Heartmanity's Blog

I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “We are all connected.” Such a simple phrase, yet with so much more depth than just those four words. This year more than ever, “we are all connected” is a reminder that in a time of great unrest and disruption, our actions and words have far-reaching and lasting effects on those around us. Our world is more culturally diverse than ever, which calls for greater responsibility to tolerate others. Therefore, empathy, acceptance of diversity, and the ability to treat others with respect and dignity are crucial. All skills that can be learned.

Diversity [...]

The role of a boss comes with great responsibility. Along with responsibility also comes many assumptions and expectations—one of which is that bosses have high skills because of their role. However, employees answer to their boss, a manager, or supervisor, based on their role, not their skills. Another assumption is that just because a person is a boss that they are also leaders, which is not necessarily true. Leadership requires many skill sets and an authentic way of moving and leading. It’s not just a title. And when skill differences vary dramatically in the workplace between [...]

Being your own boss and running your own business is a dream for many people, but it also comes with a lot of hard work and long days. As an entrepreneur, you’re often wearing multiple hats and spreading yourself thin. Someone’s got to get the work done, and you will rely on yourself for the most important tasks. Not making the time to take care of yourself, however, will affect your energy levels and how you function throughout the day. Making sure you carve out personal self-care time will lead to better performance and support your mental health.

Time is a precious resource—one that we can't make more of or get back what we’ve used or lost. Moms know how priceless time is and feel time crunches all too often. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, career woman or a mompreneur, or you work part-time, the role of a mom is broad and diverse. Moms are caretakers for their children, household managers, and keepers of family schedules and routines. They are the Chief Operating Officers of a 24/7 operation. Some moms are additionally juggling careers, volunteering, and overseeing distance learning amidst COVID-19.

Routines and demands on our [...]

Approximately one-third of our adult lives are spent at work. Americans spend more time working than any other task, second only to sleeping. For entrepreneurs and business owners, that time might be even greater. With work time adding up to an estimated 90,000 hours over a lifetime, job satisfaction has a substantial impact on our lives. Our work can be a fulfilling and positive experience that enriches the rest of our life—or not. We can love what we do in our work and have both a supportive, nurturing home and work environment—or not! How happy we are in our career determines, to a [...]

Emotional intelligence and social intelligence are no longer optional in leadership. And there are many leadership styles, yet there is only one kind of leader that raises profits while also growing people, engaging employees, cultivating thriving teams, and producing brilliant results.

That’s authentic leadership. This leadership style can make the most significant difference. And showing up authentically as a leader clears the obstacles to success with one irreplaceable skill that outshines all others.

“Take the emotion out of it. This isn’t personal; it is business.” That was the response received early in my career from a new boss when sharing a tough client situation. I had reached out to him for guidance because I needed to talk through the issue and was seeking support. How could they dismiss so abruptly how I was feeling? I did not feel understood or valued. 

Had my boss taken the time to show empathy to my perspective, that interaction would have been much different for me. Empathy is about genuinely looking to understand someone else’s perspective, which creates a connection. [...]

Today, inside a fired kiln, businesses and leaders sit scorched by the heat of the current crisis. Will they survive the heat?

A kiln’s heat reaches temperatures upward of 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit to refine the clay and make it permanent. Crisis is a refiner’s fire, and the pandemic is applying pressure to business leaders in ways never before experienced. The rules of engagement have changed—the unexpected threat awakens us to our greatness (if we accept the invitation that can feel much more like a shove right now!)

In the last couple of weeks amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic and social distancing, many employees are working from home for the first time in their careers. The idea of working from home sounds very attractive yet also comes with a whole different set of challenges. For those experiencing this situation for the first time, everyone’s routines are turned upside down, especially since we also have children and partners at home.