Blog
Using Aerial Arts at a Team Retreat
My mind was spinning with ideas when Dan told me that he was really interested in exploring the concept of balance with his team. I always look for inspiration in unusual places and am excited when I can also bring in talented local businesses or artists to create a...
What introverts need at an employee retreat
“We’re having a team retreat!” This statement is often an introvert’s worst nightmare. Forced interaction with all of their coworkers at once? Team building games? A whole day, or worse, two days, spent in the company of your company? Maybe now is the time to...
Key Insights on Leading Effective Staff Meetings
Recently, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Cort Jones from the National Recreation and Park Association about leading effective staff meetings. Here are a few key insights we discussed: Staff meetings are, “where our relationships with each other are brought...
I give you permission to cancel that meeting
When I was in a leadership program at a previous employer, the senior leaders shared how much of their day was filled with back to back meetings. We asked them, “How did you get anything done?” Sometimes they scheduled extra time into meetings that were actually...
So you are thinking about hosting an organizational retreat…
When my client said he wanted to work on the issue of balance in his department, my mind flooded with ideas of how we could have the team experience and explore the topic during the retreat. Literally balancing on stilts. Figuratively balancing conflicting ideas in...
Why Feedback Can Be So Hard
Do you manage an AmeriCorps program or supervise AmeriCorps members? In honor of AmeriCorps Week, I am sharing clips from webinars that I host for AmeriCorps members and supervisors. Today’s clip is from a webinar called, The Essentials of Feedback and Coaching, which...
The Best Interview Question
Do you manage an AmeriCorps program or supervise AmeriCorps members? In honor of AmeriCorps Week, I am sharing clips from webinars that I host for AmeriCorps members and supervisors. Today’s clip is from a webinar called, Managing Multi-Site Programs, which is for...
#12 (Rebroadcast) #MadeinAmeriCorps From Trail Crew to Law School
From serving on an AmeriCorps trail crew building the Pacific Crest Trail to going to law school and serving people who suffer from mental illness in San Francisco, Joseph Williams has had an interesting career of service through AmeriCorps JD. Joseph currently works...
Memorable Matters, What to Wear to a Networking Event
Are you an AmeriCorps member or alumni? Do you attend networking events or conferences? In honor of AmeriCorps Week, I am sharing clips from webinars that I host for AmeriCorps members and supervisors. Today’s clip is from a webinar called, Networking, Making the Most...
Small Ways to Make a Big Impact
Are you an AmeriCorps member or supervisor? Do you wonder how you can have a bigger impact during your relatively short term of service? In honor of AmeriCorps Week, I am sharing clips from webinars that I host for AmeriCorps members and supervisors. Today’s clip is...
#37 Bonus: Personal Finance and Doing Good
How does personal finance relate to doing good and being good? Inspired by an episode of Afford Anything by Paula Pant, Sharon shares her own experiences with saving money and using her financial independence to take a service-driven road trip. She also proposes a few...
Lead Better Meetings: Get Everyone Engaged and Keep Things on Track
Are you in charge of a project or a new team at work? You need to lead meetings with this group but also want everyone engaged. You have experience with presenting to groups and with leadership, but perhaps you haven’t had to facilitate these types of meetings before....
#36 Bonus: Helping Nepal: From Big Lebowski to Building a School
Since October 2017, we have been following Elevate Nepal's progress as they try to rebuild in Nepal. In this update with co-founder, Dan Maurer, we hear about his recent 3-month trip to Nepal, plans for the 2nd annual Big Lebowski-themed bowling fundraiser, and an...
My Favorite Tools for Facilitation
If you are facilitating a meeting or group discussion, here are a few simple tools that I recommend having on hand. Flip Chart Paper and StandSticky Notes of Various ColorsColorful MarkersColorful Stickers Watch this short video clip to learn what I love about these...
Do you have 2 minutes? I need your help.
This week I am taking a break from sharing tips about facilitating better meetings to ask for your help. I believe that there is a need for more support for leaders like you, who are in charge of meetings with either their staff or a group they are responsible for. In...
#35 Bonus: Strategic Impact Plan
Have you wanted to be more intentional about how you pursue business? Do Good, Be Good owner and host, Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom, describes how she is developing a Strategic Impact Plan for her business. The plan includes a mission, principles, and best practices....
Is Your Team Stuck in a Decision Loop?
You have circled around the same discussion multiple times. Your group’s energy is slowing down and at risk of stalling out. This meeting is going nowhere. There are simple techniques that can help you become unstuck. The simplest, most popular method is what we...
How Meeting Design and Room Layout Affect Connection
Have you ever thought about the layout of a room and how that affects the conversation you have in that room? Envision a large board room with a rectangular table. You are seated at the end of the table. Everyone looks to you for direction. The people sitting on the...
25 Update Crafting an Argument for Self Care
Rebekah’s Barre3 fitness class has left me with tears of joy and gratitude. I always wondered why that is. After interviewing Rebekah for this episode, I think I get it. Rebekah used to be a lawyer and takes that skill of constructing an argument into the fitness...
#34 What is Do Good Be Good
Hear what Do Good, Be Good is all about in this interview Sharon did with Julie Pastrick from the Chamber Insights Radio Show. Episode also includes Sharon's Analog Morning Routine that is her secret to productivity and presence. Mentioned in this episode: Flagstaff...