Give Thanks

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Give thanks to those in your hearts from near and far who share your table throughout the year.

What are you thankful for?

HR Carnival of Global Giving

What started out, quite simply, as an effort to do something a little different with the Carnival concept for the holiday season grew very quickly into this - the HR Carnival of Global Giving.  

Mike VanDervort is the mastermind behind this generous and inspiring effort and he takes the prize with 77, yes 77, post submissions.

The end result is not only a record breaking carnival but a very generous donation to a selected charity. Mike has not selected the charity yet or calculated the exact amount of final donations but some lucky charity is going to get several hundred dollars from a wonderful group of generous folks.

Check out the link and consider contributing to the cause or a charity of your choice. What a great way to start the holiday season.

Photo credit iStockphoto

Card Carrying Supervisors Take Heed

 

Leadership is not easy, nor is supervision. But neither is as hard as some make it out to be. If you are a supervisor, take a few minutes to read through the questions below. Think about them and answer honestly.

• Do you counsel employees over email?
• Do you have to "win" employee discussions?
• When asked why, do you respond, "because I can?"
• Do you view employee questions as challenges to you ego? 
• Do you expect your support people to "read your mind" in regards to work expectations?
• Do you look past behaviors because addressing them is a bit "uncomfortable" for you?
• Do you hold back information because members of your staff just "don’t need to know?"
• Are your performance reviews consistently late?
• Do you engage in shouting matches with you staff?
• Do you take this stuff personally?!

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, stop that right now. Supervisors, this is not about you. It is about helping others to succeed, to make the goal, to achieve the mission. It's about addressing problems head-on and making the tough decisions. It's about not making it personal. Does this make sense to you? Do you see the possibility? Do you see that there may be another way? If you do, then BRAVO to you.

If you don't, reach into your wallet, your purse, or your top desk draw and pull out your supervisor card. Hold it out. I'm coming by to collect it. Now.

Photo credit iStockphoto

A Step in the Right Direction

I have a new friend and I am on mission. My new friend is a  Physical Therapist and my mission is to transform my gait.

Yes, I have to change the way I run. You see, my feet sort of cross in front of each other when I run. And yes, that's a problem. Mr. PT says it's not the reason I can't roller blade but it is the very reason my knees are achy. I'm not so sure about this NOT negatively impacting my roller blading inabilities but I'll buy that it's taking a toll on my knees.

How does one change the way they've been moving for 30 (ahem) plus plus years? Mr. PT had a few suggestions: I could have someone run behind me and yell at me whenever my feet cross over the mid line or I could lay a cord about ankle high across the backyard, run along it and have it trip me up if my feet cross over it. Not funny. So, we talked some more and at the end of the session, I bought new running shoes and opted for treadmill work. 

This morning, the change began. I went to the gym and hopped on the treadmill. I slowed it down a few points, scaled back on the time and concentrated on how I was running. It felt a bit odd but, before long, I was able to feel the difference between the old and the new. Day 1 was a success.

I am in the midst of change, literally, one step at at time. On the treadmill I am changing the way I run. Off the treadmill, I feel another change coming. I am in a funny place right now and I can't quite get my head around it - yet - but I am in the inquiry. Inquiry can be a messy place for me, yet this "mess" always bring insight and change. And, I am taking this one step at a time.

One step at a time. Is there really any other way to make a change? No matter how big or how small of a change you have in mind, it always starts with the first step headed in the right direction. 

So, where are you headed today?

If you are in St. Cloud on November 21, head on over to the Jingle Bell 5K and join me. I'll be the one watching her feet as she runs!

Photocredit iStockphoto