Leadership

The Gifts of the Pandemic | Stronger Through Empathy

For me, empathy is best exemplified by neuroscientific research, which shows when we observe the pain of others, it activates the same neural pathways as when we experience pain ourselves. We are hardwired to “feel into” the pain of others, which is the translation of the German root from which the word empathy evolved. Empathy is the gift of feeling into the emotions of others.
For more about empathy and compassion, I hope you will pick up or gift a copy of my book Stronger Through Adversity, which provides more than 20 pandemic forged lessons from 140 plus leaders like the CEOs and Presidents of Target, Verizon, Kohl's, Microsoft, and Marriott. Out of empathy for those fighting the pandemic, I’m donating a portion of the book’s proceeds to the international nonprofit Direct Relief, which provides food and supplies to those on the frontline.
 

The Gifts of the Pandemic | Stronger Through Humility & Vulnerability

Let’s face it, most of us care a lot about what others think of us (especially if we are leaders in business, community, or family). We project “the best of” ourselves in public and reserve “the rest of” ourselves for private. That approach leads to 70 percent of people feeling what researchers Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes label an “imposter syndrome.” Social media amplifies this syndrome, since most people tend to share the “highlight” reel of their life and not the “lowlight” events.
Let’s jump to the pandemic and how it made it harder to hide our blemishes, shortcomings, and limitations. For example, we saw leaders communicating from their bedroom not the boardroom. We knew our dogs, spouses, and children would wander into our videoconferences, and we went on camera having cut our own hair. As a result of our vulnerability, many of us spent less time managing our image. We acknowledged our fears, errors, and humanity, and operated more from our hearts and less from our heads.
For more about Stronger Through Adversity, visit https://www.josephmichelli.com/stronger-through-adversity/

The Gifts of the Pandemic | Stronger Through Learning

Here's a question for you, if you could, would you go back to the way it was before COVID-19? Let's imagine you could flip a switch that would re-instate your life and your business to how it was in November of 2019? Before you decide, let's also assume you didn't lose your business, you experienced no family member's death, and remained in relatively good health.
Given those parameters, would you flip the switch? For me, the answer is a resounding NO!
For more about Stronger Through Adversity, visit https://www.josephmichelli.com/stronger-through-adversity/. 

Three Ways to Lead with Light

In 1650, the English Theologian Thomas Fuller wrote that often-quoted line, “The darkest hour is just before the dawn.” Quite frankly these days I’m just trying to get through the darkness of our time. 
For me, when it's darkest, when I am horrified by nightly death tolls, or righteousness that prompts inexplicable violence, I look for light on the horizon. Sometimes it’s hard to see more than flickers, but I know the light is there and waiting for me find it.
Today I'm discussing three sources that have proven illuminating to me.
 

Happy New Year!

Whew 2020 is over! On behalf of our team, I wish you a safe and prosperous 2021. Next week I will resume our video series Stronger Through Adversity, based on the book I released last month, but for now I’ll simply share words of hope written by Anne Frank. She noted: ”What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.” I’m looking forward to those “best days of life - yet to come.” How about you?

Stronger Through Adversity Spotlight on David Hudson

Throughout December, I’ve been sharing a few excerpts from Stronger Through Adversity to provide stories and lessons on resilience and hope. I had lots of stories to choose from, thanks to the wisdom shared by over 140 leaders like the CEOs and Presidents of Target, Verizon, Microsoft, Marriott, and Mercedes-Benz. Today I’ll excerpt a section which features David Hudson, Commissioner and National Commander of The Salvation Army.
If you would like to learn more about the book Stronger Through Adversity, please visit strongerthroughadversity.com or buy it now wherever you get your books. Also, I’d be honored if you’d join me for my live interview series on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. Eastern and simulcast on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas. I told my family that the only “gift” I wanted this year is a safe way for us to be physically together in the days ahead. I want that gift for you as well. Until those days come, Merry Christmas from The Michelli Experience team.

Stronger Through Adversity Spotlight on Johnny Yokoyama

My new book, Stronger Through Adversity features 140 plus leaders like the CEOs and Presidents of Target, Verizon, Microsoft, Marriott, and Mercedes-Benz, who shared their insights and wisdom. Today I'm sharing a section from the foreword of Stronger Through Adversity, which was written by my mentor Johnny Yokoyama. Irrespective of Johnny's recommendation to pick-up my book, I encourage you to take time this month to think about the lessons you have learned this year and how you will be stronger as a result of the pandemic. If you'd like to learn more information about the book Stronger Through Adversity and get your special signed 40% off pre-order offer, head to strongerthroughadversity.com.

Stronger Through Adversity | Bring Yourself to Work

Thank you for joining me for this series titled Stronger Through Adversity. The book by the same name is based on conversations I've had with more than 140 global leaders as they navigate through COVID-19.
In Stronger Through Adversity, I play off the theme of "Bring your Son or Daughter to Work" day to emphasize the importance of bringing our authentic self to work every day. The leaders I spoke with for the book, whether that was Stephanie Linnartz, President of Marriott, Steven Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries, or Dave Pace, Chairman of the Board for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, talked a lot about authenticity and leadership vulnerability - especially in a crisis.
If you would like to learn more about Stronger Through Adversity and get your special signed 40% off pre-order offer, head to strongerthroughadversity.com.

Happy Thanksgiving

I wanted to interrupt my series Stronger through Adversity to simply say Happy Thanksgiving.
For those of you across the US, I suspect, if you are like me, the Thanksgiving table will be quite different this year. While I wish I could be with my children and grandchildren, I am still filled with gratitude.
If anything, this year has been a tremendous opportunity to gain perspective on what really matters. It’s easy to get wrapped up in pain, fear, anger, and divisiveness brought on by the cataclysmic disruptions in 2020, but I am far too blessed to go there.