top of page

EILEEN MCDARGH'S

Resiliency Report

Published monthly and when the mood strikes.

Update from Eileen

I was primed. Suitcase packed. All handouts and resource materials ready for the client. Airline and hotel booked. Then the client who had called this team together got Covid. She thought she could at least attend virtually but she lost her voice. Massive storms rolled into Dallas and all my flights were canceled or so delayed that I’d never make it in time for this all-day facilitated meeting.


Together with my client, we decided to reschedule. In 35 plus years of my work, I had only missed an engagement twice: once when I got food poisoning and the second time when the pilot refused to land in New Orleans due to storms and we ended up in a closed airport in Alabama.


So here I sit. Feels strange. Ready to go and then—nothing. Nada. Unlike a planned vacation or structured time off, this was unexpected. Gift or garbage? 


What would you do if 2.5 days suddenly opened up? 


Yes, I hear you:  sleep, binge watch Netflix, work in yard, run errands, etc.


I was surprised at my response. I opted to do things I had never done before. I walked my 5-mile running trail in the afternoon. I had only been on it at dawn. It looked so different. I made Eggplant Parmigiana. I read a novel. I slept eight hours. I delved deeper into the assessment I would be doing with my client. And I got the earliest ever jumpstart on my monthly ezine. 


What would you do with the unexpected gift of time? 

It’s Ok NOT To Be Resilient All the Time

NPR LifeKit interviewed Lourdes Dolores Follins, a psychotherapist and clinical social worker. In this great segment, Follins said what I have believed forever: Resilience is not a “toughen up and get through it” skill. It is NOT a one-and-done ability. Rather it is a muscle which—in my words—is cultivated.


There are times in which life is tough, hard, depressing, and dangerous. A “stiff upper lip” discounts the fact that there are systemic, environmental, or physical realities that frankly suck. Like a garden, there are times in which the proverbial soil is hard, rocky and choked with weeds.


If someone you know is faced with such challenges, the best response is heartfelt empathy and whatever action you can take. Telling someone they are resilient or to “buck up” is not helpful in the least.

Ready To Go...And Then?

September 2022

Join Me at The 2022 Virtual LeaderCon Event

I'm delighted to be speaking at the Virtual LeaderCon Event hosted by Kevin Eikenberry. My topic is "Talk Ain't Cheap, It's Priceless". You’ll hear directly from practitioners and industry leaders on the most pressing and emerging leadership and learning topics. From the leadership basics for new and frontline leaders to the latest remote work tactics and ideas – no matter where you are in your career, there is something for you. Attend every session or pick and choose those that interest you most – it’s entirely up to you!

Just For Fun

I hate it when I can’t figure out how to operate the iPad and my tech support guy is asleep.  He’s 5 and it’s past his bedtime.  Today’s 3-year-olds can switch on laptops and open their favorite apps.  When I was 3, I ate mud!


So, you drive across town to a gym in order to walk on a treadmill?


Just once, I want the Username and Password prompt to say, “Close enough.”

Must Read Book!

This is the perfect book for not only-back-to-school readers but for all of us. Sustainability isn’t just about climate! It’s about life! Professor Belle Liang is on the faculty of the Lynch School of Education at Boston College. This summary of her newest book, co-authored with Timothy Klein, takes the ecological notion of "sustainability”, and deploys it to look at the way in which persons (and particularly younger persons) might make wiser decisions about their work and their lives. I find it fascinating and something—even if you are no longer “young”, you can benefit from.

Must Read Book!

Best Commencement Speech Ever—Boston College Class of 2021

I’d quote it but you must read the entire speech. David Brooks is funny, profound and poignant without the silly platitudes that often given at a graduation speech. He crafted a message that takes a pandemic, isolation, and the power of survival to re-orient all of us to the fact we now know we have the capacity to survive hard things. His advice holds true for everyone—regardless of age.

Must Read Book!

Burnout: Modern Affliction or Human Condition

It’s a long article by Jill Lepore but unraveling the history of even the term “burnout” is fascinating. Read at your leisure. No need to burnout in reading.

Take a Hike!

Time to go hiking but not ready for the trek (or the crowds)…  Then escape with this Ben Franklin Gold Medal Award Winner:

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. 

logo-globalgurus communication2024.png

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!!!!!

Welcome to the McDargh Clan of Clients

California Health Information Association

bottom of page