Category:

Personality Discovery

When The Brain Worries

by IPowerIdeas August 14, 2024

When Brain Worries, It Goes Slower

I had a couple of thoughts that stemmed from the seed of a recent study I read and I wanted to share them with you as they relate to leadership.

Takeaways:

When brain worries, it goes slower.

When we keep thinking negative thoughts, we can’t progress.

Worry is like a turtle on a treadmill—no matter how hard it tries, it’s not getting anywhere fast! When your brain is stuck in ‘worry mode,’ it slows down to a crawl. And let’s be real, when we keep feeding it negative thoughts, it’s like giving that turtle a snack break. So, let’s switch gears, think positive, and let our brains sprint towards progress!

Remember the term “Negative Nellie”?

The phrase “Negative Nellie” is often used to describe a person who is consistently pessimistic, critical, or who tends to focus on the negative aspects of situations. The phrase is often used lightheartedly, though it can also be a gentle reminder to someone to try and adopt a more positive outlook.

Think about it

Think of those around you who are negative, do they progress?

Do you see a negative successful person? (Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Mother Theresa, Ghandi)

Data behind it

A recent study found that the probability of achieving a particular goal was associated with the statements a person made about the goal.

People who said “That’s a good idea” had a 10% chance.
Those who said “I’ll do it,” had a 25% chance of reaching their goal.
Those who put a date by which they planned to achieve their goal had a 40% chance of doing so.
Those who developed a specific plan for reaching their goal had a 50% chance getting there
Those who committed to someone else that they would accomplish their goal had a 60% chance of making it.
But those people who committed to someone else and also committed to share their progress at regular intervals had a 95% chance of reaching their goal!

Summary

The study shows that the more specific and accountable people are about their goals, the higher their chances of success, with those who commit to sharing regular progress updates having a 95% chance of achieving their goal, compared to just 10% for those who merely think it’s a good idea.

I Power Seeds

Here are our takeaways and thoughts - pause and reflect, then nourish and grow!

This study highlights the power of commitment and accountability in goal achievement. Leaders who encourage their teams to set specific goals, create actionable plans, and commit to regular progress updates can dramatically increase the likelihood of success, moving from just 10% with vague intentions to an impressive 95% when accountability and regular check-ins are in place. Strong leadership turns good ideas into great outcomes

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Featured Leadership Personality Discovery

How Can You Make Storytelling a Habit?

by IPowerIdeas September 11, 2023

Read all the posts about storytelling. They are part of a series of adding and/or strengthening the tools in your toolbox.

Storytelling is not only a skill, but also a habit. A habit that can help you communicate better, connect deeper, and inspire action. But how can you make storytelling a habit in your daily life? Here are some tips to help you practice and improve your storytelling abilities.

Identify your stories

The first step to make storytelling a habit is to identify the stories that you have to tell. Stories are everywhere, in your memories, experiences, observations, and insights. You can use a journal, a voice recorder, or a note app to capture your stories as they come to you. Try to be specific, descriptive, and emotional when you record your stories. You can also use prompts, questions, or themes to spark your imagination and creativity.

Structure your stories

The second step to make storytelling a habit is to structure your stories in a way that engages your audience. Stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end, but they also need a hook, a conflict, and a resolution. A hook is what grabs your audience’s attention and curiosity. A conflict is what creates tension and suspense. A resolution is what delivers the message and the lesson. You can use different frameworks, such as the hero’s journey, the three-act structure, or the STAR method, to organize your stories.

Tell your stories

The third step to make storytelling a habit is to tell your stories to someone. This can be a friend, a family member, a colleague, or a stranger. The point is to practice your storytelling skills in a real situation, where you can get feedback, reactions, and emotions. You can also use different platforms, such as podcasts, blogs, social media, or videos, to share your stories with a wider audience. The more you tell your stories, the more confident and comfortable you will become.

Listen to stories

The fourth step to make storytelling a habit is to listen to stories from others. Listening to stories can help you learn from other storytellers, discover new perspectives, and expand your knowledge. You can listen to stories from books, podcasts, TED talks, documentaries, or live events . You can also ask questions, show interest, and empathize with the storytellers. Listening to stories can also inspire you to find and tell your own stories.

Adapt your stories

The fifth step to make storytelling a habit is to adapt your stories to different contexts, purposes, and audiences. Stories are not static, but dynamic. They can change depending on the situation, the goal, and the listener. You can adapt your stories by adjusting the length, the tone, the language, and the details. You can also use different techniques, such as metaphors, analogies, humor, or emotions, to enhance your stories.

Repeat your stories

The sixth and final step to make storytelling a habit is to repeat your stories. Repeating your stories can help you refine, improve, and master them. You can repeat your stories by telling them again to different people, by recording them and listening to them, by writing them and editing them, or by reviewing them and memorizing them. Repeating your stories can also help you create a personal brand, a signature style, and a loyal following.

I Power Seeds

Here are our takeaways and thoughts - pause and reflect, then nourish and grow!

I know we have all heard it before, but two things come to mind that work every time. One, tell a joke. It helps you relax as well as makes the audience focus on you and your story. Second, start off with a hook, such as a question. It engages the audience to pay more attention as you will answer the question later in your presentation.

If you had any thoughts, let us know.

Hope you enjoyed the post.

Original Article

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Emotional Intelligence Leadership Personality Discovery

Do Emotions Belong in the Workplace?

by IPowerIdeas August 29, 2023

Thought leader Liz Fosslien gives advice on how we can foster empathy in the workplace

Now that we are getting back to “normal” post pandemic, how can we recognize and support struggling employees, especially in remote and hybrid work settings?

Here are valuable insights on how to navigate this challenge effectively.

Identify warning signs: Performance and engagement

Early intervention through recognizing signs of employee struggle is essential for maintaining employee mental health. Be mindful about sudden performance declines and disengagement; rather than a sudden dislike for the job, these behaviors could indicate underlying problems.

Address these concerns through compassionate conversations that acknowledge an employee’s abilities while expressing genuine support.

Suggest using such lines as: “I’ve noticed a decline in your performance lately. I just wanted to check in on you and see if there’s anything personally affecting your work that I can help you with.”

Build personal connections: Check-ins and open dialogue

Incorporating personal check-ins into regular one-on-one meetings between managers and employees is an effective way to connect with workers about their mental health. Suggest dedicating time at the beginning or end of these meetings to ask about the challenges employees may have faced during the week.

By creating a safe space for open communication, employees are more likely to share their struggles.

“Asking that question offers them an opportunity to share what’s going on with them,” she said. “Just giving people permission to feel their feelings in the workplace can prevent issues from escalating into severe problems.”

Foster openness: The power of storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool for leaders to create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their struggles, and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership — especially during challenging times such as reorganizations or shifts in priorities.

“It’s okay to express emotion. It’s been a challenging couple of years. It is absolutely normal for people to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, yanked around,” Fosslien said.

Leaders should acknowledge the emotional challenges and provide avenues for employees to voice their concerns, she said; by normalizing these emotions and sharing personal experiences, leaders can alleviate feelings of isolation and promote open dialogue.

I Power Seeds

Here are our takeaways and thoughts - pause and reflect, then nourish and grow!

Emotions are hard in our personal lives and it is even more complicated in the workplace. However, utilizing these suggestions will give us additional tools in our toolbox.

Enjoy.

Original Article

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