Posts by Shira Miller
How to Deal with the Unexpected Loss of a Mentor
My first mentor died, and I didn’t know it. Carol Bivins Gouzie was a force of nature. Smart as a whip and fiercely creative, she was a gifted writer who parlayed her skills into a successful corporate communications career. I met her in December 1988 when she served as the Vice President of Communications for…
Read MoreHow to Stop Eating Junk Food at Work
Something strange is happening across corporate America. And I don’t mean a Zombie situation, international espionage or soap opera level theatrics, though those elements may be present in your culture (and sorry if that is the case). What I’m talking about is how normally reasonable people will go crazy eating any form of junk food…
Read More3 Ways to Gain More Self-Honesty
Most of us are taught at a young age that honesty is the best policy. Perhaps that’s why it is ironic that people who would never stretch the truth to get out of a speeding ticket or consider fudging their taxes will lie like crazy when it comes to themselves. You know what I mean.…
Read More4 Ways to Leave Your Comfort Zone
Over the past few decades, the concept of breaking out of one’s comfort zone has garnered a lot of attention. Self-help gurus have urged their followers to do things like walk over hot coals or jump out of airplanes. Nike has built an empire on the advertising slogan, “Just Do it.” We’ve watched popular movies…
Read MoreHow to Navigate a Life Transition
I’m directionally-challenged, able to get lost in a semi-complicated parking deck. That’s why I think GPS is one of the best inventions ever. But no matter how strong my connection is, there’s one place that my smart phone can’t navigate – a life transition. We’ve all had them in our personal and professional lives, some…
Read MoreSaying yes to myself
I’ve made some questionable decisions over the years. Like unsuccessfully trying to adopt Madonna’s 1980’s streetwear swagger in college, not buying stock in that start-up online bookseller called Amazon and signing a six-year extension on a fancy office space lease right before the Great Recession struck. My track record has certainly gotten better though. In…
Read MoreWhat Rocketman can teach us about authentic leadership
From watching the entrancing trailers to reading about the standing ovation it received at the Cannes Film Festival, I was looking forward to seeing the movie Rocketman. What I didn’t expect was how much it would exceed the hype. Delightful, gritty and filled with moments of magical realism, this touching story about the rise, struggles…
Read MoreThrive Personally and Professionally by Embracing Vulnerability
When you think of highly secure locations, Fort Knox, the Vatican’s Secret Archives, the White House or James Bond’s stomping grounds at the MI6 headquarters might come to mind. However, despite cutting-edge security technology, armed guards or reinforced concrete walls, the most intensely guarded places can often be inside of ourselves. Society celebrates those who…
Read MoreStop saying sorry when there is no reason to apologize
Ever notice how many times you preface a statement, often one that is heartfelt and meaningful, with apologetic words like “I’m sorry,” “this sounds silly,” “I might be crazy,” or “you are going to think I’m stupid, but.” Whether you are trying to defuse a tense situation, deliver bad news or avoid being disliked, it…
Read MoreHow to Reinvent Your Life at Any Age
Faye Goldberg Miller, my mother, is a force of nature. At 81 years old, my mom’s infectious laugh turns heads. She works out several times a week and has been known to curse like a sailor, especially if you cut her off in traffic. Her wardrobe and sense of humor are fierce. Throughout my entire…
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