How do you make things special amidst a pandemic? Our oldest turned 27 yesterday. We wanted to put a positive spin on it, so we did some baking, made one of her favorite cakes, made some large signs, packed up the gifts and arrived at her doorstep when she returned home from work. Nothing we… View Article
Thinking about the future. Are you doing so? If not, it might be a good time to begin. I’ve completed scenario planning with most of my clients, it’s been empowering and uplifting to have a solid foundation to work from as we return to work and redesign how we work into the future. It’s always easier to plan… View Article
This week, it seems reality and fatigue are catching up. The long-term nature of this marathon caused by COVID-19 has offered opportunities and challenges for everyone. No one is participating part time. As a leader, you may be doing everything right and taking care of yourself and others; and you may still be tired. I’ve worked… View Article
When you don’t know what to write, and you’ve made a commitment to write, what do you do? Begin. It’s not always a perfect plan or a thoughtful idea. Many days, it’s about observing the commonplace, the nuances, the challenges or the wins. Days like today, it’s about doing it anyway. Whether I feel like it or not, it’s a commitment I’ve made and… View Article
I read a great article today by behavioral psychologist Elizabeth Weingarten about asking alternative questions to “how are you?” Several people have commented to me in the past week that they find the question “how are you” rote and that people are tuned out to it. That’s not been my experience, as I do believe people respond to the… View Article
I don’t like the phrase “new normal.” As I’ve talked with people and listened to thoughts about what it means, it sounds like people are seeking some level of certainty amidst all the uncertainty of our world right now. By believing there will be some new homeostasis of “normal” (as if there was a normal prior), it gives people comfort about the… View Article
The illusion of control. One of the gifts of COVID-19 is realizing how little control we have. Prior to having a common enemy (COVID-19), we would each have our challenges with work, family, health, home, relationships and whatever else I’ve omitted. The difference was we would do it asynchronously. I might be having an issue with my… View Article
Have you stepped back to assess all that you’ve accomplished during this crisis? If not, take a minute and write it down for yourself. Share with your team and your family all you’ve done since the crisis impacted you. It’s pretty amazing when you think of all you’ve responded to, all you’ve solved, fought for, rearranged, restructured, created and completed, isn’t it? While you’re busy worrying about… View Article
Don’t hurry. There’s goodness happening. You don’t see it? Keep looking. Take your time. What’s emerging? If you could experience what’s happening as a metamorphosis rather than something ending, how would you see it differently? What is good about what’s happening? What are you learning? What will you keep forever in your new reality? What… View Article
How are you leading? It’s a big question these days as we navigate the uncharted waters of COVID-19. Many believe we need to be confident, positive and directive, especially given the amount of change we’re facing daily. It’s a good combination, until it’s not. Sometimes, you are uncertain too. It makes you human. Sometimes, you’re… View Article
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Communication Catalyzer Bundle: Winning Strategies for Stress-Free Communication