Eclectic Change

Do we really need engaged employees?

I remember in my twenties complaining to my mother about how stressed I was.  She looked at me as if I had landed from Mars.  She asked skeptically: "What exactly do you have to be stressed about?"  I don't remember what I answered but she told me that, not once living through the London Blitz of WWII did any one stop to complain about stress.  The whole concept was completely foreign to her. I mean really . . . what is all the whining about?  I am sure if we were living from hand t...

What The Wii Can Teach Us About Employee Engagement

Do great minds think alike?  I had started a draft of this post two days ago and filmed some of the video clips that I wanted to include when I read Tanveer Naseer's recent blog post: What A Soda Vending Machine Can Teach Us About Employee Engagement I have decided to "borrow" the same title format in both homage and it is catchier than the one I was originally using. Santa brought the family a Wii for Christmas No can say that the Wii doesn't draw you in - a little like gambling.  A f...

What is Success? Success comes from the inside

OK, I admit it.  I have this love  hate relationship with Marshall Goldsmith.  I have written about it before on more professional level and while I would love to write Marshall off for some little insignificant thing he has done or written that irritates me,  he continues to get it right.  (I feel that I can use his first name as we have corresponded)  Clearly, he speaks to my shadow side and I  must have (and I say this begrudgingly) I have something to learn from him. By the way, you can get ...

The Opposite of a Closed Mind – Video

Welcome to my very first Flip Cam Video.  I experimented a couple of years ago but the quality was pretty bad.  This is an unedited version that is under 2 minutes. Most of us wouldn't describe ourselves as having a closed mind but unfortunately every day we display the characteristics of one.  It is easier than we may care to admit how often we: Operate on habits without thinking (Often this is a good thing!) Not question the assumptions we have made about a situation or person See ...

How do you define success?

It may be the secret to your life if you can answer this question. I have begun some research for my contribution to a new book and I could really use your help.  Success is one of those interesting concepts.  Like beauty it is in the eye of the beholder. It is not so much an end result as a value judgment of who one wants to be.  Therefore it is different for every person. There are four overall objectives, two of which make it quite unique: How do people define success (for themselves ...

Overcoming Resistance to Change

Earlier this week I read a great response to a question on a LinkedIn group by Michael Papanek.  I had the pleasure of talking with him about sharing his insights as a guest author.   He kindly agreed. Micheal is launching his own blog within the next few weeks and plans on using a slightly edited version of this article. Michael will also be including links and graphics for the different change models and tools mentioned in his post. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Helping Mi...

Organizational Development Simplified

There are lots of definitions of organization development (OD) but let me begin by saying it is not the same as managing change!  Look at the words themselves . . . development of the organization implies organic, holistic, engaging and full of potential. While the other is more systematic and linear and implies that change can be organized, planned, directed and controlled. * For the past 12 years I have taught Organization Development courses on and off and all I ask of my students are two ...

5 Skills of Eclectic Team Leaders – Random Juxtaposition

I read my colleagues Duncan Brodie's blog post* today entitled "5 Essential Qualities of Brilliant Team Leaders".  I encourage you to read the full post yourself.  While I concur with everything he is says, I saw a random juxtaposition on each one.  An eclectic view you might say - two random objects moving in parallel.  This is a  technique intended to stimulate creativity. Quality 1: An effective listener - Eclectic Skill?  Stop talking If you talk only 40% of the time, you will be consi...

5 Skills for Creative Meetings – Leadership Essencials

Gimmicks does not mean you are creative. Image via Wikipedia I was reading an article this week in the Wall Street Journal "Boring Meetings? Get Out the Water Guns: Small-Business Owners Find Creative Ways to Make the Most of Conference-Room Time as Downturn Demands Efficiency." The second paragraph reads: "The unconventional assignment—in which workers were asked to use the crayons and paper to brainstorm a customer-incentive program—was part of an effort to make staff meetings more ef...

We need more “helpers” not heroes: A tribute to Miep Gies

Miep Gies passed away on January 11th at the age of 100.  Her claim to fame was being known as a "helper" of Anne Frank.  I read the obituary of all places on the news channel on my Wii.  There was this quote from Gies that I find one of the most profound things that I have read in a while: "I am afraid that if people feel that I am a very special person, a sort of heroine, they may doubt whether they will do the same I once did. Not many consider themself very talented or courageous and thus w...