Today, June 21st marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and a seasonal cycle of change, an official natural change we can actually predict and count on. How refreshing!
Speaking of predictability, or lack there of, it's been an interesting ride since we last connected. It seems like only months ago I was helping leaders manage the initial crisis of the pandemic. Now we have a whole new dynamic and persistent paradigm to navigate that demands more empathy, more resourcefulness and accelerated adaptation.
These past two years offered a fascinating view into how leaders manage change. Everyone was hit at once to solve big, fat issues fast. Some of you thrived with the urgent, crisis driven topics. Others got burnt out from the constant fire-fighting and problem-solving. Some began to reimagine and envision what was possible with the work and a couple of you retired.
Your people likely experienced a whole array of emotions, compounded personal needs, mental and physical health challenges, as well as potentially new standards and demands for how we work together.
Our collective awakening to social justice, climate implications, political divisions and globalization failures also rose. In a single day our attention could range from trying to just find toilet paper to pondering our life purposes.
We've also gone from trying to find a "new normal" (didn't happen) to "the great resignation" (some are going back to their old jobs or dropping out completely), to losing our working mothers (nearly 3 million in the USA) and now perhaps to a "hybrid" state (which is meeting unexpected pockets of resistance).Truthfully, we are still in the throws of figuring out the new social contract between workers, employers, and the government.
What is holding true throughout this chaos is this:We need to learn how to master the moment. Those strategic moments when a decision arises, an evaluation needs to be made and course of action decided. Knowing what to do when we don't know what to do.
I've been studying and testing materials on how to navigate these pivotal moments and refining the LumiereWorkTM methodology to help us gain the skills and perspectives we need to create and maintain inclusive, sustainable organizations. I'll be thrilled to introduce you to the new work next Fall! But for now let me offer you a tool that has stood the test of time in terms of facing these moments: Presence.
Here is a link to my 5- Minute Brain Fix to help you access the calm and capacity you need when facing change:
“Life is no different than the weather. Not only is it unpredictable, but it shows us a new perspective of the world every day.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem
This year LumiereWorkTM is redefining and expanding its offerings. In addition to Executive Leadership Consulting for individuals and team:
I've built 4 new workshops to help leaders learn to navigate new and unknown territories so they can master any moment.
We also have 4 new immersive and fun in-person experiences that can be used to welcome people back into the office, for sales or company conferences or for departmental teams who need to strengthen their skills and bonds.
My expanded network of experts and coaches will be thrilled to introduce you to all this and more in the Fall. Until then, Happy Summer to you! Enjoy and may the light continue to pour in.
Highest Regards, Kathleen Joy