...

How long does it take to assess someone? To determine if they are capable, trustworthy, deserving of your business? Someone you’d want to work with or hire? A leader you’d want to follow? Does it take an hour? Five minutes? Mere seconds?Believe it or not,...

Geez – look around at your children. Yesterday they were toddlers. What happened? Look around at your business. Yesterday you had just begun. Today you’re going strong. What happened? Look around at your garden. Yesterday you planted seeds. Today you have...

Every ounce of my being was screaming out…. ”Don’t give up. There’s always hope.” Kelly and I were strangers attending the same business meeting. One evening sitting on a bench enjoying the beautiful weather, she began to download her troubled life. Nothi...

The tragedy of war is in our living rooms  - We can’t get away from it. News of the war. Stories of the war. And heartwarming reports of heroism. This is one story that has stood out for me amid all the chaos, reminding me that resilience can show up in t...