Bridge To a Better Way

This has been a week I'll carry with me for a long time. Vulnerability is an easy word to say these days…how much more challenging it is bringing it to life publicly. Thank you, Rita for creating a space where personal stories like these can be shared.

To everyone who joined us live on April 28: thank you. Your presence, your comments, your willingness to be in that room made the energy of the conversation feel safe.

And to everyone who has listened, shared, or reached out since: thank you. Every text message I received since has meant more than I can say.

If you're just finding this conversation now, my episode of “The Story I'm Telling Myself” with Rita Ernst is now available on all podcast platforms. It's about what happens when the life you worked so hard to build falls apart and you’re asked you to question everything; and then… what's possible when you finally say yes to that invitation.

One thing I shared that I hope stays with you: forgiveness is for you. Not for anyone else. It is one of the most powerful acts of self-care available to us - and perhaps one of the least talked about in leadership spaces.

Rita has created a space for the conversations about what makes us human and yes, they need to be had, especially now while the world as we‘ve known it is being disrupted on so many fronts. As AI becomes and ever-increasing part of daily life, I believe that only by returning to what makes us human can we create a world in which technology supports human flourishing. Please give a listen to her podcast and give it a 5-star rating if you can.

And if you want to learn more about my work, I created a free PDF workbook that walks through each pillar of my framework for self-care, born in the aftermath of my life’s collapse. The BLISS 7-Day Jumpstart workbook walks you through each pillar of the BLISS™ framework with one small, nourishing practice per day that takes just 5-7 minutes. No overwhelm. Just a place to start.

You can download it at 7dayjumpstart.blissselfcare.com

Authentic self-care promotes leadership excellence. It starts with knowing yourself deeply.

It's live. 🎙️🌿

My episode of The Story I'm Telling Myself is out now — and I'm so grateful to Rita Ernst and her audience for making space for this conversation.

We talked about a lot of things. But the moment that has stayed with me most is a simple ancient proverb:

"Let go or be dragged."

For so long, I was being dragged — by stories I hadn't chosen, identities I hadn't questioned, and choices I had quietly given away. The work of reclaiming those choices is what led me to BLISS™ — and to the work I do with leaders today.

If any part of this resonates, come listen. And if you were in the live room with us on Tuesday — thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Link below. 🌿

Today at 11:30 AM ET — I'm going LIVE. 🌿

The Story I'm Telling Myself with

This is a real conversation. No script. No performance.

Just the truth about what it takes to stop running on empty — and start leading from a fuller place.

Join the room. Bring your questions. See you there.

- Gerri

Link in comments.

If you work in a global company, you have likely been part of at least one conversation involving the idea that diverse perspectives in teams can spark greater creativity and innovation. That being open to outside ideas, bringing a mix of backgrounds and perspectives into the mix can help to challenge the status quo and be a launching pad for the next great initiative to move the company towards it vision.

But there is a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from leading diverse teams.

It's the fatigue that can come as a result of holding many worlds at once.

Consider this for a moment.

Different communication styles.

Different relationships to authority.

Different expectations of what a "good leader" looks, sounds, and feels like.

The leaders who do this well are highly skilled. They translate. They act as the bridge between different paradigms. They hold space for individuals to feel seen, understood and valued. They recognize when they can sometimes get in the way of keeping the space safe for others to speak up.

And, without even realizing it themselves, they can sometimes be the most depleted people in the room.

Because empathy across cultures requires more than skill. It requires energy. Sustained mental and emotional energy. And if that energy isn't replenished — it runs out.

This is not a weakness. It's biology.

Those I work with who lead diverse, cross-cultural teams are often the go-to person for mentoring and advice at work.

They generously show care for those who comes to them. But they don't often know how to care for themselves in the same way.

That's exactly where we start.

If you lead a multicultural or globally diverse team — I'd love to connect.

What's the part no one talks about? Feel free to DM and we'll talk. These are the conversations I love having.