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Update From Eileen

What an entry into 2005: A crushing tsunami hammers Asia and the death tolls mount. A massive hill slide engulfs La Conchita. Rain pounds Southern California. Floods suck homes into Utah rivers. And my friend Nancy McKinley, age 52, dies just three weeks after her diagnosis with pancreatic cancer. How could so much tragedy happen in so many places in such a short time frame?

I write this on January 17, flying home from Nancy's funeral in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I came to this below-zero town devastated, stunned, deeply sad, and trying desperately to comprehend the incomprehensible.

The Ecumenical Center on the University of Wisconsin campus is mobbed with people of all ages and amazing floral arrangements that defy description. The latter speaks volumes to Nancy's love of gardening. My colleagues in the National Speakers Association have come from around the nation to mourn her and support husband, Mike, a past national president of NSA. I discover we're but a tiny portion of her life.

The room is filled with testaments to her ground- breaking contributions as a speech pathologist, as the CEO of an educational publishing company, and the co-creator of a magnificent 25-acre garden enterprise. She graced this earth as a wife, step- mother, grandmother, mentor, e-mail queen, award-winning entrepreneur, gardener and joyful spirit who made sure no one left her table hungry or sad.

In the midst of Nancy's filled-to-the-brim life, juxtaposed by the unfairness of its length, I begin to have a glimmer of understanding. The constant in all these tragedies-whether Indonesia, Los Angeles, or a Wisconsin farm-is the necessity of community. Without community, every tragedy would be more than unbearable. It would be without hope.

Whether the outpouring of a global community's support or the intimate, familial love found at desk side, hearthside or bedside, we are called to hold sacred the essence of each other. We are bound in more ways than we can begin to imagine.

So, this is one of my New Year resolutions: to more actively cultivate and honor my extended community. Life requires it.

Blessings to you-my community of friends.

P.S. A final thought from Nancy: Leave room in your garden for the angel to dance.

Resolve To Keep Talent This Year

In a recent Denver-based survey, interviews from some 500 workers confirmed what we continue to hear—".one-third of all the employed folks said they would switch jobs in 2005 if things don't change soon."

Why would they leave? Again, nothing new. Close to two-thirds of those surveyed classified their boss as a 'lousy manager.'"

Here are the top three reasons given by the respondents as to why they classified their bosses as "lousy managers:"

—they don't involve employees in decision making;
—leaders still endorse the "churn and burn" concept; and
—most bosses talk a good game but don't really believe in work-life balance for their people.

If you're in management and this information hits close to home, consider turning over a new leaf in 2005. Otherwise, you might find some of your best and brightest leaving.

Take Heart, Women

The UC Berkeley Wellness Letter in December revealed that heart disease and stroke kill 11 times as many American women annually as breast cancer. Our problem-the medical community has, until recently, paid attention to breast and reproductive systems. And
much of what we know about heart disease is based on research with men. BUT-we don't have to wait for research to improve our health:

(1) Don't smoke.
(2) Know your blood pressure and keep it under control.
(3) Keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range.
(4) Eat a healthy diet.

Just more resolutions for us to make in 2005!

Must Read Books

The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer (2004, Hay House, ISBN 1401902154). I am normally not a Dyer fan. But at the strong urging of Renee Strom (International Speakers Bureau) and the fact that this book "just happened" to be the sole book in a wrong place in Costco, I bought it. You'll find here a fascinating look at the power of "intending" positive outcomes and the chance of achieving them. Couple this with the documentary film on quantum physics, What the Bleep Do We Know, and the world becomes a fascinating soup of possibilities.

The Hidden Messages in Water by Masaru Emoto (2001, Beyond Words Publishing, ISBN 1582701148). Yep, it's an old book but one that is now appearing on the NY TIMES best-seller list. Based upon the work of Emoto, a renowned Japanese scientist, the book offers photographic evidence of how thoughts, words and feelings affect molecules of water. You've got to read it to believe it. Another fascinating ingredient in the "soup" we call life.

Want A Book Club? Consider Moving!

The University of Wisconsin—Whitewater released its analysis of America's most literate cities. Using U.S. Census data, newspaper circulation rates, magazine publishing, educational levels, library resources and booksellers, the study determined that 79 cities with 200,000 and above in population matched the criteria.
And the top ten literate cities are:

1. Minneapolis, MN
2. Seattle, WA
3. Pittsburgh. PA
4. Madison, WI
5. Cincinnati, OH
6. Washington, DC
7. Denver, CO
8. Boston, MA
9. Portland, OR
10. San Francisco, CA

My non-statistical brain couldn't help but notice one other item in common with all but one of these cities: either frigid winters or constant rain. Ummmm.

Questions For Ethical Decision Making

Whether you are a Board member concerned with Sarbanes Oxley or a rank-and-file human working in a community, ethical actions have never been more critical. (I think some of our politicians could use these too.)

Would I want the other person to do this to me?
Is it in keeping with my values?
Am I telling the entire truth-to myself and to others?
Am I willing to accept the responsibility for this decision?
Does it promote excellence for all?
Is it safe from physical, emotional, legal harm?
Is this based on a genuine concern for short as well as long-term goals?

Critical Competencies Shift For Executives In Leadership

The Hay Group spent the last two years studying roles and competencies of 600 leaders from companies like IBM, PepsiCo and Unilever The results found that executive roles have changed dramatically due to rapid growth, flatter organizations and changing business strategies.

Of the three roles noted, the one that caught my eye was the collaborative role. For leaders accustomed to more traditional positions, this one requires a behavioral shift that without
solid development puts the success of the leader at risk.

"And just what is that skill set?" you ask.

Glad you asked. You see, it matches what Right management Consultant (RMC) found in their survey of the most important competencies for leaders. Communication skills and vision top the list with honesty just a little behind. The areas most needing improvement: engaging people in the vision and strategy, developing subordinates and communicating.

One way execs develop these skills is through coaching. RMC surveyed 100 senior executives who participated in coaching programs and found a six-fold return-on investment as measured by improved productivity and higher quality work.

Helping individuals and teams develop their communication skills and improve teamwork has always been a core component of my work. Through assessments, feedback, individual counsel and training, I can help develop these critical skills. Call me and let's create a plan just for you!

Pass Along The Newsletter - FREE

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!

Subscription Management:

You can now manage your subscription to The Energizer on the web! Just e-mail us at eileen@eileenmcdargh.com and let us know what you need. All new subscriptions are by e-mail only.

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

"Thank you for speaking at the Office of Inspector General Third Annual Recognition conference. Your presentation was entertaining and informative, and my staff enjoyed it tremendously. You gave us many helpful insights and tips on how to improve the balance between our home and work lives. It is always a pleasure to witness such a dynamic, energetic presentation. I am appreciative that you took time from your busy schedule to share your knowledge and ideas with us.

- Office of Inspector General