Category: blog

Joy and the Art of Intentional Spontaneity

by Beth Williams, Executive Director for Human Resources, University of Mary Washington “Hey, I know it’s super last minute, but …”   Thus began a text I received one morning at work a few weeks ago.  A friend of mine was extending an invitation to see a band from the 80’s – my high school days […]

Leadership with Emotional Intelligence

by Susan Spears, President and CEO, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce  Effective leadership is not just about making decisions and delegating tasks; it is also about understanding the emotions of oneself and others. Emotional intelligence is the ability to do just that. It involves being self-aware and able to manage one’s own emotions while at […]

The Heat Is On

by Veronica Curry, Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Germanna Community College As we are now well into the summer months, we can certainly say, The Heat is On. Summer brings a lot of energy and excitement and makes me think of Glenn Frey’s song, The Heat is On. Summer is no doubt the […]

Embracing Diversity Makes Us All Better  

by Shavonne R. Shorter, Ph.D. Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer; Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Digital Studies at the University of Mary Washington   Want the secret to living a full and fulfilling life? My advice is to take every opportunity available to understand, appreciate, and celebrate diversity in […]

Fuel or Fire

By Devin Fedor, Head of Organizational Design and Effectiveness at Great Minds  Feedback is always a hot topic.  How do I get more?  What do I do with it?  What if I disagree or don’t like what I hear?  We are wired to want feedback, yet both the acts of giving and receiving feedback can […]

Change is Coming! Spring Into Your New Season

By Susan Coleman, Director of Marketing & Communications for HCA Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center I love the saying, “This too shall pass.”  It is an indicator that there is a season of change coming, and if I am in rough spot, it will not last forever.  But what if I like where I am?

Enhancing Organization with Proper Planning

by Brittany McBride, CFP, Financial Advisor at Cary Street Partners Many years ago, I remember going shopping for school supplies in preparation for my first year in college at Mary Washington. One of the items I added to the cart was my very first day planner. I didn’t know at the time that I would […]

Set Your Bar High and Chase After It!

by Ginni Matern, President and Founder of Matern Staffing A New Year always encourages resolutions and new goals to obtain. By setting the bar high from the beginning you’ll ensure personal and professional growth, prepare your team (and peers) for success, and maximize opportunities. To help yourself in setting an elevated level of expectation, reflect […]

Revel

By Devin Fedor, Head of Organizational Design and Effectiveness at Great Minds December arrives with a whirlwind of emotions and activities.  Some celebratory, some reflective, and some overwhelming.  In between all the hustle and bustle, we often find ourselves longing for time to count our blessings, take stock of the months behind us, and prepare […]

Being There Even When It Is Hard

by Susan Spears, President and CEO, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce “Hi! How are you?” We say, politely, when we meet someone. Instinctively they respond, “I’m good! How are you?” When honestly on most days, nothing could be further from the truth. No matter what kind of day we are having, now is the time for […]