Many things can contribute to work being challenging, but most of us have had at least one experience where the people you work with make or break your experience. Sometimes a coworker or manager can really add to your experience and you’re grateful to be working with them – if so, great! Other times youContinue reading “How to Move Forward with a Difficult Coworker”
Category Archives: Open-Ended Questions
“I Have No Opinion About This…”
Divisiveness is part of life in the 21st century in a way that it never has been before. The rise of the internet has led to an increase in tribalism – for better and for worse. It’s easier than ever to find people who share your experiences and your interests. Forty years ago most peopleContinue reading ““I Have No Opinion About This…””
Being a Mental Health Ally for Your Colleagues (and Yourself!)
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, each year millions of Americans (as many as 1 in 5) experience mental illness. In the past, many of us might have believed that mental health was a concern only for those with mental illness, but living through a lengthy pandemic, and all the stresses and repercussionsContinue reading “Being a Mental Health Ally for Your Colleagues (and Yourself!)”
Remembering Rosemary Meehan Tator, 1950-2022
Rosemary Meehan Tator, one of the primary mentors for Building Bridges Leadership, passed away last week following a lengthy battle with cancer. Rosemary had a lot to offer teams who are looking to create authentic community in the workplace, especially as a woman business leader in male-dominated industries. Her 50-year career was full of teamContinue reading “Remembering Rosemary Meehan Tator, 1950-2022”
Listening During Liminality and Times of Transition
The Covid-19 pandemic brought a lengthy period of change and uncertainty – a seemingly endless time of forced flexibility. It brought the idea of liminality to our culture more so than at any other point in decades, as we all waited for a time when we would be able to see friends, or travel, getContinue reading “Listening During Liminality and Times of Transition”
Completing 2021 and Moving On to 2022
As we move towards the end of another year full of logistical – and emotional – challenges, many of us are looking for ways to bring closure to the year and recharge for the new year. Depending on your work, a break may not be possible. But even if you are able to take a fullContinue reading “Completing 2021 and Moving On to 2022”
Using the Tool of “Turn and Learn” in Meetings
Have you ever spoken up about an important topic in a meeting only to feel misunderstood? Maybe you didn’t articulate it as well as you wanted, or you just felt like the other people in the meeting focused on the wrong part of what you said. Perhaps you’ve spoken in response to a challenging topicContinue reading “Using the Tool of “Turn and Learn” in Meetings”
Social-Emotional Learning in Your Work Team
Which squirrel are you today? If that question means nothing to you, you probably haven’t seen the “squirrel scale” – a fun check-in tool used by some schools during remote learning. I was reminded of this tool recently while working with a group of middle and high school teachers, during a workshop focused on buildingContinue reading “Social-Emotional Learning in Your Work Team”
Team Creativity in Times of Challenge
Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has often talked about how the challenges she has faced throughout her life have contributed to her lyrics and music; most notably her struggle with mental health and the value that years of therapy has provided for her. Not coincidentally, the cover art of her 1994 album ‘Turbulent Indigo‘ is a self-portraitContinue reading “Team Creativity in Times of Challenge”
“It’s All in the Debrief”
What comes to mind when you hear the word “debrief”? If you watch spy movies, it might be James Bond passing by Miss Moneypenny on the way to let M know what transpired on his latest mission. In your work environment, it may look more like a closed-door meeting following the end of a projectContinue reading ““It’s All in the Debrief””
Building Bridges Leadership 