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help for the holidays
The Holidays Can Be Hard - when little things feel big
In the grey and grinding months after our daughter, Mercy Joan, died, my mother gave me a set of seven ceramic birds. “A reminder that you will always be a family of seven.” I displayed them on our mantle…poignant, a little cheesy, and unfortunately vulnerable to the daily antics of Magnus.
Empathy In The News
Empathy for Trying Times: A Midyear Report
how to care
How an Anonymous GI Saved my German Grandmother - An Empathy Story
how to care
What my dying dog taught me
how to care
Self Loathing Sally and Avoidant Andy
Recent Posts
Bringing Light
“You brought so much light to what our teams are going through…”. I love reading comments like this at the close of a session. The great engagements just keep coming this week…
The Phoenix
I was in a room full of people today, doing what I love! Being in-person again was a delight. Thank you, Park Tudor School. Our all-day session offered so many moments of learning and connection. Educators are pandemic heroes and it was a pleasure to bring this content into a school setting.
JoyPowered Journal
The JoyPowered Journal from JoDee Curtiss and the team at Purple Ink llc is such a great resource for reflection and growth.
And I am honored to be a contributor
Micro-compassions
Micro-compassions. Isn’t that a great term? Scott Shute defines micro-compassions as the powerful movement from “Me” to “We”. Here are a few to try in your workplace today…
Let's be done with clichés
Cliché. Definition: a phrase or opinion that is overused and displays a lack of original thought. Also, a common (and crappy) way to verbally process someone else’s pain. I call this the Cheer-Up Cheryl response pattern, wanting to make it “better” for someone else. Here are a few of the thoughtless, devoid-of-original-thought verbal garbage that we go to…
Celebrate Your Superpower
Any other working moms out there? Continually aware of all the ways you are falling short, trying to survive, work, and parent in the midst of a global pandemic? Then you will delight in this NY Times article too! 12 Moms, celebrating their secret strengths...the little successes that we all too often overlook in the press to do and be more.
Reach Out: Mother's Day
I yelled at Luke, threw a book across the room, and was so bone weary I couldn’t even cry. Mother’s Day, 2011. Eight weeks after I buried my daughter, Mercy Joan. I was not OK. The day is right around the corner (May 9). And Mother’s Day is so much more complex than the Hallmark cards make it look…
Apologize
When you mishandle someone who is hurting, and you will (none of us is perfect). Apologize. Try out this phrasing: “I’m sorry. I didn’t show up/respond/care for you the way that I would have wanted to. I was careless/too busy/didn’t know what to say. I am going to do better moving forwards.”
Lament for Indianapolis
Expressing our humanity through shared sorrow, not just to the Internet but with our colleagues and friends, is vital. It is part of the path towards healing and meaningful change.
Always Learning About My Biases
Always learning about my biases...I have minimized the experience of Asian Americans with my language.
Check out the Handle w/ Care podcast
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Guests share about living (and leading) through the hard times. You get a behind the scenes look at the good, the bad, and the ugly. Each episode ends with actionable tips to make you a better manager, coworker, or friend.
featured episodes
S1, EP36
How can I honor her? Jason Seiden on life and meaning after his daughter’s suicide
S1, EP8
Divorce, depression, and alcohol: an interview with David Mills
S1, EP5
My husband had a brain injury: the challenge of long-term disability. An interview with Bess Malek-Maiorano
S1, EP1
My Wife Had Cancer: An Interview With Brad Grammar
S1, EP33
My partner is dead: drunk driving and sudden death. An interview with Barry Hoyer
S2, EP2
We Are Humans First: Empathy and International Teams - an interview with Jorge Vargas
Take the Quiz
Which Empathy Avatar Are You?
Every leader has one. Each comes with superpowers (and pitfalls). Meet yours today. Estimated time ~ 5 minutes.
Free Guide:
How to Help During Hard Times
Life is hard and complex, but caring for your people doesn’t have to be. This free guide offers a clear, easy-to-implement checklist for how to care for your team during disruptive life events.
From the first day, week, and month after disruption, this guide helps you show up with consistent meaningful words and actions while maintaining business priorities. Enter your info below and we’ll send you your free guide and put empathy to work.