EILEEN MCDARGH'S
Resiliency Report
Published monthly and when the mood strikes.
Update from Eileen
I can hear you right now:
“Whaaaat!! Resilient people do not quit!”
“Haven’t you heard that when the going gets tough, the tough keep going?”
“You know the saying: ‘Winners never quit, and losers never win.’”
Yada. Yada. Yada.
But what if your head and your heart told you that quitting was exactly what you MUST do?
Simone Biles gave us a model of that courage when she withdrew from Olympic competition with the exception of the balance beam which she finished with a bronze medal. Regardless of the outcome, stepping back when the world is calling her the GOAT—"Greatest of All Time” athlete—must have been an agonizing decision. Imagine having to explain to the press, her country, her family, and her fans that mentally and physically she could not compete.
Talk about pressure!!!
Talk about courage.
Living up to the expectations of others can be one of most damaging of choices. Resiliency—growing through opportunity or challenge—is ultimately energy management. When your brain is trying to logically over-rule your instinct, your energy reserves are taxed and fragile. From what I have read, Simone risked serious injury if she continued with all the gymnastic events.
It certainly gave me a moment of pause. Perhaps for you, too.
Do we have the courage to quit? Are we living up to the expectations of others when our gut says “stop”? Is our ego and self-worth hard-wired to what others say of us?
The two books that I review in this newsletter offer very different views of courage—and quitting. I look forward to your thoughts!
Workplace Insights - Recognizing and Recharging Your Company’s Resilience
Resilience is like a battery; to maintain a full charge, it must be properly maintained and periodically recharged. Run the resilience battery too long in an environment that is harsh and unwelcoming, and it will eventually be drained and lose power.
Do You Have the Courage to Quit?
August 2021
Something To Laugh About
I have a great diet. You're allowed to eat anything you want, but you must eat it with naked fat people. – Ed Bluestone
The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second you're off it. – Jackie Gleason
The reason most people play golf is to wear clothes they would not be caught dead in otherwise. – Roger Simon
Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant? I'm half-way through my fish burger and I realize, Oh my God... I could be eating a slow learner. – Lynda Montgomery
Must Read Book!
In a virtual world or a hybrid one, the tensions of opposites can impact relationships. Unless, of course, you find the wisdom of finding commonalities rather than differences. My colleague, Jennifer is a fellow Berrett Koehler author. She has created a practical five-step process to optimize and appreciate “the other”. Easy to read and VERY doable.
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
Best-selling author Adam Grant has done it again: He has notched up the courage to quit by inviting us to critically rethink our opinions and beliefs. There has never been a more important time to honestly explore people who are different from us and who challenge our thoughts and beliefs that, frankly, can be based on untruths repeated over and over again until we believe them. A fascinating book that also explores how companies fail because the creator of that company can’t see beyond the original concept. I, for one, need this book. Consider this intellectual rigor!
Hurry Up & Wait
My blog post “Hurry Up and Wait” covers the advantages of waiting rather than jumping in the water too soon.
Resiliency is a life skill, offering those of us who use growth potential strategies (GPS) as a way to become wiser, stronger, and better through times of challenge or opportunity. But strategies are not of the ready-fire-aim- variety. As we slowly move out of a Covid-19 lockdown, eager as we are to spring into action, may I suggest that waiting offers value.
About Eileen
If you are looking for a unique keynote speaker in resiliency, a facilitator for executive retreats, a speech coach or an emcee/moderator, then you want to work with Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE. Eileen has spoken for audiences as large as 15,000 and facilitated groups as small as 18! She is the author of seven books and other products that you can find in her online store. The British Research firm of Global Gurus ranked her #4 among the top 30 communication gurus worldwide. Why not hire Eileen for your next event?
Ranked 3rd!
This is the 6th year in a row that I have been ranked in the top 5 in communication. Global Gurus surveys some 26,000 business professionals to determine rankings plus professionals also vote.
Yahoo!
Thank You!
