Today my wife and consultation business partner, Jocelyn, shares her thoughts on CHANGE as she waits to hear the surgical outcomes for our daughter. I’ve been privileged to sit in boardrooms with C-level (CEO, CFO, CIO) leaders as they discuss upcoming or ongoing changes. It’s our job to advise them on change communications and engagement…
Virtual Hashtag (#) Community Challenge
I’ve read a few articles about how people are responding to the COVID-19 crisis within the predictable pattern outlined in the 5 Stages of Grief, (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance). Regardless of what stage you fall into today, I want to challenge you to do something special for yourself on Saturday, July 18th, 2020….
A Time to Listen
As a professional speaker, I know how to project my voice. You’ll hear me from across the room. And when I write, I’ve been known to get edgy or even drop the F-bomb to keep your attention from waning. Suffice it to say that during my 50+ years of communicating as an Italian-Irish man, I’ve…
Burnout & the Post-Crisis Crisis
Today, I want to address an issue you may face as more people return to work after the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis: Employee Burnout! Many employees continued working throughout the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in environments that put them at risk of infection. Some of them have served on the front lines…
Superstars & the Post-Crisis Crisis
The COVID-19 crisis won’t be resolved in a day. As more businesses reopen, owners and leaders may find that employees returned to work with some greater challenges than they had just a few months ago. Today, I want to address another issue you may face as the COVID-19 stay-at-home order is lifted and more employees…
Addiction and the Post-Crisis Crisis
Today, I will discuss another issue you may face in the COVID-19 crisis, as employees return to work with FULL-BLOWN ADDICTION ISSUES. Some of your employees had a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) before the crisis began–drinking heavily or misusing medication after work yet functioning the next day. But due to the crisis, they may have…
Perspective Is Everything: Surviving Crisis
Every perspective you see on Facebook, faux news, real news, Dr. Anthony Fauci, or Brad Pitt playing Dr. Fauci on television is just that: a perspective. And don’t worry: I’m not a pandemic expert, so I don’t have $.02 to share on COVID-19 data or models. But I do know a thing or two about…
Mental Health and the Post-Crisis Crisis
In the last blog, I wrote about the NEWLY WOKE EMPLOYEES, those working without long commutes and having rediscovered the joy of time with their families. Today, I want to talk about another issue you may face in the COVID-19 crisis, as employees return to work (or even continue working in current stay-at-home conditions): mental…
Preparing for the Post-Crisis Crisis
COVID-19 has evolved into a pandemic the likes of which have not been seen for a hundred years. And as difficult as this crisis has been on the physical and emotional health of people across the globe, it’s also creating an economic crisis. Trying to balance physical safety with economic rebuilding, some companies are reopening…
Communication in Times of Change / Crisis
Even the best leaders and organizations struggle with communication. Add organizational change or a crisis, and matters get worse quickly. What do leaders need to do better when business as usual becomes anything but usual? [If you prefer learning via video instead of reading, watch below] I’ve coached executives and consulted with organizations on change…
You Need This Japanese Word: Ikigai
Koh-nee-chee-wah, readers! That’s Japanese for “Hello.” The English language is full of Japanese words, like emoji, tsunami, karaoke, haiku, koi, tofu and, of course, sushi. But my favorite Japanese word is ikigai, and that’s the topic of today’s blog. The English language doesn’t have a word for ikigai, but it roughly means, “your reason for…
Your Values Today Can Become Your Destiny
Speaking on the power of values, Gandhi famously said these lines: “Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.” As people across the globe remain on high alert due to the COVID-19 pandemic,…