November 2018: What Will the New Year Bring You? View this email in your browser

November 2018: What Will the New Year Bring You?

The holidays are on the horizon. With just under four weeks until Christmas, decorated trees are on display in stores and Christmas music is playing on the radio. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, self-care in December might be one way of coping with what can be a season of long line-ups and worn-out retail staff.  If you do celebrate Christmas, self-care may be the last thing on your mind for the next five weeks.  Either way, I want to remind you that it’s ok to stop and smell the cinnamon, and think of yourself, too, in December.

What will 2019 Bring You?  

As quickly as the festive season seems to arrive, it is followed by that reality hangover of a brand new year. After days of indulging in the richest eating and drinking of the year, we’re faced with a fresh new year, and the instinct to make new year’s resolutions.   This is a good time to start thinking about what you’d like to accomplish in 2019 and how you might get there.   A Gift From Your Employer That Really Does Keep on Giving…   Give yourself the gift of professional development this holiday season and kick off 2019 with optimism. There’s still time to make use of professional development/training budgets before the end of the year. With many years of federal government experience behind me, I’ve streamlined the process for government employees. We could work together to map out a plan for future career progression including promotions. This could also be an option for someone interested in undergoing a Leadership/Executive Assessment so that they know where to focus to make the biggest impact on their future performance.  What Does Insurance Have to Do with Your Career? I’m excited to announce that, in certain circumstances, my career counseling services may now qualify for insurance coverage. After a traumatic event such as a motor vehicle accident, workplace injury or harassment, career counseling can be incredibly beneficial. I have a deep understanding of the challenges that people face when they are returning to work following a physical injury, burnout, other mental health problems, illness, or chronic disease. If you, or someone you know is considering a career change or planning to return to work after a short-term or long-term disability leave, get in touch with me to find out more. I promise, if you qualify, I will walk you through the process.

How Much of the Real You Should You Reveal at Work?

According to a report published by Deloitte, the majority of certain populations in the workplace actively cover up aspects of their identities that they believe are unwelcome and/or stigmatized. In other words, every day, they are intentionally downplaying who they are. What’s the price for trying too hard to blend in? Read more about this topic in my recent blog article The Pros and Cons of Covering at Work.    Keep Back: Staying Clear of the Glass Cliff Have you ever heard the term “glass cliff?” The glass cliff is something that often happens when women and members of minority groups take on leadership roles.                           Sadly, women and other underrepresented groups tend to be appointed to leadership positions under very different circumstances than men. The term and the concept of the glass cliff were developed by two psychology professors. In a nutshell, the researchers found that at senior levels, women are more likely to be appointed to leadership positions that are associated with an increased risk of criticism and failure. This means that women’s leadership positions are often more precarious than those of men. Leadership and executive coaching can help you navigate these situations. New: Leadership and Executive Coaching  It’s not easy being in charge. If you’re in a leadership position and you want to be more effective in your role, consider investing in some leadership coaching. Customized leadership coaching is beneficial to emerging and aspiring leaders such as supervisors and managers — anyone who wants to improve their own and/or their team’s performance.   Executive coaching is effective during the onboarding process for new leaders, or for experienced executives who are facing a challenging assignment or mandate.   When women, people of colour, and members of other underrepresented groups attain a leadership or executive position, they face unique challenges. Personally, and professionally, I understand the unique demands that can be difficult to quantify or easily explain. I can help leaders of all levels navigate successfully around hidden obstacles. Contact me confidentially for more information.