tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243967859097270192011-07-31T04:38:58.422-06:00Insights into the challenges of executive leadership, business consulting and executive coachingBlue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-71561580611970942642010-10-07T16:41:00.000-06:002010-10-07T16:41:10.356-06:00

What can we learn from the tragic and untimely death of Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi? Are we equipped to address issues of cyber-bullying at work? How do we even know it’s happening, short of monitoring the daily activities of our employees on their workplace computers? Simply put, cyber-bullying is the use of technology – including email, instant messaging, social networks, or

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-33052441795631743242010-09-10T09:26:00.001-06:002010-09-10T09:28:35.715-06:00

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }@font-face { font-family: "Georgia"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } We must abandon all hope of creating a better past. Wise leaders learn from the past, are keenly aware of the present, and using what they know now,

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-1931932405386573312010-06-08T03:35:00.002-06:002010-06-08T03:35:00.080-06:00

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Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-38615931946858425492010-06-07T17:16:00.000-06:002010-06-07T17:16:12.507-06:00

Ethics have been tested and violated since the beginning of time. But their importance today is paramount. It is easy to give power to the justifications and the ‘yeah buts’. Now is the time to recommit to leading from principle and ethics. Many ethical quandaries with bad outcomes are the result of an individual’s choice to take action without asking for help. People offer abundant

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-8888936095562558292010-05-11T04:45:00.004-06:002010-05-21T07:43:11.279-06:00

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Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-57675136446785026882010-04-29T10:03:00.002-06:002010-04-29T10:04:29.423-06:00

This post is authored by Laurie Zeligson, Blue Mesa Group Coach and Consultant. Laurie has spent 25 years helping businesses and their employees do the right thing. An experienced employment law attorney and human resources professional based out of our offices in New York, NY, Laurie consults on all types of workplace issues ranging from discrimination and harassment to ethics, compliance

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-31262872065216900502010-04-20T05:25:00.003-06:002010-04-20T05:25:00.630-06:00

This post is authored by Sue Taigman, Blue Mesa Group Coach and Consultant. It is the final post in a three-part series on workplace conflict and transformative mediation. Click here to read the first post and here to read the second post. For more than 20 years, Sue has served as an executive coach, consultant, facilitative manager and mediator for people and organizations that aspire to be best

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-82023999426524130932010-04-13T05:05:00.001-06:002010-04-13T05:05:00.248-06:00

This post is authored by Sue Taigman, Blue Mesa Group Coach and Consultant. It is the second in a three-part series on workplace conflict and transformative mediation. Click here to read last week's post. For more than 20 years, Sue has served as an executive coach, consultant, facilitative manager and mediator for people and organizations that aspire to be best in class. As a member of the

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-54041144248334267812010-04-06T05:45:00.002-06:002010-04-06T05:45:00.813-06:00

This post is authored by Sue Taigman, Blue Mesa Group Coach and Consultant. It is the first in a three-part series on workplace conflict and transformative mediation. For more than 20 years, Sue has served as an executive coach, consultant, facilitative manager and mediator for people and organizations that aspire to be best in class. As a member of the Blue Mesa Group, Sue’s results-driven

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-54201920254431423562010-03-16T09:48:00.001-06:002010-03-16T09:48:00.212-06:00

The Blue Mesa Group proudly recognizes our coach, Cathy Akiyama, recently featured in The Trailblazer Issue of Hyphen magazine. As Hyphen attests, Cathy is a trailblazer in both the coaching and Asian American communities.  In Hyphen’s story, “A Quarter-Life Crisis: Asian American life coaches help clients to ‘Quit Being Chinese’,” journalist Nichole Wong interviewed Cathy and one of Cathy’s

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-89169504829825340942010-03-16T04:53:00.001-06:002010-03-16T04:53:00.510-06:00

Yes. Great leaders have an unmistakable connection between their personal values, organizational values and the actions they take and promote in the workplace. Great leaders know results mean nothing if they short-circuit values. Great leaders must know who they are, what they stand for, and where their own line is – at all times. Gratefully, there are hundreds of leaders who think and act out

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-58030755582475827422010-03-09T04:07:00.001-07:002010-03-09T04:07:00.630-07:00

There is a new reality TV series about the company CEOs going undercover in their organizations to learn what goes on at points closest to the customer. In the process, the CEO is introduced as a new employee who is in training for an entry-level position. Each CEO spends several hours at various locations and interacts with myriad employees. Generally, the CEOs learn potent lessons about the

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-81272216152300893192010-03-02T04:57:00.000-07:002010-03-01T17:03:47.655-07:00

We step into the zendo* with… the foot nearest the outside edge of the doorway. There is no religious significance to that. If you step in with the other foot, nothing awful is going to happen. Really. But it's a way for you, at that moment, to notice where you are. You can see if your mind is where you are, or if your mind is somewhere else.- Abbess Zenkei Blanche HartmanThe next time you’re

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-80442833542289169042010-02-18T15:21:00.002-07:002010-02-18T15:25:56.626-07:00

Laurie Kennedy has earned her Professional Coach Certification from the International Coach Federation. This means that Laurie has completed at least 750 hours of coaching, passed a rigorous written and oral examination, and demonstrated a consistent history of excellence in coaching.We are very proud of Laurie’s accomplishment and it is a testament toher dedication to the coaching profession.

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-87773268198354875932010-02-16T04:43:00.000-07:002010-02-16T04:43:00.782-07:00

If there were to be one leadership skill that should be required, it is how to engage in conflict. But most of us avoid it like the plague, and rather than face it, we run away, talk to everyone else but the person involved, bury it, or when the going gets tough, blow up at the next person who walks into the office. What is so difficult about dealing with conflict, anyway?When we ask our clients,

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-18229467527025979592010-02-09T02:36:00.000-07:002010-02-09T02:36:00.575-07:00

Hard work and long days are all too common today. This blog is about getting re-acquainted with play. We are hoping you can add it as a habit in your daily life.Remember play? Play helps us connect to our joy, increase our lightness of being, and even gain perspective about what is really important.We dare you to schedule at least four hours of play per week. In case you need some ideas of what

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-18507563359013064492010-01-26T04:30:00.000-07:002010-01-26T04:30:00.366-07:00

Now that we are in the swing of the New Year, consider adding one more resolution – managing your commitments with a new level of attention. We’re not talking about keeping promises. That is easy for over-achievers. We’re talking about taking the time to really understand what commitment management is and sticking to it. Rigorous commitment management means you know who will do what by when –

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-19910433485799023932010-01-18T09:29:00.005-07:002010-01-18T09:34:58.221-07:00

Today we at Blue Mesa Group are taking time to reflect on the teachings and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We are living his dream and there remains much to do to create the kind of world he dreamed of. We celebrate you, today’s leaders, who embrace his principles and commit to supporting you on your journey.

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-29954501802731118082010-01-05T04:47:00.004-07:002010-01-05T04:47:00.326-07:00

This post is authored by Laurie Zeligson, Blue Mesa Group Coach and Consultant.  Laurie has spent 25 years helping businesses and their employees do the right thing. An experienced employment law attorney and human resources professional based out of our offices in New York, NY, Laurie consults on all types of workplace issues ranging from discrimination and harassment to ethics, compliance

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-58034625646631157482009-12-29T04:25:00.002-07:002009-12-29T04:25:00.431-07:00

Those of us at the Blue Mesa Group are proud to be aunts and uncles to Ryan and Alexa Johnson’s new baby. We have, vicariously, been on this journey of new life, practically since the beginning. We've been there to witness and support them, from Alexa’s morning sickness to the challenging and blessed lessons and longings that become deeply apparent before little Sydney emerged into her first

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-32978909842407465242009-12-18T08:34:00.004-07:002009-12-18T08:43:57.565-07:00

Sue Taigman has earned her Professional Coach Certification from the International Coach Federation. This means that Sue has completed at least 750 hours of coaching, passed a rigorous written and oral examination, and demonstrated a consistent history of excellence in coaching.We are proud of Sue's accomplishment, but even more proud of who she is in the world. Sue is passionate about justice,

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-26184148058841987552009-12-15T05:28:00.015-07:002009-12-15T05:28:00.378-07:00

Forget where you are for a moment.  Forget the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and forget all those untouched items on your to do list. Forget those phone calls you should make… the news you heard in the meeting… on the conference call… through the grapevine… on the TV at the gym. Forget what you think is waiting for you on the other side of the door, and just close your eyes.  Let

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-11256414613730526992009-12-08T04:52:00.001-07:002009-12-08T04:52:00.719-07:00

What can we, as leaders, learn from being consumers and witnesses to great customer service? More importantly, what can we do to inspire our employees to want to provide great customer service not just to our clients, customers and vendors--but also to each other inside our organizations? The fishmonger at Whole Foods and the barista at Starbucks probably have some good ideas for us. I dare you

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-62272124375739972922009-12-01T04:17:00.000-07:002009-12-01T04:17:00.430-07:00

The right conversation at the wrong time is the wrong conversation. -- Rafael Echeverria Have you ever been in a conversation, wishing you had never started it? Maybe you can see you're not being effective, so you you keep talking, trying to backfill the hole you're digging. Maybe you're trying to find the right trigger to move the conversation forward, or maybe you weren't as prepared for

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-64116408013064071372009-11-24T04:33:00.021-07:002009-11-24T04:33:00.476-07:00

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.– Albert SchweitzerThis is the week to celebrate gratitude in the United States. Although a simple emotion, sometimes we take for granted that which is most dear to us – the people with whom we live, play and work.Noticing

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-63639115383965697542009-11-17T04:59:00.004-07:002009-11-17T04:59:00.367-07:00

As a crusty former operations leader, I hated the soft stuff of leadership. I was good at the hard stuff. Managing numbers, ensuring employee safety, and installing pipe and wire – all of the things that make a business hum. But engaging in conversations, building relationships, giving performance feedback all seemed superfluous. Furthermore, I found that attending people skills classes was

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-19101731602074367912009-11-10T04:49:00.001-07:002009-11-10T04:49:00.752-07:00

A good friend of mine was working hard to improve his golf game. His handicap was a 7, and after weeks of practice, it became a 6. The following year, he achieved the enviable status of a 'scratch' golfer - a zero handicap. Ah, perfection! But as he says, now what? If I go back to a 6 or 7 (which is likely) what does that mean? Inherently, golf is an imperfect game fraught with variables, foibles

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-86696813545415998862009-11-03T04:52:00.138-07:002009-11-03T04:52:00.468-07:00

A lot of leaders talk about curiosity and compassion as business tools and relationship resources, but for many of us, we rarely move beyond the theoretical talk.  Because we feel the pressure to deliver the dazzle, yesterday, it seems there's little to no time to wonder, to seek, to inquire. We must know. Decide. Take action. Besides, in our competitive workplaces, how do we dare ask questions

Micki McMillan, MCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13951108647576700074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-5599334188337430202009-10-27T05:39:00.024-06:002009-10-27T05:39:00.218-06:00

Last week, we met Debra (Deb) Canales, the Chief Administrative Officer at Trinity Health, the fourth largest Catholic health system in the US. Deb has been working with the Blue Mesa Group’s Micki McMillan for more than five years—first as a student in Naropa University’s executive coaching program, now as a client. If you missed our conversation with Deb last week, you can check it out here.

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-59264989283881811032009-10-20T05:20:00.011-06:002009-10-20T05:20:00.322-06:00

Meet Debra (Deb) Canales, the Chief Administrative Officer at Trinity Health, the fourth largest Catholic health system in the US. Deb has been working with the Blue Mesa Group’s Micki McMillan for more than five years—first as a student in Naropa University’s executive coaching program, now as a client. Deb will be talking with us in a two-part series on leadership and coaching, this week and

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-14418841379652915142009-10-13T04:50:00.484-06:002009-10-14T11:58:50.260-06:00

Learning is gaining the ability to do something in the future that cannot be done now. While learning may begin with acquiring knowledge and skills, you have not actually learned anything until you've accomplished your goals and achieved the new, qualitative and quantitative outcomes you desire. To be a learner, you must behave with confidence and humility. You must have a strong sense of self

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-74089084075570368372009-10-06T05:46:00.018-06:002009-10-12T09:30:26.247-06:00

We like being the expert. More often than not, our expertise is tied to our self-esteem and, to some degree, our earning power. We like feeling like we have everything under control. We think we know just what to do. But when we approach a situation with an expert’s attitude, we stand before closed doors. We are slaves to our fixed views, which may or may not have any significant bearing on the

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-31365967878463648332009-09-30T06:00:00.060-06:002009-10-01T10:16:39.246-06:00

The American Heart Association (AHA) has just awarded Trinity Health with the Start! Fit-Friendly Company Gold Award. This award recognizes organizations and leaders who prioritize their teams' health and wellness by helping reduce the risk of heart disease and by going above and beyond to support healthy physical activities at work. The AHA has also recognized Trinity Health with the Start!

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424396785909727019.post-90172776111168505482009-09-22T11:21:00.014-06:002009-09-24T16:03:33.680-06:00

“The secret to a rich life is  to have more beginnings than endings.”  David Weinbaum In the past few months, as we’ve been preparing to officially launch the Blue Mesa Group, LLC, it’s become abundantly clear that we are living very fortunate lives. We continue to work with some of the most intelligent, capable and courageous clients in the world.  We’re making new, lasting connections all

Blue Mesa Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092765178220865850noreply@blogger.com0