Stress Management 101
Below is an edited version of a story emailed to me by a friend. If you know of the original author, please let me know, so I can give credit where credit is due! A young woman confidently walked around the room with a raised glass of water while discussing stress management with an audience. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, ‘half empty or half full?’ She fooled them all. “How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile. Answers ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on...
Read MoreWhy I Always Celebrate My Birthday
September 17 is my favorite day of the year because it’s my birthday – the one day a year that’s all about me – my special day. Like many women, I spend a lot of time nurturing others, so taking time to focus on myself can be tough, but is always worth the effort. This September 17th is my 58th birthday. Instead of bemoaning that number or the physical changes life has brought, I choose to celebrate what those changes represent – every wrinkle represents smiles, laughter and the sheer joy of life; every worry line represents care and concern for my family or a friend in need. ...
Read MoreStepping into Opportunity
My first guest-blogger is my daughter Lindsay, because she fully embraces the concepts in my book and has a great story to tell. I admire her tenacity, her spirit and her ability to take risk. Once you’ve read her blog, I’m sure you’ll understand why I love and admire her so much! After graduating from the University of Iowa in 2011, I moved home for a year to work and decide where to go to graduate school. Having spent my entire life in the Midwest, I applied to schools in Colorado, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, finally deciding that Colorado felt like the place to be. So, one...
Read MoreSun-Times features Deb’s advice for new grads
Hindsight is 20/20. In an article originally posted on July 7, 2013 at Chicago Sun-Times.com, Deb shared three points of advice to help recent graduates improve their vision now, rather than later … We’ve all been there: Armed with a degree from high school, college or a trade school, excited to finally be an adult and earn some real money. But we all find out pretty quickly that nothing quite prepares you for the realities of the workplace — how to get along with people, how to use your talents to make a difference and how to juggle work, family and other obligations. I didn’t have a...
Read MoreManagers: think “friendly” not “friends”
When Mediabistro published “How to Stay on the Right Side of the Boss/Buddy Line,” reporter Joel Schwartzberg consulted Deb Hornell for professional perspective. You can keep your boss hat on and still take your employees to lunch once in a while, or ask how their weekend was. In fact, getting to know your employees on a personal level—while not getting too personal—has advantages. Deb Hornell, president of the Chicago-based workplace consultancy Hornell Partners, said a manager needs to “spend time with staff—get to know them and uncover their talents and...
Read MoreWho’s in your network?
What do you think of when you hear the word “networking?” Swapping business cards with another person? Making small talk at a company event? Going to a conference to get business? Cultivating relationships with other professionals? Last week, I hosted a networking breakfast for executives who mentor in the Midwest WOMEN Unlimited LEAD program. Jeff Fischer, an executive from Chubb Insurance, says he asks everyone he mentors, “Who’s in your network?” because he considers networking a critical skill for emerging leaders. Instead of focusing on the number of business cards you collect or...
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Deb Hornell is a visionary whose personal brand of “Cultivating Environments for Growth” extends into her consulting practice, her family and friendships, and her book: "Good Things for a Full Life."
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