Author: Melissa Segal

Over the past week, I have facilitated two sessions on “Navigating Challenging Patient Behavior.” While we spent most of our time learning and then practicing skills around navigating a variety of interactions, I started by highlighting two important aspects of

I often work with people who are thinking about resigning or who have recently left a job. The common denominator? Their boss. And the stories these folks share are uncannily similar. So here is the first of several posts about

I recently met one of my dad’s childhood friends, who talked fondly of the connection between their families. I was struck by one particular recollection: my grandmother didn’t generally attend their gatherings. I later asked my dad why, and he

I’ve long been a proponent of integrating DEI throughout our work. Check out my article published in Inside Higher Ed: How Colleges Can Pivot to Keep DEI Alive. Colleges can still achieve DEI-related goals through a deliberate integration strategy, Melissa

Last week, I facilitated a training for postdocs and graduate students on Negotiating Salary: Do’s and Don’ts. As I prepared materials for the session, I quickly rediscovered the importance of having the right negotiating mindset, which unsurprisingly mirrors the approach

Given my work as a facilitator, trainer, and coach, I spend a significant amount of time creating and holding space for others. And I love my work, including building relationships and connections, making a difference in people’s daily experiences, and

A few weeks ago, my spouse and I hiked part of Pikes Peak, which is 14,115 feet high. Some hikers started at the bottom and ascended all the way to the top, while others started mid-way and trekked the upper

I recently facilitated a session about navigating grief around the holidays; I shared practical information about how to navigate plans, thoughts, emotions, connections, conversations, and self-care. In our discussion, we spent significant time considering how to approach situations in which

For several weeks this summer, I needed to dog sit Kevin, my sister’s dog. I’ll admit that I’m a doodle person; I love their soft fur, sweet disposition, and snuggly personalities. Kevin is NOT a doodle. He is 70-pound, muscular,

I live a few hours from Western North Carolina, which was hard hit by Hurricane Helene. Every day, I read and hear stories about friends, family, and other residents whose homes have been destroyed or badly damaged, who have been

When the path forward seemed confusing, trail goers stopped to give directions or figure it out together. When someone questioned if certain trails connected, hikers showed their maps to each other. As people passed other parties, they often described the

In preparation for a recent trip, I searched for new hiking boots, as my ten-year-old boots no longer fit well. The team member at the store was amazing; she clearly knew the brands and options, she provided an honest assessment

When I ask, “How are things going at work,” I often receive the response, “It’s so busy!” or “There’s so much to do!” In group settings, those comments are often followed by agreement that everyone is doing at least two

I received three comments from different clients this week that particularly affected me: “Thank you for all the work you did with our team…you have given me tools that I’ll likely use throughout my career.” (manager) “I have never felt

A new client asked me to work with his team specifically to improve their interpersonal dynamics. When I met with the group, I quickly realized that internal interactions were low on their priority list; instead, they expressed significant concerns about

I just returned from a trip with my spouse to scenic Upstate NY, where I felt far away from work, politics, and household obligations. In addition to relishing the journey and the destinations, I noticed a perspective often missed in

How often do you leave a meeting and talk with a colleague about what wasn’t said in the room? Or feel frustrated that participants didn’t share what they said they would share? Or realize that the group didn’t address the

As June comes to an end, and with it the end of Pride Month and the month of Juneteenth, I’ve been thinking a lot about the role of celebrations and commemorations. This past month, I was thrilled to join a

How often do you attend meetings without an agenda? Do you find yourself in forums without a tangible output or accomplishment? Do you sometimes wonder about the purpose of a regularly scheduled meeting? Take a moment to review your calendar

Over the past few weeks, a number of team members have become tearful when sharing their challenging work experiences. As their eyes began to water, each apologized: “I’m so sorry I’m crying; I was trying to avoid that.” My question: