There’s something about the word “boundaries” that can conjure up the idea that someone is being difficult or purposely not helpful.The truth is, that’s not at all what boundaries are about. If anything, good boundaries that aren’t squishy can make things run more smoothly and actually help you AVOID conflict.  On this episode of the Elephant Conversations podcast, I’m talking about how having good boundaries can help you stop difficult conversations before they even begin.

Have you ever heard the expression that “perfection is the enemy of progress”? The reality of life is that nobody is ever going to be 100% perfect, and expecting them to be is just setting ourselves up for disappointment.  On this episode of the Elephant Conversation podcast, I’m talking about letting go of the idea that some people are projects to be fixed up and accepting that 100% perfection isn’t a reasonable goal.  

As a leader, it’s sometimes easy to fall into the trap of only singling out an employee when something goes wrong instead of making a point to catch people when they’re doing something right. So how do we break that habit and start making a point to draw attention to the positive?  On this episode of the Elephant Conversations podcast, I’m sharing how you can set your intention to fill the emotional bank accounts of the people around you and help yourself build stronger relationships.

You may think that including the phrase “it’s not personal” when you’re in the midst of a difficult conversation softens up what you’re saying, but in reality, it’s not doing you any favors.  In fact, it can have the complete opposite effect of what you intended.  On this episode of the Elephant Conversations podcast. I’m sharing why using “it’s not personal” doesn’t actually make things better and what to do when you catch yourself using it.

When you have a message to share, it’s important for you to remain calm, cool, and confident and speak powerfully. If you are stressed and anxious and in flight or fight mode, it’s contagious to those around you.  Having people stressed and on edge when you’re speaking to them is not the most productive way to go. On this episode of Elephant Conversations, I uncover the #1 tip to speak powerfully in any situation you encounter.

Have you said yes without even thinking and have it followed by regret and remorse? We all know that feeling too well. We say yes without making that conscious decision that it actually is something we want to do. You end up beating yourself up, and feelings of resentment start festering. Not a fun feeling, and it can create huge issues in your relationships. In this episode of Elephant Conversations, I explain how you can create space from the moment you have the ask until you decide to agree to take something on and decide that it is something you actually want to do.

Being raised in a talkative family, I had to shout and talk over people just to be heard. I thought that If I could talk louder and dominate the conversation, people would listen. Boy, was I wrong! It’s something I have to work on because it’s so deeply ingrained in my personality. In this episode of Elephant Conversations, I’m covering strategies to have people listen to you and be more interested in what you have to say.

It’s so easy to get distracted with different projects than the one you should be working on. "Oh, I want to do a course on that! I really want to speak on that subject. I can’t wait to read the book about that!" But progress all comes down to one thing: Where do you want to focus your energy? When we get really clear on what we want to accomplish, we put aside time to do that and tend to make great gains at it.  In this episode of Elephant Conversation, I talk about how you can get out of the pattern of achieving a millimeter of progress in a million directions and avoid the disappointment and regret of half-done projects.

When was the last time you woke up on the wrong side of the bed? Your mood is already sour, and on top of that, everything you touch seems to go wrong.  How can you NOT let it ruin your day? Well, it’s up to you to choose how to change how you see what’s happening.  Having a change of attitude is really about hitting the reset button. On this episode of Elephant Conversations, I’m taking you through how changing your language and changing your story can actually change your life.

Kids are great. They’re fearless. They try something. They fail. They fall. And they keep on trying. It’s like having superpowers! So, what’s your superpower? It’s time to reconnect with that little kid in you and figure it out. So the question is: Are you ready for the Courage Challenge? It’s simple. Ask yourself: What is the ONE thing I can do better at? Be more efficient at? Can I be a better leader? A better speaker? A better team player? You can take it your personal life and ask how you can be a better partner or parent. There are no limits. Pick one thing and then ask someone you trust for their feedback. Uncomfortable? Yes. Important? Definitely. In this episode of Elephant Conversations, I’m challenging you to reach out for feedback about ONE aspect of your life and then push yourself to implement that feedback.