Leading through Tough Times

Time Needed: 5-10m Read, plus Monday Hour 1

Hey Reader,

I decided to take a couple weeks off at the end of last year, that has evolved into over a month now. For reasons, keep reading below AND I'm curious – did you miss these Monday emails? Why or why not? This introspection and feedback would be most valuable for me so hit that reply button.

Leading through uncertainty is rarely easy. There will be chaos, diverse opinions, and moments of feeling utterly lost. But remember, you can be the lighthouse for your team. Be the steady presence, offer transparency, and focus on what remains constant. Share your values, be real about the challenges, and create a space where everyone feels supported.

Monday Hour 1

Here's your weekly invitation to take time for yourself to approach your week with intention, a focus on impact and prioritize leading yourself in human-centered ways.

Monday Hour 1

What’s the most impactful thing you can accomplish this week? What bigger goal does this help you nudge towards?
What is your body craving? Do you have space on your calendar for this?
What is one thing you can delegate and say NO to?

Breathe in, breathe out. Do the damn thing.

Did this email add value to your day? Work by Design is 100% reader supported. 💕

I've led teams through loss, reorgs, layoffs, war and medical emergencies.

My first VP role began in March of 2020. I led through the uncertainty and slog of the pandemic. Getting shocking phone calls about a work related injury (and then dealing with OSHA), helping teams find balance while their country is at war or experiencing civil unrest, loss of a team member, the list goes on.

There is no playbook. HR can only advise so much. Your values may or may not align with your companies PR-approved messaging. You gotta put your own oxygen mask on first.

Leadership in the non-work big life stuff is something you build over time and experience. There's no shortcut. But here's what I try to do:

Acknowledge the Icky thing. Bring it into the light.
Make resources accessible – consider sharing on slack/email and having crisis lines in your email footer.
Be approachable for the hard stuff, without professional consequences.
Understand that silence is taking a stance, and sends a message.
Do what you can, but know when it's not your expertise – should you refer to counseling, coaching or HR?
Have empathy, don't problem solve.

I'm leading within community in Minneapolis currently. And stuff has been bananas. It's been heavy. Talking about work and leadership hasn't felt right. But I'm emerging into a new mode after putting my own oxygen mask on first. I think this email "newsletter" will evolve. And I'd like you to be a part of that.

The way workplaces have been showing up through the recent attacks in Minnesota by Federal Immigration Enforcement have been harrowing, and hugely impactful. And the platitudes or silence from major workplaces reaffirms for me how broken many of our workplaces are.

BIG BREATH.

Reply anytime to let me know your takeaway or how you would like to see this space evolve to best serve whats next for you.

Your Coach in the hard times,

p.s. if this email added value to your day consider fwd'ing to your work bestie. ♻️

p.p.s. best pressie for my wee business? testimonials! share how my email has helped you here and earn a ☕️ 💕

Unlock Career Clarity & Agency

Join Nicole & myself for a series of workshops – Find Your Freedom Number, Mind the Gap and Beyond the Title.

When you're ready, here's how I can support

Individual Coaching: Create focused space for driving clarity or evolution with built-in accountability towards a big goal or unblocking something in your way.

Training Experiences: Crafted for teams who seek create impactful, high-performing and inclusive teams.