Category: Commentary

March 13, 2020. The last time I was with clients in person… before last week. That’s a long stretch. 417 days.

The end came as I facilitated a retreat for senior leaders of a major hospital system. Everyone wore masks. All social distanced. A dozen people in a room designed to hold more than 80. There were two former nurses and a current physician. I felt safe.

As the U.S. continues to open up there are differing opinions around returning to work. Many employees are anxious to get back in the office. Others not so much.

During my 40-year career, 27 are working from a home office, including the past 17. The biggest benefit is my commute is 40 feet. The biggest drawback is no one stops by and asks me to go to lunch.

It takes focus and discipline to master work from home. Yet, during the past 14 months most people have proven they do it well. Some of my clients said they work more hours than before… capitalizing on the time they would have spent commuting.

Requiring employees to return is a tough call for business leaders. There is the benefit of having everyone nearby – and often in the same conference room – to work together in an environment that doesn’t lead to Zoom fatigue. On the other side of the ledger, employees like the freedom they’ve come to enjoy and, perhaps, expect.

Companies that take a hard stance about returning to the office will lose talent to ones that are open to a more flexible lifestyle. Maybe that’s not a major issue with older leaders who grew up in those cultures. When the younger generation moves up the management ladder, things might change.

There is something special in the air.

Is it spring? [Checks calendar] This is the first day; however, I don’t think that’s it.

Maybe the NCAA Tournament? [Moves second TV to family room] I will be engorging all day amidst the sports world’s best weekend of the year; yet that’s not it.

Perhaps Kathy is cooking pancakes? [Sniffs several times] Alas, unfortunately no.

[Ponders for several minutes]

I’ve got it.

That something special in the air?

We’re thisclose to being out of the ‘Covid Times.’ So many people have had at least the first vaccine. In a few weeks anyone who wants to get ‘jabbed’ should be able to do so.

This nightmare was long. We’re all ready to get back to pre-pandemic life. It’s natural to be ‘over it.’ Yet, we can’t rush to the end. Stay diligent. Stay respectful. Stay patient.

For. Just. A. Little. Longer.

Soon you’ll be able to smell the roses… without wearing a mask..

It’s amazing how – during the most trying times – the love people typically bury deep in their hearts shines through brightly.

Politics? Head to opposite corners and argue for 18 months why one candidate is a buffoon and the other is the perfect choice to lead us out of this malaise we’ve endured since the last guy took office.

Religion? One side: ‘The Bible is a bunch of made-up stories; why is there no historical evidence… oh, and what about evolution?’ The other: ‘It’s about having faith to believe in something you can’t see and is bigger than the brain can comprehend.’

Sports? “You’re blind, ref.” “Hey, quarterback: you stink.” “You won today’s game, but when you wake up tomorrow, you’ll still be a graduate of [insert university], and that will always suck.”

When there’s a disaster, though, people set aside these petty differences and graciously help those in need.

The first Farm Aid, with Willie Nelson and friends, raised $9 million in 1985 – and it’s still going strong. People contributed more than $200 million while watching America: A Tribute to Heroes, broadcast in 210 countries just 10 days after 9/11. A Houston Texans football star asked his Twitter followers to send money for Hurricane Harvey relief in 2017 and $37 million poured in to the JJ Watt Foundation.

A lot of vitriol spewed forth from many sides during the past year: mask or no mask… science vs politics… legitimate or fraudulent election. Then last week, the state of Texas endured its coldest temperatures in 30 years – and the power grid froze as solid as the ice that covered our freeways, leading to widespread blackouts.

Our house had no electricity for 43 hours and no running water for five days. Yet two miles away, some neighborhoods never had any issues. Once the roads cleared, friends in those areas offered to bring us food, provided drinking water and filled gallon jugs so we could flush toilets. People around the country called, texted or emailed to make sure we were safe. Clients reached out to see how we were doing.

My hope is one day it won’t take a monumental moment for humans to care deeply for others. Love is built into our DNA. We need to let it out more often.

In September, Kathy attended the annual Texas Association of School Boards (virtual) convention. The opening presenter was Shawn Achor, whose TEDTalk on happiness and success has more than 13 million views. Afterward, she shared the keynote with our daughter and me.

The former Harvard researcher spoke about how showing gratitude for the things in our lives is linked to happiness. He suggested five daily habits – all easy to do – that can elevate your happiness meter:

> Exercise at least 15 minutes
> Journal for two minutes
> Meditate for two minutes
> Send one positive email of three sentences to someone
> Express out loud three things you are grateful for that happened in the past day

While I’m not much on journaling (although these blogs might be a form of that), I do exercise and try to focus on silence for a few minutes each day. Since seeing his presentation, I am trying to send a daily positive email – or at least several texts.

The big change for the three adults living in our house occurs during our main meal. We committed to sharing three things we’re thankful for… and it’s made a difference in how I feel about the challenges of doing business by distance… and also taken our conversations to a much deeper level.

In this time of Thanksgiving, think about how you can start giving thanks more often.

During the 14 years I wrote a monthly newsletter and writing this blog since 2009, I have always tried to be open and honest, never holding back a thought, if it would benefit readers. Yet, today – as I type these words – I am hesitant.

There is so much divisiveness in our country. People are hunkering down on the side that best represents their belief system. The past three weeks have added additional fuel to the fire. So, today – as I type these words – I am hesitant.

I know that withholding my opinion doesn’t help anyone… and I have an earned trust with readers to share my perspective. Yet, I know that what I’m about to say will upset half my audience. So, today – as I type these words – I am hesitant.

Nonetheless… I’m going to do what I always do: write what I feel.

So here goes.

I absolutely love watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

It’s a holiday tradition Kathy and I started a few years ago, and we renewed it a few days after the first feature – Jingle Bell Bride – aired on October 24.

OK, I get it. Every single Hallmark movie is the same…

Open with snowy aerial shot of big city or small town

Introduce main characters living in separate worlds – typically longtime single or recently widowed/divorced; work in ad agency or run store inherited from deceased parent

Paths cross fortuitously. Instant connection. Work together on last-minute project like annual Christmas Eve pageant or gathering donations for overseas military

Underlying conflict around having to return to big city unexpectedly because boss requires starting new position the day after Christmas or just not ready to start relationship. Usually a misunderstanding because someone eaves-dropped on conversation

Mother gives ‘do what your heart tells you’ advice. Couple finally embraces under mistletoe/stars/during formal Christmas Eve dance where woman arrived in stunning dress and man nattily attired

Kiss. Wide Shot. Tilt up. Roll credits

(Of course, there are also scenes with: cookie baking, ice skating, snowball fights, hot cocoa, former relationships, Santa in disguise, wreath making, tree decorating, sleigh rides, opening gifts, visits to faraway places like Rome and Vienna…. and – in 5-4-3-2-1 – lighting of the giant Christmas tree on the town square.)

I realize this thing we refer to as ‘schlocky Hallmark Christmas movies’ isn’t for everyone. For us, though, it’s a welcomed disconnect from everything going on in the world – and what’s the alternative: watching a midweek college football game or a show like “I See Your Voice”? We’ll stick with ‘stars’ like Lacey Chaubert, Luke Mcfarlane, Candace Cameron Bure, Brennan Elliott, Danica McKellar and Andrew Walker.

Note: We cut the cable this summer and didn’t’ think we’d be able to tune in this year. However, we discovered a little know streaming service – frndly TV – that has all 3 Hallmark channels and 12 other networks. It’s eight bucks a month for HD, unlimited cloud recordings and you can cancel anytime. There are a dozen Christmas movies still to air, so why wait?