Latest / Authentic Living / Leading Virtually in This Time of Uncertainty with Leadership Expert, Pam Griffiths
Transcript
- 0:01Welcome to authentic living with Roxanne, a place where we have as conversations about
- 0:08things that really matter in our lives.
- 0:11And now here's your host, Roxanne Derhodge.
- 0:36Everyone.
- 0:36It's Roxanne Derhodge of Authentic Living with Roxanne.
- 0:38Thanks so much for tuning in in again this week.
- 0:42This week, I have a special colleague Pat Griffith is here with me, Pat Pan.
- 0:45How are you today?
- 0:46Great.
- 0:46Thank you, Roxanne.
- 0:47Thank you so much for the invitation to be here with you today at this incredible time.
- 0:52Well, thanks.
- 0:53I know it's a it's a lot going on for all of us, but I'm so glad that we had this booked and
- 0:57we you've had that time, to be able to spend the time with the topic I think today is so,
- 1:02so, vital.
- 1:04It's something we always as known in the business environment that's needed, but even
- 1:08more so in this, uncertain time,
- 1:11So
- 1:11let me tell you a little bit about Pam, and we'll jump right into it.
- 1:14So Pam, is, she runs Pam Griffiths Group Coaching Inc.
- 1:18She's a professional coaching and training company.
- 1:21That takes a holistic approach to to personal growth.
- 1:24Her philosophy is based on leveraging a leader's strength while aligning their vision
- 1:30and values to support the success.
- 1:32The support this approach supports our leaders, coaches, and teams to make me take meaningful
- 1:37action, experience positive change and achieve extraordinary results.
- 1:42What, a timely, need for this right now where because the first thing that's going off the
- 1:49window as we were chatting just before we got online is positivity, which is something that,
- 1:54Ready, we need to harness even more so right now.
- 1:58Absolutely.
- 1:58You know, Roxanne, it's about how do we keep the energy or vibration up when everything
- 2:05feels so heavy, if we're listening to too much media, you know, can really pull teams down and
- 2:12their vibration and positivity down.
- 2:14So how do we ensure that we keep that up so that we're in that space of creativity and
- 2:19innovation?
- 2:21Absolutely.
- 2:21So Pat has also, wrote written a number 1, Amazon bestseller, that was, really last year,
- 2:28and I I think it's probably a timely read as well.
- 2:31So I think picking up a copy would be important.
- 2:33It's called leadership unleashed awakened your extraordinary leadership.
- 2:38Pat, let's you and I, Pat and I, we both live in, the Niagara Region.
- 2:43We were fortunate to both, share this stage with at, Niagara Disrupts where, we both saw
- 2:50each other speak.
- 2:51And, you know, and that was just a couple months ago when things were kind of like, you
- 2:57know, business as usual and look at what's happening in the even in the last week.
- 3:01So, Pam, let's jump right into it.
- 3:03We I know my business has increased and, pivoted completely virtually, and yours has
- 3:09done the same So what's you're you're talking to leaders all the time.
- 3:13You're talking to teams.
- 3:14You're coaching.
- 3:16What's what's the pulse out there of what's happening?
- 3:20In different industries.
- 3:21Yeah.
- 3:22So, thank you so much Roxanne for that lovely introduction, and it's such a pleasure to be
- 3:26here with you.
- 3:27And, Yeah.
- 3:28What's going on out there is that there's so much distraction and, leaders are feeling
- 3:34panic.
- 3:34They're having a hard time to lead when they themselves have this feeling of fear and
- 3:41unknown and and and how do I lead in the middle of uncertainty?
- 3:46And so that seems to be the theme across so many different, different cultures, different
- 3:52organizations, and and different leadership levels.
- 3:56You know, just trying to get the teams.
- 3:57First of all, there's all these emergency procedures that are being in place.
- 4:01So many people are now working from home, which that's an, you know, they're creating new
- 4:06norms.
- 4:07There's so much upheaval, and so much distraction.
- 4:11It's really a challenging time an extraordinarily challenging time for leaders to
- 4:18lead today.
- 4:20So
- 4:21to your point, you know, we have to think, of course, critically, how do we keep safe, right,
- 4:25so that we know that that's the most important thing.
- 4:27And and I know that most every industry other than now, the EMS or or, critical services or,
- 4:35you know, that's a whole other topic.
- 4:37And I I'm sure you do do some work in as I do.
- 4:42What is it that you're finding are some of the things that senior leadership is struggling the
- 4:48most with.
- 4:49I'm sure they're doing a lot of things really well, but what are some of the things that
- 4:52they're struggling with the most from some of the coaching that you've been doing lately?
- 4:57Yeah.
- 4:57So, a great question.
- 4:59And so what I often see is, I would imagine even more as we as we listen to the leaders and
- 5:06their challenges today is to motivate their teams, a theme across so many industries and
- 5:12leadership levels is how do I motivate my team Yeah.
- 5:15And, you know, gone are the days of telling.
- 5:18You know, we we so many leaders feel, their value is all about sharing their knowledge and
- 5:25Here's how you do things and, you know, this is how I want it done.
- 5:29And, and there's such a big shift happening from really managing to leading.
- 5:35And this is the the big piece that we're all about is helping leaders to lead and hold teams
- 5:42capable.
- 5:42And, well, how do you do that?
- 5:44It's really about asking, you know, questions that bring out the internal wisdom and
- 5:50brilliance within others.
- 5:52And so, you know, how do we do that today in in the middle of all the noise going on.
- 5:58And so I think even deeper than that, what's top of mind today for many leaders is how do I
- 6:04just simply create the space to just let leaders talk out loud about what's coming up
- 6:11for them and to really listen deeply for what some of those fears are without being attached
- 6:18to them, you know, just really creating the space so that when we can download that and
- 6:23share our deepest fears and share our challenges.
- 6:26And, you know, in a safe place, it is then that we can get back to relax that amygdala were
- 6:33just speaking about Okay.
- 6:34Relaxed the amygdala and start, you know, engaging that prefrontal cortex so we can get
- 6:40busy at doing things that that are working for us.
- 6:45And so that's, you know, one of the biggest challenges that I see with leaders is How do I
- 6:50motivate and and really helping them shift from managing to leading?
- 6:55And that is really about the skill of asking great questions and listening deeply for, you
- 7:01know, people's strengths for their motivations and, really helping them to lead from an
- 7:07authentic place.
- 7:08And this is what you're all about, and I I just love how we align on that piece.
- 7:13So it's so true.
- 7:13Right?
- 7:14Because, you know, oftentimes, when we go into crises to your point, our prefrontal cortex,
- 7:19which is the CEO of the brain shuts down because we don't have the energy to be able to
- 7:24kinda, you know, think logically.
- 7:25And and the the emotional part of the brain or the middle part of the brain goes into, I call
- 7:29it, it lights up like a Christmas tree because then everything becomes trigger and we go into
- 7:34fight flight or freeze.
- 7:35And, of course, you know, the different, I would I'm gonna say acumen levels of senior
- 7:40leadership is that they are able to seen that even more generally under crises.
- 7:46However, I'm gonna say that they also have to be going through certain things.
- 7:50Right?
- 7:50They are We're asking them to create the space for vulnerability, which they absolutely need
- 7:55to do, but I often say it it gets to a point where we need to say to them what are your
- 8:00fears?
- 8:01What are your vulnerabilities?
- 8:02What when you've gone through rough times in the in the past, unlike every CEO or c suite,
- 8:09leadership level has gone through things, whether it's, you know, threats from the
- 8:13outside, you know, on, you know, changes coming within the industry, within the company,
- 8:18they're accustomed to that.
- 8:20You know, plates, you know, kind of swirling at any given point, but this is a different kind
- 8:24of space.
- 8:25Where a lot of industries are gonna have to reconfigure how they do business.
- 8:31Yes.
- 8:32Absolutely.
- 8:33And, you know, the biggest thing in that Roxanne that's coming up for me is, you know,
- 8:37who do you turn to when everyone turns to you?
- 8:40At this critical time, you know, how do leaders get the support that they need to be able to,
- 8:46you know, have a sounding board to just really talk out loud of what's coming up for them and
- 8:51and all the fears so that they can they can lead more effectively.
- 8:56And this is so critical in in a time of in a time of crisis, you know, it it feels like a
- 9:03crisis, especially for the the health care, systems, who has the time to slow down and
- 9:10think?
- 9:10And yet, if we are too reactionary, what's the cost of that?
- 9:15And so there's there's a lot going on right now.
- 9:18And so, yeah, who do who do the our top level leaders turn to when everybody is right now
- 9:25turning to them.
- 9:26Right.
- 9:26And I think that's where, like, you know, coaches, of course, executive coaching things
- 9:30like that becomes even more vital because to your point, I have to say every level of it.
- 9:35The organization you go up, the loaner it becomes.
- 9:37So even at the C Suites, you know, you you might have still have your other peers at that
- 9:42level, but then when you get to the CEO or the COO level, where do you go?
- 9:46You have to be able to you have we all need that space.
- 9:49We're all human beings at the end of the road.
- 9:51So we need to be able to to be able to talk openly about that, but not creates such mad
- 9:57mass mad panic that those under us can really get us after we vetted those thoughts and
- 10:03feelings and the fears and all those things.
- 10:06So I think it's I obviously, when they get to when you get to a place of awareness, And if
- 10:11you've done this work before as a CEO, I think it's fun phenomenal.
- 10:14But if you've not and maybe you've done it, but now it's like, okay.
- 10:17This these are different subset of I've never had to I've never had to role play this before,
- 10:23but literally.
- 10:24So how am I gonna do it?
- 10:26So I think it's to your point, it's they all need a space to be able to vent and just share.
- 10:32And then be able to come front frontward facing to their teams to be able to say, I understand
- 10:39your fear.
- 10:40I have them too.
- 10:42How much of this should they share without create w which will not add to the panic, Pam.
- 10:47So what do you think?
- 10:48Yeah.
- 10:48Absolutely.
- 10:49And so, you know, when we talk about authenticity rocks in, to just to pretend that
- 10:53everything's okay, and we're just gonna keep on keeping on, you know, we don't wanna lead from
- 10:58that space.
- 10:58I mean, our goal is to help every leader lead from an authentic place.
- 11:03And so how do we say enough to to really help others be seen heard and understood?
- 11:09And and I understand I get it too.
- 11:12I mean, you and I are both having to, you know, find ways in which we can refuel, and
- 11:19reenergize and stay above the fold if you will so that we don't get dragged under.
- 11:25So the same thing for top level leaders, they need the support so that they can stay above
- 11:31the fold and lead in these extraordinary times.
- 11:35And at the same time, Be authentic and say, yeah.
- 11:39This isn't this is unchartered territory.
- 11:42We've never been here before.
- 11:44And what I can promise you is we're gonna do this together.
- 11:48You know, it's got to be language that that resonates and that is that is truly aligned
- 11:55with that particular leader?
- 11:57So ready joining and saying, this is uncharted territory.
- 12:03But we're in it together.
- 12:05And I wish I could tell you what I thought was going to it was gonna look like, but all I can
- 12:10say is that we're gonna just do our best together.
- 12:12Yeah.
- 12:12And how can we be here right now?
- 12:14Right.
- 12:15Right.
- 12:15Absolutely.
- 12:16Let's be here right now because the only thing we can affect chain we can't we can't affect
- 12:21what's going on out there.
- 12:22We can be here right now for one another and be present in the moment.
- 12:27And go from there.
- 12:28I mean, that's that's the only place we can be right now.
- 12:32And if we think too far in the future, that's where a lot of fear, you know, comes up.
- 12:37So what can we what how, you know, how can we be right here right now and calm that amygdala?
- 12:44And be present and just be aware.
- 12:48So I would say that executive coaching would probably be going through the roof.
- 12:52Now if people were aware that they needed to, to be able to gate, that's, almost a bit of
- 12:58equilibrium amidst a storm.
- 13:00Right?
- 13:00We're we're asking them to be to calibrate, and there's there's no rudder in a way.
- 13:05So they have to really work really, really hard internally within themselves to be able to
- 13:10replenish to shut down at some point.
- 13:13Now they have virtual teams.
- 13:15If it's if it's a a multinational, then we're talking, you know, east to west coast or even
- 13:20international you know, time zones, all those things.
- 13:24So there's a lot going on.
- 13:26For some companies that have already been virtual, I'm gonna say it's gonna be a little
- 13:30bit maybe of a easy of a transition.
- 13:32Let's talk a little bit, and I don't know if you talked to some companies recently, that
- 13:36have not been virtual before and what kind of things you've seen that they're experiencing?
- 13:40Mhmm.
- 13:41Yeah.
- 13:41So there's a lot of, new norms that that teams are creating.
- 13:44In fact, we're in a program right now where we're talking about leading culture change and
- 13:49high performing teams.
- 13:50And our current, module is on virtual teams And so they're actually right in the mode.
- 13:57They're they're experiencing it, and they've gotta model a methodology in how to, you know,
- 14:03how do we set up a virtual team.
- 14:05And so, yeah, part of it is like, what are our norms and and, you know, what this is how we
- 14:11used to do business before.
- 14:13So what are our new how do we use technology differently?
- 14:17You know, what are the opportunities?
- 14:19How how do we innovate and create in this time.
- 14:23And, so they're all kind of building the plane and flying it, if you will.
- 14:30Yeah.
- 14:30New model, new iteration, you know, day by day and week by I mean, look at I can say it quite
- 14:37visually, Pam, that a 7 day week that we've experienced in the last week is something
- 14:42that's unprecedented, in and I would say most people's lives, right, like, we've never had a
- 14:487 day week like we had in the last little while.
- 14:50And I'm sure everybody's thinking it because I know I'm thinking it what's to come when we get
- 14:56those updates every 24 hours.
- 15:00Right?
- 15:01So I think I from a from a perspective of coping, it becomes what can I do and what's
- 15:06within my control right now?
- 15:08Absolutely.
- 15:09And we have you know, we're we're so fortunate to be in an era of resources.
- 15:17The resources are abundant.
- 15:19You know, what I'm so amazed at Roxanne is the amount of innovation that's taking place right
- 15:26now you know, car manufacturing plants turning into making health care supplies.
- 15:31I mean, it's just, you know, it's incredible we we have so much technology at our fingertips.
- 15:39So how do we we are and human beings, we are so resourceful So how do we continue to remember
- 15:45that in the middle of the noise?
- 15:48And it's a very loud noisy time.
- 15:52How do we remember how resourceful we are?
- 15:54You know?
- 15:56And all of the tools at our fingertips.
- 15:58And, okay, so what how do we see the opportunity in the midst of what may feel like
- 16:05doom and gloom?
- 16:07Mhmm.
- 16:07Mhmm.
- 16:08And we've all been in uncertain times.
- 16:10In fact, our lives are uncertain.
- 16:13We may think because we clock, you know, punch a clock at a certain job and we have a certain
- 16:19role, we we might think that that's a safe place to be that it's really it's not certain.
- 16:25Nothing in our life is certain.
- 16:27We but we tend to walk around thinking that we're good, you know?
- 16:32And so it's really how do we how do we manage?
- 16:35How do we lead in such ambiguous times and recognize that There is a lot of uncertainty,
- 16:41but, you know, what is this calling us for right now?
- 16:44What is this opportunity this time?
- 16:48You know, having us, you know, look at ways in which we can create and innovate and maybe do
- 16:55things differently.
- 16:57You know, and let's talk to the positive side because I'm sure, you know, there's not a lack
- 17:01of what's not going well in this time.
- 17:04We chatted about that.
- 17:05And if one if one thing I say to people is manage that the same way like used to what
- 17:11manage your workflow, shut off your phones, find a spot at the front of your somewhere in
- 17:16your your, your foyer, you know, turn them off as much as you can for right now So when you
- 17:23come through the door, you can have that mental, respite that is so needed.
- 17:27I'm I'm not saying that if things aren't critical, you can turn them back on.
- 17:31But to try to go to the same things that we would do around checking your email, you know,
- 17:36you know, maybe in the morning, maybe at noon, at the end of the day, start to apply those
- 17:40principles even more so because we need even more so to replenish our mental health and
- 17:46well-being.
- 17:46Right?
- 17:47Now because we're we're being inundated with so much negativity.
- 17:51And then, unfortunately, as you know, on social platforms, we're not sure what the source is
- 17:56and, you know, I don't know if you've ever, and I'm sure you have as everybody else.
- 18:00You follow one source and you're lagged down a rabbit hole and you're not really sure what the
- 18:04source is and how valid it is.
- 18:06So ready to keep, get your information picked maybe one platform or one news, outlet figure
- 18:13out where you're gonna get the proper information and just cut off at that as much as
- 18:18possible.
- 18:19Yeah.
- 18:19Sticky note are wonderful.
- 18:21You know, so I'm I'm hearing you setting up systems for success.
- 18:25So if you're just new working at home, a sticky note in front of you, what's the metaphor that
- 18:29keeps you in the energy, the positive energy.
- 18:33Okay?
- 18:33I'm only gonna check the news, you know, at night after my work day.
- 18:38You know, I'm gonna check-in on loved ones, at a certain hour, whatever.
- 18:43Setting up 6 systems for success is so important.
- 18:46We have children at home.
- 18:47We have you know, husbands and wives and partners at home now trying to, you know, find
- 18:54space to work.
- 18:55So setting up systems and boundaries to really help you move forward in this time and and
- 19:01really seeing this as an opportunity to you know, if if we could do this, we can do
- 19:08anything.
- 19:09You know, maybe, the the innovation, the creativity that comes out of this, I mean, you
- 19:14may be so far ahead within 3 months to say to come back to your team and say, look at all
- 19:19this new system I set up or, you know, maybe we we have virtual office hours now.
- 19:25Maybe we don't need to open up another office building or build another office building.
- 19:29We can all work virtually.
- 19:30I mean, there's so many pluses, we just it might be hard to see for people to see them
- 19:35right now.
- 19:36And so, you know, even, like, a strategy in the morning just to list all the things you're
- 19:41grateful for.
- 19:42What that are going well in your life?
- 19:46Well, what you've accomplished.
- 19:47I I don't know if you do this, Pam, but what I try to do, and I I should do it more often, but
- 19:52sometimes I'm preparing something because I need to kinda get, you know, something out just
- 19:57for someone that I'm being interviewed by and the I tried to I start looking through my
- 20:01accomplishments, and and I think it was at last year.
- 20:04I sat down and I and I was going through everything.
- 20:06And I was like, wow.
- 20:09Like, look at all the things that I've done, sometimes small, but oftentimes, so many
- 20:14things.
- 20:15And I think What we're always doing as human beings, and this is probably one of the
- 20:19learnings is that even daily, if we can stop and say, you know, what what did I do today?
- 20:25Right?
- 20:26Like, really, what did I do?
- 20:27You know?
- 20:28And and the things that you said to to pivot that to gratefulness, like, you know, I was
- 20:32able to have breakfast with my family.
- 20:34Which I'd never have been able to do for, say, 15 years, or I was able to, you know, if you
- 20:40have younger children, read read a bedtime story because oftentimes you're missing that.
- 20:44Or, I've been touching base with my my mom and dad because they're both older.
- 20:49And I know I've been in, you know, I've been out and about, so I've been but I talk to them
- 20:54every single day, which is something that I used to do before, but now I've gotten back
- 20:59into.
- 20:59So those to your point, what are the gifts as much as most people listening might go gifts?
- 21:05We have to look for those because we are seeing them all around us.
- 21:09Like you're saying, like, manufacturing plants that are, you know, making masks or respirators
- 21:15you know, hotels here in Niagara that are taking in, you know, healthcare workers, that
- 21:21they think need quarantining you know, flower shops that are taking all, you know, their, you
- 21:27know, shipments that they couldn't send off and they're putting out you know, out front of
- 21:31their their their stoop so we can get, I mean, fresh flowers, which is which is a small thing,
- 21:37but it's a nice thing that you can walk into your your dining room and see, you know, a, you
- 21:41know, a fresh bunch of flowers.
- 21:42So these are small things, but really good things that I've seen, you know, in in a short
- 21:46period of time.
- 21:47Yeah.
- 21:48Absolutely.
- 21:48And there are so many blessings right now.
- 21:50And we if we take time and we calm down that amygdala, and we sit down and we reflect on all
- 21:57that's going well.
- 21:59You know, there's so much, so many beautiful things to, to see if we just take a moment to
- 22:05look around and, and look inward.
- 22:06And the other piece to that, you know, Roxanne, I love how you said, you know, what have I
- 22:10accomplished today?
- 22:12That's so important to help people, you know, get wind under their sails.
- 22:18You know, the other piece of that in a time of, you know, so much noise What are the top three
- 22:23things that I must achieve today?
- 22:25Mhmm.
- 22:26You know, and and so your list isn't overwhelming, but I will feel really good if
- 22:30I've achieved y and z.
- 22:32Mhmm.
- 22:33And, you know, and then managing all of the other things in the middle of the day.
- 22:38And so just really setting yourself up for success and keeping your vibration high in a
- 22:44time when, you know, things can pull you, pull you down.
- 22:48Wanna pivot back a little bit to virtual teams.
- 22:51And, let's say I'm a new manager, and I'm just trying to figure this stuff out.
- 22:56Right?
- 22:56I'm just figuring out how to calibrate.
- 22:58So I'm I'm coming, but I'm still kinda who.
- 23:00I'm just a little bit scared.
- 23:02And let's see.
- 23:03I had a team that maybe there was some Maybe there was some blips before all of this.
- 23:08Mhmm.
- 23:09Mhmm.
- 23:09And what kind of guidance would you give to managers that are trying to kind of deal with
- 23:15the current situation, but maybe deal with some some potential disarray or conflict that was
- 23:20occurring before they went virtual.
- 23:22Mhmm.
- 23:23Mhmm.
- 23:23Yeah.
- 23:24So, you know, a a big piece is really about having those authentic conversations.
- 23:28Mhmm.
- 23:29You know?
- 23:29Yes.
- 23:30And how's it going?
- 23:31You know, Roxanne, you've been working from home now for whatever a week and, curious,
- 23:36like, how's it going?
- 23:37What's working?
- 23:38What's not?
- 23:39You know, what do you need for support?
- 23:42Maybe you can, you know, think about what are those blips and and have a conversation around,
- 23:49you know, I'd, you know, wondering if you'd be interested in having a chat about some of the
- 23:53things that I've been noticing And this is really where coaching conversations come in, to
- 23:58be able to have, meaningful conversation.
- 24:02It's intentional.
- 24:03And it's not done with an iron fist.
- 24:07You know, it's done with a velvet glove.
- 24:11However, we we wanna ensure that people hear what it is that we're noticing and then finding
- 24:17a way to creatively close that gap, if you will.
- 24:21Mhmm.
- 24:22And there's a lot more that goes into this conversation around, you know, how do you hold
- 24:27the space for a conversation like that, a courageous conversation.
- 24:32And and oftentimes it's connected to someone's strength.
- 24:36So we're we see the world from our own lens.
- 24:38And so, we may make an assumption that you can do exactly what I can do.
- 24:46And that's not necessarily the case.
- 24:49In fact, it's most often, not the case.
- 24:50And so what do we know about a leader's strengths?
- 24:53And are is their role really are we really building in, you know, building their
- 24:59strengths?
- 25:00And are we really keeping them in in a role that is connected to their brilliance?
- 25:06And if not, then what are the opportunities if any?
- 25:12So I don't so
- 25:13Yeah.
- 25:14No.
- 25:14I think that makes I think that makes sense, Pam, because You know, what?
- 25:18Really in a way, I think what it's making, managers do is be they have to become more
- 25:24aware, even more aware as if the than when the person was present.
- 25:29Cause now, of course, in this heightened state, you may have had maybe performance issues along
- 25:34the way, and maybe somebody has been struggling in particular areas or whatever, those aren't
- 25:38gonna go away.
- 25:39And now you have the heightened stress of I still have to manage them.
- 25:42We still have to perform and we you can't gloss over and pretend, though everything's good
- 25:47because now we're virtual.
- 25:48You just have to continue to lead, and you maybe have to think, because I don't I mean,
- 25:53you and I have met each other.
- 25:55So I feel connected to you and teams also would have that, but I'm if I'm not getting along
- 25:59with you, I'm probably wanna really kinda sit across from you on a virtual call.
- 26:03So it's getting comfortable.
- 26:05You're right.
- 26:05And and maybe for managers or, you know, leaders to say, okay.
- 26:10I know where we where we left this off in person.
- 26:13Let's kinda pick it up from there and go and start to kinda create the space to your point.
- 26:17Like, let's not pretend that all of a sudden things weren't so good and now they're great
- 26:21because we're in crisis because that employee is gonna be a little bit put off by that also.
- 26:26Yeah.
- 26:26And, you know, that whole concept is we don't want you to manage.
- 26:29We want you to lead.
- 26:30So it's that gap between how do I demonstrate my leadership of qualities to your point?
- 26:36Mhmm.
- 26:36Because I can go on and manage the tactical again, but I'm gonna miss that opportunity to
- 26:40build that bridge with an employee.
- 26:42Yeah.
- 26:42Absolutely.
- 26:43And authentically speak to what's going on.
- 26:46You know, we don't have to hide that.
- 26:48In fact, the cost of conflict is huge.
- 26:51So how do we just put stuff on the table without, you know, being judgmental.
- 26:58It's really just staying curious.
- 27:00How do I stay curious about the situation?
- 27:03Because, you know, part of part of maybe what is my leadership how how is my leadership
- 27:09getting in the way of maybe their performance?
- 27:11Who knows?
- 27:12I mean, how do we stay curious around what you're noticing and and what's not working or,
- 27:18you know?
- 27:19One last question is I know I'm I'm probably keeping you over your time, but Are there some
- 27:24things that, ways that structuring or virtual meeting would make sense right now?
- 27:31What what what would you say that a good structure of a virtual meeting might be now?
- 27:35Mhmm.
- 27:36Yeah.
- 27:36Beautiful.
- 27:37So, so just so you know that my team is all virtual and we're, in Mexico and Toronto and
- 27:44some in Niagara and a couple in Toronto.
- 27:47And, and so we have a we have some rituals.
- 27:50You know?
- 27:51I think it's really important to, build the connection So let how are we coming into the
- 27:57space?
- 27:58You know, first thing.
- 27:59How you know, if it's a Monday morning, how are we doing?
- 28:02Right.
- 28:03Right.
- 28:03Just allow some go around the room, the virtual room, and allow people to just sort of share
- 28:09what's coming up.
- 28:10It's okay.
- 28:11Right.
- 28:12Right.
- 28:13And then let's start off with, you know, some wins.
- 28:16Mhmm.
- 28:16You
- 28:16know, what what worked last week what's going well, you know, we're this is all new for us.
- 28:21So let's talk about some wins and really let's help, you know, to create some momentum and you
- 28:27know, keep this high vibe.
- 28:29And then, you know, what are you working on?
- 28:32What do you need help with and what are you ready to take action on?
- 28:37So some really good basic connections, checking in what's new, maybe, you know, how how are how
- 28:44has the, streamlining of the of, you know, your spouse working home with your children, those
- 28:51types of things.
- 28:51So make it more a bit more personable versus if we were just pivoting.
- 28:55I remember when I moved to virtual and, goodness, I was going this is going back.
- 29:01Oh, back in 1993 when I was a corporate executive and I went virtual.
- 29:05And I remember what I went through, Pam.
- 29:07I was like, woah.
- 29:08I'm I'm an extrovert.
- 29:09Right?
- 29:09And I, you know, And I was accustomed to, you know, meeting and corporate.
- 29:14And then I went virtual, and I used to go back to corporate just because I needed it, and I
- 29:19never forget the day that they said to me, why are you here?
- 29:23And I'm like, well, I'm here because we're having a meeting.
- 29:26And they said, well, everybody else is at their desk because we were east of West Coast.
- 29:30Right?
- 29:30Right.
- 29:31And I remember thinking, wow.
- 29:33This is such a change, but, I mean, obviously, you know, I adapted, but what I recognized that
- 29:38there was a different way of connecting that I I mean, I was connected to people in in person,
- 29:43but I there were certain things that I needed to do as an extrovert to make myself
- 29:48comfortable to kind of transition in and that we're talking, like I said, 14, 15 years ago
- 29:52now.
- 29:53Right.
- 29:54But it's it's interesting how how that happens.
- 29:56So I think it's also under standing yourself in what kinds of things you need to feel
- 30:02connected.
- 30:02If you're an introvert, introverts, you know, not nothing against introverts, but they
- 30:07probably because they're so a bit more internally grounded, they can figure out
- 30:12things.
- 30:12Whereas extroverts, we need to kinda, you know, we can't touch, but we need to kinda do more of
- 30:18the face to face and the all those types of things.
- 30:20Would you agree with
- 30:21it launches.
- 30:22Absolutely.
- 30:22You get your energy from people and, right, experts get their energy from being by
- 30:27themselves.
- 30:28So Yeah.
- 30:29And, you know, I think what's really important, if it's a brand new virtual team, it's, you
- 30:33know, setting up your norms.
- 30:35What are our norms?
- 30:36You know, do we have different working hours that we need to be mindful of.
- 30:40You know, I'm looking after the kids in the morning.
- 30:42My wife's looking after the kids in the afternoon or you know, what, what's going on
- 30:47for people that, we need to be aware of.
- 30:50I'm gonna work till 8 AM and my husband's gonna, I don't know, look after the kids in the
- 30:56morning.
- 30:56I, you know, just really being aware of that and and it's okay when we're virtual, but, you
- 31:02know, how do we lean on each other?
- 31:04How do we need, you know, we need to know what we need to know.
- 31:06We need to set up our norms, and be realistic about that and then figure out how we we
- 31:12manage, At a time of, an at an extraordinary time.
- 31:19And maybe even I I don't you know, I'm just thinking, but maybe, like, virtual con
- 31:23connection point.
- 31:24Maybe like coffee times.
- 31:25Like, why don't we kinda post that maybe at, you know, at noon, I'm gonna probably have, you
- 31:31know, lunch and, you know, we can get on on the line or coffee breaks or whatever.
- 31:37You know, that might be a good thing to just have people socialize and know I was thinking
- 31:41about that with, some of my business colleagues, but also my girlfriends who I
- 31:45generally would get together with, you know, and do something social, and now I can't.
- 31:50So we were saying that we could do.
- 31:52We could say, you know, at, you know, we can get together.
- 31:54We can have a coffee or we can have a glass of wine, and we can just Chit chat and the so does
- 31:58that make sense with teams also?
- 32:00Love that.
- 32:01Love that idea of Roxanne.
- 32:02In fact, we're doing the same thing with, my girlfriends were getting together on Wednesday
- 32:06night because it's been a long time.
- 32:08A virtual, social distancing girls night in.
- 32:12A few things new.
- 32:13And, and it's fun because some of them have not used technology like this before, and so it's
- 32:18it's learning and it's a a
- 32:20state there.
- 32:22So I love that idea.
- 32:23Let's coffee time, you know, and in fact, in Zoom, you can have breakout rooms.
- 32:27Right?
- 32:27So
- 32:27it's right.
- 32:28That's an idea as well.
- 32:31You know, we use a a program, a system called slack.
- 32:36So we I'd use it as well.
- 32:37Yep.
- 32:38A lot of companies have, you know, their l drive and they have their systems for that.
- 32:43But if they're a smaller a smaller organization and they wanna you know, learn some new systems
- 32:48to be able to direct message.
- 32:50Slack is a good one for that.
- 32:52Absolutely.
- 32:53Yeah.
- 32:53Well, Pam, this has been, fantastic.
- 32:57I I I think we could talk probably for hours about what you're seeing out there.
- 33:02Just any last words tell people where they can reach you, where they can find out about Pam
- 33:08has, generally does a 3 day live course, but now it's gone virtual and, things like that and
- 33:13where, obviously, they can get the book on Amazon.
- 33:16Yes.
- 33:16Absolutely.
- 33:17Leadership unleashed is available on Amazon.ca.
- 33:21As well as dotcom.
- 33:22And, our program, the coach approach system, the our coaching skills academy is available
- 33:30for leaders.
- 33:31We do teach it live and we also have, our programs are virtual.
- 33:36So all of our content lives online and but it's very interactive.
- 33:41And so if you're interested in that, please go to www.
- 33:46Hambraffitzcoaching.com.
- 33:50And, you can sign up for our newsletter.
- 33:52You can go in and set up a discovery call to learn more about our programs and see if
- 33:56they're a right fit for you.
- 33:58And really just, you know, some last words, Roxanne, I'm I'm so truly grateful for our
- 34:03conversation today because it's we're really at the height of, or in the middle of, an
- 34:09extraordinary time right now around the globe.
- 34:12And, you know, I just wanna remind all leaders that this too shall pass, you know, and
- 34:18remember you have all the keys within you to do really amazing things right now.
- 34:23And part of our job is to help others, you know, just calm that amygdala down and, get
- 34:29back to what's possible.
- 34:33Well, thanks again, Pam.
- 34:34And my my takeaway is, to be able to just remember you're leading, and people are always
- 34:40gonna look to you.
- 34:41So it you have, so much more of an obligation to demonstrate that.
- 34:45And the tactical things, we know we all know that leaders are very good at that and to spend
- 34:50that time.
- 34:512, get to the point where you're taking care of yourself at such a profound level because
- 34:56people are gonna lean on you that much more.
- 34:58So take the time for awareness, you know, do whatever you need to do to keep mem mentally
- 35:03resilient at this time because once this time is finished, there's gonna be an aftershock
- 35:09that we will have to get into to help people also, mend some of the things that they've gone
- 35:14through.
- 35:14So in that leadership role, you know, we're gonna need so many things from you.
- 35:19So to really, really, do what you need to to take care of yourself.
- 35:22So, Pam, again, thanks so much.
- 35:24This is Roxanne Derhodge of the authentic connection movement.
- 35:27If you're needing any information on mental resilience, coaching, and speaking, you can
- 35:31give me a call at Roxanne Derhodge dotcom.
- 35:34Thanks for tuning in to authentic living with Roxanne, creating the space for positive,
- 35:40healthy change.
- 35:41Roxanne is a keynote speaker psychotherapist, and coach to work with Roxanne, visit
- 35:47roxannedurhaj.com/blueprint.
- 35:51We'll see you next time.
- 35:53Unauthentic living with Roxanne.