Evoenix:Edits

Unlearn what you think you know…

And begin your Leadership posture through a new lens.

The People, the Environment and the Community Culture are constantly evolving and will be different to your world view. And what you know, might not work quite as you expected.

This doesn’t have to mean you’ve failed or you’re wrong.

Now is the time to listen and seek to understand.

Take the next smallest viable step, test and experiment.

Someone who still puzzles you might appreciate your curiosity and interest.

What are they working on right now that’s taking their attention? Where are they stuck and what’s stopping them from moving forward?

Do they have a knowledge gap? That could be filled with training or learning.

Or do they have a coaching gap? That could be filled by an empathic and curious ear, so that they can thrash out their own solutions.

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.

Paralysis By Analysis

You can do all the reading, listening and watching you like.

Until the day comes when you have a choice –

Do…

Or do not. (Thanks Yoda)

I vote for – Let’s do something.

Because, otherwise – WHY bother spending all that time reading, listening and watching?

Not much point if you’re not going to use and share your wisdom.

Because then it’s not wisdom – It’s just stuff you knew once.

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.

So, you want to write a bestseller?

Well, go on then!

What’s stopping you?

How about you start with writing first?

Then you will have something to sell.

Then do The Work of making it a bestseller later.

Because ultimately, you don’t get to decide if it is best.

You only get to decide when you start.

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.

We’re all screwed… So just enjoy the ride!

Have fun, laugh, make mistakes, make some more.

Celebrate the wins – they will be in short supply.

And prepare for the Dip – well in advance.

Create time for your loved ones – whoever they may be and wherever they are.

Love.

Read and absorb as much knowledge as you can.

Then share the knowledge and spread the word.

Take it on the chin… more often than not – it wasn’t meant to be personal.

Feel like an impostor… then feel like the Expert.

Enjoy being the Expert and don’t get too comfortable – as the more you learn and grow, you will be right back to being an impostor again…

Don’t worry – its only temporary.

It was just a ‘no’ – There will be more.

It was a ‘YES’ – let’s do this!

Fail, adjust, fail again, adjust, getting better, adjust, much better, adjust, it’s best!

Happy New Year – 2020!

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.

What does the boss really want?

Imagine a renowned finance organisation with increasingly high rates of sickness due to stress and anxiety.

Does the boss care about what you care about?

Doubtful, yet somewhat… Or at least I can empathise.

They care about the numbers, profits and costs. They want highly effective and committed personnel working within their organisation. They require them to be playing their A-game and focused on the task.

You care about people not being distracted by thoughts and feelings that could result in them making a mistake. They are sleeping well, waking refreshed and enjoying life when they are not at work. They strive for a greater work / life integration that is complimentary not combative.

Will the person you talk to be brave enough or committed enough to pass on your story?

The story being: More and more people are having time off work and the length of time off work is increasing.

All that time they are being paid sick pay and the company medical plan includes referrals for Occupational Health Assessments and Therapy.

The premiums are starting to increase.

The report says it all plainly and simply and the Board of Directors are getting worried.

There has been lots in the press about stress and anxiety. It won’t be long before the FSCS starts investigating the processes and protection a financial organisation provides to its staff and whether they are safeguarding their health and welfare.

Give the delicate and highly responsible position they place their staff in — to manage wealth and money, are they able to do this effectively? Are they making the right decisions? Can they be trusted? What other things could be effecting their decision-making process (gambling/booze/drugs)? Are they open to manipulation by competitors?

You’ve heard of mental health first aid and this would mean training staff within the organisation. And keep sending them on refresher courses. This also takes time out of their day to talk to someone in need. And if it is getting to that point, is it almost too late?

What if the problem could be prevented before it starts? Ensure staff are operating in a capacity that is sustainable. Giving them the support to do good work and develop. That does not place any strain, additional responsibilities or tasking on existing staff.

Who else is providing workplace coaching focused on wellbeing and welfare? Are we leading the charge or following suit? Has this been successful or not? Why and why not?

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.

And like a game of 3D Chess..

You’re out of your length, width and depth!

What happened, for you to get there?

Lack of planning.

Lack of consistency.

Too much intensity.

You took quantity over quality. Instead of using quantity to create quality.

Your skills require improvement.

The skills are good, but you could be braver.

You over estimated.

You under estimated.

It didn’t meet your expectations.

It’s just not as important as you thought it would be.


You are not the problem. You have a problem.

You become part of the problem when you don’t do something about it.

What are you going to do?

A good place to start is, learning to say “no”.

And to help you do this, make a Things to Avoid List.

Start by listing all the things you WANT to do. You will need at least 20.

Then, pick the top 5 that are most important to you.

Score through the remainder – That’s YOUR THINGS TO AVOID LIST.

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.

Finding Your Tribe

They like talking and conversation to bring out new ideas and ways to implement them.

They do not fear change when they can make small steps towards change, observing the effects, testing and adjusting. Fear of change is still present and yet they understand to manage it appropriately.

They are rewarded or recognised for their efforts either as individuals or a team. They like spending time together, will socialise together or take part in activities outside of work.

They have embedded ethics and do not want to harm or disadvantage others. They seek cultural change themselves in the products they produce and the organisational culture.

They fear other people’s opinions too; their boss may have outdated behaviours and does not tend to be open to new approaches initially. However, in developing their own leverage tactics they want to make their culture better for them and their team.

They have similar stories such as starting out from the bottom of the ladder and working hard to elevate their status through promotion.

They may not feel entirely deserving of their status, it feels like it just happened slowly over time.

They have similar challenges and frustrations in the workplace.

It is often stressful, and their friends had time off work to mend the broken pieces. They worry this could be them soon.

They employ people with similar values such as courage, commitment, discipline, respect, integrity and loyalty. And clarify the understanding of those values, in the action they expect from those employees.

They are slaves to the metrics, quarterly returns and performance reviews. And yet they know they must seek creative ways to ensure there is trust, fulfilment and joy.

They are all trying to pay the bills, have a few luxuries in life and build a happy future full of opportunities for their children.

Others may look at a team and see cohesion and happiness. However, this may also be a smoke screen for the real culture that is occurring. They accept things could be better.

When a team works well together, this could be reflected in the go-to metrics.

Often success goes unnoticed unless you take a really good look. A well bonded team often does not have to say anything, they just know what is going on and what needs to be done.

To outsiders, they see the lack of  conflict and low staff turnover.

A great team should consist of a diverse range of people and abilities, all playing to their strengths at different times and when required.

They need to belong to a worthy cause and have the opportunity to shine individually and illuminate together.

They NEED to TRUST each other.

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.

Assumptions are simply guesswork.

Assertions require testing to find out the truth. 

You could assume that in a particular geographical location, people can’t afford it.

You could assert, regardless of location, exciting projects and change is happening and it’s not an exclusive venture reserved for the big cities.

The problem isn’t funding or the places. And it’s not even the people. 

Another assertion is, people have the problem they don’t believe they are working on something important enough to invest their time, energy and emotion.

Why would they? When the threat of failure is ever looming and things like redundancy are out of their control. 

We can all use cost as a reason to not do something. So, what we really need to ask is:

What am I ignoring that could improve with my emotional investment? 

What do I care enough about that I’m willing to compromise?

Yes, the threat of failure, looking foolish and redundancy will ALWAYS be there.

So, you have a choice…

Do nothing and nothing changes. Maintain the status quo. 

Or, step forward, be courageous and make a change. It might just give you the edge you’re seeking.

What is the benefit to the people you care about? What is your legacy? And what do you take with you? 

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.

Forgive me Dream, for I have procrastinated…

It has been too many days since my last reflection. And now I’m feeling lost and overwhelmed.

I got distracted by a series on Netflix and so far I’ve lost 2 weeks…

I had this section I needed to re-do on the website and then ended up down the webpage publishing rabbit hole…

I’m feeling like there is no end in sight, I can’t see the wood for the trees and I just don’t know how I’m going to pull this off…

I woke up at 3am and thought, “Oh good god, what have I done?!!!!” And then couldn’t face another day of The Work.


Dear Diary…

I remembered what is was all for.

I found comfort in feeling The Dip. I checked I wasn’t fatigued and I was well fed and watered.

I was inspired by a great section in the book I was reading and now I have a rejuvenated enthusiasm.

I know this has a benefit greater than anything I can imagine right now and I must remain true to my North.

Right, what went well, what didn’t go so well, what can I change and what is missing?

What’s next?…

If you have been forwarded this by a friend, they thought of you and you can subscribe here.