Come gather round people wherever you roam...

I don’t think I’ve heard the term “radical hope” before – in this context, I suspect it means hope that is complete, far-reaching, and passionate.  That kind of hope is what’s needed during this pandemic – for  communities and schools, and companies too, to find just the right balance between the competing demands of all of their stakeholders. At the end of the day, it comes down to reasonable accommodation, emphasis on “reasonable”: everyone involved in these decisions has to be reasonable because there are no guidelines for this kind of unique and enormous challenge. Whatever side of the argument you’re on, take a moment to step back from the emotional part of it and put yourself in everyone else’s shoes. All of those perspectives are important and the key to figuring out what’s best is collaboration.  That’s the only way we’re going to figure out these vexing issues; we’ll make mistakes along the way, but if everyone’s patient and reasonable, we’ll ultimately find the appropriate solutions that everyone is “radically” hoping for and which will help us to be better prepared in case something like this happens again. Preparation for tomorrow starts today.

Sharon Contreras (born 1970): Superintendent of Schools, Guilford County, N.C. 

Don't do something you might regret...

Some of my nieces and nephews have college-age children who recently went back to school. They’re all smart, fun, and full of life but, unfortunately, three of them have already tested positive for Covid-19. They all are very outgoing and social and most likely got conflicted about what to do when they got back among friends: I suspect they’re sorry they didn’t wear their masks and practice more social distancing. I don’t know how these kids will fare with their cases, but I suspect they might come to regret the choices they made. Part of me remembers being in college and doing things that in retrospect weren’t that smart; part of me knows that they, like all of us, will probably cringe when remembering some of the things they did. That’s when it becomes painfully clear that while we may wish to cross out our past, it can’t be erased. At my age, I appreciate that, in the best of circumstances, life is short.  I hope theirs, and those of so many other young people, aren’t cut short because of this pandemic. Think about how to be smart and safe if and when you decide to participate in things today.  

 

Elwyn Brooks White (1899 – 1985): American writer (Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web and The Elements of Style)

Find a little balance...

 My granddaughters started back in school this week – their classes are all virtual. Two days into this new routine and their parents are already organizing neighborhood activities to take the place of recess, PE classes, and other activities that let the kids ‘run off’ their energy and balance their learning time.  Those extracurricular activities have always been important and many things in the world of work seek to emulate them – like breaks and sabbaticals. Leaders today have to get creative in finding ways to get employees engaged in challenging and fulfilling and balancing things. The whole “all work and no play” thing needs to be managed from afar like everything else, and because people can’t get together physically doesn’t mean activities can’t be safely planned. Virtual games, book clubs, pizza parties and other activities are becoming more common among workers, blurring lines between work and personal time. Talk to your employees about their need to find balance and explore ways to get more involved without being too intrusive. Maybe only one out of a dozen ideas will find a foothold in this concept, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. Everybody needs a little something fun to do today.

 

Mohamed Salah (born 1992): Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Liverpool and the Egypt national team.

And you will come around...

 

Yesterday the President of the United States pardoned my friend Jon Ponder, the founder and CEO of Hope for Prisoners in Las Vegas. With a mind-boggling singleness of purpose, Jon built a reentry program for people exiting the judicial system, helping them reclaim their values and lives, and becoming a model for other prisoners coming out of that system and other reentry programs around the country. I’ve written often in these messages about Jon and H4P and am thrilled that his record has been wiped clean.  He earned it, and he deserves this. Jon’s story is both amazing and inspiring – to go from the depths of despair to a national role model is the thing that stories are made of; to take a single thought and build it into such a successful program shows what people are capable of, even when it’s least expected; and to turn his own life around and then those of so many others is an incredible testament to the power of faith and change. Hard work is indeed its own reward and this pardon is the icing on the cake: it will further encourage other men and women seeking to rebuild their lives, their families and their communities. In these crazy times we all need some good news – Jon Ponder is that story today.

 

Jodi Picoult (born 1966): American Author

Find someone who's turning...

 

Some of the leaders I know are winging it during this pandemic and the re-opening of their businesses. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing them: winging it in this context is throwing out the old rule and play books, improvising on the fly, being more transparent than usual, and discovering new and heretofore unknown processes.  They study and read voraciously, and network with everyone  who might have some insight or perspective or experience: what they’re finding is the importance of problem solving, planning for change, and project management. Leaders who are really into their businesses treat this like saving a family or family member and are working hard to remain balanced while being a little emotional, stressed, exhausted, and depressed. None of them went to school for this, they’re just figuring out how to get this job done by doing it: engaging their team in collaboration and brainstorming, inspiring them to be as committed and involved as they are, and working diligently and effectively with everyone. Network as far and wide as you can in order to find others who can help you get the job done today.

 

Bruce Brown (1937 – 2017): American documentary film director, known as an early pioneer of the surf film. 

Don't let it bring you down...

 

And Covid-19 just goes on and on. Companies are finding their new normal business levels, having to lay off staff, trying to maintain new safety procedures, attracting customers back to the fold, and looking for ways to engage and motivate employees. Many leaders I talk to speak of depression – theirs and their employees, and they know that they have to deal with and overcome these bad times and feelings. They are finding that their leadership style and efforts are both changing and becoming how they may be defined going forward: they’re aware how fragile this all is and fighting hard not to let this destroy them and their businesses. Some are faltering, but many more are growing in stature and fortitude. This last may be one of the silver linings hidden in this pandemic: it’s making fighters and motivators and survivors of them. Every week that this continues presents more opportunities to hone your leadership skills, not the least of which are hand-on involvement, communications, coaching, integrity, transparency, and professionalism. Dig deep into the well of your resiliency and provide the hands-on leadership needed to overcome these challenges today.

 

Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904-1991): AKA: Dr. Seuss - Writer, Cartoonist, and Animator

Watch what you say...

 

I once worked with a guy who referred to slackers and other ineffective employees as “slugs”: he was a good ole boy and so we knew what he meant.  Over the years, terms like that become far less tolerated as businesses came to understand and appreciate that words matter. Today, we watch what we say very carefully as we seek to create the right impressions and tone.  But there still are things that have to be said so learning and practicing effective communications is an absolute necessity. Meet with your employees regularly, let them know what’s what, and listen to what they have to say: speak to and about them the way you want them to speak to and about you. Today, as we call employees back to a significantly changed work environment with different rules, it’s really important to practice good communications, carefully saying what you mean, using simple and respectful terms, allowing time for questions, and providing straight-forward answers. Don’t use slang, or words that can be misconstrued, and take extra time to re-cap what’s expected. Your words – once spoken – are a reflection of you. Words, like potions, can be magical: use them appropriately to get everyone going in the right direction today.

 

William Peter Hamill Jr (1935 – 2020): American journalist, novelist, essayist and editor.

Assess your problems...

Back in the day I developed a test for pre-employment test for optimism that involved assessing the level of someone’s spontaneous response to an unexpected handshake. It was given to more than 2 million applicants: those who passed and got hired were subsequently observed and found to be optimistic, flexible and open to change. Years later I became and still am a partner in a consulting firm with a psychologist and one of his specialties was a more formal test for general optimism: it too has been validated in workplace studies. I mention this again now because in these difficult times people need enough pessimism to anticipate and recognize difficulties and enough optimism to keep moving forward. Companies need employees who are open to change, optimistic about the future, and realistic enough to deal with the present – and Covid-19 presents all those challenges in today’s workplace. That’s why I continue to preach hiring for attitude and training for skills – those practices are especially important today. Most of my clients are trying to right-size their companies to adjust to their new-normal business levels and they want to keep their most optimistic and flexible employees: getting businesses through this pandemic is in many ways as simple as that. Anticipate and assess your difficulties and keep moving forward today.

 

Dan Rockwell: Leadership consultant and author of Leadership Freak

Be alert...

 

Communications are a big part of our lives: they’re affected by body language and other non-verbal cues that need to be continuously observed every time you’re meeting, talking or listening to others. In good times, we do pretty well with those but in these Covid-19 times we are having to adjust. I always thought of myself as a keen observer of people but Zoom changes the game. Facial expressions, grooming, multi-tasking, and the backgrounds we use are all vividly on display there. We’re not used to sitting and staring at people, but on Zoom that’s exactly what we do. And seeing all that’s on the screen can be somewhere between mesmerizing and disconcerting. Face to face we can look away, on a phone call we may multi-task, but on Zoom those behaviors are fully on display – even if others can’t see them directly, they can notice them. And while we probably wouldn’t comment on these things otherwise, Zoom etiquette seems to demand it. So, we all have to cultivate an ever-continuous power of observation – the rules aren’t yet fully formed for this, but they’re probably coming. Be an observer and a respecter of communication etiquette today.

 

John Singer Sargent (1856 – 1925): American expatriate artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Edwardian-era luxury

Take a hike...

It’s been a glorious summer here in the Adirondack Mountains - full of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight. My daughter and her 2 children have been here visiting with us for the past 5 weeks (joined for a week by her husband): I know of so many families that have had their grown children move back home during this pandemic, allowing them all to shelter in place and support one another. For us, these past weeks together were a time of safety and solitude and love, and we were pleasantly surprised to see how smoothly it all went with a working mom and dad, 8 and 6 year old girls, and grandparents under the same roof. We enjoyed biking, boating, arts and crafts, picnics, long walks, kayaking, swimming, and family meals together. Nature for all of us was the home, teacher and companion we needed during these Covid-19 times. They left yesterday and now our cabin is quiet: my wife and I are adjusting to being home alone again. These challenging times call for extraordinary efforts and this, for us, was the one we all needed. Find ways to bring nature and family together today.

 

Lorraine Anderson (born 1952):American writer, editor and teacher 

Show your character...

 

One thing I’m certain of is that the world is full of characters… or, people with a lot of character.  Being an HR guy, my career was a constant introduction to an array of interesting people: most HR professionals would probably say the same. Applicants, employees, executives, customers, vendors and colleagues – each one full of personality and history, with a story to be told and remembered. And what all that taught me is the value of each and every person you meet: there’s something to be learned from each. You can never be certain who’s important or not, or whether any one of all the people you meet could or should have an impact on who and what you are and what you do. If you’re just starting out, find a mentor: someone who can show you around and answer your questions. If you’re at a crossroad, look for a coach: someone who can help you discover the right path to follow.  And if you’re there, offer yourself as a coach: it’s a great way to help build someone else’s character. Be a character and show your character on life’s stage today.

 

Jane Gardam (born 1928): English writer of children's and adult fiction

Get with the program...

 

It’s been an on-going question whether customers will return to businesses as they reopen after their recent Covid-19 pandemic closures. With a growing amount of anecdotal information, it appears that customers will return to their favorite places, especially if those companies exceed their expectations relative to cleanliness and safety. They’re looking for and expecting plexiglass shields, facemasks, hand-sanitizing stations and distancing markers; they’re impressed by having their temperatures taken and being asked health questions; and they’re increasingly looking for super clean facilities and visible ongoing cleaning procedures. Not for nothing, cleanliness and pro-active sanitation practices are showing up in marketing promotions. Even better, employees are actively engaging in promoting safety and talking it up within the context of their jobs and work areas. It may be grudging at first, but there’s no denying that companies are going through lots of efforts in order to attract and retain customers. The next big question will be how long these expectations and practices stay in place…this might be a big part of the new normal everyone is talking about. So, get on board with exceeding your customer’s (and employee’s) expectations and secure their loyalty today.

 

Ron Kaufman: Author, Motivational Speaker, and CEO of Up Your Service

Get going...

 

Many of the people I talk to are struggling to determine how to get their businesses re-started after this extended pandemic-related shutdown. Their questions are endless as they seek to adapt traditional operational policies and practices, and while there’s a lot published about what guidelines they should be following and what best practices have been discovered, their uncertainty can be paralyzing. Like any large undertaking, it helps to break things down into manageable efforts to promote focus and follow-thru. Project plans, inclusive discussions and effective communications are critical to any undertaking like this. And making sure that everyone is brought in and bought in on the plan is essential: there can never be too much communications, training, practice, and continuous review of and for these efforts. Be careful not to get so intense and focused that you overlook what others are doing – remember to say ‘please’, ‘thank you’, and, if necessary, ‘I’m sorry’. Just get going and, if all you can do is crawl at first then, by all means, start crawling. Don’t be so paralyzed that you can’t get going today.

 

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (1207 – 1273): A 13th-century Persian, poet, faqih, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic 

Get back in the saddle...

I’ve recently been working with several clients who are re-opening their businesses. I’m usually a stickler for detail when it comes to planning, but I realized that these efforts need to remain a little ambiguous and flexible as people learn more about what’s in store as they proceed into uncharted territory. The plans I’ve seen leave room for adjusting for these unknown or changing circumstances.  Remember: if something doesn’t work it isn’t a failure… it just didn’t work, and you should be resilient enough to keep trying. There’s no shame in getting knocked down by these Covid-19 challenges – that will probably happen a lot as companies and their planning teams work to figure out how to integrate masks, distancing, customer preferences and more into their operating practices. The key is to keep going with what you learn. As I’ve said here before, don’t obsess over whether customers will accept these seemingly drastic changes… they’re proving to be resilient and their continued loyalty will be your reward. And the good news: these efforts build internal pride, commitment, and engagement. Show your resilience when dealing with challenges like these today.

 

Dominique Browning: Writer, and Magazine EditorDominique Browning: Writer, and Magazine Editor

Be open and honest...

 

My daughter and her two children are staying longer with us here in the Adirondacks this summer because it’s relatively much safer here during this Covid-19 outbreak than it is back in Las Vegas. And while they’re here,  I’ve gotten to watch first-hand how my daughter provides health-related information to her kids and how they’re dealing with it. She’s very open with them about the dangers they face and diligent in always reminding them of the safety precautions that are necessary. She’s straight forward about it, not scaring them but making sure their questions are answered. My granddaughters, and probably countless other children like them, are fully aware of what’s going on, conversant with the things we all need to do or not do to stay safe, and responsible in ways that I’m not sure kids in the past have had to be. That’s how pervasive this pandemic has become, and years from now I suspect they’ll be telling their grandchildren about what it was like during the pandemic of 2020. How we handle things we’re exposed to will determine where we go now and well into the future. Take a lesson from my daughter and mothers like her everywhere: be open and unwavering in giving people the information they need today.

 

Judith Blume (born 1938): American writer of children's, young adult and adult fiction

Stick to the basics...

 

There’s no getting around the fact that Covid-19 has almost completely upended the world. After nearly 6 months of this, we each need to settle down, assess our own circumstances and options, and create an environment that is driven by as much of what we can control as possible. We can’t ignore this… period. I recently talked to a business owner friend who told me how his operation is drifting, and his key people are all fighting amongst themselves and with him: when I asked him whether he is practicing good communications and is open and transparent… he went into a long list of excuses why he hasn’t. I stopped him and said there’s no substitute for effective leadership… ever. In these extraordinary times, it’s important to invest in and maintain the relationships that make us who and what we are – personally and professionally. If you’re leading a business (or anything else), your efforts and actions should be driven by the basics of effective management and leadership. That’s the best way to get the most out of your personal and professional relationships and responsibilities today.

 

Michelle Obama (born 1964): American attorney and author who was the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017

Honesty is still the best policy...

Some last thoughts on integrity for this week: be absolutely frank with yourself and others. We all talk to ourselves in quiet moments, and this needs to be an honest discussion. Try having these internal dialogues when driving, thinking things through and working them out. You’ll quickly identify your own strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities – this kind of personal SWOT analysis is a good practice. Face them all and don’t try to hide from any of them: the challenge and goal is to come to some appropriate conclusions. And somewhere in these is a semblance of the Golden Rule: figuring out what’s good for yourself and others, equally. If you’re not comfortable talking to yourself, find a close friend or colleague to talk things through with… don’t try to sift through your issues alone. Most leaders I know do a lot of this kind of introspection: this pandemic has stretched everyone and taking some extra time to figure out what’s best is a good thing to do. Be frank with yourself and others today.

 

Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993): British actress, humanitarian, and a film and fashion icon

Be bold in your thinking and actions...

There are all kinds of reasons for innovation… Covid-19 is just the latest. During my career in the gaming business I worked for a creative guy and he revolutionized the industry; he also drove us to each innovate in our departments. We were encouraged to find our limitations and work thru them, often pushing our proverbial envelopes to their limits. That same spirit is needed today when finding new formats, processes and practices to adapt to the extraordinary demands this pandemic has placed on companies, communities and individuals. While it can be hard to break the binds of past practice, now is a unique time to look at new ways to adapt things. The Native American casinos I work with in Oklahoma took on long-held customer preferences by eliminating smoking, something that would never have been tried before. But with customers wearing masks, it seemed like the logical time to take that bold move. In these challenging times, integrity, trust, respect, honesty and reliability should be the way you conduct yourself and make decisions about how to best adapt to these changing circumstances. Let those values guide your thinking today.

 

Herbert Jeffrey Hancock (born 1940): American pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, composer, and actor

It may be time for some re-potting...

Ever wish you could just start over… be careful what that. You might now have one of those rare opportunities to re-set things that, truthfully, may have warranted being changed for a long time. Creative leaders should be looking at everything during this pandemic and trying to find the right way forward.  The choices are endless, depending on your appetite for change and risk.  Whatever you choose should be approached from a change management perspective: that process should include planning, clarity, transparency, and careful implementation. Whether it’s work from home issues, benefits, staffing, policies or practices, or a new job... nobody likes changes; be sensitive and aware as you select and implement alternatives to your current business operations or personal situation. There is probably no going back for many people or organizations, meaning you should actively chart your path forward with everyone’s suggestions and participation. Stressful and challenging as this might be, it’s a great opportunity re-set things.  But, don’t just change things because you can – do it because it makes sense for everyone.  Choose your path and get started today.

 

Dr. Steven J. Corwin: CEO, New York-Presbyterian Hospital

Find and do the things that make you smile...

Years ago, one of my best friends turned me onto reading Robert B. Parker, an author of crime mysteries.  We read every book he wrote, discussed them avidly, and laughed together about the clever plots and dialogue. My buddy died way too young, and every time Parker came out with a new novel I’d read it and talk to my friend about it in my head. The other day, I visited the local little library here and to my surprise they had several Parker titles I somehow overlooked. My daughter, who’s a fervent safety advocate, questioned whether library books in general were safe: so, I asked the librarian and she proudly proclaimed that the books were thoroughly wiped down and left in their own quarantine for 72 hours. With everyone then satisfied, I brought the books home and started enjoying them… and laughing as though my friend were here reading along with me. In these days of continuing isolation, one must take what comes and make the most of them. We all owe that to ourselves. Find the things that make you laugh and make the most of them today.

 

Dame Olivia Mary de Havilland (1916 – 2020): British-American actress whose career spanned from 1935-1968

Be true to yourself...

If I were still rotating through my corporate values themes, this week’s messages would be about integrity. You know, what you do when nobody’s watching.  But, maybe also whenpeople are watching.  Leaders at every level continue to struggle with so many Covid-19 related decisions, all of which are on display for everyone to see and assess. Decisions like when and how much to open, safety regulations/guidelines, business process changes, WFH rules, office layouts, financial issues, customer expectations and preferences, employee needs and fears, business volumes and possible layoffs, benefits, HR policies, and on and on. Sadly, so many of these choices aren’t especially good. In good times and bad it’s always best to do what’s right for your employees, customers, communities, and owners. Leaders must have integrity, transparency, and compassion… maybe more so today, mindful that their decisions affect so many. Who would have ever thought that this pandemic and the stresses it creates on decision-making would go on so long: in relative terms, 6 months isn’t very long… but in Covid-19 times, it seems like a lifetime. When making decisions, look inward and then be true to yourself, especially because everyone is watching today.

 

Dave Chappelle (born 1973): American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer