Sheila Lewis 10/23/26 Sheila Lewis 10/23/26

Decision Making: Explain vs. Defend

Have you ever experienced presenting an idea or decision and the response you got was harsh? Nearly critical? Is your natural response to shift toward defending your idea or decision? I’ve known that feeling in my lifetime and as I matured in leadership, sharpened my insticts, and elevated my communication, defending a decision became a thing of the past.

Sheila Lewis 1/16/26 Sheila Lewis 1/16/26

Create Your Future

Many of us start the new year with resolutions that typically require us to do something different or more than we did in the previous year. You know, go to the gym, reduce our sugar intake, drink less coffee, keep our closets organized, call our friends and family more. Whatever your resolution is, or resolutions are, they require you to yield to the notion that you have to do something different in order to create the outcome you desire.

And isn’t that the drumbeat of all change? Thinking and being in new ways until they become habits.

Sheila Lewis 8/31/25 Sheila Lewis 8/31/25

“Yes, but…”

“Yes, but…” responses are used in conversation more frequently than you might think. It’s one of the most frustrating responses you can receive. Here’s why. When used, the “but” dismisses everything that you said in favor of what your conversation partner has to say. It reduces what you said to mere ash, as if you never said it.

Sheila Lewis 3/6/25 Sheila Lewis 3/6/25

Sentences Have Periods for a Reason

I was strategizing with a friend about a negotiation-like conversation she was going to have. I suggested that she speak slowly and deliberately and offered, “sentences have periods for a reason.” It was my tip to finish what she had to say, and well, be finished.

Sheila Lewis 2/17/25 Sheila Lewis 2/17/25

Rethinking Confrontation as Conversation

Most of us choose to describe significant and ongoing differences with others as being in conflict, so much so that it seems to require a confrontation to resolve. The word confrontation brings with it a stream of anxiety and uncomfortableness, often leading to avoidance. But what if conflict is simply an opportunity for conversation?

Sheila Lewis 2/4/25 Sheila Lewis 2/4/25

Try Better Tuesday: Active Listening

Active listening is the topic of this week’s Try Better Tuesday. What’s the sound of listening? Silence. As simple as it sounds, managers often find listening difficult and their verbal and nonverbal behavior can close people off and leave them feeling unseen and… truly unheard.

Sheila Lewis 1/27/25 Sheila Lewis 1/27/25

Go Tell Your Boss How Fabulous You Are!

Let’s focus on what you can control to ensure that you are seen for who you are and all that you bring to your job.

Sheila Lewis 1/20/25 Sheila Lewis 1/20/25

Use Your Voice

Invitations to important decision making or critical discussion tables don’t happen every day. And even if they do, something is required of you. Your voice.