Hi,

Does it feel for you like time is flying by, or standing still these days? For me, it’s one or the other and nothing in between. Either way, I know that it’s time for me to reach out and reconnect with you!

How are you faring? How’s your family, and what challenges are you finding in re-opening? One challenge for me is that my 18 month old granddaughter lives in Columbus, OH, and I can’t travel there to see her — something I never imagined possible. In fact, I haven’t seen her since her birth due to other health challenges going on here in California.

Most of us have been occupied with keeping ourselves healthy, helping our families shelter in place, trying to keep our jobs and businesses afloat — and responding as best we can to the social upheaval and change that’s swirling around us.

If there has ever been a time that’s calling for our leadership strengths to come through, it is NOW!

The leader in me has certainly taken some hits. You might have known that last year I literally lost my voice (there were nodes found on my vocal cords that caused persistent swelling), and it took several months of speech therapy to finally get my voice back again. Yes, it meant going “silent,” suspending my programs, networking, phone appointments, and speaking engagements. But I used that time to assess and refocus the way I was leading my business.

Back in the saddle again — only to learn in the fall that my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I had to reach down deep to awaken that leader within who could take the lead with the person who has been my rock for over 40 years. His treatments continued through the holidays and into 2020, happily ending successfully at the end of February. With the support of friends and loved ones, we made it through, and I was able to take some next steps in my business development that felt really exciting.

And then, you guessed it, COVID-19 hit and threw us all for a loop. No need to say any more about that or the horrors we’ve witnessed and the social upheaval we’re living in — we’re facing this together with our own struggles, as well as our triumphs.

What I’m most proud of and inspired by is how women have risen up as powerful, outspoken and extremely effective leaders and change agents! In this country and throughout the world women leaders are exhibiting the power of Comfluential™ Leadership to find solutions through compassion as well as practicality, collaboration connected with decisiveness, and vision, taking action to face our crises and make big changes.

Update on me…

I am more determined than ever to empower women to step into their leadership potential with the fire in their belly to meet the call for change. I’ll be running online trainings for Women Working in Corrections and Juvenile Justice based in Savannah, GA, and working with the Women's Veterans Alliance on Comfluential™ Leadership topics. I’ve taken leadership positions at Toastmasters to help women present themselves more powerfully through speaking (and improving my own speaking skills!).

I’m continuing my private client work — do email me if there’s anything you’d like to talk about regarding your own leadership goals or issues during this pandemic and economic downturn.

When I had to cancel my Awaken the Leader programs last year, I was devastated! But when one door closes, another opens, as they say...

I am excited to tell you that I’ve been working on some new offers that encompass everything I know about leadership and really bring Comfluential™ Leadership to the forefront. The reveal is coming soon — Stay tuned for details.

Please stay safe and healthy and as always….Be courageous - Dare 2 Lead!