Elevating us all on International Women’s Day

Elevating us all on International Women’s Day

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate and empower women all around the world. It’s a day to reflect on how we can take care of ourselves, the people who depend on us, and other women in our communities.
Here’s a shocking stat… it’s 2023 and still only 10% of CEOs in the United States are women. Really? This to me highlights the continued need for gender equality in the workplace. So, on this International Women’s Day, let’s focus on how we can move up and bring other women with us. Here are some suggestions:
First, don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Remember that people will believe in you if you show them that you are capable, competent, and brilliant.
Next, set specific goals and ask for what you want. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for support and guidance. Find organizations in your industry and network with women who are where you want to be.
Taking risks is also essential. As I always say, “if you don’t ask, you don’t get, but if you don’t get, don’t pout because you didn’t have it in the first place.”
Finally, keep learning and developing. Continuously improve and demonstrate what you can contribute and what value you provide in every situation is key to achieving success.
As the great Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” Let’s work together to break down barriers and create a more equitable future for all of us.

Is your team set up to win this Super weekend and beyond?

Is your team set up to win this Super weekend and beyond?

With the big game on Sunday, fans and observers are focused on what the Quarterbacks will do, what the Kelce brothers dynamic may be (this to me is so exciting), how the teams will play, and who wins.

With that in mind, how is your team faring this season?

In football, a coach would never ask the Quarterback to play Fullback, or ask the Kicker to play Tight end. But sometimes in our companies, our team members have to step in and play roles that they may not be best suited for.

In business, that’s ok, and often necessary as physical injury is not generally a risk in business. Also, which is currently the case with many businesses, our team may not be fully staffed. That said, are you asking your team members to spend a majority of their time in positions that are best suited to their skills and natural abilities? And can you know when you are asking your team members to play outside of the zone of genius?

If you have not yet experienced the Working Genius assessment (from Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group), it is the simplest, cleanest and most applicable tool I’ve found to let you and your team members know which positions are most suited to their natural gifts and abilities, and where they can best help your team to win as you move through 2023.

I hope you enjoy the game this Sunday, (if football is your interest), and I invite you to watch the game through the lens of, what is our business goal? What does it look like for us as a company to win? Is my team set up to be optimized? And does every player on our team know what their role is in our success?

Also, I’d love to hear what snacks you’ll be having most of this Sunday…. sweet or salty?? Me… sweet all the way! Enjoy your Super weekend!

Peopling skills is the key to getting more done with less

Peopling skills is the key to getting more done with less

When working with one of my clients this week, it is becoming more and more clear that peopling is the skill that is most crucial in getting more done with less. Knowing what each person contributes to the team and letting them bring thier working genius to each project, keeps momentum going and allows the team to rely on eachother and allow all teams to collaborate. Layering on top of that some language  from Exactly What To Say to allow productive and sometimes tough conversations to happen, creates a workplace with improved trust and productivity . How’s your team doing? I’d love to hear what’s up with your team and if I can help.
April… Q2 begins… and it’s not too late

April… Q2 begins… and it’s not too late

It’s Q2 2022…April 1! How fast did that happen? As we enter Q2 let’s take a quick look back at Q1. In talking with some clients, I have heard that it may feel like it’s “too late” to get a started on some projects that “should” be almost done by now.

Well it’s never too late. As Spring begins… now is the time to plant the seeds that will bloom into your reality soon. Plants and projects take the time they take. And for some… rushing does nothing to help.

Here are a few “seeds” you can plant now to see your garden grow soon.

1. Revisit, either by yourself or with your team, your intention and plans for 2022.

2. Assess, how are you and your brand are showing up in the world? Is it congruent with what you set out to be for this year?

3. Explore, look at what’s happening in the realm of your business communications, both internal and external, and make some changes. It’s not too late to change direction.

4. Express Gratitude, before any communication, thank people for what they provide, and then set your agenda for the communication.

5. Learn, Spring is a wonderful time to get some training or coaching for something specific that will take you and your business to the next level.

Spring is definitely here and you have a few months to make sure that what you’re planting now will sustain you and grow into the results you are intending for the rest of the year.

2.22.22 Capture the Moment

2.22.22 Capture the Moment

Greetings on this auspicious day 22222! In numerology, the number 2 signifies partnerships, and the power of 2 energies coming together to create forward momentum.
Today is an opportunity to bring the energies of your past and the energies of your future together in harmony. Noting where you have been and where you plan and dream to be and bring those energies together to create a present and a presence so powerful that nothing that is not for your highest good can interfere. Today is a day to release resentments, upsets and anger, and take a moment to heal anything that is unresolved from your past so that you can move forward in the direction you intend for yourself which you intuitively know is for your highest good.
Know that today is a blessing and a very special day to take at least a moment to acknowledge all that you have been and all that you can be and bring them together in an intentional and life altering way for the better, for yourself, your partnerships, your relationships and your world.
And, when you get a moment to connect with you partners who are walking though this life with you… give them a hug, either physical, virtual or spiritual. That matters, especially today.

I wish you all the best on this magical day. Namaste. – Carolyn

Tethered but not Connected

Tethered but not Connected

Have people forgotten how to be people in public?

I’ve noticed a shift in society lately. After 18ish months of strange isolation, and disconnection, people have forgotten how to “people”. It seems that few are willing to stop to let someone pass, few are willing to hold a door open for people coming behind them, few are willing to step aside to let those on an elevator off before trying to get on themselves and few are actually paying attention to what others are saying and doing and are way to eager to get their own needs met. What is happening?

Perhaps polite, kind behaviour is practiced, and maybe we are out of practice. And distracted?? While in public, many people are so busy looking at their phones, that they are not looking up to notice that they are in the company of others. It seems that people are tethered to thier phones, but not connected to the world around them.

We may think that tethered and connected are the same, but I propose they are almost polar opposites. Connection takes presence, it takes awareness, and it takes the practice of knowing where one is in time and space, which can only happen when one is not being distracted and when focus is not completely absorbed in a technological device.

So for a bit of time today, put the phone/ device away, pay attention to where you are in time and space, who is nearest to you at any moment and enjoy the magic that comes from the possibility of an actual connection that can enhance your experience… IRL.