Are you growing or learning or both?

Jann Freed Leading, Learning Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking about the difference between learning and growing. Is there a difference? As I said in my last post, I am taking two online courses and it is keeping me busy–maybe too busy.  I know that continuing to learn and getting out of our comfort zones is good for us. It keeps us interested, relevant, and able to …

Tell Me: What Will You Miss?

Jann Freed Leading, Living Leave a Comment

One person I follow is Courtney Martin. She had a post asking her followers to share what they will miss when the pandemic is over. We are hearing a lot about looking for the silver linings during this time. Martin shared this: There is a poll that showed that only 9% of Britons want life to return to “normal,” after sheltering-in: …

Why COVID-19 is Good Practice for Retirement

Jann Freed Leading, Living, Sage-ing Leave a Comment

You will never have more time than you have right now. This pandemic makes for an interesting time to be working. Unless you are an essential worker, you are likely working from home. The transition seemed to happen fast and is lasting longer than what you might have imagined. My husband’s firm said they will not return to their offices …

Leadership Development is Personal Development

Jann Freed Leading Leave a Comment

One of the statements I often make is: “Organizations only grow and improve when people grow and improve.  So to become a better leader, work on becoming a better person.” Since self-awareness is empowering, leadership development starts with understanding the self.  There is not a better time than now –during these uncertain and stressful times–to examine ourselves and how we …

Why Vulnerability is a Leadership Strength

Jann Freed Leading Leave a Comment

One of the chapters in my book, Leading with Wisdom:  Sage Advice from 100 Experts, was titled “Vulnerability is a Strength.”  But when the manuscript came back from the editor it was titled:  “Leaders Connect with Empathy and Compassion.”  Since the book is written for an audience of men and women, the editor was concerned that vulnerability would not resonate …

Now is the Time to Drop Your Tools!

Jann Freed Leading, Learning Leave a Comment

It is tough to make change of any kind.  We are creatures of habit and we have our routines both personally and professionally.  We have been taught to respond in predictable and rational ways.  But we are living and working in unprecedented times.  It is time to “drop our tools.”  In pursuit of knowledge, every day something is acquired; In …

How Achievable is the “American Dream”?

Jann Freed Leading, Living Leave a Comment

Are you living the “American Dream?”  If so, what does that mean to you?  How achievable is the Dream for most people?  Read this post to learn more. The documentary American Factory was nominated for an Oscar in 2020.  Even though it did not win, it is a winner.  I highly recommend watching it on Netflix.  And it is especially interesting …

What They Don’t Teach You In Business School

Jann Freed Leading Leave a Comment

In a time we are living and working in a world of Covid 19 and fear is high–very high, leaders at all levels are struggling with what to do and how to do it.  Business schools do not focus on how to gracefully layoff people or deal with shutdowns.  This post will share effective ways to make tough decisions. A …

Leaders: “Now is the Time for the Soft Stuff.”

Jann Freed Leading Leave a Comment

This post is written for anyone who wants to be more effective in influencing others–regardless of position, company, or industry. I have blogged about what it means to be a good neighbor and how leaders need to build community (Leaders Build Community Training.) Now is the time to do both and to remember we are all connected.  It is also …