The way we are working.....isn't working :-(

Volker Balluedercb consulting - www.volkerballueder.com

@ballueder

Inspired by "The way we're working isn't working" by Tony Schwartz, with Jean Gomes, and Catherine McCarthy, Ph.D.

Why?

Introduction

I am putting this presentation together for a few reasons. One is that I am impressed by the book (see title slide), so thought it is worthwhile putting a good summary together. On the other hand, I am keen on implementing some principles myself, and in our company. Making it a better place for everyone. It is not only productivity that is discussed but energy households, time management etc. Spirituality. I believe this book is only the beginning for a more comprehensive theory.

Life has changed - work does too

Urgency characterises most corporate culturesUndermining of thoughtful deliberation, creativity, engagement, and sustainable high performance"Time for Money" exchange is unsatisfyingInvestment in employees fuel greater engagement, better performanceTime @work vs. value produced per hours workedQuality vs. quantityHumans are designed to pulse between the expenditure and the intermittent renewal of energy

What's happening....at the workplace?

The more hours we work and the longer we go without renewal, the more we begin to default, reflexively, into behaviours that reduce our own effectiveness - impatience, frustration, distraction, and disengagement - and take a pernicious toll on others (p.4).

- gray zone- juggling activities- own belief system vs. organisational life- fixed in habits that might be suboptimal

Let's have a look

Summary of the book.The full version (book) will give

you better insights! Go and buy it!

Primary Needs

Similar to Maslow: it is about meaning, emotions but also about fitness/energy levels.

Sources of Energy1. Physical (sustainability)

regular breaks2. Emotional (security)

feeling valuedcares about someone (me as a person)encourages development

3. Mental (self expression)lack of absorbed focus takes a toll on the quality of whatever we do

4. Spiritual (significance)add value to the greater good

The Renewal Quadrants (Physical - Sustainability)

The Emotional Quadrants(Security)

The Focus Quadrants (mental - self expression)

The Spiritual Quadrants (Significance)

How do we get there?

First practical guide.

Awareness is key

How many hours do you work without a break?How tired are you at 5 pm?How satisfied are you with your job?How stressful is it to keep work and life in a balance?

Don't lose access to yourself.Understand your needs.Any strengths overused becomes a liability, e.g. any overstretched muscle becomes weak.Long term thinking vs. short term career goals.

Habits and Rituals

Long term change needs positive rituals.Ever tried to quit smoking???Being motivated towards something (rather than away from something).Once a habit is created, it will be easy to NOT change - break habits for the better.Define behaviours (development of behavioural models)Get over the resistance to change.Willpower and discipline.Use a routine to build a habit.

Stepping Stones

Eating an elephant....one bite at a time.

We can't change what we don't notice

most informed, under-reflective peopleself-awareness"Chasing Daylight": 100 days left

Focus on the here and now (Tolle)Focus on yourself, your self perceptionFocus on your goalsCalibrate the difference between your dreams & reality

Qualities of humans - a collection

extroverteddecisiveconfidentlogicaltacticalpragmaticdiscerninghonestcourageoustenacioustough minded

introspectiveopen-mindedhumbleintuitivereflectivevisionaryacceptingcompassionateprudentflexibleempathic

Human Body

HeartbeatBrain WavesBody TemperatureBlood PressureHormone Levels

Important to take care of ourselves physicallyEnergy: eating, moving, sleeping, working, relationshipsRenewal!Alternate between active forms of renewal

How much coffee do you drink?

ideal 7-8 hours sleep per day: average 6-6.5 hourssleep deprivation takes a toll on:

health overallemotional well beingcognitive functioning

First thing we sacrifice!Then again you could live with 2 hours sleep per 24 hour. Giraffes do....

90 minute rule

Oscillation of 90 minutes from high level of alertness to low level of alertness."Ultradian Cycles" Renewal phase needs to be sufficient & effective

passive: meditating, napping, listening to musicactive: sport, gym, aerobics, raised heartrate

Better Performance if we sleep 2x daynight (6 hrs)afternoon/siesta (20-60 min)

Ultradian Rhythm

Weekly Pulse

Important: Exercise

Keeps you fit physicallyFollowed by deep recovery increases capacityMental well-beingEmotional well-beingSleep and exercise increases our energy level in all aspects of life!6x week for 20-45 minutes, min. 10 min. in one sessionStrengths as well as endurance training

              Important: FoodKey to keep a stable/steady blood sugar level at all times.Junk Food gives us a quick hit but no long term benefit.Constantly eating without being stuffed is better than over filling, then go without eating, then get a quick sugar hit.....Plan your "daily journey" in advance; plan your "pit stops"

Corporate Culture - Management

Competency important to do a jobCapacity even more important!Commuting takes a huge toll on productivityOptimal times during the week when doing

challenging workadmin workcreative workstrategic thinkingrelationship building

Emotions/Spiritual 

Going beyond what you can measure.

Emotional Quadrants

1. PERFORMANCE ZONEwhere you want to be

2. SURVIVAL ZONEsense of threat or danger

3. RECOVERY ZONErenew from emotional de-stability of survival zone

4. BURNOUT ZONElet's not even go here unless absolute necessary

Survival Zone

Our nature senses dangerFight or FlightSelf Awareness to identify triggersControl triggers (Emotional Intelligence)Resist urge to act or act too quicklySeeking: Security, creating Value

"A leader who is secure in his own values is freed to invest energy in empowering others and ultimately

in fuelling the organisation's broader success"

The Whole

When you are the hero in the story and do things well, then you are happy.Often you are negative and you blame others.The easy story isn't the good story.

We need to acknowledge our shortcomings (be open about our weaknesses) alongside our strengths. Accepting the whole of yourself! The whole of yourself is about negative and positive points, but if you can strengthen the positive and improve the negative, then you will overall gain more!

CEO - Chief ENERGY Officer

Balance between challenging people &recognising/rewardingNegative emotions don't motivate!"Do not harm" - whilst bad is stronger than good, avoid anger, intimidation & shameRegularly recognise and show appreciation of accomplishmentsBalance honesty and appreciation

Attention - not attention deficit

We cannot multitask.Best performance when most singularly focused on any given task.Set agenda, don't get disturbed.Prioritise!Information are best processed in small chunks.Distractions: Email, phone calls, colleagues etc.

One thing at a time

Focused attention can be strengthened like a muscle by practise & exercise!External distraction

No. 1: EmailDesire to connect and reactSet time aside to reflect and focus

Internal distractionChatterMeditationOne thing at a time

Left-Right Brain

Brain

LEFTLogicalSequentialRationalAnalyticalObjectiveLooks at parts

RIGHTusually undertrained & underdevelopedcreativeholisticopennessempathy�activate it by quieting the mind: meditation, day dreaming, drawing

Creativity    

- encourage whole brain activity- blanking out one brain half- just letting go

1. saturation (gathering facts)2. incubation (mulling over facts)3. Illumination (finding the idea)4. Verification (does it work)

Promote Absorbed Focus

Policies to focus on one thing at a time.Clarify expectations to response to emails.Ban emails in meetings.Start-Stop times for meetings.Intermittent rest for renewal during the day.Offer an office with breakout areas and private rooms.Creativity increases innovation.Let employees choose WHEN and WHERE to work - make them accountable on the value delivered.

We are a TEAMAs a team we serve beyond our self-interestAdding value to others is a source of energy!More energy is brought to activities we enjoy!Put what you enjoy in the service beyond self-interest.No "I" in team.

CEOs: create work that is enjoyable and creates energy create a job around values & purposeapproach to what we work onrenew employees regularly

Find Yourself

What is it you want from life?How are you going to achieve that?Why are you wanting to achieve that?

Inner values & spiritual energyClear sense of purposeCultivate spiritual energy

inner work of defining and reflection on our valuesouter work of bringing our intentions to life in our behaviour

Passion - personal & corporate

Turning passion into profit :-)Company values - what does the company stand for?Connect with employees' valuesEmployees need to share a purposeOrganisation as a living organism!As individuals grow and increase capacity, the organisation becomes stronger.Meet needs of your employees.Focus on the purpose of your actions as a leader.Inspiring Vision!

Questions/Suggestions

Volker Ballueder

Productivity & Personal Development Coach

cb consulting

BLOG: www.volkerballueder.comTWITTER: www.twitter.com/ballueder @balluederLINKEDIN: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/ballueder