EDG Blog

Where can you have impact and influence in the communities you are a part of? The solution to wicked problems like racism and systemic inequity will only be solved when each of our “biggest little things” add up to real change, humanity, and equality.

To be in charge requires shutting off the autopilot function and placing our hands firmly on the figurative steering wheel of our thoughts. We have the capacity to create sustainable and healthy boundaries in our thinking.

Our fears prey on our mindlessness. Our fears count on our inattention to the negative and destructive boundaries they create in our lives. An unfounded fear of being rejected by others will certainly lead to withdrawing and unapproachable energy (“I can’t be rejected if I just stay away from people.”).

A well-placed ‘no’ increases our credibility, cultivates trust, and brands us as respectful partners and allies. Most importantly, using ‘no’ judiciously, firmly, and without harm signals a heightened level of conversational intelligence and critical thinking.

For many, the thought of ‘setting boundaries’ equates to building walls and drawing rigid lines that separate us from our teams. In leadership, the author suggests that setting boundaries will help us “create a place where people love to work — and where you do, too.”

One of the most important opportunities available to us during this pandemic is that we will be forced to “un” many of the traditions, conditions, must-haves, and procedures we were anchored to.

Each of us embodies the power of an A.P.E.. Our A.P.E.’s sole purpose is to assist us in leveraging our controllables - Attitude, Preparation, and Effort (A.P.E.).

As adults, we have lost the ability to ‘let go and enjoy the moment’. Much of our time is spent ruminating over what went wrong and the opportunities we missed or what might go wrong, while creating structures to be sure we seize future opportunities. This leads us to take both our work and ourselves too seriously.

While ‘easier said than done’, the provocation to find calm is not a call to avoid real emotions and feelings. It is, however, a challenge to get ‘unstuck’, avoid the unrealistic expectations of making everyone happy and being perfect, to make space for creativity within the constraints of the crisis.

Crafting your own life routinely prompts you to reflect on, and be acutely aware of, the thoughts and behaviors of oneself and others. In many cases, this process will call for a disruption - an upending of traditional or status quo existence - and innovation.

During this time of challenge, I want to take a moment to honor the successes, grit, perseverance, determination and ambitions of women in honor of Women’s History Month.

 For leaders, however, self-reliance rings as an axiom for understanding one’s limiting beliefs and embracing one’s edification of vulnerability, trust, wisdom, integrity, self-worth, and unique value.