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Update From Eileen

For three years, my husband Bill has yearned to join a four-day UCLA class in its study of California's wild mustangs. This year, WE were finally accepted into the class. A small bus took 20 of us from Bishop, CA to a remote location just south of Mono Lake.

Standing in the high desert, with the snow-capped Eastern Sierra to the west and the White Mountains to the east, I found myself checking my sanity. Whatever possessed me to put on my oldest jeans and boots and throw three bandanas, sweats, windbreaker and sunscreen in a duffle? What was I doing wearing a hat with a brim that stretched to the Mexican border and surrounding myself with folks who owned their own horses and rode daily? When WAS the last time I was on a horse?

The veterinarian leader of our expedition called off our names and assigned horses.

Should I take it personally that my faithful steed was called "Stumpy"? We mounted up and headed down the dusty trail, ending up some three hours later at a campsite that would be home for the next few days. From here we would range out into the valley floor and up canyons, riding five to six hours a day in search of the mustangs.

So, as I STAND to write this newsletter... here's what I learned:

—Four days without electronics is bliss.
—You can do more than you think you can.
—Stallions bring up the rear; mares lead the way.
—Indian artifacts abound and MUST stay where they are. :)
—Mountain lions abound and roam wherever they want.
—You'll eat anything if you're hungry.
—A solar shower is better than no shower at all.
—Sleeping outside at 20 degrees DEMANDS snuggling.
—Pioneers are my new heroes.

Now Bill wants to go on a hard-riding horse drive the next time. Twenty miles a day in the saddle. He's looking for a temporary wife. :):)

Study Shows More Engaged Employees Drive Improved Business Performance and Return

A new study by global human resources outsourcing and consulting firm Hewitt Associates (NYSE:HEW) shows that employee engagement levels at high-growth companies exceed those of lower-growth companies by more than 20 percent. The study also suggests that higher-growth organizations focus more energy and attention on employee engagement than their counterparts.

Hewitt's survey, based on data gathered from more than 4 million employees, compared engagement levels and practices of double-digit growth (DDG) companies (those with five-year compound average revenue growth of 10 percent or more) against companies that achieved less than 10 percent growth.

Ray Baumruk, Talent and Engagement Practice Leader for Hewitt Associates, states "High-growth companies communicate more, use more employee feedback, provide greater clarity of career path and direction and have more visible leaders. These actions have as much impact on engagement as financial growth and return."

The centerpiece for me, in reading this study, is that COMMUNICATION is at the core. Specifically, DDG companies seek feedback nearly twice as often as single-digit growth companies. They take action on the feedback that means that employees feel listened to. And for leaders to be visible (in the most positive sense), it means that leaders are verbal, sharing their confidence and encouragement to employees.

None of this is rocket science. But it takes a commitment from senior leadership and an internal champion to drive these practices.

JUST FOR LAUGHS:

I'm not a complete idiot—some parts are missing.

Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
The trouble with life is there's no background music.

Telecommute for Work/Life Balance

A recently released study conducted by WFD Consulting, a work/life consulting firm based in Watertown, MA shows positive productivity from telecommuting.

The study of 2,057 adults—employees, managers and family members—was commissioned by the American Business Collaboration, a group of top U.S. companies that works with WFD to improve work/life balance for their employees. Research shows that "contrary to popular belief, those who work off-site are more productive and better able to manage their time."

Share this information if you want to make a case for working from home. Show what will be your measurable performance goals and just how the time not spent on the road can result in greater return for the organization.

Must Read Books

MY TIME-Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life by Abigail Trafford (2004, Basic Books, ISBN 0465086748). Abigail has ventured into a realm that truly fascinates me: the entirely new development stage of the "bonus age". Kids are gone, mortgage is paid, and now it is YOUR turn. You've gone through the "shoulds". Now what do you want to do with "your one precious life". Abigail guides the reader through the obstacles of My Time and into the phase of reinvention. I loved this book. Let me know what you think.

The Simplicity Survival Handbook. 32 Ways to do less and accomplish more by Bill Jensen (2003, Basic Books, ISBN 0738209120). The book is about power-YOUR power to change standard practices and to push back into doing that which matter most-not that which someone dictates to you. Hold you hat, gang, because Jensen is a true believer that much of what we do is silly, wasteful, disrespectful, totally without impact on what is really important. Sure, he's in your face. But sometimes we need that push.

Actual writings on hospital charts:

1. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.

2. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.

3. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it disappeared.

4. Discharge status: Alive but without my permission.

5 . Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.

6. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.

7. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.

8. She is numb from her toes down.

OUR WEB SITE OFFERS ONLINE ASSESSMENTS in Communication Behavioral Styles and Time Mastery

Would you like some personal insight into how to communicate better with those "difficult people"? Would it be helpful to look more deeply at your own communication behaviors and how it can impact relationships at home or at work?

If so, come experience the DiSC® Classic (Personal Profile System®, an instrument that I use with work teams around the world. And I will provide individual coaching, if you choose, when you receive the results.

Too much to do and too little time? If time seems to be managing you rather than the other way around, I encourage you to take the Time Mastery Profile®. Not only will you see your strengths and weaknesses, but you'll learn the best practice action items to help you get back into control. And yes, I'll provide individual coaching too.

Go to http://www.eileenmcdargh.com/shop_online_assessments.html to purchase your assessment today!

Welcome To The McDargh Clan

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A couple of clients posed this question to me: "Eileen, how can we get your newsletter in the hands of our employees and management team?"

Great question! Here's the answer. You can send out an e-mail blast, asking if they'd like to receive a BRIEF, practical yet fun e-newsletter four times a year. If they say yes, just have them go to http://www.eileenmcdargh.com and viola! Thanks for asking!

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MISSION STATEMENT

McDargh Enterprises—Energizing the Human Spirit since 1980

Our mission is to transform the life of work and the work of your life.

We work with and speak for organizations that want people to create meaningful relationships with all their stakeholders and to develop a resilient leadership capacity for living a life of balance, engagement, productivity, and meaning in a changing world. We value laughter, life-long learning, and leadership through service.

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Testimonials

"On behalf of all the Lions, Lioness and guests who attended the convention last weekend, our sincere thank you. Your contribution to the convention was enormous in the enthusiasm picked up by the attendees. WOW is the best way to describe the response to both of your presentations. The attendance at the late afternoon session, when typically people are worn out, attests to
your drawing power."

- USA/Canada Lion's Leadership Forum