A sense of purpose gives a person a feeling of YES  

Hi Barb, 

Are you reading this on purpose? Yes, I hope so! 

I'm curious, what is your purpose for reading it?  

• Is it to get tips for leading collaborative meetings with confidence? 
• Or to discover innovative approaches to solving problems in groups?
• Or to get more done in less time in your meetings? 
• Or to be seen as a credible leader and and be given more opportunities?
• Or simply be encouraged in your leadership journey?

Again, what is your purpose?  What would you like to have happen?

I'm asking for your personal response -- sincerely -- so that I can find and share resources and stories, as well as create courses and events, that will help you achieve your purpose. Please reply -- I'd love to hear from you. 

Warmly,

Barb Bickford

Transitions and New Beginnings retreats  
 -- in person, one of two weekends, either February 5-7 or April 4-6, 2025

If your life is in transition, your purpose may not be clear, and you may feel disoriented and lonely. But you don't have to go it alone! Come join other people who are also navigating transitions.

During a restful weekend away, we will explore what happened, how it's showing up in your life, and consider what might be coming next, using conversations, art, and gentle movement. Read more about these retreats.   

Special bonus! Our dear friend Kathleen Paris will join us for a fireside chat on the Saturday evening of each retreat. 

Register for the February 5-7, 2025 retreat in northern Wisconsin
Last call for the February retreat! Register by  Friday, January 24, 11:59 PM.

Register for the April 4-6, 2025 retreat in central Wisconsin

Caring for Self and Others:
(Another) Conversation with Kathleen Paris
-- Online, Thursday, February 13, 2025, 3 PM ET / 2 PM CT / 12 noon PT

If you missed our conversation a couple weeks ago, you are in luck!  Kathleen has more to say about caring for ourselves during times of grief and transition.

Many of us are feeling grief these days. Kathleen is a wise and gentle soul who understands. She's a certified grief counselor and the author of Gentle Comforts: For Women Grieving the Loss of a Beloved Life Companion, which has become my go-to book for sending to someone who has lost a spouse or family member. 
Learn more about Kathleen and her book 

We'll meet on the afternoon of Thursday, February 13th. Contribute your questions for Kathleen and sign up here. We'd love to have you join us! 

"Yes And 101" for Healthcare & Mental Health Care Visionaries
-- online, February 7, 2025, 1:00 - 2:30 pm Easter Time / noon to 1:30 pm Central Time / 10:00 to 11:30 am Pacific Time

These days, if you provide healthcare or are related helping professions, it's likely your team is struggling with stress, teamwork or (mis)communication.  The simple concept of "Yes, and" can help your team move toward a positive common purpose, Join medical improv expert Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP, for a fun and complimentary introduction to this powerful leadership tool. Learn more and register

Related blog posts
-- Can a sense of purpose mend a disagreement?
-- Balancing Task and Group Focus
-- Embracing life transitions

Our upcoming events, workshops and courses

Create buy-in by clearly stating your intentions

Here's a habit you can adopt to increase buy-in for whatever you are leading -- meetings, projects or otherwise.

Simply state your intended purpose in terms of something everyone cares about. 

For example:

• "In this presentation, I'll describe emerging challenges so that you can address them before they overtake you." 
• "We will teach you a simple set of questions that will help you support co-workers who are struggling with burnout." 
• "In this board retreat, I'm going to help you understand your roles as board members so you have better working relationships with your staff and volunteers."
• "I intend to teach you an efficient way of making decisions so that you can jump on those time-sensitive funding opportunities."

Explicitly stating your intentions creates a common purpose for the group, and it solidifies your role as the person who will lead them, whether you are in a formal leadership position or not.

The template is simple:
"[what you are going to do] so that [something all the hearers care about]." 

What the hearers care about could be money, time, reputation, status, appreciation, recognition, belonging, contributing ... anything! 

Aim for something everyone cares about and they will support how you'll lead them there.

For more on this tip, check out this video by Chad Littlefield. 

Want even more tips? Access Ten Tips to Foster Online Engagement.

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