Executive Coaching & Workforce Development

Mindful Mental Health – 3 Valuable Questions

Most of us reading this today are not mental health practitioners. But you don’t need your doctorate to know this common fact. Stress leads to anxiety and anxiety to depression.

You also don’t need to be in the medical field to improve your stress level. It begins with being aware of it. Recognizing and regulating stress is a leadership communication skill that we weren’t talking about years ago. But luckily mental health and emotional well-being have come to the forefront of our conversations at work. Gens Y and Z are demanding it — and we thank them for that.

Today, we are moving in so many directions at an unprecedented pace — we don’t even notice our stress. Or if we do, we keeeeeeep going, perhaps in denial, or maybe because we have commitments and goals to reach!

Goals are great and so is your health. So here are three quick and easy questions to ask yourself during the day if you CHOOSE to RECOGNIZE your stress and then do your best to REGULATE it.

1. What’s your stress level?
2. Are you mindful or is your mind FULL?
3. Does your body feel constricted or expanded?

Stress level? The Surgeon General of the U.S declared stress an epidemic, BEFORE the pandemic in 2019. We know stress affects the heart, immune system, and the ‘executive brain’ or pre-frontal cortex. As stress increases, access to your cognitive ability decrease. You can become AWARE of stress by having your blood pressure checked OR ask yourself, is your stress today low, medium, or high? YOU have this information. According to the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, awareness is often more than ½ the battle. Stopping to recognize stress, then doing something about it like taking a brief walk or breathing deeply for 60-90 seconds go a long way toward your ability to keep your stress in check.

A FULL mind? It’s the norm today. Dr. Daniel Goleman, author or Emotional Intelligence said, “our minds just are not equipped to handle this kind of overload”. And he said that in 2016! There are many ways to manage this problem including centering yourself and becoming present to what is happening ‘in this moment’. According to Dr. Richie Davidson, we spend about 1/2 our time NOT being present.  The best way for a mind to be LESS FULL is to first, become present, then consider putting less into your mind in the first place. That means less social media and TV. Consider shutting it all down 1-2 hours before bed. Also, when you find that your mind is FULL, ask yourself, “Am I thinking about things outside of my control?” If so, (common!), do your best to let those thoughts go. When they return, let them go again and focus on thinking about things INSIDE of your control. This is a practice that gets easier when you begin to build what we call  a ‘mindful muscle’.

Constricted or Expanded? Humans today spend so much time in their heads. Overthinking. We’re smart, driven, and have a lot to do! Taking time to ask yourself how your body is feeling is another practice well worth cultivating. This is important because when we get stressed or anxious, our bodies tense up. Plus, we spend an exorbitant amount of time hovered over our phones and computers. We often hold stress in our necks, shoulders, jaws, and hands. Notice that. Then ask yourself what you can do to to become more ‘expanded’ and unwind that stress. Try straightening the spine, moving the head, neck, jaw, unclench the hands. Add some deep, diaphragmatic breathing for just a minute or so and then ask yourself again. Does your body feel more expanded? A more expanded body leads to more energy. And less stress.

These three questions will not save the world. But they may help you and your employees become proactive to mental health and emotional well-being. Use the questions as conversation starters. And remember, the first person you might want to start the conversation with is YOU.

YOU are the common denominator. YOU are the foundation of every relationship you’ll ever have.  And the most important relationship you will ever cultivate is the one you have with yourself.

Controlling Worry

Today’s blog by Bill Hennigan, Transformational Coach and Workforce Development

Worry is a common human experience that affects all of us. It can sometimes be helpful, but when it becomes too frequent or intense, it can negatively impact our mental health. Recognizing and regulating worry is crucial for maintaining good mental health and emotional well-being. As a certified transformational coach let’s explore excessive worry which can increase our stress and zap our energy. It can also get in the way of the ability to think clearly and rationally.

Various factors can influence our thoughts, including past experiences, relationships, the environment, and our current state of mind. By understanding these factors, we may identify causes of our worry and develop practical strategies for management.

Two ways to manage worry include philosophical thinking and logical thinking.

• Philosophical thinking helps us recognizethe nature of worry and its role,
• Logical thinking helps us to develop practical strategies to regulate

While recognizing nature and why we may worry excessively can help us determine the origins of worry, an important, logical question to ask is, “of all the things you worry about, what do you have control over”?

You may want to examine the concept of locus of control to manage worry. Locus of control refers to an individual’s belief in whether they have control over the events that affect their lives or if they are controlled by external factors.

• Developing an internal locus of control can lead to taking responsibility for one’s actions and making decisions that can lead to a more fulfilling life, to feel in control of your destiny,
• Conversely, a person who has an external locus of control may feel helpless and frustrated, leading to negativity to blame external factors for failures. They may miss opportunities to take control and improve their situations.
• Positive internal locus of control leads to more positive self-talk, which can improve mental health, self-esteem, and overall wellbeing. Seeking guidance from a coach or therapist can help individuals feel more empowered and in control of their lives by creating steps to achieve their fullest potential.

In this NEW and very different transforming world of 2023, to keep up, success comes from focusing on what you can control. Then, creating an action plan which may include strategies to improve physical health, enhance mental and emotional well-being, foster spiritual growth, develop digital and financial literacy and acumen plus develop strategic plans to reach business goals.

Recognizing that people are multi-dimensional beings, meant to be curious, and continually challenge themselves, it’s clear that success comes from embracing challenges, sharing our strengths and experiences, and following a path to express our true selves. Taking time to understand ourselves is an act of kindness that shows compassion for ourselves, which is a prerequisite for cultivating compassion and connection with others. Understanding our needs and preferences is essential to achieving our purpose and recognizing that everyone has a unique journey to take.

In today’s transforming world having access to the right tools and people, including a coach, is a powerful approach to personal and professional development. During this month of mental health awareness, and every month, we realize that we can all use a helping hand from time to time to improve our perception and reduce our worries. When we do, our clarity increases, and we actually begin to enjoy ourselves while becoming much more in control of business and life.

Learn more about coaching with Bill Hennigan who is part of the iVoice Communication team HERE.

Women Working 9 to 5!

Welcoming Renee Aloisio, Corporate Trainer, Executive Coach, Professionalism Guru and iVoice Communication Guest Blogger.

Been watching lots of Netflix documentaries lately. Super impressed with the motivation, talent, and success of several individuals, J.Lo, Lady Gaga, Shania Twain, and the most recently watched Dolly Parton.

Whether or not you are a fan of these individuals, you’ve got to give them credit for their determination, tremendous devotion to developing and refining their talents, their business acumen, and fearless leadership.

I reflected on Dolly Parton discussing how she managed her business and controlled her intellectual property. She talked about how she agreed to be in the movie 9 to 5 provided she could write the theme song. I listened to the song which prompted me to watch the movie last week.

Although several exaggerated situations evolved, its satire on many of the challenges women faced were spot on. When the dynamic trio secretly took over the office operations, implementing workplace flexibility, job-share, on-site day care, equal pay, and a culture of camaraderie and psychological safety from mental, verbal, and physical harassment, productivity soared!

As I reflected on the important challenges brought to light in 1980, I wondered, how far have women advanced in 43 years?

Something to think about during Women’s History Month and beyond!

Women have made progress. However, psychological safety and advancing women to leadership remains a significant concern for employees, employers, our businesses, and communities.

Are you ready to conquer these challenges together?  Consider the Strengthen Leadership Communication Program for Women, designed by iVoice Communication to support women’s advancement.  We’ll share decades of business and leadership communication experience, while helping women navigate their challenges and further unleash their potential!  Are you ready to advance your career and increase the number of women in leadership positions? Contact donna@ivoicecommunication.com and learn more at www.SLCWomen.com.

Communications Skills for Women Leaders

Advancing Women Leaders Has Been Slooooooow

There are many success stories to brag about from last year involving women leaders.  One is transitioning from Project Manager to Principal. Another became a VP and ‘the boss’ for the first time in her career. A third is becoming the first female CEO of her company. All have earned generous raises which strengthens them, and considering they are all mothers, their career advancement will also strengthen their families, children, and future generations.

But as we examine the growth or advancement of women into leadership positions, it’s been sloooooow going. Over the last 40 years, there’s been great improvement in the gender pay gap, with women’s wages increasing from 64% to 83%. But that higher number has barely budged over the last 20 years.

Plus, the prevalence of burnout and the Great Resignation resulting from the global pandemic has affected mostly women.

Although life has been tough, especially over the past several years, leadership positions await us, as succession plans, in thousands of companies, take root.

What are we to do to serve the cause?

Here are 6 ACTION steps to take to ensure we’re heading in the right direction.  Research combined with coaching hundreds last year revealed if you want one of those coveted positions, you can steady and ready yourself by incorporating the following into your daily routine.

A – C –  T –  I –  O – N

1. AWARENESS. Become more aware of your mind, body, and stress level. Some stress is expected but too much can be a huge deterrent. As stress increases, access to your prefrontal cortex or rational portion of the brain decreases. Become radically aware that your physical and emotional well-being which are equally important. Be aware of what you can control, including ‘the busy brain’ and try to incorporate periods of rest. Short moments throughout the day will help you get present and stay grounded. Breathing exercises have the ability to lower stress.
   Skill: Know that you are the leader of yourself or the CEO of you. Develop an honest, healthy relationship with yourself.

2. COURAGE. Replace the word confidence with courage. Courage comes before confidence and it leads to increased confidence when you courageously take action. Women notoriously struggle with confidence more than men but that’s just because they’ve had fewer role models, mentors, and experiences. To gain experience, tap into your courage and, as Brené Brown suggests, “choose courage over comfort and try new things”. Great leaders know it takes both courage and failure to succeed.
   Skill:  Embrace failure. Learn quickly and don’t make the same mistakes.

3. TIME. Time is our most precious commodity so be organized and well-aware of what steals time. Common culprits for women include overthinking, second guessing or worrying, especially before a presentation or providing feedback to someone. According to Dr. Judson Brewer of Brown University and Mindsciences, procrastination is not a time problem, it’s an emotional problem. The urge to procrastinate is triggered by emotional uncertainty. So, if you’re navigating uncharted territory, be kind to yourself and be as proactive and prepared as you can be. Learn to trust yourself.
   Skill: Avoid procrastination and perfection which can steal time and zap your progress.

4. IDENTITY. Unlike years past, you are not expected to have every answer because we’re working in a knowledge economy. Learn to ask for what you want and need to succeed. A 21st century leader knows how a company makes and loses money so plan to contribute ideas, provide feedback and collaborate towards common goals. Today, we do not have to return emails in a split second or work twice as hard as male counterparts. Those are the things that lead to burnout. Instead, focus on your ability to communicate, evolve, and adapt in this ever-changing business environment.
   Skill: Update and strengthen your identity.

5. OFF your desk. If there are too many tasks ‘on your desk’, speak about it honestly and learn to delegate. Your boss and company won’t know you’re overloaded if you don’t tell them. Plus, the ability to delegate is one of the most vital skills a leader can acquire. It starts with a process (must they do things exactly your way or can they work autonomously?). Then, measure the progress of the tasks, well before the due date. You may think it’s easier not to delegate to get the exact results you want. But this keeps you from other opportunities that can position you as a leader.
   Skill: Learn to have honest conversations and to delegate so you can think and behave like a leader.

6. NEW business world. Business is very different than it was just a few years ago. Even most conservative companies operate, dress, and behave more casually, encouraging their people to be authentic and genuine. The opportunity to work remotely and run meetings virtually is here to stay. Much more attention is being placed on emotional well-being, and psychological safety and communicating with a more balanced amount of top-down and bottom-up leadership skills.  If you feel overwhelmed with all the changes, know that people of different genders, ages, ethnicities, etc… feel the same way!
   Skill: Know that you cannot change or regulate anyone but yourself. Be self-aware and self-regulated so you can develop yourself to become a 21st century leader.

At iVoice Communication we strengthen current and emerging leaders with 21st century communication skills.  If you ‘move the needle’ 5–10 % in these areas, you will experience faster growth as you develop the skills necessary to lead and communicate in business today.

Our work is ‘time released’ at iVoice Communication. We know incremental change leads to lasting change and attending our Strengthen Leadership Communication Program for Women will get you there faster.

Leadership Evolution

Welcoming Bill Hennigan, iVoice Communication Guest Blogger

At one time I was a top-down leader. Determined. Brazen. Groomed with a purpose and it was not always mine.

It worked, until it didn’t.

There was a time that I wielded authority in a manner that just doesn’t work any longer in the modern business world. This is and was a challenge of great change for me. We need authoritative skills, we need to work across generational and cultural gaps, or chasms. As leaders in our companies, it’s our responsibility to lead the way.

We must be agile with a multiple of communication skills and styles. Business still functions from top down and bottom up for management structure. I understand this and feel fortunate to have had these experiences with the opportunity to evolve to understand how we can cross the chasm(s).

Change is slow and often painful. To be that leader who knows how to engage and inspire people towards being their best selves is what’s needed today. To be successful one must understand the value of diverse and cross-generation teams. Especially in a time of not only emotional complexities, but technology as well.

How to cultivate the skills to improve company culture is a powerful opportunity. When we work to bring all generational or cultural brackets together, to share knowledge and information, it bridges these chasms.

This blog post today is written by a guy (me) who, over his career, has lived through recessions, inflation, social change, and participated in a variety of projects, designs, developments that required us to collaborate, organize and build skills to meet business and cultural needs. All of this work was based on our ability to communicate through change.

To get to where we want to go. To build a united workforce as opposed to a workforce that’s divided or siloed, we need to provide a safe and secure way to go deeper into our understanding of not only ourselves, but the potential of team and human dynamics.

This takes introspection, an honest assessment of how we communicate, the necessary skills, and how to cultivate to meet what we hope to achieve, which is the ability to change. Continual change can be arduous yet quite valuable and well worth the effort.

As we work though our busy workdays on never-ending opportunities; employee retention and succession planning are major business requirements that can’t be forgotten. To step back and assess our people; what we all have in common including our uniqueness.

Organizations want employees to take initiative which means taking charge; having a positive attitude with an entrepreneurial spirit; being results-oriented team players; dependable and responsible with a desire for continued learning.

We want those things even before the employee begins to work with us!

What iVoice Communication teaches is conceptual and experiential but founded on empirical data.

• “…86% of employees and executives cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes for workplace failures.” (Workplace communication statistics 2022)
• “…teams who communicate effectively may increase their productivity by as much as 25%.” (McKinsey & Company)
• The 2021 State of Global Workplace report from Gallop pegs lack of engagement costs the global economy US $8.1 trillion, that’s nearly 10% of GDP, in lost productivity each year.

This formerly brazed leader has been awakened.

The 6 Pillars of Mindful Communication can create the foundation for reflection and introspection for organizations to become better versions of themselves and better leaders.

Adults learn through experience and our learning experiences create the foundation for a stronger, more balanced, and communicative future, closing the gap to the chasm. Great musicians, communicators and leaders are built through a continual learning process. This work takes time. And practice.

Upskilling, coaching, and teaching happens simultaneously and is not for the faint of heart. The 6-Pillars align with my desire to be a better leader.

People want to be developed, to be better, to be part of a healthy work environment, and it happens through understanding and continual improvement. We, all of us, can be lifelong learners. There is a sense of urgency today, and it seems imperative in this new business world.

I’m thrilled to be part of the iVoice Communication support team. As I delve deeper into wellness and mindfulness, to become a yoga instructor moving from that brazen top-down leader to someone different. We are all part of the system and unique in our own ways. It’s a continual journey with challenges to do better.

I look forward to our collaboration in how we can identify your employees’ communication capabilities, their uniqueness and help create success as we work to close the chasm of an ever-changing business landscape.