The Art of Caring Leadership
July 3, 2007
There are literally millions of words written and spoken each week on enlightened leadership yet the fact remains that low morale, high stress and job dissatisfaction continue to be three of the most serious problems facing the workplace. We seem to be so effectively socialized into top down leadership that we find it extremely difficult, if not impossib
le, to change our autocratic ways. All this in spite of the many workshops and seminars on new leadership paradigms which are rooted in the empowerment of people.
Change is both slow and painful but it is happening. To facilitate this process of change requires both desire and commitment plus a sound understanding of what an enlightened leader looks like. It is necessary to visualize the type of leader we are striving to become.
AN ENLIGHTENED LEADER…
* values the ideas and opinions of others.
* listens attentively.
* affirms generously
* criticizes gently and privately.
* trusts the collective wisdom of the group.
* encourages others to achieve their enormous untapped potential.
* catches people doing things right.
* involves people in decisions which effect their destiny.
* keeps people informed.
* has a sense of humour.
* trusts the decisions of others.
* realizes that his/her opinion is just one among many.
* isn’t threatened when people disagree with them.
* rejects the ” my way or the highway” paradigm.
* cares about the total well being of those with whom she/he works.
* believes that the most valuable inventory of any business is people.
* seeks out and acts upon the advice of others.
* gives credit rather than takes credit.
These are a few of the characteristics of an enlightened leader which, if present in the workplace, result in both improved morale and increased productivity.
It is in the best interest of any business to care about the well being of its employees.
Author’s Bio
Mike Moore is an international speaker/ writer/cartoonist on humour and appreciation in the workplace. He is the author and illustrator of the popular special report Humor in the Workplace.
How To Rebound Your Goals
April 10, 2007
by CG.com Guestblogger, Alex Shalman
Most of us have heard this famous quote before. Confucius states that you can’t achieve a goal, unless you start a goal. However, a single breach in commitment starts the downward spiral of your success.
Your integrity, the promise you make to yourself, is the only thing of value that you really have. The reasoning is that money, health, and friends can all come and go, but your promises and decisions are things you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.
The only thing that stands in between you and achieving your goal is your commitment to yourself. Having high integrity with your goals means that you’ll find a way to accomplish them, no matter what it takes.
I’ve mentioned that it only takes one breach of integrity to break a commitment. That means, having just one scoop of ice cream, missing one workout, or stealing one kiss is enough to break the contract that you’ve made to yourself, your diet, your fitness, or your relationship. How many times have we let our integrity down?
They say once a cheater, always a cheater, and this applies to anything in which you give your word and put your integrity on the line. Once you’ve taken the first step, you are likely to repeat it again, so your goal should be not to make any exceptions. Your goal should be to have a character of unshakable integrity.
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