Manage v/s Micromanage

Imagine a workplace with a number of staff being micromanaged.  In the extreme this would mean that the manager has to fix the photocopier EVERY time it jammed, or at the very least would have written the step-by-step procedures followed in minute detail.

We often complain about the difficulties in managing our staff, our work, our children, our partners - in fact, everything in our entire rich and chaotic lives.

But - do we have trouble managing or are we stuck trying to micromanage?

Micromanaging means that we are acutely aware of every change in the details of things - regardless of what those changes are, and we try to control every single one of them!

You know you are micromanaging if:

• You are always "on call"
  
• Your open door office is never closed
  
• You can't focus on your work because you are doing everyone else's
  
• You are the bottleneck in the productivity flow.
  

If you find that you are micromanaging - try these simple steps:

• Think BIG picture
  
• Remember what your true role (and worth) is
  
• Clarify and communicate how you best serve your organisation
  

Remember - by micromanaging your are stopping EVERYONE from shining.  You cannot do your best, and nor can they. 

Improve your memory and reduce stress by doodling

Have you ever watched someone doodling while they were in a meeting or on the phone and thought that they weren't paying attention?

I was reading Dr Dave Hnida's blog and came across his post about a study from the journal, Applied Cognitive Psychology, that found doodling may improve concentration.

He wrote, "People who daydreamed during boring meetings, classes and phone conversations, actually retained less of what was going on around them."

Doodling may also have an added benefit of being a stress-beater. It was also suggested that doodlers tend to be more organized than day-dreamers.

Some famous doodlers include US Presidents, John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. The only downside might come from leaving one's doodles in a place where others can see them.

Dr Hnida concludes, "...doodles...offer insight into personalities; some of the most common doodles include circles which indicate self-protection; arrows show a strong personal drive; and boxes reveal the mind of a logical organized person."

So the next time you feel like doodling during a meeting or phone call, don't hold back! It may be just the thing to remember a key point and in turn help you regain Calm from Chaos.

Find doodle interpretations take a look at Dr. Dave Hnida's blog.

Taking Responsibility

President Barack Obama in his inaugural address said "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, ... that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world...."

Many people and organisations are talking about taking appropriate responsibility - particularly in light of the current number of corporate collapses. We are asking how did this happen, and who is responsible - the Government, the CEO, the Board of Directors? The list is long ...



It seems to me that many of us believe that we are taking responsibility, but we are kidding ourselves. We go through the motions of taking responsibility, but don't follow through.

For example, many of us know the consequences of over indulgence - but we continue to over indulge. We don't follow the exercise programs we know help to maintain our health, and live lifestyles that are potentially more damaging than supportive. If we seek medical attention when we are sick, but do not take the medicine as prescribed, or complete the exercise program, are we truly taking responsibility?

Our reasons for not taking full responsibility are varied:

• The task might seem too hard,
• We might lack the necessary resources,
• We might have other responsibilities,
• We might be distracted, or
• We might just want a break.

I believe that one of the differences between elite performers - whether they are athletes, business people or world leaders is their ability to take appropriate responsibility - they own their roles in life and do not shirk away from them. They do not fill their time with other peoples' responsibilities - they know how to delegate, and how to stay true. They focus on the big picture and remember that the details are important to achieve success.

This ability to accept full and appropriate responsibility is a true gift. If it doesn't come naturally to you it can be learned.

In Summary:
Next time you find yourself avoiding completing a task, ask:
Who is responsible? Do it or Delegate.
When is it due? Acknowledge and Agree.
What is required? Source and Resource.
How will you know when it is completed appropriately? Refine, Report and Record.

Remember to consider the appropriateness of every step.

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait...

Thank You

I would like to thank ALL fire fighters (professionals, full-time, part time and volunteers) who put their lives at risk to protect the rest of us.

I would also like to thank ALL emergency service workers who do the most amazing work.

They are often our unsung heroes.

Bless you all.

TED@Palm Springs

Last week I had the honour of attending the TED 09 Conference in Palm Springs, California - a simulcast of the live event held for the first time at Long Beach California.   Exhausting and refreshing at the same time!

TED conferences have something for everyone - great minds, fantastic ideas and brilliant conversations in the friendliest of environments.  We could rub shoulders and share time with people from many different backgrounds, ideologies and countries.  Please go to the TED website and find some talks that interest you.  My favourites are those that push my boundaries - my understandings of technology, human endeavours and social responsibility.

One thing I found unsettling though, is that I didn't find out about the truly tragic massive bush fires in Victoria, Australia until my son told me over the phone the following day, and on my return Qantas flight to Sydney two days later.  It amazed me at how insular we can be despite modern technology and living virtually 24/7.

My goal for this year - stay in touch with the people and things  that matter to me, while being open to new experiences and new connections.

Time Versus Money

Have you heard the saying - if you have enough time you won't have enough money, and if you have enough money, you have the time?

Time and money are both forms of currency - and in this tough economic climate we will have to carefully consider both.

I have often said that if you throw enough money at a problem - at ANY problem - the problem will go away.  It will be solved.  

This is particularly true for problems that need a concrete, material solution.  Virtually all other problems will need either time or money spent on them to find the best solution.  We can find solutions quickly if we pay for them, but if we don't have the necessary funds we need to be creative to find effective solutions.

To help you find solutions without spending more money, consider:

What has worked in the past?

Will it work now?

What else could you do?

Where can you get new inspiration?

In Summary:

Thinking outside the box will help you find new solutions.

Learn the difference between being able to solve a problem, and learning to cope with it.

Productivity Tips No. 1

From time to time I will post some productivity tips - things to assist us to get more from our busy lives. Here is Tip No 1.

Enjoy what you do...
How many times have you dragged yourself painfully through tasks - struggling to finish, and begrudging every moment "wasted"?

I recently had a conversation with a colleague who mentioned breaking her golden rule of not working on weekends. She was happy to spend extra time on a project with a tight deadline because she thoroughly enjoyed what she was doing and was excited by the project. In fact, she had energy to burn and completed other tasks as well.

Do you enjoy your paid and unpaid work?
How can you make your work fun?

In Summary:
People go the extra mile when they enjoy the task.
Think of ways to make your work fun.
Mix it up and break it up.
Play music you enjoy - get up and dance for a change.
Reward yourself and your staff when they achieve a milestone.
Watch your productivity soar.

Tips to Help You Survive the Fesitve Season

Many of us find the festive season stressful and this can push us from being effective and productive to feeling dreadful.
We may have to spend time with people we don't like, fit in with someone else's idea of a good time, be out of our daily routine and familiar environments, and have increased financial burdens - all of which can add to the chaos.

If visiting your family drives you crazy - think of these things:

• They are remembering who you used to be. Your parents, older siblings and other relatives remember when you were a dependent, helpless baby. They may not see your current maturity and capabilities.
• We choose our friends, and sometimes just tolerate our relatives. To cope with this, think of some fun times in the past, something funny or find something helpful to do to get away from them - for example, cleaning the kitchen or tidying the garden.
• You have a choice about what you talk about and how you respond to others. Old patterns are just that - OLD.
• Your attitudes and beliefs may have evolved away from those of your family. Family traditions shape our personalities and memories. Stepping back into them can show us how far we have come, and we might miss them if they were no longer here.

Wishing you all a wonderful festive season and a fantastic 2009.