Posts by Cynthia Howard RN, CNC, PhD
When Disruption Backfires: How to Come Out of this Crisis Stronger
In graduate school I studied the impact of chaotic conditions on performance. In many ways it reminds me of what we are going through today with this massive disruption and uncertainty. No one can plan for disruption; you have to be ready for what shows up. This requires a unique perspective. What I learned from…
Read More5 Tips to Engage Your Team in a Crisis (Build a Resilient Team)
Even prior to the crisis, demands in the workplace were accelerating and highlighting the need to be agile. This crisis makes the need to be ready even more urgent. Organizations that emerge stronger from a crisis do so because of their people and their leader’s ability to engage them in the midst of challenges. Change,…
Read MoreThe Resilient Leader Workplace Strategy Checklist
Resilience is your capacity - it is like a battery. Batteries need to be recharged every day! The following is a checklist to help you and your team stay focused and energized. 1. Make meetings technology free. Research shows that computers and cell phones, even when closed or face down, are distracting in a meeting.…
Read MoreActivate Your Resilience
Never before has resilience been so important. Do you remember Thomas Edison’s famous 10,000 “failures” when working on inventing the light bulb? He did not see these as failures rather they were “ways that didn’t work.” He had grit, optimism, energy and allowed his resilience to drive him to his ultimate success. Because of his…
Read MoreBreathe Deliberately When Stressed
Breathing is your number one defense against the stress reaction. When stressed, breathing changes to accommodate the flight or fight reaction; breath becomes more shallow and the acid build-up is not released. Practice the technique below and break away from the debilitating impact of the stress reaction. What Will You Gain From This Practice RESET Using…
Read More3 Keys to Manage Uncertainty
We are all waiting, watching and wondering what is going to happen and what the outcome will be. This is a recipe for an overactive mind, asking, “what if?” and going off on tangents. I understand, it happens to me too! Human beings and businesses do not like uncertainty. We all want to predict what…
Read MoreCoping in a Crisis [Video]
We are in unprecedented times. Life has been disrupted on all levels for everyone. The fear, anxiety, anger and isolation can be overwhelming. In this COMPLIMENTARY webinar, I want to open the conversation about how you are dealing with it and offer strategies you can use - in the moment - to reboot the anxiety,…
Read MorePerformance Review Makeover: An Agile Approach
The skills it takes to manage day to day operations are different from the skills needed to lead through change and transformation. This can also be said for Performance Management. What it takes to write the Annual Review is a completely different set of skills needed to motivate and inspire employees. In fact, most reviewers…
Read More10 Ways To Be A Better Leader
1. Care about yourself and the world around you. Did you know that caring helps you AVOID burnout? Most people think caring causes burnout. 2. Start a gratitude journal. Gratitude changes your brain. During stress, a switch goes off in your brain limiting your perspective. Gratitude turns it back on. Begin a daily gratitude…
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