When someone allows you to bear witness to their inner world, you can't help but feel deeply honoured to be trusted with the privilege. As a psychologist, I have had, and continue to have, a very privileged career. I don't know how other executive coaches work, but being endorsed as both an organisational and counselling psychologist, I suspect I get let in just that little bit more. The emotional weight of this work can be high. You bear witness, you hold space, and at rare times, you … [Read more...]
How are you describing your COVID-19 experience?
What's struck me, recently, is how my clients started using Yiddish in their conversations with me. They're not so much kvetching (that's Yiddish for complaining), as trying to find words to describe this extraordinary experience. Living and working through a pandemic. English just doesn't capture it. You don't have to be Jewish or from New York (they don't fit into either category) to know there's something wonderful about Yiddish. It's onomatopoeic. Here's what I've been hearing: … [Read more...]
Another opportunity to lead by example
Right now I'm going for daily walks. I mix it up. Sometimes I turn right. Sometimes it's left. And yesterday I had the pleasure of my first Autumn (Fall) leaf crunch. I love that sound. It takes me straight back to the innocence of childhood. As I was happily reminiscing, there it was yet again. Footpath rage. I could feel it rising as, once again, I had to step aside while a fellow walker seemed oblivious to the physical distancing rule. Normally, I don't say anything. But I have been known … [Read more...]
The question we’re all starting to ask
We're all in this together, having a very individual experience. THE QUESTION For some, the question is, 'Are we there yet?' They're over it. Others, while enjoying the slower pace and simpler life that lockdown brings, wonder, 'Can we keep it more like this?' And while it might seem far away and staying grounded today is no mean feat, many are wondering: 'What's the next normal?' WHAT'S THE NEXT NORMAL FOR YOUR WORKPLACE? As a leader, you'll likely have a say in the next normal … [Read more...]
How are you?
Are you exhausted yet? There's been so much change that it feels like a month went by in the last week. It's a bit surreal. There's a long weekend this weekend for many, being Easter. But it doesn't feel like that. The days tend to blur when you don't go anywhere. A different kind of Groundhog Day. Although I do like this teddy bear trend. This one brightens up my daily walk. You're Part of the Solution And just like Bill Murray's character discovered in the movie, eventually, you learn to … [Read more...]
Keep your people psychologically strong
Are you squirrelling? You know, collecting acorns for the hibernation? Today, I feel like Santa Claus because I've got a sleigh full of acorns to share with you. These acorns are in the form of a brand new online program: Leading through the COVID-19 Crisis. You're welcome. It's free. If ever there was a time to give back, it's now. It's far from business as usual. This 5-module program will hopefully make your job of leading through the COVID-19 crisis a little bit easier. As a … [Read more...]
Especially now, you’d be smiling too
It's been an emotional roller coaster ride. My sore throat last week suddenly morphed into a fever and cough. After barely sleeping, at 6am, I thought, as best one can with a fever, "is this it"? Since everyone I've told has wanted to know, I thought you might want to too... This is what happens when you're tested for Covid-19 My local GP clinic sent a text saying, anything Covid-19, keep away. Call the national hotline. So I did. First option was call 000 (our 911). But I wasn't a 000 … [Read more...]
Isn’t this a test of humanity, not leadership?
How’s the self-isolation going? I’ve rescheduled my whole world so far this week to work remotely. Why? Well, Victoria has been declared a state of emergency and, more importantly, I woke up with a mild sore throat. No fever. No known contact with a traveller or sufferer of Covid-19. I feel ok. It hasn’t taken me out. But I figured, better safe than sorry. I don’t want to become a source. So, thank you Skype, Zoom, Slack, all of them. All the platforms are being put to good use. I am so … [Read more...]
How to increase your confidence
Muhammed Ali: "I'm so pretty". Do you feel proud of your work; where you are in your career; and how you're showing up as a leader? Confident people do. They start by trusting themselves. They trust that if they set out to achieve something, they will. They don't set the bar so low that they dumb themselves down. Nor so high that they'll never get there. It's a realistic goal. A good achievable stretch. Then, like everyone else, they get to work. Bit by bit, through deliberate practice, … [Read more...]
Once in every four years
I am so excited about today. I'm not talking about leap years or the Olympics. Although you're right, they happen every four years, and 2020 is one of those years. I'm talking about how thrilled I am to invite you to join an exclusive group of likeminded, experienced leaders in a year long mastermind. A place for you to feel connected and understood, get your needs met and get results. You'll learn from experiences similar, but different to your own. Be able to reality test fast, instead of … [Read more...]
