Horizon Point Consulting

Category: Personal Development

We all need a little personal development mixed in with our professional and career development. Read blogs in this category for stories and best practices for personal wellness and wellbeing, skills improvement, and more.

Conflict, Conflict Everywhere: How to Resolve Conflict at Work

“You would have thought he would have at least stopped and asked him what was going on. He has never once behaved like that at work. Don’t you think his boss should have asked if he was okay or something?”

My friend said this to me while explaining that her brother was suspended from work without pay for lashing out at a colleague. The altercation was verbal not physical and occurred because the colleague had undermined her brother’s authority. Neither of them were able to resolve conflict at work in this heated moment.

“I know he shouldn’t have done it, but doesn’t context matter?” she implored.

Turns out the context (background) was not only the undermining of authority but also the fact that my friend and her brother had just lost their mother AND his little girl was in the hospital. Truth be told, he probably shouldn’t have been at work to begin with, given the stress he was under. But my friend says their work culture is one in which they all pretend work and “life” exist in two completely different compartments, and YOU better be dead or in the hospital to not make it to work.

As we launch our series on how to resolve conflict at work, I can’t help but think about this story my friend shared with me. If you are a leader in an organization, you can take your first cue from this story and realize that if you don’t know the stress that others may be under (inside or outside of work) and actively work to help them manage it, you may not be the best leader.

To resolve conflict at work, we suggest using the SBAR Model to lead your way through it. Originally developed by the US Marines, we find this approach is best explained by our friend and Reality Based Leadership expert, Cy Wakeman.

Here is her overview of SBAR from her LinkedIn Article:

S = Situation. I need the person to identify, in one true, drama-free sentence, what the issue is.

B = Background. This is 2-3 sentences of only the facts and history that applies to what we’re trying to (re)solve.

A = Analysis or Assessment. This is the “Why does the issue matter?” section. It should also include fact-checking so you know what’s real and what’s a story.

R = Recommendations (yes, that’s plural). If you come to me with just what needs to be done, that’s your opinion, your request, your demand. Come to me with ideas of all the things you could do and I’ll know you’re being mentally flexible and thinking your way through the problem. It shows you’ve got resilience.

If you noticed, Cy’s approach is to get the person you are dealing with to walk through these questions, not you as the leader. This is an empowerment based approach.

What might have happened if the supervisor of my friend’s brother did this with him after the conflict took place? Would the brother have been psychologically safe enough (from a glimpse into the work culture sister described, probably not…) to tell him the B- background of his current situation? Would he have R-recommended suspension for himself? Without pay?

I of course don’t know the answers to this, and I of course don’t know if sister got the whole truth and nothing but the truth from brother, but when it is all said and done, when conflict takes place at work an empowerment based model like SBAR can help keep the conflict from escalating and can help us build stronger teams.

What is your approach to dealing with conflict at work?

Take a look at Cy Wakeman’s Ego Bypass Toolkit here or click the teaser image below.

March 18, 2025
How 5 Minutes of Journaling Daily Changed My Life (And Can Change Yours Too)
This week, one of our favorite guest bloggers is back! Mark Danaher with Careers by Design recently wrote about journaling on his blog, and we are thrilled to feature it here on The Point Blog. Enjoy!

“In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself.” – Susan Sontag

Research published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found that people who journal for 15-20 minutes daily showed a 23% reduction in stress and made better decisions within 8 weeks.

Why Journaling Works

As a career and executive coach, I’ve seen many people transform their lives through different methods. But nothing has impacted me more than my daily journaling practice. I remember a time when I was feeling overwhelmed with work and personal life, and journaling helped me gain clarity and manage my emotions. What began as writing down what I’m grateful for has become my go-to system for growth, managing emotions, and planning my future.

What Science Tells Us

Recent research shows why journaling is more than just writing in a notebook:
- A 2018 study in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that writing increases activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex – where we regulate emotions and make decisions.
- The University of Rochester Medical Center’s research shows journaling helps manage anxiety and stress by giving us a healthy way to process emotions.
- Studies in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine reveal that people who write about meaningful events feel and function better than those who write about casual topics.
My Daily Practice

Here’s how I use journaling throughout my day:

Evening Check-in

Every night, I:
- Write down three wins from today
- Plan three potential wins for tomorrow
- List five things I’m grateful for, including future events
- Write what I want (not what I need)
This approach helps me see my progress while setting myself up for tomorrow. I’m training my brain to expect good things by expressing gratitude for future events.

The Worry Session

I spend 5-10 minutes daily writing down my worries. This practice has changed how I handle stress. By giving my concerns their time slot, I can:
- Focus better throughout the day
- Keep my energy up
- Stop dwelling on problems
- Work through challenges more clearly
Self-Reflection

Regular journaling has helped me understand the following:
- What matters most to me
- How I handle situations
- Where I want to go
- What I need to work on
What Research Shows About Journaling

Studies consistently show that journaling:

1. Builds Emotional Intelligence. People who journal regularly understand and manage their emotions better.

2. Supports Mental Health. Writing helps clear your mind and improve memory.

3. Boosts Physical Health. Writing about experiences can strengthen your immune system.

4. Helps Reach Goals. People who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them.

How to Start Journaling

Step 1: Pick Your Method
- Paper notebook
- Phone app
- Voice notes
- Bullet points
- Pictures and drawings
Step 2: Make Time
- Start with 5 minutes
- Pick the same time daily
- Connect it to something you already do
- Use reminders if needed
Step 3: Try These Prompts

Morning:
- What’s good about today?
- What’s most important today?
- How do I want to feel later?
Evening:
- What went well?
- What am I thankful for?
- What did I learn?
Step 4: Try Different Styles

1. Gratitude
- List what you’re thankful for
- Include future hopes
- Be specific
2. Wins
- Note your daily successes
- Track your progress
- Celebrate small wins
3. Reflection
- Process your feelings
- Work through problems
- Look for patterns
4. Future Planning
- Write about what you want
- Picture future success
- Focus on possibilities
5. Worries
- Set aside worry time
- Write freely
- Look for solutions
Making Journaling Stick

1. Start Small
- Five minutes is enough
- Focus on showing up daily
- Grow gradually
2. Keep It Simple
- Have your journal handy
- Use what works for you
- Use tech if it helps
3. Be Flexible
- Change what isn’t working
- Try new approaches
- Find your style
4. Look Back
- Review monthly
- Notice patterns
- Adjust as needed
Common Problems Solved

1. “No Time”
- Start with 5 minutes
- Write during breaks
- Combine with other habits
2. “Don’t Know What to Write”
- Use writing prompts
- Start with today’s events
- Write about one moment
3. “Can’t Keep Going”
- Set a reminder
- Tell a friend
- Track your progress
How It Helps at Work

My clients who journal regularly:
1. Make more apparent career choices
2. Handle stress better
3. Lead more effectively
4. Know themselves better
5. Reach their goals more often
Moving Forward

Journaling isn’t a complex task – it’s just you and your thoughts. Through regular writing, you learn about yourself and plan better for the future. As you start or continue journaling, remember that doing it imperfectly is better than not doing it at all.

Start now. Grab something to write with. Take five minutes. Write one good thing. Note one success. The benefits start with your first word.

You will appreciate having these thoughts, insights, and victories written down.
February 25, 2025
Nourish Your Growth in 2025: Why Learning Belongs on Your Agenda
“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”—Zig Ziglar

At Horizon Point, we love learning and helping others nourish their growth—both personally and professionally. Each year, our team selects professional development opportunities that align with our individual and organizational goals.

Here are some of our favorite ways to keep learning and growing:

Nourish Your Growth with Books

If you’ve been around here long, you know we love a good book! In our coaching and training, we frequently incorporate book recommendations.

? Check out our 2024 Book of the Year and explore HPC’s Bookshelf for more inspiring reads.

Expand Your Knowledge with Online Courses

There are so many ways to nourish your growth with online learning! We recommend courses from credentialing agencies like SHRM and NCDA, along with our very own on-demand and customized courses.

? Explore our HPC Courses here.

Nourish Your Career at Conferences & Workshops

We love both facilitating and attending conferences and workshops—because learning is always better when shared!

? Want to connect with us in person? Check out What’s Up? to see where we’ll be next!

Earn Credentials to Nourish Your Growth

Credentials can be a game-changer for career advancement and professional growth. If you’re unsure which credential is best for you, we’re happy to help!

One of our standout offerings is the Facilitating Career Development (FCD) course, which we’ve provided for over a decade. Now, we’re thrilled to introduce School Career Development Advisor (SCDA) training, ideal for professionals supporting K-12 students.

Here’s what Joulia, a recent participant, had to say about her experience:

“What truly stood out was how well-organized the entire course was. The materials provided were top-notch, including detailed PowerPoint slide decks, an E-manual with interactive module exercises, and invaluable resources for the certification test… Everything was comprehensive and easy to follow, making the learning process smooth and efficient.” – Joulia R.

? Learn more about SCDA Courses here.
More Ways to Nourish Your Growth

Looking for more insights on learning and development? Check out these blog posts:

4 Ways to Get Unstuck with Professional Development

The Surgeon General’s Warning and Professional Development

Who Cares About Professional Development? Horizon Point Does!

Let’s Nourish Your Growth Together!

How can we help you or your organization grow? Contact us today to learn more about our offerings and customization options!
February 18, 2025
You’re Killin’ Me Smalls! 4 Powerful Leadership Lessons from The Sandlot
My boys love baseball. I tolerate it.

Our little one started t-ball last year and has become obsessed, so naturally The Sandlot is now his favorite movie. He watches it on repeat now. Again, I tolerate it being on pretty much 24/7 at our house.

But the other day it was playing in the background, and I sat down for a second to watch. “This Benny kid”, I thought, “this kid is a real leader”. Then I proceeded to watch the entire rest of the movie tuned in to this realization: there are powerful leadership lessons from The Sandlot.

As I watched, Benny does four things and in a natural progression to help Scotty, aka “Smalls” be a part of the team and get better at baseball. Here are the steps I learned:
1. Include First. Benny notices Smalls as the new kid in town and invites him to play. He needs one more person to round out the team (inclusion doesn’t have to be all altruistic) and invites him to play. He gives him a better hat and better glove to help him acclimate easier into the team and advocates for him so the other (skeptical) kids will include him. But if Benny is including him, the others will follow. People have to feel safe and included before you can help them grow in confidence and skills.
1. Nourish Confidence. Poor Smalls hardly knows a baseball from the sun, much less how to throw and catch. Benny puts him in the outfit and realizes this rather quickly. Instead of thinking the kid is a lost cause, he knows he needs to give him a win so he will stick it out and the other kids will accept him.
In my favorite scene, he jogs out of the outfield after Smalls has made a fool of himself and tells him to just hold his glove up in the air and he will do the rest. He jogs back to home plate with bat and ball in hand and shouts, “Smalls, throw it to second!” Benny spits on the ball and launches it into the outfit towards Smalls as Smalls chants “Please catch it, please catch it!” eyes closed and glove up. And Benny’s hit strikes square in the center of Smalls’ glove.

The other kids say, alright, this kid is okay and they go on playing. Smalls moves forward a little more confident because of Benny’s hitting and leadership skills, so that now he can build his own skills.
1. Build Skills. Just like my boys, Benny LOVES baseball. It is his life. So, naturally they all play a lot, a whole lot, all summer long. This practice helps them all grow in their skills, and as they all improve individually they improve together, Smalls included. You’ve got to build people’s confidence enough for people to be willing to put in the work/practice to be able to build skills.
1. Mobilize and have your people’s back when things get tough. Like any good movie, a major problem erupts about three quarters of the way in. The kids need a baseball, so Smalls goes and takes a ball out of his stepdad’s office. Little does he realize that it is signed by the best baseball player of all time because he doesn’t know who Babe Ruth is. Smalls crushes his first home run with that ball, over the fence and into the yard of “The Beast” the monster and legend of a dog all the boys are terrified of. Naturally, Smalls panics, and when the other kids realize who signed that ball, they all panic together. How are they going to get it back? They have to.
Benny gets them all together, tells them to calm down, or shows them to calm down because he is calm, and gives out direct instructions on how they are going to handle this offering the next right thing. He doesn’t jump off the deep end with panic and what ifs, he just works the team to do what is needed next.

Benny has Smalls’ back to fix the biggest “pickle” he’s ever been in. He mobilizes the team to help fix the mess.

These leadership lessons from The Sandlot feel eerily similar to leadership lessons at work. Undoubtedly, leading people is going to erupt in some major problems, whether three quarters in or not. When it does, good leaders have already taken the time to include and build confidence and skills, so when the going gets tough, they can get the team going to fix the issue with as little infighting and panic as possible. Which continues to build inclusion, confidence and skills.

How do you build inclusion, confidence and skills in your people? Can you take these leadership lessons from The Sandlot and apply them at work?

At HPC, we are launching coaching moment videos in 2025! Check out the first moment on Nourishing Confidence here!
January 21, 2025
3 Strategies to Strengthen Professional Relationships in 2025

Building and maintaining professional relationships is essential for success in today’s dynamic work environment. Whether you’re leading a team, collaborating with colleagues, or expanding your network, strong professional relationships are the key to achieving your goals and innovating the workplace (which you know we love!).

Here are three powerful strategies to strengthen your professional relationships this year:

1. Prioritize open and authentic communication

Every great relationship starts with clear, consistent communication. But in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, connecting authentically can be a challenge. It’s not just about talking; it’s about actively listening, encouraging dialogue, and building trust.

Schedule regular check-ins—whether face-to-face or virtual—and create space for open conversations. Acknowledge challenges, celebrate wins, and actively listen to others’ perspectives. This builds the foundation for strong professional relationships that can withstand the test of time.

? Pro Tip: Ask questions like, “What’s a recent success you’re proud of?” or “How can I support your work better?”

? Related Reading: Open the Door to Communication, Encouragement, and Relationships

2. Engage in intentional “relationshipping”

What’s relationshipping? It’s a deliberate approach to building meaningful connections. Unlike traditional networking, relationshipping focuses on fostering long-term trust and collaboration rather than short-term gains.

In 2025, strengthen your professional relationships by being proactive. Share resources that align with someone’s interests, recognize their efforts, or invite them to collaborate on meaningful projects. Small, thoughtful actions make a big difference in creating lasting connections.

? Pro Tip: Use tools like a CRM or your calendar to track key dates (birthdays, work anniversaries) and check in regularly with your top connections.

? Related Reading: What’s Relationshipping and How Do I Do It?

3. Invest in people with time and resources

One of the best ways to strengthen professional relationships is by showing you value others. This doesn’t always mean financial investment—it could mean mentoring, offering support, or advocating for their development.

In 2025, strengthen your professional relationships by being proactive. Share resources that align with someone’s interests, recognize their efforts, or invite them to collaborate on meaningful projects. Small, thoughtful actions make a big difference in creating lasting connections.

? Pro Tip: Organize “knowledge-sharing” sessions where team members can learn from each other. This fosters collaboration and strengthens relationships across the board.

? Related Reading: Investing in People Makes Cents

Wrapping it up

Strong professional relationships don’t just happen—they require effort and intentionality. By prioritizing communication, engaging in purposeful relationship-building, and investing in others, you can create a network of trust and collaboration.

What steps will you take this year to strengthen your professional relationships?

January 14, 2025