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Is the Art of Good Conversation Lost in the Age of Constant Communication?
“Ah, good conversation—there’s nothing like it, is there? The air of ideas is the only air worth breathing.” So wrote Edith Wharton, the Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist and a keen social observer of the early 20th century. Wharton wrote about the intricacies of privilege in novels like The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth….
What to Do When You Can’t Clock Out: Tips to Navigate Working Parenthood
Work-life balance is difficult for anyone to achieve, but for working parents, navigating parenthood and career can at times feel like an impossible task. Sheer willpower helps to a point, but nothing supports this balancing act like having a real strategy, a method to the madness, so to speak. While few would call working and navigating parenthood a simple feat (certainly none that ever tried), many would agree that it’s a balancing act that demands devotion and adaptability.
When Talking About an Inclusive Environment, We Have to Discuss ‘Splaining
Though most people see Spring as a stepping stone we must cross over to get to Summer, it’s a great time for growth and change, both personally and professionally. This Spring, there’s a lot of change happening — vaccines are steadily rolling out, and the hope of returning to “normalcy” is within reach. As some of us start to head back into our offices, I’m hopeful about those lingering promises to “do better” that many of us made this past year. It’s also my hope that these promises are fulfilled, and it’s up to us to hold our companies accountable so that these important topics of inclusion and diversity in the workplace span further than just during a movement or national month.
Black History Month Beyond February
As another Black History Month comes to a close, I encourage each of us to take a moment to reflect, especially this year as many individuals and institutions have pledged to do better. Afterall, we can always do better — all of us. Here are a few resources on Black speakers, authors, educators, and activists to learn from all year and for many years to come. Life gets away from us so easily, especially now with so much going on in our virtual and remote environments. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to dedicate time each week — even if just five minutes while drinking your morning coffee — to reflect, educate, and grow.
In Spite of 2020, I’m Still Grateful
As an eternal optimist, even I must confess that 2020 left a lot to be desired. And now that it’s finally over, and we await all that 2021 has in store, I’m trying to capture those “2020 moments” that brought me joy. I mean the kind of pure joy that makes you smile without even realizing it.
I know, 2020 reflection calls attention to Covid-19, racial unrest, and political divisiveness, just to name a few. Yet through it all, when it seems like joy was nowhere in sight, I’m determined to bring light to those positive moments at times buried deep within last year. You see, I believe it’s possible to acknowledge the hurt we’ve endured while also finding gratitude for the experience. Though 2020 brought many of us great heartache, there have been glimmers of hope sprinkled about that have hopefully brought a smile or two to the faces of many.
I Don’t Know and That’s Okay: Leadership Isn’t About Having All The Answers
It’s often assumed that a leader needs to be all-knowing. But I question — does this notion actually hinder a leader? As a leader, you are the captain of the ship, but your eyes can’t be everywhere at all times. You need to trust that your shipmates will do their jobs, allowing you to do yours.
If you’re faced with a challenge you’ve never encountered before, it’s okay not to know how to handle it. Admitting you don’t have the answers is a lot better than pretending you do. Wouldn’t you prefer a physician say, “This type of surgery isn’t my specialty. Let’s find someone who is an expert on this matter to assist” rather than him “wing it” in fear of looking weak or not in control? In these scenarios, admitting you need assistance or that you rely on someone else’s expertise isn’t a weakness. Instead, it shows the power of collaboration and your ability to build a strong, diverse team.
Coworker Approved? How to Respond When You Sense a Coworker Doesn’t Like You
Our unconscious mind works much faster than our conscious mind, and according to Dr. Nick Morgan, we are all unconscious experts in reading the intentions of others toward us. Dr. Morgan even suggests that our minds can tell, right away, and with pretty good reliability, if someone is a “friend or foe.”
To me, this sounds like proof behind the phrase “trust your gut.” Perhaps the phrase should be “trust your unconscious mind,” though. One key approach to bring unconscious awareness to conscious thoughts is to observe body language and subtle cues. However, in this virtual world that we’re in, where body language signs are even harder to read via a screen, it’s even more important to be able to pick up on verbal, nonverbal, and communicative cues.