Friday morning, a week ago, we learnt that a pipe burst at our lake cabin in Maine. Water was pouring out of the second floor bathroom flooding the whole downstairs. This had probably been going on for days. You can see what it looked like in the image. Needless to say this was not a nice surprise. Immediately, we went into action mode. Had the water turned off, called a plumber, water damage mitigation company, our insurance… I was calm. Surprisingly calm and positive. Friends, family, all seemed much more phased by it than me. My positivity also surprised me. This was a nice surprise. I paus ..read more

Listening is one of the most underutilized leadership skills. Active listening is a communication skill that involves giving your full attention, no checking your email, phone or messages on your watch. You are also not just listening to respond, you listen to understand, and retain the message being conveyed by the speaker. It also means not interrupting the speaker. Are you listening? When you are talking you are not listening. Listening to others helps improve communication, build consensus, and can help resolve conflicts. Good listening skills also foster trust, cooperation, and teamwork ..read more

I love connecting with people, learning about their journey in life, their successes, the struggles they overcame, their story. It fascinates and inspires me. I am lucky that this is part of what I do every day in my conversations with people as an executive coach. Sometimes this connection is at a completely different level, and a different form. This week I deepened, my very one sided relationship :), with Leonard Cohen. I love his music. It touches my soul. Though I have enjoyed listening to it for decades, I did not know much about him.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching the new Leonard C ..read more

I have recently had multiple conversations with people around setting clearer boundaries and saying “no” more often. For some it was their new year’s resolution, for others an ongoing challenge. Saying “no” can be difficult, especially if you’re someone who wants to please others or avoid conflict. Setting boundaries and prioritizing your own needs and wants is essential for maintaining a healthy balance in your personal and professional life. Here are a few tips for saying “no” more often: Remember that it’s okay to put yourself first. You are entitled to your own time, energy, and resources ..read more

Have you noticed that peoples’ energy is contagious? The big sigh your colleague took at the beginning of the meeting, the frowns, the focus on all that can go wrong, how did it make you feel? And what about your other colleague’s smile, and solution focused mindset? When you are around people who are positive, confident, and enthusiastic, they can inspire similar feelings in others, while those who are negative, stressed, or unengaged can bring others down. What energy are you brining into interactions? This phenomenon is often referred to as “emotional contagion” or “mood contagion.” Studies ..read more

How are you feeling getting back to work this week? Have you checked in with your employees to see how they are doing? The holiday break may not have been a relaxing or enjoyable time for all employees. Some parents are exhausted after taking care of young ones at home with no additional care available. Some people may have faced financial stress, family conflicts, or other personal challenges that made the holiday season difficult. Others may have struggled with feelings of loneliness or isolation. So while some may be feeling re-energized others may need your support. As the new year begins ..read more

6 years ago, November 10, 2016 was the official launch of IamBackatWork, the company I founded to support women and help them remain in, and return to the workforce. After months of hard work, building the platform, gathering resources, collaborating with a variety of experts to create a powerful webinar series, we held our first live webinar! I was not there. 2 days beforehand I flew to Israel. My father was very unwell. My father and I had quite a distraught relationship. He was an extreme chauvinist and growing up in my house meant that women were treated like second class citizens. I refus ..read more

This Halloween, horror movies aside, take some time to think about what it is that scares you. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you,” and no, she was not talking about the newest horror movie to come out on Netflix. She was talking about stepping out of your comfort zone. The “comfort zone” and “something new” is different for everyone. Something that is easy for one can be scary for another. What will getting out of the comfort zone mean for you? Speaking up in a meeting? Quitting your job? Starting a new career? Leading with vulnerability? Saying no and setting mor ..read more

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