informal feedback Archives - Flickinger Performance Group

How Ditching The “I’ll Be Happy When…” Mindset Is Key for Stress Sanity

Apr 21, 2023

Many high achievers believe that reaching the next big milestone will finally bring lasting happiness. But as philosopher Rebecca Mason discovered after earning tenure, the reality can be very different. Psychological concepts like the arrival fallacy, impact bias, and summit syndrome reveal why success can sometimes lead to unexpected stress instead of satisfaction. For ambitious women balancing careers, families, and personal goals, the key to reducing stress may not be reaching the next summit – but learning to appreciate the journey along the way.

Spring Clean Your Meetings and Yes, Order Pizza

Mar 10, 2023

Spring is the perfect time to clean more than just your home — it’s also an opportunity to refresh your meeting habits at work. With employees spending up to a third of their workweek in meetings, cluttered spaces, oversized groups, and unstructured conversations can quietly drain productivity and creativity. By rethinking meeting environments, reducing group size, and encouraging open dialogue, leaders can create spaces where collaboration thrives and better decisions are made.

“Who’s the Greatest Among You?” Leadership Journal Publishes Our Original Research Study

Mar 8, 2023

Who’s the greatest among you? Let’s face it, you ask this question -- in fact, we all ask this question – either brazenly aloud or bashfully within our own minds. You and I both know there’s a pecking order in life – actually, there’s more than just one. They’re...

Valentine’s “Day” is All Wrong

Feb 6, 2023

National Employee Appreciation Day may appear on the calendar once a year, but real appreciation shouldn’t be limited to a single “Hallmark” moment. Employees notice when recognition only happens on designated days — and they also notice when appreciation is part of everyday interactions. From a simple “good morning” to a handwritten thank-you note or meaningful conversation about the impact of their work, consistent and genuine appreciation builds stronger connections, deeper engagement, and a healthier workplace culture. The leaders who make appreciation a daily habit, not an annual event, are the ones who create teams that truly feel valued.

SuperBowl Monday is the Least Productive Day of the Year – 10 Ways to Plan Ahead!

Feb 1, 2023

Many leaders worry that remote or flexible employees aren’t working hard enough — a concern Microsoft has labeled “productivity paranoia.” At the same time, employees often feel pressure to perform “productivity theater,” constantly appearing busy to prove their value. This disconnect erodes one of the most important foundations of a healthy workplace: trust. Instead of expecting employees to be “on” every moment of every day, effective leaders recognize that productivity ebbs and flows – and they create environments where slower days can be used for reflection, development, and strategic thinking rather than suspicion.

How to Hack into Root Problems

Jan 30, 2023

Quick fixes may make problems look solved, but like weeds in a lawn, they often grow back stronger if the root cause isn’t addressed. In fast-paced workplaces, leaders can fall into the habit of reacting quickly with surface-level solutions instead of slowing down to diagnose the real issue. By managing stress, engaging the logical part of the brain, and intentionally pausing to think more clearly, leaders can move beyond temporary fixes and uncover lasting solutions that strengthen their teams and organizations.

Using Core Values to Level-Up Your Leadership

Jan 10, 2023

Every day we make thousands of decisions, but few of us realize that most of those choices are guided by something deeper — our core values. When we act in alignment with those values, decisions feel natural and clear. But when our actions conflict with what truly matters to us, we experience discomfort known as cognitive dissonance. By identifying and understanding our core values, we gain greater self-awareness, improve our decision-making, and better understand the emotional reactions that arise when our internal standards are challenged.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who’s Accountable for it All?

Jan 10, 2023

In times of uncertainty and disruption, strong leadership requires more than direction — it requires accountability. While many organizations use the terms responsibility, accountability, and ownership interchangeably, they are not the same. Responsibility relates to tasks, accountability focuses on outcomes, and true ownership comes from intrinsic motivation. Leaders who understand this difference create environments where people willingly take ownership of their work, reducing chaos and building teams that consistently follow through on their commitments.

10 Leadership Tips That Will Help Your Resolutions Stick Way Past Valentine’s Day

Jan 3, 2023

Every January, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions with hopes of creating positive change — yet most of those goals fade within a few weeks. The problem isn’t the desire to improve; it’s that resolutions are often too vague and lack a clear plan for action. By shifting from broad intentions to specific, measurable goals, leaders can turn resolutions into sustainable habits that improve both personal growth and professional performance throughout the year.

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