January 2024: Focus, Five Questions, and a Fun Book

I hope your 2024 is getting off to a good start. I just finished a two-week natural detox to reboot my immune system, this week I started teaching an internship course for the semester to fourteen undergrads, and I've gained three new individual coaching clients in the last two weeks. Other than trying to avoid Covid bubbling around me, I'm feeling energized. Enjoy my latest recommendations and tell me how you are doing.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

🥳 Word of the Year! This is a fun exercise I do every year and send it to my friends. Does it mean anything? Not really... but it's a fun way to spark some energy and creativity to kick off your new year. Give it a spin -- and if you don't like your first word, try again 😆

😱 The Dark Side of the Obsession With Focus. One of my favorite authors, Oliver Burkeman, author of my favorite book of 2022, Four Thousand Weeks, is back with more valuable content. Take 45 minutes to listen to this interview. I'm pretty confident you won't regret it.

​5️⃣ 1:1 Questions for the New Year. I got these from Lisa Cummings at LeadThroughStrengths.com. Answer these 5 prompts for yourself first -- they are clues to your top natural talents:

• I’ve always nerded out on these topics and types of activities:
• This comes easily to me, yet not to others (things you do or the way you think):
• I get a jolt of energy when I’m...
• I lost track of time the last time I was…
• Someone told me I’m good at...

THEN, if you lead a team at work, ​ask the 5 questions to each team member in a 1:1. Some of them will be tough to answer on-the-spot, yet get what you can in-person. Then have them come back with insights on the difficult ones. This will give you new ideas about what projects to assign each person in the future.

🧘🏽‍♂️ From Inner Critic to Inner Coach. I am so intrigued at how certain issues come in waves in my work with clients. Naturally, I'm speaking in huge generalities here, but before the pandemic, much of my coaching requests revolved around learning how to #lead and #manage. Then during the pandemic, the majority of my work centered on #stressmanagement and overall #wellbeing. Now, even though COVID seems to be showing up for yet another wave and there are two big wars happening, I'm finding that client conversations tend to be swirling around #career trajectory and #jobsatisfaction. I have more individual clients than I've ever had, and many of them are wondering what could be next... yet at the same time they are really hard on themselves and think they cannot compete in today's job market. If this sounds at all familiar, take a few minutes to look over this worksheet. Contact me if you want to talk about it!

🔭 Getting In Front of AI. I'm sharing this podcast episode as much as this particular contributor. I am consistently finding Ethan Mollick to be calm, reliable, helpful resource when it comes to understanding AI. When I randomly ask friends or clients whether they have been using AI, I'm finding that's it about 50/50 -- some are excited by it, others haven't tried it (and a couple weren't even sure what it is!). By no means am I an expert, but I have found it useful in a variety of interesting ways so far. Tell me what your experience has been.

📖 Getting There: A Book of Mentors. I started this last week and I'm enjoying it. Do I admire every single person profiled? Nope. But enough of them are worth learning from, and I always love a good story, to make it worthwhile. If you need a good reminder of how much life is "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration," and is also easy to pick up and out down in 10 minutes at a time, this book is for you.

Thanks for reading -- feel free to pass this along to a friend or coworker. And send me questions and feedback at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me. Onward and upward!

June 2022: Summer Suggestions

If you read my previous post, you know that I have a little more time in my schedule these days to read and reflect (at least theoretically!). So just two weeks later, I already have a bundle of recommendations for you. 

Since the pandemic began, my clients have needed a steady stream of resources related to stress management and the many ways that COVID and world events have turned our worlds upside down. Despite the ongoing stream of bad news that seems to bubble up every other day, I do have a list of links that pertain primarily to a favorite topic of mine: #leadershipdevelopment. Please let me know if you find any of these useful!

⏱ How to Help an Employee Who Struggles with Time Management. This is very good - a much more holistic approach that doesn’t reduce the problem to just finding a new #productivity app. I especially like the way it challenges the manager to recognize how much their own communication and delegation matters. 

⏳ Best Time-Saving Google Assistant Tricks. I have a significant number of clients who are neurodivergent, meaning that they are on the autism spectrum, ADHD, dyslexia or a few other neurological diagnoses. Sometimes, these folks struggle with staying on task or losing track of time. I have shared this link with several of them and they have told me it has been helpful. Note that these tricks are also useful if you are someone who often engages in deep work or really gets into flow, yet still needs to keep track of commitments at times. Last but not least, here's a useful link on time blindness, which is something often experienced by those with ADHD. Even if you do not struggle with this, you might manage someone who does and it could be a great opportunity to dialogue about how to work within the constraints created by that.

🤷🏽‍♀️ Best Practices for Hiring Gen Z. Given the roller coaster ride we are currently on, I cannot tell if we are still in the Great Resignation or a recession or what!? Nevertheless, talent managers and leaders are experiencing new challenges almost daily as they try to figure out how to recruit new hires, manage expectations around remote and hybrid work, and retain valuable employees. I thought this article did a good job describing what it's like to recruit and hire new graduates. We really do need to become students of who they are and what they want, because they bring some very new expectations to the workplace.

⁉️ Creative Questions. These could be used in a variety of contexts. For example, I am often asked by clients for help with coming up with creative questions to open meetings that are fun but also build trust and connection on teams, but they are useful in job interviews too. And honestly, they would be fun around the dinner table with friends too! 

• Best job interview question of all time.
• The Best Question to Ask a Job Applicant (extended article of the first one).
• 15 Questions for Team-Building. This is a new list I've compiled. 
• The kitchen sink. Here are all of my lists, past and present. Go crazy.

🗣 Ask a Manager. Where has THIS been all my life? You can also follow them on Twitter. I also recommend "Ask a Boss." Obviously, I recommend proactive professional development for managers and leaders and not reactive "hair-on-fire" crisis management, but this could be a good site to bookmark as a reliable reference for problems in a pinch.

Final Thoughts. As I s-l-o-w-l-y recover from my broken ankle, I am doing as best I can to live day by day and cultivate patience. In recent reading, I came across this quote from Simone Weil, a 20th century French philosopher and mystic:

We do not obtain the most precious gifts by going in search of them but by waiting for them.

May we each do our best to patiently persist through the highs and lows of these days. Thanks for reading. Please reach out with questions or feedback at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me.  

May 2022: Know Your Limits

 

I wish I could say that I found this photo on the internet in preparation for some lofty thoughts on self-discipline... but alas, it is a photo of my own left ankle the day after I had surgery to repair it due to an unfortunate lapse in judgment on my part. I wiped out on my motor scooter (first accident in 15 years of scooter ownership) on May 8 and broke my left ankle. Super dumb mistake... I was pulling into a parking garage and went around the gate thing because scooters park for free but I miscalculated and the gate came down and knocked me off my bike. The scooter basically landed on my foot and turned it 90 degrees. Not pretty. Surgery was on May 11 to reattach cartilage, insert plate and screws. I’ll have a second one in mid-August to remove the screws.

So I am essentially house-bound all summer... still able to work, read a bit, stream a show or three, and visit with kind friends who drop off a meal or send me funny texts. I initially decided this was going to be the Summer of No, but I have since regrouped and copying a friend who is getting treatment for cancer, I'm calling it now the Summer of Slow.

I was reading some writing this morning from a man slated for execution on death row, who wrote,

As I sit here in this execution watch cell on Texas death row, with a camera surveilling my every move, I’m thinking about acceptance, and I’m thinking about survival. Years ago, I came to understand and exercise this power: “Change what you can. Accept the rest.” Now that last part doesn’t mean that you give up. But by accepting things as they are, you in turn are able to gain a certain amount of control over said situation. You feel me?

I am currently in the thick of contemplating that. I have come to the realization that even at my age, I still need to learn a great deal about which are the things I can change and which are the limits I need to accept. I am someone who perseveres, who pushes, who fights back. For those who are familiar with the Enneagram, I'm an Enneagram 8.

All that to say, I am reflecting on what expectations look like from here, on what it means to be productive, on what is important. While I have posted more than once here on those topics before, they certainly have new meaning these days for me. What follows are a few resources that are somewhat in that vein. Thanks for reading.

6 Powerful Questions to Steer Life & Work. It is so easy to get swept up in the day-to-day demands of work, and it never hurts to STEP BACK and reflect on where you are headed. As Stephen Covey says, "If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster.” There are certainly a ton of ways to pull back to get the big picture, from SWOT analyses to retreats to strategic planning sessions... but here's a spin on all those that might prove helpful. Check it out.

5 subtle signs you’re headed for burnout. I regret to say that this is one of the top three things I have been talking about with clients for the last several months. And it does not seem to be changing as we head into some choppy waters regarding the economy. Take a few moments to read through this one - it can't hurt.

COVID memorial. A poignant reminder (covering just a sliver) of HOW MUCH we lost in these last two years. We have all been so desperate for the pandemic to end, yet I do not want to blow by the profound losses either.  (And let's be honest, I was unfamiliar with the majority of these remarkable people.) So far, the main lesson I have gleaned from my accident is that I have to keep working on tangible ways to slow down. Let us not blow by the significance of what has happened in the last 2 1/2 years... This website gives you a chance to reflect.

CliftonStrengths podcasts on Wellbeing. Anyone who has worked with me in the last 10 years or so knows that I often start the conversation with StrengthsFinder. I continue to find it a useful, objective way of engaging in work around leadership development, motivation, team-building, and self-awareness. The good people at Gallup have started a new podcast series, called oddly enough, The CliftonStrengths Podcast. This season they are discussing how to understand and leverage our strengths around issues of wellbeing. I am taking notes as they work through all 34 Strengths, and you can find the transcripts in my initial link for this recommendation.

What am I watching and listening to in my Summer of Slow? I am just getting started, but here are a few of my favorites.

• Survivor 42 (yes, I'm a sucker for this show)
• Love on the Spectrum (Netflix), US edition. Just started it this week. I've absolutely loved previous seasons.
• Grace & Frankie. It has been on for seven seasons and I have not watched any, but heard a strong recommendation and I'm enjoying it so far.
• Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (CNN). Season 2 is here! If I can't travel, at least I can go to Italy vicariously.
• Building Off the Grid (Discovery, but I'm watching archived episodes on Sling). I'm not entirely sure why I like this show so much, but I do.
• BBC Sounds. This is the BBC's own podcast platform.  DO NOT MISS "Soul Music" or "In Our Time."

I'm a genuine podcast-a-holic, so I'll leave it there because I love too many to list. I'm sure I'll share some in another post as the summer unfolds. Again, thanks for reading! Please reach out to me with questions or feedback at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me.

February 2022: Choose Your Own Adventure

OK, so January this year was just... weird and hard. It was cold, long, and COVID-confusing. Normally it is a somewhat dormant month for me with clients, who are (in normal years), either struggling to rev up for a new year, or scrambling to complete year-end requirements. But this time I was packed with appointments, and most of them were of more a reflective, existential nature. People needed to talk through mental health challenges, motivation, or just plain old stress. I am grateful for the many significant conversations, but hoping and praying that February is a bit of a lighter load for all of us.

With the hope of stirring the pot creatively or giving you a smile, I'm adding some resources that are perhaps a little off the beaten path from my normal fare. Let me know what you think!

📲 Turn an old phone into a free wireless security camera in minutes. OK...wha-a-a-a-t? I haven't tried it yet, but heck yeah, I have some old phones laying around. I'm a bit technology-challenged, but if any of you try this out, please let me know if it works for you.

🌵🚲 They’re building a 15-minute city from scratch in the Utah desert. As someone who has not owned a car since 2010, and rides a motor scooter or bicycle to most places, I will tell you that this seems appealing. Perhaps as people start taking remote jobs in locations where they want to live, concepts like this will become even more feasible? Interesting reflection to ponder.

📽 The Banality of Genius: Notes on Peter Jackson's "Get Back." Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I pushed through the 8 hours of the "Get Back" documentary about the Beatles on Disney+. Sure, the whole thing got tedious at times, but overall I believe it not only captured the reality of the creative process (95% noodling/procrastinating; 5% something mildly worthwhile), but good grief, we got to watch the Beatles create music and do their last concert! If you are interested, this is the best review/essay on the documentary I've seen so far.

🛥 Rotterdam bridge to be dismantled so Jeff Bezos’ yacht can pass through. Apropos of nothing. But so... lame.

⏳ If you need a new tool for organizing your tasks, projects and plans... OK, I can't help myself. I found something SUPER DUPER useful and need to share it. I'm a huge fan of mindmapping, and the best website I have used is MindMeister. Here is a 1-hour "how-to" on how you can maximize and organize ALL of your stuff into a dashboard: MindMeister for Personal Productivity - Jan 2022. The first 10 minutes might be a teeny bit tedious as he sets the context but HANG IN THERE. It's worth it, I promise! (PS if you're hooked on MindMeister, don't let the annual fee daunt you. Dig around and find their .edu discount. If you've got an .edu email address, you're set!)

🤔 Embracing Sadness in the Pursuit of Happiness. Have no fear, this is actually an uplifting episode. I found it very useful and it gave some practical advice.

As always, thanks for reading... please reach out with feedback or questions at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me. Onward and upward!

WAIT List, June 2021: Project Management

I have been committed to providing content for clients on this site monthly, and the feedback I'm receiving is positive. With that in mind, I want to try adding another component to this site: a monthly coaching conversation related to "What Am I Talking about with clients." In other words, a "WAIT" list. [Too corny? Let me know. Seriously] So here goes -- a topic that has come up multiple times in the last few weeks, so perhaps it's coming up for you as well?

Certainly, most (if not all) of us are currently navigating the unknown waters of post-pandemic return. We had some workable routines that emerged during these many months, and it is honestly a little jarring to have to adjust again. Offices are trying to figure out hybrid schedules, some people are timidly re-entering commutes (some for the first time, since they took the position during the pandemic), others are feeling the challenges of back-to-the-office requirements just as school is ending. YIKES.

More than ever, we need help with our calendars as we juggle multiple priorities. As one client told me bluntly today, "we need training on prioritization and time management." This is certainly a longer conversation, and each of us has our own unique circumstances, but I want to share three key elements that I use, and have shared, with many people.

1. 🏔 THE SUMMIT. This HAS to be your starting point. For the first time you do this, you may need to set aside three hours to really dig in -- but trust me, It. Is. Worth. It. I call this step the "summit" because I am asking you to climb a proverbial hill and get the 30,000' perspective on your life. 
   
   The best place to start is to select your main five priorities in your life. That might be family, health, faith, work, hobbies. Or it could be friends, exercise, community service, career, cooking. You get the picture. Slow down and take the time to really drill down and decide the 5 areas you want and need to spend most of your time on. PS Notice how work or career is only ONE of the five.
   
   Then I strongly recommend that you start a mind map. Please try doing this digitally, since digital mind maps are easier to edit and refine, and go with you everywhere.  My two favorite sites are mind42.com (free!) and MindMeister ($50-$100/year, but more bells and whistles - ask about the academic discount). Put yourself in the first, main bubble. Then create 5 separate branch bubbles off of your central bubble for your main five priorities. Once that is done, go to town! Start downloading all the hamster wheels spinning in around in your head, creating further bubbles on the mind map. Nothing is too small! Put it ALL there. PRO TIP: sync your computer with your big screen TV or if you have it, a video projector, and cast the whole crazy mess onto a large space so you can see everything. You truly need to get the big picture.
   
   
   
2. 📋 PROJECTS. Once you lay everything out on the mind map, start identifying the projects you are responsible for, especially when it comes to work, but for everything else too. For me, I start with each of my clients. Then I break down the various projects I have going with each client. Then I also note the projects in my personal life: my meal plans for the week, home projects, travel, exercise, books I want to read, etc.
   
   Then this is a crucial step: identify a project management software (PMS) to use. Personally, I use Trello. But there are a BUNCH out there: Asana, Basecamp, MS Projects and Planner, etc. Here's the deal: most of my clients get stuck here. They focus too much on TASKS, and not where they should be, on PROJECTS. We tend to get lost in the weeds when we focus on individual tasks, rather than clustering and organizing tasks together into projects. (The latter step is especially crucial when you're collaborating with others.) If you don't pick up what I'm laying down, read this brief article: it's an ad for ClickUp, another PMS option, but it does a good job 'splaining things.
   
   I have collected a bunch of resources on how to set up Trello here: I like it because it is visually stimulating (thus keeping my attention better than lots of bullet lists), and it has a GREAT phone app. 
   
   Take the time to load up your projects onto the project management software, delineating all the tasks you can think of. If you're really feeling it, try to put due dates on those tasks.
   
   
   
3. ✍🏾 SCHEDULING. NOW is the fun part. Every Sunday afternoon or evening, I take 60-90 minutes and map out my week. I basically hike part way up the Summit and see where things are. I look over my mind map to note any changes or make updates, then I review my projects to figure out what I am doing for that week, and then I put those responsibilities in my calendar. If I am giving a presentation (usually already on my calendar), I set aside two hours to create it. If I am part of book club, I schedule an hour to read the darn book. If I have a review scheduled with someone, I set aside an hour on my calendar to prepare for it. Get the picture?

There you have it. It's a bit of a heavy lift on the front end, but creates a structure that is relatively easy to maintain. I could and perhaps should add a 4th element: I review my work at the end of each day, making sure I completed all the tasks I scheduled myself to do. If not, I find a new place for them on my calendar!

Hope this got your wheels turning and perhaps even motivated to try it. Contact me at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me with your questions, or to set up an appointment to get some assistance. Cheers! 🥂

June 2021: Time to Reset?

 

I don't even know where to begin. We are in the midst of such strange, disorienting times -- that somehow still feel better than this time did in 2020. I spent some time looking over my journal from a year ago during this Memorial Day Weekend, and was painfully reminded of George Floyd's murder, the protests and controversies that boiled over as a result, the profound fear and conflict bubbling out of COVID, and the... trauma of the presidential election. Wow.

I'm thankful to be vaccinated, and truly grateful for the work I get to do, that has remained surprisingly steady throughout such an unsteady time. Yet I am also aware of so many unknowns hovering over us: will the level of vaccinations in our country effectively stem the tide of infections that we witnessed in this last year? will schools get to open so that parents can truly go back to work? will the vaccines prevent the spread of the variants? will the businesses who have suffered this past year get to recover? will employment levels return to where they were pre-pandemic? how will children do long-term after such an isolating year? [heck, ALL of us?!] do I want to return to the office? These are just some of the questions I hear from clients, friends, podcasts, you name it.

I certainly cannot answer any of these questions, but I want to pass along a few resources and recommendations that I believe can help to sit with these questions and quandaries. Thanks for reading.

🗣 8 pandemic-related interview questions you should be ready to answer. While this article is designed to prepare a job-seeker for the new frontier of job interviews post-pandemic, I would almost recommend them as journal prompts for your own reflection! My favorite was #6: What do you do differently now? Just to answer that question personally: I find that multiple 1:1 video calls each day, while personally fulfilling in that I love connecting with clients in a productive and genuine way, are cumulatively taxing. I have had to "up my self-care game" in getting more rest, and committing daily to practices at the start of my day that center me

🤷🏽‍♀️ 10 Questions for a Successful Summer. Speaking of journal prompts, this one got my mind spinning in a lot of [productive] directions this past weekend, and I'm still sitting on a couple of them.  While this podcast is very... how do I put it... "female forward" (?) in its presentation, I think the questions apply to anyone, and invited me to really think creatively about what I want to do this summer. The first question is worth your attention: What defines success for you this summer?

🖥 Digital Tips. I spend an unexpected amount of time with clients assisting them in figuring out issues around productivity: how do I get a handle on emails? how do I remain focused when I'm getting constantly pulled away by hair-on-fire situations? how do I keep track of and manage so many projects? how do I effectively supervise others when I also have so much of my own work to do? While all of that is much longer conversation, here are two recommendations that I used this past month:

• 32 incredibly useful things you didn’t know Google Sheets could do. Perhaps I'm just a sucker for hacks. But this has some goodies! Current favorite: freezing rows. So helpful.
• The Case For Inbox Infinity. I like this one. Granted, I'm a major naysayer of Inbox Zero, so perhaps I like this because of its confirmation bias. But give it a go and see what you think. My favorite line: "For now, we’re stuck with email. You have to use it. But it does not have to use you." Music to my ears.

🧗🏽‍♂️ Life's Work: An Interview with Alex Honnold. If you saw the film "Free Solo," you will know why I like this article. Rather than read leadership books, I tend to like to read interviews, memoirs, and biographies about the lives of intriguing people to glean leadership insights. This one has some good tidbits about preparation, stewardship, how to remain focused, and how to keep motivated.

😵‍💫 How To Leverage The 7 Types Of Rest To Be Your Happiest, Most Productive Self. I've saved the best for last. This is an EXCELLENT article. Please, please read it. Then forward it to your people. Then print it out and read it in a park with a pen in your hand, or at least away from your desk. It is a REALLY good way to think about rest and self-care. As we move ahead in this post-pandemic landscape, we have to take our self-care to another level. This article provides a good inventory for assessing yourself and what you need. I showed it to a client who is a social worker and he read it, paused, then looked at me and said, This is a really good article. This backs up the latest research. But it is also engaging and readable. 

❝ ❞ Favorite quote these days. This was shared to me by a client. Thanks Deborah! 

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift.”

 

Thanks again for reading this. Please feel free to pass it along to others. And ➡➡➡ please note the resource list I've posted directly to the right of this post for free and handy resources that will make your work life that much easier. And you can email me with questions, feedback or a request to meet for a free half-hour of coaching to assess what you need at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me. Ciao for now.

NOVEMBER NINE, 2020

By my calculations we are entering the ninth month of the pandemic, so I will mark that milestone with nine recommendations for the month. At least I'm glad we're in this rollercoaster ride together!

1. COVID-19 Won’t Change Us Forever. Though written in July (which seems forever ago!), I think the argument still stands. Here's a solid reminder: "Let’s give ourselves some credit. No matter how horrific the disaster, no matter how damaged our psyches, we wounded humans always bounce back." As we face a momentous election day this week, I recommend this brief one from The Atlantic.
2. Informal Communication in an all-remote environment. OK, buckle up, because I've got a couple of key links here. I spent October taking an online course on How to Manage Remote Teams and have already applied things I've learned with three different teams. I certainly recommend the link at the start here, but I also recommend an interesting article from Fast Company magazine that sent me down this rabbit hole in the first place. And if you want the full downlow, here's the Gitlab Wiki that they use to run their fully remote company. PHEW! A whole lotta info, but the rules of work are changing under our feet (or in the cloud?) and we need to keep up. All the cheats are here. Reach out to me if you want/NEED more info!
3. Coaching Problem Employees. This could be the most useful 36 minutes you could spend this month. Tune in to this "Dear HBR" podcast episode from 9-17-20, which includes Melvin Smith, professor of management at Case Western Reserve University. I especially liked this podcast because it really got in the weeds with specifics of how to address real life situations. I also turned it into a training module for one of my clients to use with their managers -- contact me if you want to receive that.
4. How to Quickly Turn Emails into Tasks. One of my mantras with clients is "DO NOT use your email inbox as your to-do list!" As the article says, "It’s tempting to leave emails in your inbox because it’s easier, but then tasks you need to accomplish are buried in the incoming deluge of email." This gives you the skinny on how to make this happen in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail. Nice!
5. 6 COVID-19 terms that would have made no sense in January. Try to guess what they are before you hit the link. (P.S. This could be a good mixer to start off a team meeting too!)
6. Navigating the Virtual Workplace in Stressful Times (scroll down about halfway down the page). This may sound a bit random, but there are important vocal, chemical and body dynamics at play during video conferencing: this podcast provides fascinating stuff on how seratonin, oxytocin and dopamine are at play in our social interactions... plus some interesting new insights on the importance of HANDS in video calls. I KNOW! 🤷🏽‍♂️
7. Your comprehensive guide to job searching during the pandemic. I am coaching SEVERAL clients in job searching right now... you are not alone. This article gives a good jumpstart if you're feeling a bit paralyzed. I also posted this one in August: Your Ultimate Guide to Answering the Most Common Interview Questions, which helped one client get a job offer, and this one in May: How to Recover When Your Career Gets Derailed.
8. "Oddly Satisfying." Need a mental health break during your day? This one is pretty darn great. I think there is some of that ASMR stuff going on too... How Things Are Made is rather diverting as well.
9. Plague of Peacocks. No real purpose here. I just found it rather delightful. Favorite quote: "They’re like blimmin’ road runners.”

Hit me up with questions and feedback at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me. Find additional resources at https://bit.ly/KSLDresources. Thanks for reading ~ share it with a friend.

Sept 2020: Happy Other New Year?

Blogger and author Gretchen Rubin says, “September is the other January — a clean slate, a fresh start, a chance to use new pencils, fresh notebooks, and begin again.” Additionally, September is the month of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. This year it begins on September 18. If there was ever a time for a do-over, a fresh start, it would be NOW, amiright? 

All that to say, PHEW, this year has been a humdinger and we're only 3/4 of the way there. To prepare for the "new year" (and to get a little R&R), I just returned from a lovely week in Yosemite. Fortunately, the national parks are doling out passes very gingerly, so the park was incredibly UNcrowded and there was good mask-wearing in all group areas.

I took this photo on a walk one evening after dinner as a reminder of what's ahead... a long journey that feels a bit lonely at times. But still has beauty all around if we look for it.

While I certainly spent much of the time resting, being outdoors and reading things for fun, I also used the week to step back and reflect on what has happened since the pandemic. I would say that the majority of my work currently centers around assisting leaders and employees in managing the stresses, strains, and unknowns as we continue to work remotely, for the most part. And for better or worse, I have worked with a broad spectrum of contexts: higher ed, retail, non-profit, technology, churches, and start-ups. So while I can't sound all fancy and tell you I've been doing some really high-level research on this topic, I can give you my ground-level impressions gained from day-to-day work with many people.

So for this month's blog post, rather than give a list of valuable resources that I've used with clients in the last month, I'm going to share some of my TEN BIG AHA’s about working from home (WFH). This also makes this post a bit longer than normal ~ let me know what you think! Much of my thoughts are framed by a 7-article series from Harvard Business Review called The Big Idea for July 2020. I would give you the links, but you can only access them through subscription. 

Here goes!

❶ The pandemic didn’t “cause” any of our problems; it just accelerated them. All of the things we are currently struggling through in terms of the workplace and the economy overall were already present before the pandemic. The shopping mall was already waning; retail brick-and-mortar were already deeply threatened by online shopping; we already had an abundance of over-priced restaurants; multiple employers were grappling with the question of whether they should allow employees to work from home or some sort of hybrid situation; our addiction to air travel was contributing greatly to climate change; higher ed is ridiculously expensive and the resulting loan debt is unmanageable  — not to mention that the current structures and degrees in higher ed are somewhat out of date in terms of the skills needed in the marketplace…. So many other things could be listed. Suffice it to say, all of our current challenges just came faster than we expected, and now we are being forced to deal with them rather than keep being in denial.

❷ The 21st century workplace has been in deep transition and transformation for years. The pandemic has accelerated the evolution away from the office as a productivity space to something else — a learning space and a space to solve complex problems. We already saw this during the 2008 recession as coworking spaces and the gig economy took hold. Some ridiculous percentage of workers in the US are independent contractors (I can't find reliable data -- 20% to 40%?), and aren’t connected to one particular office. The pandemic will only decouple the worker from the office even further. Not to mention that the concentration of certain industries to certain cities has made the cost of living completely unamanageable (hello Silicon Valley and SF, among others!), so it was inevitable that the 21st century workplace would go under profound transformation. Companies are currently building the plane as they fly it, as the saying goes, in this regard.

❸ This doesn’t mean offices are irrelevant. They can be crucial for a start-up, where the key players need to work together in nimble and catalytic fashion, solving problems and making strategic decisions together. This is also needed around big machine learning projects (like I even know what that means! Just trusting techy bros on this ones...) involving big data, AI, etc. 

❹ We will not know the impact of all this on the physical workplace for 12 to 18 months. Not only is this due to the fluid nature of the pandemic and the economy, but also because companies are usually locked in leases that won’t be renewing for 12 to 18 months.  STAY TUNED.

❺ HOWEVER, people are realizing that they miss things about their workspace that have little to do with production. They really need the office for socialization. People need to convene in person at least once a year. PS The lack of socialization is truly isolating for some; and for others, they are profoundly struggling with anxiety and stress related to non-work issues that are emerging from this year's MANY struggles. I have worked with several clients to create "safe spaces" to talk about these things.  It has proven very fruitful.

❻ There are many things people like about working from home.

• No more irrelevant travel
• More focused time -- fewer pop-in interruptions, less random conversations.
• Shorter meetings
• More flexible time with family
• No commute!
• It took awhile, but many are finally in the groove of WFH

❼  Why is this working better now? Remote work has been seen as less valuable in the past and employers have resisted it. But now...

• Everyone has to do it;
• Thus we had to collectively figure out challenges.
• Before, remote work was compared to the office, where we’d never have kids or pets in the picture! So it seemed less professional and legitimate?
• In the past, virtual workers felt "lesser than" and left out - no longer!

❽ Leaders have a big job moving forward. They must be more invested in clear communication. One almost has to become the Chief Repetition Officer because collective vision, values and culture will not exist in one place or be naturally absorbed.

❾ Managers are bearing the brunt of the shift to remote work. Occupied by supporting employees, managing dispersed teams, nurturing connections. Increased frequency of 1:1’s. Less team collaboration time needed as a result, so meetings can be shorter. Managers also should know the habits and styles of their team; figure out best focus time, best meeting times. Also important to establish expectations in terms of turnaround for email, messaging. (This could be an entirely separate post - contact me if you have questions...)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST... Our job moving forward will be to be committed long-term to keeping our work human. There will be a temptation to move even more work to digital platforms and keep tasks and project management front and center rather than keep working on trust-building and maintaining relational bonds. 

All that to say, workplace stress looks really different now. Again, feel free to contact me with questions and feedback. I really have talked to so many different about their situations and would love to assist you! (Or just listen and commiserate 😅) Email me at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me. 

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT.

I've been reading some poetry at night to end the day on a calmer, more thoughtful note. Simple words from Mary Oliver:

Instructions for living a life. 

Pay attention. 

Be astonished. 

Tell about it. 

Thanks for reading!

 

Searching for Work, Serving on a Board, and Stepping up in Your Leadership: February 2020

I had to pause when I dated something last Saturday, on February 1, and mumbled to myself, "Where did January go?" I don't know about you, but 2020 seems to be galloping forward and I'm having a hard time keeping up! Nevertheless, I'm thankful for interesting work and great conversations with clients. Once again, I came across some good stuff along the way and want to share it with you.

Are You in a Job Search? Purely out of curiosity, throughout January I tried to be intentional in asking people if they made any resolutions. Several mentioned some variation of "I want to be in a different job by this time next year." I know full well that it is pretty darn hard to jump start that process, so I came across two helpful resources in quick succession that might prove valuable if you need some help getting going:

• The Best Cover Letter Examples for Every Type of Job Seeker. Perhaps it's been a minute (or a decade?) since you have looked for a JOB job and you're feeling a little rusty... do you look on Monster? LinkedIn? Indeed? Craigslist? And what about a cover letter? Do they even care about such things?? Before you start hyperventilating, go slow and start with this link. There are multiple subarticles and examples here to get your wheels turning.
• How to Leverage an Offer... with Grace. On the other hand, perhaps you are not looking for work, but headhunters came looking for you. I think this podcast episode is a genuine, relaxed conversation that plays out several different possible scenarios. Worth a listen, at least for first 10 minutes. Best piece of advice, plain and simple: "Know what you want going in." Tune back in around the 20 minute mark for a call related to when to make a job change. PS This podcast is an easy and interesting conversation week after week about workplace issues. You may want to subscribe?

Are You Ready to Serve on a Board? Whether you want to give something back to your community or you are looking for a way to amplify your experience and resume, serving on a board could be a great next step. Though this article is targeted more toward those looking to serve on a corporate board, nevertheless the questions it asks are worth your consideration, even if you are just serving with your favorite little local non-profit, given the fiscal responsibilities we are now all exposed to when one takes on such a role. PS I've posted this article within a whole folder of board resources on my KSLD Resources drive, so feel free to look around for more articles and resources on a wide variety of topics.

Favorite Management Tips from HBR, 2019. This is a helpful compilation of key management tips from Harvard Business Review. You can use the ideas to populate your training meetings or even your staff meetings with your managers. Have fun!

20 Ways to Waste Time During the Day. Many (all??) of us struggle to maintain productivity and focus during the day. Clients often ask me for help in getting them to manage their time more effectively ~ do you know of a new app, a new time management system, a book, heck, even a gimmick, to help me knock down my massive list of to-do's? While I can pull from several tools, sometimes I recommend that you just take some time to put the mirror on yourself and look at some of the patterns and habits you have fallen into that need some attention. This list of twenty ways can be a good self-check and wake-up call. Personally, #3 and #11 are things I tend to do, and I'm currently trying to address them accordingly. How's by you?

What Am I Reading? Currently I'm reading The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. After hearing the author interviewed on a podcast and having someone else mention it in a conversation, I took that as a prompt to pick up the book. I'm taking it slowly, but it is powerful stuff. I am also quite confident that I will be applying its insights in my work, since the issues of stress management comes up so frequently with those I work with. We have become very disconnected from our bodies, yet they often end up screaming back at us to get our attention. WOW.

Final thoughts. I can't quite figure who actually said this because The Google credits several with its origin. Nevertheless, I find it concise and true:

Leadership is an action, not a position.

Feel free to pass this blog post along to others, and I welcome your feedback. Contact me with questions and comments at kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me. Thanks for reading!

Maps, Mindset, Multi-Tasking and Milestones: May 2019

I am fresh from an incredible week of vacation in the Pacific Northwest so I am feeling GOOD! Not only did it not rain, the weather hovered between 70-80 degrees all week. Bizarre for May in the PNW, but I can't deny I enjoyed it. Three nights on Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park and great hospitality from dear friends made it quite lovely. I am including a shot from the private little beach I enjoyed at our cabin on Lake Crescent. I spent time walking or hiking each day and reading to my heart's content. Does it get any better??

Despite the rest I have still accumulated a pile of resources I want to pass along. Give them all a spin ~ I loved each one of them.

MAPS! For some reason the universe conspired to drop incredibly cool and nerdy maps into my field of vision these past few weeks. PLEASE take some time to tour each one of them...

7 maps that tell the incredible story of aging in America. This one is a feast of fascination. It makes my head spin to think about the implications of this data. Make sure you hit the "exclusive map series" link to get the goods. And when you tour each map, keep zooming in on specific counties to see the stats. From health care to advertising to higher ed to church life, the ramifications of this info seem endless. Check it out. 

40 maps that explain the world. Where do I begin? To quote Donald Rumsfeld, "There are things we don't know we don't know." This link exposed me to a bunch of stuff that caused me to dig even further to learn more. My faves (i.e., those that grabbed my attention most) were maps #4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 24, 28, 32, 40. Which ones stood out to you? 

Bored Panda eagle map. No profound purpose to this one, but SO INTERESTING!

The Future of Leadership Development: A Global Mindset. Given that all things related to #leadershipdevelopment wake me up in the morning, it's no surprise that I loved this one. This quote got my attention:

The future will belong to millennial leaders -- who tend to be increasingly globally oriented and eager to explore the world -- and millennials' inclination to identify themselves as global citizens will further the push for a global viewpoint. 

But here's the kicker:

But few businesses are offering emerging leaders the scope of experience they'll soon need. 

Amen to that. In the past month I've worked with young leaders from the US, Bosnia, Thailand and Philippines. All are hungry to learn, but also know very little about cultural differences and dynamics. Equally significant is the impact of racism and how much that slows progress. So much work to do! My goal is to keep listening to and learning from non-white voices and to read steadily on all the issues around these topics.

What might be most intriguing (and challenging?) of all is reconciling these future trends around globalization and multiculturalism with the aging of America. THAT makes my head hurt.

Multitasking is usually a bad idea, but here are 5 times when it’s okay. This title had me at "hello" because I am a notorious multi-tasker. According to Strengths Finder (Arranger is #6 for me), it actually gives me energy to do so. Even better, this article came up with things I actually do! For example,

I love when my office is neat. But I find the actual process of organization pretty boring. Opening mail, filing papers, sorting through piles, or dusting just don’t engage my brain enough to make them feel like a worthwhile use of time on their own.

That’s why for simple organizational tasks, multitasking actually works. When I do these activities, I’ll talk with a friend or listen to a podcast. 

Let me know whether multi-tasking ever works to your benefit.

OK.... one more BONUS recommendation! How is it possible that 2019 is already almost halfway over!!? With that milestone approaching, I wanted to invite you to do a brief self-check and see if you've followed through on any New Year's Resolutions... No guilt ~ only love! (Here's what I wrote about resolutions earlier this year...)

Depending on how you've done so far, I recommend this brief article titled Three Tips to Change Behavior. Before you slump your shoulders in despair, keep this simple sentence in mind:

If you want to change your life, it requires intentionality. 

Don't give up! And if you either didn't establish any resolutions or want to change the ones you made, go for it. I picked a new one on this recent vacation and have pursued it consistently for the past ten days. It feels good.

Feel free to send me feedback or questions to kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me. And feel freer to pass this along to friends and colleagues. Thanks for reading. Ciao!

#ENDOFSUMMER Bits and Pieces

I feel like I just woke up from a bad dream... WHERE DID SUMMER GO?! In the blink of an eye I
feel like I went from eating grilled foods and nicely chilled drinks during lazy dinners on the porch to booking work projects in October and talking about Thanksgiving plans. YEEESH!

Despite my remorse and woulda-shoulda-coulda thoughts about those things I never got to despite well-laid plans, I still read and listened to some great stuff this summer that I want to pass along. I'm not sure there's a consistent thread running throughout these bits and pieces, but suffice it to say, they are ALL GOOD.

7 Ways to Show Emotional Intelligence During Job Interviews. This article is valuable in both directions... it certainly gives valuable tips to job seekers, but WOW is it a good list to keep in mind if you are interviewing candidates. I like this line regarding active listening: "Don’t give in to the urge that you have to answer the question immediately. Interviewers are looking for a thoughtful response, instead of an immediate one that indicates that you are giving them an answer that you have rehearsed."

How to Beat Mid-Career Malaise. I'd be lying if I said I never talk about this issue with clients. Let's be honest: MID-LIFE CRISIS IS A THING. It's not a Hallmark-card-made-up-problem, people. The struggle is real. I sure faced it about ten years ago and it really caught me by surprise. I especially like this article because when I finished it I thought to myself, "I wish I'd read this in 2009." Take the time to read through this slowly, perhaps with pen and journal in hand. The Do's and Don'ts at the end, along with the case studies, are very helpful. Don't skip this one.

Millennial Myths. OnPoint Radio, a reliable and often interesting podcast, offered a good discussion on many of the myths surrounding Millennials, inviting them to call in. This is an enlightening and helpful conversation.

Prioritizing: The Fine Art of Swapping. I would venture to say that I talk about productivity and prioritization with nearly every client. The opening lines of this article capture the anxiety I hear with nearly everyone: "Does your stomach start churning when you survey the avalanche of work waiting for you? Perhaps you let out a defeated sigh that first time you check your email each morning or power up your phone after a long flight. What are your most natural reactions to being overwhelmed? Irritable? Short-tempered? Intense? Withdrawn? Focused? Competitive? Retreat?" Take a breath and read through this to see if it offers any new ideas or tweaks.

Let me know if it might help to schedule a time to talk through any of these issues... or plenty of others! kelly.soifer@ksleadershipdevelop.me. Ciao for now.

Need Coaching, Mentoring, Therapy, Career Counseling? Get the Lowdown Here

I had a friend once tell me that, based on the variety of articles I recommend, I must have very eclectic tastes. I took that as a compliment...

Here are two "eclectic" examples today, at least in terms of sources, but they revolve around the same general theme. The titles speak for themselves.

Mentors, Career Coaches and Therapists: Which One's Best to Help You Get Out of Your Rut? This one comes from an employment website geared for Millennials called The Muse. I found this to be a valuable article, especially given its target audience. If you follow my blog at all, I reflected on an article on April 29 regarding anxiety in today's college students from The Chronicle of Higher Education. In my experience, I see high rates of anxiety among post-college folks as well, so this is a pertinent conversation. I especially appreciate the ways the writer differentiates between the roles that mentors, career coaches and therapists serve.

I have experienced all three a great deal and want to add a couple of additional tips:

• MENTORING: I've mentored scores of students, young adults, interns, and colleagues who are in their first jobs. One key point she does not mention: it is the responsibility of the "mentee" (can we come up with a better word? I always think of a manatee when I hear mentee) to reach out to the mentor. In fact, I think it would be creepy if someone approached a young professional and said, Hey, can I mentor you? One more thing: while I am sometimes asked about how to address specific situations in mentoring, it is less frequent than coaching, and functions in general at more of a "10,000-20,000 foot" level. In other words, we talk more about large-scale issues, long-term needs and goals, where to get education and training, and so on.
• COACHING: I heartily wish there was another word for this besides "coaching" (yes, I'm picky about words!). Sometimes people ask me if I'm a life coach and I can't say NO!! fast enough. Rather, I work with people to help them work through professional concerns of supervision, management, hiring and firing, project management, productivity, organization, strategic planning, etc. But we will also get down to ground level by talking through meeting agendas, thinking through conflict resolution, and brainstorming. Coaching happens more frequently than mentoring. And as the article states, "[Coaches] also don’t have any conflicts of interest when they’re hired individually." Keep this in mind: the gold standard for coaches should be their capacity for confidentiality. Clients need a safe space to process.
• THERAPY: I've been in therapy a few different times in my adult life and I've provided "lay counseling" as a pastor to families and youth for decades. As a result, because of my background, I have had clients contact me beyond coaching and consulting when they have been laid off, experienced marital or parenting difficulties, faced illness or struggled with depression. Since I am not a licensed therapist, I try to function more a "first responder," listening and trying to assist the client in knowing what their options are. This was the weakest part of the article: while it does a good job describing the real-life challenges that people often face in the workplace, it gives very little insight into the most difficult aspect of therapy: finding a good therapist. I seek to maintain an up-to-date referral list, and stay apprised of who to contact for what.  If you think you might need therapy, try your best to ask a wiser colleague or medical professional for a referral. Don't just trust the Google. 

On to the next article...

Counselor or Coach? Remember how I said I draw from an eclectic set of sources? Here's an article on similar issues, but from a rather different source: the Inside Higher Ed newsletter. 

This one is a bit more focused on sorting through career issues than than the first one, but I found the writer's answers somewhat simplistic. It does do a good job explaining the role of a career counselor, and fleshes out a couple of things addressed in the first article.

For the sake of brevity, I will only add two things: resources I found incredibly helpful in my own career transition:

1. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer. Though this comes from a faith perspective, it is very general and one can receive wisdom from it regardless of your beliefs. This book was a game-changer for me and I've recommended it to many, many others and received positive feedback.
2. What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard Bolles. This one is updated each year, so purchase the latest edition. It may give you just the shove you need. Very specific and practical.

Thankfully, I'm still mentoring young adults (in fact, I have lunch scheduled with one this week!), and I am currently coaching CEO's, academic leaders, pastors, faculty, denominational leaders, non-profit executive directors, and first-time managers. ALL of them are a delight to work with. Pursuing a career in ANY field in 2018 is tricky, given the dynamism of today's world. All I can say is, Don't go it alone. But seek after voices of expertise and wisdom rather than your friends. Let me know if I can help!

35 Things to Do for Your Career by 35

In the past two weeks I've landed on a new resource that I'm finding helpful in my leadership development work: The Muse. As Fast Company magazine states, "The Muse has become the definitive career resource for the under-35 set (60% of its more than 5 million monthly users are between 18 and 35) by focusing on work culture and hiring in a digital age."

They posted an article recently that definitely got my mind working as I scanned over their list of 35 Things to Do for Your Career by 35. Some of them are a bit much (#2. "Know Your Superpower" *eyeroll*) and feel like they were added to puff up the list. But many of them are rock-solid and I'd endorse them heartily.

Here are my Top 7 from the list:

• 4. Learn How to Delegate. One of the many things I work through with new managers is to understand that their job focus is shifting from tasks to people. Many new managers just try to work harder than everyone on their team and think they drag them along in their wake. Instead, they need to manage others in doing all the tasks by delegating efficiently and consistently.
• 6. Do Something You’re Really, Really Proud Of. As the articles describes it, "Whether or not it’s something you’ll be known for forever, something you get paid for doing, or even something you really want to do with your life, make sure you have something on your resume that, deep down, you’re really proud of." I'm thankful for several things I've gotten to do over my life, and have seen some have deep impact. For example, back in 1999, I listened to two students who wanted our youth group to start getting involved with the local Rescue Mission. We pulled it together, and after many stops and starts, learned how to build significant connection with folks living on the streets. Not only is this involvement still happening, but I was able to get another entire school involved after learning how to best do it. I think there has been great mutual benefit (certainly the students learned A TON) from this relationship-building and service.
• 9. Do Something That Really Scares You. Too often we live within self-imposed limits that really deprive us of deep lessons to be learned. For me, at age 31 I stepped away from very familiar ground with students who looked like me and waded into the lives of gang members. I got completely schooled! But it took me on a trajectory I'm still riding, and am so thankful for it.
• 10. Get Comfortable With Getting Feedback. Definitely not easy!! We all prefer pats on the back. But real feedback always makes me better. I just need to grow up and realize I will never be perfect.
• 20. Know How to Manage Up. This is something I always work on with clients. The article sums it up well: "In fact, being able to manage up—or, communicate with your boss and advocate for what you need to do your job best—is a crucial job skill." I could spend a separate blog post on this one, and may just have to at some point. We all need to learn how to speak up for how we are being assessed and led. But it's a fine art that requires thoughtful and strategic effort.
• 23. Find a To-Do List System That Works for You. All I can say here is YES!!!!! I probably work on this more consistently with clients than anything else. It requires ongoing attention almost every day, but it is SO worth it. It also leads to my last favorite on this list...
• 26. Know How to Manage Stress. I didn't start thinking about this until 6 years after I graduated from college, when I basically crashed from overwork and burnout. Stress management is absolutely crucial to living a meaningful and sustainable life. And everyone does it differently. I love helping people figure this one out.

For those north of 35 years old, which ones are your favorites? For everyone in the thick of building your 35, which ones are kicking your butt? Where do you need help?

Work Hacks 3-25-18

Blame it on the combination of Maximizer (always seeking seek to transform something strong into something superb), Input (a craving to know more), and Achiever (They take immense satisfaction in being busy and productive) in my Top Ten for Strengths Finder,
but I read lots of newsletters, articles, and books. Information is nearly always interesting to me. (Then, maybe I'm just a giant nerd...)

In the last couple of weeks I've come across quite a few good resources and want to pass them along to others. Let me know if any of them were of interest or value to you.

Best Productivity Apps for 2018. What better way to start this post?! I don't know if I even understand half of what these apps do, but they all look super cool. If you need some help with email, video editing, to-do lists, project management, writing, or want some new ways to get your new iOS or Android device to do even more, cruise by this link.

Why You Need an Untouchable Day Every Week. Early in this article, this grabbed my attention: "As our world gets busier and our phones get beepier, the scarcest resource for all of us is becoming attention and creative output. And if you’re not taking time to put something new and beautiful out into the world, then your value is diminishing fast." Like me, if you need some ideas on how to get some chunks of time set aside to focus and do some creative work, this was helpful for me.

Do you plog? I won't even explain what this means. Just read it. It convinced me to try it, and I liked it. Go crazy.

The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage. I'm a bit of a sucker for TED Talks, but this one is especially good. Two excellent quotes:

"Rigid denial doesn't work. It's unsustainable, for individuals, for families,  for societies... and for our planet. When emotions are pushed aside or ignored, they get stronger."

 "Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life."

This TED talk is an outstanding, genuine, poignant discussion of emotions, stress and the management of it all. 

This is How to Improve Your Interviews. I have two clients right now who are struggling with employee retention. This is a competitive job market right now, and I find that those new to the workforce are easily lured by some of the bright shiny objects that larger firms dangle in front of them. Some of these tips might seem obvious, but they are good reminders. 

How to Beat Decision Fatigue with Better Brain Habits. Yep, you read that right. Maybe you don't realize you're burning out from too many decisions, but this article might help you discern if you are. I find that work piles up incrementally, to the point where I don't realize I'm drowning until I'm halfway under. This comes from Trello, which I use for my project management.

Introvert or Extrovert? There's a Third Option. Before I comment, just bookmark this blog. It is GOLD. She talks about real, important stuff but in a very down-to-earth way.

Here's a solid line from the article:

“knowing your type when it comes to personality is important, because by increasing our awareness of where we stand in terms of introversion and extroversion, we can develop a better sense of our tendencies, manage our weak spots, and play to our strengths.”

I have found that developing my self-awareness really helps me as a leader. Not only does it help me get out of the way when working with others, it also helps me read others more accurately. Check it out.

Closing thoughts...
I spent 27 years of my adult life working daily with teenagers. The stories coming out of Parkland and beyond, have reminded me why I loved working with them so much. One sign is especially staying with me: “Graduations, not funerals!” Regardless of where we fall on various issues, may we all have the patience, fortitude, and grace to listen well to our neighbors, grow in empathy, and look for ways to understand.