Tuesdays: 5:00pm - 6:00pm (EST)
EPISODE SUMMARY:
In this episode, Dr. Brancu begins by sharing two leader scenarios - one in which the leader felt stuck and unable to take action and a contrasting one where a leader felt empowered to take action. She will explore differences between feeling empowered vs disempowered and then provide a 3-Part solution:
Part 1: Identifying How You Want To Show Up
- Includes five mechanisms: reflect, temper responsiveness, be present and steady, manage your energy, and practice self-care and compassion
Part 2: Communicating Clarity Even When You Don’t Have Clarity
- Clarity doesn’t mean certainty, nor does it mean perfection, and transparency doesn’t mean oversharing. We will provide examples for how to be clear and transparent even in the face of uncertainty or lack of personal clarity.
Part 3: Increasing Connection and Communication Opportunities to Maintain Morale
- How to counteract our current society’s increasing isolation, polarization, and degradation of interpersonal care.
Each of these build on each other to help you manage fear, uncertainty and anxiety and help others do the same.
Dr. Mira Brancu is a leadership consulting and coaching psychologist, founder of the Towerscope and Towerscope Leadership Academy, Associate Professor, Psychology Today columnist, author of the Millennials Guide to Workplace Politics and the associated recently published Workbook version, and had a leadership career before transitioning to helping teams and high-achieving women navigate their leadership complexities.
How do we, as leaders, help our employees navigate uncertainty and maintain morale when we ourselves are working through the same challenges? In this episode, listeners will gain insights around how to navigate the stress and overwhelm of the current national landscape, and importantly, how to communicate effectively with employees to maintain morale and gird resilience, even when you don't have all the answers. Listeners will also be provided with access to a free resource: a Tip Sheet for Communicating During Times of Uncertainty.
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Tune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc
Dr. Mira Brancu kicks off Season 7 of The Hard Skills by addressing the critical role of communication in leadership during times of uncertainty and stress. She contrasts two leadership approaches—one leader’s silence created a damaging information vacuum, while another adapted their communication style to maintain trust and morale. This episode provides leaders with actionable strategies to navigate chaos, including defining how they want to show up, communicating with clarity despite uncertainty, and fostering connection to sustain engagement and resilience.
Dr. Mira Brancu emphasizes the importance of leaders showing up with presence, steadiness, and responsiveness during uncertain times, even when they don’t have all the answers. She advises leaders to acknowledge challenges, temper their reactions, and create open communication channels to prevent an information vacuum and sustain employee trust. By managing their own energy, practicing self-care, and offering a steady, compassionate presence, leaders can foster resilience and maintain morale within their teams.
Dr. Mira Brancu emphasizes that clarity in leadership doesn’t require certainty but rather transparency, consistency, and thoughtful communication. She advises leaders to share what they know, acknowledge what they don’t, and outline the decision-making process to build trust and psychological safety. To maintain morale, leaders should increase communication and connection through regular check-ins, town halls, and informal touchpoints, ensuring employees feel heard, supported, and included, even amid uncertainty.
Dr. Mira Brancu concludes The Hard Skills episode by reinforcing the need for leaders to maintain communication, connection, and morale amid uncertainty, particularly in disrupted industries like healthcare, tech, and education. She encourages leaders to engage in in-person reconnections, storytelling, and meaning-making to foster resilience and trust within their teams. To further support leaders, she offers a free tip sheet with actionable strategies, including building a culture of compassion and communicating purpose, ensuring teams remain engaged, grounded, and supported during challenging times.
00:00:52.240 --> 00:01:07.080 Mira Brancu: Welcome back to the hard skills show where we take a deep dive into the soft skills. Leaders need to navigate uncertainty, complexity, and change. I'm your host, Mira Branku, psychologist, leadership consultant and founder of towerscope.
00:01:07.230 --> 00:01:19.430 Mira Brancu: Today's episode is especially relevant. Given the stressful national events, we're all grappling with whether you're a leader managing a team or simply trying to support your colleagues. This conversation is for you.
00:01:19.770 --> 00:01:31.909 Mira Brancu: And today we also just started Season 7 this season in the spirit of our newly published millennials, workbook for navigating workplace politics go check it out.
00:01:32.100 --> 00:01:36.439 Mira Brancu: moves us from positive politics, which was season 6
00:01:36.790 --> 00:01:41.089 Mira Brancu: to now focusing on navigating, unhealthy work environments.
00:01:41.650 --> 00:01:46.820 Mira Brancu: Now, at the end of this episode, I'm going to share a communications tip sheet
00:01:46.940 --> 00:01:59.330 Mira Brancu: pulling all of this together so that you can reference and share it with your leadership and management teams to help them meet employees needs right now, or just use it for yourself and reference it often.
00:01:59.750 --> 00:02:06.570 Mira Brancu: So let me start with a tale of 2 leaders that I worked with
00:02:06.945 --> 00:02:11.720 Mira Brancu: to provide a way to compare and contrast the difference I encounter so many times in my work.
00:02:12.020 --> 00:02:27.694 Mira Brancu: And this is again in the context of leaders trying to make the best decision about how to communicate with their employees during times of upheaval, of uncertainty, of stress like right now.
00:02:28.420 --> 00:02:32.040 Mira Brancu: So one leader I worked with we will call him John
00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:36.939 Mira Brancu: was a physician by training and a chief of staff of a large hospital system.
00:02:37.170 --> 00:02:43.719 Mira Brancu: That means he had a large leadership team, who each headed up various programs and services and disciplines.
00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:47.509 Mira Brancu: and under them were multiple teams with managers.
00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:59.030 Mira Brancu: So he was a leader of leaders and of many teams with a really large impact that in ultimately all directly impacts patient care and outcomes. Right? So
00:02:59.770 --> 00:03:08.660 Mira Brancu: the work we had been doing together was all about improving alignment and communication across such a complex leadership system and teams.
00:03:09.140 --> 00:03:20.129 Mira Brancu: Specifically, I was working with his leadership team to restructure their meetings, their decision making processes and communications to address the challenge of what we call a matrix organization.
00:03:20.850 --> 00:03:34.190 Mira Brancu: A matrix organization is where you have people who report to multiple managers. There's kind of like this formal administrative supervisor who's the person designated officially by Hr. To evaluate performance.
00:03:34.410 --> 00:03:47.040 Mira Brancu: and these are usually supervisors with the same training or technical knowledge. Like a physician supervisor who's best suited to evaluate the work of physicians due to their technical and regulatory needs.
00:03:47.760 --> 00:03:58.410 Mira Brancu: And then there are one or more additional programmatic managers who oversee how the programs, departments, divisions, and interdisciplinary team units function.
00:03:58.870 --> 00:04:14.960 Mira Brancu: They can't evaluate the performance officially from an Hr perspective, necessarily. Yet they are responsible for making sure. Everybody gets the work done and works together effectively and efficiently. Now, that's only one model. There's lots of different models of this, but the point is
00:04:15.790 --> 00:04:26.020 Mira Brancu: that it all comes down to determining how to combine formal and informal power and influence which requires developing a lot of alignment.
00:04:26.140 --> 00:04:28.720 Mira Brancu: psychological safety, commitment
00:04:28.910 --> 00:04:37.499 Mira Brancu: and coordinated actions, and so much more right. That's what a matrix organization is dealing with. There are.
00:04:38.139 --> 00:05:04.359 Mira Brancu: what we call straight lines to direct supervisors who have, like an official direct, you know, chain of command kind of thing. And then there's dotted lines within the organization where you kind of report to different people that are more programmatic in nature, but they can only influence. They can't evaluate your your performance. So that's a matrix organization. And you could have multiple people you're reporting to, of course. So
00:05:05.110 --> 00:05:07.160 Mira Brancu: with that background in mind.
00:05:07.490 --> 00:05:20.600 Mira Brancu: I was checking in with him about how things were going with the constant daily daily stream of regulatory policy, administrative changes that were requested, sometimes contradicting each other.
00:05:20.900 --> 00:05:25.870 Mira Brancu: and many of which were tone, deaf, insulting.
00:05:26.020 --> 00:05:38.800 Mira Brancu: demoralizing messages that have suggested right now these are like new messages coming in right messages that have suggested that employees aren't doing enough when, in fact, they're understaffed doing a lot with very little
00:05:39.397 --> 00:05:48.900 Mira Brancu: messages that say they were not committed when they're clearly passionate about patient care. Maybe you are one of these people who have been receiving these messages right from
00:05:49.876 --> 00:05:52.099 Mira Brancu: from our current administration.
00:05:52.320 --> 00:06:03.650 Mira Brancu: And so John has, you know, usually had an incredibly measured, kind, thoughtful, non confrontational kind of persona.
00:06:04.200 --> 00:06:08.310 Mira Brancu: And today, you know.
00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:19.650 Mira Brancu: I have seen him more recently as different. Right? Not not not not necessarily like today, today, right? But like in these days in the last, like several months.
00:06:21.590 --> 00:06:26.660 Mira Brancu: When I talked with him. After all of these sort of policies were coming in. He was hurt.
00:06:26.790 --> 00:06:31.899 Mira Brancu: he was mad, he was saying things like, I am so frustrated with my leaders. They have
00:06:32.150 --> 00:06:36.229 Mira Brancu: said nothing, no guidance, no communication, complete silence.
00:06:36.730 --> 00:06:50.439 Mira Brancu: So I asked, do you think that they're waiting until they have more answers and guidance? And he said, maybe, but it doesn't matter. Their silence is creating an information. Vacuum employees are currently filling that vacuum with assumptions.
00:06:50.570 --> 00:06:54.420 Mira Brancu: most of them negative and inaccurate assumptions.
00:06:54.630 --> 00:07:01.380 Mira Brancu: their fear is turning into frustration and anger. My fear is turning into frustration and anger which is being
00:07:01.992 --> 00:07:09.600 Mira Brancu: you know, all of their fears being directed at me, their frustration, their anger, and I'm not being equipped with what I need to lead them.
00:07:10.020 --> 00:07:20.950 Mira Brancu: And so his emotions were at a complete boiling point, and he continued to say, like, How could they do this? I have committed my entire career working overtime for 2 decades.
00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:25.839 Mira Brancu: and I feel completely betrayed and left out in the cold to fend for myself.
00:07:26.260 --> 00:07:32.979 Mira Brancu: which is affecting the rest of my leadership teams and the staff in the same way. It's demoralizing, and it's hurtful.
00:07:33.510 --> 00:07:35.570 Mira Brancu: And he's seeing all of this
00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:44.530 Mira Brancu: like completely. Just in response to the vacuum of information, the lack of information, the lack of communication.
00:07:44.850 --> 00:07:53.310 Mira Brancu: right. So Trust had eroded simply because of a lack of effective communication.
00:07:54.900 --> 00:07:57.030 Mira Brancu: Now contrast this with another team.
00:07:57.240 --> 00:08:15.420 Mira Brancu: In the beginning this team also had challenges with low communication in general from the leader. The leader was the director of a large center of excellence, and I've worked with a lot of centers of excellence over the past 10 years, probably at least 2025, and one of the most common challenges that I've seen
00:08:15.550 --> 00:08:32.049 Mira Brancu: is that the directors often come up from technical backgrounds very similar to chiefs of staff within hospitals. Sometimes they embrace their new role and expectations that come with it, and sometimes they stick to what is most comfortable for them, which is to remain a technical expert.
00:08:33.330 --> 00:08:37.750 Mira Brancu: The problem with remaining a technical expert
00:08:38.090 --> 00:08:42.559 Mira Brancu: when you lead a large center or hospital is that although you think
00:08:43.280 --> 00:08:49.860 Mira Brancu: that people want you for your expert knowledge in your field so that you can help them, they don't.
00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:55.980 Mira Brancu: they don't. They want you to help with the people stuff which is.
00:08:56.220 --> 00:09:00.769 Mira Brancu: get the people stuff out of the way so that they could focus on their technical stuff right?
00:09:01.590 --> 00:09:13.399 Mira Brancu: And that means the interpersonal dynamics that keep them from effectively working together, or the intrapersonal, not interpersonal, but the intrapersonal stuff.
00:09:13.610 --> 00:09:22.590 Mira Brancu: like the internal fear or anger or overwhelm we feel when we think our work and livelihood might be taken away, due to changes in funding policies.
00:09:23.930 --> 00:09:28.090 Mira Brancu: So at this center, the director, we'll call her Gemma.
00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:48.239 Mira Brancu: During the chaos and uncertainty around the changes in funding support, she started doing her usual thing at first, st being cautious not to say anything inaccurate, seeking more information and data, communicating in very vague tentative language, and it was clear that this stance was creating more uncertainty and less trust.
00:09:49.570 --> 00:09:52.110 Mira Brancu: If you take this kind of style.
00:09:52.400 --> 00:09:55.280 Mira Brancu: During a time of chaos and uncertainty.
00:09:55.420 --> 00:10:00.570 Mira Brancu: it will add to the confusion and mistrust in the system.
00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:04.759 Mira Brancu: But, luckily for Gemma, she had
00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:10.070 Mira Brancu: several close advisors and strong leaders on our team, who quickly identified
00:10:10.180 --> 00:10:15.089 Mira Brancu: that she would need to change her stance to meet the current needs of your staff.
00:10:15.350 --> 00:10:20.810 Mira Brancu: So as she did, the staff responded much more positively.
00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:30.509 Mira Brancu: and it brought everyone in the center closer, more aligned, and wanting to support each other. And the leader during this very stressful time?
00:10:31.150 --> 00:10:34.699 Mira Brancu: No, what did she do so differently?
00:10:35.030 --> 00:10:38.620 Mira Brancu: And what could others lead? Other other leaders have done instead?
00:10:39.570 --> 00:10:45.199 Mira Brancu: So today I'm going to share the communication skills needed to help you lead your team
00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:51.269 Mira Brancu: to manage fear, stress, anger, and overwhelm. Right now.
00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:57.279 Mira Brancu: even if you have minimal information about what to say or do.
00:10:58.410 --> 00:11:03.290 Mira Brancu: And I'm gonna split this up into 3 parts. Okay, so part one
00:11:03.640 --> 00:11:06.649 Mira Brancu: is going to be about identifying how you want to show up
00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:14.039 Mira Brancu: right? You might have identified how you want to show up in general in your leadership role, which is a long term view.
00:11:14.750 --> 00:11:20.140 Mira Brancu: We're gonna focus on how you want to show up short term, like, literally in the next
00:11:20.630 --> 00:11:22.409 Mira Brancu: 30 to 90 days.
00:11:22.800 --> 00:11:30.840 Mira Brancu: Okay, part 2 is about communicating clarity, even when you don't have any clarity.
00:11:31.380 --> 00:11:32.230 Mira Brancu: Okay?
00:11:32.760 --> 00:11:41.180 Mira Brancu: And then part 3 is about increasing connection and communication opportunities in order to maintain morale.
00:11:41.290 --> 00:11:45.519 Mira Brancu: which is critical right now, each of these build on each other
00:11:45.670 --> 00:11:54.589 Mira Brancu: to help you manage fear, uncertainty, and anxiety, and help others do the same. So that's why it's set up in this way. I'm gonna start with the most basic building block.
00:11:55.760 --> 00:11:59.380 Mira Brancu: and then we will add on to it and then add on to it. Okay.
00:11:59.910 --> 00:12:01.790 Mira Brancu: all right, let's start with part one
00:12:02.310 --> 00:12:12.869 Mira Brancu: identifying how you want to show up. Okay? And we always start with this in any situation. There are 5 parts to this that I'm gonna describe.
00:12:14.870 --> 00:12:21.189 Mira Brancu: reflect, temper, responsiveness, be present and study.
00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:25.579 Mira Brancu: manage your energy and practice, self-care and compassion.
00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:33.670 Mira Brancu: Those are the 5. Hey? Let me talk through some of these to help you determine how you can show up fully right now for your team and yourself and what it can look like.
00:12:34.400 --> 00:12:42.130 Mira Brancu: Okay, number one, reflect the single, most important thing you can offer your team and organization
00:12:42.470 --> 00:12:50.919 Mira Brancu: is the ability to slow down and give yourself enough time to clarify the situation enough to be there for other people?
00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:53.900 Mira Brancu: You want to be able to answer these questions clearly.
00:12:54.010 --> 00:12:59.399 Mira Brancu: It's gotta feel like you have clarity and focus to feel like you can be there for others. Now.
00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:16.029 Mira Brancu: it's really hard to be there for others when you're still processing, how you feel, especially if you feel like them. If you feel defeated, demoralized, scared, unsure, angry, overwhelmed, unheard, right?
00:13:16.490 --> 00:13:26.589 Mira Brancu: Just like John. He felt that way. He couldn't be there for others if he felt that way he hadn't processed through it yet. So you've got to make some space for reflection and clarity. How do I feel?
00:13:27.430 --> 00:13:29.079 Mira Brancu: What does this mean to me?
00:13:29.430 --> 00:13:31.120 Mira Brancu: What are my concerns?
00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:32.250 Mira Brancu: Right?
00:13:33.310 --> 00:13:39.799 Mira Brancu: You can talk it through with colleagues at your level, talk it through with a coach, a therapist. Anyone who can help you do this.
00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:46.989 Mira Brancu: and when you're asking yourself this, write it out and talk it through, write it out. How do I feel about this?
00:13:47.160 --> 00:13:51.810 Mira Brancu: What does this mean to me, what are my concerns now?
00:13:52.050 --> 00:13:56.560 Mira Brancu: Once you finish those questions, move on and start asking.
00:13:56.940 --> 00:14:00.589 Mira Brancu: what does this mean for how I want to show up for my team?
00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:04.929 Mira Brancu: Right? So if I feel this way, and this means this to me.
00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.689 Mira Brancu: what does this mean for how I want to show up for my team.
00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:15.490 Mira Brancu: What kind of leader do I want to be during this time right now?
00:14:16.400 --> 00:14:21.439 Mira Brancu: What is my best self? The thing that I can offer to others.
00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:28.670 Mira Brancu: What do I want to see in other leaders that I can actually offer to my team?
00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:32.090 Mira Brancu: What are the strengths I can bring to this?
00:14:33.260 --> 00:14:35.409 Mira Brancu: How do I want to show up now?
00:14:35.770 --> 00:14:38.290 Mira Brancu: That might be different from the usual.
00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:53.750 Mira Brancu: And that reminds us of Gemma, right? Gemma, who normally comes in very like thoughtful, methodical, careful, tentative gathering data. But that wasn't what was needed of her in the moment.
00:14:53.930 --> 00:14:56.960 Mira Brancu: And so she stomped and thought through
00:14:57.350 --> 00:15:03.800 Mira Brancu: what do I need to do to show up now that might be different from the usual right?
00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:10.860 Mira Brancu: So for me, in my
00:15:11.350 --> 00:15:14.600 Mira Brancu: previous leadership role, there was a time when I realized
00:15:15.770 --> 00:15:19.730 Mira Brancu: that I was in a very special situation, that many people were not.
00:15:19.910 --> 00:15:24.960 Mira Brancu: I had built up enough of a backup plan that I would not be as lost as others.
00:15:26.020 --> 00:15:27.809 Mira Brancu: Right? If I lost my job.
00:15:28.170 --> 00:15:44.039 Mira Brancu: or if something, you know happened, and I wouldn't be able to support them anymore in my role like my role, was taken away so that I could be actually more free than others to stand up, speak up, question, support, and guide.
00:15:44.770 --> 00:15:46.779 Mira Brancu: I could take actions other could not.
00:15:48.050 --> 00:15:52.089 Mira Brancu: So I'm going to ask you, What can you do that? Others cannot.
00:15:53.270 --> 00:15:56.259 Mira Brancu: And what do you need to work through to do that.
00:15:58.210 --> 00:16:01.509 Mira Brancu: Okay, all of that falls under reflection.
00:16:02.020 --> 00:16:09.660 Mira Brancu: Let's go to number 2 of this section number 2. After reflecting temper your responsiveness.
00:16:11.110 --> 00:16:16.510 Mira Brancu: you don't need to respond to everyone and everything.
00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:21.399 Mira Brancu: or be a Savior, or know what to do or how to start.
00:16:22.610 --> 00:16:29.610 Mira Brancu: Okay, I'm going to tell you a little bit more about what you can do instead.
00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:32.160 Mira Brancu: But we are reaching an ad break.
00:16:32.470 --> 00:16:43.519 Mira Brancu: and so I'm going to take a little break, and then I'm going to come back to this tempering responsiveness and what you can do instead, you're listening to the hard skills with me, Dr. Mira Branku, and we'll be right back in just a moment.
00:18:33.250 --> 00:18:39.389 Mira Brancu: Welcome back to the hard skills with me, Dr. Mira Branku. We've been talking about
00:18:39.520 --> 00:18:44.290 Mira Brancu: how to communicate and strengthen morale
00:18:44.780 --> 00:18:47.620 Mira Brancu: during times of uncertainty, especially right now.
00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:55.780 Mira Brancu: And I'm focusing right now on part one which is identifying how you want to show up. We just talked about
00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:58.039 Mira Brancu: spending time reflecting
00:18:58.440 --> 00:19:10.229 Mira Brancu: in order to identify. How am I processing this? What does that mean for me? In terms of how I'm going to show up right now? The next is tempering responsiveness. Now, I said.
00:19:10.950 --> 00:19:15.850 Mira Brancu: you don't have to be a savior. You don't have to know everything. You don't even know need to know how to start.
00:19:16.050 --> 00:19:24.819 Mira Brancu: you can simply acknowledge that we're in a time of massive upheaval and change can be scary and worrisome
00:19:25.370 --> 00:19:30.670 Mira Brancu: for folks, and that you're here to talk. If folks have questions, that's all right.
00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:43.029 Mira Brancu: But leaders who wait to communicate with their employees until they have all the answers, all the information a guide of. You know what they're going to do. They are not going to meet employees needs right now.
00:19:43.520 --> 00:19:50.570 Mira Brancu: They're not, gonna you know, be able to address their unease. They're worried. And and it's gonna start causing
00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.600 Mira Brancu: employee dissatisfaction.
00:19:52.820 --> 00:19:59.570 Mira Brancu: And it's going to feed into the lack of needed communication. It's going to feed into the information vacuum
00:20:00.270 --> 00:20:02.540 Mira Brancu: right? In addition, you.
00:20:02.800 --> 00:20:07.090 Mira Brancu: you know, I can promise that you will never have all the answers. You just need some.
00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:16.319 Mira Brancu: and I can't stress this enough in a time of chaos and crisis, increasing access to communication with you, like town halls and stuff.
00:20:16.590 --> 00:20:21.310 Mira Brancu: even when you don't have many answers, will create way more calm
00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:27.379 Mira Brancu: and appreciation and cohesion and engagement among employees than saying nothing
00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:31.339 Mira Brancu: and waiting to try to get the answers that are clearly not forthcoming.
00:20:32.760 --> 00:20:34.260 Mira Brancu: So here's what you can say.
00:20:35.752 --> 00:20:36.870 Mira Brancu: I don't know.
00:20:37.110 --> 00:20:45.259 Mira Brancu: I want to know the answer. Here also I will do my best to seek out that information. Here's what we know, and here's what we don't know yet.
00:20:45.650 --> 00:20:53.460 Mira Brancu: I would suggest taking action on this thing, but not on this other piece, because we're not as clear on that piece, and we're going to try to get more
00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:55.900 Mira Brancu: right.
00:20:57.430 --> 00:21:04.380 Mira Brancu: Here's another example. Here's a kind of a short post that I wrote when it was hard for me to know what to say.
00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.180 Mira Brancu: and I wrote this.
00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:12.120 Mira Brancu: I tried for several days to come up with how to best explain this week
00:21:12.830 --> 00:21:18.849 Mira Brancu: in a way that captured the emotional highs and lows and lessons, learned that could be helpful to others.
00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:26.120 Mira Brancu: The tough feedback and pride swallowing, followed by the deeply validating kudos, the fear and anger
00:21:26.270 --> 00:21:33.539 Mira Brancu: followed by strength, clarity, and determination to stand up and resist the recollection of isolation
00:21:33.970 --> 00:21:37.369 Mira Brancu: smooth over by reconnection and community.
00:21:37.850 --> 00:21:52.709 Mira Brancu: I know there's a lesson in there about resilience and the experience of a dialectical, opposing forces that sometimes feel like an emotional pendulum swinging wildly back and forth, but frankly, sometimes you just gotta accept it and enjoy some cake.
00:21:53.090 --> 00:21:56.219 Mira Brancu: and it was coupled with me eating cake. So
00:21:56.720 --> 00:22:16.370 Mira Brancu: it was also a little kind of like sarcasm, sarcastic humor. You know, a little playful as well as like, you know, vulnerable and deep, and accepting of the fact that I didn't have all the answers, and sometimes you just have to be answer, honest.
00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:21.390 Mira Brancu: that you don't know what to say, but you can imagine all the different ways people might be feeling.
00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:26.470 Mira Brancu: just naming can be powerful and enough.
00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:31.489 Mira Brancu: Okay, so that's how to temper responsiveness.
00:22:32.010 --> 00:22:36.390 Mira Brancu: Now, number 3 is, be present and remain steady.
00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:40.539 Mira Brancu: A steady present leader can make a massive difference.
00:22:41.170 --> 00:22:56.510 Mira Brancu: You can feel free to yell and scream as much as you want with trusted friends and family members, and use that time to process enough of how you feel and how you want to show up for others in public, so that you can do the reflection from Number One and the tempering responsiveness from Number 2.
00:22:58.730 --> 00:23:06.710 Mira Brancu: But we have more than enough examples of leaders who fly off the handle publicly in front of everyone and make everyone around them feel bad.
00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:10.550 Mira Brancu: Don't be that person instead.
00:23:10.790 --> 00:23:21.100 Mira Brancu: be the guiding light, who isn't completely detached, removed, shutting everyone out or unhinged, losing their patience, or yelling at everyone
00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:24.999 Mira Brancu: in order to show up with that kind of emotion regulation.
00:23:25.260 --> 00:23:31.939 Mira Brancu: Remember, first, st that it takes you enough time to reflect and work through your reactions, and how you can show up for others.
00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:36.869 Mira Brancu: If you are consistently finding it difficult to manage your emotional reactions.
00:23:37.930 --> 00:23:44.520 Mira Brancu: it's probably time to seek out a therapist or a coach, or both, someone who has a skill set for both like me, right?
00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:53.149 Mira Brancu: So being present, but remaining steady during that presence helps a lot.
00:23:53.330 --> 00:24:00.609 Mira Brancu: And frankly, if that's all you do present, engaged and steady, that is a lot. That is a lot for people
00:24:01.910 --> 00:24:04.320 Mira Brancu: now number 4 is, manage your own energy.
00:24:05.690 --> 00:24:09.999 Mira Brancu: Whatever you have energy for is fine to offer.
00:24:10.790 --> 00:24:14.459 Mira Brancu: You don't have time to be fully present all the time
00:24:15.070 --> 00:24:20.490 Mira Brancu: people appreciate what you can offer as long as you remain steady, consistent.
00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:23.389 Mira Brancu: and present. And I'm going to repeat this again.
00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:31.760 Mira Brancu: People appreciate what you can offer as long as you remain steady, consistent, and present right?
00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:36.889 Mira Brancu: A present involved, steady leader is exactly what people need right now.
00:24:37.110 --> 00:24:40.750 Mira Brancu: having answers comes second to this. Just think about it.
00:24:41.430 --> 00:25:00.410 Mira Brancu: Think about all of the various leaders and people in authority that you had in your life could be sports, coach teachers, parents, grandparents, supervisor current past President, you know. Faith Leader, think about the one who had all the answers, but said it in a narcissistic, demeaning, condescending way, were you glad you got the answers?
00:25:01.020 --> 00:25:02.310 Mira Brancu: I don't think so.
00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:05.939 Mira Brancu: It felt bad right now. Think about the one who was
00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:11.119 Mira Brancu: conflict avoidant, detached, shut down, and shut you out when it got stressful.
00:25:11.230 --> 00:25:13.590 Mira Brancu: Did that make you feel safe and secure?
00:25:14.280 --> 00:25:19.640 Mira Brancu: Nope, now think about the one who just sat with you?
00:25:20.600 --> 00:25:23.089 Mira Brancu: They said things like. I'm sorry.
00:25:23.320 --> 00:25:25.019 Mira Brancu: I wish I could do more.
00:25:25.710 --> 00:25:29.250 Mira Brancu: I'm not sure what I could do. What what do you need?
00:25:30.570 --> 00:25:31.840 Mira Brancu: How can I help?
00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:37.609 Mira Brancu: Or maybe they just just sat with you and listened.
00:25:38.130 --> 00:25:45.530 Mira Brancu: I suspect that felt the best out of all of them, despite the fact that they had no clear solutions or answers for you.
00:25:45.890 --> 00:25:46.670 Mira Brancu: So
00:25:47.040 --> 00:25:54.179 Mira Brancu: hold on to your energy, reserves to sustain the marathon and simply be present and show up when you can.
00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:57.619 Mira Brancu: Okay, number 5.
00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:06.430 Mira Brancu: You know this one. This is the oxygen mask reminder. Increase your self-care and self-compassion.
00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:16.039 Mira Brancu: What can you do for yourself that helps you relieve yourself of the guilt, stress, overwhelm anger, or other feelings. You carry.
00:26:16.370 --> 00:26:19.559 Mira Brancu: Some of those things you carry are not yours.
00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:27.229 Mira Brancu: How can you put those down so? It's not confusing what parts are yours, and what parts are someone else's.
00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:36.659 Mira Brancu: Remember that if you truly sit with and are consistently present for others, the danger is that you become
00:26:37.250 --> 00:26:41.319 Mira Brancu: an emotional vessel, an emotional container.
00:26:42.510 --> 00:26:46.520 Mira Brancu: People need you to carry some of their heavy emotions, but at some point.
00:26:48.230 --> 00:26:54.160 Mira Brancu: without dumping that container on them or on yourself, how can you put it down
00:26:55.610 --> 00:26:59.200 Mira Brancu: so that you only have yours to figure out, and what to do with?
00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:14.279 Mira Brancu: And that might mean taking time to process your own emotions with a trusted colleague, or coach or therapist. It could mean setting good healthy habits, like taking a walk, or journaling daily gratitude practices, or simply unplugging for a bit.
00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:21.800 Mira Brancu: Find what works for you so that you can show up as the steady present leader your team needs.
00:27:22.670 --> 00:27:26.429 Mira Brancu: Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup.
00:27:27.260 --> 00:27:31.319 Mira Brancu: And you can't take an offer from an overflowing
00:27:32.590 --> 00:27:36.280 Mira Brancu: cup of everyone's emotions. Right? So.
00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:41.680 Mira Brancu: as I often say, self-care isn't selfish, it's strategic.
00:27:44.410 --> 00:27:46.660 Mira Brancu: Okay, okay, so
00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:53.399 Mira Brancu: I have reviewed everything you can do to figure out how to show up for yourself in order to show up for other people.
00:27:53.750 --> 00:27:54.610 Mira Brancu: Right.
00:27:54.750 --> 00:27:57.600 Mira Brancu: What we reviewed in this 1st part
00:27:58.200 --> 00:28:00.150 Mira Brancu: before we get to the Ad. Break.
00:28:00.520 --> 00:28:03.030 Mira Brancu: What we reviewed for this 1st part was
00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:15.619 Mira Brancu: identifying how you want to show up by taking time to reflect, tempering your responsiveness, being present and steady.
00:28:16.210 --> 00:28:21.720 Mira Brancu: managing your energy and practicing self-care and compassion.
00:28:23.530 --> 00:28:24.390 Mira Brancu: Right?
00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:31.870 Mira Brancu: Okay. So when we come back from the ad rink.
00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.859 Mira Brancu: We're going to move on to part 2
00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:40.509 Mira Brancu: ways to communicate clarity with your employees and teams during uncertain times.
00:28:41.210 --> 00:28:46.770 Mira Brancu: and how to communicate it even when you don't have clarity.
00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:48.160 Mira Brancu: How do you do that?
00:28:48.760 --> 00:28:51.669 Mira Brancu: We will talk about that after the ad break.
00:28:52.100 --> 00:29:21.950 Mira Brancu: You are listening to the hard skills. We air live on Tuesdays at 5 Pm. Eastern time and show up later on your favorite podcast app, if you're joining us during the live stream or Linkedin or Youtube. It's@talkradio.nyc. And you can submit questions that I can answer in real time, or simply say, Hi, I'm Dr. Mira branco founder of Towerscope, a social impact company focused on helping leaders and teams navigate the complexities of today's today and lead better tomorrows.
00:29:22.050 --> 00:29:28.930 Mira Brancu: The best way to track. All of this is to subscribe to the Newsletter, and otherwise we'll be right back in just a moment. For part 2.
00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:04.319 Mira Brancu: Welcome welcome back to the hard skills.
00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:06.920 Mira Brancu: So we just finished
00:31:07.150 --> 00:31:25.419 Mira Brancu: talking about part one, which is how you want to show up as a leader right now, during these very uncertain times that feel chaotic lots of upheaval, and especially if you're working in areas that have been highly impacted. Now, I work with
00:31:25.650 --> 00:31:30.310 Mira Brancu: leaders and teams within some of the most disrupted current industries.
00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:37.340 Mira Brancu: the learning and innovation spaces so that includes healthcare higher Ed and academia.
00:31:37.950 --> 00:31:44.549 Mira Brancu: stem and tech and and research right? And they've been heavily, heavily impacted right now. So
00:31:44.810 --> 00:31:49.680 Mira Brancu: I'm especially talking to those who are experiencing that kind of upheaval right?
00:31:49.790 --> 00:31:57.350 Mira Brancu: So now that you've sort of thought through slowed down thought through like, how do I want to show up with those 5 areas?
00:31:57.670 --> 00:32:02.800 Mira Brancu: Let's talk about part 2 communicating clarity when you don't even have clarity.
00:32:03.110 --> 00:32:09.529 Mira Brancu: Now let's start with this. 1st of all, clarity doesn't mean certainty.
00:32:10.530 --> 00:32:13.709 Mira Brancu: nor does it mean perfect clarity.
00:32:14.310 --> 00:32:27.859 Mira Brancu: One of my favorite Mckinsey and Company's articles that came out in 2020, when we had covid right on communicating during a crisis that still applies, that I often share with clients, points out that clarity doesn't mean certainty.
00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:35.540 Mira Brancu: What your team does need is transparency and consistency, not perfection.
00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:42.389 Mira Brancu: And here's a big caveat here. Okay, importantly, transparency doesn't mean
00:32:42.850 --> 00:32:48.270 Mira Brancu: oversharing everything, even if it's confusing, not fully thought out or could be scary.
00:32:49.060 --> 00:32:55.590 Mira Brancu: Okay, I I really wish that they came up with a different word than transparency.
00:32:57.020 --> 00:33:01.390 Mira Brancu: Transparency is simply the opposite of opaque right?
00:33:01.830 --> 00:33:11.340 Mira Brancu: So whatever you are going to share needs to just be presented as if you're not hiding something, not being opaque or vague or confusing.
00:33:11.990 --> 00:33:13.860 Mira Brancu: but it doesn't mean oversharing.
00:33:14.070 --> 00:33:18.010 Mira Brancu: Oversharing can, in fact, lead to confusion
00:33:18.650 --> 00:33:22.199 Mira Brancu: and can create a lack of clarity.
00:33:22.530 --> 00:33:24.089 Mira Brancu: So don't mistake these.
00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:27.950 Mira Brancu: I really wish they had a different word than transparency.
00:33:28.320 --> 00:33:35.839 Mira Brancu: so that leaders could better understand what people actually expected of them, because it's not share everything, you know, it's actually share what you know.
00:33:36.090 --> 00:33:40.860 Mira Brancu: That would be useful to me and important right now that could affect me.
00:33:41.390 --> 00:33:47.849 Mira Brancu: That's what employees want, share what you know. That would be useful to me and important right now, that could affect me.
00:33:49.580 --> 00:33:54.230 Mira Brancu: So how do you do that in a way, that's clear. When you don't have all the information.
00:33:54.900 --> 00:34:00.589 Mira Brancu: I want you to think about these 5 things, and then I'm going to give you an example of what it sounds like.
00:34:01.050 --> 00:34:08.379 Mira Brancu: Okay, here's 5 different ways that you can talk about and offer clarity. When you don't have clarity
00:34:09.670 --> 00:34:20.500 Mira Brancu: one, you can talk about the process instead of the content that might be missing right? The content
00:34:20.670 --> 00:34:24.849 Mira Brancu: of what might happen, and the details might not be there.
00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:27.810 Mira Brancu: But your process for decision, making
00:34:27.969 --> 00:34:31.880 Mira Brancu: your process for figuring it out. You know your process.
00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:39.800 Mira Brancu: You know your process for seeking out more information and making decisions. You can share that number 2.
00:34:39.909 --> 00:34:43.840 Mira Brancu: You can talk about what you know and don't know.
00:34:44.210 --> 00:34:47.090 Mira Brancu: and what is and isn't in your control.
00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:52.899 Mira Brancu: Okay, what you know and don't know, and what is and isn't in your control.
00:34:53.540 --> 00:34:59.910 Mira Brancu: Number 3, you can name the different experiences, emotions, thoughts, and questions. People might have.
00:35:00.750 --> 00:35:02.440 Mira Brancu: Just make space for it.
00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:04.939 Mira Brancu: You don't have to know what people
00:35:05.080 --> 00:35:10.829 Mira Brancu: are experiencing, or what they're feeling, or the thoughts they're having, or the questions that they might have.
00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:18.750 Mira Brancu: But make space for it, and you can name some. You can name some, so I'll give you an example of that in a moment. Number 4.
00:35:19.670 --> 00:35:23.859 Mira Brancu: You can and should manage expectations.
00:35:24.270 --> 00:35:32.880 Mira Brancu: The more you manage expectations, the more likely you will meet expectations right? I just had
00:35:33.050 --> 00:35:40.040 Mira Brancu: an episode, the last episode right before this one right with Carl Hedman Street.
00:35:41.050 --> 00:35:45.099 Mira Brancu: He wrote the book on Explicit Expectations.
00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:47.870 Mira Brancu: And this is what it's all about.
00:35:49.550 --> 00:35:56.360 Mira Brancu: Number 5. You can communicate what you're doing and anticipating having to look into.
00:35:57.770 --> 00:35:58.210 Mira Brancu: Okay.
00:35:59.420 --> 00:36:02.179 Mira Brancu: So here's an example of what all of this sounds like.
00:36:05.050 --> 00:36:07.570 Mira Brancu: Some of you might be feeling worried and uncertain.
00:36:08.110 --> 00:36:12.219 Mira Brancu: Some might be feeling overwhelmed or confused, or worried.
00:36:12.670 --> 00:36:21.980 Mira Brancu: I don't know how all of you are feeling, and I want to acknowledge each of you are in different places with this right now, with everything that's going on.
00:36:22.860 --> 00:36:25.460 Mira Brancu: I wish I had all the answers, but I don't right now.
00:36:25.650 --> 00:36:28.669 Mira Brancu: but I can share what I know right now
00:36:29.350 --> 00:36:33.000 Mira Brancu: how we'll communicate up-to-date information moving forward.
00:36:33.390 --> 00:36:37.869 Mira Brancu: and how we'll work towards seeking more information moving forward.
00:36:38.410 --> 00:36:40.209 Mira Brancu: So here's what I know right now.
00:36:41.430 --> 00:36:43.030 Mira Brancu: Here's what we don't know yet.
00:36:44.260 --> 00:36:46.240 Mira Brancu: Here's what we're doing to find out more.
00:36:48.220 --> 00:36:50.579 Mira Brancu: Okay, that's the example.
00:36:51.190 --> 00:36:56.630 Mira Brancu: So you'd use it in your own words. But all of this creates a sense of psychological safety.
00:36:57.280 --> 00:37:01.230 Mira Brancu: It demonstrates care and attention to what's happening around you. So you're not tone deaf
00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:09.360 Mira Brancu: and frankly, sometimes just acknowledging the elephant in the room is enough to bring calm.
00:37:10.140 --> 00:37:12.299 Mira Brancu: and there is actually good reason for this.
00:37:12.550 --> 00:37:19.270 Mira Brancu: Dr. Dan. Siegel is a psychiatrist and Ucla professor, he coined the phrase, name it to tame it.
00:37:19.870 --> 00:37:21.429 Mira Brancu: name it to tame it.
00:37:21.770 --> 00:37:27.720 Mira Brancu: It's a strategy for labeling emotions in order to reduce stress, anxiety and overwhelm.
00:37:27.930 --> 00:37:30.569 Mira Brancu: And it's kind of an interesting brain trick
00:37:30.780 --> 00:37:38.130 Mira Brancu: just being able to label. Yes, we feel frustrated and overwhelmed, creates calm
00:37:38.640 --> 00:37:44.640 Mira Brancu: even in the midst of a lack of calm, because it validates
00:37:45.150 --> 00:37:54.929 Mira Brancu: what people are feeling, so they don't feel isolated. They don't feel like they're going crazy. They don't feel like they're being gaslighted.
00:37:56.120 --> 00:37:57.800 Mira Brancu: You're just naming. It.
00:37:58.060 --> 00:38:02.229 Mira Brancu: It's real. You're making it real. And you're validating their experiences.
00:38:03.070 --> 00:38:08.160 Mira Brancu: Okay? But but the big caveat to this is that it has to be accurate.
00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:12.560 Mira Brancu: Don't say we feel hopeful. Unless you sense, people are hopeful.
00:38:13.670 --> 00:38:16.120 Mira Brancu: otherwise it can actually break trust.
00:38:16.890 --> 00:38:20.159 Mira Brancu: You can still instill hope and optimism.
00:38:20.700 --> 00:38:26.770 Mira Brancu: But don't assume people feel that way. Just reflect what you're hearing and sensing.
00:38:27.530 --> 00:38:49.789 Mira Brancu: Right? So if you've been talking with people and you're picking up on themes, you can say I've been. I've been talking with people, and it seems like quite a number of folks are experiencing kind of similar things like this. Right? And some of you are feeling this way, and some of you might be feeling this way. So I insert the word might right just in case you're wrong.
00:38:50.580 --> 00:38:52.760 Mira Brancu: And then, if you remember.
00:38:52.960 --> 00:38:58.480 Mira Brancu: I added, I don't know how all of you are experiencing this or what you all are feeling
00:38:58.820 --> 00:39:09.399 Mira Brancu: right. So it adds, like another layer of I'm naming a few things that I I would guess, and based on what I've been talking with you about. But there's lots of other experiences here.
00:39:11.610 --> 00:39:18.110 Mira Brancu: and importantly, empathy doesn't mean you have to fix it
00:39:19.470 --> 00:39:21.269 Mira Brancu: where that you have to fix anything.
00:39:21.520 --> 00:39:29.560 Mira Brancu: It simply means you're creating a space where people feel heard and understood right?
00:39:30.570 --> 00:39:32.670 Mira Brancu: So to recap.
00:39:33.830 --> 00:39:37.050 Mira Brancu: Clarity doesn't mean on doesn't mean certainty.
00:39:37.470 --> 00:39:39.910 Mira Brancu: Nor does it mean for perfection.
00:39:40.180 --> 00:39:43.279 Mira Brancu: And transparency doesn't mean oversharing.
00:39:44.170 --> 00:39:50.559 Mira Brancu: They just mean offer a flashlight for people to figure out where they are in the dark
00:39:50.820 --> 00:39:53.660 Mira Brancu: and a direction to go in.
00:39:55.200 --> 00:39:55.970 Mira Brancu: Right?
00:39:57.360 --> 00:39:58.190 Mira Brancu: Okay.
00:39:58.980 --> 00:40:05.179 Mira Brancu: Now that we've gotten some clarity in the face of minimal clarity or at least communicated it.
00:40:05.650 --> 00:40:07.589 Mira Brancu: Let's move on to Part 3,
00:40:07.770 --> 00:40:12.909 Mira Brancu: where we discuss increasing connection and communication opportunities.
00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:22.970 Mira Brancu: Okay, so we're moving into part 3 increasing connection and community communication opportunities. The point and the focus here
00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:26.190 Mira Brancu: is on maintaining morale.
00:40:27.640 --> 00:40:36.020 Mira Brancu: Okay? Right now, people are feeling a degradation in morale, right? And
00:40:36.900 --> 00:40:45.119 Mira Brancu: I have personally continued to see the degradation of interpersonal care caring for others, and emotional intelligence
00:40:46.450 --> 00:40:54.159 Mira Brancu: in the last 4 to 5 years, actually due to the paradox of a hyper connected world
00:40:54.570 --> 00:41:00.589 Mira Brancu: and distributed soundbite online culture in the face of depleted coping resources.
00:41:02.880 --> 00:41:05.310 Mira Brancu: In the past 4 to 5 years people have.
00:41:05.510 --> 00:41:09.070 Mira Brancu: Really, I've I've seen a greater conflict.
00:41:09.740 --> 00:41:14.320 Mira Brancu: right that they cannot or won't resolve amongst each other.
00:41:14.950 --> 00:41:22.219 Mira Brancu: more polarized and entrenched views, less ability to be able to be willing to see different perspectives.
00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:27.360 Mira Brancu: It's creating more isolation which then becomes a vicious cycle.
00:41:29.290 --> 00:41:41.390 Mira Brancu: And when there's a lot of uncertainty, a lack of clarity, a lot of miscommunication, a lot of chaos. Sometimes it can feel, or literally be impossible to keep up with the information
00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:43.910 Mira Brancu: enough to share updates.
00:41:44.790 --> 00:41:49.609 Mira Brancu: So you might feel like, what's the point of checking in when there continues to be a lack of clarity?
00:41:51.000 --> 00:41:58.220 Mira Brancu: And what's the point of bringing people together when they're so busy and exhausted and overwhelmed.
00:42:00.060 --> 00:42:05.070 Mira Brancu: But that is exactly when it's most important to increase communication and connection.
00:42:06.820 --> 00:42:12.580 Mira Brancu: It allows people a mechanism to feel like they are in control, or at least not alone.
00:42:12.810 --> 00:42:16.549 Mira Brancu: and that there is some shared experience like, we're in this together.
00:42:17.900 --> 00:42:21.880 Mira Brancu: Okay, so here are some things that you can do.
00:42:23.500 --> 00:42:27.669 Mira Brancu: Number one schedule regular check-ins with your team.
00:42:28.610 --> 00:42:31.080 Mira Brancu: These do not have to be formal meetings.
00:42:31.210 --> 00:42:42.279 Mira Brancu: A quick zoom call, or even a slack message, can go a long way and letting your team know you're there. You can do like even little one on ones in my, you know, one organization.
00:42:43.416 --> 00:43:11.559 Mira Brancu: Somebody sent something on Monday, and we kind of like take turns. But like it's not formal. We don't say like, Okay, you go on this Monday, and and next Monday you go, and next Monday you go. It's not that formal and stuffy just whoever feels inclined on the Monday we just send out like a happy Monday or a little, you know, picture and image you know, sending some hugs, some silly things, and on Friday
00:43:12.450 --> 00:43:19.010 Mira Brancu: we do the same thing. We close out the week. We might be, you know, sharing some silly things, you know, and
00:43:19.980 --> 00:43:23.180 Mira Brancu: we also do some check-ins right?
00:43:23.550 --> 00:43:30.380 Mira Brancu: And we can also bring everybody, you know, to check in. Obviously in real time. Right? So
00:43:30.610 --> 00:43:34.610 Mira Brancu: and during those check-ins focus on creating a sense of community.
00:43:36.050 --> 00:43:42.290 Mira Brancu: one of my clients implemented something they call coffee and connection meetings during a stressful time.
00:43:42.910 --> 00:43:51.369 Mira Brancu: These were 20 min virtual meetings where the team could vent share updates or just chat. No agenda, no pressure
00:43:51.960 --> 00:43:56.319 Mira Brancu: just connection, and it made a huge difference in maintaining morale.
00:43:57.660 --> 00:44:04.199 Mira Brancu: As leaders. We are not just managing tasks. We're managing people, and people need connection to feel grounded.
00:44:05.340 --> 00:44:19.109 Mira Brancu: If you are a taskmax master like me, if you are results oriented like me, you know, you might not think about this relationally oriented stuff, or you might feel like people don't need that. And why, you know, and all of that stuff.
00:44:19.390 --> 00:44:21.150 Mira Brancu: But I'm telling you
00:44:21.520 --> 00:44:31.380 Mira Brancu: it's really critical. During this time. It's critical always to balance the relationship and the productivity side of anything. But in at this point.
00:44:31.520 --> 00:44:41.599 Mira Brancu: having little tiny bursts of shared connection, does help people feel grounded and not isolated.
00:44:42.730 --> 00:44:47.600 Mira Brancu: Okay, another example of what you can do is hold town meetings.
00:44:47.840 --> 00:44:53.460 Mira Brancu: town hall meetings. You can share, you know, whatever you know.
00:44:54.510 --> 00:44:56.600 Mira Brancu: but but then open it up to questions.
00:44:57.720 --> 00:45:00.410 Mira Brancu: and when you receive the questions, don't be curt.
00:45:00.880 --> 00:45:03.099 Mira Brancu: don't just respond. We don't know that
00:45:03.570 --> 00:45:08.500 Mira Brancu: right. Remember, that isn't very comforting. Instead, you can respond by saying.
00:45:08.640 --> 00:45:18.380 Mira Brancu: That's a great question. Here's the little we know. Here's what we're exploring, and I'll add your concerns to that list and get back to you all when I have that answer.
00:45:18.880 --> 00:45:19.830 Mira Brancu: Thank you.
00:45:20.140 --> 00:45:21.980 Mira Brancu: Thank you for the question right?
00:45:22.130 --> 00:45:39.460 Mira Brancu: And then definitely get back with the answer, because that's being responsive. If you just keep getting questions and say I'll ask. But then you never come back with like I tried to ask. I didn't, you know, find all the information yet? I'm still trying. If you don't come back. If you don't do that closed feedback loop
00:45:40.620 --> 00:45:41.679 Mira Brancu: gets worse.
00:45:42.130 --> 00:45:51.839 Mira Brancu: It's worse. It makes people feel like you actually are just doing some performative, you know, town hall instead of some meaningful town hall. So if you're gonna do it.
00:45:51.970 --> 00:45:59.549 Mira Brancu: Make sure that you're responsive to using that time, the way that people are hoping that you can use it. Okay.
00:46:00.080 --> 00:46:06.989 Mira Brancu: all right, I'm gonna share a few more examples, but we are reaching an ad break.
00:46:07.170 --> 00:46:34.869 Mira Brancu: And so, after the ad break, I'm going to give you a few more examples of how you can increase connection and communication in order to improve morale or maintain morale. You are listening to the hard skills we let we go live on Tuesdays at 5 Pm. Eastern, and show up later on your favorite. Podcast if you're joining us during this live stream on linkedin or at youtube@talkradio.nyc, you can submit questions. You can simply say, Hi! In real time.
00:46:34.990 --> 00:46:38.809 Mira Brancu: I am Dr. Mira Branco, and we'll be right back in just a moment.
00:48:16.150 --> 00:48:32.579 Mira Brancu: Welcome back to the hard skills with me. Dr. Mira Bronk, who we are talking about how to communicate effectively and maintain morale during times of uncertainty, and especially now especially for disrupted
00:48:33.060 --> 00:48:37.139 Mira Brancu: learning and innovation. Industries like healthcare.
00:48:37.440 --> 00:48:45.169 Mira Brancu: like government and education and stem research and and tech industries.
00:48:45.900 --> 00:48:48.260 Mira Brancu: They're highly disrupted right now.
00:48:48.750 --> 00:48:56.910 Mira Brancu: and it's really hard to know what is happening at any given moment, which is causing a lot of disruption and
00:48:57.110 --> 00:49:00.709 Mira Brancu: overwhelm and all kinds of feelings.
00:49:00.890 --> 00:49:04.110 Mira Brancu: and you know we've we've talked about
00:49:05.056 --> 00:49:18.160 Mira Brancu: a lot of ways that we can engage. And right now I'm finishing up the last point last example of how to increase connection and communication opportunities. I already shared.
00:49:18.300 --> 00:49:23.080 Mira Brancu: you know, scheduling regular check-ins with your team and holding town halls.
00:49:23.230 --> 00:49:26.290 Mira Brancu: You could also schedule time to reconnect in person.
00:49:26.560 --> 00:49:40.082 Mira Brancu: Shocking! I know it's a crazy idea in person, reconnecting with folks who you enjoy spending time with in your local area. I know very unusual. We haven't done this in like 5 years.
00:49:41.223 --> 00:49:47.219 Mira Brancu: But seriously, who is that person who who made you laugh feel safe
00:49:47.550 --> 00:49:50.390 Mira Brancu: was on the same wavelength as as you.
00:49:50.720 --> 00:49:53.849 Mira Brancu: Who was that mentor you haven't talked with in a while.
00:49:54.330 --> 00:49:55.440 Mira Brancu: Reach out.
00:49:55.950 --> 00:50:11.890 Mira Brancu: set up a coffee and go reconnect. I've been doing a lot of this myself. I just saw my mentor you know, past supervisor, Past Mentor. I hadn't seen him in like 5 years. I just reached out and said, Hey, I want to see you. And it was lovely. It was absolutely lovely.
00:50:13.100 --> 00:50:25.749 Mira Brancu: and that's coming from somebody who's introverted right like somebody who doesn't necessarily like automatically. Think. Let me set up meetings and hangouts with people, you know. But I even me.
00:50:25.920 --> 00:50:54.690 Mira Brancu: I'm you know, starting to feel like it's good for my health. And it is like, when I actually connect with people in person, it feels differently. There is kind of a I mean, you know, the research shows there are actual like pheromones and chemistry and vibes happening like when you say we're on the same wavelength, like literally, there are things happening between human beings that cannot happen through a screen
00:50:55.020 --> 00:51:03.990 Mira Brancu: that make us feel good, right? And so remind yourself of
00:51:04.640 --> 00:51:08.409 Mira Brancu: who you, miss who you want to see? Who do you want to spend time with?
00:51:08.920 --> 00:51:14.190 Mira Brancu: It also helps you reconnect and remind yourself of the good in humanity
00:51:14.980 --> 00:51:20.009 Mira Brancu: and the benefits of slowing down and just spending time, experiencing joy
00:51:20.710 --> 00:51:27.709 Mira Brancu: without productivity. And in the face of everything that's going on. This is what we have. We have this right?
00:51:28.810 --> 00:51:34.170 Mira Brancu: So whether it's a town hall, a check-in meeting
00:51:34.460 --> 00:51:36.879 Mira Brancu: or reconnecting with folks from the past.
00:51:37.540 --> 00:51:42.960 Mira Brancu: sharing personal stories about the meaning you are making from what's happening.
00:51:43.760 --> 00:51:52.930 Mira Brancu: Storytelling and meaning making is such a uniquely human behavior that connects understanding and connection and creates it.
00:51:53.250 --> 00:52:03.360 Mira Brancu: Right? So that's that's what this is all about maintaining and increasing. I'm not sure you can increase morale right now, but maintain at least maintaining the morale
00:52:05.850 --> 00:52:11.660 Mira Brancu: is something that happens when you create connection
00:52:12.770 --> 00:52:21.330 Mira Brancu: when you do some storytelling, sharing personal stories of the meaning that you're taking and then coming coming up with a shared
00:52:21.920 --> 00:52:26.519 Mira Brancu: experience that goes a long way.
00:52:27.980 --> 00:52:30.880 Mira Brancu: Okay, so let's recap.
00:52:31.060 --> 00:52:33.650 Mira Brancu: Let's recap everything that we discussed
00:52:34.490 --> 00:52:41.889 Mira Brancu: on how to help your team and organization manage fear, stress, anger, and overwhelm in the face of today's uncertainty.
00:52:42.280 --> 00:52:45.820 Mira Brancu: Even if you have minimal information about what to say or do.
00:52:46.040 --> 00:52:51.550 Mira Brancu: Okay, in part one. We reviewed how you want to show up.
00:52:52.560 --> 00:52:55.529 Mira Brancu: We talked about 5 mechanisms, reflect
00:52:55.850 --> 00:53:02.870 Mira Brancu: temper, responsiveness, be present and steady, manage your energy and practice, self-care and compassion.
00:53:03.500 --> 00:53:13.330 Mira Brancu: In part 2. We talked about how to communicate clarity when you don't even have clarity. And we learned that clarity doesn't mean certainty, nor does it mean perfection
00:53:13.480 --> 00:53:16.180 Mira Brancu: and transparency doesn't mean oversharing.
00:53:16.440 --> 00:53:20.040 Mira Brancu: They just mean offering a flashlight for people to figure out
00:53:20.250 --> 00:53:23.710 Mira Brancu: where they are in the dark and a direction to go in.
00:53:24.700 --> 00:53:30.230 Mira Brancu: And we learned 5 things you can do when you don't have clarity, but you want to offer it.
00:53:31.040 --> 00:53:47.809 Mira Brancu: And then finally, in part 3, we discussed why, it's critical now more than ever to increase connection and communication opportunities in order to counteract our current society's increasing isolation, polarizations and and polarization and degradation of interpersonal care.
00:53:48.550 --> 00:53:54.739 Mira Brancu: All of these are not just skills. They're practices. They take time, intention and effort.
00:53:56.210 --> 00:54:05.370 Mira Brancu: But when you invest in these soft skills, you're not just managing through crisis, you're building trust. You're building resilience. You're building a stronger team for the future.
00:54:06.240 --> 00:54:12.230 Mira Brancu: And, by the way, if you're looking for more connection and a supportive learning community for your own leadership growth.
00:54:12.610 --> 00:54:14.829 Mira Brancu: I host a yearly leadership Academy.
00:54:15.020 --> 00:54:26.429 Mira Brancu: It's especially great for organizational misfits and socially conscious growth, oriented high achieving women leaders in disrupted industries like healthcare, higher Ed research and tech industries.
00:54:26.670 --> 00:54:32.190 Mira Brancu: You can check it out@www.go towerscope.com.
00:54:32.680 --> 00:54:38.360 Mira Brancu: Now, before we wrapped up, I promised you I wanted to offer you a free resource.
00:54:38.500 --> 00:54:47.250 Mira Brancu: I pulled together this content into a supplementary tip sheet for leaders communicating during times of uncertainty.
00:54:47.500 --> 00:54:50.949 Mira Brancu: You can download it by going to gotowerscope.com
00:54:51.120 --> 00:54:55.069 Mira Brancu: click on resources, then other free stuff.
00:54:55.250 --> 00:54:58.820 Mira Brancu: and you will find this tip sheet. Among many other free resources.
00:54:59.170 --> 00:55:04.829 Mira Brancu: you just enter your email, and you get on our mailing list, and then you'll get an immediate download.
00:55:05.460 --> 00:55:16.380 Mira Brancu: And if you hate the Monthly Newsletter and find nothing of value, just as unsubscribe, though frankly, if you've gotten to this point in this episode, I suspect you're gonna love the newsletter.
00:55:16.490 --> 00:55:22.819 Mira Brancu: Now, what I did with the tip sheet is, I went several steps forward beyond
00:55:23.130 --> 00:55:25.160 Mira Brancu: what I talked about on this show.
00:55:25.320 --> 00:55:28.460 Mira Brancu: Okay? So I'm gonna share with you.
00:55:28.920 --> 00:55:31.250 Mira Brancu: If you're watching this right now.
00:55:31.360 --> 00:55:32.649 Mira Brancu: 1st of all.
00:55:33.158 --> 00:55:50.679 Mira Brancu: I'm gonna share with you. It's go towerscope.com backslash other free stuff, and you just go down to tip sheet for leaders communicating during times of uncertainty. And you just enter your name and email, submit. And you got it. Okay. But
00:55:51.080 --> 00:55:54.310 Mira Brancu: let me share with you what you will get.
00:55:54.660 --> 00:56:00.229 Mira Brancu: Okay, so in this tip sheet.
00:56:01.150 --> 00:56:04.140 Mira Brancu: it's divided into 5 parts. The 1st 3 parts
00:56:04.490 --> 00:56:10.000 Mira Brancu: are what I talked about on the show, and it expands it a little bit further, but I add
00:56:10.170 --> 00:56:13.890 Mira Brancu: 2 more parts. Part 4 is creating a culture of compassion.
00:56:14.900 --> 00:56:18.430 Mira Brancu: It includes 4 ways to enhance compassion at work
00:56:18.530 --> 00:56:30.230 Mira Brancu: which lowers employee. Absenteeism and burnout increases employee engagement leads to greater teamwork employee satisfaction. And right now the most important thing is that it girds resiliency.
00:56:30.860 --> 00:56:35.640 Mira Brancu: Part 5 is communicating meaning and purpose to maintain morale.
00:56:35.760 --> 00:56:47.130 Mira Brancu: and that includes 3 key practices in order to communicate meaning and purpose, which is what people desperately need right now. So that is what you will get when
00:56:47.280 --> 00:56:55.390 Mira Brancu: you download this tip sheet and lots of examples in there, lots of ways to engage.
00:56:56.450 --> 00:57:00.229 Mira Brancu: Okay, so with that said
00:57:01.300 --> 00:57:15.769 Mira Brancu: in today's episode. If it resonated with you, share it with a colleague, or leave a review, and if you're looking for more personalized support or leadership or team coaching head to gotowrascope.com to schedule a consultation.
00:57:16.140 --> 00:57:31.419 Mira Brancu: Thank you to talkradio dot Nyc. For hosting, and thank you for joining me on this journey together we will navigate the complexities of leadership, and emerge stronger on the other side. Together we will get through this.
00:57:31.830 --> 00:57:37.300 Mira Brancu: This is Dr. Miro Branco, signing off until next time. Stay steady.
00:57:37.700 --> 00:57:43.420 Mira Brancu: stay present, and keep building those hard skills. I'll be right there with you.
00:57:43.990 --> 00:57:46.300 Mira Brancu: Bye, everybody, take care.
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