Category: RESOLVE 2020

Peak Leadership: Kyle Lowry at the Top of His Game

If you managed to catch Kyle Lowry, the GROAT (Greatest Raptor of all Time), playing in the NBA playoffs, you can see how much Kyle loves his job.

His beaming smile after Game 5’s long pass to his teammate, OG Anunoby, with only .5, yes point 5 seconds, on the clock saved the Raptors from elimination. And he saved the Raptors again Game 6 Wednesday night.

Watching Kyle bounce back play after play at both ends of the court in a heart-stopping double overtime do-or-die Game 6, Kyle’s leadership is indisputable.

Watching Kyle compare himself to “Sea Biscuit” after being on court for 53 minutes made fans laugh while exhaling a huge sigh of relief after a tension-filled 58-minute game.

Watching Kyle go to work and get ready for Game 7, you can’t help but be inspired by his consistent work ethic, undeniable belief, and limitless perseverance.

Boston Celtics’ Coach Brad Stevens: “He’s an All-star but he might be the most underrated player in the league. He does everything you need to win.”

Will Kyle do it again and get another day at the office? What I know for sure Kyle will show up … early. Let’s Go Raptors!

Staying Connected During COVID-19

I have a quote taped above my desk:

~ Rev. Cecil Williams, Co-Founder and the Reverend in the film “The Pursuit of Happyness”.

But what do we do in this time of COVID-19? How can networking skills help us if we can’t meet in person? 

I often ask my students and audiences what “networking” means to them – “connecting, building relationships, meeting new people, making friends, socializing” to name a few. During this Covid-19 crisis, having networking skills will help us because as humans, we need connection. Technology makes it very easy for us to reach out and connect while maintaining social distance.

When I teach my networking workshops, the first networking skill in my “Five Hacks for Fearless Networking” © is to “Show Up”, overcoming the fear of social rejection. It takes courage to meet someone new in person and on-line.

Is setting up a social calendar useful when we can’t gather physically? 

I have a friend who keeps a checklist to help her connect with family and friends who are near and dear to her. She also keeps another checklist to help her connect with professional contacts and colleagues.

I always maintain a professional calendar because of the nature of my business and now add to my whiteboard daily a list of my family and friends.

Which platforms are available for staying connected? Phone calls vs. Video chat vs. Social media vs email or snail mail? 

I use them all!

Video Conferencing

Most platforms have similar features – share, chat, raise your hand, etc. I’ve use GoToMeeting, WebEx, and Zoom to hold meetings with clients pre-COVID-19 and was a guest panelist on an AGEWELL webinar hosted by Translational Research Project, U of T Faculty of Medicine a year ago on March 14, 2019 on I believe, WebEx.

I’ve transitioned my in-person classes on-line on Zoom quite seamlessly and as someone who is very social. I’m delightfully surprised how much I love teaching virtually. I recommend Zoom because it is simple to start and use and you don’t have to be a member to join a Zoom meeting.

Video calling and phone calls

I had planned an Easter visit to be with my 90+ year old parents in Calgary but of course, my visit has been postponed so I call now them daily, sometimes twice a day instead of our usual Sunday weekly call. This ritual provides all of us tremendous comfort and assurance. Hearing them say they love me every night means so much to me. My siblings also live in Calgary so they help connect me with our parents through video calling on Whats App and Facebook Messenger. My Dad loves touching the screen! Use video calling and phone calls if you want to reach someone you love and someone quickly.

Social Media

You either love it or leave it alone! I’m very active on social and connecting and engaging with friends, family, students, mentees, colleagues, acquaintances, and strangers through comments and direct messaging on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter.

My sister who had been a reluctant user of technology now does a fitness class with her soccer friend via video!

I recommend LinkedIn to stay relevant within your business network by posting comments and sharing if you don’t have time to contribute a post or an article.

Email

As a Boomer, we tend to default to email but I’m mindful when connecting with my younger friends (IG DM and Whats App) and my 22-year old niece (FB messenger) by choosing the media channel they use frequently.

Use email to connect with people of a certain age (Boomers) and also to maintain documentation or an “audit trail” on any important issues – business and personal.

Snail Mail

Snail mail also serves a unique purpose if you don’t mind physically receiving mail. I found Easter cards at Whole Foods last week, had stamps from Shoppers Drug Mart (available from cashiers), and popped them in the mail box with a little prayer that they reach my family and friends – so old school but another way to connect and send a little happiness.

Use snail mail because you’re like a mini-Amazon, delivering love, caring, and joy in an envelope or small package to anyone in the world.

What are some things we can do every day to avoid feeling too isolated? 

Or what are some things we can do every day to stay happy at home?

Top 10 Tips to Stay Happy at Home During COVID-19

  1. Keeping a journal – digital or paper – gives you a place to off load your thoughts. I also have this blog and contribute and share posts and articles on LinkedIn and other business blogs.
  2. Do something nice for your neighbours whether you live in a condo, apartment building, or a house.  Check in while maintain social distance and ask if you can pick something up for thing if you are making a quick trip to the grocery store.
  3. Connect with nature. Walking meditation helps and a good one can be found in “Peace is Every Step” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
  4. Meditate even for 5 minutes to help clear your mind.
  5. Learn something new! With so many ways to learn online – YouTube, IGTV, Coursera, etc., most of us have access to so much. We are fortunate because not everyone has Internet access. I’m sad to see on Twitter that people who don’t have Internet access gather around the exterior of branches of the Toronto Public Library trying to find a way to log in if they have cell phones. It also shows us the value of our libraries and social services.
  6. Some establish new routines immediately. It grounds them and gives a sense of control. As a creative, I maintain some routine to get work done while also allowing (and sometimes scheduling) time for my mind to wander and be free.
  7. Move! Make sure you move and not sit in front of your computer all day. Stretch! Jump! Dance! Do the Wonder Woman power pose made famous by Professor Amy Cuddy! With over 56 million views to date, watch her 2012 TED Talk:  “Your body language may shape who you are”. “We know our minds can change our bodies but can our bodies change our minds?” ~ Amy Cuddy
  8. Pick up the phone and call someone you love, someone who lives alone, someone you’re thinking of.
  9. Take the initiative and identify someone you can help by introducing them to someone in your network who can help, mentor, share their expertise and experience.
  10. Breathe and be thankful for all that you have this moment. The universe will unfold as it should.

Nothing is forever, not even COVID-19. Keep healthy. Keep safe. Keep connected.

Parasite – The Brilliance of Bong

Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up! It’s uncomfortable counting the minutes because the hours, days, years just don’t seem to be enough.

There’s SO much left to do. People to meet, projects to finish, films to watch. Who knew that the Academy Award-winning film, “Parasite” would be voted the best picture not only of 2019 but also in my humble opinion, of all time?

Humanity is full on in “Parasite” as we watch the two families, the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim family, swerve, collide, back up, only to do the “dance” again and again.                                                                       

“You’re not good enough. You’re not smart enough. You’re not like me,” They tell him, with that extra little jab and twist. Sometimes you start believing Them instead of believing yourself. It happens when you lose your livelihood, your faith, and your self-respect. It happens in a heartbeat. and it happens to us all … and more than once. Survival means focusing on today, the present, because tomorrow may never come. “Survival of the fittest” takes on a new meaning after adversity strikes. Your world suddenly shrinks and fits on a pinhead – shelter and food first. The Kims know it all too well.

Mr. Kim’s ability to feed his family defined his self-worth as he tried to perfect the art of folding pizza boxes. The Wealthy Parks turned their noses up, complaining about “The Smell”, the smell of poverty, the smell of Mr. Kim, so offensive to The Wealthy Parks.  This constant shredding of dignity in front of Mr. Kim is visceral and unrelenting right up until the end of the film when you shall see what remains.

It reminded me of the lyrics of Joni Mitchell’s song “Big Yellow Taxi” – “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” But I won’t spoil it for you. Just know the “Brilliance of Bong” shone brightly. You may need your sunglasses. And you won’t be disappointed.