Solutions For Good

Happy Valentine's Day! 💕 On this Valentine's Day, whether you are happily coupled, not so happily coupled, happily single, single and looking or whatever else,  why not adopt Valentine’s Day for your own wellness?   More and more, like many of you, “wellness” has been on my mind. From the perspective of a management consultant working with people in organizations, I see, hear and feel your stress. For all the tragedy and hardship of the pandemic, wellness, work-life harmony and acknowledgement of mental health has taken a forefront and I am grateful for that for all of us.   I humbly reach out to you as someone also working on my own wellness - gratitude, relaxation, fitness, joy and mindfulness. Below are some resources for you. A quick note - I’m excited to start a certificate program this week through Cornell University’s online program in wellness, focusing on organizations and their people. More to come as I incorporate this further into my consulting wor...

I LOVE working from home! I miss the office… but my dog will be lonely! My kids are still home - how can I balance this? I can do all of my work easily from home! I need the office environment to keep me focused. I’ve heard all of these and more. We all have feelings around this transition. There is definitely an element of stress in returning to the office, as well as excitement. For the sake of camaraderie, team spirit, Zoom fatigue and that real life interaction makes a difference, we will likely need to be in the office at least some of the time. At the same time following the pandemic, many organizations are becoming more comfortable with their teams working from home and many employees like that arrangement. Given this, many of us will see a hybrid work schedule in our futures, if not already.  A few things to consider for your team with a hybrid work schedule: Communication - Be explicit about the policies and options for your team. Clarify about shared desk/office space, e...

It's 2021, while enthusiastic, we are still grappling with unknowns😕, but we are ready to get things done. We have some experience under our belts with this pandemic and will navigate better. I have heard, “My people are too stressed to plan.” Yes, your people are still stressed, this is true. With a clear process, good leadership and realistic targets, planning can decrease stress. Planning helps your team have guidance and reassurance. Let your team know:       > What the intentions are and that the plan is flexible due to the unknowns.       > A ssure them that the organization is “people first” and will put the treasure of their                               talent   first and will focus on their well-being. Planning Tips Below are some fundamentals in a time with continued uncertainty.         It is often helpful ...

"Massage for Kate- paid for" popped up on my calendar last week. I felt a wave of euphoria and gratitude come over me! Then a little bit of, "Do I have time? Should we be spending the money?" It is fair to say that historically, I have stunk at self-care. My husband knows this, which is why he scheduled and paid for my massage (he goes monthly for a massage and is much better at self care all around).So I have no room to be sanctimonious but want share methods I have found to be helpful, for me or others. And maybe to kick my own butt into gear... I used to think self-care was mostly woo-woo stuff-- just an excuse not to work hard. But now, finally, in my mid-life, I get it. It is wellness and self preservation. It is also how we enjoy our short time on this earth. I fully appreciate the younger folks who have come along with this life balance thing already figured out. I speak to clients regularly who share their stress, frustration and/or lack of life balance an...

“I don’t believe in mixing politics with work.” I heard that statement from a leader as a reason to not acknowledge the Black Lives Matter movement and current protests with their team.  I can imagine that this person, a white person, is a good leader in other ways, but they missed an important opportunity to show that they care and to say "I see you" to the people of color on their team and those they serve. With the murders of Black people, the injustices and the protests to combat them, it is an emotional time. To help you (and me), below is a list of articles with helpful advice on how to address the pain people are experiencing, as well as how to lead in supporting racial justice. Whatever your race, this is a very important time to be a strong leader.  Realistically, for white leadership, there is much more work to do. There i s no set best appr oach. It is suggested to: Read & learn Digest what you are hearing that is new to you Take time to really empathize with B...

“Those shoes are cute! They look comfortable too!”  I hear that often. Well, it is not a coincidence. We all work hard. We need to be comfortable and like how we look. Happy feet make for a much better day. Check out my recommendations -- this is my Valentine to you. After getting plantar fasciitis (foot pain issues) a few years ago, my podiatrist suggested better shoes. He twisted the shoe I was wearing like ringing out a wet rag to demonstrate the lack of support. It was painful (literally and figuratively),but I went home and started to throw out a closet full of shoes. Then started on the hunt for cute and comfortable options. Not an easy combo to find! With some trial and error I found a few brands that I really like (shared below).  How to Choose Shoes for Common Foot Problems Here’s to happy feet! Dress Shoes, Flats, Sandals Jambu Taos Spring Step/ L’artiste Dansko Lifestride Naot Casual/Boots Merrell Keen Teva New Balance   Asics ...

I turned to two colleagues next to me, who looked stunned, and said,  “Being respectful and professional is never underrated”. I had just been loudly and aggressively rebuked by a colleague during a very large community event, in front of others. She barked these words after being difficult, non-communicative, planning poorly and generally not being on the ball for months. Now in the heat of the event, she is snapping at me in front of our colleagues and guests. Lovely. I ignored her, and addressed my younger colleagues who witnessed it instead. I figured it was more important to invest in their development in that moment and frankly, it was a way to steady myself -- “When they go low…” Thank you again, Mrs. Obama! Would I choose to work with her again? Or refer her to someone else. No way! I think of my friend Candace often, who will literally shrug her shoulders and swipe negativity with the back of her hand, off of her body when she interacts with such a person... and...