EILEEN MCDARGH'S
Resiliency Report
Published monthly and when the mood strikes.
Update from Eileen
I know. We think of May as the month for Mother’s Day in the U.S. The Truth is that every woman is a mother in some capacity.
I had the privilege of getting three children 45 years ago when I married my Bill. There’s nothing “step” about that.
My amazing sister, Susan Mullins, has been raising amazing students through her work as Board Chair of United World College Costa Rica.
My granddaughters are Mother Earth lovers who work for sustainability.
However, a very disturbing order from President Trump requires organizations to delete any history and mention of women or people of color from their records. Deleting history doesn’t change it. So, I am highlighting some amazing women… in this case, women in the Air Force.
Yes—it is a follow-up to my April Issue, which tells you how important I think this is.
The U.S. Air Force has removed web content honoring several trailblazing female pilots, including the first woman to fly with the Thunderbirds, the elite air demonstration squadron, to comply with the Trump administration's directives to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content from federal websites.
The purge includes webpages, photos, videos, and biographies, many celebrating historic firsts for women in military aviation. Among the most prominent cases is retired Colonel Nicole Malachowski, who served for 21 years and broke barriers as the first woman to pilot with the elite Thunderbirds demonstration team. She commanded a fighter squadron and was a White House Fellow.
The U.S. Air Force has also removed content related to the women who inspired Col. Malachowski: the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots WWII or WASP. If you read last month’s e-zine, you know their story because my mother was a WASP, one of the 1,076 women who did all the domestic military flying when male pilots were called to combat duty.
Although dismissed toward the end of the war and told to “find your own way home,” Mom never regretted her service. The full story of the WASP is in the archive kept at Texas Women’s University.
If Mom were alive today, she’d join me in protesting this outrageous demand to erase history. Until I moved her into assisted living, Mom would start the day by putting out the U.S. flag and bringing it in at night. She believed in the rule of law, the Constitution, and service. She would be horrified to watch a potential descent into an autocracy driven by a man who never served and called wounded soldiers “suckers”.
I think I am being called to be a Mother Tiger for my nation and the world. Care to join me?
The First Five Months of 2025 Have Brought Bad News
Employee engagement in the U.S. has seen a recent decline, dropping to its lowest point in a decade. While it's higher than the 26% recorded when engagement was first measured in 2000, it's lower than the peak of 36% in 2020. Gallup's latest findings indicate that only 31% of U.S. employees are engaged, and 17% are disengaged.
What can we do about it?
First: Identify and understand the root causes. Employees become disengaged when there is a lack of recognition (and not a plaque!), poor work-life balance, lack of growth opportunities, and a feeling of disconnection from the company’s mission.
Second: Communicate without stopping. That’s not about talking but rather listening. Listen deeply, with your mind and your heart. Ask thoughtful questions. Create a safe space where employees can share their feedback, concerns, and ideas.
I’ll stop with these first steps because without taking these two steps, progress is impossible.
May is the Month to Celebrate
May 2025
Finding Peace in the Chaos
Life doesn’t always go as planned—political turmoil, failed projects, loss, or grief can all lead to self-doubt and regret. In tough times, keeping stress low and joy alive is essential. While there are many resilience strategies, here are a few you can start today, right on YouTube:
Exercise: Try yoga, dance, or indoor walking videos—check with your doctor first.
Build Your Brain: Learn a new language with thousands of free videos.
Charity: Explore how nonprofits work and get inspired to volunteer.
Music: Find relaxing or energizing music and videos to lift your mood.
Laugh: Funny videos abound—my current favorite is a compilation of hilarious dogs! (see below)
To manage stress, I rely on small daily habits: walking outdoors, deep breathing, unplugging from devices—even briefly—and leaning into laughter through comedies or chats with funny friends. It’s these little things that help lighten the load.
Just for Laughs
I'm not a complete idiot -- some parts are missing.
Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
The trouble with life is there's no background music.
I would have sent a funny card, but at your age, I know bladder control is an issue.
I never feel more alone than when trying to put sunscreen on my back.
Must Read Book
The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Language by Gregory Boyle
For years, I have been an avid follower of Father Greg Boyle, beloved Jesuit and founder of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest and most successful gang-intervention program. Earlier this month, I was graced to hear him speak.
This book captures what it means to connect with others. His accounts of interaction with gang members are crafted with humor, joy, and true love. I laughed and cried reading this book. I have read his two other books, Tattoos on the Heart and Barking to the Choir, and I loved them both.
But this book, coming at a time when hate speech and anger are too close, provided a source of relief and hope in how he could be in the moment with gang members and find a way to touch their hurt and humanity. I'm not sure how close I can get to politicians, but I can practice in my own neighborhood.
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 in Communications
This is the 7th 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.
Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year again to vote for Global Gurus in various categories. I’ve been in the top 5 of Communication Gurus for many years. Global Gurus is a British research firm that goes out to some 20,000 people to determine standing.
Click below to nominate me as inspirational. It might ask you to log in using either Linked in or Google. You are asked to log in to assure people can only vote once. You’ll then see my face pop up along with other nominees. Select and then near the bottom, you can rank me as “inspirational ”or not.
Please let me know if this works. You are all the best.
Many thanks. I am most grateful for YOU!!!!!
