September Newsletter
Hope you all had a nice summer break (and were able to catch some of my “Summer Slowdown” posts on LinkedIn). This month, we’re bringing back the Executive Aid Station newsletter in a new, more compact format.
We hope you enjoy this new version as much as the previous one. We are always looking for ways to add value to your busy and challenging day!
– CURVEBALL OF THE MONTH –
By now you probably know that my new book: When the Curveballs Keep Coming: A Leadership Playbook for Uncertain Times, launched earlier this year. As part of my continuing support for leaders to navigate successfully through these times of unrelenting uncertainty, each month I will be sharing an example of a common “curveball” and how it was handled.
You could say that the current economic turndown is a curveball we should have anticipated. But it’s here, manifesting in many ways that impact both our professional and personal lives. At work, you may be facing budget cuts, hiring freezes, and important, career-defining projects put on hold. Here is an example of how one of my tech clients deftly dealt with this mega-curveball.
As Chief Customer Officer, she was dealing with budget cuts and hiring freezes even before the slowdown really hit, so the economic slowdown came as a double whammy at a tough time for the company.
Her approach was to identify team projects that had been successful to date—and double down on how to further leverage them. She challenged her team to think boldly how they could make them even better, how they could further amplify the project’s impact, and importantly, how they could share this success with others. She helped her team (and others in the organization) see what was possible even in the most challenging times.
My client used the personal agency she had to help her team create an even bigger success than they might have imagined possible. This proved to be a critical move at a time when her team was reeling from so much change and uncertainty and questioning their value.
– GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK! –
This may seem like an odd topic for a leadership newsletter, but one of the key things I have learned (over and over again!) is the importance of taking time to rest and recover. This especially relevant now, considering the non-stop schedules many of us are experiencing in a post-COVID world.
And yes, we all know this, but many of us (myself included) are not diligent about practicing it as frequently as we should. So, my goal with this segment of the newsletter is to offer monthly science-based tips, ideas, and practical advice you can use right now. Because we all need a break – now more than ever.
This month, I want to share a simple, practical 30-second exercise break called “W-I-N.” I learned this tip from Mazen Baisa, a doctor who facilitates a mastermind group I am in.
Any time of the day when you need a little break, here’s all you have to do:
- Widen your posture. Sit up straight, lift the crown of your head, and square your shoulders back.
- Inhale deeply. Take a breath in through your nose, then exhale fully out through your mouth.
- Normalize your eyesight. Just close your eyes for 15-20 seconds to give them a rest from being at work all day.
That’s it! This is a but very effective simple way to hit the “reset button” and give your body and mind a little break.
(For even more tips and suggestions, watch my “Go for the WIN” video.)
– CHECK THIS OUT… –
I am a self-acknowledged junkie of leadership reading. I follow current issues in the business environment as well as trends and developments in the worlds of positive psychology, behavioral science and neuroscience. So each month in this newsletter, I’ll share a book, podcast, or other resource that I think might benefit you as well.
One of my favorite resources that’s published bi-weekly is the Knowledge at Wharton Business Journal. If you sign up for the email newsletter, you’ll receive a curated summary of current topics and trends, from finance to tech to workplace issues and many more esoteric subjects. The articles are brief; many of them are in podcast format, usually less than 10 minutes.
This is one of the very few newsletters I still subscribe to. As soon as it hits my inbox, I open it see what I need to know—now. In a world where our roles as leaders are more complex, with more stakeholders to serve and areas of knowledge we need demonstrate, Knowledge at Wharton is a must.
– HELPING YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH UNCERTAINTY –
These are challenging times for leaders, but here are some ways you can get yourself (and your team) ready for anything:
- Sign up for my 4-week online leadership course, Leading through Uncertainty
- Purchase copies of my leadership book, When the Curveballs Keep Coming: A Leadership Playbook for Uncertain Times (corporate volume discounts available)
- Contact me to find out more about my organizational consulting and advising services and speaking engagements
