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Action Learning Associates

Who/ What do you listen to?

by | Nov 10, 2011 | book review, change, Coaching, faith, Leadership, Managers, Meetings, money, Personal Development, Resources, strengths, Success

One of my coaching clients recently shared some CDs based on this question.  He provoked me.  And I loved it.

Take this quiz:

1.  I watch the evening news (despite its focus on violence and deprivation)

2.  I listen to negative feedback from customers more than positive feedback

3.  I regularly focus on the positive qualities of my life, and state them as choices

4.  I agree that over 70% of people are motivated by fear

Now pause.  And notice what you are feeling or thinking…

Who/What do you listen to?

If you listen to negative messages you will see the negatives.

If you are reading this blog, then you probably want to see positive results.

Here are three favorite resources: Martin Seligman’s research into Learned Optimism assures us that those who learn to be optimistic can have tremendous health and professional benefits.  And Marcus Buckingham’s research at the Gallup foundation in Significant Strengths found that individual and team success is a result of intentional focus on your strengths.

In 2008 I attended a 3-day coach certification program lead by iPEC in Chicago.  The gist of the content was to introduce the relationship between anabolic energy (positive, constructive, healing and growth-oriented) and catabolic energy (draining, destructive, potentially toxic.)

We have choices: to live anabolically or catabolically.

And we all know that who we listen to effects how we think/act.  Examples abound, from talk radio to war-based propaganda to marketing.

A better question may be:  Who/What do you CHOOSE to listen to?

Some people wake up and intentionally:

  • spend 30+ minutes in yoga, or regular exercise
  • spend 10+ minutes in prayer, or reading uplifting material such as “Success” magazine
  • spend 20+ minutes writing expressions of gratitude in a journal, or love letters to family, or  paint a gift

Throughout the day some people intentionally:

  • begin every conversation by asking, “Is this a good time for us to talk?”
  • end every conversation with a specific, genuine compliment
  • maintain a list of the 5+ daily calls to friends or positive people that they make
  • create a better future by focusing on HOW to make someone feel better, be more productive, own a success, etc

So, who/what are you CHOOSING to listen to?

How to Make Decisions using the Importance Screen

by | Nov 10, 2011 | Business, change, Coaching, Leadership, Managers, money, Personal Development, Resources, strengths

This morning one of my coaching clients was struggling with 1) a new manager, 2) a new role, 3) a former manager who expected him to continue doing the old work, 4) former colleagues who were not aware that his billable hours were now charged to a different business line.  He was distracted.

Sound familiar?

We all get distracted.  And the results are evident in 1) sloppy or inadequate work, 2) poor self care, diet, health, exercise, etc…

So what do you do to make smart decisions?

The Importance Screen is a great tool for sifting through choices.  Just as you sift sand through a screen before creating a cement foundation, this screen is a simple way to gain clarity.

The team at Stephen Covey’s “Five Disciplines of Execution” developed this screen:  Importance Screen v2.0

You can use it as a template and design your own.

Some tips:

1.  Start by listing the individual and team goals that you think are important… get it “out of your head and onto the paper.”

2.  Note that some goals have a net negative effect (-1) and assign a number to each goal in each column, then add them

3.  Trust your “gut instinct” so that it “trumps the data.”  We buy on emotion.  And we rationalize using techniques such as this Importance Screen.  Let it be predictive.  Not descriptive.  Use it to develop your 90-day plan, rather than explain your past 90 days.

4.  Tweak these headings to suit your scenario right now.

Oh, my client?  He stated that one takeaway from our session is that he will complete this Importance Screen within 48 hours, send a copy to me for review, then send a copy to his new boss when developing his 90-day plan.  If he needs to use it as a reference when talking with his former manager, then he will have this tool, “in his back pocket.”

So, how might you use this Importance Screen?

And if you have shared this Importance Screen with others, please comment below on how you have done so…