Executive Directors need hope, the ability to dream and the courage to push back the status quo. Executive Directors need to be able to have boundaries for themselves, their staff and the organization. They need to be able to listen deeply. Listen to staff, clients, board members, community, supporters and themselves. Executive Directors need love and joy.
I don’t know if this was the answer she was expecting, but it is what came to my heart.
Read MoreYoga is more then physical poses. Yoga Ethics are one way to live our yoga off the mat. Voting is a great way to lean into our yoga ethics.
Read MoreJust like in life, the leaders in books aren’t always leaders by title. Violet was chosen by her dragon because of her leadership traits. They were one of the first to recognize her leadership abilities.
Read More“I’ve started using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to edit my book.” shared a coaching client, “I had a brain injury and sometimes my words get jumbled.”
AI is everywhere right now. I received at least 5 emails in the past week talking about it. In actuality, AI has been around since the 1950s’ but as it’s sophistication grows, AI is taking root in every sector. Put very simply, AI is a computer’s ability to think like a human.
Let me say that again, a computer that can think like a human.
What previously was used primarily by a few, is now more widely available to all. Grant writers. College students. College Professors. Hiring Mangers. Content Creators. Writers.
As we move through this new era, the first question we need must ask ourselves when using AI is,
Read MoreDo you want people to feel “meh” or “inspired!” when hearing about your passions?
Purpose matters.
Clarity of purpose is a foundational trait of strong leaders. Understanding why you do what you do and being able to share it with others makes a difference.
Read MoreYour most important meeting might be the one you have with yourself.
Meeting with yourself will help you lead others better.
In her recent article, “Loneliness or Solitude: The Case for Being Alone.” Anne Ness outlined the benefits of solitude or of being alone intentionally. I like to call it “meeting with ourselves.” Being alone is different than being lonely and it’s not just for introverts. Spending just 15 – 20 minutes a day in solitude can make you a better leader.
Read More“Create an image that represents your team when you are living into your purpose and values.”
I watch leaders shrink as I share these instructions during a Leadership Team Staff Retreat. I listen as they protest that they can’t draw.
And yet, I am always in awe as to what they create. More importantly, I’m in awe of the meaning they make from their creations. (which is the real point)
Read MoreAfter some internal struggles (and some whining), I coached myself. I asked myself, “What do I most need right now?” I listened to my body and knew I needed some big movement to really clear my head.
Read MoreEvery once in a while, I remember to pause and look around, to take in the view, the trees, the ferns. I’ll pause to just be in the moment and take in the reason I’m there.
This can happen during my workday too, when I worry about falling behind.
I hesitated. There were less rocks to cross on than last time. Plus, it was snowing. I could get wet and cold.
I had made plans with myself to hike last Friday afternoon because I’ve committed to hiking more this year. I would be the only one who would know if I didn’t hike.
Finally, I decided to take my chances. If I fell in, I would turn around and go home.
I vowed that for 2023, I wouldn’t do that.
And, for my first retreat of 2023, I didn't!
By 9:00 pm, handouts were printed, flip charts were written, and the car was packed! I had time for a relaxing bath and got in bed on time. I’m so proud of me.
Read MoreI've learned that I need to pause. I learned that the organization was better when I paused - when I paused to rest, to move, to learn, to reflect. I paused so that I could center myself and respond from a place of groundedness, of confidence, of knowing.
Pausing wasn't easy. Its's not written in policy or often accepted in our society.
And yet, pausing is so important.
Read MoreYes, it feels really yummy to sleep in, but it felt better to start my day strong.
Read MoreWhen I was an Executive Director, I did not always stop to see and feel the joy in the work – the small wins and the big wins – because there was always something coming next that needed my attention. Because there will always be something next is precisely why we need to stop and feel the joy. Take a moment to pause. Celebrate our wins.
Read MoreEven though I know with all my heart, that there is an ease, a flow, a rightness when I use my strengths, my head can very quickly focus on what I did wrong. If I’m not careful, that list can turn into a tailspin heading straight for “I’m not good enough.”
Read MoreBoard Members, the organizations need you more now than ever. Stay 6 feet away, but stay engaged.
Read MoreWe’ve all heard the analogy about the oxygen on the airplane, we have to put our own oxygen on first before we can take care of others. Yet, many of don’t heed this. We keep giving and giving without filling our own cups until we are depleted and have nothing to give anymore.
Self-care is not a luxury but a need. Self-care is not all about bubble baths and massages but if you can’t get those images out of your head then reframe self-care to self – support.
Read MoreFinding the system that works for you could be the holy grail of your leadership.
Do you start your day with a list of tasks that will take longer then you have hours in your day? Are you often getting pulled in multiple directions? Do you often find yourself putting off important tasks because something urgent came up?
Read MoreAuthenticity. Growth. Health. Joy. Service. These are my five inner touchstones, also known as my values. The “tests” I use when I’m making a decision or double checking where I am in my life. When I am living by my values, I feel an ease in my life. A flow.
Read MoreWhat makes you come alive?
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