Prepare for an Emergency Landing

4 bells - a signal that I had to go immediately to the airplane cockpit. I entered and saw the flight engineer's face. He looked like he'd just seen his life flash before him. As I sat in the jumpseat behind the Captain, he told me there was a "problem with the flaps." Since I was #1 Flight Attendant, my role was to tell the cabin crew and then lead them in by-the-book procedures. I made all of the prerequisite announcements to the passengers so the flight attendants could prepare them and the aircraft cabin for an emergency landing at JFK. 

Leadership Attitude 

I'm what you would call a natural leader. It's in my DNA. I even went to college on a 4-year leadership scholarship. Why do I tell you this? So you'll understand that being a leader in this airplane emergency was the best role for me. My leadership reflexes and instincts directed passengers to remain calm. When a flight attendant working her first trip expressed fear, I reminded her that she had just passed rigorous emergency training and FAA certification. She would just put into practice what she had learned. It never occurred to me to think negatively about the situation. Instead, I was fully present - focused on making sure everything was ready for the safest possible evacuation of passengers and cabin crew.

Attitude is a Choice

What worked for me in that emergency at altitude can be practiced wherever you are. 

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Philosophy of Stretching

Last week I made a number of business decisions that required me to stretch outside my comfort zone. Since travel inspires me, this huge fan palm tree (Volcano Lodge), reminded me to focus on the beauty of opening up to sunny growth opportunities beyond my control. Today while listening to an expert interview, I realized my bold actions were essential in a much richer context. That is...When you think you can't, you must. Not for what you'll get, but for who you will become.

Coaching Question

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In Celebration of Spring Equinox 

One of my dearest friends and close coaching colleagues, Obejoyful Lynd, shared with me 6 provocative questions. I have nicknamed her the "Queen of Questions" because she routinely asks delicious and inviting questions.

Here are 2 of her spring equinox questions that I am pondering:

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Spring Forward 

With the arrival of spring equinox it's not uncommon for us to feel like it's time to literally spring into action. The challenge? Hidden beliefs, feelings and frustrations stand between us and what we say we want to do.

One creative approach to resolving this dilemma comes from one of my clients. She wrote a list of the "Top Ten Things That Get Between Us and What We Really Want." After emailing me her list, she was genuinely ready to get back to work on her ambitious goals.

What Gets Between Us and What We Really Want

5 Concerns of Smart Women - From a Client's Top 10 List 

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Client Wisdom...

Today a client who has run more than a dozen marathons talked about her most recent and life altering "aha" moments. She said for years she was only destination-oriented.  This marathon mindset shaped her approach to work and the rest of her life. Her racing mantra was: "Let me get there. Let me get back. What I experience in-between is just a blur."

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Her experience is not uncommon for super-achievers. Most may not run physical marathons, but the pace they keep is akin to a long distance race to the finish.

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