Given the current situation with the coronavirus, we wanted to write to you, our loyal Fierce community, to offer clarity and most importantly, reassurance during this uncertain time. Because we are a Seattle-based company, we understand the concerns and fear that many have been feeling since this situation began.

Please be assured that, as a global company, we are closely monitoring the continuous developments related to the virus, including reports and travel advisories from the World Health Organization, the CDC, and other global public health authorities. Fierce’s top priority is the health and wellbeing of you, our employees, and our communities. We remain committed to being your partner every step of the way as we navigate this situation together.

We want you to know that you have the ability to try our virtual training options. We are able to host VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR-LED WORKSHOPS or you can become certified to virtually train Fierce at your organization. We are currently working on some items behind the scene, so stay tuned for updates!

Rest assured that our virtual training options are optimized to provide your employees with the same high-touch, interactive and engaging experience as our in-person workshops. In uncertain times like these, knowing how to have skillful conversations could not be more critical.

If you have questions or concerns throughout this evolving situation, please reach out to your Fierce representative, or contact us at INFO@FIERCEINC.COM.

We remain optimistic about the future and believe we will get through this together, one conversation at a time.

How We’re Getting Through This Together

• Our Seattle office is closed.
• All Fierce employees have been working remotely since March 5 and will continue to do so until at least March 26th as we actively monitor the evolving situation.
• We have been taking advantage of the same technologies we use in our office to stay connected: Zoom, Adobe Connect, email, Microsoft Teams, etc.
• We are encouraging quick Zoom calls (with video) so keep-up engagement with one another. We want to keep having the conversations that matter and reduce working in isolation.
• We quickly scheduled a company-wide Zoom meeting where our CEO and founder expressed her appreciation, our president talked about next-steps and strategy, and each of our senior leaders discussed where things stand with their teams.
• Our Culture Committee (an amazing group of individuals who, in addition to their day-to-day roles are committed to strengthening our collective culture) has scheduled a number of creative 30-minute get-togethers that are happening yet this week and beyond. They are focused on how we continue to have fun together, see each other, and have the kind of informal, in-the-moment conversations that make all the difference.
• Most importantly, we are providing ongoing opportunities for team members to talk with leaders about what they need to be successful and how to best serve our clients in this space and time.

Tags: #COVID-19, #Fierce News

The post We’re in This Together: A Message on COVID-19 appeared first on Fierce.

In last month’s newsletter I wrote: “If you want to become a great leader, gain the capacity to connect with colleagues and customers – at a deep level – or lower your aim.”  Kent, a reader, asked, “What is the Fierce definition of human connectivity?”

I don’t have an official definition for human connectivity, but I know it when I experience it and I imagine you do too.

Certainly human connectivity occurs one wonderfully fierce conversation at a time. And we all know what a fierce conversation is, right? It’s one in which you and I come out from behind ourselves, into the conversation, and make it real. You may have noticed that connection occurs most often during moments of honesty and vulnerability. There is something deep within us that responds to those who level with us, who don’t suggest our compromises for us. And it goes both ways. You and I won’t be connected if only one of us is willing to disclose our real thoughts and emotions. You and I won’t experience connectivity if we are only willing to be “real” on rare occasions. Connectivity doesn’t happen when we yawn and text message our way through a succession of meetings. It doesn’t happen when we become anesthetized or tune out. Connectivity requires persistent identity. It requires intimacy, vulnerability and radical transparency, which scares most people half to death. To keep it simple, human connectivity requires that we…

Tell the truth. Tell the truth.  Tell the truth…

…to ourselves and others, with good intent. When you and I or a dozen people sitting around a table tell the truth as much as we can, when we speak directly to the heart of the issue at hand, when we see past the surface and into each other, we will connect, in part because we recognize that we are more similar than different. And when we practice human connectivity, we reap the rewards that come with it. For businesses, human connectivity with colleagues and customers is the next frontier for exponential growth, the only sustainable competitive edge. For individuals, well, let me just say that for many years, I have invested in connection, at a deep level, with clients and friends around the world. The return has been spectacular.

Tags: #Dishonesty, #Lack Of Transparency

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