The Power of "No" – Part II
The fourth quarter is in full swing and the end of the year is within sight. This is an excellent time to take stock of where our time and energy are currently being invested as we look ahead to 2024. In Part I, we discussed the importance of setting boundaries around our commitments to ward off burnout and, importantly, to be more present and joyful in the activities that we do take on. I introduced a basic framework:
Less adding,
More subtracting, and
Making the most of what’s retained.
The Anatomy of An Interruption - What the Research Says
In our ongoing Reclaim the Floor series, we began last week by exploring some of the context and considerations that will set the stage for how we handle interruptions. Before we tackle tools and techniques, we’re going to dive a bit deeper into what makes up an interruption.
Finding Our Voice - Embracing The Power Of Our Words
The Power of “No” - Part I
‘Tis the season for burnout. Ah, yes, September is upon us. The summer holidays are behind us and schools are back in session, including sports practices, band practices, PTA meetings, and yellow buses joining our commute. The fourth quarter is staring us down, along with all the commitments and goals we made for the year. Daylight is waning, but the to-do lists are growing. Have you planned your Halloween costume yet? How about Thanksgiving dinner? They’re right around the corner, you know.
An Exercise for Creating More Space
This month’s theme has been all about creating space. With summer coming to an end and fall activities ramping up, a lot of us are finding our calendars oversubscribed and our energy reserves depleted. September seems to be a prime month for launching programs, starting initiatives and making commitments. Everyone is back from summer holidays and travel, refreshed and ready to go, right? …Right?!
We’ve got a quick (ok, not-really-so-quick) exercise that you can use to reclaim some space in your world.
Will The Real You Please Stand Up?
We hear a lot about authenticity and authentic leadership in the workplace. Famous authors such as Brené Brown and Adam Grant have debated its merits. We’re told, “Bring your whole self to work,” and “Our diversity makes us stronger,” but what happens when we show up as ourselves? What would that even entail? Authenticity gets lots of positive press, yet the reality is much more complex, particularly for underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. While the benefits of authenticity are myriad, the costs and risks vary widely by individual and circumstance.
When You're Faced With A Toxic Workplace
Surviving toxic work environments is a common theme among many individuals I support in my coaching and mentorship practices.
Let me be clear: I never believe someone should have to survive a toxic work environment. The onus should not be on the individual to adapt to a problematic workplace. Too often, this survival is set as an implicit goal simply because we tackle the challenges put in front of us.
Let’s start by understanding what constitutes a toxic work environment. It’s one with a culture that does not prioritize respect as a value and does not recognize each individual’s humanity. It’s a workplace that leverages shame or guilt and disregards boundaries. Symptoms that could indicate a toxic workplace include anxiety, recurring nightmares, questioning your reality, and feeling like you can’t trust anyone.