Rachel Cooke

Host of the Modern Mentor podcast, bringing you practical tips on workplace success. 2018 @inc Magazine Top Leadership Speaker. Founder @leadabovenoise.

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Articles

How to Get Your Ideas Heard at Work

1 month ago | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

The power of persuasion – lessons from a family petLet me share a story about how my kids taught me the art of persuasion—using their longing for a dog. Initially, I was a firm “no.” But their compelling presentation about teamwork, responsibility, and physical activity, complete with thorough research on local vets and dog walkers, won me over. Their strategic approach to positioning their idea was a masterclass in persuasion.
Can Activation Solve Your Team’s Overwhelm?

Aug 27, 2024 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

OK. By now, you know I have a crush on this idea of Activation – the process of finding and implementing simple strategies to help our teams deliver great work, develop new skills, connect with their team, purpose, and customer – and to thrive – to feel well, recognized, and balanced.
How to Combat “Carewashing” at Work

Jul 15, 2024 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

Random story alert: when I was little, I’d sometimes get a weird allergic reaction after eating. Nothing serious – just some light swelling. And then I’d have to take this allergy pill to counter the symptoms. And I hated that pill because it made me super sleepy. And then finally one day, after long last, we figured out what was triggering the allergy.
From Swamps to Corporate: Designing for Togetherness with Kevin Kelley

Jun 6, 2024 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

This week on Modern Mentor, I interviewed one of my newest heroes, Kevin Ervin Kelly, author of the new book, Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together. I picked up Kevin’s book kind of by accident. It’s a long story. But I loved it so much, as soon as I finished it, I went back to the beginning and read it again. I reached out to him and now the rest is history.
Keeping Up with Changing Priorities at Work

May 8, 2024 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

We all wanna be using our time wisely at work. We want to be focused on top-priority initiatives and projects. Otherwise, what are we doing here? And yet something I keep hearing in organizations across the board is that the top priorities change with the wind. Like, yesterday we were all supposed to be chasing new customers, and today we’re focused on retaining existing ones. What to do about changing priorities at workOr yesterday “innovation” was the buzzword of the moment.
How to be More Impactful in Meetings

Mar 20, 2024 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

Meetings, one of the most criticized elements of the workplace, are often vilified for hindering productivity rather than promoting it. According to the Wall Street Journal, we spend an average of two full days per week in meetings. However, meetings should serve your ability to deliver excellent work, not hinder it. They should feel like a platform from which you deliver something important, not merely a drain of your time.
The Art of Empathy: How to Communicate Better At Work

Mar 5, 2024 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

In the busy world of business, communication is the key that unlocks many doors. This article will provide insights into the importance of communication, especially given an example from a global CEO’s recent decision to lay off employees in the middle of celebrating a company-wide success. The Memo: a mix of triumph and terminationThis CEO, amid the rejoice of record-breaking success, sent out an employee memo.
How to Ease Workplace Tension Between Teams

Jan 16, 2024 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

How to improve communication at work with tense teamsIn my role, I spend a lot of my time running Pulse Checks—engaging in open and honest conversations with teams about what they most need to deliver, develop, connect, and thrive. Having difficult conversations at work is hard, and you need to be fully activated to make progress. One of my favorite things about running Pulse Checks is seeing the leader’s face when I share the results and recommendations back with them.
Embracing the New Year: A No-Resolution Plan for Success

Jan 10, 2024 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

IntroductionAs we continue in the new year, the allure of a fresh start and the pursuit of success beckon us. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions, however, often falls victim to a barrage of “shoulds.” In this article, we break away from the conventional resolution mindset and invite you to focus on what truly matters—your aspirations and defining success on your terms.
Make a Winning Year-End Highlight Reel: A Mentor’s Guide

Dec 21, 2023 | quickanddirtytips.com | Rachel Cooke

Introduction: A Timeless Practice for ReflectionWe’re posting this at the end of 2023. And my goal today is to share one of my favorite year-end practices – Creating a personal highlight reel. But frankly, I think this practice suits at the end of a quarter or even a month. So don’t sweat if you’re listening to this smack in the middle of a year. It’s an exercise that never goes out of fashion. The Power of Your Mental MontageSo, let’s chat about this highlight reel.