The Leadership Blog by Ann Vanino

I read an interesting post on Living Spirit Channel’s Blog on the symptoms of inner peace. I like this concept of peace symptoms. The Living Spirit post identifies several symptoms of inner peace including an unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment, loss of interest in judging other people, a loss of the ability to worry (wow) and contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature. What if we turned our focus away from the symptoms of stress and worry to the symptoms of peace? I bet we will be better off — our attention will be on the positive and not wasted in worry and the like.

Good things are bound to follow.

Last night I spoke to a friend who had a devastating experience at work. He presented on a project and did all he was asked to do and then some. Then, the feedback he received from a significant person was devastating. It was the delivery that demoralized him. The goals had changed and he was not informed. The feedback was confusing. It became clear that there was an underlying agenda to this and he was in the dark. The feedback was given without any attention to the fact that the recipient was a human being. My initial response was, wait a minute, feedback, even when it’s negative, can be given constructively. People do not have to be crushed in the process. I know that bad news has to be delivered, standards have to be met and people have to perform. That’s not in question. What is in question is whether managers have the right to be bullies, to be insensitive, to hide their agendas or to be too cowardly to tell someone what is really going on. In thinking about my friend today, out of the blue, the seven deadly sins (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride) came to mind. In future posts I will take a look at how these sins can be seen in managing. Do you think the seven deadly sins are present in the workplace?

As I continue to look at the stages of the Hero’s Journey, the second stage is The Call to Adventure. That is what we should create for youth — a positive challenge, a chance to find out who they are and what they want to do, a means to engage them in life and inspire them to their individual greatness. We all deserve a fulfilling life. So many adults today live unfulfilled lives. Let’s take a giant leap with youth and give them the opportunity to walk the Hero’s Journey. Let’s call them to adventure. I imagine an exploration space, a walk where they have never gone, supported by mentors and allies along the way. How rich it could be!

–Timothy Ferris, 4-hour Work Week

There’s no place for cynicism in managing. As you get to know a new employee, create some space to discover who they are by observing their behavior and performance. Be deliberate about this. No snap opinions or judgments. Test them and observe. Get to see what they are made of.

My friend Hillary Raimo said in her blog

“Indecision in life produces indecisiveness. The universe cannot give you what you desire in life if you can not even decide what it is you want! You have to know what you want. You have to be specific. You have to say it and mean it. I have spoken often of drawing to us that which we want and whether that is a healthy relationship, health, new job, new house, more money, whatever it is, the only way you can do that is if you know what it is you want.”

It’s good advice. Sometimes it can take a lifetime, or so it seems, to get specific on what we want. We all can speak generally, but what is it you really want? Right now, if you are game, name three very specific things you want to bring into your life. Can you name three? If so, good for you. If not, get started defining what you want. May your dreams come true!