How to Ask Your Boss for a Raise

Is it time you asked for a raise? Or, are you waiting for someone to notice your efforts and offer a raise to you? Why? You are in charge of moving your career forward. You don’t have to sit back and wait for your boss or someone in leadership to

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Get More Done Without Burning Out

Take a Hike – literally. Today is National Take a Hike Day (November 17). Yes, there is a holiday for everything! With holidays and vacation time approaching, the stress to get it all done hits hard. End of year deadlines coupled with personal pressures always make me feel overwhelmed and less productive. Co-workers taking

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How to Keep from Having the Worst Meeting Ever

A few weeks ago I watched one of the worst led meetings ever.  Instead of getting to the heart of the matter, leaders allowed an outsider to derail and delay the real issues.  As tempers flared, the president relinquished control to attendees. Instead of clarifying issues and communicating an action plan,

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Be Your Own Cheerleader

My daughter just completed cheer camp and arrived home exhausted. However, she and her friends also had a renewed excitement about cheering, gymnastics and even going back to school in the fall. Tough situations can be the best learning experiences (some call it getting wiser). It’s also important to be intentional about

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What an Angry Snake Taught Me About Breakthroughs

Last Monday, I experienced a breakdown. It started with a “snake emergency.” A four foot rat snake was lounging in our garage. I was late for an appointment and the snake needed to leave before my daughter came home from school. Did I mention my husband was out of town? The snake was

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Why You Should Talk to Strangers

I recently spoke at a national convention in St. Louis.  I was so excited to speak in St. Louis because it was a great convention and also the city where I lived until I was 9 years old.  While there, I visited my childhood friend (pictured above), my elementary school and even my childhood

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Are You a High Performer?

When I was a sophomore in college, I spilled salad dressing on my formal dress. My dad said, “Just hold your flowers down and those ribbons will cover it. No one will notice.” Dad is always positive and has a solution. My dad, Col. Byron R. Byars, Jr., USA (Ret),

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Four Words to Help You Set Goals You Can Keep

How are your New Year’s resolutions holding up now that the year is half over?  Did you make any? According to research, only 45% of people make New Year’s resolutions and by now, 75% have abandoned them. To put the odds in your favor, stop using the word “resolution” and start using these four powerful words I discuss

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Are You Dressed for High Performance?

What would you do if you had an amazing opportunity and nothing to wear? Last week, I found out with very short notice that I’d be on FOX news in DC. Unfortunately, the jacket I brought with me was the exact color of the interview couch. Thankfully, I was attending

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Book Launch for The Manager’s High-Performance Handbook is TODAY!

Drivers start your engines!  Are you ready to lead like a champion? My new book The Manager’s High-Performance Handbook: How to Drive Winning Performance with Everyone on Your Team is officially released TODAY! If you want to purchase a book (or truckloads of them for everyone you know), they are available today for $12.95 from WalktheTalk.com. Whether you’re facing some

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How to Avoid Working with a Staller

My recent speaking engagement in New York City brought back memories.  At 18 I faced a major decision: do I stay in NYC  to pursue a dancing and acting career or attend college? After years of training and performing with a dance company, I wanted my decision to be right

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How to Deal with Real Work Drama

Last week I spoke at a convention with Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed a passenger airplane in the Hudson River. That day he faced a surprise –true work drama. All Captain Sully had to do was walk out on the stage and we gave him a standing ovation.

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