EILEEN MCDARGH'S
Resiliency Report
Published monthly and when the mood strikes.
Onward and Upward
December 2025
Update from Eileen
Sometimes, I have to be pushed and prodded into making a change. I’ve had my business for 45 years. I started McDargh Communications to help companies with writing needs: brochures, annual reports, and press releases. Within the first two months, I was also presenting seminars on communication skills through the continuing education divisions at the local colleges. My letterhead was black, bold, and I never showed my picture. Back then, women were talking only about “dress for success”. Ugh.
How times have changed.
From using an overhead projector to teaching myself WordStar commands on a computer running CPM, I now sit at my iMac desktop and compose in Microsoft Word. I’ve been blessed with speaking for groups as small as 20 and as large as 15,000. I’ve facilitated retreats ranging from global pharmaceuticals to dysfunctional city governments. From Malaysia to Miami, from Argentina to Atlanta, I’ve been able to travel and engage in wonderful conversations with all manner of people.
Today, my amazing office manager and operations director, Bonnie, announced that she wants to retire at the end of this December. I understand. There are other projects she wants to try and places to travel.
Her decision catalyzes a decision I need to make. I know my two priorities: my amazing husband of 45 years and a democracy I want to save. I don’t want to push the river to seek work. I’m not interested in lecturing on AI or using holograms on a stage.
I think of this as refiring—seeking and listening to what this fourth ACT of life might be. So, I’ll keep this website and my amazing TJ web master who does such awesome work. I’ll probably write Resiliency Reports as the mood strikes or at least quarterly. I’ll coach if asked and if it’s a fit. If work requests come in and they feel right, I’ll consider them. But I’m not seeking.
I’d love to know your thoughts and where you are as we enter 2026.
Peace to all!
I Am Thankful For...
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Happy Holidays—no matter which tradition you celebrate, now more than ever we need the love, hope, inspiration, and goodwill this season calls for.
Reach out to friends and that lonely neighbor. Say thank you to the clerk, the gardener, the dog walker, the garbage collector, and any one who is normally just ignored. Little gestures snowball.
See you in 2026
Energizing Ears: How REALLY Good are You at Listening?
I received an excellent letter from one of my readers, raising a great point about an article I wrote, “Silence is Not Golden.” That article urged employees to speak their truth for the sake of the organization, rather than assuming managers are mind-readers.
My reader accurately points out that management must create a CLIMATE that encourages employees to speak up. I agree. If a manager ignores, chastises, and rebukes an employee for asking questions and for raising issues, ALL employees withdraw.
Do a self-assessment for yourself.
Fillers for Fun… Wish I had Thought of These!
I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting clothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn't have signed up in the first place!
When I was young, we used to go "skinny dipping", now I just "chunky dunk".
Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our lives, we could press 'Ctrl Alt Delete' and start all over?
Stress is when you wake up screaming, and then you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.
My husband says I never listen to him. At least I think that's what he said.
Must Read Book
The Happiness Experiment: A Revolutionary Way to Increase Happiness by Carl Barney
The author, Carl Barney, explains that he has made a lot of money and left it to many people in his will. (Alas—he didn’t know me!). However, he realized that he didn’t want people to wait until he died to get it.
He wanted people to come up with a happiness plan now and put the money to use for themselves. Not only did he gift people these sums, but he also paid for a coach for each recipient, to help them really think about what would make them happy. The book includes a detailed, step-by-step happiness plan.
I have one caveat. Looking for JOY is a deeper search. All of Barney’s folks are considering how to spend money that would bring them happiness. Once the money is gone, then what? Joy to me is more profound, more personal, and probably simpler. I find joy in petting dogs and tickling babies. I find joy in giving away my lemon cakes and writing spontaneous gratitude cards. But that’s just me.
Barney’s happiness plan is wonderful, and I will go back and use some of it. It’s fodder for great conversations. Just had to plug in my extra thoughts.
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?
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!!!!!
Ranked 7th in Communications
This is the 8th year in a row that I have been ranked in the top 10 in communication. Global Gurus surveys some 26,000 business professionals to determine rankings plus professionals also vote.
