The best of times, the worst of times

The practices taken up during tough times can be adapted and continued into a period of recovery

 
Recall a time you were on the motorway, driving from destination A to destination B. You know both places well, and often travel between them. The road is familiar, and since your purpose is merely travelling from one familiar place to another, the scenery has never been memorable. At one point during your journey, you look consciously at the passing landscape and seem to wake up, and noting where you are, remark to yourself, “Wow, I’ve traveled so far. I don’t even recall passing the Aldi.” Fearful that you have been asleep at the wheel with your eyes open, you reposition yourself in your seat, physically and mentally shaking yourself out of auto pilot. You’re almost there.

Leila Bulling Towne

Leila Bulling Towne is an executive coach who specialises in helping leaders decide what to say and how to say it. She coaches leaders to speak with authority and authenticity, whether they are communicating to employees, the board, or customers. Bulling Towne graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with an AB in English and German. She received her MA in English from The Claremont Graduate School at The Claremont Colleges.