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Update From Eileen
I promised you a report from my experience as a camp counselor at a unique weeklong away-from-home program for at-risk kids ages six to ten. Little was I prepared for the fact that I would be the one changed, challenged, and ultimately consecrated in my belief that youth hold the key to our future.
Even before the children arrived, my preconceived notions were turned upside down in the meeting of other adult counselors and teen volunteers. Among them were former gang members, a Canadian social worker, music therapist, oncologist, Hollywood producer, a graffiti artist, a volleyball captain, South American refugees, and more. The outfits ranged from low rider pants and pierced belly buttons to NYU sweatshirts and over-sized, laceless tennis shoes. And in the course of a week, I watched this crazy collection teach and love and play and control with a 24-hour diligence and compassion that DID accomplish its mission: to help kids feel supported by caring adults and discover how to create a community where you can have conflict without violence.
My seven to ten year-old campers named themselves, “Princesses in Training”. That made me Queen-for-a-Week in a less-than- palatial San Bernardino mountain cabin where “turning neighbors into friends” was the motto of the Global Children’s Organization. Our faces told the story of age and origin: Hispanic, Korean, African, Russian and Irish.
I surrendered my desire for Pennsylvania Dutch order and discovered that control works best if you present two equally acceptable choices. I learned repeat songs, link tag, and the precious value of waking everyone with a gentle voice and a back rub. My emotions ran from enthusiasm to despair, from excitement to anger, from obligatory concern to downright motherly love. In the absence of a clear-cut structure, the clarity of our intention created an amazing outcome. I re- wrote Dr. Seuss, got chased out of a building by a bear cub, thrilled at the tattoo on my arm (ok-magic marker but-hey!) and wept deeply with my kids when we parted seven days later.
Can a week make a difference? If anchored in emotion-most definitely. A mountain is worn by drops of water. I was privileged to be one of the many drops.
Eileen
P.S. I made my girls official “Princesses” on the last day. And the duty of a princess which they solemnly accepted: to care for her people.
Managers: Forget Busy. Become Purposeful.
“Fully 90% of managers squander their time in ineffective activities.” That’s the result of a 10-year research project studying the behavior of busy managers in nearly a dozen companies including Sony and Lufthansa. The researchers, Dr. Heike Bruch and Dr. Sumantra Ghoshal, term this “active nonaction”.
Focus and energy are dual drivers in overcoming such behavior. Focus is like laser light concentrated on seeing a goal through to completion. Today’s environment demands that effective managers move business forward in innovative ways, not merely push paper, memos and meetings to maintain the status quo. Energy results from a personal commitment to a goal that has meaning and passion. One must have both.
Here are some steps to increase focus and energy:
- Take deliberate, thoughtful action toward a goal. Procrastination promotes paralysis.
- Tell the truth. Don’t deny problems or let the pessimism of others sabotage a project.
- It’s not enough to be busy. What are you busy about? Beware of distractions and over commitment.
- Pick battles wisely. Fighting everything will drain energy.
- Guard your time by erecting boundaries during certain parts of the day. Being available 24/7 does not create time to reflect and refocus.
- Exercise, play golf, garden-whatever allows you to regroup, refuel, and reenergize.
- Extend your influence, build networks, manage whatever will promote LONG-term results.
Gain support by engaging people with the urgency and vision but allow them choices into how they will meet the challenges and derive personal meaning.
This ‘N That
Something to Think About—Great Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, in the midst of the Vietnam War. “Even as they strike you down, you will remember: humanity is not our enemy. The only thing worthy of you is compassion. Hatred will never let you face the beast in human beings…One day, when you face the beast alone, with your courage intact, your eyes kind. Out of your smile will bloom a flower. And, on the long, rough road, the sun and the moon will continue to shine.”
Stress Management Helps Bottom Line
Stress-related health problems are reaching epidemic proportions. There’s growing evidence that stress management has both immediate and long-term benefits. Consider this data offered by Trend Letter, Sept. 16, 2002:
- One-year cost of patients using stress- management techniques averaged $1228 compared with $4523 for those following standard treatment.
- Depression, a common disorder often triggered by prolonged stress, costs US businesses about $70 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity.
- Public schools are beginning to helps kids learn how to manage stress.
What can be done: consider teaching people how to recognize the symptoms of stress. If you are responsible for employee benefits, expand intervention programs to battle alcoholism, smoking, mental disorders, and drug addiction. Provide workshops on stress management, handling change, work/life balance and managing relationships. (Call me and I can outline what programs we offer as well as recommend other resources.)
Must Read Books
Checkered Flag Projects: 10 Rules for Creating and Managing Projects that Win by Alan Randolph and Barry Posner, Prentice Hall ISBN 1-13-009399-8, 2002.
Today’s white-knuckle business world leaves little learning curve for people tasked with completing a project on time and under budget! This book shortens the curve and offers step-by-step practical advise on mobilizing, motivating and managing both people and the process. If you’ve got a project on your plate— buy this book.
Leadership When the Heat’s On by Danny Cox, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0-07-140083-4, 2002.
This is Danny’s revised and updated edition. I loved the first one. He’s outdone himself with this one. From the Foreword written by 103 year-old Ellie Newton to the intense content, this book is a winner from start to finish.
Welcome To The McDargh Clan
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
National Association of Rural Electric Coops
MPI Arizona
Central California Women’s Conference
Adelphia Media Services
Invitrogen
Assistant Club Managers of America
Overview and Contact Information
Is life leading you instead of you leading a life?
Is work working you instead of you doing the work?
You’re not alone! It’s the challenge of our times.
From business leaders to rank-and-file workers, the competitive 24/7 world of heart-stopping change has left many feeling in need of new tools to answer these questions:
- How do I engage more of my talent and that of the folks around me in meaningful work?
- Why is it that resiliency is a word I think of only with rubber bands?
- Why does it seem that we compete more with each other than the competition?
It’s tough when the rate and pace of work leaves you feeling disconnected, unheard, and certainly not aligned to produce results that matter in the long run.
Then there’s the issue of joy. Flat out joy. You don’t want “work” to become exclusive of play. Leave your spirit and heart at the door, and it’s hard to be creative and productive. You want to be connected with people who respect you and visa versa. You want to do good work— no, make that GREAT work–in the bargain. You want to spend your time in a place that lets your spirit soar and your talent shine. My joy is in helping individuals and organizations rediscover the joy of living and the joy of satisfying work.
If you want results that go well beyond the bottom line—contact us. Since 1980, we’ve been engaging the human spirits of individuals and organizations. Now—it’s your turn.
Call 949-496-8640 or send email eileen@eileenmcdargh.com
