CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) is one of the most popular instruments utilized in corporate training and coaching programs. In this episode, I welcome Steve Dosier, a StrengthsFinder expert formerly of Gallup and now with Blue Star Intel, to teach us about the history of CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) and help us discover how we can get the most value from the CliftonStrengths assessment.

Here are some of the resources we discussed during the show:

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Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*.

What does a life plan give you?

“Contrary to popular belief, great things almost never happen by accident. Great accomplishments are planned. Sadly, much of the planning we do goes into accomplishments that leave us feeling empty in the end.” -Donald Miller

How to phrase a goal:

Increase the likelihood of following through on goals

Other resources we mentioned:

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Almost everyone who leads is doing more influencing of people through technology. Many of us are even working remotely or managing others who work remotely. In this episode, I welcome Loren Kousaie from Microsoft to speak about his extensive experience in leading people virtually over the years – and to offer us suggestions and what we can do better when communicating and leading from a distance.

Here are the questions I asked of Loren:

“In order to arrive at what you do not know

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Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*.

Virtually all leaders in organizations are called upon to manage (or at least be part of) the hiring process. In this episode, Bonni and I look at some common mistakes made in the hiring process and some straightforward things you can do to get better results in your hiring decisions.

Common Failures in the Hiring Process:

1. Testing for interview skills instead of what it will take to do the job well

2. Falling victim to the halo effect

3. Missing small clues along the way

4. Forgetting that the very best candidates are interviewing you as much as you are interviewing them

Look at your process from an outsider’s perspective

5. Not leveraging technology

A mentioned a brief note about episode #85

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When we get beaten down, it’s important for us to take actions that will pick us back up. In this episode, I suggest ten things that you can do to pick yourself up after a difficult day, week, or month. If you are feeling beaten down right now, I challenge you to take action on at least one of these suggestions.

1) Find something to be in awe of…preferably something you had something to do with

2) Call the Leena in your life

3) Help somebody who can do nothing for you

4) Get outdoors

5) Read three pages of How To Stop Worrying and Start Living

6) Teach people how to help you

7) Spend time with a small child

8) Get perspective to center you

9) Remember the Garth Brooks song, “Unanswered Prayers”

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

10) Have More Get Tos Than Got Tos

A word of warning…the above won’t be enough if you are clinically depressed. Talk to your doctor and see a counselor or therapist if you need more help.

Also…you’ll forgot all of this the moment you get beaten down. That’s the time to come back to this episode.

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Daniel Pink is the author of several bestselling books on the changing world of work. He recently released his newest book, To Sell Is Human, which is also now a bestseller. In this episode, Daniel joins me to speak about his new book, to tell us what’s changed about sales, and to explain why we’re all in sales now…even leaders.

Here are the questions I asked of Daniel:

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7 Ways To Stop and Think

Jeff Weiner, the CEO of LinkedIn, posted an article this past week titled The Importance of Scheduling Nothing. Here are seven ways that you can also stop and think:

1) Stop telling yourself the lie that next week/month/year will be better

2) Book time to think each day, especially if you are a scheduler

3) Brainstorm with yourself before brainstorming with others

4) Turn things off

5) Write stuff down

6) Put things into “later” buckets

7) Start saying no to more

Bonus) Eliminate choices that may seem sacred

This week, I’m taking 15 minutes every day to stop and think…please join me. Connect online to discuss your results!

Thank you to Carmel Purdey, Mad Oo, MIchael Oneski, and Emad Aladawee for either liking our page on Facebook, following me on Google+, or following me on Twitter.

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Virtually everyone wants to build their professional network, but few people are truly effective at doing it in person – and many believe it’s ever more challenging online. On this episode, I welcome Lynette Young from Purple Stripe Productions and author of the book Google+ for Small Businesses. Over 1.5 million people follow Lynette online, so she brings a lot of credibility and experience to those of us who want to engage online more effectively.

Please note that since this episode originally aired, Google has permanently sunsetted the Google+ social media network.

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When any of us are seeking better results, our first inclination is often to explore how we can change others. In reality, one of the best changes we can make is to first look at ourselves. In this episode, I welcome Jamie Welsh from Red Willow Group to explain how she coaches business leaders to look inward first when there are trying to create outward results.

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Vice President, Business Development for O.C. Tanner

The 10 steps we discuss:

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