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Blog
Leadership development and effectiveness are grounded in effective communication. We must effectively deliver a message AND listen to hear the message. Effective communication is difficult in the most stable environments and remote work adds a level of complexity where many organizations are struggling to adapt.
As the world continues to face the evolving challenges of our times, hospitals, healthcare workers, teachers, parents and many others are feeling the heavy weight of burnout and compassion fatigue.
Chances are you have encountered a narcissistic co-worker or boss at some time in your career. It’s that person who constantly shifts attention back to themselves, discounts your ideas to present their own better idea, or is continually name-dropping or bragging about their credentials to impress people?
Contemplate a typical day or week in your life and identify at least two items that would go into each bucket.
How many times a day do we find ourselves or others talking during our virtual video conference meetings only to find out that no one heard anything we said. We quickly fumble to find the button to turn our microphone on and try to reenact our thoughts. It has become somewhat humorous knowing that it still happens even after almost a year of training.
In the spirit of these unique times when everything feels different, consider making your New Year’s resolution different as well. Instead of setting new goals requiring more “to dos” that typically diminish in short order, how about engaging in different conversations. How about making sure the microphone button is always on? Remember deep conversations are the basis for meaningful relationships and can ignite new thoughts and perspective.
It’s the perfect time of year for reflections, and 2020 will certainly go into the books as one of the most difficult years in history. Yet, despite the challenges, when we asked our network, “What have you learned in 2020?” the responses were those of resiliency, strength and a return to core values.
These positive reflections in no way diminish the significant struggles this year has brought. We know that depression, domestic violence, and suicide have increased as a result of this year’s events. However, our reflections and learnings illuminate what so many spiritual traditions have known for millennia; that discomfort and suffering are a sure path to growth and expansion.