Monday, November 28, 2011

Help One Individual Find A Job


Problems may be global, but solutions are local, starting with one individual.   Right now, our major global problem is unemployment.  A solution is for each individual reading this email to help one individual find a job.
PLAYBOOK:
1. Reach out to one individual to help him or her find a job.
2. Coach, mentor, inspire and offer to help for as long as it takes for them to find a job.
3. If you can offer someone any work, do so, even if it’s part-time, or a “low-pay” internship to get them started.
4. Remember what it was like for you when you were out of work—what help would you have liked?
5. Send any suggestions to me that you may have on how to address the unemployment problem and I will post them on my blog.

Monday, November 21, 2011

The New Golden Rule


The standard Golden Rule is: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It’s still a good one, but the Gallup Organization added a New Golden Rule: Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.  Too often we try to motivate people by a reward which motivates ourselves rather than a reward which motivates the other person. These are often not the same.
There are three rewards which  tend to motivate people: achievement (winning at competition), affiliation (being part of a team) and power (status, influence). Usually two of these motivators are strong in a person and the third isn’t. So if you use a reward system built on just one thing, you’re not likely to motivate everybody.
THE PLAYBOOK
1. Talk about the three motivators with your team. Ask them which ones are their prime motivators.
2. At home, be sensitive to what motivates each family member. One person may respond very well to affection but someone else may react much more positively when you give them a hand with a task. 
3. Ask yourself, what are your prime motivators?

Coach Rob

Monday, November 14, 2011

Keeping Perspective


When I try to help the coaching clients, one thing I must continue to remind them and myself as well is to keep perspective.

As tough as we have it, most everybody else has it tougher than we do.  This week I have noticed a few perspectives to keep in mind:
1. Be especially thoughtful and kind to your administrative assistant.  They have to do much of your tough work    without having your power.
2. Deeply, deeply appreciate your humility and bristle at any sign of arrogance.
3. You have a big voice. Give others the chance to have their voice as well.
4. Don't forget that you don't only work purely for financial gain nor does your company.  Does your company strive to make a difference in this troubled world?
5. This is not about you.
6. Tomorrow you may no longer be sitting on top of the world. Enjoy the view while you have it and be careful not to fall off.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Jeff Zaslow’s latest book, GABBY: A Story of Courage and Hope,  (the memoir of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly) will be released this  Tuesday, November 15. 

Coach Rob

Monday, November 7, 2011

What Neuroscience Can Teach Us About Time and Energy


For the past several years, I have been fascinated by neuroscience which combines brain research, biology, and psychology.  Here are a few key learnings which can be applied to helping you
manage your time and energy better:
1. The brain is capable of making a finite number of decisions each day.  There are diminishing returns on the effectiveness of decisions the later in the day they are made.  If you have to make key decisions, make them early in the day.
2. The brain needs food which it turns into glucose.  As glucose levels drop, so does our ability to think clearly and to manage our emotions.  As an example, we tend to be grumpier before meals.  So it’s important to feed the beast all day long.  Keep healthy snacks in your briefcase and eat  several small meals a day.
3. Don't make tough decisions when you're hungry. Don't skimp on calories as you try to deal with more serious problems.
4. “While glucose is the problem, sugar is not the solution. When you eat go for the slow burn: most vegetables, nuts, raw fruit, cheese, fish, meat, olive oil, and other good fats.”  Roy Baumeister
5. The brain needs rest.  We tend to forget how rejuvenating a 15 minute nap can be.  Research shows that the best way to regain energy is to first drink some caffeine and then immediately take a 15 minute nap.  It takes 15 minutes for the caffeine to kick in and then you’re rested and ready to go.