A Tale of Two Cities? Try 77.

A couple of days ago, I shared some pictures of my beloved Chicago, more specifically, my neighborhood, Bucktown.

Things have been calmer the last 48 hours in Bucktown, but the difference between rest and unrest can be a fine line in a city. I took my first walk around since the weekend, and I saw a lot of pain, remnants of destruction, countless tributes to George Floyd and others who have lost their lives, but also beauty, hope and helpers.

They say Chicago is a tale of two cities— North and South, but it is really 77 cities woven into one.

I still hold my breath when I hear of a protest, hoping it won’t turn violent and that cooler heads will prevail. The only thing I can hope for is progress. Incremental steps forward everyday.

I know a lot of organizations are looking for answers, actions, a new playbook. It’s ok not to have one just yet- the commitment to change and to do something different is more important right now. The issues of systemic racism and bias have been so deeply entrenched for centuries- fight to urge to “fix”.

Declare your intent.

Then look, listen and learn.

Sharing some new pictures — some might see spray paint and boards. I saw inspiration and hope.

Be well & stay well,

J

Remember when...

Remember when we were talking about open workspaces, kombucha on tap and free employee meals?

Remember when we thought it would keep employees engaged and foster a more contemporary culture?

Remember when we thought collaboration was all about being together in the same space? …so you could have impromptu hallway meetings and solve the world’s problems?

I do, kind of.

But that is in the rearview mirror.

Here is what I remember.

• I remember in the beginning of March, we thought … it’s just 2 weeks.

• I remember when we got to Spring Break— and all parents took a collective sigh of relief when they could take a break from homeschooling.

• I remember when it was finally April… but it still wasn’t an April Fools Joke.

• I remember when I learned I had friends battling Covid.

• I remember when I found out via Facebook that my old manager lost her mother to Covid.

• I remember driving around looking for clorox wipes, but since there were none to be found, I bought ice cream instead.

• I remember getting a text from another HR friend who had her first employee pass away.

• I remember the wedding my friend had to postpone; and the babies that have been born that I haven’t been able to visit and shower with hugs and gifts.

• I remember my friends celebrating their 1-year-old’s birthday on zoom; I am now planning for my own baby’s June socially distanced birthday.

The world has changed and will keep shifting beneath our feet. It’s unsettling.

The culture you have cultivated as a leader will determine how your organization emerges from this.

NOW is the time to double down on TRUST and TRANSPARENCY.

Here’s how.

• You hired people for a reason … let them do their jobs.

• Listen more than you speak. Ask questions.

• Get comfortable with making decisions with imperfect data. It is ok to admit that.

• Ask for help, so you inherently give others permission to do the same.

• Understand what people are afraid of. (yes, where there is anger/ frustration, there is usually fear of something) If you don’t know, you can’t help.

• You need to tell people what you are afraid of — not to spark panic, but to share in the experience of vulnerability with your team.

Finally, you have to be honest with yourself. If this trust & transparency thing runs counter to how you have always operated— then let this day be a new day.

Let people know that you’re ready to move forward and be a different kind of leader.

And did I mention — don’t forget to ask for help.

Be safe and stay well,

Jean

#sorrynotsorry. The Case for Thank You.

A couple of years ago, this BBC news clip went viral. I watched it on a loop and remember my stomach hurting from laughing hysterically.

I remember commiserating with my workmates, and seriously wishing I could walking into every meeting like THAT kid.

Dad was a real pro— remained relatively calm as he politely gave his kid a Heisman in the face.

Mom came RACING in frantically …. nearly faceplanting while trying to get a hold of the flying saucer (aka baby) and her oldest who was marching like she was leading the Rose Parade.

And considering the interview topic (North Korea!) the timing wasn’t great. (live TV is generally not great timing)

But isn’t that what made it all so … REAL and hilarious?

Last week, my husband, who’s been working from the basement office since his voice carries, texted us that the footsteps upstairs were LOUD.

He had an important meeting with senior leaders and I’m sure it was difficult to concentrate. But honestly, I was not feeling too sympathetic— because isn’t that EVERYONE right now???

Many of us struggle to maintain our sanity on any given “normal” day— During Covid— just maintaining is utterly exhausting.

During Covid, our daily checklist looks like this (at least mine does):

• Stay healthy

• Stay indoors

• Get fresh air, but don’t get near anyone

• Eat healthy

• But don’t go to the grocery store often

• Take vitamins

• Drink wine

• But too much wine will disrupt your sleep

• Sleep is important to health

• Scour the internet for TP, hand sanitizer and wipes

• Join every Facebook group and follow every # to get real time alerts on which Target has TP in stock

• Cook healthy meals for you and / or your family every day

• Prepare all homeschool lessons a day in advance

• Manage 2nd grade social calendar and ensure Zoom meetings aren’t hacked by creepers.

You know what I’m saying. It’s just A LOT to manage.

So back to our expert guy— he gets interrupted and he apologizes PROFUSELY. Last week, I got interrupted by my daughter last week and I apologized profusely. It’s definitely a “normal” response.

But you know what? None of this is normal— so here’s a thought.

Replace “sorry”… with “thank you”.

Thanks for your patience!

Thanks for saying hi to my kid!

Thanks for letting me see your dog!

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Give yourself and those you work with the space and compassion to be a human being. Now is not the time to assess someone’s “executive presence”.

If we can give the permission to ourselves to be a little less perfect, we can do the same for others and be stronger after all of this is in the rear view mirror.

In the words of the Queen:

"We will succeed - and that success will belong to every one of us.”

Damn. She’s good.

And so are you.

Jean

PS: Link below to the clip. You have to.

https://youtu.be/Mh4f9AYRCZY

Today... was a good day.

I was talking to a dear friend earlier this week, and she said, “Jean, when I read your blogs, it’s like you’re talking to me.” So Erin Ellis, this one’s for you!

As tough as Tuesday was, Thursday was a winner.

I was grateful today for a sunny day, an engaging work call, and my 8-year-old doing schoolwork (at least the minimum amount)

But what really lifted my spirits was being able to help two of my friends who are on the front lines of CV19. One friend from HS put on her Instagram that her neurosurgeon husband needed some masks to wear over his PPE. Another friend of mine, who is a gastroenteroligist, needed the same.

Enter my sister in law, Kristin. She has a great heart, is super creative and is such a good human. I really love her. This is us last year in Japan visiting our family…it’s an awesome pic isn’t it? #alltheblossoms

So— Kristin can SEW! Last week, she offered to make masks, and I told her I’d take some for my healthcare friends. They may look simple, but they are not easy to make, the cutting, the pleating, then the sewing. Let me tell you, the ones she are making are double layered, and really durable. (If you are impressed with her mask pleating… you should see her gyoza she makes!)

I wanted to help— so I volunteered to cut masks so she could concentrate on sewing. I didn’t have fabric, but I did have the blackout curtains I just replaced in our bedroom— so I started cutting 9x6 rectangles. Each mask she makes uses two rectangles, and the curtains were actually perfect because they are double layered.

(Thank you for your service, West Elm curtains!)

Once I started cutting, I had a couple of revelations…

1) This is why my new drapes cost so much. Cutting fabric straight is basically like walking a tightrope. Impossible.

2) This is why I’m an HR person and not an atelier.

Because the docs were on call and working this weekend, we wanted to get some to them today. I drove down to my SIL’s apt, picked up the 5 masks she made; dropped off my fabric and delivered them to my friends… first stop — the Alberts. This is my close friend, Rachel— and her husband is Dr. Andrew Albert.

Next stop…The Boyers…and here is Dr. Jerrel Boyer modeling his new gear.

Two doctors. Two families. 5 masks.

It didn’t seem like so much, but they were so grateful— they have been so concerned for their patients, their own families, our city. They are in my thoughts and prayers always. These are moments I will always remember.

As soon as I got home— Kristin texted me…the needle on her sewing machine broke… GAH!!! No replacement until Saturday.

Facebook groups to the rescue!!! I put out an SOS to my neighborhood FB group— within 5 minutes I had responses. I picked them up, dropped them back off at her apartment. #handoff

BOOM! Back in business!

So Kiki (that’s what I call her) is going to keep sewing, and I’m going to keep cutting masks in the evenings. It is not a high powered operation, but it is making a difference for at least two families. And that is enough for us.

I am also “paying” her in cookies. Again, I can’t sew. But I can cut, drive, and bake really good Potbelly copycat cookies.

And if you need HR solutions, career coaching or advice, that’s my day job.

Be well, stay well—

Jean