The Positive Energy Workplace

Qualities you'll find in a healthy team/organization*:

• The organization's vision is shared, communicated and alive. People have bought into it and know how their role directly supports it.
• People are self aware AND self possessed (in other words, they're self-aware AND able to shift behavior/do something about their impact)
• Systems are in place so people know what to do, how to do it, and who does it (and can cross function in roles)
• People are literally healthy and energized
• People have fun (even during tough times)
• Profits are healthy
• Employees are engaged

What if the most simple and key principles of effective leadership and engagement were already in your bones and just needed a playful reminder?

At the beginning of the school year, my son's 2^nd grade class established class "ground rules" aka "Rules of Engagement." These rules were set as guidelines by which they agreed to be treated and treat each other. When I went in for our student led Parent Teacher Conference last month, I was kind of taken aback by the wisdom and emotional intelligence that a savvy group of 2nd graders exhibited in their agreements.

It's not necessarily the words you say, but rather the tone, the intent and the physiology you say them with.

Want to feel great AND create some positive impact? Try Gratitude.

I love gratitude and consider it a gift in my life. This month we have an extra special excuse to focus on what were grateful for. We get to hopefully be with family and friends who love us, we get to sit around the table and talk about what we're thankful for. We get to give knowing glances of gratitude to each other. It's a really cool holiday and one that can sweep you away with joy and gratitude if you let it.

It can also be a time of sadness and challenge for some people. The holidays can bring on all sorts of emotions. Regardless of how the holiday season impacts you, there is always something you can count on to help lift spirits and joy. It's free. There's no right way to do it. You can be incredibly generous with it. There is a limitless supply. It creates a powerful impact. It soothes the spirit. It's Gratitude.

Did you know: 21% of the global workforce considers themself actively engaged in their work right now (loyal, passionate, positive, enjoying their work.) 38% are actively disengaged (meaning they're complaining, bringing morale down, looking for another job, etc.) And the remaining 41% aren't sure where they stand. Wow.

Does that suprise you? Suprised me, but then not too much because I've watched chaos, schedules, technology, travel and the demand for instant results and response increase dramatically over the years. We are busy! We can get ahold of each other in ways now that can make one dizzy. Technology in many cases is replacing face to face contact. Travel on Sunday for a Monday morning meeting is becoming quite the norm. So it doesn't suprise me that the following things are some of the challenges we're bumping up against.