Powerful communication
How to lead a productive online meeting that doesn’t suck
When a lot of us shifted to working from home arrangements, there was a certain novelty in the whole setup. We could put on a nice top and keep our pajamas on, join zoom calls, and eat lunch whenever we wanted. But the change-up in our work from home arrangements is unlikely to come soon;…
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Giving Feedback: What I learned from puppy training
I have learned that when training a puppy, it is so important to give feedback at the exact moment they do something. Why do I bring this up? Because when we are working remotely as so many of us are right now, there is an absence of immediate feedback. By the time people get feedback…
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How Not to Start off Your New Year
It’s Saturday morning January 2nd. I often hike with one of my best friends on Saturdays. During Covid, we began embarking on weekly longer up and downhill 6-mile hikes. Jo: It’s raining here in Berkeley. Is it raining by you? Sara: I’ll check. Just looks foggy here, no rain. Jo: So should we go today?…
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Do You Have an Agenda?
Have you ever gotten to a party and thought, “Huh, I don’t think this is what I expected?” This is exactly what happens when we show up at a meeting where there is no agenda. Your challenge this week is to review your meeting schedule. If there is a meeting on there that you don’t…
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You Have Too Many Meetings
You have too many meetings. It’s the simple truth. But as a leader, you need to set aside time weekly, if not daily for deep, strategic thought. After all, that’s why you are in the leadership role. Problem: How do you carve out the time for strategic thought when you are in meetings from early…
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Five Mistakes To Avoid With Partially Remote Employees: Lessons From Biotech
Article originally appeared in Forbes It’s time to return to the office. Or is it? How can newly hybrid companies best manage the divide between in-person and remote workers? Reaching out to biotech company CEOs, I learned crucial do’s and don’ts. When shelter-in-place hit the Bay Area, many biotech companies found themselves with most of…
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Do You Know the Difference between Impact and Intent?
We think we know the difference but often when apologizing for our actions or mistakes, we tend to emphasize intent over impact. When we do this, it ends up sounding like you are making excuses for yourself instead of taking responsibility for the impact you had on others. Watch this week’s learning snack to find…
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Are You Guilty of Unclear Communication?
It would be great if you could… It would be lovely if you would… Do you start your requests with phrases like these? But then you feel upset or annoyed when these requests are not done? It’s time to get clear in your communication. Watch this quick learning snack on one communication change that you…
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Zoom Meetings: How to Deal with the Awkward Pause
You know what I’m talking about. The long, awkward pause that follows a question in a Zoom meeting. How do you deal with that? Unlike Q&A sessions in an in-person meeting, when you are on a video call, there is a long pause after you ask someone a question. What is the reason for the…
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Here’s A Quick Zoom Tip – Who Has the Patience For Anything More?
If your inbox is anything like my inbox, it’s overflowing with offers for webinars, articles and ways to think about your work during Covid19. It’s both wonderful and slightly exhausting. And as we enter week who-knows what of shelter in place, I find that I’m grateful for all the many brave ways people are showing…
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