Shifting away from the drama a team has come through and resetting energy and perspectives toward a more positive future can be a challenge. Occasionally rehashing war stories to relish the bonds formed under pressure can be instructive if done to inform future actions. However, focusing on these times as a way to hold on to the connections formed can keep you (and those you lead) stuck in the past, failing to move forward.
Here's some simple advice on imbuing those connections with generative energy and repurposing them for the future you're working toward.
Are you a drama addict? Ask yourself whether anything in this video sounds familiar. If so, it may be time to get the monkey off your back. Becoming aware of your habits - especially those that keep you entangled in webs of drama - is a starting point for addressing how you may unknowingly contribute to an unhealthy environment.
There is a path to healing. Moving from conflict to reconciliation requires two main elements, but within each, there is real work to be done. In this video, I delve into what they are and why they are important. The critical takeaway to note is this: acknowledging a problem and how you contributed to it must be accompanied by a meaningful investment in a sustainable solution for a true reconciliation to exist.
What is servant leadership? Aside from it being my favorite approach to leadership, it is the truest form of responsibility to others and is in service of their growth. It builds trust by creating a culture of honesty, transparency, humility, empowerment, and support, and always has a collective goal as the North Star. In this short video learn why it’s so important in organizations today and how to make it a daily practice.
Trust allows us to feel secure and confident in our interactions with one another. It creates a foundation of safety and reliability, making it easier for us to open up, communicate, and collaborate effectively. It’s the key to intimacy and emotional connection, while in professional relationships, it’s essential for teamwork, productivity, and effective problem-solving. So when it’s in need of repair the challenges can be endless. Watch this video to learn the most important steps in the rebuilding process.
The key to dismantling discomfort is to get curious about it. Most discomfort lives in the moments between actions - it’s where we can listen, feel and get more connected with ourselves. Instead of rushing through those moments and avoiding the discomfort, get curious and ask ourselves why? There’s so much to learn about ourselves and everything to gain.
I had a wonderful opportunity to sit down for a few minutes to talk with Maya Gorgoni, co-Founder of the fashion/lifestyle brand Royal Jelly Harlem. Maya is a wife, a daughter, and a mother - like many of us. But what’s more interesting is that she partnered with her mother to build her brand (totally unplanned). Her life evolved through moments of confusion and uncertainty but also by following the things that brought her joy! Her story reminds us how things can unexpectedly come together while still being a work in progress - and the journey is fulfilling, nonetheless.
Susan McPherson and I crossed paths years ago when I worked at the Corporation of Yaddo, and I have delighted as I’ve witnessed her become one of the most passionate and thoughtful voices in corporate social responsibility, strategic communications, angel investing and women’s leadership. She is as generous as she is savvy, and in honor of Women’s History Month has highlighted a different amazing woman every day of March on her social media platforms, sharing stories of strength, smarts, and super-human impact. Take a peek, continue to follow her and follow her lead in being a champion of women!
When I was the Executive Director of the Urban Zen Foundation, I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Women Inspiration & Enterprise (WIE) conference co-founded by Dee Poku. Over the past ten years, Dee has built WIE into a powerful leadership network, and hosts must-attend lectures and gatherings for women who are hungry to learn from each other and to make a measurable impact in their world. Her mission and that of WIE: to increase the number of women who reach top leadership positions. She practices what she preaches, serving as a leader and advisor across multiple platforms and sectors.
I’ve become a big fan of Girls Leadership and love the programs and messaging. By starting young and focusing on skills, voice, emotions, and connections the organization does a wonderful job empowering girls from an early age and giving them tools for a lifetime.
Joanne Heyman is internationally recognized as a thought leader, innovator and key advisor within the pro-social sector. She is a highly sought-after coach, strategic advisor, lecturer, and facilitator. To engage her as a speaker or contributor to collective discourse, contact her team at info@heymanpartners.com.
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