Monthly Archives: June 2011

What is Normal?

Most of us use the term “normal” on a regular basis.  A summer shower, rush hour traffic, or our favorite team blowing a lead at the end of the game might all be judged as “normal.”  Normal is used to … Continue reading

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Mood Magic: Dispelling the Grumpiness

This morning I started a focus group with a group of employees that looked unhappier than the average worker on Monday morning when the weather is nice outside.  All but one employee had the facial expression and body language of … Continue reading

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Cloudy and a Chance of Grumpy: Dealing with Bad Moods

Most of us have dealt with a bad mood of our own as well as the experience of being on the receiving end of someones bad mood.  Bill Watterson the creator of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip sums it … Continue reading

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People Watching: Watch and Learn

Most of us entertain ourselves through people watching at least once in a while.  It could be at the mall, in a restaurant, or even our child’s school.  There is something fascinating about watching the small gestures, plethora of facial … Continue reading

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Building Consensus or Doing the Right Thing

“Ah consensus … the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies in search of something in which no one believes, but to which no one objects; the process of avoiding the very issues that have to be solved, … Continue reading

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Ensure Leaders Are Adding Value

Organizations develop vacuums as they evolve over time.  However, organizations like nature “abhor a vacuum” and something normally fills the empty space.   The idea of nature “abhorring a vacuum” or horror vacui arises from Greek philosopher Parmenides in On Nature.  … Continue reading

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Measuring the Added Value

Based on the last post, we defined adding value as how an individual increases the efficiency and effectiveness as well as ultimately the profit of an organization through his or her personal contribution.  Although most of us measure the efficiency … Continue reading

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Adding Value: Balancing Characteristics

On a regular basis, I hear people talk about needing to have employees add value.  By adding value, I am referring to how an individual increases the efficiency and effectiveness as well as ultimately the profit of an organization through … Continue reading

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How to Reform the Zoo: Dealing with Workplace Stress

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, workplace stress is “the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.”  It can … Continue reading

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