Could something as simple as regularly having a meal with colleagues to discuss work experience-related issues help reduce burnout? It seems too simple doesn’t it? Although several factors contribute to burnout, there is good reason to believe connection practices such as taking time to talk with others over lunch or dinner provides a measure of protection. It is certainly having that desired effect at Mayo Clinic.
Amy has been under increasing stress. Her boss is pressuring her to significantly boost the productivity of the team she manages. She’s working longer hours and spending more time on work while away from her office. Adding to that, Amy feels stress from her commute to work and the financial pressures to support her family. The time she once spent on self-care – getting sufficient sleep, exercising and engaging in leisure activities with family and fiends – has gradually been squeezed out of her schedule. Sound familiar?
Peter DeMarco, a writer in Boston, lost his 34-year old wife, Laura Levis, following a severe asthma attack. Last week, The New York Times reprinted Mr. DeMarco’s “A Letter to the Doctors and Nurses Who Cared for My Wife.” It went viral. Take time to read it.
Mr. DeMarco’s letter expresses his profound gratitude for the words and deeds of doctors, nurses, technicians and the cleaning crew during his wife’s seven days in the ICU. They carried out their tasks in a professional manner AND went above and beyond by taking time to care and connect.
Congratulations to Texas Christian University (TCU) for being recognized by The Wall Street Journal as #2 in the U.S. for student engagement, an assessment that measures, according to the Journal, “how connected the students are with their school, each other and the outside world, and how challenging their courses are…”
To learn about TCU’s unique “Connection Culture” check out this TCU Magazine article and the TCU Center for Connection Culture.
I’d like you to be aware of the upcoming workshop co-offered by New Jersey Organization Development and TCU Center for Connection Culture that is being opened up to outside individuals for a limited time. Here is a rare opportunity for you to experience the workshop we do for institutions and consider whether to bring it to your own organization. I hope to see you there!
| Date: | November 3, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Event: | Connection Culture Workshop on November 3 |
| Topic: | How to Build a Connection Culture in the Workshop |
| Sponsor: | New Jersey Organization Development |
| Venue: | Ramada Plaza in Newark, NJ |
| Location: | 160 Frontage Road Newark, NJ 07114 |
| Public: | Public |
| Registration: | Click here to register. |
| More Info: | Click here for more information. |
Photo of Jeff Webb courtesy of Varsity Brands
As football season begins, millions of fans are excited about cheering on their favorite high school, college or NFL teams. The best teams, those that are competitive over time, benefit from having a winning team spirit.
A winning team spirit is a mood that fills an individual or group with life. It brings about enthusiasm, energy and engagement, and helps the team perform at the top of its game. Therefore, every leader who aspires to lead his or her team to sustainable success – whether in the sports world or business world – must be able to create and maintain a winning team spirit.
It’s fashionable in the media and politics today to be quick to speak, to dominate conversations and be self-righteous. We see this frequently in movies and television shows too. These attributes are thought to be signs of intelligence, assertiveness and conviction. Although they may be effective at gaining television ratings and press attention, they are counterproductive when it comes to communicating, connecting with others and leading effectively.
One of history’s greatest leaders and communicators was President Abraham Lincoln who led our country through the particularly divisive time of the Civil War. He was known as a patient, careful listener who was slow to speak and slow to become angry, wisdom he may have picked up from reading the Bible (see James 1:19). These attributes contributed to his reputation for being thoughtful, and for possessing wisdom and good judgment. They also helped him develop a strong network of supporters.
Doug Hensch, president of DRH Group, recently reviewed my book Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy, and Understanding at Work.
In his review, Hensch writes: “There are still some lonely people out there who think the sole purpose of a business to produce a profit. Unfortunately, profits are just like oxygen. Oxygen makes life possible but not necessarily worth living. And, Stallard writes, ‘Connection is what transforms a dog-eat-dog environment into a sled dog team that pulls together.'”
Read the full review.