Whose page is it anyway?

Whilst engaged in some team building a team leader approached me with this question:

“Do you think that I will ever be able to get everyone on the same page?”

I was intrigued by his question so asked him what he meant by the same page. He described a scenario whereby ideally he wanted all of those in his team to ‘get what he gets!’. As he continued to speak I realised the error in this leader’s way of thinking. Ultimately what he desires is for everyone to do what he wants them to do. The page he is speaking about is in fact, HIS page. He is asking why is everyone not on MY page.

Now there needs to be a page, that’s for sure. But it certainly can’t be yours alone. The page represents a place whereby whatever it is you do together is working to its optimum potential. The optimum potential of a team is equal to the sum of all of the potential of the individuals in the team. Leaders then need to move away from ‘telling’ their teams about a page but rather involve them in becoming part of the page.

As we spoke I encouraged him to get used to the fact that diversity creates tension. Tension can go two ways. Toward conflict or toward innovation. He gets to choose which path he wants to take and then act accordingly.

The answer to the first question then is yes. Yes, you will be able to get everyone on the same page. It all depends on your method.

Step 1: Let go of what you think the page should look like

Step 2: Involve others in creating the page sharing your perspective and inviting the perspectives of others.

Step 3: Allow moments of tension and choose to see the potential amidst the tension

Step 4: Act

Step 5: Continuously dialogue as you go.

Then step back and enjoy a page that doesn’t just look and feel like you, but is a result of what is around you. Perhaps this new page will be even more awesome than the page you so eagerly fought for on your own?

__________
Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Automatically Stupid vs Very Clever

In moments of pressure we often become automatically stupid. We say what we didn’t mean to say. We do what we didn’t mean to do. We freeze. It seems that outside of the pressure zone we’re very clever. We have clarity of thought, can find the right words, feel calm & seem to be able to see the bigger picture. Much like preparing for a speech versus giving a speech. Perhaps one could look at rugby as a bunch of very clever people shouting the odds at the automatically stupid referee!

I have huge amounts of respect for people who are able to remain very clever in moments of pressure. Their minds seem to be in a state of ‘rest’ or ‘relaxed alertness’ seemingly being able to read the situation, make the right call and be successful.

What if we could get ourselves to a place of doing what we most need to do (very clever) whilst under pressure?

Sportsmen understand the importance of remaining very clever under pressure. There are consequences for ‘dropping the ball’. It may mean their position or their pay cheque. Hence the ratio of time they spend training versus performing.

So what about us? We have positions. We perform as spouses, friends, colleagues, citizens, employees, leaders, managers, individuals...

What is the consequence of our lack of performance under pressure?

How much time do you commit to training versus performing?

The following Acronym is aptly named REST. It breaks building toward the state of relaxed alertness into 4 training methods.

R - References

This is the acquiring of knowledge & principles which we can call on under pressure. Imagine you have a book shelf in your head. As you engage in learning you fill that shelf with books. You store sentences, paragraphs & insights which you can call on in moments of pressure in any given context. Commit time to learning.

E - Energised

Remaining energised is essential to avoiding being automatically stupid. Engage in spiritual, mental, emotional and physical activities that you know work to keep you energised.

S - Self Talk

Negative self talk is a powerful way of putting pressure on yourself. Often we take our own ‘limiting beliefs’ into situations. “I can’t do this!” or “I am going to fail!” These limiting beliefs rob you of the positive foundation that you need to be very clever under pressure. Speak positively over yourself.

T - Triggers

Triggers are those things around you which always put pressure on you and cause you to be automatically stupid? Triggers could be words people say, or particular individuals, situations or simply the taxi drivers. Being aware of them allows you to consciously approach them differently slowly breaking the power they have over you.

__________
Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com

Two hands

I believe our main task as leaders is to make a difference in the lives of those people around us – in every aspect of life!

I also believe that it is as a result of great leaders that we can effect change, and maybe even change the world.

Ben Harper reminded me of this recently while listening to one of his songs called “Own Two Hands”. Harper sings:

“I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
Oh- with my own two hands
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
And I can clean up the earth
Oh- with my own two hands
And I can reach out to you
Oh- with my own two hands
I'm gonna make it a brighter place
I'm gonna make it a safer place
I'm gonna help the human race
With my own two hands

Now I can hold you
With my own two hands
And I can comfort you
With my own two hands…
But you got to use
Use your own two hands”

It is a powerful idea! We can change the world with our own two hands… BUT we have got to USE them! As leaders we have been given incredible talents, but these are not only for our benefit.

Have you ever noticed how some leaders live only for themselves? They have the title, the car, the cash, the status, but yet they are lonely, bitter and twisted people. There may be many reasons for this but I believe it is because they have used their talents to serve themselves only, no matter what effect it had on anyone else. They have been living for the big “ME!” and as a result they isolate themselves.

I believe as humans we were never created to live in isolation. Community is God’s plan and design – we see it in the Trinity, in marriage, in the church and in life. Synergy is God’s plan to change the world, and synergy means you and me using our talents to make a difference in the lives of those we lead and influence – a positive difference.

Jesus, who used His two hands to change the world, explained to a follower of his that if he loved Him, he should feed His sheep. In essence, Jesus is saying we show our love for Him and extend His kingdom by meeting the needs of those around us. He also taught us through what is called the parable of the talents that we need to use what we have been given to make an exponential effect on others. When we use our talents this way, we move from living for the big “ME” and start living for the big “US”.

What talents do your hands carry? And are you going to use them to change your world or The World?
__________
Don Muller has spent the last 4 years working into corporate and church leadership development and training both locally and internationally. He has a passion for and works towards seeing individuals live out their strengths and calling daily.