Kathy Klotz-Guest MA, MBA

Criticism is the tax for being brave. Also, if the criticism is specious, I'd absolutely have fun with it. One guy said he hated the number of cartoons in my book, so yeah, I turned it into an endorsement, "Get the book one dude on Twitter said had a ridiculous number of cartoons." If it's so out there it's funny, use it as fuel for marketing. If it's your relatives, haunt them back. If it's useful, take it as feedback to grow. If it's abusive, block it. Not all feedback is helpful and no, you don't have to listen to nonsense that isn't the fun kind.

Play and laughter ARE how we work and make things better. Not just a break or recess from work. Using methods that are playful and highlight organic humor because they are based in truth and honesty, we provide big moments of change. Something as playful and simple as integrating others' ideas into a cohesive story that moves forward -others shout out suggestions while you talk and you move forward with those ideas - shows teams (many execs and their teams) that great ideas are inclusive of suggestions. I've worked with all kinds of teams and these fun, playful activities are a mirror to big lessons. You can also practice that same activity as I have with teams where they keep going so they learn to adapt to disruption. Play makes it safer.

When I am not inspired or excited...I know I am burned out. Walk away. Take a break. Yes, for however long you need. Months even. Re-evaluate: 1. What excites you and aligns with your values? 2. What do you care about that makes you think "YESSS!" 3 Get out of any bubble you might be in. Read / Watch / Talk to leaders in other ideas - you might have some big AHAS! What does surfing mean for leadership? What does design have to do with sales? Comedy and presenting? Ah yes...Find interesting intersections across your areas of focus, expertise, and passion. NOTE: always take an improv class. ;-)

Humor and laughter take walls down and help us connect. One thing that humor does is allow us to be vulnerable and de-escalate conflict. If we can both laugh at how awkward we feel in a conflict, then we find common ground. And for collaborative problem-solving, humor helps us see new ideas and ways of thinking. The more heightened, the better? Think 'yes and' and how we might heighten something. We may not DO the thing; now we're connected and feeling safer (key!) to generate some out there ideas. Some of the best ideas start with being ridiculous.

Connection for even 5-10 min per day make a huge difference. Make it optional. Here are a few I love to use: Word at a time story - each person does a word at a time (no right or wrong....increase speed and you'll increase laughter) Movie review...each person does a movie, tv, sports review for fun. Pick an object, each person, and tell a short story (min or less) about that object. Low-stakes, high-laughter builds greater trust and connection. Small connections daily are needed when teams are virtual AND in the office. It's a small investment daily to bring people together. Read the room. Keep it light and low-risk.

This is a tricky one. If people don’t trust you, they won’t tell you. Truth 😃. Trust is earned. So here are a few ways to think about it. Ask yourself honestly… Do I make them feel … Heard? Seen? Safe to speak up (if they don’t tell you things… take note)? Safe to disagree? Is disagreement respectful? Do your actions and words align? Do I keep confidences? Do I ask for and take feedback? Own the hard stuff. Then… Be honest and direct with respect Model safety Do what you say you will do Lift people up Celebrate people who make mistakes and tried to people see they can take creative risks - social proof Trust is earned with behavior, honesty, humility, empathy and relatability. And genuine humor Leaders who care do the work.