What I’m looking forward to as the new normal starts to unfold

Across the country, life is slowly getting back to ‘normal’ as workplaces, restaurants and other social hubs begin to re-open and social distancing rules are relaxed. There’s lots I’m looking forward to, and also much that I’ve learnt.

 

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been back to running my courses again (while still observing social distancing and hygiene measures of course) and the feeling is wonderful. I really love what I do and get genuine fulfillment from helping people move forward in their careers and lives.

I’ve noticed, too, that there’s been a feeling of positivity in the air, albeit a bit tentative and cautious in case there’s a ‘second wave’ of the virus.

Many have been forced to change their lives a lot; for example, adapting their businesses (me included), or searching for new jobs.

However, I think it’s important to focus on best practice for moving forward, so here are a few things that I’m looking forward to, and I suspect many others are too.

 

1. Being face-to-face

We’ve all been putting a lot of effort into keeping in touch with people – colleagues, friends and family – and thank goodness for video conferencing technologies that have enabled us to do so. Yet if you’ve ventured out to meet a friend for a coffee, then I’m sure you would have appreciated the simple pleasure of being able to catch up face-to-face again (at a safe distance, of course).

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released at the beginning of May found loneliness was the most common stressor of COVID-19, affecting 28% of woman and 16% of men. This doesn’t surprise me at all.

One aspect of my work that I especially love (and miss) is getting to regularly interact with a range of different people.

Our leadership and team development programs are unique, and while some aspects of what we do can be run online, there’s some special magic that happens when people actually interact with our horses. Afterall, it is experiential learning.

One of my personal work goals is to help teams re-connect with each other after being apart for so long. I think flexible work and working from home is great, but people who are used to working physically alongside each other are no doubt missing the company of others, including inter-personal banter and team bonding events.

2. Sharing physical space

I also think loneliness stems not just from not physically being with people, but from missing the atmosphere of being in a shared physical space. That’s why many of us enjoy going to restaurants and cafes or having friends over.

As you may know, all our courses are run from our place in Terrey Hills, in Sydney. It’s a rural oasis not too far from the city and everyone who comes here finds it calm and relaxing.

And, luckily, we have enough room to ensure everyone can keep a safe distance.

While all this has been happening, we’ve been working hard on finishing construction of a new meeting space. We’re really proud of how it’s turned out! (See the photo of our mural) The space is large and can be used not just for training courses but for various events in different configurations. I can’t wait to welcome others here as soon as social distancing rules allow.

3. Embracing necessary change

While I’m really looking forward to getting back to in-person training, I’m also excited about further developing our hybrid online/in-person business model. 

This week, we’ve been running facilitator training online to cover the theory portion of our course (something we never did in the past), with the follow-up sessions involving the horses scheduled to take place later in the year. So far, the feedback has been extremely positive!

It is wonderful to see changes in my business working and I’ve been reflecting on the fact that this global pandemic has ended up being the catalyst for some very positive change.

I won’t deny it’s been stressful, having to seriously contemplate the future of a business which requires at least some form of face-to-face interaction. And I really feel for everyone who has lost their job or closed their business during this time.

What it has taught me though is the only way to get through an experience like this is to keep looking forward and do what you can. I hope everyone else out there can find a way to do so too.

 

What are you looking forward to? What changes has COVID-19 brought to your working life? How are you coping? Let me know in the comments. And for more information on Leading Edge Life Skills email info@leadingedgelifeskills.com.au

 

 

 

 

Social distancing has the potential to affect everyone’s state of mind – so how can leaders help others and themselves remain present and focus on the positives?

As we embark on week four of stringent social distancing regulations, changes we previously would have found hard to imagine have become our new normal.

My colleagues, clients, business associates, family and friends are facing challenges. Some have lost their jobs. Some are working out how to adapt their businesses. Others are struggling to balance working and helping with schooling from home.

Never has it been so important to look after each other (and ourselves) than during this unusual time.

There was an excellent article released by BCG during the week which calls on leaders to be human first, which means engaging with employees on a personal level and being sympathetic to their situation.  Vital to this is the ability to remain present and mindful as we navigate our leadership responsibilities. The more we are able to do so, the more effective we will be when connecting with our teams, inspiring them to remain strong and united.

The value of presence

Presence is a topic you may have heard me talk about before. It is essential for high functioning teams. And something we discuss at length in our leadership programmes.

A couple of weeks ago I shared a story about my lovely horse Opal and how she taught me a valuable lesson about presence when I was distracted while working with her. Our equine team members demonstrate the importance of presence on a daily basis: if people aren’t truly present when working with horses, they will invariably respond accordingly. They may become disinterested, refuse to engage  or simply walk away. Have you noticed that when your mind wanders while you are with your team, your partner or kids they can intuitively tell and react in different ways?

At the beginning of all our programmes, we discuss the importance of presence and encourage everyone to stay in the moment. We often begin with a simple breathing exercise, an effective mindfulness tool that allows participants to focus on the present, setting the tone for their work with the horses.

This is a simple technique that can be easily used to start off virtual meetings to bring the team together and focused.

We also structure our programmes in line with evidence-based research that recommends frequent breaks to ensure information and learning can be digested in an effective way. A 2020 Forbes article quotes author Hortense le Gentil, who says, “breaks allow you to check in with yourself and refuel. Checking in helps you align with yourself as you step back, get some distance, remind yourself of your ‘why,’ and examine whether your thoughts, your words and your actions are congruent.”

Active listening is another way to make sure you’re present with someone. Too-often, we listen to others only to answer. Active listening is a learned skill that can be developed over time. It involves putting in effort to hear what others are really saying.

Be conscious of those around you

As I said in my blog a few weeks ago, humans and horses naturally exist in ‘herds’ which goes back to our base needs for comfort, safety and protection.

Being conscious of those around them is vital  in a herd; if one member is distracted it has the potential to compromise the comfort and safety of the whole herd. So too is this awareness of others vital in our workplaces.

We see this all the time during our programmes, where the human team members focus on each other, forgetting they have another teammate – namely the horse they are working with.  The sheer size of this teammate usually ensures that he or she won’t be left out for long as it is hard to ignore a 600kg colleague!  During one of our emerging leaders workshops, our horse Darcy started picking up the equipment in the arena in his mouth. It is like when a member of your team is not engaged and so starts to play on their phone!  

Everyone’s self-isolation will look different. Some (me!) are in a house full of partners, kids and parents, so for us it’s about co-existing in the same space. Others who live alone may have different challenges.

I try to find positives; this is the most I’ve had my husband home in years. And my children. That makes it an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with my ‘herd’. Find new ways to have fun with those you’re at home with and embrace technology that allows us to link up with others outside your home.

From a work perspective I’ve loved participating in fun, supportive virtual meetings with business associates here and around the world. Check-in with your colleagues and team members. Are there individuals who are feeling isolated and alone? How can you and the team support them?

Look after yourself and others

Working, caring for family, reaching out to friends…. it probably feels like there’s so much to do right now. It’s hard to stay present when your mind is buzzing with the next task on your to-do list. Even if you’re not that busy, you might be suffering mental strain from the sudden change in routine.

Beyond Blue has great resources for coping with the current crisis, one of these being the use of Mindfulness tools. Mindfulness and other forms of meditation have been scientifically proven to be among the most effective techniques to reclaim that headspace. As mentioned above, we regularly use mindfulness techniques in our programmes. How can you as a leader encourage the use of these tools for your teams (and yourselves!)?

I’ve found the extra time with my horses, without having our client programmes, has helped maintain and strengthen our connection, trust and skill set. I am actually grateful for this.

If you need some help, there are apps including Headspace and Smiling Mind to name a couple which can help with mindfulness exercises.

And finally: cut yourself some slack on the bad news. It’s easy to spend all day on Facebook reading articles, seeing pictures of toilet paper hoarding or feeling guilty because a friend keeps posts photos of her home school efforts (which look better than yours). Use apps such as Forest to stay focused, off your smartphone and in the moment.

 

What are your tips for staying present and mindful? Let us know in the comments. And to subscribe to more updates and leadership tips from Leading Edge Life Skills, please comment below to ask to be added or email info@leadingedgelifeskills.com.au

Herd instincts: leadership, teamwork and community spirit in the age of social distancing

We’re being told to distance ourselves from others to stop the spread of COVID-19; an unnatural state for sociable creatures. However, with some community spirit and effective leadership we can manage to maintain and continue to develop our ‘herd’, and emerge even stronger.

 

We have a saying at Leading Edge Life Skills: ‘Herds are to horses, what teams are to people’.

It’s relevant for anyone interested in effective leadership and team dynamics. Today, this saying is taking on fresh new significance as we are being told to socially distance ourselves in an effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect the most vulnerable in our community.

Both humans and horses are by nature social creatures, who need to live within a ‘herd’ for support and protection. It’s this instinct that has many of us scared of a potential lockdown.

A good example in our stables is our dear old chestnut mare, Amber. Amber was perceived as a bit cranky, she gave signals that she did not want other horses too near to her. Instead of respecting the personal boundaries she was setting herself, and allowing her interaction on her terms, her previous humans kept her in total isolation – she could not see, sniff or touch other horses – as they thought it would be better for her to be away from them. Yet, this only made things worse for Amber, becoming cranky to the point of aggression. When she came to us and was put back into a social situation again, she visibly relaxed, as she found her place in the herd. The sense of safety and connection this gave her improved her attitude immensely. Eventually, she started engaging enough to participate in our programs.

Her personality didn’t change entirely – she remained standoffish, but just being able to be a part of the herd  – on her terms – was what she needed.

A side note worth thinking about is this: within the herd, each horse typically requires at least one metre of personal space and sometimes as much as five. Horses exist within the companionship of a herd without having to always touch each other. Just as our horses, we too can maintain strong social and emotional connection in the absence of touch or physical closeness. Let’s try and reframe social distancing to distanced socialising!

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can put our leadership skills to use to help retain our ‘herd’ and continue building teamwork in the face of social distancing. As I see it, there are a few areas we should be focusing on, and I plan to explore each one of these over the coming weeks:

1. Help each other as much as possible. Now is the time to work together. Remember that our communities function like a ‘herd’ and are infinitely stronger when we all play a role
2. Re-think the way we work, embracing flexible working practices. Never before have we had the impetus – and opportunity – to change outdated views on work practices. Let’s use this challenge as a tool for positive change.
3. Find new ways to communicate. Staying in touch with our ‘herd’ is possible without face-to-face contact. How can we support our ‘herd’ to stay connected?
4. Remain present and mindful. Embrace the chance to slow down and spend time with family

This week, I’m going to dig deeper into the first point around helping each other; taking our leadership skills beyond the workplace and into the community.

Embracing the ‘herd’: everyone has a role to play

For horses, the herd has many important functions; safety, comfort, protection. Each horse has a vital role to play. In the wild, some horses will keep watch while others eat or sleep. Some are in charge of finding food and water. The stallion is like the CEO, protecting the group, while the lead mare is the 2IC, in charge of finding resources.

For humans, our community is the equivalent of our ‘herd’ and we also all have our own part to play in keeping it functioning during trying times. At the moment everyone is anxious, because of health concerns, job security and feelings of isolation. As leaders we have the opportunity to  step up and set a positive example.

Help the most vulnerable

We all know that older members of our community are some of the most at-risk of contracting the virus: with around one in seven Australians aged 65 or older, there are many people for whom simply leaving the house is becoming a risk. We can all make sure we’re helping our elderly relatives, friends and neighbours.

Tap into our communities

I noticed people on my local Facebook page, for example, offering their time to drive places, walk dogs or pick up groceries for others. What a beautiful example of kindness and the good that emerges in times like these. Try tapping into your own community noticeboards. Or you could even start your own!

Look for others who need support

There may also be others who need support in ways which aren’t immediately obvious.

You may have been sent home, and with your partner and/or kids around, it feels like you’re working from a house full of people.

However, take some time to think about whether a colleague might be lonely, recently separated, or bereaved, and welcome some extra support during their isolation. Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that even before the COVID-19 outbreak, one in four Australians are experiencing an episode of loneliness. We don’t want this to get worse as workplaces and social events close their doors.

Remember to ring, text or email your friends and colleagues – for no particular reason except to stay in contact.

Remain tolerant

In a statement last week, the Diversity Council of Australia said “unfortunately, since the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen instances of stigma and discrimination directed towards people on the basis of their race or appearance”.

There is no excuse for such behaviour. As leaders, we simply must be mindful of this and demonstrate positive inclusiveness within our ‘herd’.

Look after yourself

And finally, remember that looking after your own mental state is also important in order to function as a leader in the ‘herd’. Fear and panic have led to some of the worst behaviour, such as hoarding toilet paper, medications and other essential items.

Mental health advocate Beyond Blue has put out a great list for looking after your mental health during the virus outbreak. Their recommendations include maintaining perspective, taking a calm and practical approach and not getting too caught up in negative media coverage. All excellent advice.

 

What have you done or seen others do to help the community during this time? Let us know in the comments. And to subscribe to more updates and leadership tips from Leading Edge Life Skills, please comment below to ask to be added or email info@leadingedgelifeskills.com.au