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Published
Sep. 5, 2024
Building True Leadership: Courage and Vulnerability in High-Stakes Spaces
Photo by Mapbox on Unsplash
True leadership goes beyond strategy and position—it’s about fostering spaces where people feel emotionally and mentally safe enough to do the hard, transformative work. True leadership embraces both courage and vulnerability.
I have been involved in several leadership programs throughout the…
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Published
Jul. 16, 2024
Leadership Lessons from Parenting Through an Eating Disorder
I wrote this blog about leadership and eating disorders as a way to connect my current work here at Anavah Consulting LLC to my latest venture. This week, my daughter and I released our book Grapevine: A Mother and Daughter’s Tangled Journey Through an Eating Disorder. There are so many… read more →
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Published
May. 3, 2024
Thriving Communities: Three Strategies to Combat Burnout in Conservation
I aim to support conservation efforts without dwelling on burnout, a term that, though valid, is often overused. The burnout discourse tends to spotlight individuals rather than address systemic workplace issues. Recognizing the widespread experience of burnout, I advocate for a shift toward fostering thriving communities. Drawing from anecdotal research,… read more →
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Published
Apr. 4, 2024
Embracing Reciprocity with Nature
Recently, my reflections have centered on the powerful concept of reciprocity—defined as the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit. This principle holds profound significance, especially when considering our relationship with the Earth. It’s an acknowledgment that, as a society, we often take more from our environment than… read more →
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Published
Mar. 4, 2024
Emotional Inclusion: Breaking Stigmas, Fostering Authenticity
My partner Jyo and I are working on a program for early career professionals. During our early design conversations, emotional intelligence came up. The way I was taught about emotional intelligence felt too heady to me, and I mentioned that I think we should shift to talking about emotional inclusion.… read more →
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Published
Feb. 4, 2024
Elevate Your Leadership Essence
I completed an assignment as a part of a current project that required us to ask people in our trusted circle this question; If you could extract one thing from me and plug it into your life to improve it, what would it be? I believe it gets to my… read more →
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Published
Oct. 30, 2023
Dr. Little Bear's Wisdom: Challenging the Notion of Objectivity
To be objective means to not be influenced or based on personal preference or bias. And yet everything we do is influenced by our experiences and beliefs. So, is there really such a thing as being objective?
In September, I attended the opening plenary of the Association of Fish… read more →
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Published
Sep. 18, 2023
What is the conservation field I want to be a part of? Healing Engagement
As I take a healing lens to my work, I am imagining the future of conservation. I believe we can bring more healing to our field by incorporating a new mindset, practices, and relationships into our work.
Previously, I described three elements of a healthy mindset:
curiosity inclusivity benefitsThen,… read more →
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Published
Aug. 26, 2023
What is the conservation field I want to be a part of? Healing Practices
As I take a healing lens to my work, I am imagining the future of conservation. I believe we can bring more healing to our field by incorporating a new mindset, practices, and relationships into our work.
In my previous post, I described three elements of a healthy mindset:… read more →
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Published
Aug. 10, 2023
What Is The Conservation Field I Want To Be A Part Of? Healthy Mindset
I’ve worked in the field of conservation my entire career. I started in several biologist positions with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before moving to the archery industry and then building my own business. Over time, I noticed a gap in our field. Specifically, I (and others) long for… read more →
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Published
Jun. 8, 2023
Why Counselors and Conservationists Cannot Ignore Ecogrief
In her essay, “The Ecology of Grief”, grief counselor Phyllis Windle includes a section entitled The Grief of Ecologists (Windle. P., 1992). She writes, “Ecologists are both blessed and cursed in seeing natural systems clearly. We see what is there and also what is gone…Our external as well as our… read more →
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Published
Mar. 17, 2023
Reflection Deficit Disorder?
Last year, in an effort to be more reflective about what I am learning and how I am growing, I committed to 52 weekly wisdom posts on LinkedIn. Doing so made a huge difference in what I remember from all the webinars I’ve attended as a participant or facilitated… read more →
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Published
Jan. 19, 2023
Taking a Lens of Well-being to Work
In October of last year, the US Surgeon General issued their Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being. The framework makes sense to me because I desire to see workplaces that thrive (go beyond well-being). To move toward a thriving workplace, organizations must apply the lens of well-being.… read more →
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Published
Aug. 5, 2022
Wildlife and Wellness
I am so proud of one of my professional organizations, The Wildlife Society (TWS), for drawing awareness to the issue of wellness these past few years. My first exposure to the topic was at the Minnesota Chapter of TWS’s annual meeting in February 2019. In a session… read more →
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Published
Jun. 28, 2022
The Beauty of Needs
At a recent training, I was prompted to reflect on the question, “What is the beauty of needs?” I am sharing my reflections with you in this blog and encourage you to answer the question for yourself.
When I think of needs, I think that beauty is in the meeting.… read more →
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Published
Mar. 26, 2022
Reflections on Inclusion
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
Early in my journey to develop a series on inclusion, I was asked by a prominent figure what data would be collected to prove the effort successful. As a wildlife biologist and scientist, I appreciate data. While in the archery industry,…
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Published
Mar. 25, 2022
Feedback - Take it or Leave it?
As a facilitator of workshops, most of which deeply affects people’s psyche and challenge the status quo, I am walking into a dangerous arena. As a result, I expect to hear difficult feedback. In fact, I desire feedback that catches a blind spot, corrects information, or introduces me to… read more →
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Published
Mar. 15, 2022
New Workshops Available
Over the past year or so, I have been slowly adding workshops and partners. I will be working to revamp my website to include this information on my workshops page. Until then, here is a list of new workshops available.
We are working to connect and reconnect to self,… read more →
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Published
Mar. 1, 2022
The Dangers of Nature Rx (nature prescription)
Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash
I am working hard to transform human relationships with nature, including my own. As I continue to learn and grow, I encounter other individuals and efforts doing similar work. One that comes up often is the Nature Rx movement. I believe it…
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Published
Jan. 29, 2022
Meritocracy and Worthiness in Conservation
Who is worthy of leading the work in conservation? I have pondered this question since hearing a presentation about the myth of meritocracy by Edward Dugger III as part of the Center for Purposeful Leadership’s Essential Conversations series. This topic resonated with me because I have felt my own… read more →
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Published
Dec. 31, 2021
Five lessons learned while building a small service business
I cannot believe my company is celebrating five years this month. When I first started, I was apprehensive about pulling it off. I hate marketing myself and have a fear of rejection. Both marketing and getting used to “no” are required for a successful business. I still struggle… read more →
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Published
Nov. 20, 2021
Shame's Harmful Hold: How I Unpacked Mine
I hope sharing my story will help me further process my own shame and encourage others to unpack theirs. Join me in uncovering and moving forward. read more → -
Published
Sep. 10, 2021
Energy for Leadership
Paying attention to my energy and responding appropriately helps me bring my gifts to others with grace and humility. read more → -
Published
Jun. 14, 2021
Presence to Advocacy: A 5-step Process for Being with Nature
I developed a 5-step process for growing in our relationship with Earth and being WITH nature, based on workshops from the past two years. read more → -
Published
Apr. 30, 2021
Seven Habits to Stay Grounded and Hopeful
As I take stock of the wellness practices that help keep me energized, here are seven habits that I am cultivating to stay grounded and hopeful. read more → -
Published
Mar. 6, 2021
Inclusion starts with "I"
I have been working on The Power of Inclusion; a series of workshops with a partial base from the book Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging to Build Innovative Teams. This is a reflection of my "I" work. read more → -
Published
Jan. 27, 2021
Workshop Expectations and Learning
Workshop expectations for participants read more → -
Published
Jan. 12, 2021
The Art of Meeting Outdoors: Part 2
I continue to unpack the sentence, “let’s meet them where they are.” read more → -
Published
Jan. 3, 2021
The Art of Meeting Outdoors: Part 1
What if instead of "how do we meet them where they are?", we asked; "how do we meet people?" read more → -
Published
Dec. 29, 2020
Connection 2020
As I reflect on 2020, I’ve realized how much connection really mattered. read more → -
Published
Dec. 10, 2020
Five Reflections on Gratitude and Grateful Living
Inspired by Super Soul Sunday and Oprah's interview with David Steindl-Rast and the topic of grateful living. read more → -
Published
Nov. 25, 2020
Team Wellness in Times of Uncertainty: Part 3
Two questions came up during a recent Team Wellness workshop session. read more → -
Published
Nov. 9, 2020
Team Wellness in Times of Uncertainty: Part 2
Part 2 of my Team Wellness series focuses on the antidotes to burnout and COVID overwhelm. read more → -
Published
Nov. 2, 2020
Team Wellness in Times of Uncertainty: Part 1
Use this first of two posts as a way to talk to your team about wellness and how you want to be with each other during these times of change and challenge. read more → -
Published
May. 21, 2020
How to Find Gratitude in Nature
Gratitude is the antidote to struggle and fear. Fear puts the brain into fight, flight, or freeze mode. When I am grateful, I feel like I am more in right, might, and be mode. read more → -
Published
Apr. 4, 2020
Not just one of the girls
Recently, a male CEO referenced his female staff as “the girls”. At the moment, I didn’t address the micro-aggression. I’ve reflected end decided to use this blog as an opportunity to unpack what happened and what I wish I had done differently. read more → -
Published
Feb. 18, 2020
Connect: It's what I do
Because my background is varied, I often am asked, “What do you do now?” The short answer is; I help people connect to themselves, to others and to Earth. read more → -
Published
Feb. 5, 2020
Connecting to the Outdoors: Lessons from Roundtable
We need outdoor connections because they are critical in creating stewards for tomorrow, outdoor communities across the state and health and wellbeing for everyone. read more → -
Published
Dec. 19, 2019
Renewed by Nature
We are all a part of nature, whether we care to see it or not. read more → -
Published
Dec. 5, 2019
Raising with Resilience
Resilence is key to recovering from adversity. read more → -
Published
Nov. 15, 2019
Gemeinschaftsgefühl: Building Community in the Workplace
The building of community around purpose in the workplace is a difficult and rare feat but is possible. read more → -
Published
Jul. 3, 2019
Fighting for Personal Freedom
This year’s freedom topic focused on personal and spiritual freedom. read more → -
Published
Jul. 3, 2019
Wellness Free Forum July 2018
Living Free was the theme of last year's forum. read more → -
Published
May. 14, 2019
Go Beyond the “I Don’t Know”
There is both power and danger to saying those three little words; “I don’t know”. Here’s a quick summary of the good and bad of saying this phrase. read more → -
Published
Mar. 29, 2019
Inviting Imperfection
Let’s focus on the desire to live. I worry that a focus on suicide prevention leads to more suicide when unbalanced with the need to prevent perfectionism. I will provide a 3-step process to revise your thinking about perfection. read more → -
Published
Mar. 5, 2019
Cultivating Conversation
It’s only been within fairly recent history that women have a say in how the farm is being managed. This change is a good thing and requires a major adjustment in communication. read more → -
Published
Dec. 21, 2018
No real darkness in nature
I love when I can bring nature and its benefits into a conversation. As a budding Ecopsychologist, I’m finding it pretty easy to incorporate my love of the outdoors into every conversation, especially when it has to do with living well. In preparation for a Wellness Forum on Lightness… read more →
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Published
Dec. 18, 2018
Successful workplaces want you to give a f***
Emotions affect how humans operate and inspire every action. Using specific examples, this post will unpack why withholding emotions could be holding progress back. read more → -
Published
Jul. 31, 2018
Closing a Meeting with Energy and Commitment
When leaders aren't closing a meeting by reviewing accomplishments, addressing feelings and committing to next actions, meetings don't succeed. read more → -
Published
Jul. 16, 2018
A Professional Hunter in Africa - What's That Gig Like?
Professional Hunter, a title some hunters assume due to their hunting prowess and success. But, it’s an earned title in Africa. On my recent 10-day hunt in South Africa, I meet some wonderful professional hunters – or “PH” as they’re called. A PH is required to accompany every foreign hunter there. read more → -
Published
Jul. 3, 2018
Leading Meetings: A Plan for Success
Please, not another meeting! Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash
“Wasted time”, “Redundant”, “Nothing is accomplished” and “No clear purpose;” these phrases appeared on sticky notes after I’d asked participants to post a meeting complaint. The question was asked as a part of a facilitation training I conducted…
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Published
Jun. 7, 2018
The Sounds (and Squirms) of Summer
We are bonded by those special things in nature that each group enjoys. For our summer neighborhood, it is sunshine, the lake, the neighborhood lawn and yummy fish (caught with a few extra special worms). read more → -
Published
May. 25, 2018
Customers: Knowing is Growing
Not knowing customers is messy business. Photo by Phad Pichetbovornkul on Unsplash
You may be thinking; “Of course you know your customers or you wouldn’t be in business.” Now, if your business is consistently growing, you could be right. If growth isn’t happening, let me share some advice.…
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Published
Apr. 13, 2018
Stress and Success: A Conflict Primer
Prior to acting on a conflict, understand the basics of conflict and stress. Here are three pre-requisites to approaching conflict and why good facilitation of conflict matters. read more → -
Published
Apr. 6, 2018
Hunting for a New Perspective
A women-centered authentic hunting movie that even the non-hunter will appreciate. It's a story that is long overdue in the telling. read more → -
Published
Mar. 23, 2018
Better meetings ahead
Well-planned and well-facilitated meetings give energy and clarity. My most successful meetings have been where I’ve spent nearly as much time in planning as in the meeting itself. Positive meeting outcomes are achieved because of preparation and maintaining meeting tempo. read more → -
Published
Mar. 15, 2018
Carrots: Good for Your Eyes; Not Your Employee Motivation
Do you ever ask yourself, “Why can’t I get my staff to [fill in the blank]? I used to be able to get them to do things fairly easily but now it’s so exhausting.” Consider that you might be practicing the “carrot and stick” method of motivation and influence. read more → -
Published
Mar. 11, 2018
What It Takes to be a Great Mentor: Part 2
n Part 1 of my two-part series on what makes a good hunting mentor, I covered the need to discuss expectations, develop a relationship, positivity, and safety. Today, I’ll cover three more important aspects of mentorship if you are to succeed in becoming a great mentor to new people finding this challenging, yet exciting and healthy activity. read more → -
Published
Mar. 7, 2018
Evolve to Become Your Best Business
Your typical customer of today will not be your typical customer of tomorrow in who they are or how they behave. Avoiding this reality will do you no good. But, it might give your competitors an advantage over you. read more → -
Published
Feb. 28, 2018
What It Takes to be a Great Mentor: Part 1
A majority of hunters grow up “learning by osmosis”. I like to say; experiencing it throughout childhood with an experienced adult. For those of us without the fortune to grow up in such fashion, we have to find other options. This could be self-learning or guided learning, i.e. mentors. Here are the first four ways to become a great mentor. read more → -
Published
Feb. 20, 2018
Why is Mister Cool's Cool?
How does a small, Main Street business compete for customers in our online, ever-connected and exaggeratedly competitive world? Every business needs to evolve with the times; so the answer isn’t easy but it is fairly simple. Let me use a recent suit purchase at my local men’s clothing store, … read more →
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Published
Feb. 14, 2018
Make Anavah Your Compass
Original post appeared on LinkedIn September 18, 2017. Photo credit: Josh Bis on Flickr.
People frequently ask me the meaning behind the name “Anavah Consulting,” and I address this question here because the answer reveals my approach to business. I found the word “Anavah” while reading one…
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Published
Feb. 6, 2018
What does customer experience have to do with the outdoors? Everything!
Credit: Shane Indrebo
If you haven’t quite figured it out yet, we live in what some call “The Experience Economy.” Read the book with the same name, written by Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore and see if you agree. Then, just take a look around. Escape…
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Published
Dec. 20, 2017
Plan now for a successful 2018
Working with small business for over fifteen years, I’ve seen the high level of resistance to planning. With so many day-to-day tasks to complete, taking time to plan ahead can be a daunting – seemingly impossible – idea. In an article I wrote for the November/December 2017 issue of Archery… read more →
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Published
Dec. 20, 2017
3 ways to ensure the demise of your future archery range
Some years ago I traveled to a small Minnesota town to check out a “new” archery range. This was before my work on the Archery Park Guide, a tool created to help communities navigate archery range development. The city’s existing range had to be moved and… read more →
