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Here's this week's Friday journal reflection prompt:


Reflect on a recent challenge or crisis you’ve faced in your life. How did you initially respond, and what steps did you take to manage the situation? Consider the lessons you learned about resilience. What strategies helped you rebuild and grow stronger from this experience? Write about how you can apply these insights to future challenges, focusing on fostering a supportive environment and nurturing growth in yourself and those around you.


Reflect on a recent challenge. How did you initially respond and what steps did you take to manage the situation?  How can you apply these insights to future challenges, focusing on fostering a supportive environment and nurturing growth in yourself and those around you.

Journaling prompts can help you set aside dedicated time in your routine for reflection. If Fridays don't work for you, save it for a different day, depending on your preference and availability.


Not sure how to get started with a journaling prompt?


First, find a quiet and comfortable space where you can focus without distractions. Approach your journaling with honesty and authenticity. Be open to acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses. By embracing vulnerability, it can lead to significant growth and development.


Want to take it a step further? Based on your reflections, identify areas for improvement and set actionable goals for growth. These goals should enable you to track your progress over time. Periodically review past journal entries to track your growth and identify recurring patterns or themes. Reflecting on your progress allows you to celebrate successes and learn from challenges.


Reflective journaling can be a powerful tool for self-improvement and skill development. Come along on this journey and share your thoughts below!

It was a quiet afternoon, the kind where the summer sun casts long, warm rays, filling everything with a lazy, golden glow. The air was still, almost heavy with the promise of the evening's cooler breeze.


Then, out of nowhere, the sky darkened, and the wind began to howl. Rain started pelting the roof and windows. Our phones pinged a warning: tornado watch. We live in the Hudson Valley of New York and while these watches aren't uncommon, we're much more likely to get a severe storm without an actual twister touching down. This afternoon we were in for something just as powerful.


A microburst, a powerful, concentrated downdraft of wind, tore through our property with ferocity. Before grabbing the pets (imagine an excited Corgi squirming in my arms) and making a run for the basement, I peered out the window. Trees were bent completely over, with their tops touching the ground. The rain was practically horizontal and leaves, branches and other debris flew everywhere.


In just minutes it was over, but the aftermath was stark and disheartening. Numerous trees lay uprooted, many broken in half, with jagged trunks reaching for the sky and branches scattered like broken promises across the ground.


The damage was extensive, and the clean-up seemed daunting. As we stood surveying the wreckage, it was helpful for me to realize that this event, while devastating, was familiar to me because of my experiences leading crisis management teams.


Let me share the journey of our clean-up efforts so far and the insights it offered.


In life and leadership, resilience is built through incremental progress. Small, consistent efforts lead to significant recovery over time.

*not a photo of our property, but a very similar situation


The immediate response: crisis management


When the storm hit, our first reaction was shock and disbelief. The magnitude of the destruction was overwhelming. In the midst of this chaos, we had to prioritize immediate actions:


1. Assess the damage - We took stock of what had happened, identifying the most urgent needs. Was everybody okay? Was the house structurally sound? Were any trees on the roof or across the driveway? Did we have power and was there diesel for the generator? Similarly, in any crisis, understanding the full scope of the problem is the first step. It’s essential to stay calm and gather all relevant information to formulate an effective response.


2. Ensure safety - Before we could begin any clean up, we had to make sure that the area was safe. Downed power lines and precarious trees could pose serious hazards. In crisis management, safeguarding people (and fuzzy family members) must always be your first priority.


3. Mobilize resources - We reached out to neighbors, friends, and local services for support. Our power and internet providers were aware of the situation and implementing their own crisis management and disaster recovery plans. In any crisis, leveraging the strength of your network is crucial. No one person or organization can handle everything alone; collaboration and community support are invaluable.


The cleanup: building resiliency


Once the immediate danger had passed, the hard work of cleanup began. This phase mirrored the process of building resiliency after a crisis:


1. Step-by-step approach - Tackling the devastation all at once was impossible. We broke down the task into manageable steps, focusing on one area at a time. Truth be told, it's a couple of weeks later and we're still dealing with cleanup and probably will be for the next couple of months. In life and leadership, resilience is built through incremental progress. Small, consistent efforts lead to significant recovery over time.


2. Learning and adaptation - As we worked, we learned. Some methods were more effective than others, and we had to adapt our strategies accordingly. Using the tractor to move some smaller branches and downed trees further into the woods and away from the driveway was easier than using the chainsaw, but the larger trees needed to be chopped up in order to move. That was going to require patience, tree saws, and a lot of chainsaw blade sharpening. Resiliency involves being flexible and open to new ways of doing things. It’s about learning from each setback and adjusting your approach.


3. Restoring and rebuilding - With each tree we cleared and branch we removed, the property began to look a little less devastated. There are still a few hot spots with huge downed trees that will take time and effort to address, but the bulk of the area around the driveway and house is cleared. This process of restoration is how organizations rebuild after a crisis. It’s about renewing strength, restoring morale, and slowly but surely returning to a state of normalcy.


In the aftermath, as we looked at the trees still standing around us, I was reminded of the importance of stewardship. Just as we plan to repair some trees and restore our property, effective stewardship involves nurturing growth and development. Whether it’s cultivating talent within a team or fostering relationships within a community, it’s about ensuring that growth is sustainable and healthy. It’s not a one-time effort but a continuous process. In managing teams or leading organizations, stewardship means being consistently present, listening, and responding to needs with empathy and dedication.


The storm that swept through our property was a stark reminder of how quickly things can change and how essential it is to be prepared, resilient, and caring. Crisis management, resiliency, and stewardship are not just abstract concepts but real, tangible practices that can help us navigate the inevitable storms of life.


In the face of adversity, remember to assess the situation with clarity, respond with calm and coordinated efforts, build resiliency through small, consistent actions, and always hold our people, teams, and communities with the utmost care.


Just as we cleared the fallen trees and began the process of restoration, so too can we weather any storm that comes our way, emerging stronger and more united on the other side.



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The early morning light was just beginning to filter through the canopy of trees that surrounded my backyard, casting dappled shadows on the ground below. It was in this serene setting that I decided to build a labyrinth, otherwise known as a meditation walking path.


As a leader and coach with over 25 years of experience, I've navigated many paths, both literal and metaphorical. My labyrinth began with a simple idea: to create a space where I could retreat, reflect, and find clarity amidst the complexities of the world. What I didn't anticipate was how this journey would mirror the challenges and rewards of mindful leadership and ultimately teach me some profound lessons.


The first step: vision and intention


The process began with a vision. I wanted the labyrinth to be a sanctuary, a place where I could walk in contemplation and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose. This vision required clear intention, much like the mindful leader's need to align their actions with their values. I spent hours researching labyrinth designs, ensuring that the path I chose resonated deeply with me and would serve my purpose.


Breaking ground: commitment and patience


With the design finalized, the real work began. Breaking ground on the labyrinth was no small task; it required a commitment to the process and an acceptance of the time it would take. Leadership, too, demands patience and dedication. As I shoveled dirt and laid stones, I reflected on the importance of staying present and engaged, even when progress seemed slow. Each step was a reminder that mindful leadership is about being fully present in the moment, rather than fixating on the end goal.


The journey: embracing obstacles


Constructing the labyrinth meant dealing with challenges. There were days when the weather was uncooperative, and the rocky terrain presented unexpected difficulties. These obstacles taught me resilience and adaptability, both of which are key traits for any leader. I focused on approaching the situation with a calm mind and an open heart, understanding that each challenge was an opportunity for growth.


Walking the path: reflection and insight


Now that the labyrinth is complete, I walk its path regularly. Each journey is a meditation, a chance to reflect on my experience, beliefs, practices and gain insight into my own mind. The winding path reminds me of the nonlinear nature of leadership. Sometimes, we must navigate twists and turns, yet every step, no matter how circuitous, brings us closer to our center.


What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create. - Buddha

Lessons learned: Mindful leadership


Building and walking the labyrinth helped reinforce several key lessons for me about mindfulness in leadership:


1. Clarity of vision: The process of building the labyrinth began with a clear vision. I wanted it to be more than just a physical structure; I envisioned it as a space for meditation and reflection - a sanctuary where I could gain insight and renew my sense of purpose. Just as I researched and chose the labyrinth design that would best serve my needs, effective leadership requires a well-defined vision. It’s about knowing what you want to achieve and aligning your actions with that vision. I spent considerable time reflecting on my goals and values, ensuring that every element of the labyrinth was in harmony with my purpose.


If this is new to you, reach out for a complimentary consultation to get started. Together, we can identify your values, reflect on your goals, and build a purposeful vision that feels compelling. We'll start with identifying these for you personally so you can learn the process for how to do it more broadly in leadership.


2. Presence and patience: The process of building the labyrinth required me to stay present and patient. In leadership, being fully present with yourself and your team by flexing patience and empathy during challenging times fosters trust and resilience. It might seem simple, but when leaders are strong enough to show up with consistency, vulnerability, and transparency, it's a great motivator for others to show up at their best, even during hard times.


If you find you struggle with being present and patient, you can try the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique. Whenever you feel impatient or distracted, find a quiet space and use your senses. Start by looking around and naming five things you can see. Then, focus on four things you can feel. It could be the texture of your clothes, the surface of the chair you're sitting on, or the warmth of your hands. Next, listen carefully and identify three sounds. These could be distant noises, your own breathing, or the hum of an appliance. Take note of two things you can smell or if you can't smell anything think of your favorite scents. Finally, focus on one thing you can taste even if you need to use your imagination to remember the taste of something. After completing the 5-4-3-2-1 sequence, take a few deep breaths.


3. Resilience in the face of obstacles: The inevitable challenges in constructing the labyrinth taught me resilience. Mindful leaders embrace obstacles as opportunities for growth, flexing their ability to handle decision making under pressure, leverage emotional intelligence while navigating complexity, and remain adaptable during uncertainty.


The Adaptability Quotient, developed by Paul G. Stoltz, Ph.D. measures your ability to quickly pivot strategies, embrace new ideas, and remain calm and effective under pressure. An easy exercise to get started improving your resilience is with a daily flexibility practice. Choose a small, daily routine task that you typically do the same way every day. For the next week, consciously change one aspect of this task each day. At the end of each day, take a few minutes to reflect on how the change affected you. Note any patterns in your responses and any insights about your adaptability. By regularly stepping out of your comfort zone in small, manageable ways, you can start to become more comfortable with change and uncertainty.


4. Reflection and continuous learning: Walking the labyrinth offered moments of reflection and insight. Similarly, mindful leaders regularly take time to reflect on their actions, seeking continuous improvement and learning.


If this is new to you, try the Borton/Driscoll model by reflecting on an experience, then asking yourself “what”, “so what”, and “now what”. This helps you move deeper than just describing what happened and allows you to identify what was significant about it and decide what actions to take next.


A sanctuary for mindful leadership


My labyrinth is a sanctuary where I can retreat, reflect, and reconnect with my purpose. More importantly, it serves as a daily reminder of the lessons I've learned along the way, lessons that continue to shape my approach to coaching and leading others.


I'd encourage each of you to find your own "labyrinth," a space or practice that fosters mindfulness and reflection. Whether it's through meditation, journaling, or simply taking a walk in nature, these moments of mindfulness can transform the way we lead, bringing clarity, resilience, and a deeper connection to our purpose.



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