Transforming Cold, Wet and Dreary: A Formula
Not only has daylight savings time brought more darkness into our waking hours, waking up to a cold, wet, dreary Monday morning can intensify the mood of wanting to stay under the covers and read a good novel. Its days and times like these that challenge us… staying engaged is the answer.
A day like this makes us question if we really need to keep that appointment or run the errand we planned. That was my dilemma yesterday. I was scheduled to meet an old friend for coffee at 11 AM. We’d attended graduate school together at CUSSW and although we live within 10 blocks of one another, we rarely see each other. Recently Columbia had a social work alumnae theater trip and we reconnected there. (By the way we saw Women On the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, which was fabulous, but got a lousy review last week in the NY Times. Please go to see it as it is fresh and funny and performances are wonderful.)
My friend and I went to this little place in the neighborhood called Penelope, which I’d never been to, thinking it would be quiet. We assumed by 11AM on a workday breakfast would be over and it was too early for lunch. Well the place was hoping-we had to wait for a table. You would have thought it was Sunday brunch. Speak about engagement. We took time to reconnect, caught up on what’s been happening in each of our lives and where we are going. Amazing how not seeing or communicating with one another for at least 5 years, we could sit down as if we’d been together last week.
What makes that happen? Working together as part of a team or work group on something you value and or have passion about is the long lasting adhesive. Honie and I were at Columbia when students protesting the Viet Nam War were killed at Kent State University in Ohio and at Jackson State College in Mississippi. It was a very volatile time and we were part of a student group that closed down the School of Social Work. We called ourselves the Power Through Unity Collective and wrote a series of newsletters we “mimeographed” and distributed on campus. I can close my eyes and return to those meetings. Focused, determined, appalled at the deaths of students protesting peacefully. We were totally engaged.
I returned to my office and began a conversation with the building managers. I had stopped in to complain about the new Concierge Service we have in the building. The company made a great pitch, which resulted in their being awarded the contract. Unfortunately the gap between what they said they would do and what they have done to date is very wide. They haven’t delivered.
This led us into a conversation about the need for management and employee involvement. Employees need direction setting and structure. They want to do their best. As our conversation evolved one of the buildings’ own employees who’d been out on sick leave came in. He’s been out battling a serious illness. When he left the building manager said “he wants to come back”. This is the norm in our building. We have an engaged workforce. Employee’s whether door people, handymen, porters etc. feel valued and acknowledged by management and residents. People have worked in this complex for 45 years.
As I reflect upon my day I realize it’s been about engagement. My friend and I could pick up where we left off years ago because of the trust we built over 30 years ago. Workers as nice as they may be in the concierge office flounder without management providing direction setting, a sense of common purpose, and training. Long-standing employees who feel valued and appreciated, even when confronted with serious illness choose to come back to work to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Engagement is key to transforming cold, wet and dreary. My office is filled with the warmth and sunshine engagement brings.
Right, Wrong, Taking Sides or Pulling Together
Waking up the morning after an election is always exhilarating for some and sobering for others. I find myself in a reflective mood this morning as I compare and contrast my day yesterday with lawyers in an attempt to find an acceptable solution to a corporate conflict and the results of the election. This blog is not a political statement. However, I can’t help but wonder about….. the impact all the negative campaigning has had not only on our election, but also on our national spirit and particularly on our children. Yesterday after months of trying to get together, counsel and clients sat down and for the first time began to talk about a resolution to a dispute. Both sides spending thousands of dollars. Who is right and who is wrong? We’ve never had a chance to air the points of view. Counsel styles differed similar to the candidates in the NY Governor race. One side used bullying and scare tactics while the other maintained a lets solve this problem approach. We are now there but its taken months and been costly.
My situation is a metaphor to what is happening in our government. Campaigns of dis-information and negativity have become the American way. Comments made about "our" President during the campaign have made me shutter. Yet people continually talk about a return to values. What values are we talking about? Being patriotic is not limited to one party or the other. Most anyone you ask, whether on the conservative or liberal end of their party, views themselves as having family values of respect, integrity, honesty, responsibility and being of service to those in need. These values are American values not partisan values. The question I ask is "are our politicians acting in alignment with those values or believing in them but behaving differently?" Does the end justify the means?
Americans in towns and cities from coast to coast have demonstrated the spirit of America by helping one another out in these difficult times of need. These are the stories we need to be hearing about. Last Sunday’s 60 Minutes featured a town in Iowa decimated by the economic downturn. People are pulling together. The segment is worth watching Click Here
Diversity of thought and belief is what our founding fathers tried to secure for generations to come. The American people have spoken this election. Some are rejoicing, others are tearful. Bottom line is the time has come to pull together. See Catalyst blog Click Here
Let’s get rid of the bullying, the dug in heels. Has anyone thought about the connection between bullying of youth in school and the bullying that has gone on in Congress or the media for ratings? I think there is a direct connection. Children are imitating adults. The lack of civility and manipulation of information for personal goals is having a profound impact on our youth. The great danger is a generation that learns values from our poor behavior with one another.
Let us come together, listen to one another and create wonderful solutions that go beyond either party’s wildest dreams. Let us build together for our children and their children. Corporate leaders can use this opportunity to reflect on their own leadership style. Is your behavior building an Engaged Organization? If not, start now. If yes, tell us how!
How Do Humility And Team Spirit Go Hand In Hand?
I come from a long line of baseball fans. So long, that with my 92 year old mother in Brooklyn, 90 and 88 year old aunts in FL, I have been glued to the TV watching the NLCS and ALCS playoffs. They were terrific match-ups and I’m sure ….some of you are disappointed with the results. I for one am not. I think this upcoming World Series match up between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants will be outstanding. I caught the post game interviews with the Rangers and was impressed with the comments made. I know very little about the team. A franchise for 39 years this is their first trip to the World Series. What struck me was the heart felt sincerity of the comments made by the manager, Ron Washington. Washington’s humility, exemplified in the comments he made about the excellence of his team, was inspiring. This is a man who earlier this year acknowledged cocaine use. He apologized to the Ranger organization including his players and was kept on staff. In actuality the way he and the organization handled this transgression may have brought the team closer together.
Within seconds the scene shifted to the traditional bubbly being sprayed over the players but this time the bubbly was ginger-ale because MVP of the series Josh Hamilton and teammate CJ Wilson don’t drink. This demonstration of team support of a player who has battled addiction to alcohol was a first for me
Next up was Josh Hamilton. In tears he talked about the love he had for the team and his fellow players. He referenced his past addictions and his healing. Like many he thanked God as well. Expressions of gratitude are commonplace. However, I’ve never heard such heart felt authentic expressions after winning a series.
The sense of oneness exemplified by the Rangers from Nolan Ryan down is truly representative of an engaged organization. Telling the truth, acknowledging the efforts of others in your success, a manager admitting to his mistakes, coupled with talent and skill are just a few of the elements that build an engaged organization. Will they carry this through to win the world Series? Only time will tell.
Are You Willing To Experience The Power Of Stand By Me?
I was moved to tears the other evening watching Oprah Winfrey interviewing women veterans returning from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan who are now homeless. The comment was made ...we should all feel the shame of having those who served our country now living on the streets. Now those of us who actively opposed the Viet Nam war know this is nothing new. Thousands of Viet Nam Vets came home with health problems to a country, which turned its back on them. Unfortunately some still have not received the assistance needed to make a decent life for themselves. What’s new now is with over 200,000 women serving we have women who are returning home and for whatever reasons are now homeless. Other’s face custody battles with spouses who were caring for their children while they were deployed. Can you imagine we have laws that protect a veteran’s job while deployed but not their right of custody of their children? One Sergeant Juanita Wilson, having lost an arm and hospitalized at Walter Reade Medical Center made a commitment to “stand by” every women admitted to the facility. She said the hardest thing for her was to get through the days of pain and fear. So she decided while she was healing to literally stand by any other women admitted with serious injuries. One of those women was Tammy Duckworth, now Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs who had both her legs amputated. Sergeant Wilson stood by Tammy’s bed as a symbol she could get through the pain. They were reunited on Oprah’s show which aired October 15th 2010. Click For Video Sixty Minutes also featured homeless veterans in Sunday nights show. The problem is growing. As one psychologist stated the homeless veterans are younger and whereas with Viet Nam homelessness showed up 7-8 years after returning, veterans returning from multiple tours of duty are joining the ranks of the homeless at much higher rates, and some within months of their return.
Curiously enough last week a friend of mine from Canada sent me an email with a link to music she wanted me to hear. It’s of a song being sung by people all over the world. I am including the link here for your listening pleasure. The song is Stand By Me. It sends chills up my spine. Obviously I wasn’t supposed to listen to it last week as it has so much more meaning this morning after hearing the importance of “standing by”. Stand By Me
When I hear stories like these my passion for helping managers and entrepreneurs build engaged organizations expands. For it is when we are engaged that we are cognizant we are all united-we are all part of the company employing us, the community we live in, the country we are citizens of and the planet we call Earth. We need to stand by one another.
What Ignites The Interest of Accomplished Women and Informed Men?
Last week I had the opportunity to meet with a wonderful group of women at the Swedish American Executive Women’s Conference sponsored by the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce (SACC) here in NYC. The brainchild of Renee Lundholm, SACC President who felt strongly the Chamber needed to develop specialized women’s programming she launched the Executive Women’s Conference about 8 years ago. Women of Swedish ancestry from throughout the US mingled … with women who came from all over Sweden, and a few of us non-Swedes to discuss issues facing working women in the global recession. Citigroup hosted the daylong conference. Although a few men were present throughout the day, something magical happens when women get together even when they are from different countries. The issues are similar although at the core there are basic differences in cultural beliefs and values. Take childcare for example. I know women in the US who are having a hard time getting 3 months maternity leave. In Sweden everyone, women and men get 18 months. What does that say about the value each places on children? In the US we are just coming to terms with a failing education system. It boggles my mind people don’t realize our children are our future here in the US. It’s opportunities like this event where women can come together and share their stories and ideas that are so important. This is how we learn and grow as people. This is the only way we can make the world a better place.
Which brings me to the second point I want to make in this blog. I received an email last night with a link, which I am putting in this blog. This informative short video was an eye opener! I’d been asked to view the video before going on a call to discuss the new Trump Network skincare line BIOCE. We are working towards getting BioCe recognized on the "safe cosmetic" list. In the video, one of the first products mentioned was my favorite shampoo. Alarming to say the least. We need to do a better job in this country and the world and put a higher value on people’s health than profits. This is something everyone-women and the men who love the women in their lives, need to pay attention to. Spend a few minutes to view it. http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=682
This ties in to the last point I want to make today. At a committee meeting yesterday for an organization I am volunteering with, the sobering news that we were not up to last year’s levels for contributions to our premier event was shared. A discussion ensued about the economy and how people are struggling and those with money are not spending. This on the heals of the news that Wall Street bonuses will reach a new record this year. A bonafide capitalist I ask, isn’t there something wrong with this picture?
Featuring an Engaged Executive
This week I am off to Baltimore for meetings regarding the new Requisite Organization Platform and a Board Meeting for the Requisite Organization International Institute. Consequently, this blog will be short. I’ll have lots to say next time in the September Newsletter, which will go out late next week. However I do want to introduce you to Angela Ahrendts the CEO of Burberry. I caught her being interviewed by Charlie Rose last week and am providing a link to that interview. I have no idea if she has ever heard of an EngagedOrg or Requisite Organization but this woman emulates a truly engaged executive. You will enjoy listening to this interview and have the experience of hearing first hand from an engaged leader. Apparently the Dalai Lama in a speech given in British Columbia last spring said, "The world will be saved by the western woman." If Angela Ahrendts is any example the world is in good hands. “And she’s not even a client.”
Check out the interview here
Ecclesiastes 3:22
“I see there is no happiness for man but to be happy in his work, for this is the lot assigned to him. Who then can bring him to see what is to happen after his time?”…..
In life we are required to continuously manage a myriad of relationships. If I were to ask each of you to jot down the three to five most important relationships in your life I can safely guess that spouse/loving relationship partner, children, parents and/or siblings and boss and colleagues would be on the list. Missing is what I refer to as life’s essential relationships- our relationship to ourselves and to our work. This week I’m discussing our relationship to work although the two are interwoven.
As human beings we are goal directed organisms. We move towards an outcome or away from it when fear overcomes us. When ready for employment we enter into an implicit or explicit employment contract with our employer to complete a set of tasks for which we are paid. Hopefully a salary we feel is fair.
Having meaningful work, that is, work you value and feel well matched to is rewarding. In today’s economy, with the high rate of unemployment many of you might be wondering why write this blog now? It’s because fear and malaise are costly for each of us individually and for the companies in which we work. Some of you are under-employed meaning you have more capability than what your current role requires. Others are treading water in stormy seas because you have been asked to do not only your own work, but also the tasks of others whose roles have been eliminated. Still others are over-stretched without the current capability to do the work required in the role.
Requisite Organization defines work as “the exercise of judgment and discretion in making decisions in carrying out goal-directed activities” (From Social Power and the CEO by Elliott Jaques, page 187). Simply stated, goal-directed activities focus on the completion of tasks or series of tasks. Groups of tasks are organized into specific roles in work systems, which are then organized into the infrastructure or the organization spine of the company…the fabric of the company. When well matched to the requirements of our role, synergy occurs. I like to think of this as “humming along”, that is, the work is a continuous cycle of motivation and accomplishment resulting in personal as well as organization satisfaction. If you have experienced this, and I hope you have, it is one of the most satisfying experiences you can have in life.
What to do to create personal synergy at work:
1. Conduct a personal audit of your current employment or last employment if presently unemployed. Ask yourself if you value the work you are doing? Do you feel well matched to the assignments given? Are you overwhelmed and stressed out? Do you feel under-employed? Are you over-stretched meaning the work requires capability and ways of thinking for which you are currently unprepared? Be truthful! Identify your ideal role. Does it exist in your present company? Develop a plan to get from where you are to where you want to be even if it’s a long-term plan.
2. If under-employed here are two suggestions. Firstly, let your manager know. It’s not that you want more of the same added to the role but rather that you can do more than what is being asked of you at present. Most managers would appreciate a discussion of this type. It provides an opportunity for them to rethink some of the assignments or perhaps provide you with one of the projects s/he has been meaning to get to for months and never seems to have the time. You may not get an increase in salary but you will get an increase in recognition and you will feel more energized about your work. Secondly, look outside the organization for a place to volunteer. I know one such friend whose employment for years did not utilize his full capability. He got active in local politics, which provided an outlet for his capability. Only recently has he moved into a role that requires his full capability.
3. If you are drowning at work because you are doing the work of two or three people you need to engage your boss in a discussion to brainstorm how to provide relief. It may be the workload gets spread amongst a few, or some things get eliminated. On the other hand, if you are overstretched and can’t keep up with the requirements of the role, yet reticent to communicate this you’re gambling with your life and your family’s future. Consistent intensely stressful situations cause health and social problems namely dis-ease and can result in health problems and/or acting out behavior. Fear prevents many from raising this in discussion with management and/or beginning to look for new employment. We are no good to those we love if always angry, uptight and living in fear of being found out.
Engaged organizations require workers at every level to be accountable for communicating what may be interfering in the effective execution of tasks in their role. This is a two way street with communication flowing up as well as down. Given the economic down turn we are in its imperative that our companies become competitive once again. The answer lies not in expense reduction but in the recognition that in our people lies the key to worldwide competitive advantage.
Blue Balance In A Black And White World!
Monday was Labor Day and to celebrate my life partner Dan and I went to see Avatar. We are probably the only two in the city who hadn’t seen it the first go around. We treated ourselves and went to see the extended version in IMAX 3D. What an experience. It was as if we were in the film ourselves. To anyone who can see it this way I/we highly recommend you treat yourself to the opportunity. The rollercoaster my emotions experienced had me intensely angry one moment and experiencing nirvana the next. I wondered if I’d have violent dreams that night but fortunately the love and “oneness of all life” messages overcame any negative images that might have lingered in my psyche. So what has Avatar to do with Engaged Organizations? James Cameron had the vision of this movie for more than 20 years. He had to wait for technology to catch up to what his brain created-could see, feel, hear and taste. He held fast to his vision and maintained his commitment to this endeavor. He kept those around him engaged in this vision to varying degrees. I’m sure the making of Avatar programs go into this but I can only imagine the excitement and creativity that went into creating the Avatars and the creatures on Pandora, the music, cinematography.
In my July newsletter I shared my excitement about the new RO Platform, software that enables RO advisors and managers to expeditiously demonstrate the impact timespan measurement of roles has on organization design. Elliott Jaques died knowing the benefit and impact of his research on the lives of workers around the world, but before software technology advanced to make clear-cut illustrations of outcomes available to clients. Without technology it was harder to demonstrate the impact RO has on an organization’s effectiveness. Elliott’s vision of the potential vibrant work systems can have by adding value and wealth to society and providing opportunities for workers at all levels to contribute their best, remains as strong as ever. Blessedly we are here to carry forth this important work, which takes me back to Avatar.
I didn’t read reviews and was turned off by all the hype. Consequently I did not expect the violence and oppression. I recall people saying to me “you must see the film”, “it’s wonderful”, its message is great”. Even one of the priests I know mentioned he went to see it four times. Perplexed, I choose to imagine that most people resonated with the Avatars’ strong sense of oneness --of us being united with all living things. Is there a more clear-cut illustration of engagement?
A colleague and friend died this week after suffering multiple strokes. We created a sistercare prayer and holding group for her. Literally there was always someone at her bedside for the two and a half months she was ill. Others sent energy and prayers from afar. I took great comfort in the Avatars chanting around their sacred tree. Who were more evolved? Perhaps we need to learn more about organization engagement from Avatar!
Eid Mubarak to those friends who are ending Ramadan and Happy New Year those celebrating a new beginning.
The More Things Change The More They Remain The Same
The adventure of a new school year, new classes, teachers and friends, is imprinted on many of our psyches as a time of new beginnings. It’s the perfect time to reflect on the past, understanding why some initiatives worked, and other’s didn’t and to look to the future with the excitement and enthusiasm we had as children starting a new school year. While digitizing older files from our records, we found a letter written to clients and friends in 1996. Bova Associates the precursor to BEI had a policy of writing an annual New Year’s letter to clients, colleagues and friends at the beginning of each year. What amazed us here at BEI today is the consistency and determination of Rosemary’s vision and interests.
BEI actually has all the data from that time and is considering doing a longitudinal study. Appreciate your comments.
How Can You Transform Doom and Gloom Into Opportunity?
In our newsletter last week I spoke about Mercury Retrogrades. Well folks, on Monday NYC experienced a system-wide shut down of the Long island Railroad (LIRR) when a small fire occurred in a main switching station. Reports were quick to say that the fire was caused by the weather. However the most mind-boggling tidbit was that this switching station depended on equipment from 1913 and there was no back up for it. Can you imagine a system that carries 245,000 riders daily into NYC, in 2010 using equipment just under 100 years old and not having a back up in place? It’s a clear-cut demonstration of a short-term mindset on the part of LIRR management. There is no strategic thinking here, no preventative equipment upgrading. These are not the actions of an engaged organization. I’m not a gambling woman but I would bet money a survey of workers who were assigned to this switching station in the last 50 years would show they repeatedly advised management the equipment needed to be upgraded. It is situations like this one that erode the trust of the workforce. It creates malaise, which is hard to undo. Those of us on the east coast have been experiencing our fourth straight day of rain. Although it affects many of us, most of whom would prefer to be on a sofa reading an interesting book, its also a great time to get to some of those items on your to do list that never seem to get done.
Sometimes we just don’t feel like working. Our energy dips and it’s hard to rally and get energized to complete the tasks before us. Here are a few tips I’ve used to cope when feeling this way:
- Acknowledge what you are feeling and take a break. Just saying I don’t want to be here can create a shift in energy. The more you resist a feeling or emotion the more it persists. If possible take the day off, or a more modest solution do something you really like to do sometime during the day-it could be as simple as calling a friend.
- Shift your physiology. If you can take a walk or exercise break that helps. If time is extremely limited stand with knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart and shake for 60 seconds. It helps your blood flow and gives each cell in your body a massage.
- Sometimes we don’t act like the responsible adults we are. Ask yourself if what you are doing must be done today. Can it be done tomorrow, or in a few hours? I have learned when I force myself to work on something when my heart and energy are not in it, the task takes two to three times longer to complete and the end product usually leaves something to be desired. Actually this is more costly for the company. So be a courageous adult and tell your boss you need to take a few hours, or you are going to go home early. You are likely to be pleasantly surprised. Many managers are okay with such requests when used sparingly.
Let us know any tips you may have that work for you.
We are coming up on the last week of August. Outside of NYC most kids are back in school, here they’ll begin on September 8th . I don’t know about you but my time clock has September be the start of the year. I’m using this late August down time to plant the seeds of opportunity I know are forthcoming in “the new year”. Have a great week.
Watch and Listen Before You Leap!
So what have you learned? The question is one I’ve been asked millions of times. I am one of those individuals who see myself as a life long learner. In fact I’ve had colleagues ask me “Rosemary why are you interested in so many areas of study? Why am I interested in continuously discovering new things about myself? The second question is much easier to answer. As a consultant and Requisite Organization advisor I am the instrument of learning and change with which my clients interact. Role modeling when building engaged organizations is essential. I cannot ask workers to do anything I have not done myself. People take stock more in a person’s behavior than in what they say. If the two are incongruous a red flag is likely to go up. Often an unexplained sense of caution prevails.
So lets get back to the question at hand. What have you learned? If you have been reading the previous two blogs you may have learned that as astute as you think you are in skilled observation you were befuddled by the marbles and did not see the changes taking place before your very eyes in the ball playing video. You are not alone. Unfortunately, I do not have the statistics but can only imagine most of us don’t see what is before our very eyes.
It’s important to keep an open mind. Even when you think you know what a person means when they make a statement it’s prudent to paraphrase to be sure your assumption is correct. I’ve been teaching this basic of all communication skills for more than 25 years and am fascinated how infrequently it is used. Focus is important, but too strong a focus can be detrimental. Focusing on one area or problem can result in not seeing the bigger picture or more important situation. There is always “more than meets the eye.”
During these dog days of August I ask you to pay attention. Rethink immediate reactions to other people’s ideas and thoughts. Challenge yourself to use the skill of paraphrasing what another says to insure you understand the intent of their communication. I guaranty this simple skill will improve your communication with others at work, as well as at home. You will be more engaged in the interaction and subsequently in your own unique fashion helping to build more engaged organizations.
Did You See The Kangaroo Run Across The Set?
I happened to be watching the Today Show last week when a kangaroo ran across the set to the surprise of the four morning hosts who were visibly startled. I wonder how many people saw that kangaroo? I’ve got to assume the clip is on Youtube by now.
We are living in challenging times. Armed conflicts throughout the world, and in the US we can’t have meaningful conversation about our differing points of view. We focus on the negative and do not provide space for positive occurrences to be recognized. We see what we want or expect to see and lose sight of what is really going on. The same is true of listening, which I’ll talk about in a future post. Please click on this link and see what you see. Let me know what you learn about yourself.
How Do You Demonstrate Your Brilliance?
I believe each of us has a unique gift we bring into the world. Some might refer to that gift as our uniqueness I prefer to refer to that gift as our brilliance. I’m using brilliance in a slightly different fashion referring to brightness. Brilliancy is captured in degrees and I like to think that we all shine. As human beings our brilliancy differs. Some of us make scientific discoveries that change how all of us live our lives. Some invent computer chips while others invent ponytail clips. Sometimes the one who invents the computer chip makes less than the one who invented the ponytail clip. Others might have a beautiful smile. When they smile their face lights up and their smile is contagious. A hello from a homeless person on the street on the other hand can change the attitude of a successful person having a down day.
Perhaps we might say brilliance is in the eye of the beholder. Engaged organizations create opportunities for individual’s brilliance to shine and grow in intensity. They celebrate the unique contributions and characteristics of the workforce. Half of the time we don’t see what is in front of us, which in part is today’s theme and will be taken to a different level next week.
For your viewing pleasure please watch the linked video. Take note of this individual’s brilliance and enjoy the message as well.
Moving forward In This Challenging Economy
The recession and slow recovery has caused fear and frustration in the minds and hearts of workers throughout the country and world. Many US based businesses have been frustrated by their lack of success in creating sustainable improvements in their companies, while having spent millions if not billions of dollars on technology and consulting. The spirit of the American worker is strong even though s/he may have been beaten down. Robert Kiyosaki in his new book, The Business of the 21st Century presents network marketing as a solution. Network marketing is a vehicle by which individuals can become self- employed, with a modest initial investment and usually manageable monthly expenditures. Many of you know that Rosemary Bova has recently joined the Trump Network (www.trumpnetwork.com/rosemarybova) as an independent marketer. Her interest is twofold, firstly to learn more about this model of product distribution and secondly to use it as a vehicle to create long-term residual income.
It’s been an interesting journey. The bottom line is: self-employment is not the answer for everyone. Most people I meet are intimidated by and fearful of having to rely on themselves for an income. Having been self-employed for more than twenty years I find that hard to understand. It takes courage to be self-employed.
Most people want to be employed in a work system that values their contribution, treats them right and pays them fairly for their efforts. That is why it is so important to build strong vibrant work systems, which is the mission of BEI. We help build engaged organizations, and will soon be using the newly launched tool the RO Platform (www.RequisiteSystem.com) to help managers get a handle on the hidden fractures in their infrastructures.
Bova Enterprises, Inc. www.bovaenterprises.com looks forward to introducing clients and colleagues to the RO Platform software. Call us at 212 685 0870 for a demonstration.
How Can You Prevent Vision Vampires From Draining Your Energy?
I just got off the telephone with a colleague who was asking me what was going on in my life. I decided to tell her about the new business venture I’ve embarked on called the Trump Network. I was totally engaged in telling her and could tell from her responses she wasn’t really interested in knowing about the business or the product line. Suddenly I could feel a tightening in my heart and my enthusiasm start to dissipate. My colleague was what some in the network call a dream snatcher and I’ve renamed “vision vampire”. Her lack of interest and disparaging comment about the namesake of the business bummed me out. I could feel my energy shift. I found myself on the defensive. “You know about residual income,” I said. I want to create residual income for my retirement. Though I knew she wanted to get off the phone, I still wanted her at least to know that even if she wasn’t interested in the products, (I’d already come to the realization she wouldn’t be interested in the business opportunity), perhaps she might think about referrals for me. I know better than this. There is nothing worse than getting into a control duel. The call ended and I felt awful. I suspect she felt relieved. Vision Vampires are people who knowingly or unwittingly drain your energy. Sometimes they suck it out literally with their negative views like “that won’t work”, “are you crazy”? This even though you were not asking their opinion or permission. Other times, like this one, it’s subtle. It was more about the tone and innuendo I picked up from her responses that triggered my reaction. It wasn’t so much her, as the fact that I turned over my power to her. I did not stand grounded in my own energy.
Sharing your dream or your excitement about something needs to be done when you are in a fully aware state. There are many people in the world who don’t want to see or experience your excitement because they have given up their own dreams. Or, sometimes a person says they want to hear you but really doesn’t have the time or interest at the moment. Whatever the reason the result is the same. You get zapped.
Here are a few tips to protect you from the vision vampire. One thing is to be sure you are coming from a grounded place inside yourself. Obviously I wasn’t. I’d been writing all day and this unexpected call threw me off. I wasn’t prepared for it and just started talking. A better strategy would have been to say I am in the middle of something let me call you back.
When asking for referrals I could have set it up better by asking for her assistance and saying something like I know she’d want to see me be successful with this new venture. She’s asked me for referrals over the years and I’ve been generous. Professionally speaking she would have understood the dynamic of give and take.
Perhaps most importantly notice how many people have given up on dreaming about their life. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve come in contact with who have given up on their hopes and dreams. This is a very sad fact for us individually, for our family and friends and for our country. Without dreams, which then turn into goals we cannot create the kind of life we want. Please keep dreaming and beware of vision vampires who, because they have no dreams of their own, want to suck the vitality of yours out as well.
How does Independence Day Reflect Engagement?
Happy Independence Day to all! If your life is anything like mine you spent the weekend with family and friends sharing food and drink, taking a swim in a pool, pond, lake or ocean and celebrating the uniqueness of the United States of America. I am writing this to you from my home in Amagansett. Once known as the sleepy village in East Hampton-its not so sleepy anymore. We are blessed to be a part of this community for many years and have seen it develop and grow. Saturday, as tradition would have it, we watched fireworks sponsored by the Devon Yacht Club. Sunday night, like millions of Americans, we watched the celebrations on TV. Personally, I thought the number of servicemen and women dressed in full uniform honored at the celebrations was heart warming. The patriotism was evident when those in my living room burst into song when the patriotic medleys began. Sure, not all of the on-goings in this country are positive and inspiring, but I must say the feeling of being part of this great country overwhelmed me. It’s a great feeling to be a part of something larger than oneself. Last night I witnessed millions of American’s from all walks of life, political persuasions and economic classes celebrating their American heritage. This is engagement, at its best.
Last week I had a client, recently promoted to the top spot, say to me “my people are hungering for leadership”. I don’t think he is alone in this observation. Millions of American workers hunger for leadership. They hunger for the woman or man at the top to exhibit courage, honesty and integrity in the decisions they make. They want to know the reasons behind certain decisions that affect them personally.
Many years ago at a Human Resource Planning Society Annual Conference I heard an executive of the then Martin Marietta Company talk about how he managed a significant number of job eliminations by personally meeting with each individual whose role was being eliminated and letting them know he was committed to helping them find other positions. What a novel idea. I remember him saying it was not an easy task, but turned out to be a very rewarding task as those whose positions were eliminated experienced were treated with respect and dignity. No one lost their temper or used abusive language. This morning I received the Jim Rohn Newsletter. It speaks about “Maintaining Honesty and Dignity”. I link it here for your perusal, as it is just another perspective on Organization Engagement: http://www.jimrohn.com/.
Have a great week!
What's The Connection Between Peace And An Engaged Organization?
Have you ever asked yourself the question “What is peace?” Last week I attended an international peace conference held at Hope Springs Institute (www.hopespringsonstitute.org) in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southern Ohio. People gathered from Europe, Curacao, India and across the US to discuss peace.Retired Col Ann Wright, a warrior in her own right, discussed her resignation from the military in protest to US policy in Iran, and her subsequent commitment to work for peace. Her story is compelling. The perspective of a female warrior working for peace and weaving together her experience, information and heart was exhilarating. Violence is at the root of all trauma says Gina Ross, Founder and President on the International Healing Institute (www.ginaross.com). She gave a wonderful presentation on healing trauma by understanding the Trauma Vortex and being more aligned with the Healing Vortex. The experience of trauma is retained in our bodies. It can be eliminated through SE (Somatic Experiencing). I experienced this marvelous technique first hand through her skilled guidance in healing the trauma of living through the September 11 attacks on the WTC. A most powerful experience, it took just minutes.
What the connection is between peace and an engaged organization? Peace is a state of mind. When we are authentic we generally are coming from a peaceful place, at one with ourselves even though our expression of a point of view or emotion might be intense. Engaged organizations are inhabited by people who strive to be and are authentic. These companies are places where people feel comfortable sharing their thinking, creativity and even feelings. Engaged organizations are great breeding grounds for peace. I’d love to hear some of your views on this. Please share them with me.
Summer Solstice Greetings
I’ve decided to write a day or two earlier this week so that I could honor the Summer Solstice. I am reprinting a brief message from a dear friend Diana Byrnes regarding the history of the Solstice.
Summer Solstice Greetings
As the days lengthen and the sun rises higher and higher in the sky, we enter the Summer Solstice. The word Solstice comes from the combination of sol, meaning "sun", and sistere, "to stand still".
Solstice, the day the sun appears to stand still, has been celebrated for centuries:
- The Celtics and the Slavic people celebrated the first day of summer with dancing and bonfires to help increase the sun's energy.
- The Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light. This honoring of the feminine at the beginning of Summer, the yin forces, complemented their Winter Solstice celebration, which celebrates the masculine and yang forces.
- In ancient Sweden the Solstice was about promise of the future harvest. A tree was decorated in each town and girls would bath in the local river with the intention to bring rain for crops.
- For the Hopi, Kachinas come from their cloud homes to live among the people and renew the powers of fertility and rain.
As the Solstice announces the beginning of the harvest months and the fruits that abound, we can't help but be in awe of the great power of the sun and it's blessings upon us.
Wishing everyone a wonderful summer.
Diana
I’d like to take her last paragraph, which comments on the beginning of the harvest months and wish all of you great success in harvesting that which you have been tending for the last six months or so. May you begin to reap the benefits of your efforts, and if you have been reaping benefits may they continue in abundance. I am off to an International Peace Gathering. More about this next week hopefully. You can visit Diana's site here: http://www.dianabyrnes.com/home.html
What's The History of ENGAGEDorg?
Some of you have asked about the history of the term ENGAGEDorg. In October 2009 I attended a conference called Engage Now in Calgary, Alberta Canada. The conference was really two conferences in one: a collaboration between Simplewealth, Inc., and the University of Calgary. Among the featured speakers were the Dali Lama, Edward DeKlerk, Richard Branson, Tony Hsieh of Zappos, and other successful businessmen and woman in businesses that are leveraging the new technologies. To be in the first row and hear all these extraordinary speakers was one of life’s treasured moments. At a post conference mastermind group it was clear to me that I had to revitalize my consulting business. We prided ourselves on being authentic with clients and eclectic in our approach. Weaving together science based management principles with Gestalt methodology, and being informed by Rosemary’s far-reaching interests, the consultancy created a loyal client base with little or no marketing. But alas like everyone else we have been hit by the recession. The business has changed and it’s time to do things differently.
The term Enagaged Organization emerged and I quickly purchased the domain names. Weeks later while strolling on the beach in Amagansett with my friend Suzee Foster I realized engaged organization.com is a mouthful. She, being in public relations, came up with ENGAGEDorg, which I think you all would agree is catchy and more current.
Organization Engagement will become the new buzzword of the next decade. It has many layers. There is the individual engagement that managers, employees and owners have with the company. Are they aligned with the values, mission and vision of the entity? Is the entity itself engaged with the community within which it does business? We live in a global society so that now we have people living on the Gulf Coast with the BP oil spill outraged and panicked by the lack of progress to stop the spill and save the wetlands, fish and fauna. At the same time we have millions of pensioners in Great Britain and other part of Europe and the world who because of the drastic devaluation of BP stock have seen their pensions evaporate before their very eyes. Has BP acted like an ENGAGEDorg? I don’t think so. There are many questions to be asked and the disinformation has been startling. Corporations both large and small are the vehicles that create wealth for the planet; they directly impact the communities in which they operate and serve. Rather than focusing on avoiding litigation they need to play a more proactive role in being corporate citizens. Becoming an ENGAGEDorg is an essential first step.
Since we launched ENGAGEDorg.com and started to rebrand our consulting business, our dear friends at Simplewealth have also launched a new initiative the Engaged Entrepreneur. I invite you to visit their website at www.engagedentrepreneur.com to learn more about their services for small business. Follow owner, Greg Habstritt’s blog for thoughtful and at times challenging commentary.
ENGAGEDorg seems to be satisfying a need. Our newsletter launched just yesterday had a 50% open rate. People are craving the authentic, candid communication and service we provide. As a boutique consultancy we can provide the personalized authentic services people want.
CLICK HERE for our Newsletter. And remember to subscribe!
Do YOU Have a Personal Mission Statement?
While attending an entrepreneurial conference in Calgary last week I had the good fortune to meet a lot of fascinating people. Some were young enough to be my grandchild and some old enough to be my parent. What struck me most was the enthusiasm all had about being engaged entrepreneurs and learning to live their life with greater authenticity. During a break I met a charming young man who told me he blogs regularly and recently wrote on the subject of the thoughtful leader. In less than 15 minutes Kyle McNeil from Edmonton and I covered a wide territory including grieving for a recently deceased love one and finding out that he does business from Edmonton with the daughter of a business partner of mine in NY. Just amazing! I asked him to send me his blog and after reading it decided to quote it. I am thrilled to know that our young people are thoughtful about their lives, the future of business and the planet. He blew me away when he said he had a mission statement for his life. I’ve heard Steven covey talk of this but had never written one myself. So here are excerpts from Kyle’s blog: “3 summers ago I wrote down a mission statement to: “positively & deeply impact at least one million people over the course of my life”.
“From that space, I realized to be a “thought leader” is good … what about being a thoughtful leader! That fits much better “
“With that in mind, here’s 7 KEYS to becoming a thoughtful leader.
- Have pen & paper ALWAYS available – the ideas will come fast & furious when you least expect it. Be ready to capture inspiration. Like in so many books that profess the power of writing things down – MY GOODNESS it’s true. Write it down!
- Acknowledge profound insights & powerful actions in yourself in others – celebrate this – it’s a gift. The more you honour this, the more you’ll receive. This is abundance.
- Serve YOU. Your core purpose is to love you & feed your soul. Without you – you can’t serve others. Death, sickness & unhappiness greatly reduces our impact. Set time aside for your body, mind & spirit – make it a priority.
- Explore your why – in other words, “why do you do what you do”? What’s your mission? The deeper this resides inside you, the bigger impact you’ll make & more results you’ll see. Will & determination ALWAYS wins.
- Take action – get involved – this is where your name will grow & thoughts & heart will touch others … the universe loves speed (action) and will show you the way. Expect challenge, failure & success. It’s just part of the journey. Sitting back thinking about how to change the world is important. At the same time, if this is 100% your plan … we’ve got a problem.
- Be impeccable with your word – Conscious & clean in your delivery of messages with people. Don’t spill your “crap” onto others. Your words make a long lasting impact. Also be aware, that trying to be perfect & not “hurt anyone’s feelings” will keep you in the backseat — trust me I know this intimately.
- Drop the me-me-me, ego and LISTEN! To be a thoughtful leader, you must be considerate of others, if you never stop talking … you’ll never learn what is important to them & you will lose them (especially now that we’re in the civic cycle)! Find out what moves them & what they need though; you’re GOLDEN!”
Kyle’s blog has taught me some things. I am starting to work on my own mission statement. What about you?