Author: sushamak@verizon.net

“Rather than grind out tasks on a to-do list while waiting to discover life’s ultimate purpose, 10X leaders find meaning and commitment in their daily activities”, say Tal Ben-Shahar and Angus Ridgway.  They believe that “meaning and commitment are the path to joyful leadership….Purpose endows a person with joy in good times and resilience in hard times.”  If you want to live your dreams ask yourself what about your work is meaningful, speaks to you and fills you with zest and vigor.  This will fuel you for the long haul and toughen you up for the rough patches. 

Continue reading “Purposeful Work Part I”

Tal Ben-Shahar and Angus Ridgway’s SHARP model of leadership looks at Performance Multiplier 4: RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships cultivated at work tilt the balance towards successful leadership.  When we interact positively with others, levels of oxytocin ‘tend and befriend hormone’ go up, and levels of cortisol ‘fight or flight hormone’ go down.  There is a physiological benefit to creating these positive interactions. 

Continue reading “How you Relate at Work Part II”

Tal Ben-Shahar and Angus Ridgway’s SHARP model of leadership looks at Performance Multiplier 4: RELATIONSHIPS

MYTH #4: The most important tools for a leader are power and control.

You may have heard of the ‘Easterlin Paradox’: a phenomenon that refers to countries that have flourished economically but have not improved the happiness of their citizens.  USA has consistently ranked low on the GNH (Gross National Happiness) index.  Focusing only on the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is limiting.  Countries like Denmark, Norway, and Australia with a high GNH report a sturdy social support.  Positive relationships make all the difference. 

Tal Ben-Shahar and Angus Ridgway’s SHARP model of leadership looks at Performance Multiplier 3: ABSORPTION (continued)

Ellen Langer in her book Mindfulness  says mindlessness leads to “error, pain and a predetermined course of life”, whereas mindfulness “increases charisma, productivity…..health and even longevity”. 

What you pay attention to will determine the quality of your life. Mindful engagement is like meditation.  Practice regulating your attention even for 3 minutes a day, at home or at your desk.  It is called brain hygiene allowing the synaptic connections in the brain to be cleaned out and strengthened. It is also known as flexing and building your attention muscle.   

Tal Ben-Shahar and Angus Ridgway’s SHARP model of leadership looks at Performance Multiplier 3: ABSORPTION

MYTH 3:  Peak experiences are necessarily rare, a product of special and extraordinary events.

Of course, you cannot expect to be awed by what you are doing at work all the time.  However, peak experiences do not have to be rare. You can nurture the ideal set of circumstances to raise such moments.   You don’t wait for good things or ‘magic’ to happen.  You make a pro-active decision to focus on what is positive and productive.  You stay mindfully engaged doing what pleases you to meet a desirable goal. 

Tal Ben-Shahar and Angus Ridgway’s SHARP model of leadership looks at Performance Multiplier 2: HEALTH (continued)

The 3 pillars of health as we know are diet, exercise and sleep.  To keep them standing strong you want to attend to each one mindfully.  Work smarter, not harder.  Habits that hold these pillars up have to be regulated.  A healthy diet loses its benefits if you indulge in overeating.  Eat till you are 80% full.  Exercising to the point of self-injury defeats any gains made.  Walk between sprinting and restore energy. If you pull an all-nighter and are on borrowed sleep, your fatigue makes you as impaired as someone with an illegal blood alcohol content level.  Aim for 8 hours of sleep and take short naps in the afternoon if you need to restore your energy.     

Continue reading “Three Pillars of Health & your Energy Creation Zone”

Tal Ben-Shahar and Angus Ridgway’s SHARP model of leadership looks at
Performance Multiplier 2: HEALTH

How much energy do you apply to life and work?  Energy is our capacity to work that comes from the ‘wellsprings of our body, mind, spirit and emotions’.  Stress is our body’s natural response to the demands placed on us.  The more demands placed on us, the more energy is spent.

Continue reading “Health: Energy Management”

Ben-Shahar and Ridgway’s SHARP model of leadership looks at
Performance Multiplier 1: STRENGTHS

“Stoke the fires that are already within you.  Don’t spend time on remediation.”  To truly flourish as leaders it is wise to “make the most of your gifts”.  

You could be called upon to lead a group in any setting of any size: your local temple or church, HOA, PTA, Scouts, Sports League, social or professional organization.  If you work in a corporation, you know that in today’s work world, leadership does not stop at mid-management. You could be charged to lead a team of 3 or 10 for the next project.  Learning to be a flourishing leader applies to you, even if you do not think so at first glance.   

Continue reading “Sharpening Strengths as a Leader”

As a leader you have planned, strategized and executed numerous tasks to achieve the goals of your team, over the years.  All the leadership skills that have been learned, adopted and practiced in good times are challenged during tough times.  Suddenly, your entire focus has shifted.  The original vision for the organization gets sidelined by the need of the hour.  Working from home is the new norm.  The goal post has shifted from winning to surviving, and you have to address that immediately.   

Continue reading “Pause, Retype, Press Enter: Effective Leadership in a Crisis”