My favorite text of this day. 

One of my college essay students sent me a text: “Julie, I got In!”

With her smarts and spirit she is going to make an incredible nurse.

I believe everyone has a story to tell.  Stories connect us to each other.  Stories have the power to transform our world.

Sometimes we all need a little help with #clarity so our story and message stand out in a sea of applicants.

I volunteer my time as a college essay writing mentor with Achieve Foundation of South Orange & Maplewood for MAC (Minority Achievement Scholars) at my teenagers high school. Because we can't just say we're an #ally.  We need to show we're an #ally.

If you know anything about #collegeadmissions you know that differentiating yourself and what you bring to the table is essential.  Just like in the business world.   

I love what I do at Center Stage Connections.

This text made my day.  

#collegeapplications #business #storytelling #writing #allyship  

I could not do the work I set out to do today.

But I am too unsettled to do nothing.  

This is the moment for each of us to make an active choice about the kind of person we want to be, the kind of future we want for our children, and the kind of leaders we want for our country.

On January 6, 2021, the world witnessed what happens when a person of no moral character comes to power.  We witnessed what happens when those, with no conscience of their own, believe they will not be held accountable for their actions. Most glaringly, Americans witnessed a moment of decision.  

An angry mob of white nationalists and white supremacists descended upon and invaded the Capitol to take back their country.  Because they didn’t like the result of the election in their country.   Some were armed, displayed nooses, left explosive devices, wore Auschwitz t-shirts, and carried zip ties.  Their plans were clear for days.  “Be there, will be wild.”

Do you believe that yesterday was the last we will see of an appalling and disgusting reign of terror? Or do you believe yesterday was a warning of the worst of what could be in this country?  I’m going with the warning.

Overwhelmingly white, entitled, privileged, ignorant, confederate flag-waving, weaponized despots and their followers rallied, marched, broke through barricades, and stormed into the Capitol.  People were killed.

Our decision is this. Each of us should ask ourselves if we will be complicit in ANY way by supporting bigoted, tyrannical, or racist behavior.   Or, if we will each DO SOMETHING to build a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.  

This world is of our making.  A world that owes us nothing.  But a world where we owe each other our best effort to be our better selves.  

DO SOMETHING.  Today.  Every day.  From this day forward.  Be bold.  Speak up.  Call out divisive language and racist remarks.  Especially the not so subtle, toxic, insidious comments you may be privy to from acquaintances, friends, or family.  Let yourself be uncomfortable.

Donate your money or time or both to a social justice organization.  It’s time to share your talents and resources. 

Chat with your kids and ask them what they imagine for their future.  I doubt it’s what they saw on their screens as they learned from home at online school. 

Say hello to someone who doesn’t look like you, or talk like you, or worship like you.  Ask them how they are doing.  And I know I just said, “speak up,” but in this case, don’t talk.  Instead, listen as if you are willing to have your mind changed.  

We must stop supporting those that seek to bring out the worst in each of us.  We can and must do better.  

Because “Nothing will work unless you do.”

How do we get and stay connected to colleagues and clients, when we are all sitting behind our computers and interacting through a tiny camera lens? 

Learn to think like an actor and BE ON!

My thanks go out to  the D & I team at Novartis US, for hosting my interactive webinar, Setting The Stage for Virtual Meetings. 

I answered a lot of questions and participants came away with useful tips, tools, and techniques from the stage for more personal investment and engagement in phone calls and virtual meetings.

In spite of physical distancing, authentic connection remains an essential part of our human experience. If I can help you or your team get more connected in internal and external meetings, I'm happy to chat!

Truth is, Anyone Can Learn to BE ON! 
#leadership #leadershipdevelopment #investment #team #authenticity#presence #clarity #curiosity #engagement

Time to Re-define your Message?

Are you tapping into empathy and authenticity to deepen engagement with colleagues and clients?   

Sometimes, you have to risk showing a little vulnerability to make a shared and impactful connection with your audience.

My Acting Teachers were Right

Listen is a verb.  Listening is an action.  An action that you can communicate to others.  An action that you can communicate to others when you are not speaking.  It’s a vital half of a conversation.

Listen as if you are willing to be changed. Advice given to me by many acting teachers in my 30+ years as a performer.  

Because actors are expected to practice this way of listening every time we step on stage or in front of a camera.  Listening is a vital part of sharing a story.  But if all I do as a performer is keep plugging along with what I have to say, regardless of what my scene partner is trying to communicate, then I’m closed off to what is happening in the present moment.  I’m not open to the possibility of a new thought, a new intention, a new direction for the dialogue.  We call it “phoning it in,” in the theater world.  And it’s not a compliment.  

Listen as if you are willing to be changed.  It’s a way of listening also found in a trusted friend, parent, spouse, counselor, coworker, and leader. 

As a business person, you can think of a remote meeting as your stage.  You want to come to a remote meeting prepared, and perhaps with an agenda.  But if you only come to your stage prepared to speak, are you really having a conversation?  Are you really engaging your colleagues and clients?  Are you really making a connection?

Listening takes practice and requires empathy.  Empathy demands presence and curiosity.  I think of empathy as a mindset.  When I’m truly practicing empathy I’m looking for what matters to that other person and why it matters to that person.  

So listening as if you are willing to be changed, is empathy in action.  

When you start from a place of empathy, you create a pathway for dialogue and the possibility of a shared and memorable connection.

At this moment in time, I’m more aware of the need to make space and time to really listen. There is so much we don’t know about each other.  Especially now, when we can’t share the same physical space, it’s more important than ever to give our colleagues and clients the opportunity to share their story.

Listen as if you are willing to be changed.

It’s good for business.  It’s good for relationships.  It’s the only way for all of us to move forward together as human beings.