May 2020 Leadership Development Carnival

Welcome to the May 2020 Leadership Development Carnival! We’re excited to share posts from leadership experts from around the globe on the topics of  communication, development, engagement, motivation, productivity, team building, and more.

Communication

Laura Schroeder of Working Girl provided Online Fatigue: The Pain is Real. Laura shares: "These days, even extroverts may feel what I call 'online fatigue' in the wake of extra online meetings to align and 'connect' with the team. Here are some ideas to help teams to stay connected while minimizing online fatigue." Connect with Laura on Twitter at @workgal.

Diana Peterson-More contributed How to Avoid Giving Into the "Lizard Brain" In the Era of Covid-19. Diana explains: "Communication can be touchy, to say the least, in the era of Covid-19. All of us can be too quick to retort with something we later regret. This blog tackles some tips for avoiding the 'lizard brain.'" Find Diana on Twitter at @DianaPMAuthor.

Shelley Row of Insightful Leadership shared Email Is More Important Than Ever: Learn Four Tips to Make Your Email More Effective. Shelley considers: "Our virtual work environment is creating a heavier-than-ever reliance on email. But zipping off an email is rarely a good idea and that’s even more true now. With fewer opportunities to connect in person, we rely on email even more. Now’s the time to learn tips that enhance your email writing skills." Connect with Shelley on Twitter at @shelleyrow.

Sean Glaze of Great Results Team Building contributed In Adversity, What Type of Movie Do You Put Your TEAM In?. Sean writes: “Winning teammates understand that ultimately it is THEIR DECISION how the story ends – and how it is defined. The story you TELL YOURSELF is the one that determines the ending you endure or enjoy!” Find Sean on Twitter at @leadyourteam.

Robyn McLeod of Chatsworth Consulting Group shared How virtual leadership can be more meaningful and authentic leadership. Robyn provides essential steps leaders can take to be more relevant to the moment we are in, enhance meeting time in new ways, and build greater connection, so you can take the steps necessary to support your employees and all of the people counting on you and relying on your leadership. Connect with Robyn on Twitter at @ThoughtfulLdrs.

Bernd Geropp provided Leading in times of crisis. Bernd asks us to consider: "How you can stay calm and positive within the storm, and how can you engage the hearts and minds of your people in times of crisis?” Find Bernd on Twitter at @moreleadership.

Inspiration

Wally Bock of Three Star Leadership provided Lessons from the Great Depression for the Time of Coronavirus. Wally explains: "The Great Depression shut down many businesses, including my grandfather's. Now, the coronavirus pandemic is doing something similar." Connect with Wally on Twitter at @WallyBock.

Steve DiGioia contributed Every Great Leader Has an Experience Book. Do You?. Steve writes: "The actions of leaders should focus on common-sense decisions. A good business-sense, extensive life experience, having a good judge of character, and the ability to see-through-the-fog towards the intended goal will help most people make the 'right' call as needed – when needed. Every step we take is a learning process and we adjust as needed. This builds our 'experience book' that’s stored in our memory to reference in the future." Find Steve on Twitter at @stevedigioia.

Randy Conley of Leading with Trust shared The Answers to These 4 Questions Will Define Your COVID-19 Leadership Legacy. Randy asks: "Have you given much thought to how you will be remembered as a leader after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed? The answers to four key questions will shape the way people view your leadership during this historic pandemic." Connect with Randy on Twitter at @RandyConley.

Henry Mukuti of Insakanet contributed Life is like a seed that needs to be nurtured. Henry writes: “Our attitude about the future depends on our ability to see the future. Each of us has the inherent ability to dream, design, and experience the future through our hopeful imagination.” Connect with Henry on Twitter at @hjm32471.

Jim Taggart of Changing Winds shared Square Astronaut, Round Hole: Sweat the Small Stuff!. Jim considers: "We like to think that, if we don’t sweat the small stuff, then our stress is reduced. Not so, according to astronaut Chris Hadfield." Follow Jim on Twitter at @72keys.

Simi Suri of Designed Learning shared When You Can't Go Out, Go In. Simi writes: “Perhaps the earth has truly gone into 'reset' mode due to the lockdown caused by the Coronavirus. Perhaps it is time for us to push the 'pause' button and rethink how we have been living our professional and personal lives. Perhaps the 'reset' mode and 'pause' button are now compelling us to rethink the meaning and purpose of our relationships, both at home and at work.” Find Simi on Twitter at @FlawlessWrkshps.

Development

Thomas Stone of i4cp shared Coronavirus is Forcing Changes to Leadership Development and Succession Planning. Thomas writes: "Only 4% of those surveyed said COVID-19 has not any impact on their organization’s leadership development programs, with only 7% saying the same for their succession planning/management process." Find Thomas on Twitter at @i4cp.

Marcella Bremer of Positive Culture contributed Corona: Disruptive Change Reflection. Marcella considers: "The Coronavirus causes disruptive change. Reflect on personal development, on what is emerging, what we can let go of, and how we contribute with kindness. This is also an opportunity to develop a caring culture at work." Follow Marcella on Twitter at @MarcellaBremer.

Ken Byler of Higher Ground Consulting Group contributed Finding Peace of Mind. Ken writes: "The current pandemic environment has triggered our minds toward negative thinking. Imagine if, during this time, leaders saw themselves as part of a larger plan and purpose. Might it be possible to find peace of mind for ourselves and those we serve?" Connect with Ken on Twitter at @kenbyler.

Karin Hurt of Let's Grow Leaders provided How to Support Your Team in an Unexpected Layoff. Karin shares: "Leading through a layoff is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do as a leader. Especially now. Let's Grow Leaders humbly offers their best advice for this challenging time." Follow Karin on Twitter at @letsgrowleaders.

Chris Edmonds of The Purposeful Culture Group provided Culture Leadership Charge: Instead of Crisis Planning, Do This. In this video post, Chris shares: "As leaders, we can no longer arrange our thinking and actions around crisis planning. Crisis planning runs on adrenaline and an unspoken assumption that this is a short-term challenge. Coronavirus is not. In fundamental ways, it’s our new normal." Follow Chris on Twitter at @scedmonds.

Ann Howell of Science of Working contributed Leadership Scenario: Your New Virtual Team. Ann writes: " While practicing social distancing, you can also practice your leadership skills. What would you do in this leadership scenario for a new virtual team?" Follow Ann on Twitter at @drannhowell.

Bill Treasurer of Giant Leap Consulting contributed 7 Ways to Recover and Be Stronger After a Hard Leadership Lesson. Bill explains: "It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, what company model you have, or even what your unique career goals are. Each one of your leadership mentors, business role models, and personal life icons practices these seven key leadership moves to regularly recover and grow stronger as a leader, and you should, too." Follow Bill on Twitter at @btreasurer.

Julie Winkle Giulioni shared Employee Development While Sheltering in Place. Julie explains: "In this SmartBrief post, I offer some thoughts about how this sheltering in place time is ideal for development . . . and lay out some specific, actionable strategies for doing so." Follow Julie on Twitter at @julie_wg.

Engagement

Paul LaRue of The Upwards Leader contributed Crisis Leadership - Serving Others Through The Cycles. Paul writes: “Understanding the cycles of behavior and emotional responses during a crisis is essential to leading through difficult times. Here they are outlined with advice on how to lead and serve through those cycles.” Connect with Paul on Twitter at @paul_larue.

David Grossman of The Grossman Group provided 30+ Best Practice Ideas from Leaders for Leaders to Engage Their Teams During COVID-19. David writes: "We pulsed our clients and other leaders in our network to learn what is working best for them to connect and engage their teams during COVID-19. We received more than 100 best practices and share the most common (and some not-so-common) tips from leaders for leaders to be at your best in times of uncertainty and change." Follow David on Twitter at @ThoughtPartner.

John Stoker of DialogueWORKS contributed Cues for Connecting with Generation Z. John shares: "With this younger generation becoming part of the workforce, it is important to understand them in order to work and connect with them more effectively. Here are some cues for connecting with Generation Z." Connect with John on Twitter at @JohnRStoker.

LaKay Cornell of Champagne Hippies shared You Can Have Your Cake and Values, Too. LaKay considers: “Think of your thought leadership and storytelling like a dating profile. You want to weed out the people who aren’t a good fit and attract the people who are.”

Motivation & Productivity

Susan Fowler shared How To Evolve From Managing Time To Managing Energy. Susan writes: “You have ten things on your to-do list. How do you decide what to do first? You only have 24 hours in a day, after all. Millions of people have relied on the famous 4-quadrant Time-Management Matrix for decades. It’s about time the model got an upgrade with revelations from motivation science. See how you can evolve from time-management to energy-management.” Connect with Susan on Twitter at @fowlersusann.

Neal Burgis of Successful Solutions contributed The Loneliness of Remote Employees. Neal explains: "These tips are just some ways to help alleviate feelings of loneliness. Leaders need to help workers with their loneliness issue as it is more than an organization problem, it impacts productivity as well. It's lonely at the top." Follow Neal on Twitter at @exec_solutions.

Joel Garfinkle of the Career Advancement Blog shared 7 Quick and Easy Ways to Prioritize Your Mental Health & Wellbeing. Joel summarizes: "Prioritize your own wellbeing and learn how to best manage high-stress situations in order to lead your people through these trying times. Here are some choices that will help you achieve optimal mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing." Find Joel on Twitter at @JoelGarfinkle.

Mary Ila Ward of Horizon Point Consulting shared 3 Tips for Surviving the Rollercoaster of COVID-19. Mary writes: "Feel like you’re on a rollercoaster of emotions these days? Adjusting to a life that has no or new routines can be a challenge. So how do we navigate the rollercoaster of emotions at home and at work? And as leaders, how do we help others do the same?" Find Mary on Twitter at @maryilaward.

And More...

Mary Faulkner of IA—HR contributed What’s Next: IA’s leadership share thoughts on COVID-19. Mary summarizes: “The need to think differently about work and people is no longer a choice. The IA leadership team shares some thoughts about the way forward.” Find Mary on Twitter @voiceofhr.

Liz Weber of Weber Business Services provided 6 COVID-19 Induced Reasons Why You Should Scrap Your Current Strategic Plan. Liz writes: "When you experience a crisis, your leadership team’s skills in leading are revealed . . . what did you learn? Here's what you need to do next." Connect with Liz on Twitter at @lizwebercmc.

Eileen McDargh shared  Three Ways Trader Joe’s Rocks Resilience. Eileen explains: "Trader Joe’s has been a different breed of grocery store. Now, given this current crisis, look what Trader Joe’s does to stand apart from the rest and remain resilient while helping customers through difficult times." Connect with Eileen on Twitter at @macdarling.

Thank you to everyone who submitted articles for this month's carnival! If you would like to be added to the distribution list for submission calls, please fill out this form and we'll be happy to add you to the list.