Resources and insights
Elaine’s 30 years of experience overflow here on her blog in the form of notes, ideas, and true thought leadership.
Jan 23, 2024
What is PQ and how does it help?
Positive intelligence plays an essential role in both personal and professional development. It's a groundbreaking methodology that helps us recognize when our brain is at its peak performance, known as the “sage brain,” and when it falls into counterproductive patterns, or the “saboteur brain.”
Feb 1, 2020
Team EQ = Higher Performance
Exploring the concept of group-level emotional intelligence (EI) as a key factor in team performance, highlighting how teams with high EI create trust, a shared identity, and a sense of efficacy, leading to significantly better outcomes compared to teams lacking in these emotional competencies.
Oct 1, 2019
Boundaries for Leaders
Outlining the crucial role of boundaries in effective leadership, emphasizing organizational clarity, the judicious use of "yes" and "no," and the skill of conducting constructive confrontational conversations to enhance performance and maintain a productive working environment.
Aug 1, 2019
People Fuel by John Townsend
Introducing the concept of "Relational Nutrients" as essential elements for mental and emotional health, divided into four quadrants—Be Present, Convey the Good, Provide Reality, and Call to Action—to highlight the importance of both giving and receiving support, affirmation, perspective, and advice in sustaining healthy relationships and overall wellbeing.
May 1, 2019
Learning: The Key to Sustainability
Illustrating the significance of continuous learning and self-improvement in working smarter, using the metaphor of sharpening the saw to emphasize the necessity of pausing to enhance one's skills for increased efficiency and effectiveness in leadership and overall work performance.
Mar 1, 2019
Storytelling Influences Change
Emphasizing the transformative power of storytelling within organizations to influence behavior change and foster deeper engagement by connecting team members' actions to their core values through vivid, emotionally resonant narratives.
Feb 1, 2019
How a Leader’s Style Influences Culture
Demonstrating the impact of emotional intelligence in leadership, specifically how empathy, self-awareness, and effective communication can transform potential conflict into a productive problem-solving session, thereby motivating and empowering team members.
Jan 1, 2019
Connect to Motivate Your Team: How a Leader’s Personal Concern Impacts Performance
Demonstrating the impact of emotional intelligence in leadership, specifically how empathy, self-awareness, and effective communication can transform potential conflict into a productive problem-solving session, thereby motivating and empowering team members.
Nov 12, 2018
Bringing Back the Glad Game
Encouraging the practice of gratitude and positive reflection even in the face of life's challenges, inspired by the "glad game" from Pollyanna, to foster hope, resilience, and meaningful connections during Thanksgiving and beyond, while also honoring and remembering loved ones who have passed.
Nov 1, 2018
Facing Pain, Gaining Strength
Offering guidance on navigating through life's adversities by embracing emotional expression, seeking supportive relationships, utilizing specific support groups, educating oneself on personal challenges, engaging in journaling and prayer for reflection and connection, and gradually reengaging in life activities to foster resilience and healing.
Oct 1, 2018
5 Tips for Your Next Strategy Session
Providing strategic planning retreat tips to transform meetings from unproductive to impactful, focusing on clear outcome visualization, meticulous agenda planning, thorough preparation, selecting an ideal location, and establishing a follow-through method for accountability and execution.
Aug 24, 2018
Reality Test with EQ 360 Feedback
Highlighting the importance of leveraging strengths and addressing weaknesses through self-awareness and feedback, as illustrated by the use of the EQ 360 assessment to enhance leadership effectiveness and emotional intelligence.
Aug 12, 2018
What’s the value of time together?
Outlining the benefits of executive teams conducting off-site retreats, such as gaining fresh perspectives, facilitating strategic planning, fostering creativity, enhancing team alignment, and improving decision-making for the growth and profitability of their companies.
Aug 1, 2018
Emotional Intelligence: A Path to Growth
Highlighting the pivotal role of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in enhancing leadership performance, with self-awareness as its cornerstone, and suggesting spiritual growth and self-reflection as effective methods to foster EQ development.
Jun 1, 2018
How to Talk to Your Boss
Advocating for regular one-to-one coaching sessions between leaders and direct reports to foster rapport, accountability, and career development, while eschewing traditional performance reviews for more frequent, personalized interactions.
Apr 1, 2018
One-to-One Sessions To Develop Your People
Advocating for regular one-to-one coaching sessions between leaders and direct reports to foster rapport, accountability, and career development, while eschewing traditional performance reviews for more frequent, personalized interactions.
Mar 1, 2018
Bust Chaos with Boundaries!
Emphasizing the importance of establishing boundaries for better time management, self-care, and work-life balance to prevent burnout and improve leadership effectiveness.
Feb 1, 2018
White Space—Why It Will Benefit You
Advocating for intentionally incorporating "white space" into one's schedule for thinking, creating, and relaxing to enhance work quality, improve sleep, and increase overall happiness, outlining practical steps for daily, weekly, and monthly planning, creative thinking, and active recovery activities.
Jan 1, 2018
Pruning Your Schedule—Get Ready to Grow Some Time!
Emphasizing the importance of strategically managing one's time by pruning commitments and optimizing work schedules to create "white space" for planning, creativity, and recovery, ultimately aiming for a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Dec 1, 2017
Passion Energizes!
Highlighting W. B. Homes's commitment to fostering family and community through their business philosophy, while also exploring the broader concept that embracing and nurturing one's passions can lead to a fulfilling life, offering clarity, purpose, and a sense of joy.
Life as Art
Life As Art is a tool to help you explore and clarify essential elements for creating your future. Through the process of reflection, visioning, goal setting, and developing planning habits, it is my hope you will maximize your talents, fulfill your dreams, weather inevitable storms, and sustain proactive positivity in all circumstances!