Blue Fjord Leaders Blog
The Voice for Insightful Leadership with Shelley Row, P.E.
A Mid-Air Emergency: Five Characteristics of High Performing Teams
It started like any other flight. The memorized announcements, beverage service, and a few peanuts. With my head buried in my laptop, I became aware of a commotion of two rows in front of me. A woman asked for help for her husband. The announcement over the speaker...
The Facts Speak for Themselves. Do They?
“Just the facts: they speak for themselves.” That's the approach many take when they want to persuade someone to their point of view. But do they speak for themselves? Not so much. From my technical background, I have observed a fact-based approach to persuasion many...
Collaboration: Four Tips Learned from Packing a Truck
It was hot...really, hot. In front of us was a large SUV with the back open, waiting expectantly. Behind us were boxes, a chair (really, a chaise lounge), a table and an assortment of odds and ends anticipating the ride from Texas to Annapolis inside the SUV. Our...
Perfect is Over-Rated
Six little girls about eight-years old, a mom with her small son, and me and my friend, Patti. We were at Painting With a Twist in South Austin. A blank, white canvas and a paper plate (a perfect substitute for a palette) with puddles of paint in vibrant colors was in...
Four Ways to Counteract Unintended Bias
Everyone has biases. The only thing worse than having a bias is not realizing that you do. It is in the knowing that there is opportunity to manage unintended bias. Humans are designed to crave relatedness. Millions of years ago your tribe was key to survival. Quickly...
Three Paddleboarding Tips for Leadership
It was a perfect, sunny day on Aberdeen Creek just off the Chesapeake Bay. There, in front of me, floating placidly, was a stand-up paddleboard. This was my first experience with a stand-up paddleboard. It looked unassuming but I was suspicious. How do I approach...
Blue Fjord Leaders Newsletter with Shelley Row, PE, CSP
Your place for short, easy-to-read articles on management, leadership, decision-making, and personal & professional development.
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Are you an Insightful Leader? Try this Quick Quiz!
It started by mistake. As I pondered the topic for this newsletter, I picked up the kaleidoscope on my desk. It sits there to remind me to always see other perspectives. By mistake, I stared through the wrong end. Have you ever looked at the back end of a...
Who’s Here? What Do You Really Know About Someone Else?
I admit up front that I’m not good at recognizing the nuances of people. That’s why I want to share this tip with you. It helps me and it’s likely to be valuable to you, too. My step-daughter, Linnea Miron, is the CEO of Real Wellness. She and I talked about the...
Three Ways to Shift Your Perspective to Get a Kaleidoscopic View
We were having dinner at a friend’s house and admiring his family memorabilia neatly arrayed in the bookshelves. There were the kid’s sailing trophies, family photos, delicate antique demitasse cups and a bright blue tube. A bright blue tube? “What’s that?” I asked....
Whether it’s a presentation, meeting or training: Design for engagement and retention
You've been there: a dull presentation; a pointless meeting; a boring training program. And, maybe you've given a tedious presentation, presided over an unenthusiastic meeting or provided training when no one seemed engaged. It doesn't have to be that way and the fix...
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