Against the Tide

By Robin Lee Kennedy

Have you ever been caught in a strong current?  You’re happily going along and suddenly are pulled off course – in a direction you don’t want to go.  Initially you’re unconcerned – after all you’re a strong swimmer.  You swim faster – kick harder.  As you see yourself drifting further from shore, panic sets in.  You start to focus on your fatigue.  You notice the heaviness in your arms.  Your kicking becomes frantic as you realize that you might not make it.  Fear overwhelms you.  Swimming furiously against the current is exhausting – images of sinking down beneath the surface encompass you.  You begin to think about your family, and how unhappy they’ll be without you.  Saddened by the image, fatigue overwhelms you.  It would be so much easier just to let go – to accept the terrible reality of your circumstances.

The Power of Your Thoughts!

Just when you feel like giving up, a spark ignites inside you.  You choose more positive, empowering thoughts.  You muster the courage; see yourself on the beach – now miles away.  Determination and belief drive you and – before you know it – you’re standing on that beach.  You can hardly believe that you made it.  It seems surreal.  Wow!  The power of your thoughts!

You’re probably aware of, and at some point have even experienced, the power your thoughts have to change your life.  How being clearly aware of your choices, staying true to who you are, and being accountable to yourself can empower you to reach your goals.  In my case, growing up with an abusive stepfather and a mother who often ‘took to her bed’ to escape him, I was determined to show the world who I was and what I had to offer.

Although we seemed to have plenty of money, my stepfather, Ivan, wouldn’t buy me school clothes.  Each fall when all of my friends had new stuff, I trooped in wearing hand-me-downs.  Ivan said that if I wanted something more, it was up to me to earn the money, but…good luck.  That was all I needed to hear to go against the tide – a suggestion that I couldn’t do it!  I just needed to figure out how.

We had property with a big river steps from the house.  Of course!  I would learn how to fish and sell my catch to the local market.  Fortunately, I did have a fishing pole, a Christmas gift from my Grandmother.  I had the tools and was in the perfect location.  But, I had to convince myself, and everyone else, that I could do this.  I marched into the fish market to share my intentions and negotiate a deal.  The local fishermen who were dropping off their catch chuckled at my announcement.  All but one.  Charlie, the father of a schoolmate, did not.  He had heard about the way Ivan treated me.  Instead of snickering along with his peers, Charlie was interested in my plan.  Proudly, I told him how I was going to make it happen.  First, I was going to focus on flounder because they were running and plentiful.  Instead of undercutting the price, I was going to offer some “free” services to get on the good side of the fish market owner.  Next, I would buy a boat with the money I earned so I’d be able to place and monitor more profitable crab traps.

Then I began my advertising campaign.  I told anyone who would listen what I was up to.  Everyone laughed at me, no one harder then Ivan.  Everyone, except Charlie.  People said things like “I hope you won’t be disappointed;” or “It’s too big a plan for a little girl.”  But I didn’t listen. Charlie got a bunch of “the boys” together to show me the ropes.  I went out on their boats and was allowed to keep my own catch.  They guided me and believed in me, because I believed in myself.

In just two seasons I was able to buy my own rowboat, which cost $99 – a lot in 1962.  I also learned the crab trapping business and had my own traps set in the best spots.  I had a growing bank account, purchased a 5HP motor for my boat, bought my own school clothes and gave the hand-me-downs to the Salvation Army.  I was even able to buy the special red shoes that I’d had my eye on.  I was ten years old.

The Currents of Human Influence

Whatever your circumstances, you may find yourself from time to time pulled in a direction that you don’t want to go or letting dreams live short lives because of a belief you accepted.

Do outside influences direct your course or is it your own inner critic telling you that you can’t do something you’d really like to?  If you’re like most people, the path of least resistance is the one you most often take.  Particularly, if your belief or desire is unpopular or unproven.

Direct the Course of Your Life With Conscious Choice and Effort

It is possible to focus your energy on creating the things that you want.  If you’re willing to go against the tide, you can direct the course of your life.

It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone to take control of your future and perseverance to stay on course and resist habitual patterns.  Forming new habits will take you where you want to be.  Recognize the power of your thoughts and words to make focused decisions about which ones to empower.  You can breathe life into what you truly want with conscious choice and effort.

Doubts That Multiply!

Notice what happens when another person or your inner critic says that you can’t do something or that an idea you have just won’t work.  Suddenly your doubts multiply.  Your enthusiasm and belief in yourself wanes – you might even retract your idea.  In some cases, you feel embarrassed that you actually believed it had merit.  The current was just too strong for you to go in a different direction.  Silently, grudgingly you dive back into stagnant waters.

Choose a Positive Focus

Now, consider what happens when you speak positively about something you want or believe in.  Your energy is contagious and people buy into your idea.  You react with more positive thoughts and energy.  Before you know it, there is a collective belief that begins to grow.  The air feels electric.  You’re going where you want and pulling others along with you – caught up in your enthusiastic wake.

What would happen if you always chose positive thoughts and words?  Notice that I pointed to a choice.  Everyone has negative – even self-deprecating – thoughts from time to time.  However, we all have the ability to decide whether to pursue a particular thought or not.  We can choose to go with a positive current.

The Process: Awareness, Truth and Accountability

First you need to become aware – to be awake to the moment and keenly observant of what is – to be conscious of all possible and probable outcomes of any choice or action.  To live in awareness is to not pretend that you don’t know.  It is to not do things subconsciously, but instead make conscious choices and decisions and understand their impact.  Clarifying your values helps you to make choices that serve you.  In my case, being a young girl keenly aware of the impact my home life was having on my image of the world, and focusing on a path that I understood completely would not be supported by that home, my actions were chosen carefully, in neat succession, to meet my goal.  What is important to you?  What are your “must haves” in order to be happy?

Next you need to tell the truth – to yourself.  Are you living by your values?  If not, what gets in the way?  Your values can motivate you to stretch beyond the comfortable status quo.  They give you the why for doing something new.  Are you willing to navigate uncharted waters by altering your ready acceptance of negative thoughts or discouraging input?  Can you identify the Ivan’s and Charlie’s in your own life?  In yourself?  Had I given into the views of the Ivan in my life, I would have achieved nothing.

Last comes being accountable – again, to yourself.  I took control of my circumstances by making choices and taking actions that were not influenced by the will or view of others.  My success or failure would not be the result of anything outside of my own actions, without excuses and regardless of how toxic the world around me could be.  Will you take responsibility for getting yourself to shore?

By being aware, honest and accountable you’ll find that you can create your own flow and current.  You’ll find the best places to cast your line and life’s ebbs and flows will be much easier to navigate.

For the summer months I thought I would like to share with you some of the great articles written by my Alliance Members.  Please enjoy the following article submitted by Robin Kennedy:

The Power of Teams ~  Increasing Engagement & Results

Engaged teams – the lifeblood of sustainable organizations

A recent study of 150 teams revealed that highly effective teams are the lifeblood of the most successful, innovative and sustainable organizations in the world.

• The Royal Bank of Scotland manages everything in 30, 60 or 90 day cycles; working on teams is part of the culture.
• Google encourages employees to spend 20% of their time contributing to a team whose purpose excites them, keeping them engaged and at the edge of innovation.
• Consultants at professional services firms move from one project team to another, generating fresh ideas and offering new perspectives almost daily.

Teams drive results

We overestimate the power of a company and underestimate the power of teams. Teams are the engines that drive leading organizations, producing results that individuals simply can’t. Statistics report that we currently spend approximately 30% of our time working in teams. Forecasted to rise to 60%, mastering team performance is a key strategy for organizational growth and sustainability.

Engage the team as a system

A team is a living and dynamic system – a living organism that has characteristics that transcend those of individual members. Seen as its own entity, the team system has spoken and unspoken rules, blind spots, vision, expectations and moods. The way team members treat each other influences the quality and output of results, while the environment plays a crucial role in defining the sustainability of productivity. The team mood, whether energized and motivated – or fearful and disengaged, is the air that the team breathes and is created through relationships within the team.

Extraordinary teams have the mindset and skillset essential for creating and sustaining high engagement and top performance. Powerful team contracts are created with input from every voice in the system.  Desirable behaviour and ways to diffuse negativity are clearly defined. Relationships flourish and results grow.

Team Coaching is gaining prominence

A t the leading edge of the coaching profession, team coaching is gaining prominence as global organizations such as Johnson & Johnson, Kodak, Unilever, ING, State Farm, Aventis, McDonald’s and others, use this approach to build the performance capacity of their teams . Team coaching helps teams strengthen and sustain performance by equipping them with practical skills and tools to generate positive engagement and neutralize negativity. Team coaching is not about coaching individuals to be better team performers, although that often happens. The team is coached as its own system, independent of the needs of any single member. This advanced coaching methodology was developed by The Center for Right Relationship who trains coaches in Organizational and Relationship Coaching (ORSC).

Measure results

A baseline measurement is obtained using Team Diagnostics™, a next generation team assessment developed by Team Coaching International.  Drawn from a proven model that defines the necessary strengths for high-performing, sustainable, inspired teams, the assessment is repeated at the end of the coaching process to gauge progress and define clear next steps in further team development.

The question is not if teams are the wave of the future; the writing is on the wall.  The bigger question is what will you do to ensure that your teams thrive in turbulent times? Give them the blueprint to success. Invest in team coaching. It’s dynamic. It’s engaging. And, it works.

For the summer months I thought I would like to share with you some of the great articles written by my Alliance Members.  Please enjoy the following article submitted by Claire Sookman:

The Four Powerful Keys to Virtual Team Success

Creating virtual teams is not challenge-free. Why? Imagine trying to communicate effectively with people you have never met and whose personalities you are not familiar with. If this hurdle is not overcome, establishing successful virtual teams can be extremely frustrating.

Why still pursue it? Harnessing the power of technology to connect with business units scattered across the country or around the world can result in dramatic increases in efficiency as well as significantly reduced costs

Harness the Power of Differences

You’ve heard it before, each individual is unique. Ponder the implications to virtual team success. Each of us brings strengths and challenges to the table. Understand and appreciate the uniqueness of others, yet, don’t fall into the trap of believing everyone thinks the same as you do.

You’ve probably heard of the DiSC system before. The DiSC system looks at how we tend to behave and what motivates us in a given situation by breaking behaviors into four categories corresponding to the letters D, I, S and C.

Knowing how to recognize a particular behavioral type, realizing that you want and need this person on your team, understanding the challenges they will introduce and how to manage them for success will now be discussed.

The Challenging One

In DiSC “The Challenging One” is the Dominance Style – represented by the letter “D”.  A “ D” likes to have control and can be very opinionated. They are inclined to be very direct, which means they do not mince words and they will always let you know exactly where they (and you) stand.  D’s thrive on change and are often risk-takers. They can become very impatient with people who try to slow down their progress.

The D’s can energize a virtual team, whether virtual or collocated.  They are extremely task oriented and have high personal standards.  They can be counted on to get things done with quality results. Their direct and forceful approach can inspire others when they recognize the value and contributions offered by others. Being task oriented is a characteristic that is highly valued in virtual teams, but only after good relationships and trust is established.

A “D” can also exhaust a virtual team. They can be very forceful and tend to take over. This can be particularly difficult for a team since a “D” might want to do it their way instead of getting buy-in from the team. This can cause resentment among less vocal members who may be naturally shy or reticent when it comes to expressing opinions. Body language (a natural indicator of how one is responding to another’s suggestions) also looses impact in a virtual team situation, making it even harder to determine a team member’s buy-in level  A “D” not only has high standards of themselves they have equally high standards of other people.  This can be challenging and stressful for some people.

Tips to Leverage their Strengths

• When giving them information be sure to focus in on the relevant facts of the task at hand
• Give them autonomy to do the work; it is not necessary to tell them how to do it. Just let them know what needs to get done.
• Don’t bog them down with details just give them the bottom-line
• When communicating with them be very direct

The Social Butterfly

In DiSC “The Social Butterfly” is the Influence Style – represented by the letter “I”.  These individuals are extremely friendly, positive and enthusiastic. Other people may see them as outgoing or extroverted. They are very communicative and they love to network with everyone. They are your team builders and motivators.

“I”s are naturals at pulling teams together and building and maintaining team spirit. They are the morale builders and motivators on your team.

People who are a high “I” can have difficulty following through on tasks and tend to be less detailed oriented. “I”s have a need to be part of a group, so if the team is virtual, or they are required to do solitary work, they may have difficulty.

Tips to Leverage their Strengths

• Since an “I” is not particularly detailed oriented, you may want them to team up with someone who loves details
• The “I” enjoys socializing but needs to realize not everyone likes to “schmooze.” Give them an opportunity to socialize with you before moving onto business. In fact, it has been proven that the most successful virtual teams are those which have either had the opportunity to meet face to face or which have established the human touch prior to focusing on work
• Utilize your “I” to build team spirit. Also, an “I” needs to feel appreciated, so let them know how they are doing

The Trusted One

In DiSC “The Trusted One” is the Steadiness Style – represented by the letter “S”.  An “S” is ready and willing to help. You can always count on them to support the team through loyalty and cooperation. An “S” would rather let others have their way than to start an argument; they don’t like conflict or radical change. They will support change if they understand why it is necessary. Unlike an “I”, an “S” does not like to be the center of attention, they may also take longer to warm up to people.

An “S” will rarely let you down, making them invaluable “team players.” They are patient and supportive and they create balance and harmony on the team. They are also the mediators on your virtual team.  They will be the ones who provide praise and encouragement to the rest of your team. An “S” will move cautiously especially when it has to do with change. Some people may view it as being stubborn or inflexible when in fact it’s because you tend to see the risks.

Tips to Leverage their Strengths

• Since change is something that an “S” finds disconcerting, make sure they know why the change is necessary and how it will impact them and the team
• Encourage them to ask questions and try to answer them all
• Whenever possible provide an environment that is predictable

The Analyzer

In DiSC “The Analyzer” is the Conscientiousness Style – represented by the letter “C”.  A “C” is very demanding on themselves and others. They are sticklers for details and would rather do things right than do things fast. A “C” has the reputation for producing high quality work. If detailed-oriented work is required give it to a “C”; they excel in making sure things get done correctly and you can be assured that they will follow through on their commitments.

A “C” expects everyone to have the same high standards as they do. This can be intimidating for some or appreciated by others. Also, because they demand high quality work from themselves, it tends to take them a longer to complete their work.

They prefer to work alone which can be particularly difficult if they are part of a team. Since a team can only function when an open information sharing model is in effect, it is crucial that a “C” – who generally prefers to work alone – be actively kept in the loop.

Tips to Leverage their Strengths

• Let a “C” know your expectations prior to giving them a task.  Incomplete instructions are difficult for a “C” to work with. Not only do they need to know what your expectations are but the standards you expect from them. “C”s tend to get bogged down with details so it’s critical to let them know when a task needs to be completed.
• Be very specific about deadlines

The key to communicating is not only understanding our behavioral style but, learning to adapt our style to others on the team. This is even more critical to do this when the team is virtual.

At first it may not be easy to detect each member’s personality type. However, making the effort to do so – even by using a simple survey – then tailoring your style to interact based on their personality type and preferred method of behavior can spell the difference between a powerful virtual team or a virtual disaster.