Natalie is a coaching client of mine, and the guest author of this week’s blog.
Karen and I were having our regular coaching session and during it I referred to myself as lazy. Karen stopped me, and for those of you who have worked with Karen, you know that when she stops you, you are about to get one of her thought provoking, oh so annoying questions.
Karen said, “So what does lazy mean?”
I said, “You know, lazy. I don’t do stuff.”
Karen wasn’t letting me off the hook. She said, “There are lots of reasons that people don’t do things. What are some of them?”
I told her that they might be busy. She agreed, and mentioned that they may have other priorities they rank higher. She continued, saying that “Lazy is a lazy word. It’s used when the person isn’t taking the time to explore the emotions that are creating the lack of action.”
We discussed that sometimes there are higher priorities than the task at hand. Sometimes there is fear of failure. Other times the task is overwhelming or just too darn tedious. There are a wealth of reasons why.
In this particular situation, I realized I was living in my sister’s shadow. She was always so much faster, more studious, more academic, so in fact, I was feeling fearful, again.
Karen gently reminded me that no one at my workplace knows my sister and those feelings, while real and valid, no longer need to be a part of what does or does not get accomplished in my work.
We explored comparisons, things our parents say and workplace fear a lot during that session. But what I realized most of all is that lazy is a lazy word that I use when I don’t want to do the emotional work to figure out what’s really going on for me.
What about you? What are your lazy words?
Natalie Warne is an Implementation Manager for a non-profit organization and her coaching has been focused on leadership skills and professional development. She loves her two cats, staying active, and spending time with her family and friends.
In order to create a respectful and inclusive culture, organizations need to provide regular diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. But once you have had that basic training, how can you mix it up and make it relevant year after year?
At Concordia Consulting, we have found a way! We have adapted actual situations that we have been asked to remedy by changing them just enough to protect those involved. Then we implement the scenarios using a case-study approach to bring our training to life.
Want to try one?
You are on a business trip to watch and support your boss who is testifying. The hearing is running late and there is a chance you will both miss your flight home. You brought your luggage with you, but your boss did not. She asks if you can please go to her hotel room just one block away to pack her belongings and bring them to her at the hearing room, so that neither of you will miss the flight. Once at the hotel, you are in a position where you need to handle her medications, cosmetics, and underwear.
Questions:
- What do you do in the moment?
- After the trip, is there anything you could or should do?
- If you are the HR director in this organization and you are told about the situation, what should you do?
Have you ever witnessed a similar situation in the workplace? Please let me know how you would deal with this scenario, as well as how effectively you think your organization might handle it. We will be sharing similar experiences in the months to come. If you would like facilitated training with us, we will customize a program specifically for your organization’s circumstances and culture.
It’s been almost a week since I left the National Speakers Association annual meeting in Orlando and I am still full of energy with all I learned. This event happens just once a year and it’s where I go to recharge professionally. Regardless of my business needs, many NSA members have had similar experiences and are willing to share their struggles, their solutions, and their successes. If I am having a stuck moment with a coaching client, I have resources. If I need a new video, I have resources, and if I want to add technology or music to a program, my goodness, these folks know how!
Through the 25 years I have been a member, these friends have become my work buddies, my friends in different cities, and my dear colleagues as an entrepreneur. They pour into me and give me inspiration.
What do you do to recharge your professional batteries?
