The Friday Five - Leadership Edition

The Friday Five - Issue 9
Helping leaders maximize their potential
Terry Wetzel ~ Summit Leadership Development

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Building culture in a hybrid environment is much more challenging than in a fully remote or fully in-office setting. The risk of a "two-tier" experience, where in-office employees benefit from proximity and "water cooler" moments, while remote employees often feel out of the loop, is very real. To build a cohesive culture in a hybrid environment, shift from culture by proximity to culture by design and be much more intentional about creating shared experiences and collaboration opportunities for every employee, regardless of location.

Much has been written about the importance of networking, yet how often do we approach it with the right mindset? I had coffee with someone this week, and as we talked, it became clear there wasn’t going to be a 'business' fit. Our discussion then shifted to more of a human connection and it was great to hear their unique perspective and personal journey without the pressure of making or closing a deal. This is a reminder that sometimes the best connection isn't a transaction—it's just a conversation.

For many of us, Sundays are a balancing act of fully recharging vs. getting a head start on the work week. Should we check emails, calendars, and priorities for the week or should we wait until Monday morning? There is no perfect answer. For some, there can be a feeling of low level anxiety on Sundays. If this is the case, go ahead and check out the week ahead and get a few to-do’s ready for Monday morning. One alternative to consider is purposely doing your Monday prep on Friday afternoon. Enjoy your Sunday with whatever works best for you. Be in the moment, whatever the moment looks like.

Delivering feedback is an important but sometimes delicate process. Try to focus on what is referred to a future-forward feedback. Instead of “here is what you did wrong,” try "here is what I’d like to see next time.” The concept of radical candor has become popular and it is more than a trend; it is a fundamental requirement for effective feedback. That being said, it can co-exist effectively with radical kindness. The best leaders know how to combine these concepts and individualize the approach for their direct reports.

"The distance between your dreams and reality is called action." – Barbara Sher.

Do Hard Things by Steve Magness is a book centered around the concept of resilience. He outlines four pillars — Pillar 1: Ditch the Façade, Embrace Reality, Pillar 2: Listen to Your Body, Pillar 3: Respond, Instead of React, and Pillar 4: Transcend Discomfort. This is an easy to read book with many takeaways. His examples are easily transferable to our own personal and professional lives and will leave you motivated and stronger in the face of adversity.

Be epic, not average. The world has enough average.
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