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It’s tough to be quiet. When there’s silence in a conversation we tend to want to fill the space. While that is perfectly normal, when you are coaching someone, silence can be a powerful tool to facilitate the other person to think more deeply, be more mindful and discover something they wouldn’t have normally.   It’s a funny thing when we ask a question and there’s that awkward silence on the other end, you may tend to think they didn’t understand you or you need to rephrase

So often leaders focus on how to make teams great or even forming teams that we forget to foster the qualities that makes a great team member. And if you are going to have a team where you foster shared leadership and interdependency, then you want people on that team to always focus on how they can be a great contribution to the team itself.   I’m Esther Weinberg and I’m the Chief Leadership Development Officer and Founder of The Ready Zone.   What does it look like to be a

Communication is easy to request and tough to deliver. Communication includes our words, the way we say them and nonverbal communication – the vehicle that carries a message from one party and delivers it to another party’s understanding. Today we have the most pathways for communicating – face to face, email, phone, text, voicemail, video conferencing, app platforms (such as Slack) and social media.   Ways we use communication include passing along information, sharing a poi

The concept of legacy is seemingly massive. Usually we associate legacy with your name on the wall of a building or the wing of a hospital or the cheering farewell party your co- workers give you with fond speeches of all you’ve done and achieved or through your children. Really legacy is as Steve Kazanjian, former CEO of Promax says, “legacy walks in the room before you and stays long after you have gone.” It’s what endures about you and for you, today  and every day. Legacy

Relevancy is built on your knowledge, skill as well as the degree and value of your relationships. If you don’t have solid relationships, then your work, no matter how great it is, will only take you so far. There is an art to building relationships, and mastering that art is critical to developing your visibility and influence. If you don’t focus on building relationships, you can’t influence to a significant degree.   If your intention in building relationships is to enhanc

There is an old saying that what you appreciate appreciates. Meaning that when you value something that value grows. The same is true for people. People like to hear what they are doing is meaningful, it not only makes them feel good, it validates that the effort they are putting into something has worth and significance. When you are growing individuals and people on your team, appreciation goes a long way.   If you build a habit of appreciation and gratitude into all you do

Welcome to the Deeply Simply Human Podcast. In this first episode, I share what this podcast is all about, why I am passionate about it, and most importantly, what value you will gain from listening. The focus of this episode is about how we, as humans, see the world through a lens and yet oftentimes we don’t know that we are seeing through a lens. Through a formula of discerning facts, interpretations, and impact, you will leave understanding how to implement a renewed choic

Explore with me the important yet taboo world of boundaries – what they are and how they can serve us in better leading by discovering and unlocking what is most important for us in how we teach people to treat us. You will discover the key barriers to setting boundaries, why we as humans step over our own boundaries, and how to enlist others in honoring our boundaries with us. A pivotal episode to help you create more joy and peace of mind in your life. Enjoy!

The concept of legacy seems massive to most. If we don’t have our name on the wall of a building or the wing of a hospital, our legacy may seem elusive. True legacy is not what we leave behind, it’s something we live each day whether we know it or not and it can be designed and created right here and now. Join me as I share my personal journey of discovering my legacy through my family and lineage and how you too can design your legacy and how it can be a context for your wor

Communication is easy to request and tough to deliver. Join me as I share how to create powerful messages for diverse audiences, especially in times of change when communication is needed most. Through sharing eight key elements, you will discover practical and pragmatic steps for creating messages that are impactful, motivating, transparent, and have the ability to create quick momentum. (You can thank me later….enjoy!)

Employee recognition is the key to literally transforming employee retention, well-being, and profitability. Data shows that an employee who has been recognized is 63% more likely to stay at their current job within the next three to six months. From a survey of 1700 employees, 69% said that even better rewards and recognition would encourage them to stay. It is a basic human need to know we are doing a great job and yet many organizations put this key strategic imperative on

Communication is tough today since language is full of nuance and when you want to be an advocate of different genders, races, and ethnicities it can be challenging at best. Each of us were raised in families and cultures with our own particular set of values, experiences, and assessments of what it means to be a human being in this world having a human experience. That lens shapes how we think and perceive the world and the inherent actions we decide to take. Unless those le

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers conducted a study in 2021 which revealed that one in five full-time workers serves as family caregivers. Juggling multiple responsibilities in work and life strains individuals, particularly those bearing caregiving roles, leading to early departures from work, unexpected absences, compromised work quality, and even loss of income. In this episode, I open up about the profound journey of caregiving. As COVID blurred the lines betwe

70% of employees avoid tough conversations with their boss, colleagues, and direct reports. There is a huge cost to not talking about what’s most difficult, there is an average of $7,500 per conversation lost in time and resources.  Conversations today can be a powder keg of issues that can result in tough conversations – overwhelming workloads, insufficient balance of work, not enough people to handle the work, variances in technology savviness and use, generational differen

In this episode of “Deeply, Simply Human,” we delve into the transformative power of alignment in both our personal and professional lives. Guided by insights from industry thought leaders like Gartner, we explore the era of the “Great Reflection,” where the quest for a deeper sense of purpose and community is reshaping the way we approach work and life. We unpack the intricacies of personal alignment, examining how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a clear vision o

In this episode of Deeply, Simply Human, I delve into an often overlooked power tool for modern leaders: the transformative power of saying “no.” In a world saturated with endless opportunities and demands, saying yes has become the default setting for many, leading to burnout and a lack of focus on what truly matters. I uncover the untapped potential of crafting a “not doing” list—shifting your mindset to prioritize what truly aligns with your greatness. I offer practical st

In this eye-opening episode of Deeply, Simply Human, we dive into the transformative power of alignment, the often overlooked secret sauce to achieving and sustaining peak performance. Whether you’re an individual, part of a team, or running an organization, this episode unpacks how alignment with values, goals, and mission can unlock unprecedented levels of success. Featuring rich case studies like Richard Branson’s unique leadership style, the episode provides actionable st

In this enlightening episode of “Deeply Simply Human,” we explore the critical yet often overlooked concept of alignment within organizations. Guided by real-world case studies from industry giants like Yahoo, Kodak, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Salesforce, we unpack the major pitfalls that can disrupt alignment, such as unclear objectives, poor communication, and an unwillingness to adapt. From the failure of Yahoo’s one-size-fits-all approach to Kodak’s refusal to embrace digi