Bright Business Consulting

Went cross country skiing today in others’ tracks while also blazing my own trails. How appropriate.

My mental health tanked this fall, which resulted in me being diagnosed with ADHD. The meds + ADHD-specific coaching are making a huge difference…even though some days are still better than others.

I started the Venture Home seed accelerator program last February to figure out how to scale Vibrant Virtual. Over the course of months, this led to a transition to , which is a tech company dedicated to making workplaces more inclusive.

It’s been a ride! I’m still healing, still learning (no code app development, anyone???), but I’m certain that good things are yet to come.

Here’s my favorite quote of the winter journey:

“Doing those deeply unfashionable things--slowing down, letting your spare time expand, getting enough sleep, resting—is a radical act now, but it is essential. This is a crossroads we all know, a moment when you need to shed a skin. If you do, you'll expose all those painful nerve endings and feel so raw that you'll need to take care of yourself for a while. If you don't, then that skin will harden around you.

It's one of the most important choices you'll ever make.”
-Wintering by Katherine May

Got to talk about our newest project, Empower2Retain + the role that privilege plays in venture capital funding. Icing on the cake: spending a few hours with two women who have played such a big role in my journey over the past 3 years.

Ever feel like you’re playing a game of Tetris trying to manage all the things?

You’re not alone.

The cool thing about Tetris is that when things get overwhelming, and the blocks start falling too fast and hit top, everything resets.

You start back at the beginning, slow things down, and strategically fit all the blocks in the right spots.

Everyone needs a reset button once in a while. A day to look at all the blocks and rearrange them so everything fits.

You can only handle all the things if you are thinking clearly, and aren’t overwhelmed. And the only way to do that is to take care of yourself!

Listen to what you need, take breaks, and do all those other self-care things we know are important, but that don’t always get prioritized.

Keep rocking, friends! You got this!

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It's no secret that times are still really weird. Of course, it's affecting everyone, but Gen Z is in a particularly rough spot. It's our job as managers and leaders to make sure they are getting the support they need.

So how do experienced leaders offer support to Gen Z, bringing out this group's curiosity and potential?

Here are some suggestions >> https://www.fastcompany.com/90713865/burned-out-and-isolated-how-to-get-through-to-your-struggling-gen-z-workers

Making people better in a way that creates a lasting impact. Sounds like a pretty good definition of leadership to us!

Do you agree?

It's not too late. You're not behind. You didn't miss your chance.

Start today. Learn the new skill, ask for the promotion, start the business.

You got this!

We hear it all the time, but it seems like we can never have too many reminders. Life starts to pick up, the to-do list keeps getting longer, and often our own self-care is the first thing to go.

So here's your reminder. Put your own oxygen mask on before helping others!

Prioritize and set boundaries accordingly.

Remind yourself. Remind your team. Remind your coworkers.

Times are still really weird. Deep breathes. You got this!

Share this with someone who needs it💙

“We still have a long way to go to make the American workplace – including small businesses – truly female friendly.”

In case you haven’t heard, today is International Women’s Day.

We honestly would not be where we are today if it weren’t for female mentors, friends, coaches and all around kick-ass women who have had our back.

Women have come a long way in the entrepreneurship world, but we still have a long way to go.

Here are some insights into what has changed in the last 30 years >> https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/9412893002

International Women's Day

International Women's Day and small business: What's changed in the past 30 years? March 8 is International Women’s Day. A 30-year business veteran reviews what's changed and what hasn't – or gotten worse.

Happy Employee Appreciation Day!

Showing your employees appreciation and acknowledging that everyone on your team brings expertise to the table is a game-changer.

Every person is capable of doing something to help the team. And when people feel appreciated, chances are they will go above and beyond.

Make sure to celebrate your employees a little extra today, and keep showing your appreciation all year long!

Giving and receiving feedback is an important part of personal and professional growth.

"Employees want to hear how they can do better, but it depends how managers deliver comments."

Here are 5 tips that can help you deliver feedback in a helpful way!

5 steps to provide feedback that’s helpful, not hurtful Employees want to hear how they can do better, but it depends how managers deliver comments.

As a leader, it's easy to feel like you have to know everything all the time.

In reality, some of the best leaders are the ones who acknowledge that they don't have all the answers.

Focus on caring for your people, and the rest will fall into place.

You got this!

Happy !

Keep taking steps forward this week. It doesn’t matter how small - even the smallest steps add up.

You got this!

📷: .i

No idea is too big. Sometimes the most 'out there' ideas are the ones that become the creative solutions to your organization's biggest challenges.

"Many leaders understand the importance of delivering feedback, but forget it can be more harmful than effective if delivered improperly."

How can you give feedback as an ally, not a critic? Here are some tips >> https://www.fastcompany.com/90714663/managers-heres-how-to-give-feedback-as-an-ally-not-a-critic

Managers, here’s how to give feedback as an ally, not a critic Many leaders understand the importance of delivering feedback, but forget it can be more harmful than effective if delivered improperly.

It’s easy to feel like if you’re not checking things off the to-do list, then you’re not making progress.

That could not be further from the truth.

Progress takes time!! Change doesn’t happen over night.

Just because you didn’t get everything done that you wanted to doesn’t mean you aren’t working hard or trying your best.

Times are still really weird! Give yourself a break.

Take a deep breath.

Think of all that you accomplished this week and all the progress you’ve already made.

Then keep rocking😎

Hey employees...what kind of environment do you need to be able to come up with great ideas?

Hey leaders...what are you doing to create an environment where great ideas can not only be born but where employees feel like they can share their big ideas?

There is no one right answer to these questions. Everyone needs something different when it comes to sparking creativity.

That's why is so important for leaders to communicate with their teams. This will help you build a culture where everyone feels supported and encouraged to find creative solutions.

And who doesn't want to work in a supportive and encouraging environment??

Keep rocking!

"For someone who suffers from shyness and a healthy dose of imposter syndrome, speaking in meetings without an invitation is incredibly hard for me."

We all have different personality types which means we all communicate differently. But just because you're an introvert doesn't mean you can't make your voice heard in meetings!

Check out this article - 'The Introverts Guide to Winning Meetings: How I Learned to Show Up' to learn more >> https://forge.medium.com/the-introverts-guide-to-winning-meetings-how-i-learned-to-show-up-2f4be32a3730

The Introverts Guide to Winning Meetings: How I Learned to Show Up Through many conversations with peers, workshops, and moments of self-reflection, I found my voice.

Happy !

You don’t need a title or a fancy office or a perfect business plan.

You just need to START. Don’t wait till you have what you think you need or till you think you’re ready.

Because guess what? That moment isn’t coming.

Start where you’re at with what you have and the rest will fall into place.

You got this!!

No one is a mind reader.

Not your coworkers, not your family, not your teammates - no one.

That's why communication and clearly articulating what you want and need is so important!

It sets everyone up for success and makes your life a lot easier.

"Hiring interns not only enables companies to "test out" employee fit before making a full-time offer, but it also encourages your team to offload some of the extra work they've likely taken on due to team member departures."

Could this be a solution to the Great Resignation? Thoughts?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/01/21/could-gen-z-be-your-companys-solution-to-the-great-resignation/?sh=2411ddbc7ca2

Council Post: Could Gen-Z Be Your Company's Solution To The Great Resignation? Avoid thinking that your company can rely on traditional tactics to recruit and keep Gen-Z team members engaged in the workplace.

Acknowledging that everyone on your team brings expertise to the table is a game-changer.

Every person is capable of doing something to help the team. And when people feel appreciated, chances are they will go above and beyond.

How do you make sure that your team knows they are valued and appreciated?

"High school seniors are expected to do a great deal. College applications. Community service. Sports, clubs and classes. Now, there's a new item on the list: internships."

Is high school too early to expect students to complete internships? Or is it a valuable learning experience that will set them up for success?

Thoughts?

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/the-rise-of-high-school-internships

The Rise of High School Internships Internships aren’t only for college students – they can offer a range of benefits for teens, too.

Creating a space where everyone feels comfortable speaking up and sharing ideas means better results for the organization as a whole. But how do we do that?

"To create psychological safety during a meeting, ask the group to devote their full attention to each person who speaks, allow each person to take their time and complete their thoughts, and share what is valuable about peoples’ questions or comments."

More on how to create safe spaces in meetings >> https://hbr.org/2019/04/make-your-meetings-a-safe-space-for-honest-conversation?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hbr&utm_source=LinkedIn&tpcc=orgsocial_edit

Make Your Meetings a Safe Space for Honest Conversation More freedom leads to more candor.

A little reminder to end your week. You got this. Just don’t forget to breathe🧘🏼‍♀️

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Internships are amazing opportunities for both parties, but it’s all too common for businesses to hire interns without much forethought, just to get more bodies on a project or to avoid hiring a full-time admin.

So what can you do instead to make it a better experience for everyone involved?

Here are 5 Five Steps to a Better Intern Hiring Process!



https://brightbusinessconsulting.com/how-to-hire-an-intern/

How to Hire an Intern | Bright Business Consulting | Leadership Coach Ever wondered how to hire an intern? Internships can be great for both parties, if done right. Here are 5 steps to a better intern hiring process.

Tooooo accurate😅

Can you relate??

Introverts and extroverts communicate differently.

Learn how to be true to your communication style while also respecting others around you >> https://brightbusinessconsulting.com/resources/7-tips-for-uniting-introverts-extroverts/

Amen to that👏👏

What are you going for in 2022?

As a mom, business owner, and partner, there are not as many times to focus on my breathing as I would like.

But when I do make time to meditate, man does it feel good.

I've recently been enjoyed Jeff Warren's guided meditations. Coming off the busy holiday season, and recovering from end-of-year projects and to-dos, it has been a welcomed escape and reset from what can only be described as organized chaos of life!

Check him out if mindfulness is on your list of New Year's Resolutions >> https://jeffwarren.org/explore/meditations/

An important question to ask yourself as we move into a new year.

Now's the perfect time to reflect on your priorities and be intentional about where you're going to spend your time and energy in the new year.

Here's to leaving time and energy drainers in 2021!

One thing I tell my clients all the time is that change doesn't happen overnight.

Change is a process! It takes time - that is if you are looking for a lasting solution rather than a quick fix.

I was a manager - I get it! Sometimes putting a band-aid on a situation is all you can think to do in the moment.

But taking the time to put systems and processes in place helps make sure you get a consistent outcome, regardless of all the other things that might be happening at the same time.

It also saves you from having to deal with the same challenges over and over again.

By creating systems and processes, you can drown out some of the extra noise that drains your time and energy as a leader.

This is especially true for hiring and onboarding processes!

Is there a task your new employees are consistently confused by? Maybe there's a better system for training!

Think about the challenges you are facing now and take the time to brainstorm solutions.

Not just solutions that will get you through the day or the week, but lasting solutions that will give you and your team more time and energy to focus on the important things instead of always putting out fires.

Keep rocking!