Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc.

This week, Sarah Noll Wilson and Teresa Peterson, EdD officially sat down to celebrate the launch of the Don't Feed the Elephants! Workbook (a stand-alone companion to the bestselling Don't Feed the Elephants!) by sharing insights about avoidance, how to navigate difficult conversations,* and so much more. A few takeaways that we hope might help regulate the heat, from our hearts to yours: 💡 Overcoming avoidance and having an uncomfortable conversation is easy in theory but takes courage and vulnerability in practice. We can come out on the other side of those conversations (even very challenging ones) with more understanding of ourselves, others, and our relationships. 💡 We don't create connection or do our best work with sterile, emotionless conversations. Freeing elephants is about stepping into the idea of creation, into the messiness of real people with real feelings and ideas coming together to talk about something tricky and trying to leave it better than where it started. You might come away a little bruised, but you'll have gotten to a different place than where you started. 💡 Pay attention to power dynamics. If you're avoiding, ask yourself why. Are you protecting your power or your proximity to power? Who around you feels safe to speak up, and who do you listen to? Who are you open to feedback or points of disagreement from? If you're like are like most humans, you are going to resonate with people who look like you, sound like you, and share your values. Getting stuck there has real consequences. 💡 We know from the Gottman Institute that the first three minutes of a conversation set the tone, so prepare a thoughtful opening statement. This is truly a gift to the person/the people on the other side of the conversation because your clarity . . . even if it's not what they're hoping to hear . . . is valuable. Opening statements keep conversations from drifting into "kitchen sink" territory. *While this is a workbook to help you have the conversations you are avoiding, we don't think that's always the best option. It is important to note that in some situations, consciously avoiding is perfectly viable and sometimes necessary. Trust yourself, and take good care. For more insights and tools, including specific tips and sample language for how to craft an opening statement, download your copy of the Don't Feed the Elephants! Workbook at www.theleadercampus.com. There, you can also find out how to be part of our book study starting in January!

When it comes to overcoming avoidance and having tough conversations, preparation matters. On this special episode of Conversations on Conversations, Sarah Noll Wilson and Teresa Peterson, EdD celebrate the release of their new workbook--the Don't Feed the Elephants! Workbook--and discuss, among other things, the importance of that preparation. As Teresa said: "[Preparation] still doesn't mean it's comfortable. Thoughtfully doesn't mean perfect. Thoughtfully doesn't mean without discomfort or nerves or risk or emotion. We're talking about showing up with intention." Listen or read the transcript here: https://lnkd.in/gR_yxUWR GET YOUR COPY of the workbook at www.theleadercampus.com

"When I think of civility, I think of it from the humanness lens--our responsibility, our ethical leadership practices, our civil responsibilities, how we engage and interact with other people. If you thrive, I thrive. If I thrive, you thrive. It's kind of like a garden---a living, breathing organism, not a machine . . . all working together." -Tiana Sanchez, in conversation with Sarah Noll Wilson on last week's podcast episode of Conversations on Conversations Listen (or read the transcript) here: https://lnkd.in/gDjpPXWN

This Wednesday on the Conversations on Conversations podcast, Sarah Noll Wilson and Teresa Peterson, EdD explore fresh insights and perspectives on the challenges of starting tough conversations. You'll hear about overcoming avoidance, crafting impactful opening statements that set the tone for honest dialogue, and so much more. This episode is extra impactful and actionable. See you then, Friends. In the meantime and always, take good care of yourselves and each other.

"When I started this journey in 2008, I didn't fully grasp the impact that freeing elephants could have on relationships, teams, and culture. I only knew I didn't like how avoidance felt, whether I was witnessing it, being on the receiving end, or avoiding myself. I knew what was possible from literature, but never experienced it directly. Over the past decade of making the conscious effort to "walk the talk"—with my team, family, close friends and helping our clients do the same, I see now that even more is possible than I first imagined." Hear more from Sarah on the ways this work has evolved since the first book was released. A short read, a lot of perspective, some pre-election-day fresh air for you: https://lnkd.in/gyNA7Daj

"One of my biggest realizations this year has been just how critical it is to repair the moments that miss the mark. We all have those regrettable moments—the times we say the wrong thing, act out of turn, or simply fail to show up the way we intended. And while it can feel easier to move on or hope the other person will forget, these little moments have a way of accumulating, slowly eroding trust until the distance between us feels bigger than it should." Read more reflections from Sarah--three things we've learned about elephants, three years after writing the first book--on the blog: https://lnkd.in/gyNA7Daj BONUS: If you've been practicing along with us, what have you discovered about freeing elephants in your own relationships?

"Being right oftentimes means being unpopular. Doing the right thing often means being unpopular. You have to stand on principle and not stand on popularity." -Tiana Sanchez, in conversation with Sarah Noll Wilson, talking about the role of consistency and integrity in leadership (including how to actually center equity) So many nuggets of wisdom for you, Friends. Catch the whole conversation here: https://lnkd.in/gDjpPXWN

Been feeling the heat turned up lately? You're not alone. We have, too . . . and we want to help. There's nothing spooky about learning how to better navigate and overcome avoidance as we work toward having better conversations. The NEW Don't Feed the Elephants! Workbook is specifically designed to help in those moments. It's full of practical advice and prompts for reflection that pave the way for more growth and connection. Get your digital copy today at www.TheLeaderCampus.com!

This week on the Conversations on Conversations podcast, join Sarah Noll Wilson and guest Tiana Sanchez as they examine the role of consistency and integrity in leadership, with real talk on how organizations can truly uphold commitments to diversity and inclusion. https://lnkd.in/gDjpPXWN

In case you missed it: Don't miss Sarah Noll Wilson and Shanté Gordon, ACC, CPC, ELI-MP exploring the importance of proactive resourcing, community, and living with authenticity to prevent and navigate burnout. An quick listen, or a quick read of the transcript, can change your outlook and help provide some support, especially in stressful times. https://lnkd.in/eki6yDx6