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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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?

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

by Kimberly Young, Communications and Community Engagement Specialist, Caroline County Public Schools How do you feel about journaling?  I have attempted it numerous times over the years because people talk about how great it is and I am a sucker for a beautiful journal!  However, I found that if I read something I had written […]