Barb Bickford
Listening skills for when you don't have time
There were just a few minutes left in our conversation. I asked Dr. Todd (names have been changed), "And regarding your staff retreat,...
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Barb Bickford
- Aug 13
- 4 min
Beyond Bob – Why we should consider alternatives to Robert’s Rules
Guest blogger Daryl Yankee points out some limitations of Robert's Rules of Order and what can be done to create inclusive board processes.
51 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Jul 27
- 3 min
What’s better than good old strategic planning?
I used to roll my eyes when I heard the words “strategic planning.” In my experience, strategic planning was developed and imposed...
203 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Jul 6
- 3 min
Leading Change
Thoughts on leading change through big and small experiments
17 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Jun 21
- 5 min
Brush Up Your Meeting Preparation
What do painting projects and meetings have in common?
42 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Jun 5
- 4 min
Leading with Paradox
How leaders can embrace contradiction to drive innovation
17 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- May 14
- 3 min
Evaluate your meetings
You can improve unproductive meetings if you evaluate them and act on what you learn.
17 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Apr 22
- 2 min
My career started on Earth Day
My youthful decision to do something about water quality has flowed through my career as a leader.
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Barb Bickford
- Apr 9
- 2 min
Loss in the woods
Trees falling during a storm reminds me that loss is part of the cycle of life.
44 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Mar 20
- 4 min
Appreciative Questions for Earth Day
I'm a "glass half-full" type of thinker, so I love appreciative questions. What's to appreciate about appreciative questions? Lots!...
11 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Mar 9
- 3 min
Humans beat chatbot, 59 to 5
How do YOU use questions in meetings?
59 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Feb 26
- 3 min
What's essential for an agenda?
Are meeting agendas even necessary?
53 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Feb 10
- 2 min
Listening skills are rooted in curiosity
Listening skills are not simply behaviors. The mindset of curiosity is an essential part of listening.
43 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Jan 26
- 2 min
How can leaders get just a little more rest?
Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? I usually don't. But this year, I made an exception. I resolved to get more rest. While outwardly my...
35 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Jan 12
- 1 min
The Why, How and What of Planning
A simple description of the strategic planning process. #leadershiptraining #strategicplanning
26 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Dec 21, 2022
- 3 min
Use Ecocycle Planning to leverage what isn't working
A story of how the liberating structure Ecocycle Planning helped a group shift a frustration into deeper insight.
162 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Dec 16, 2022
- 3 min
Long-winded report-outs got you down?
How do you deal with people who have the floor, but take more time needed for their purpose (e.g., a treasurer giving a 20 minute expense...
43 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Dec 5, 2022
- 3 min
You can sing "1-2-4-All"
I use Liberating Structures a lot, because they foster lively group interaction while generating effective results in less time than...
257 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Nov 21, 2022
- 2 min
Leading with gratitude
How leading with gratitude can improve meetings
15 views0 comments
Barb Bickford
- Nov 6, 2022
- 2 min
Feeling stuck? Ecocycle can help!
I’m a gardener. I love spring, with all its lush smells, seeds bursting with life and the anticipation of warmer days. Winter? I’d rather...
39 views0 comments
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