Every day this year has felt like a pandemic hangover for me. Some days are mild and manageable, and others make me want to go into hermit mode, cry, whine, and sit on my couch all day. In fact, I can’t think of a day this year where I didn’t feel some level of anxiety or exhaustion - even on the “good” days where I’ve had eight hours of sleep, spent time outside, and crushed it at work.

The reality is, the impact of the pandemic on our mental, emotional, and physical health has been significant - some of which we still have yet to learn and understand.

if there’s one thing I’ve learned across all my research and work, it’s that great leaders are great leaders, regardless of their industries. While certain competencies may be required based on the type of organization someone works for, the qualities of outstanding leaders are consistent across the board. This includes politicians.

Sometimes waiting is absolutely painful. Even infuriating - especially when you’ve put the work in, and been as patient as you know how to be.

In order to get what we want, we first have to embrace our disappointment, or whatever icky emotions we are feeling.

Retreats and professional development events are ultimately culture building tools that allow teams to celebrate values and norms. If done well, they can provide clarity, foster collaboration, build trust, solve business problems, and improve profitability long-term. They even can improve employee retention.

But a poorly executed event can cause more harm than good. Aside from wasting significant time and financial resources, it can derail progress and decrease engagement down the road.

So - what can your organization do to ensure a worthwhile engagement?

As humans, we avoid things all the time. In fact, I can’t think of a single coaching client I’ve worked with in two years who hasn’t avoided making changes in an area of their life where they felt stuck.

Procrastination is one of the most normal human tendencies. Without getting overly scientific, this is because we don’t like uncertainty, so we avoid things where we risk failure or discomfort. Instead, we gravitate towards habits, actions, and decisions that make us feel safe - even if it gets in the way of getting what we really want.

After nearly two years of COVID fatigue and the emergence of the “Great Resignation,” the topic of compassionate leadership is buzzing across social media, leadership forums, and workplace conversations.

Understandably, employees are asking for more grace during a time in history where there are countless mental, physical, and emotional impacts on work performance and satisfaction. And when their needs aren’t being met, many are resigning.

When you hear the phrase, “make time for play,” what comes to mind?

Do you think of adults jumping on trampolines, dancing around the house, or playing board games?

Right now, your inbox and social media feeds are likely flooded with resolutions, self-help tools, diets, retail products, and more.

You may feel pressure to “join the club,” craft your list, and broadcast your goals. In short - the hype is real for goal setting and resolutions. I call this time period the “New Year’s Hustle.”

“I am exhausted.” This is the number one thing I'm hearing from clients and friends right now. Yes - people are expressing their gratitude and celebrating joyful moments. They are also tired from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and approaching the 21 month mark of the pandemic.

Sometimes practicing gratitude feels inauthentic, forced, and awkward. However, if our goal is to live a joyful and meaningful life, it’s actually essential. Here is why.