Sandy Schwan at Evolving Strategies LLC

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Sandy Schwan at Evolving Strategies LLC

Visit me on LinkedIn where I post regularly. Thanks! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyschwan/ Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Sandy is the managing partner of Evolving Strategies LLC, a consulting firm equipping results-driven leaders and teams to lead change well with their companies and clients. Clients include Accenture, United Airlines, Thomson Reuters, Northern Trust Corporation, Spencer Stuart, IDEX Corporation, the United States federal government, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Pariveda Solutions, and Zebra Technolo

gies. Prior to founding Evolving Strategies in 1999, Sandy worked with senior executives at Fortune 200 companies in shaping their business and people strategies and in leading key change initiatives. Previous employers include Corporate Executive Board, Lante Corporation, Kensington International, and Accenture, where she was awarded mentor of the year. Sandy coaches and assists leaders and teams in:
• Developing and leading through the changes associated with strategic business initiatives
• Engaging and communicating with key stakeholders
• Developing high performing leaders and teams
• Leading and facilitating strategic workshops

She is a sought after speaker on the topic of leading change. Sandy’s professional award highlights include: Outstanding Quality Service Award from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina; Director’s Innovator Award at Northwestern University’s (NU) School of Education and Social Policy; and Peer Recognition Award at NU's J.L. She served as adjunct faculty in NU’s School of Education and Social Policy, where she co-created and taught the updated curriculum for the Executing Strategic Change course in the Master of Science in Learning and Organizational Change program. She also earned a Master of Science degree in this program. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas, where she served as captain of the Division I women’s tennis team. She received her Prosci change management certification from Colorado State University. Sandy spends most of her time in Dallas, Chicago and Wyoming, where her family, friends and buffalo roam.

06/28/2024

"To be agreeable while disagreeing - that's an art." - Malcolm Forbes

After watching last night's presidential debate, I'm sure this weekend will be filled with conversations over coffee or cocktails on who fared better.

🤔 What's one leadership skill we can use prepare ourselves to have productive conversations? Here's what I'm thinking:

💡 Practice RESPECTFUL DISAGREEMENT. It can bring about understanding and growth in our often polarized world.

This weekend, let's find opportunities to:
👂 Practice active listening in conversations, especially when you disagree
🤝 Seek common ground with someone whose views differ from yours

How do YOU maintain agreeability during disagreements? Share your thoughts in the comments if you'd like.

I'm all ears.

Have a nice weekend filled with interesting conversations.

03/18/2024

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves." - Marie Curie, physicist, chemist

It is a new week! Let's draw inspiration from Marie Curie's wisdom as a reminder that challenges are universal, yet our response to them can make all the difference.

As leaders, our role is to ignite the spark of confidence and perseverance in our teams.

Here are three simple and impactful actions we can take this Monday to motivate and inspire our teams:

1️⃣ Set clear, achievable goals (or ensure the goals you've already set are still clear):

Why? Because a shared vision not only aligns efforts but also boosts motivation and fosters a sense of accomplishment.

2️⃣ Model and encourage open communication:
Why? Because an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns breeds innovation and shows that every voice is valued.

3️⃣ Celebrate small wins
Why? Because recognizing and celebrating the progress and achievements along the way builds momentum and reinforces the impact of everyone's hard work.

Here's to a week filled with purpose, inspiration, and leadership that leaves a mark.

03/15/2024

Leaders who engage in recovery have higher performing teams.

Research, including studies referenced in books like "Why We Sleep" by Matthew Walker, has shown that rest and recovery can significantly impact productivity and engagement.

Leaders who rest adequately and encourage their teams to do the same tend to see higher levels of engagement and productivity within their teams.

Continuous work without adequate recovery leads to burnout, which is detrimental to your team's performance and morale.

Hope you are able to prioritize and enjoy some high-quality rest and recovery this weekend, leaders.

03/13/2024

Amplify your team's potential by mastering one skill: The art of active listening. Here are 9 key ways to do so.

Looks can be deceiving, can’t they? From outside the cool, glass-walled conference room in a Dallas high-rise, the team meeting appeared engaging and collaborative.

The manager scribbled on the white board while the staff seemed to be eagerly taking notes.

Inside those walls, though, I later learned it was a different story. The team members were shifting uneasily, eyes darting towards the clock, as they collectively retreated into the safety of noncommittal nods and occasional writing specific instructions.

The room's air carried a quiet resignation. The staff’s ideas, once vibrant and eager to take flight as they considered how to solve a
wicked client problem, were now folded neatly away.

That manager was me.

I was a new manager trying to get my footing, thinking that barking orders was the answer. What was really happening was that I wasn't giving my team - or me - room to learn and grow.

I’m grateful that they had the courage to share their concerns about my leadership style with me. That conversation helped me understand the importance of active listening.

Active listening. We think we are good at it, but are we?

I’ve created this one-page guide on what active listening looks like. You’ll see a few columns for you to start rating your progress over time.

If you are a leader, self-rate first. Then, ask your team to rate your skills so that you can hear their perspective on the most impactful
ways you can improve.

Heads up: Expect gaps between your perception and your team's perception.

We can’t do our leadership journeys alone. Thank goodness for the grace and feedback of others to help us grow.

❓ Anything missing from this list?

03/11/2024

Leadership isn't just about directing growth; it's about being an active participant in it.

In this thought-provoking illustration from IdeaLeap, we see a clear metaphor for leadership growth and organizational change.

On the left, a plant under a cloche labeled 'LEADERSHIP' is protected yet restricted, symbolizing how an organization can be stifled by leadership that is unwilling to evolve.

Growth is possible, but it's contained, limited.

Flip to the right panel, and the transformation is evident. The cloche has been removed, 'LEADERSHIP' is now watering the plant, and it flourishes with vibrant oranges, a symbol of nourished and unrestrained potential.

This is such a powerful visual message:

Leaders, YOUR GROWTH is the catalyst for your organization's success. Just as a plant cannot outgrow its bell jar, an organization cannot outgrow the mindset of its leaders.

To unlock the full potential of your team, start with yourself. Here's what I have found that works -

Embrace Learning
Continuous personal development keeps your leadership skills sharp and sets a culture of growth.

Ask for Feedback
Ask your team what's working and not working with your team. I find a Start-Stop-Continue exercise helpful in guiding this discussion.

Encourage Innovation
Remove barriers to creativity within your team. Barriers could include your own behaviors, so ask the team to help you name those barriers. A nourishing environment allows ideas to blossom.

Adapt and Overcome
Be willing to adapt your leadership style in response to new challenges and the changing landscape of your industry.

Worth repeating: Leadership isn't just about directing growth; it's about being an active participant in it.

Have a great week.

03/08/2024

Do you know the secret ingredient to your unprecedented growth as a leader? Your comfort zone. (Yes, you've read that right.)

"Growth and comfort do not coexist. And that's a really important thing to understand." - Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM

While pushing beyond comfort zones is crucial for growth, comfort itself plays a vital role in maintaining balance, ensuring sustainability, and facilitating recovery.

Comfort provides a foundation for mental and physical well-being, allowing us to recharge and reflect on our progress. It helps to prevent burnout, which is a REAL risk when operating at the edge of one’s capabilities.

I see this potential risk while partnering with executives to further develop their leadership capabilities. Sometimes, they need a break to go back to their comfort zones for a moment. This usually happens six to eight weeks into some pretty intense new learning.

Often, during this break, the light bulb(s) shine through and the new ways of working deeply seep into their bones.

If you're looking for ideas to create comfort between periods of growth, here are a few ways:

1️⃣ Scheduled Downtime
Set aside time for a game of tennis, relaxation, or holding hands with loved ones.

These breaks are not just pauses; they are moments to rejuvenate and gain new perspectives. Please take them.

2️⃣ Celebrate Milestones
Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, no matter how small. This reinforces positive feelings and motivation, offering a psychological breather and a sense of accomplishment.

Ultra athletes like https://buff.ly/43frM0Q do this. Every practice run gets you a little closer to completing that ultramarathon.

3️⃣ Mindfulness and Reflection
Practice mindfulness or meditation to stay grounded and maintain mental clarity. Reflection helps in understanding what you’ve learned from recent challenges and how they contribute to your growth.

My life is radically better when I practice this comfort regularly.

4️⃣ Cultivate a Supportive Network
Surround yourself with people who understand your journey and can offer support, advice, or simply an empathetic ear. They provide emotional comfort, motivation...and laughter! Thank you https://buff.ly/4alIcqT for us laugh on Monday.

5️⃣ Maintain Physical Health
Look after your physical well-being through regular exercise, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition. Physical health impacts your ability to handle stress and recover from it.

Thanks to the Wild Health team for supporting me over the past year.

❓ How do you find the right rhythm between growth and comfort, ensuring that you're not only striving but thriving as you tackle new challenges?

Have a nice weekend filled with growth and / or comfort...whatever you need right now.

03/04/2024

Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still. – Chinese Proverb.

In our fast-paced world, remember that progress, no matter how gradual, is the key to success.

Here are three actions to motivate you to keep going on this first Monday in March.

✅ Set Small, Achievable Goals:

Break your big ambitions into smaller, manageable tasks.

Celebrate each completion, fueling your motivation to move forward.

Even better: if you've already written your goals at the start of the year, then laser-focus on those.

✅ Reflect Daily (if even for just three minutes).

Spend time each day reflecting on what you've learned, no matter how small the lesson. This keeps you moving and growing.

✅ Embrace Patience.

Growth and great things take time. Cultivating patience is essential in appreciating your journey's pace, ensuring you're always progressing, not stagnating.

Every step counts, no matter the speed. Keep going this week.

03/01/2024

"Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination."*

Can we learn to be more imaginative and curious? I think we can...and it is important to have both skills as leaders.

Imagination enables us to envision possibilities beyond our current realities, opening up a world of INNOVATION and PROBLEM-SOLVING opportunities.

Curiosity fuels our CREATIVITY, allowing us to devise novel solutions to complex challenges and ADAPT to changing environments with resilience and optimism.

Imagination fosters EMPATHY and UNDERSTANDING, as it allows us to put ourselves in others' shoes, envisioning perspectives and experiences different from our own, which is essential for effective communication and COLLABORATION.

❓ How do you flex your imagination and curiosity? Note them in the comments if you're willing to share.👇

Here are three of my go-to actions for doing so. Try them this weekend if you'd like.

1️⃣ Embark on a 'Curiosity Expedition.'
Allocate a few hours to explore something new or unfamiliar. It could be a technology, a hobby, or even a place you’ve never visited before. The goal is to step out of your comfort zone and stimulate your curiosity and imagination through firsthand experience.

You can do this with family and friends. This idea is my favorite.

2️⃣ Engage with Diverse Forms of Content.
Explore books, movies, podcasts, and articles OUTSIDE of your usual interests. Diverse inputs can spark new ideas, challenge your thinking, and broaden your perspective, enhancing your creative thinking.

This is an idea we practice on our family, ranging from watching movies to reading books that we take turns choosing.

3️⃣ Practice Mindfulness and Reflection.
Dedicate time for mindfulness practices such as meditation or reflective journaling. These practices can help clear your mind of daily clutter and foster a state of openness to new ideas and creative thoughts.

This idea is one that is first a solo activity for me, followed by sharing those reflections with others on occasion.

Have an imagination-filled weekend!

*Mae Jemison, American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut who became the first African American woman to travel in space. She's a southern gal with roots in Chicago - great combo! )

02/26/2024

Do you know where the term 'soft skills' comes from? It was first introduced in U.S. Army training courses in the early 1970s as a 'bucket' for skills OTHER THAN the skills needed for operating machinery or using weapons.

In this bucket?
Critical thinking.
Emotional intelligence.
Collaboration.
Creativity.
Problem solving
Time management.
Adaptability.
Conscientiousness.
Communication.

Hmmm...these skills sound pretty important - more STRATEGIC than soft - when operating heavy machinery, using weapons, and leading organizations and teams.

May your bucket be well-used this week.

02/23/2024

In the journey of leadership and personal growth, the environments we immerse ourselves in matter.

"Consciously choosing what and who you surround yourself with is among the keys to finding more space for joy."*

This statement holds profound wisdom, especially in the context of organizational culture...and life.

As leaders, our responsibility extends beyond strategy and decision-making; it involves curating a culture that breathes growth, collaboration, joy, trust, well-being.

The people we choose to bring into our teams, the values we prioritize, and the atmosphere we cultivate—all contribute to the success and collective joy of our organizations, families, communities.

This weekend, take a moment to assess the environment you're creating both inside and outside of work. Remember, the cultures we create are the sum of our daily actions and decisions.

Wishing you a joyful weekend.

*Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist Monk

02/19/2024

In the wise words of Abraham Lincoln, "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses."

To me, this powerful quote serves as a reminder of the importance of perspective, particularly in leadership.

As leaders, our outlook can significantly impact our teams and the culture of our organizations.

It's not just about seeing the glass as half full; it's about understanding that every challenge comes with an opportunity, and every setback can pave the way for growth.

Reframing is not just a skill but an art that every leader to master.

It allows us to navigate through difficulties with resilience, inspire our teams during times of uncertainty, and ultimately, transform obstacles into stepping stones towards success.

This week, embrace the art of reframing. Look at the challenges your team is facing and ask yourself, "Where is the rose among these thorns?"

By shifting your perspective, you can inspire others to see the potential and beauty in every situation.

02/16/2024

How many seconds does it take for you to regain your composure? As a lifelong competitive tennis player, the only option I knew of was about 20 seconds.

That's how much time you have between points.

Competitive tennis players at all levels followed Dr. Jim Loehr's research. His 16-second reset is a mental and emotional technique he designed to help us tennis players reset our focus and regain control in high-pressure situations.

It is a quick process that involves four steps, each lasting four seconds:

1️⃣ Deep Breathing: Inhale deeply for four seconds, which helps to calm the mind and reduce stress.

2️⃣ Visualization: Spend the next four seconds visualizing a positive outcome or recalling a positive memory, which shifts focus away from stress.

3️⃣ Self-talk: Use the following four seconds for positive self-talk, reinforcing confidence and focus.

4️⃣ Body Language: Finally, adjust your posture or body language in the last four seconds to reflect confidence and readiness.

This technique is widely used in sports psychology to help many types of athletes manage stress, enhance performance, and maintain focus during competitions, but it can also be applied in any high-pressure situation, such as public speaking, critical decision-making moments in professional settings...and when the kids forget to empty the dishwasher at home.

As leaders, it's crucial to stay centered and maintain control under pressure.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the pace of decision-making and leadership challenges, give the powerful yet simple 16-second reset a try.

This weekend, find time to practice the 16-second reset. I'll bet you will be able to find a few situations when you can practice.

Incorporate it into your routine, and notice the difference it makes in your leadership presence and decision-making process.

Whether you're facing a tough conversation, preparing for a significant decision, or simply need to refocus, this technique can be a game-changer.

Let's lead with resilience and focus.

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Website

http://www.evolvingstrategies.com/

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