Debra Benton 
If you rarely praise your employees, you are neglecting a key aspect of leadership. Praising your employees should be less of a “nicety” and more of an obligation. As a leader, it is your responsibility to uplift others around you and create an affirming and team-oriented culture. A key way to do this is through … Read more
The following is a brief excerpt from my new book, An Introvert’s Guide to Networking, available from Amazon and wherever books are sold. You Have a Lot to Offer You have a lot to offer, and it probably isn’t your style to toot your own horn. On the other hand, if people don’t know anything … Read more
Like any good leader, you know that smart employee recruiting is important. You want the right people for your company. And like many other leaders, you’ve come to realize that it’s just as important to spend time on employee retention. If you have the right people, you don’t want to lose them. It costs time … Read more
Every organization needs a leader. Motorcycle gangs have (officially and unofficially) designated leaders, as do Red Cross workers. Children on school playgrounds follow the leader. Even dogs follow a leader of their pack. In business, you have lots of leaders (Manager, VP, CFO, etc.) but the “top dog” above them all is the CEO. At … Read more
You probably like to hear your name favorably called out. This is not you having a big ego, it’s you being human. Studies show that hearing your name activates your brain differently than hearing someone else’s names. We are wired to enjoy positive recognition. Others feel the same way. People never forget that you remembered … Read more
In life there are few things you can control. You can view that fact with anxiety or with exhilaration knowing that the unpredictability and uncertainty are what make life fun. Still, the unpredictability of life doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take ownership of what you can in your career. If anything, it means you should be … Read more
Being a leader doesn’t require you to have an especially high IQ, but it does require that you are willing to learn. If you do not train yourself constantly to learn about humanity, business, places, and ideas, you are asking for defeat. Leadership and learning go hand in hand. As one CEO weighed in: “Even … Read more
If you have been investing in your career (even a little), then you have run into rejection. Rejection is inevitable in life, especially if you’re making an effort and putting yourself out there. It’s not fun. Handling rejection in business, and in life, is a skill that we aren’t always taught and, quite frankly, don’t … Read more
When was the last time you laughed at work? When was the last time you made someone else laugh? If you can’t remember, or if it was over a month ago, then you are missing a valuable opportunity to connect with others and frankly, make yourself look better. Humor and leadership may seem like an … Read more
If you’re not in a crisis situation now, just wait a moment. Crises, whether in a company, country or your personal life happen all the time, and they can create discomfort and uncertainty. It’s easy in these situations to point fingers and ask, “Where is the leadership we need during times of crisis?” Whether it’s … Read more