The Human Moment
Are you one of those people who answers your phone every single time it rings, regardless of what you were in the middle of?
I’ve noticed that places like the local post office, the doctors surgery and even some retail outlets are putting up signs asking customers to not answer their phone while they are at the counter. To have gotten to the point where it warrants a sign to remind us got me thinking; so keen to connect with people on the phone, are starting to lose touch with the ‘human in front of us’?
I read an article this week in the Harvard Business Review that describes the power and importance of, what was referred to as ‘The Human Moment’; the moment when two humans fully and totally connect. You know the one, you’ve experienced it, and it’s incredible.
According to this article the human moment requires two things:
1. Physical presence between two people
2. Emotional and intellectual energy
Human moments do not have to be long or even ‘touchy, feely’, they can be brisk, businesslike and brief, but you need to be truly present with the person in front of you. Can you imagine what would happen to your relationships with your staff and colleagues, let alone the all important relationships with your customers and clients if you had more human moments.
So today, ignore your phone, close your laptop, drown out the email/skype/msn messenger ‘ping’, turn down your internal monologue, and really connect with the person in front of you. It might just be the smartest business decision you make today!
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
You are the company you keep
I love this statement, ‘you are the company you keep’, as it is a reminder to me that we all have a choice about the company that we share our day and valuable time with. Generally there are two sorts of people in our lives; those who put out our fire and those who ignite our fire. The fire-lighters in your life inspire. You know the ones. The people who you walk away from simply ‘buzzing’, the people you can’t wait to catch-up with again. You have a choice about who you surround yourself with each day.
Change Works have three incredible programs in the coming month that provide you the opportunity to connect with and be inspired by experts from around Australia and New Zealand.
THE PLUG
Focus On Kids
Maximising Outcomes for Children with Additional Needs
Do you work with, or have children with additional needs?
Are you frustrated by the pressure of competing demands?
Are you looking for new ideas or options?
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore practical strategies for achieving outcomes with children with additional needs. Come along to this workshop and you will:
Date: Saturday, 21st August, 2010
Time: 9am - 3pm
Venue: Holiday Inn Esplanade, Darwin
Investment: $220 (+ GST)
Download the flyer here
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Clear Choices for Women
Too often women short change themselves in their choices. They choose based on what others will think, or expect, or what they have time for.
If you have ever felt like you're not living the life you promised yourself, or that you are juggling too many balls and failing to keep up then this half-day workshop is for you.
Come and join New-Zealand Thought Leader, Shar Henderson, and Alison Hill, as well as a group of amazing women.
Date: Thursday 2nd September, 2010
Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Venue: Gallery Room, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Mitchell St, Darwin
Investment: $250 (+ GST) Includes an online assessment worth $120.
Check out the great Early Bird Incentive if you register before 13th August
---------------------------------------------
Leadership 2010: Ideas, Influence and Inspiration
The 3rd September 2010 will see Darwin host 13 of Australia & New Zealand’s finest speakers on leadership expertise, all in one room for one day.
Network with some of the greatest thinkers of our time and be inspired by an optimistic, action orientated group of people. Learn key skills for innovating and leading into the near and long term future.
Date: Friday, 3rd September 2010
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Darwin
Investment: $990 (inc GST)
Attractive corporate packages available for this exciting event
Complete your registration now as seats are filling fast and you do not want to miss this!
Click here to complete the registration form
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Change Works have three incredible programs in the coming month that provide you the opportunity to connect with and be inspired by experts from around Australia and New Zealand.
THE PLUG
Focus On Kids
Maximising Outcomes for Children with Additional Needs
Do you work with, or have children with additional needs?
Are you frustrated by the pressure of competing demands?
Are you looking for new ideas or options?
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore practical strategies for achieving outcomes with children with additional needs. Come along to this workshop and you will:
- Get specific actions that MAXIMISE GAINS in every interaction
- GAIN CLARITY in communicating expectations
- Harness the power of LANGUAGE to your advantage
- Reconnect with your PASSION
Date: Saturday, 21st August, 2010
Time: 9am - 3pm
Venue: Holiday Inn Esplanade, Darwin
Investment: $220 (+ GST)
Download the flyer here
-------------------------------------------
Clear Choices for Women
Too often women short change themselves in their choices. They choose based on what others will think, or expect, or what they have time for.
If you have ever felt like you're not living the life you promised yourself, or that you are juggling too many balls and failing to keep up then this half-day workshop is for you.
Come and join New-Zealand Thought Leader, Shar Henderson, and Alison Hill, as well as a group of amazing women.
Date: Thursday 2nd September, 2010
Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Venue: Gallery Room, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Mitchell St, Darwin
Investment: $250 (+ GST) Includes an online assessment worth $120.
Check out the great Early Bird Incentive if you register before 13th August
---------------------------------------------
Leadership 2010: Ideas, Influence and Inspiration
The 3rd September 2010 will see Darwin host 13 of Australia & New Zealand’s finest speakers on leadership expertise, all in one room for one day.
Network with some of the greatest thinkers of our time and be inspired by an optimistic, action orientated group of people. Learn key skills for innovating and leading into the near and long term future.
Date: Friday, 3rd September 2010
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Darwin
Investment: $990 (inc GST)
Attractive corporate packages available for this exciting event
Complete your registration now as seats are filling fast and you do not want to miss this!
Click here to complete the registration form
-------------------------------------
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The artist within
One thing I love about people is they often don’t know, or truly acknowledge their own gifts.
Don’t get me wrong, helping someone awaken to their own talent is incredibly frustrating sometimes; trying to get someone to see their unique gifts and strengths when they cannot see it themselves.
It is however, a truly a magnificent moment when someone does realise their own awesomeness in the work they do every day.
I have an unshakable belief that every human being has an artist within. An artist can be defined as “one who is adept at an activity, or shows exceptional creativity or skill”. I think our internal artistry extends far beyond a canvas, or a score of music.
Yours in amazement,
Darren and Alison
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PLUG
Leadership 2010: Ideas, Influence and Inspiration
The 3rd September 2010 will see Darwin host 13 of Australia & New Zealand’s finest speakers on leadership expertise, all in one room for one day.
Network with some of the greatest thinkers of our time and be inspired by an optimistic, action orientated group of people. Learn key skills for innovating and leading into the near and long term future.
Date: Friday, 3rd September 2010
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Darwin
Investment: $990 (inc GST)
Attractive corporate packages available for this exciting event
Complete your registration now as seats are filling fast and you do not want to miss this! Click here to complete the registration form
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clear Choices for Women
Too often women short change themselves in their choices. They choose based on what others will think, or expect, or what they have time for.
If you have ever felt like you're not living the life you promised yourself, or that you are juggling too many balls and failing to keep up then this half-day workshop is for you.
Come and join New-Zealand Thought Leader, Shar Henderson, and Alison Hill, as well as a group of amazing women.
Date: Thursday 2nd September, 2010
Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Venue: Gallery Room, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Mitchell St, Darwin
Investment: $250 (+ GST) Includes an online assessment worth $120
Check out the great Early Bird Incentive if you register before 13th August
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WITH COMPLIMENTS
This week’s with compliments comes from Matt Church, one of the world’s hottest 25 speakers and expert on inspiring leaders.
Read Matt’s chapter from Ideas Vol 1
Don’t get me wrong, helping someone awaken to their own talent is incredibly frustrating sometimes; trying to get someone to see their unique gifts and strengths when they cannot see it themselves.
It is however, a truly a magnificent moment when someone does realise their own awesomeness in the work they do every day.
I have an unshakable belief that every human being has an artist within. An artist can be defined as “one who is adept at an activity, or shows exceptional creativity or skill”. I think our internal artistry extends far beyond a canvas, or a score of music.
- That spreadsheet you create (which looks a lot like Egyptian hieroglyphics to me) is a sign of an artist at work.
- The ease in how you tackle a customer’s problem without losing your cool (when I would be ready to jump the counter and throttle them); well that’s an artist at work.
- How you juggle work, home, kids and life in general (and still remain awake) is artistry, no doubt.
Yours in amazement,
Darren and Alison
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PLUG
Leadership 2010: Ideas, Influence and Inspiration
The 3rd September 2010 will see Darwin host 13 of Australia & New Zealand’s finest speakers on leadership expertise, all in one room for one day.
Network with some of the greatest thinkers of our time and be inspired by an optimistic, action orientated group of people. Learn key skills for innovating and leading into the near and long term future.
Date: Friday, 3rd September 2010
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Darwin
Investment: $990 (inc GST)
Attractive corporate packages available for this exciting event
Complete your registration now as seats are filling fast and you do not want to miss this! Click here to complete the registration form
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clear Choices for Women
Too often women short change themselves in their choices. They choose based on what others will think, or expect, or what they have time for.
If you have ever felt like you're not living the life you promised yourself, or that you are juggling too many balls and failing to keep up then this half-day workshop is for you.
Come and join New-Zealand Thought Leader, Shar Henderson, and Alison Hill, as well as a group of amazing women.
Date: Thursday 2nd September, 2010
Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Venue: Gallery Room, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Mitchell St, Darwin
Investment: $250 (+ GST) Includes an online assessment worth $120
Check out the great Early Bird Incentive if you register before 13th August
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITH COMPLIMENTS
This week’s with compliments comes from Matt Church, one of the world’s hottest 25 speakers and expert on inspiring leaders.
Read Matt’s chapter from Ideas Vol 1
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Get up and get moving!
There are a lot of messages that we receive, whether it be through marketing, through the latest research or even through our peers, that tell us that it is important for us to slow-down, take time out from our busy lives, relax, chill, switch off, do less etc etc etc. I’m wonder though if we have taken this sedentary, in-active mindset too far.
At the moment I am reading an incredibly engaging and thought-provoking book called ‘Born to Run’ by Christopher McDougall. Amongst other things this book explores the notion that more than just needing to stay fit and active, human beings have actually evolved to be running machines. Our physiology, genetics, and access to nutrition make us one of the most efficient running machines on the planet. Despite the excuses you might be thinking (I’m just not a runner, I’m too old, I’m not built for it) we are all built to move.
When looking at the world of work we have ingeniously automated and structured our places of work to minimize effort and maximize output. The result? I believe we’ve lost touch with the innate sensation, drive and incredible buzz that being busy and active gives us. Personally over the past week I have consciously made the effort to engage physically in my workday, and with the invention of devices such as the iPhone we literally can take our office anywhere. When I’m busy, on the move, ‘running around’ at work I’m simply buzzing.
So if today you are reading this sitting in your cubical or open plan office, tied to a computer, feeling stuck or lethargic make the decision to tune into your job physically not just mentally.
Get up and get moving….I believe you were born for it!
Keep on moving!
Darren and Alison
THE PLUG
Leadership 2010: Ideas, Influence and Inspiration The 3rd September 2010 will see Darwin host 12 of Australia & New Zealand's finest speakers on leadership expertise, all in one room for one day.Network with some of the greatest thinkers of our time and be inspired by an optimistic, action orientated group of people. Learn key skills for innovating and leading into the near and long term future.
Date: Friday, 3rd September 2010
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Darwin
Investment: $990 (inc GST)
Attractive corporate packages available for this exciting event!
Complete your registration now as seats are filling fast and you do not want to miss this! Click here for further information
Clear Choices for Women Too often women short change themselves in their choices. They choose based on what others will think, or expect, or what they have time for.
If you have ever felt like you're not living the life you promised yourself, or that you are juggling too many balls and failing to keep up then this half-day workshop is for you.
Come and join New-Zealand Thought Leader, Shar Henderson, and Alison Hill, as well as a group of amazing women.
Date: Thursday 2nd September, 2010
Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm
Venue: Gallery Room, Darwin Entertainment Centre, Mitchell St, Darwin
Investment: $250 (+ GST) Includes an online assessment worth $120
Check out the great Early Bird Incentive if you regiser before 13th August
With Compliments
Geoff McDonald is an architect who no longer designs buildings. Instead, as the Ideas Architect he helps thought leaders package and productise their ideas. He is the creator of Book Rapper and his speciality is designing custom board games.
Geoff's Book Raps are literally book summaries on steroids. This week enjoy reading Geoff's book rap on ‘Leaderful'. For the past few hundred years the command and control model of centralized organisations has ruled the business world. Thanks to the Internet and digital technologies, the pendulum is swinging toward decentralized or starfish organizations.
Organisations will become "leaderful".
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Breathe life into the rest of your year
It’s been a busy half year to this point hasn’t it?
End of financial year has come and gone, and like many others, perhaps you are struggling with the traditional July slump that happens to many of us.
Breaking free of the doldrums can be tackled in two ways.
The first way and probably most traditional way is to set a plan, put the processes into place and through a systematic approach you will achieve goals and get re-motivated this way. It rakes time, it works, and I don’t know about you, but I think that approach is so...boring!
The second option around breaking free of mid-year missing motivation is to get inspired. Inspiration is the kind of inside-out motivational shift that drives not just our work output but many other aspects in your life. The reason why inspirational motivation is an ‘inside-out process’ lies within the definition of the word...inspiration is defined as ‘to breathe life into’.
So tackle your mid-year lull head on, by getting inspired. Read a great book, get yourself on a great course or seminar, book time for a coffee with a person you have great admiration for, or watch a good movie.
Sources of inspiration are all around us, and the other great thing is inspiration doesn’t take 4 weeks and an action plan, it takes four seconds and a decision to commit.
Be inspired!
Darren and Alison
End of financial year has come and gone, and like many others, perhaps you are struggling with the traditional July slump that happens to many of us.
Breaking free of the doldrums can be tackled in two ways.
The first way and probably most traditional way is to set a plan, put the processes into place and through a systematic approach you will achieve goals and get re-motivated this way. It rakes time, it works, and I don’t know about you, but I think that approach is so...boring!
The second option around breaking free of mid-year missing motivation is to get inspired. Inspiration is the kind of inside-out motivational shift that drives not just our work output but many other aspects in your life. The reason why inspirational motivation is an ‘inside-out process’ lies within the definition of the word...inspiration is defined as ‘to breathe life into’.
So tackle your mid-year lull head on, by getting inspired. Read a great book, get yourself on a great course or seminar, book time for a coffee with a person you have great admiration for, or watch a good movie.
Sources of inspiration are all around us, and the other great thing is inspiration doesn’t take 4 weeks and an action plan, it takes four seconds and a decision to commit.
Be inspired!
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Leadership: some things change, other things stay the same
Leadership has been around as long as the human race has existed. Leading and following is interwoven into the fabric of humanity.
There is nothing new in this concept, leadership is as old as we are, and will be around as long as we are. Individuals not only desire leadership, they crave it.
But there is a change in what people are demanding from their leaders today. Individuals crave to be inspired; to belong to something bigger than themselves; to bond with others.
Fundamentally our world has changed in the past decade. No longer does position or status determine leadership. Authenticity, inspiration and desire are key criteria, opposed to long service, privilege and expectation.
Things are changing rapidly about how we ‘do’ leadership; the one thing that doesn’t change is the need for it.
So the question remains. Are you a contemporary leader, or has the use-by-date passed for your leadership?
Regards,
Darren and Alison
With Compliments
Leadership 2010 Darwin
The 3rd September 2010 will see Darwin host 11 of Australia & New Zealand’s finest speakers on leadership expertise, all in one room for one day.
Network with some of the greatest thinkers of our time and be inspired by an optimistic, action orientated group of people. Learn key skills for innovating and leading into the near and long term future.
Date: Friday, 3rd September 2010
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Darwin
Investment: $990 (inc GST)
Attractive corporate packages available for this exciting event
Click here for more information on Leadership 2010
Complete your registration now as seats are filling fast and you do not want to miss this! Click here to register
There is nothing new in this concept, leadership is as old as we are, and will be around as long as we are. Individuals not only desire leadership, they crave it.
But there is a change in what people are demanding from their leaders today. Individuals crave to be inspired; to belong to something bigger than themselves; to bond with others.
Fundamentally our world has changed in the past decade. No longer does position or status determine leadership. Authenticity, inspiration and desire are key criteria, opposed to long service, privilege and expectation.
Things are changing rapidly about how we ‘do’ leadership; the one thing that doesn’t change is the need for it.
So the question remains. Are you a contemporary leader, or has the use-by-date passed for your leadership?
Regards,
Darren and Alison
With Compliments
Leadership 2010 Darwin
The 3rd September 2010 will see Darwin host 11 of Australia & New Zealand’s finest speakers on leadership expertise, all in one room for one day.
Network with some of the greatest thinkers of our time and be inspired by an optimistic, action orientated group of people. Learn key skills for innovating and leading into the near and long term future.
Date: Friday, 3rd September 2010
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Darwin
Investment: $990 (inc GST)
Attractive corporate packages available for this exciting event
Click here for more information on Leadership 2010
Complete your registration now as seats are filling fast and you do not want to miss this! Click here to register
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What are you tuned in to?
Team Change Works achieved our goal this weekend of running the Gold Coast half marathon which was an exciting experience with our closest 9000 new-found friends!
As with any other distance running events, there were highs and lows; feeling great and feeling downright terrible at certain times, but it was also hard not to observe some particular trends in such a unique congregation of humanity. One such thing that was interesting was just how many people wore iPods in the race.
We estimated well over a third of runners were wired for sound, despite race rules discouraging their use. We also observed there was a much higher prevalence of music-reliance in the second half of the field versus the first half of the field. The faster runners hardly, if at all, wore headphones, whereas it seemed many slower runners (and we should know!) seemed to be in their own worlds, zoned out to the people around them. This got us to thinking, maybe people are missing the point a little? For us, the people around us made the run bearable. The shouts of encouragement from other runners and the crowd lifted you through the tough parts, and the rhythmic sound of your own heart and feet became so important as we dug deep through the last third of the 21.1ks.
Now we are the first to admit we love listening to music when out running on our own in training, but we just think there was a great pleasure and inspiration missed when people chose to ‘tune out' to the efforts of others around them; whether it was missing shared experience, or missing the supportive watchers, but most importantly missing the critical point of an entire group of people undertaking a common pursuit. Feels like being part of your tribe.
Don't tune out to the people around you, tune into them instead!
Warm regards,
Darren and Alison
Click here to view Seth's blog
As with any other distance running events, there were highs and lows; feeling great and feeling downright terrible at certain times, but it was also hard not to observe some particular trends in such a unique congregation of humanity. One such thing that was interesting was just how many people wore iPods in the race.
We estimated well over a third of runners were wired for sound, despite race rules discouraging their use. We also observed there was a much higher prevalence of music-reliance in the second half of the field versus the first half of the field. The faster runners hardly, if at all, wore headphones, whereas it seemed many slower runners (and we should know!) seemed to be in their own worlds, zoned out to the people around them. This got us to thinking, maybe people are missing the point a little? For us, the people around us made the run bearable. The shouts of encouragement from other runners and the crowd lifted you through the tough parts, and the rhythmic sound of your own heart and feet became so important as we dug deep through the last third of the 21.1ks.
Now we are the first to admit we love listening to music when out running on our own in training, but we just think there was a great pleasure and inspiration missed when people chose to ‘tune out' to the efforts of others around them; whether it was missing shared experience, or missing the supportive watchers, but most importantly missing the critical point of an entire group of people undertaking a common pursuit. Feels like being part of your tribe.
Don't tune out to the people around you, tune into them instead!
Warm regards,
Darren and Alison
With Compliments
Seth Godin's blog has a wealth of interesting thoughts, observations and queries to get you thinking. This week read through Seth's latest blog post about checking into the point of the activities you are engaging in.Click here to view Seth's blog
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
29 June 2010
Being creative is not really original
Ever looked at an ad on television and thought "Wow! How did they think of that?"
Perhaps you have been in awe of a new book, strategy or song, and wondered how on earth they (the author) summoned the creative flair to engineer the idea.
Well, being creative isn't actually all about being different. It is highly attuned to being the same. Researchers looked at the similarities of 200 ‘highly creative' ad campaigns and found the vast majority (87%) could be classified into 6 key areas. They then looked at 200 less than successful ads and found that only 2% could be measure against consistent criteria. The success and failure of these ads was actually their level conformity to our expectations.
There are examples of this everywhere around us. Inconsistency just doesn't sell. I remember a few years ago Australian songstress Natalie Imbruglia bought out a song without a chorus...it was promoted and marketed as a brave new creative process. Hmmm, the fact I cannot remember it probably indicates how well it went on the charts. Even great musical pieces by modern creative geniuses such as Lennon, Cohen, Martin et al all had basic structures around melody and choruses. They followed the rules of our expectations.
To design something your peers will see as ‘highly creative' you need to firstly conform to their expectations, whatever they may be. Sure enough there will occasionally be a genius who will completely launch a creative paradigm in their field, but the vast majority of creative ‘gold' lies firmly embedded in hanging your creativity from a consistent platform and strategy.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
With Compliments
Nils Vesk encapsulates the idea behind this weeks newsletter in this clip from Thought Leaders Studio. Nils discusses how we need to find the thinking behind others good ideas so that we can create our own innovative ideas.
Click here to watch Nils Vesk's clip on Copying Ideas
Being creative is not really original
Ever looked at an ad on television and thought "Wow! How did they think of that?"
Perhaps you have been in awe of a new book, strategy or song, and wondered how on earth they (the author) summoned the creative flair to engineer the idea.
Well, being creative isn't actually all about being different. It is highly attuned to being the same. Researchers looked at the similarities of 200 ‘highly creative' ad campaigns and found the vast majority (87%) could be classified into 6 key areas. They then looked at 200 less than successful ads and found that only 2% could be measure against consistent criteria. The success and failure of these ads was actually their level conformity to our expectations.
There are examples of this everywhere around us. Inconsistency just doesn't sell. I remember a few years ago Australian songstress Natalie Imbruglia bought out a song without a chorus...it was promoted and marketed as a brave new creative process. Hmmm, the fact I cannot remember it probably indicates how well it went on the charts. Even great musical pieces by modern creative geniuses such as Lennon, Cohen, Martin et al all had basic structures around melody and choruses. They followed the rules of our expectations.
To design something your peers will see as ‘highly creative' you need to firstly conform to their expectations, whatever they may be. Sure enough there will occasionally be a genius who will completely launch a creative paradigm in their field, but the vast majority of creative ‘gold' lies firmly embedded in hanging your creativity from a consistent platform and strategy.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
With Compliments
Nils Vesk encapsulates the idea behind this weeks newsletter in this clip from Thought Leaders Studio. Nils discusses how we need to find the thinking behind others good ideas so that we can create our own innovative ideas.
Click here to watch Nils Vesk's clip on Copying Ideas
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Are you making it personal?
It's hard not to make things personal isn't it?
The tough conversation you might have to have with a staff member about performance, the supplier who hasn't delivered on time, or maybe the customer who actually isn't right...
You may have even used the opening phrase "This isn't personal..."
So how did that work for you?
The ability to de-personalise a situation is arguably the most elusive, but most valuable skill you can possess in the area of people management. Remarkably, it is incredibly simple.
Using the phenomenal learning of the world's foremost expert in non-verbal communication, Michael Grinder, it's not about what you say, it's not even about how you say it.
When conveying feedback that is not positive, always use a ‘third point' for communication. Third point communication is using a visual medium (piece of paper, whiteboard etc) and directing your conversation towards it, rather than the person.
When we direct negative information towards the person (look them in the eye) it immediately becomes personal, unless you are a genius using empathic language. For most of us who aren't a modern day Carl Rogers', we are best to use third point.
From one person to another...it works!
Want to learn more about dealing with tough situations? Then register for Darren's 'Dealing with the Tough Stuff' Workshop this THURSDAY 17th JUNE. Click Here for more information
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
The tough conversation you might have to have with a staff member about performance, the supplier who hasn't delivered on time, or maybe the customer who actually isn't right...
You may have even used the opening phrase "This isn't personal..."
So how did that work for you?
The ability to de-personalise a situation is arguably the most elusive, but most valuable skill you can possess in the area of people management. Remarkably, it is incredibly simple.
Using the phenomenal learning of the world's foremost expert in non-verbal communication, Michael Grinder, it's not about what you say, it's not even about how you say it.
When conveying feedback that is not positive, always use a ‘third point' for communication. Third point communication is using a visual medium (piece of paper, whiteboard etc) and directing your conversation towards it, rather than the person.
When we direct negative information towards the person (look them in the eye) it immediately becomes personal, unless you are a genius using empathic language. For most of us who aren't a modern day Carl Rogers', we are best to use third point.
From one person to another...it works!
Want to learn more about dealing with tough situations? Then register for Darren's 'Dealing with the Tough Stuff' Workshop this THURSDAY 17th JUNE. Click Here for more information
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
3 ways to boost your relationships
Regardless of what work you do or what organisation you work for, every business is a human business. Given this is the case then the success or failure of your business is totally dependent upon the relationships that you build, maintain, repair and sustain over time. Relationships, by their very nature, change, develop, grow, dissolve, go through hurdles, and evolve. Therefore to boost the key relationships around you engage in the following three actions:
- Catch-up face-to-face – It sounds obvious but in the era of technology and desk-bound jobs we can often lose sight of the value of catching up with others face-to-face. I recently met with a colleague for a brief power-packed 20 minute meeting. The impact of that meeting for both of us was much stronger than any amount of phone-calls or emails could have made.
- Aim to share and learn –Strong relationships in both your work and personal life are those that are characterised by mutual learning and growth. Relationships that strengthen over time stretch us and allow us to develop others. In your interactions today with colleagues, customers, clients or suppliers consider what you can share and what you can learn.
- Mix it up – Relationships can fall into a pattern of similarity. To refresh and revive your relationships mix up your pattern of behaviour. Take a lunch-time walk with a colleague, meet a client or customer for coffee somewhere neither of you have been, send a thank-you gift to someone who has helped promote your business.
We look forward to catching up with you sometime soon.
Yours in friendship,
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Myth of Micro-Managing
People inherently value their freedom, and this is especially true at work. If you are a manager, supervisor, a leader or even a team member, it can be easy to fall into the trap of micro-managing your colleagues to get tasks done, particularly to get things done the way you want them done. The problem is that the stricter the control that is placed on individuals, the greater the chance that they will push back, even at a subconscious level.
Research that was mentioned in a Harvard Business Review blog this week identified that when shown a face of someone that they deemed as controlling, psychology students performed worse on a complex anagram task they were given. Our sub-conscious is a powerful tool.
As a manager and a leader often your drive is to get people to work smarter, harder, and faster. Do this through micro-management and you will find that you spend your whole day, and even week, micro-managing with limited chance of this changing in the future. Micro-management occasionally works in the short term, but in the long-term the very people you are attempting to micro-manage will undermine all of your efforts. This is not a rewarding situation for anyone to be in.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Research that was mentioned in a Harvard Business Review blog this week identified that when shown a face of someone that they deemed as controlling, psychology students performed worse on a complex anagram task they were given. Our sub-conscious is a powerful tool.
As a manager and a leader often your drive is to get people to work smarter, harder, and faster. Do this through micro-management and you will find that you spend your whole day, and even week, micro-managing with limited chance of this changing in the future. Micro-management occasionally works in the short term, but in the long-term the very people you are attempting to micro-manage will undermine all of your efforts. This is not a rewarding situation for anyone to be in.
Instead consider the following approach to reduce control and promote productivity:
- Clarify the expectations. What outcome is needed? What benchmark needs to be achieved?
- Outline the ‘why' behind the project.
- Explore options. There is more than one way to get things done. Model the creative thinking you want to see in others and provide the freedom of these options.
- Hold people accountable (this includes yourself!)
Respect the fact that people value their freedom and the results may surprise you.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Re-discovering masculinity
We recently read a very interesting statistic in a blog post from Bill Taylor on the Harvard Business Review last week that got plenty of conversation going in our office.
The statistic was that men's testosterone levels have dropped 17% per cent in the last 20 years.
So what does this mean? Why has this happened? Is it good? Is it bad? Does it really matter? Should we really care? There were plenty of questions this statistic raised.
The hypotheses abounded in our conversations, and in our heads. Are men losing their ‘manliness’ or are levels simply returning to a level that should be welcomed. Again, lots of questions with few answers that were concrete.
Another interesting statistic intrigued us was that 82% of jobs lost in the last year were by men. Are we seeing something at play here?
Having picked up on these figures, the new Dockers campaign (a clothing brand) centres around a call to inspire the masculinity in all men. It sure is clever marketing, but is it possibly one small flag for an even bigger shift? Are we on a zeitgiest of men re-discovering lost masculinity, or is the testosterone-charged environment of the past, a dark era that should be said goodbye to in an emphatic fashion?
We would love to know you thoughts on this one...
Warm wishes from the intrigued,
Darren and Alison
The statistic was that men's testosterone levels have dropped 17% per cent in the last 20 years.
So what does this mean? Why has this happened? Is it good? Is it bad? Does it really matter? Should we really care? There were plenty of questions this statistic raised.
The hypotheses abounded in our conversations, and in our heads. Are men losing their ‘manliness’ or are levels simply returning to a level that should be welcomed. Again, lots of questions with few answers that were concrete.
Another interesting statistic intrigued us was that 82% of jobs lost in the last year were by men. Are we seeing something at play here?
Having picked up on these figures, the new Dockers campaign (a clothing brand) centres around a call to inspire the masculinity in all men. It sure is clever marketing, but is it possibly one small flag for an even bigger shift? Are we on a zeitgiest of men re-discovering lost masculinity, or is the testosterone-charged environment of the past, a dark era that should be said goodbye to in an emphatic fashion?
We would love to know you thoughts on this one...
Warm wishes from the intrigued,
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The evolution revolution
Charles Darwin rocked the world with his highly controversial theories of evolution over 200 years ago. As time has moved on and with a swag of scientific data to back up his concepts, there seems to little debate around the validity, or at the very least generalised acceptance of the concepts of ‘survival of the fittest'.
But today one thing has been running around my head. To evolve, it isn't about being the fittest anymore. As we move headlong into the second decade of this second millennium, I think evolution is no longer survival of the fittest; evolution is survival of the optimist.
To succeed and prosper at just about anything in your life, you need to be optimistic. I am not talking about holding-hands-skipping-through-the-tulips type optimism here. I am talking about real, get-up-after-you-have-been-knocked-down type optimism.
When you think about it, pessimism serves no real good in the world. It shortens your lifespan, makes your think less innovatively and reduces collaboration. And before pessimists cry "But I am a realist", I am sorry, but optimists are realists too. Realism doesn't justify pessimism's insidious resultant effect on people's lives.
So if you want to evolve, whether it is in your career, your goals, or your personal development, use the power of optimism; it was Darwin's missing link.
Have a fantastic week!
Darren and Alison
But today one thing has been running around my head. To evolve, it isn't about being the fittest anymore. As we move headlong into the second decade of this second millennium, I think evolution is no longer survival of the fittest; evolution is survival of the optimist.
To succeed and prosper at just about anything in your life, you need to be optimistic. I am not talking about holding-hands-skipping-through-the-tulips type optimism here. I am talking about real, get-up-after-you-have-been-knocked-down type optimism.
When you think about it, pessimism serves no real good in the world. It shortens your lifespan, makes your think less innovatively and reduces collaboration. And before pessimists cry "But I am a realist", I am sorry, but optimists are realists too. Realism doesn't justify pessimism's insidious resultant effect on people's lives.
So if you want to evolve, whether it is in your career, your goals, or your personal development, use the power of optimism; it was Darwin's missing link.
Have a fantastic week!
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The meaning of meaning
Have you hit your mid-year lull yet?
Does the feeling of New Year resolution and invigoration seem like a distant memory?
Are you swamped with work and just feel a little flat?
The months of May and June traditionally can be tough ones…our work year is in full swing, we have yet to get to half way, and the end of financial year is rapidly approaching. If you feel as though you are in a rut, or experiencing a bit of ground hog day, try asking yourself the following questions; why am I doing what I do? What is the meaning of it?
Victor Frankl, legendary author, philosopher and holocaust survivor wrote in his humanity-inspired tome Man's Search for Meaning that meaning makes anything manageable. Throughout the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, Frankl observed people find, lose and sometimes rediscover their will for life in the most abhorrent of circumstances. With meaning present, whether it was anger, love, a goal, or a desired state, Frankl observed the fundamental survival mechanism…meaning.
When you think about it, knowing the meaning behind something makes it more palatable, more manageable. Whether it is setting a goal to help focus your mental energy, or thinking about why a certain individual really ‘presses your buttons' or even just understanding the reason for getting out of bed of a morning, a search for meaning truly makes anything manageable.
As we finish typing this, we are in joggers and running gear, about to head out for our long run, the toughest session of the week in our training program (we are both running the Gold Coat half-marathon in July)…I can tell you we aren't really looking forward to the effort, heat or the pain. But meaning makes it manageable. If we don't train, we won't get the result we are after.
Meaning makes anything manageable…even for very slow, less-than-motivated amateur runners! We hope the tough stuff for you in May/June can be made manageable by discovering the meaning you attach to it.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
--- FREE Courage as a Skill E-book ---
Darren and Alison Hill have put together an exciting e-book, Courage as a Skill, which explores developing the skill of courage in your life. The book provides a unique and dynamic look at how to develop this skill and equips you to step into courageous decision-making and to reap the benefits.
Click here to download the free e-book Courage as a Skill
Enjoy!
--------------------------------------------
Does the feeling of New Year resolution and invigoration seem like a distant memory?
Are you swamped with work and just feel a little flat?
The months of May and June traditionally can be tough ones…our work year is in full swing, we have yet to get to half way, and the end of financial year is rapidly approaching. If you feel as though you are in a rut, or experiencing a bit of ground hog day, try asking yourself the following questions; why am I doing what I do? What is the meaning of it?
Victor Frankl, legendary author, philosopher and holocaust survivor wrote in his humanity-inspired tome Man's Search for Meaning that meaning makes anything manageable. Throughout the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, Frankl observed people find, lose and sometimes rediscover their will for life in the most abhorrent of circumstances. With meaning present, whether it was anger, love, a goal, or a desired state, Frankl observed the fundamental survival mechanism…meaning.
When you think about it, knowing the meaning behind something makes it more palatable, more manageable. Whether it is setting a goal to help focus your mental energy, or thinking about why a certain individual really ‘presses your buttons' or even just understanding the reason for getting out of bed of a morning, a search for meaning truly makes anything manageable.
As we finish typing this, we are in joggers and running gear, about to head out for our long run, the toughest session of the week in our training program (we are both running the Gold Coat half-marathon in July)…I can tell you we aren't really looking forward to the effort, heat or the pain. But meaning makes it manageable. If we don't train, we won't get the result we are after.
Meaning makes anything manageable…even for very slow, less-than-motivated amateur runners! We hope the tough stuff for you in May/June can be made manageable by discovering the meaning you attach to it.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
--- FREE Courage as a Skill E-book ---
Darren and Alison Hill have put together an exciting e-book, Courage as a Skill, which explores developing the skill of courage in your life. The book provides a unique and dynamic look at how to develop this skill and equips you to step into courageous decision-making and to reap the benefits.
Click here to download the free e-book Courage as a Skill
Enjoy!
--------------------------------------------
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Making art or colour by numbers
In the current climate, through the linking and marketing capability of the internet, individuals are able to offer their unique skills, experience, expertise and inventions to the world in a way that was never previously possible.
I have recently been reading Seth Godin's book ‘Linchpin', in which he talks about the importance of individuals at work becoming an artist, rather than replicate the art of others. Much of the work we do can feel more like ‘colour by numbers' then art. Notions such as ‘don't upset the apple-cart', ‘why fix something if it's not broken', and ‘we follow this process because it's the way it's always been done', all lead us to stick to the rules and colour by numbers.
The reality is that organisations, teams, leaders and individuals who have achieved success have rarely taken the path of least resistance. They have all stepped courageously into creating insight and boldness in order to challenge the status quo. They look for different ways, new strategies and alternative options in what they are doing. They have created art.
To quote Seth: ‘Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient'
Unleash the artist in you onto the canvas of your choice, it might be a new strategy, a new product, a way of connecting and sharing with others. And when you discover what your art is, share your gift in a way that changes the people around you.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
I have recently been reading Seth Godin's book ‘Linchpin', in which he talks about the importance of individuals at work becoming an artist, rather than replicate the art of others. Much of the work we do can feel more like ‘colour by numbers' then art. Notions such as ‘don't upset the apple-cart', ‘why fix something if it's not broken', and ‘we follow this process because it's the way it's always been done', all lead us to stick to the rules and colour by numbers.
The reality is that organisations, teams, leaders and individuals who have achieved success have rarely taken the path of least resistance. They have all stepped courageously into creating insight and boldness in order to challenge the status quo. They look for different ways, new strategies and alternative options in what they are doing. They have created art.
To quote Seth: ‘Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient'
Unleash the artist in you onto the canvas of your choice, it might be a new strategy, a new product, a way of connecting and sharing with others. And when you discover what your art is, share your gift in a way that changes the people around you.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tapping into what drives you
Recently, I finished reading Peter Sheahan's latest book, ‘Making it Happen: Turning Good Ideas into Great Results'. One of the key concepts that struck me while reading this book is the research done by Dr P.R. Lawrence, who has found empirical evidence to suggest that there are four omnipresent human drives.
These four drives underpin everything we do and are common to all humans. They are the:
- Drive to acquire - to gain goods, services and experiences
- Drive to bond - to connect on a deep and personal level with people, brands or causes
- Drive to comprehend - to understanding the world around us and give it meaning
- Drive to defend - to protect and keep secure those things that we already have in our lives (family, friends, work, things we believe in etc).
Throughout our day we are often required to find our own internal drive, as well as to influence and motivate others. If you keep these four key drives in mind and satisfy as many of these as you can simultaneously, you will increase engagement and commitment.
So, when you are next looking for some drive about a certain project or an action at work, you need to ask yourself the following four questions:
- What do I want to get out of this?
- Who (or what) could I connect with on this?
- How can I learn from this and understand things better?
- What is important for me to protect and look after in this situation?
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Overflowing or Fulfilled?
Over the Easter Break we decided to stay at home, relax and play with the kids. Another pastime we decided would be worthwhile was to grab a couple of new release DVDs and chill out on the couch.
Well one of the movies we watched was a completely over-the-top Hollywood blockbuster that, to be honest, was pretty terrible! Amongst the carnage, special effects, and some truly terrible acting however, lay one little gem. In one scene, a sage mentor spoke with a troubled student, who was grappling with a huge decision. Desperate for advice from the wise one, the young man became frustrated when his mentor overfilled his cup of tea.
"The cup is full, no more..." cried the young man.
"Sometimes to be fulfilled, you have to empty your cup to start with." Replied the old man.
It got me to thinking...how fulfilled can we be in our lives when our ‘cup' is full of other stuff? Fulfillment in our lives and work is not simply about being full to the brim; in fact a great many people cannot fit another thing into their chaotic loves, but are far from fulfilled. Does this sound familiar?
To be fulfilled, sometimes we need to reassess, empty out the waste, and start by making sure that every drop that goes in is worthwhile and matches our personal values. Only then can we truly live a fulfilled life.
Pretty deep stuff from a far-fetched, unrealistic movie, eh? Hmmm, looking back on it, maybe it wasn't so bad after all...
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Well one of the movies we watched was a completely over-the-top Hollywood blockbuster that, to be honest, was pretty terrible! Amongst the carnage, special effects, and some truly terrible acting however, lay one little gem. In one scene, a sage mentor spoke with a troubled student, who was grappling with a huge decision. Desperate for advice from the wise one, the young man became frustrated when his mentor overfilled his cup of tea.
"The cup is full, no more..." cried the young man.
"Sometimes to be fulfilled, you have to empty your cup to start with." Replied the old man.
It got me to thinking...how fulfilled can we be in our lives when our ‘cup' is full of other stuff? Fulfillment in our lives and work is not simply about being full to the brim; in fact a great many people cannot fit another thing into their chaotic loves, but are far from fulfilled. Does this sound familiar?
To be fulfilled, sometimes we need to reassess, empty out the waste, and start by making sure that every drop that goes in is worthwhile and matches our personal values. Only then can we truly live a fulfilled life.
Pretty deep stuff from a far-fetched, unrealistic movie, eh? Hmmm, looking back on it, maybe it wasn't so bad after all...
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The silent epidemic
There is a silent epidemic in Australian workplaces that is both contagious and insidious. We work under duress. I am not talking about resilience in the face of hardship ... I am talking about people being unfulfilled in their work.
Ever sat through a two day strategic planning program and looked back at your efforts and thought ‘That's awesome! We can't fail.' Then a few months on you wondered what the heck went wrong ...
Put simply, business and strategic planning never have, and never will, ensure successful achievement of goals alone. Sure, it is vitally important to be clear about which direction you are heading, but the most important element is rarely considered within this process: the human element.
Individual goals and values will trump your organisational goals and values every single time. That's a fact. To achieve the holy grail of employee engagement you need both business strategy and personal fulfillment. Corporate Anthropologist and International Expert on workplace culture Michael Henderson says that Australians are a hardy lot when it comes to putting up with a poor workplace culture.
‘Aussies have an inherently high work ethic which means they will often achieve targets even though their heart might not be fully in it. The survival mindset in Australian workers is phenomenal.' Whilst this sounds good on the surface, eventually this good employee cohort will leave, and the huge problem is they will take intellectual property, experience, and even customers with them.
So ask yourself, are we achieving our targets? But more importantly, are we achieving them the right way? There is too much at stake to ignore the epidemic.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
Seven Common Mistakes Managers Make
Are you a Manager, Leader, Supervisor or aspiring to be in one of these positions? Then you need to read this brilliant, thought-provoking e-book that looks at seven common mistakes Managers make and how you can avoid them.
Download the free e-book 'Seven Common Mistakes Managers Make' here
Ever sat through a two day strategic planning program and looked back at your efforts and thought ‘That's awesome! We can't fail.' Then a few months on you wondered what the heck went wrong ...
Put simply, business and strategic planning never have, and never will, ensure successful achievement of goals alone. Sure, it is vitally important to be clear about which direction you are heading, but the most important element is rarely considered within this process: the human element.
Individual goals and values will trump your organisational goals and values every single time. That's a fact. To achieve the holy grail of employee engagement you need both business strategy and personal fulfillment. Corporate Anthropologist and International Expert on workplace culture Michael Henderson says that Australians are a hardy lot when it comes to putting up with a poor workplace culture.
‘Aussies have an inherently high work ethic which means they will often achieve targets even though their heart might not be fully in it. The survival mindset in Australian workers is phenomenal.' Whilst this sounds good on the surface, eventually this good employee cohort will leave, and the huge problem is they will take intellectual property, experience, and even customers with them.
So ask yourself, are we achieving our targets? But more importantly, are we achieving them the right way? There is too much at stake to ignore the epidemic.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
Seven Common Mistakes Managers Make
Are you a Manager, Leader, Supervisor or aspiring to be in one of these positions? Then you need to read this brilliant, thought-provoking e-book that looks at seven common mistakes Managers make and how you can avoid them.
Download the free e-book 'Seven Common Mistakes Managers Make' here
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Relationship Economy
Economic exchanges are not always purely to do with money. A cursory investigation of the Greek origins of the word economy shows us a foundation of ‘to distribute and manage'.
When you think about it, the ‘human economies' that exist in our lives are about distribution and management also. Reputation, resilience, love, respect, character ... they are all ‘economies' we need to distribute and manage to see us happy, healthy and motivated in work or life.
In a previous blog I have explored the concept of reputation economy, and in this edition, I put forward the idea of a relationship economy that drives our lives.
Like reputation, the relationships we build, foster, and yearn to be in drive so many other economies in our lives, whether it is in business, family, love or our hobbies. So how do we build a strong relationship economy?
When you think about it, the ‘human economies' that exist in our lives are about distribution and management also. Reputation, resilience, love, respect, character ... they are all ‘economies' we need to distribute and manage to see us happy, healthy and motivated in work or life.
In a previous blog I have explored the concept of reputation economy, and in this edition, I put forward the idea of a relationship economy that drives our lives.
Like reputation, the relationships we build, foster, and yearn to be in drive so many other economies in our lives, whether it is in business, family, love or our hobbies. So how do we build a strong relationship economy?
- Build a shared value set between both parties. Relationships that are formed on metrics (money, time, etc) are often not lasting, nor can they stand the rigours of robust disagreement. When relationships are built on value, the content is far less important than the context.
- Learn from each other. The moment the exchange becomes a one-way proposition, the relationship economy is bankrupt. It is vital for both parties to continue to learn and grow from each other.
- Achieve lasting change. The changes we receive through the relationships encountered in our lives rarely becomes useful if we regress or divert to old behaviours. Change must be lasting for our relationship economies to prosper.
So just a few more thoughts to get you thinking about the human economies that are present everyday around us...
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Get it, Say it, Do it
In last week's post we talked about the importance of aligning organisational values with the personal values of your employees.
But how do you find out what your own personal values are as well as those of your employees?
And then...how do you step into a living a life of meaning and motivation by being aligned to your values?
The following simple three-step model is useful to consider in terms of stepping through this process:
1. GET IT - Build on your KNOWLEDGE-base
Explore what your personal values actually are. Drill down and get specific. Often when we ask people what is important to them they respond with general terms such as family, health, career etc. But what is it about family that is most important to you? What aspects of your career do you love and are passionate about? Having the knowledge about these specifics is critical to living a life of meaning and motivation.
Attending Michael Hendersons 'Personal Values Alignment' half-day Workshop on 22nd April in Darwin is a great first step to identifying specifically what your unique values are.
2. SAY IT - Embrace the power of WORDS
What we say, the words and language we use, and the meaning and intent that sit behind those words are critical to success. Use words purposefully with both yourself and when communicating with others.
3. DO IT - Be congruent and transparent in your ACTIONS
Being authentic, genuine and congruent in your actions is a skill that can be harnessed and developed. Achieve mastery in this skill and your capacity and ability to 'breathe' through set-backs or a crisis will become easier. Aligning your actions with your values is the secret to living a meaningful life.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
But how do you find out what your own personal values are as well as those of your employees?
And then...how do you step into a living a life of meaning and motivation by being aligned to your values?
The following simple three-step model is useful to consider in terms of stepping through this process:
1. GET IT - Build on your KNOWLEDGE-base
Explore what your personal values actually are. Drill down and get specific. Often when we ask people what is important to them they respond with general terms such as family, health, career etc. But what is it about family that is most important to you? What aspects of your career do you love and are passionate about? Having the knowledge about these specifics is critical to living a life of meaning and motivation.
Attending Michael Hendersons 'Personal Values Alignment' half-day Workshop on 22nd April in Darwin is a great first step to identifying specifically what your unique values are.
2. SAY IT - Embrace the power of WORDS
What we say, the words and language we use, and the meaning and intent that sit behind those words are critical to success. Use words purposefully with both yourself and when communicating with others.
3. DO IT - Be congruent and transparent in your ACTIONS
Being authentic, genuine and congruent in your actions is a skill that can be harnessed and developed. Achieve mastery in this skill and your capacity and ability to 'breathe' through set-backs or a crisis will become easier. Aligning your actions with your values is the secret to living a meaningful life.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Values At Work
How aligned are you to the values of your organisation?
It is a question many individuals may ponder as they stare at the vision statement on the wall that proudly states the values they are expected to uphold. But do these values really work?
Maybe so... and it is likely if they do that they reflect and match a core set of personal values held by the individuals who work there.
Values and vision statements are often written behind the closed doors of a board room, brought out like the ten commandments and put then on a plague with comments akin to "Thou shall follow these at all times!".
And yet do these values actually mean anything to the people who work in these organisations?
Whilst well intentioned, the reality is that personal values will override organisational values at times of greatest need. History tells us after the Columbia disaster that a ‘self-protective culture' formed within NASA and this personal value of safety overrode the organisational value of safety. Simply, engineers identified problems but failed to speak up for fear of ridicule or demotion. Their need for personal safety meant they considered keeping their job more important than doing their job.
Achieving excellence cannot be just a statement on a brass plaque on the wall; there needs to be a careful and planned cultural alignment of personal and professional values to achieve the lofty ambitions of a success driven place of work.
Michael Henderson is an expert on Organisational Culture. Find out below how you can build lasting values and culture by registering to attend Michael's workshops in Darwin on 21st & 22nd April.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
It is a question many individuals may ponder as they stare at the vision statement on the wall that proudly states the values they are expected to uphold. But do these values really work?
Maybe so... and it is likely if they do that they reflect and match a core set of personal values held by the individuals who work there.
Values and vision statements are often written behind the closed doors of a board room, brought out like the ten commandments and put then on a plague with comments akin to "Thou shall follow these at all times!".
And yet do these values actually mean anything to the people who work in these organisations?
Whilst well intentioned, the reality is that personal values will override organisational values at times of greatest need. History tells us after the Columbia disaster that a ‘self-protective culture' formed within NASA and this personal value of safety overrode the organisational value of safety. Simply, engineers identified problems but failed to speak up for fear of ridicule or demotion. Their need for personal safety meant they considered keeping their job more important than doing their job.
Achieving excellence cannot be just a statement on a brass plaque on the wall; there needs to be a careful and planned cultural alignment of personal and professional values to achieve the lofty ambitions of a success driven place of work.
Michael Henderson is an expert on Organisational Culture. Find out below how you can build lasting values and culture by registering to attend Michael's workshops in Darwin on 21st & 22nd April.
Warm wishes,
Darren and Alison
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Finding financial success through your soul's purpose
The title of this week's blog is a strange one, isn't it?
It seems a little funny for a couple of reasons. Let me explain.
Firstly, isn't financial success is supposed to be achieved through hard work, long hours and too much time away from loved ones? Certainly that's what people would have us believe.
The second part of the title of this e-letter is about your soul's purpose. Once again a phrase surrounded by beliefs. Aren't we supposed to head off to the foothills of Tibet, sell our worldly possessions and live a frugal and simple life to achieve this?
I believe we can have both and I would like to explain this in some more depth to you this Friday night (5th March) at a free 2 hour information session:
DATE: Friday 5th March, 2010
TIME: 5:30 - 7:30pm
VENUE: Engineers Australia building, Shepherd St, Darwin CBD (for our interstate or international blog readers Darwin's only a flight away!)
We can make more than just a living from doing the things you love: in fact I know you can find something you truly love (and are good at) and make as much money from it as you wish. What you need to know is how to discover your market and deliver your expertise to the world so it is of value. This is a "yes and" conversation I am having with you right now (and continuing on Friday night) rather than an "either/or" conversation.
But to achieve the holy grail of finding your passion and making it commercially successful, you need to do a few things:
I am running a Thought Leaders Million Dollar Expert Immersion Program in Darwin on the 12th and 13th March, and this Friday's session is an information session to explain the processes of the Immersion program.
To reserve your spot at this free, no obligation information session this Friday 5th March please call Catherine or Alison on 08 8945 3199 or email info@changeworksnt.com.
I would love to see you there, and help you achieve this awesome goal.
Warm wishes,
Darren
It seems a little funny for a couple of reasons. Let me explain.
Firstly, isn't financial success is supposed to be achieved through hard work, long hours and too much time away from loved ones? Certainly that's what people would have us believe.
The second part of the title of this e-letter is about your soul's purpose. Once again a phrase surrounded by beliefs. Aren't we supposed to head off to the foothills of Tibet, sell our worldly possessions and live a frugal and simple life to achieve this?
I believe we can have both and I would like to explain this in some more depth to you this Friday night (5th March) at a free 2 hour information session:
DATE: Friday 5th March, 2010
TIME: 5:30 - 7:30pm
VENUE: Engineers Australia building, Shepherd St, Darwin CBD (for our interstate or international blog readers Darwin's only a flight away!)
We can make more than just a living from doing the things you love: in fact I know you can find something you truly love (and are good at) and make as much money from it as you wish. What you need to know is how to discover your market and deliver your expertise to the world so it is of value. This is a "yes and" conversation I am having with you right now (and continuing on Friday night) rather than an "either/or" conversation.
But to achieve the holy grail of finding your passion and making it commercially successful, you need to do a few things:
- discover your unique thought leadership; you then need to
- identify how you position yourself in the market; and finally
- you need to know which are the key channels for you to deliver your value proposition.
I am running a Thought Leaders Million Dollar Expert Immersion Program in Darwin on the 12th and 13th March, and this Friday's session is an information session to explain the processes of the Immersion program.
To reserve your spot at this free, no obligation information session this Friday 5th March please call Catherine or Alison on 08 8945 3199 or email info@changeworksnt.com.
I would love to see you there, and help you achieve this awesome goal.
Warm wishes,
Darren
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
How much do you value you?
It's always pretty hard to sell something you don't believe in 100%. You surely have had to do it. Perhaps it was a new policy at your work, or a new product line. Maybe it was a strategy the big boss said ‘let's make it happen!' and you had to deliver it to customers or staff with little or no say in the matter.
But if you think ‘selling' is hard when you don't believe in it, imagine just how hard it is for the buyer to 'buy-in' to the product! Often the buyer is desperate to find a product that is going to offer them real value. In many cases they really want you to succeed. Really, when you think about it, who would ever want to buy off a loser? We actually want to buy from successful, vibrant, passionate, and most importantly, authentic people. So the reality is your customers, clients, or colleagues are really cheering for you.
But few ‘sales' exist without a value proposition; and that value proposition starts with you. The reality is that people 'buy' people. We have the best Thai restaurant near our place and the thing that makes it the best is the friendly staff and warm reception we get every time we walk in the door.
Do you really value the work you perform? Do you value your time and knowledge? Do you value the unique difference and expertise that you bring to the exchange?
To try getting people to ‘buy' you, you must value yourself first and foremost.
Warm wishes,
Darren & Alison
But if you think ‘selling' is hard when you don't believe in it, imagine just how hard it is for the buyer to 'buy-in' to the product! Often the buyer is desperate to find a product that is going to offer them real value. In many cases they really want you to succeed. Really, when you think about it, who would ever want to buy off a loser? We actually want to buy from successful, vibrant, passionate, and most importantly, authentic people. So the reality is your customers, clients, or colleagues are really cheering for you.
But few ‘sales' exist without a value proposition; and that value proposition starts with you. The reality is that people 'buy' people. We have the best Thai restaurant near our place and the thing that makes it the best is the friendly staff and warm reception we get every time we walk in the door.
Do you really value the work you perform? Do you value your time and knowledge? Do you value the unique difference and expertise that you bring to the exchange?
To try getting people to ‘buy' you, you must value yourself first and foremost.
Warm wishes,
Darren & Alison
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Stay in the game
Watching the men's final of the Australian Open on Sunday night got me thinking about mental toughness, those blokes have got it by the bucketload.
There were a number of times when I noticed that one player was sitting on 40 - 0, seemingly winning the game, only to then be battling it out at deuce a few shots later. Elite tennis players have mastered the art of being able to cope with the constant swing between being on a 'winning streak' to 'defending the point'. To stay in the game requires mental toughness, self-confidence and an abundance of resilience.
It sounds straightforward. Of course we would do the same if we had Federer's athletic prowess and talent. But in our everyday lives how often do we sit back when we think we are 'home and hosed' only to then be rattled and possibly even 'throw in the towel' at the first sign that we may be defeated.
Whatever it is you are facing this week at work or at home realise that you've got all the resources you need in your court. And if things ever look like they might be starting to beat you dig deep, look forward and use your mental toughness to stay in the game.
Love
Darren and Alison
There were a number of times when I noticed that one player was sitting on 40 - 0, seemingly winning the game, only to then be battling it out at deuce a few shots later. Elite tennis players have mastered the art of being able to cope with the constant swing between being on a 'winning streak' to 'defending the point'. To stay in the game requires mental toughness, self-confidence and an abundance of resilience.
It sounds straightforward. Of course we would do the same if we had Federer's athletic prowess and talent. But in our everyday lives how often do we sit back when we think we are 'home and hosed' only to then be rattled and possibly even 'throw in the towel' at the first sign that we may be defeated.
Whatever it is you are facing this week at work or at home realise that you've got all the resources you need in your court. And if things ever look like they might be starting to beat you dig deep, look forward and use your mental toughness to stay in the game.
Love
Darren and Alison
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Turn frustration into action
Have you ever considered the role that strong emotions play in motivation?
The reality is that strong emotions can motivate us into action. Whether it is frustration, anger, anxiety, worry, excitement, or love we have two choices to make. We can find ways to dull down these emotions or we can choose to harness the power behind these emotions and act on them.
Like many people at this time of year one of my new year’s resolutions is to get fitter, specifically to get back into running after having a baby. My end-goal is to finish the Gold Coast Half Marathon in a personal best time in July this year. With this in mind I have set myself the challenge to run at least four times EVERY week. Over the last week, for a number of reasons, I only ran once.
I was frustrated and disappointed about this fact. But instead of finding good excuses (and there were a few) to help me feel better I asked myself, what can I do with this frustration? How can I make sure I don’t feel like this again?
After asking this question I found myself strapping on a pair of joggers and heading out for a run, after all it is only 30 minutes out of my day!
For me realising what I was feeling (and asking what I could do about it) was motivating. I’m on track to get my four runs in this week.
So ask yourself this question; what things are pressing emotional buttons for you at the moment? Then find ways to get motivated by these emotions by considering the following:
* What am I feeling?
* What can I do with this emotion?
* What action would move me further towards my goals?
Using strong emotions for positive action is a key way of sustaining motivation.
Warm wishes,
Alison & Darren
The reality is that strong emotions can motivate us into action. Whether it is frustration, anger, anxiety, worry, excitement, or love we have two choices to make. We can find ways to dull down these emotions or we can choose to harness the power behind these emotions and act on them.
Like many people at this time of year one of my new year’s resolutions is to get fitter, specifically to get back into running after having a baby. My end-goal is to finish the Gold Coast Half Marathon in a personal best time in July this year. With this in mind I have set myself the challenge to run at least four times EVERY week. Over the last week, for a number of reasons, I only ran once.
I was frustrated and disappointed about this fact. But instead of finding good excuses (and there were a few) to help me feel better I asked myself, what can I do with this frustration? How can I make sure I don’t feel like this again?
After asking this question I found myself strapping on a pair of joggers and heading out for a run, after all it is only 30 minutes out of my day!
For me realising what I was feeling (and asking what I could do about it) was motivating. I’m on track to get my four runs in this week.
So ask yourself this question; what things are pressing emotional buttons for you at the moment? Then find ways to get motivated by these emotions by considering the following:
* What am I feeling?
* What can I do with this emotion?
* What action would move me further towards my goals?
Using strong emotions for positive action is a key way of sustaining motivation.
Warm wishes,
Alison & Darren
Monday, January 18, 2010
Freedom from labour
One of our goals at Change Works for 2010 is to have more holidays!
Now I know lots of people each year make this resolution with a willing spirit, but as the year rolls on, it seems only a distant memory as the pressures of family, work and life in general take effect. But a cursory look at the word holiday shows us an avenue to take lots and lots of holidays in 2010.
As with many words in the English language, holiday has many meanings, but the one that stuck for me was ‘a day free from labour’. This got me to thinking, perhaps if we can’t take a full day off to be free from labour, then perhaps we can take an hour off, or even 15 minutes! Isn’t that in effect a mini holiday?
So to fill your year with mini-holidays try these things on for size:
* Have lunch in the park, take your shoes off, and even dare to have a mini-siesta in your ‘mini-holiday’
* Slip out for a glorious 20 minute morning tea with great coffee, cake and conversation
* Visit a travel agent in your lunch hour and dream of your next ‘big holiday’
Whilst mini-holidays in your regular week will not ever replace an experience of a week-long stay in a private villa in Bali (our Christmas holidays!) they will give you a moment’s freedom from labour. That’s got to be a good
Warm wishes
Darren & alison
Now I know lots of people each year make this resolution with a willing spirit, but as the year rolls on, it seems only a distant memory as the pressures of family, work and life in general take effect. But a cursory look at the word holiday shows us an avenue to take lots and lots of holidays in 2010.
As with many words in the English language, holiday has many meanings, but the one that stuck for me was ‘a day free from labour’. This got me to thinking, perhaps if we can’t take a full day off to be free from labour, then perhaps we can take an hour off, or even 15 minutes! Isn’t that in effect a mini holiday?
So to fill your year with mini-holidays try these things on for size:
* Have lunch in the park, take your shoes off, and even dare to have a mini-siesta in your ‘mini-holiday’
* Slip out for a glorious 20 minute morning tea with great coffee, cake and conversation
* Visit a travel agent in your lunch hour and dream of your next ‘big holiday’
Whilst mini-holidays in your regular week will not ever replace an experience of a week-long stay in a private villa in Bali (our Christmas holidays!) they will give you a moment’s freedom from labour. That’s got to be a good
Warm wishes
Darren & alison
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