What UFOs Tell Us About Leadership

Thought of the Week | Julie Lawson, CEO

I am a die-hard Sci-Fi fan, so the conversations this week about #UFOs in our airspace peaked my interest (sure, we can call them #UAPs, but does an other-worldly invader by any another name smell less dangerous?). And while the thought of an alien invasion is dramatic and interesting, I am quite sure we can leave that for the Sci-Fi world for now. What is more relevant is that there is potentially dangerous activity happening around us and we need a plan to deal with it. Experts are grappling with a conundrum: why are we suddenly seeing more air threats? Is there a sudden onslaught of them? Or are we better at detecting them?

The latter is more likely: in response to the first aerial stimulus in late January, American defense operators lowered their radar perimeters to detect slower and lower objects. They increased the type and frequency of aerial and land scans. Suddenly we were seeing, catching, and eliminating threats we were previously oblivious to. That's scary, but it's an important lesson: we can't deal with what we can't (or refuse to) see. In leadership, multiple layers of observing our world are necessary:

• Are we seeing only at our level of engagement, or watching what's happening at all levels of the organization?
• Are we catching potential threats when they first enter our mental space? How well are we identifying these threats, and how do we handle them if we're unclear about what they are or represent?
• Are we utilizing observation, communication, and active learning equally to assess the status of our work on a well-rounded basis?
• What might we be ignoring, missing, or misunderstanding from our perspective - and have we asked for the perspective of others to help broaden our understanding?

I challenge myself - and you - to take time this week to ask: what's flying under my radar? Consider what you might be missing due to the limitations of your own perspective. Think about how your radar is set and adjust it to catch all the potential threats and opportunities within your organization.

Book of the Week | On Mental Toughness by HBR

As usual, we've been thinking a lot about #resilience at Reins Institute lately. We've received many requests for training, interviews, speaking, and book recommendations in response to a changing and anxious workforce. One book we recommend is "On Mental Toughness," one of Harvard Business Review's 10 Must Reads anthologies. It covers tangible, realistic methods for understanding and building mental toughness. This book is particularly helpful if a more academic approach to emotional intelligence is helpful to you. Order your copy here, and let us know what you think!

Video of the Week | The Missing Ingredient in Self Care with Portia Jackson-Preston

#Selfcare is incredibly popular right now (and for good reason!), but it is also often misunderstood. In this poignant video, Portia Jackson-Preston explores what self-care really means, and what it takes for us to fully care for ourselves (hint: don't try this alone!). She discusses her own path to self-care, what specific communities or individuals may need to care for themselves, and how we can all support each other in self-care. Listen to discover a different and important perspective on this critical practice.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!