Observations On An Important Day

Time to read: 35 seconds

Our democracy at work

As I thought about writing to you this week, I wasn't sure how I would feel or what I'd want to say. None of us in the US knew what would happen in our election, and clients and friends have been on pins and needles for the past few weeks.

I work as an election judge, and I want to tell you about it. I have no profound revelations or grand conclusions, and I do have a few observations and thoughts, in no particular order:

• 5:15 am sucks. And walking to the polling place so early in the morning is quiet, lovely and yesterday, foggy.
• We live near a small college. Students came out in droves to register and vote. They were nervous. Some even shook when they held their ballot for the first time. It was inspiring to see the next generation stepping in to take ownership of their future.
• In Minnesota, polling places must be staffed by people from all parties. We have no idea who is who, and we aren't allowed to and don't talk politics. We work side-by-side for 16 hours, following the precise rules to run an election and create a welcoming environment for every voter. We talk about our kids and share recipes. We share a commitment to the integrity of the process and respect for all voters.
• It's inspiring to see people's commitment to having their voice heard - coming back multiple times with the proper documentation, running in soaking wet from the rain, an autistic woman pushing past her fears to express what she needed to cast her ballot, elderly people with walkers.

We live in a complicated and flawed world. Spending all day looking at our nation from the small window of this polling place shows us at our best.

I hope this helps.

Reach out anytime. I always love to hear from you. Email me here

What To Do In a Tense Election?

Time to Read: Less than 1 minute.

The tool that is bringing me the most peace during this election. See why below.

Alert: If you're sick of the campaign, this email is not about politics but rather about powerful and aligned process intended to help you find peace during this election. Enjoy!

This election is hanging over life like a dark cloud. The division, the chaos, the misinformation….I hear from a lot of people that they wake up at night, fear the near future, and find that relationships with close family and friends, sometimes even spouses, are suffering across differences of opinion.

Can you relate?

Hearing these stories breaks my heart and for many months this summer and into early fall, I was at a loss about what to do. Of course, my work as a coach makes a difference and the way I raise my children matters. And as the election crept closer, I felt pulled to get involved. But how?

In 2018, I tried phone-banking. I HATED it. I was so angry at the process and the waste of my time that the poor young organizers doing the debrief were glad to see me go after all the "feedback" I offered. It wasn't pretty.

This year, one of my friends, who is like the angel on my shoulder, whispered over tea on my front steps, "try this" and introduced me to my new political home: deep canvassing.

Traditional political conversations involve facts and badgering and trying to convince others of your opinion. To me that process always feels intrusive, disrespectful, unwelcome, and disconnected. People feel used. I have felt used. (Insert feedback to young debriefer here.) As a result, we avoid uncomfortable conversations and feel progressively more distant, even from those we love most.

Deep canvassing involves everything that I know makes a difference in people's work and lives. The process requires you to:

• dig deep and be vulnerable
• manage your instinct to convince
• be curious and open
• listen
• connect

Deep canvassing starts from the premise that people matter. That their life experiences matter. That as the caller, you matter. And the belief that it is possible to reach across the divide to find that we have more in common than we think and to start to heal our nation.

(If you want to learn more about deep canvassing, here is an article from Rolling Stone and one from The Atlantic. There is also a fantastic podcast called "To See Each Other." In the first episode, you hear how a woman transformed from alienating her loved ones to healing her closest relationships.)

No matter who wins this election, the US needs healing to restore our union. In my humble opinion, the only way to do that is to listen to one another, bring empathy and curiosity, and become vulnerable for the sake of connection.

This email isn't about getting you on the phones for the last push of this election (although if you want to do that, you can sign up here.) It's about looking for the conversations you've been avoiding with family and friends. For the people you've stopped calling or who have stopped calling you. And to find a way to reach out to them. When you re-establish those connections in your personal life, they become part of the greater healing we so desperately need.

Deep canvassing gives me hope. It is helping me and many others get through this election cycle and anticipate the future with optimism.

I hope this is helpful. Please hit reply to this email and share what you think. I always love to hear from you.

Be well.

Christina

5 things I want you to know in these tough times

I've struggled with what to write this week. The news has been like drinking from a political firehose. It's hard to keep up.

I wanted to find a brilliant answer for you. A salve that would solve the pain in the world. I haven't found the shiny solution yet. If you spot it, will you let me know?

That said, I have uncovered some truths about Corporate Rebels that I'd like to share. My hope is that they give you hope.

1. Corporate Rebels understand that uncertainty is the only certainty. If you don't know where to put your attention or what to do in the current climate, you are not alone. You don't have to know your final destination in order to take action. (Just like your career.)
2. Corporate Rebels know that change is inevitable, and hard. We are in the midst of significant change. If you have lived through an acquisition, a divorce, or a relocation, you know that change is disruptive and anxiety-producing, even if it's change you wanted.
3. Corporate Rebels are complex thinkers. You see beyond either/or and us/them. You can hold complexity, even things you disagree with, in service of a larger vision. It is going to take creativity and innovation to navigate the divisiveness and pain. We need unique voices right now. Like yours.
4. Corporate Rebels know that how you show up is as important as what you do. Staying silent on important issues at work keeps people unhappy in their jobs. With everything that's going on in the world, it's important not to sit quietly on the sidelines. Some people will march (see the peace dove my children, husband, and I marched under in St. Paul), some write letters, others reach out with compassion to their Muslim neighbors, some pray. Do what you do best. Write. Bake. Reach out. Show up at work with kindness and love. You have tremendous power to make a difference with your gifts from where you are right now.
5. Corporate Rebels know that self care if crucial. In order to be involved in your community, to do your job well, to show up for your family, and to navigate the work that needs to be done, you have to take care of yourself. Maintaining your inner peace and health will ensure peace and health in your outer world, too.

As has been said many times, we're in uncharted waters. It would be lovely if there was a simple solution and a best action. There isn't. And, you have tremendous power to be what you wish to see in the world. Go be that.

With deep respect and love,

Christina