The best way to think great thoughts

Posted on April 17, 2013 by humanergy

You have a problem to solve or a new idea to cook up. What do you do? Pile lots of people in a room and brainstorm, right?

Wrong. It turns out that free association in a group uncovers predictable options, not innovative, creative ones. In the presence of others, we don’t want to seem weird, so we edit our responses or end up building on someone elses thoughts. And let’s face it. Being in a group of your peers is often not the relaxing, free-form state your brain needs to produce its best work (especially if you tank up on coffee and sugar). Fast Company’s Debra Kay blogged about this:

“It turns out that a brainstorming session is a great place to load up on baked goods and caffeine, but it’s not so great for generating ideas.”

Instead of group brainstorming, start with laying out the issue and then let people go about their lives. Allow the thoughts to percolate and pop up when they’re ready – usually when they’re engaged in something else. Some of the greatest thoughts spring to mind when you’re in the shower, taking a walk or doing something else that is pressure-free.

MindTools recommends individual brainstorming before any group engagement around an idea. Find a place away from distractions, and consider creating a Mind Map to articulate and connect thoughts.

You may want to do something more productive with your time than pondering new uses for your toilet plunger. Whatever you decide to tackle, start with giving everyone some solo time before gathering to brainstorm. You’ll tap the best ideas your people have to offer.

Need to energize your innovation? Contact Humanergy.

Picture from iStockphoto.

Miracle of mindfulness

Posted on December 5, 2012 by humanergy

You may be wondering why a leadership blog would focus so often on stress relief. We focus on stress because we live in a chaotic, fast-paced world that naturally creates stress. No one can be a great performer with a stomach in knots, a racing heart and little sleep. Even the most knowledgeable and well-intentioned person will falter under extreme stress.

You owe it to yourself and your people to take action.

Many companies recognize the impact of stress and are teaching techniques to manage it. A recent Wall Street Journal post profiles Dow Chemical and Union Pacific as two examples of organizations that are helping their people chill out:

“…meditation techniques like breathing and bringing thoughts back when they wander, says Diana Kamila, a senior teacher at the university’s Center for Mindfulness. Participants also learn stretching, yoga and “body scans”—noticing their responses to stress, softening their muscles through breathing and tuning in to the feelings and sensations of the moment.

Employees learn to practice periodic “check-ins” while working, walking, driving or eating. And they are encouraged to blend the techniques into their daily routines, at their desks, in meetings or during talks with colleagues.”

Forbes posted about the best workplace stress relievers, including:

Adjust work hours, if possible, to suit your personal body clock. Not a morning person? Try to adjust your hours so you can come in later and work when your brain is most ready.
Plan for delays when traveling. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, take a long walk around the airport or work out at the nearest gym.
Keep perspective by asking, “Will I care about this in ten years?”

How can you help your organization manage the stress that is part of the job? A disciplined focus on wellness, including managing stress productively, ensures that your people get a handle on stress and bring their best selves to the job at hand. Make it clear that you value people who take care of themselves on their off hours as well. “We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie (David Mamet).”

Need to manage stress and remain productive? Contact Humanergy.

Photo from istockphoto.

Way to go!

Posted on September 25, 2012 by humanergy

My daughter Shannon works in customer service, and she is cursed, screamed at and verbally abused on a daily basis. One day, however, the clouds parted and sunshine came in the form of an extremely happy customer. This person was delighted with Shannon’s speedy and effective help. This customer was so delighted that she wanted to share her feedback with Shannon’s supervisor, even though she had to wait on hold for several minutes to speak with the boss.

It was a great day for Shannon and her boss, who both got to take a break from problems, complaints and drama and revel in what was going right.

How much time do you spend problem-spotting versus applauding your people’s great actions and results?

Do it now, before the distractions of your work put it on the back burner again. Write an email, send a note or go tell someone in person that what they are doing makes a difference. You’ll make someone’s day amazing…and yours will be better, too!

Why are you still reading this?

Need creative ways to focus on the positives? Contact Humanergy.

Photo from istockphoto.

The wrong time might be the perfect time

Posted on September 19, 2012 by humanergy

I was up to my eyeballs in alligators. Looming deadlines for crucial proposals were haunting me, and I was working in overdrive. Then I remembered the scheduled team retreat. Months earlier, we had decided to take half a day to unwind, de-stress and learn mindful practices from our resident expert, Launda Wheatley.

I can’t do this, I thought. As the date approached, my panic grew. I told a coworker that there was no way that I could attend. She wisely replied, “That’s exactly why you need to be there.” (She’s such a smarty pants sometimes.)

Fast forward to the afternoon after the retreat. Calm, focused and thinking clearly, I whipped through those proposals in record time. And they rocked. (No, they weren’t perfect, but they reflected a clarity that I had spent days trying to achieve pre-retreat.)

The moral is, sometimes you need to stop and do something GREAT for yourself, especially when you think you “can’t.”

One of the most profound things Launda shared that day was, “Stress is like living with garbage everywhere, but you don’t see it anymore. It has become your second skin.” The payoff for me for shedding that heavy, dead skin was:

Clarity. Before the retreat, my thinking was hazy. Post-retreat, it felt like the fog had lifted. I made connections more easily and zeroed in on what was important.

Renewed energy to tackle real problems. Pre-retreat my energy level was abysmal. I wasn’t sleeping well, and caffeine was my lifeline. (Sound familiar?) When I returned to the office after the morning of de-stressing, I was jazzed and ready to go. That night, I slept like a baby.

Remembering what calm is like. At one point during the session with Launda I thought, “Oh, I remember this feeling. It’s calm.” It was perhaps the most enduring lesson from the experience. If I start to think that frantic is normal, I need to stop and recharge.

Stress is a necessary part of life, and it can be a great motivator. As Willa Sibert Cather said, “There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.” What I’ve discovered is that I am capable of driving through the storms that will surely pop up, but a state of calm is where I do my best work.

Want to find calm in the midst of your storm? Contact Humanergy.

Photo from istockphoto

Stress relief at your desk

Posted on August 22, 2012 by humanergy

(This post is part of our series on managing stress. Many thanks to Launda Wheatley, a Humanergy associate who helps clients live calm, centered work and home lives.)

Don’t have time to head to the gym? While activity is probably the best stress buster, you can de-stress without a trip to the fitness center.

A simple, brief head and neck stretch can help you calm down, reduce muscle tightness and relieve pain.

CAUTION: As with any form of exercise or stretching, be careful. Don’t make rapid movements, and stop if you feel any pain. Consult your doctor before doing any type of movement if you have medical issues.

1. Close your eyes and breathe deeply through this entire stretch.

2. Roll your head in a gentle circle, with your shoulders down and relaxed. Slowly rotate your head again, this time in the opposite direction.

3. Lean your head gently to the right until you feel a gentle stretch. Hold for 5 seconds.

4. Bring your head back to center, and lean it gently to the left, feeling a gentle stretch. Hold for 5 seconds, breathing slowly and deeply.

5. Let your head dip forward until it feels heavy and relaxed. Hold for five seconds.

6. Now allow your head to tip back, just a little to open your throat, continuing to breathe slowly for 5 seconds.

7. Allow your head to dip forward, breathe deeply and open your eyes.

If you’re ready for the advanced course, try Men’s Health’s 7 Easy Stretches to Do at Work. Most can be done at your desk, and all are easy to complete at the office.

Another resource is Reader’s Digest office-friendly Stretching Exercises for Stress Relief, complete with helpful photos. My personal favorite is the finger stretch, which can be done anywhere and is remarkably soothing.

Even if you’re feeling cool and collected, you may be surprised by the changes after doing one minute of stretching at your desk. Your body and your brain will thank you.

Darn it! Does swearing make you colorful or crude?

Posted on April 18, 2012 by humanergy

“Life is a four-letter word.” (Lenny Bruce)

One of the most influential memories from childhood involves my brother getting his mouth washed out with soap for uttering a swear word. I can’t recall the specific word, but I do remember the gagging, amidst promises never to repeat the offense. I was certainly careful to keep my own language G-rated in front of my mom after that disturbing event!

Truth be told, my language of late could merit some soap; and, I’m not alone. It seems that society today accepts, or at least tolerates, a certain level of profanity. When it comes to our kids and cussing, we often adopt a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude.

Is swearing at work no big deal? Or, does it mark you as a person who is not in control? I like the Evil HR Lady’s take on four-letter words in the CBS blog post called Swearing at Work. She says:

“Someone will argue that using swear words just shows who they really are; and, if you tell them to stop it, you’re suppressing their personality and creativity. I say any 13 year old can say dirty words; and, if you want to demonstrate your individuality and creativity, try saying something different.”

So why do I occasionally slip and use bad language? Sometimes I think it makes me feel better. It’s mildly cathartic. I also think it’s my way of saying, “I am really, really upset; so, pay attention!”

I wonder if I also subconsciously think letting a few expletives fly makes me more colorful and interesting – sort of the “bad girl” persona that contrasts with my solidly boring, Midwestern self. (In my own defense, I should note that I really don’t use bad language in a hurtful way – at least I certainly hope I don’t!)

All excuses aside, swearing isn’t really attractive or necessary to explain the amplitude of my feelings. It’s a lazy way to blow off some steam or be expressive. When choosing my words going forward, I vow to choose carefully. I will remember the wise words of the Evil HR Lady who said, “I have never heard anyone say, ‘Gee, I just love Bill’s foul mouth.’”

Have needs that Humanergy can fill? contact us

Photo courtesy of istockphoto

Sure, we want you to have work/life balance!

Posted on November 23, 2011 by humanergy

There is nothing wrong with devoting yourself to work, reveling in the satisfaction that achievement brings. A disturbing trend, however, seems to be organizations saying they value work/life balance and then reinforcing just the opposite behavior. The company line may be one thing, but the culture demands something else. For example, are your people expected to be attentive to their smartphones 24/7, responding to emails that are not urgent? If someone is out of contact for a day, is that considered a lack of commitment to the job?

Organizations needs people performing at their peak, or as close to it as humanly possible. What are the best practices around balancing work and other aspects of life that help both organizations and their people?

If you say it’s important, model it. It doesn’t take long to see through a “do as I say, not as I do” approach to balance. Don’t expect your employees to find harmony between work and other life aspects if you’re a workaholic. You may choose to work long hours. Just make it clear that you’re also prioritizing yourself and people who matter most to you. Then expect others to do the same.

Focus on results and impact, not hours. It’s not about how much time you spend doing it. What counts is what you’re able to accomplish. Don’t make work a “I work more than you” contest.

Understand that it’s not a day-to-day balance. Martin B. Coppenhaver of the United Church of Christ wrote about his dislike for the term balance, because it implied hopping from one thing to another. He prefers “rhythm,” which he said was more about moving in step with life. Whether you call it balance, rhythm or something else, understand that there are times when work may be all-consuming. Ideally, you will take advantage of an ebb in demands to nourish your body and mind. Overall, the goal is a life that has meaning and purpose and makes a difference in the world.

There’s no magic formula. Each person must find her own equilibrium. Some find it easier to get home for dinner with the family, then respond to emails after the kids are in bed. Others rise early to get a jump on the day. The tradeoff may be less sleep, but for them, family connections make it worthwhile. Some people work like crazy during the week in order to protect their weekends. Find what works for you, and don’t feel that you have to conform to someone else’s definition of balance.

Use athletes as an example. Competitive athletes know that sleep and rest are just as important as rigorous training to their ultimate success. Why would excellent leaders do any different? Bringing your best physical, emotional and intellectual self to work requires that you take care of yourself. Start with getting enough sleep, then make sure you’re eating right and spending periods of time engaged in something meaningful other than work. You’ll get back to work refreshed and energized, allowing you to be more productive.

Part of a leader’s role is helping people craft a well-rounded and satisfying life in the midst of intense work pressure. Start today by thinking about what is important to you. Then take a step toward a life in harmony with your highest priorities. Then you will be well-positioned to help others do the same.

Want to talk to a Humanergist about your “rhythm” or anything else? Contact us 24/7. (We’ll get back to you as soon as we can, AND we won’t skip our workout to do it!)

Photo purchased at istockphoto.com

Most rules are unnecessary and some are really dumb

Posted on March 16, 2011 by humanergy

Let’s just clear this up, for those of you who are rule followers: Yes, there are a few rules that organizations need in order to comply with the law and create necessary structure and standards. Other than a scant supply of dictates, what more do you really need? (Even Moses came back down the mountain with only 10 commandments!)

The whole question of rules was reinforced by a blog called “What Every Manager Should Know About Managing Gen Y.” It advised leaders to create ‘Gen Y-friendly rules.” In fact, the authors recommend that you review all rules that people seem to try to work around.

Better yet, put all rules on the chopping block. Start with these:

Rules you can’t or won’t enforce. If people are breaking a rule right and left, ditch it. Either it’s impossible to enforce or the organizational will isn’t there. Lack of enforcement promotes cynicism and apathy about rules in general, even the ones you really need.

Rules that upper management folks break. If rules apply to some and not to others, get rid of them. Selective enforcement of the rules contributes to a toxic work environment.

Rules that don’t help you achieve your goals. We could insist that all of our staff maintain X hours of office time. We don’t because we realize that time in the office has little, if any, relationship to our goal – delighted clients. Keep your eyes on the prize and only create rules that are necessary for achieving it.

Rules that are micromanagement in disguise. Rules that tell people what to do and how to do it should raise alarm bells. Instead of dictating the “whats” and “hows,” only require that people orient towards the right goals and adhere to your ethical standards. Then let them exercise judgment and creativity in their work.

There are some pretty outrageous rules out there, if online postings are to be believed. Even if your policies don’t include a requirement that you give 2-weeks’ notice before dying, you may want to review your list. There may be some oppressive or just unnecessary rules that are doing your organization more harm than good.

Lots of rules may be an indicator that you’re spending way too much time on the activity of work – what you will DO. When your focus in on what you will ACHIEVE, you need fewer rules. Organizations can’t dictate their way into success – that requires an unrelenting focus on where you’re going and the crucial few non-negotiable rules that will help you get there.

Have a question about this topic or want some input from Humanergy? Contact us!

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng

Go ahead, stir up some conflict

Posted on November 24, 2009 by humanergy

Things are chugging along at ABC Corporation. Profits are up, and everyone seems content. In fact, you can’t remember the last time one of your leaders had a serious disagreement with another. As CEO, that should make you pretty happy. But is there a downside to all this harmony?

No conflict at all should make you very nervous. A certain amount of discord is to be expected in a dynamic, innovative workplace. If it isn’t present, you need to find out why. You may even have to encourage productive conflict in order to foster more engagement and creativity. When is it okay to stir the pot?

When it’s there already. Some conflict lies below the radar of top leaders. Dig deeper to find out what is really going on. You may be surprised to find that people who seem to “get along” have subterranean conflicts that impact their ability to get the job done.

When there’s stagnation. Your company has operated like a well-oiled machine for years. Fresh ideas are an endangered species. No organization can survive in this coma for long. Shake things up!

When a problem must be solved. Lasting fixes require diverse input, open-mindedness and commitment. A repressed, conflict-free workplace will only generate predictable, mediocre solutions. When people harbor secret reservations, they may nod in agreement, but not be totally committed to implementation. Any solution is nearly guaranteed to fail.

How do you stir the pot the right way?

DON’T play games. Some bosses actually pit people against each other in hopes that healthy competition will produce innovation. Usually, this game just produces back-biting and grudges between opponents, not the fruitful interplay of ideas.

DO model productive conflict. Make sure people know the organization supports people sharing their views openly and expects that conflict may arise. When you’re involved in a disagreement, lead by example.

DON’T make it personal. The conflict rulebook must include no personal attacks, aggression, disrespect or retaliation.

DO focus on tasks. Make sure that people are aligned first on what you are trying to achieve. Then work through the differences of opinion on how to get there. Value listening to understand more than getting your own point across.

Approach this topic understanding that people perceive conflict very differently. Some people hate disagreements and may fear that you’ll endorse a “no-holds-barred” approach. Other people can’t wait to get in there and win at all costs. Strong leadership, specific expectations and ongoing guidance will ensure that people say what needs to be said and get on with the job of high performance.

Have a question or want some input from Humanergy about this topic? Contact us and we’ll get right back to you!

Flour power: Capacity is capacity

Posted on May 13, 2009 by humanergy

It seemed simple. Get all the things done on my to-do list. No problem.

My list seemed doable, because I was only saying “yes” to doable things. Meet with a co-worker to put together a report. Take dinner to a sick friend. Create a ten-slide presentation. Pick up my mother-in-law’s mail. Write a blog post. Do laundry (or at least the underwear).

There was one problem. On Sunday night it seemed so easy, but by Tuesday night I was stressed. Every single Tuesday night I wondered how I could get everything done. It seemed impossible.

Then came my “ah-ha” moment. A colleague said, “Capacity is capacity. We’ve got a finite amount of time and energy to get work done each day, week or month.” What I realized is that every task I do fills my capacity cup – whether it seems easy (laundry) or requires me to think on multiple levels (slide presentation).

Thinking about capacity took me back to Food Science 101. Our assignment: Fill a one-cup measuring cup with all-purpose flour.

Sift flour directly into cup = 90 grams.
Sift flour and spoon into cup= 114 grams.
Pour unsifted flour into cup = 132 grams.
Sift flour and tap cup while filling = 146 grams.
Sift flour and pack with a spoon = 150 grams.

Even if you are not a food scientist or even a cook, you probably know that most cooking (and definitely baking) requires some level of precision to get the right result. Too little flour results in a sunken, soggy cake. Too much flour makes for a tough cake.

There is a “sweet spot” of measurement that will yield the right result – a cake with great texture, flavor and appearance. (As it turns out, it’s 114 grams of flour per cup, in case you are dying to know.)

So what does this have to do with my over-stocked to-do list? When I try to cram 150 grams of flour (tasks) into my cup (life), I’m stressed and cranky and things don’t turn out right.

It doesn’t matter if I’m cramming in low-capacity, easy stuff or high-capacity, challenging stuff. Capacity is capacity, and too much is too much.

Take a look at your to-do list. Are you wasting capacity trying to knock out lots of mundane tasks, and finding that you don’t have energy left for the truly vital stuff? What’s your sweet spot of capacity, and how can you plan so that you bring energy, productivity, creativity and satisfaction to all aspects of your life?

I’m happy to report that Tuesday nights are much more fun now. My family says that with a cup that’s optimally full, I’m no longer (so) grouchy. Plus, they have clean underwear. And I might even have some excess capacity this week and put that flour to use in a cake!