Why "Free Agent Thinking" Is Good For Your CompanyWritten by Lora J Adrianse
It's no secret! Day after day news is riddled with companies who are moving operations to other countries or completely closing their doors. Those who remain must transform themselves to lean, mean, businesses with a constant eye on reducing costs. For first time, baby-boomers are finding themselves in an unpredictable work environment. They are shaken by instability of what future holds...and with good reason. Company messages are mixed. On one hand, they talk about wanting to be "an employer of choice" with a reputation for retaining talent. On other hand, they need ability to be fluid...fluid enough to restructure and reorganize to meet constantly changing needs of market. How then, do you walk fine line between wanting to retain without implying promises for future? Encourage "free agent thinking". In other words, release golden handcuffs. * At every opportunity tell them you know they have many employers to choose from, and thank them for choosing you. * When you communicate change, send a message that change is "norm" in today's economy. Replace "message spins" with truth and hard facts. * Teach them to embrace mindset of personal branding and how to approach their work as if they are in business for themselves.
| | Workplace Fitness: A Gym Full Of Useful Advice For Continual LearningWritten by Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE
"Where do you get all your energy?" That's a question many of us are asked as we finish leading an intense management retreat, conducting a training session, or keynoting a major conference. My answer, after I jokingly say, "Drugs!" is "Exercise". I've realized that some of lessons learned in a physical fitness program are appropriate for our personal and professional growth and have also have application in training room. Cross train. It's essential for continual improvement. We all get into our ruts, doing same routines over and over again and wondering why we don't see any improvement. The body (as well as mind) slips into neutral. Cross- training challenges different parts of our physical structure. We have to learn a new way of holding weights, of balancing, of breathing. We gain a new appreciation for a different skill set. The parallels in organizational behavior are immediate. Hydrate. The body demands water when it is being physically taxed. So too does brain. Notice I didn't say "coffee". Just plain old clear water. Water might not be our favorite beverage but hydration actually helps our endurance. No wonder we want pitchers of water in our training rooms! Push beyond your barriers. There are two kinds of barriers; those imposed by others and those imposed by ourselves. The latter are most restrictive. I finally took a spinning class. This class uses a stationery bike that can be adjusted to tighten or loosen gears. I can literally feel like I am pedaling up Mt. Everest or cruising along beach sand. It's hardest class I have ever taken. I love and hate it. And I go because it makes me push against what my mind says "you can't do". Now, I'm NOT going to challenge Lance Armstrong. My body DOES know its limits. But I AM doing that which I said I could not. It's a thrill! End performance anxiety. Walk into a gym and you see jocks who grunt and lift huge weights vying with their buddies for most reps. Go to a class and you'll see double-stepping, dance-twirling footwork of some double-jointed exerciser. If you try that move, you'll twist your knee and land in surgery. We are not built alike. While pushing beyond barriers, also know that each one of us has specific abilities. To demand that I hop and dance like knee-torking guy in front row is ludicrous. I am here to improve my body-not resemble theirs!
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