Hi there,
I’ve been in several conversations lately—both in coaching sessions and casual chats—where the same themes keep popping up: people feeling overwhelmed, leaders unsure how much to step in, and teams trying to do it all without burning out. It got me thinking about how much of our work isn’t just about making sure things get done —it’s about teaching people how to think about their work.
This email’s leadership insight and life reflection both come back to the same idea: sometimes we don’t need a full overhaul—we just need a little structure or a little shift.
Leadership: You’re Not Just Managing Tasks—You’re Shaping Thinking
Prioritization, organization, and delegation… oh my.
It’s easy to assume people arrive with these skills—but the truth is, in today’s world of auto-reminders and AI-generated everything, critical thinking and time-planning muscles aren’t getting the same workout they used to.
I was recently leading a session on these exact topics, and the group had a lightbulb moment: these aren’t completely personality traits—they’re teachable skills. That means as leaders, we’re not just assigning work. We’re often teaching people how to think about their work.
When I coach employees, one of my favorite questions to ask is:
“What’s on your list?”
Not what sounds impressive. Not what you think your boss wants to hear. Just the honest, unfiltered list.
Then I follow up with:
“What are the top three most important things?”
That moment—where someone starts to build their own logic for sorting, estimating, and planning—is powerful. I started my career as a project manager, and one of the most important parts of my job was estimating how long a task would take. It was tough at first, but with experience (and some trial and error), I got better. It was part planning, part experience.
Because it’s not just about managing tasks. It’s about shaping mindset, approach, and habits. And that’s no small thing.
If these skills aren’t intuitive yet? That’s not a flaw—it’s a flag. A sign it’s time to teach.
Got someone on your team who needs redirection or isn’t focused on what matters most? Try using those two questions above. They’re a great pulse check on whether someone knows what to work on—and how long it should take. Let them talk first, you can always add or remove things from their list (be sure to tell them why).
Life: A Change of Scenery (and Why I Work Out of Coffee Shops)
There have been seasons in my life where I’ve felt stuck—mentally, emotionally, creatively. One of my friends once told me that when she feels that way, she just goes and sits in the grass. Though it’s not exactly true, I always picture her with no blanket, no setup—just plopping down right there in the yard to think (what do her neighbors think, ha!).
It made me smile… and it stuck with me.
Because sometimes, what we need is a change of scenery. It doesn’t have to be a full-on vacation. Sometimes it’s as simple as a walk around the block, lunch eaten in a new spot, working in a different room, or dinner on the living room floor. It can be five minutes or an afternoon.
Here’s what’s on my (very real, very chicken-scratched) summer scenery list so far:
- A weekend of camping
- Lunchtime walks around the pond (12 mins door to door)
- Time at the beach (one nearby, one farther away!)
- Live music
- Two half-days working from a coffee shop (the energy there is instant motivation)
- A picnic with the family
As the weather warms up—at least in my part of the world—maybe this is your sign too: crack a window, step outside, take your laptop to a new spot. Let a little fresh air in.
Sometimes, that’s all it takes to get unstuck.
Out there happening to the world,
Lisa
P.S. Hit reply anytime to share your stories, ask questions, or celebrate your latest win—I’d love to hear from you!