The Positive Energy Workplace

I just got back from the Inc 500 Conference in Washington D.C. Quite an amazing group of people, great speakers, inspiring stories, lots of new friends. Tom Peters and Seth Godin got into a lively conversation “in the entrepreneurial mind.” Tim Ferris talked about getting it done, all done, in 4 hours a week. Jim Collins talked about level 5 leadership and making sure that you have the “right people” filling the “key seats” (do YOU?) Marilyn Carlson Nelson discussed how “how we lead matters”, and Paul Bennett talked about happiness being essential in creating successful engaged organizations (true true true!) All great and all good food for thought (and implementation – hint hint…) Many others who I’ll be referencing in upcoming posts, and those are the ones on my mind this a.m.

When you think about leadership, what do you think of?

Do you think of people leading the cause, marching up front, moving ahead, intent on vision and addressing whatever challenges may come their way? Serious, intent, focused?

Do you think of people setting the course, " bringing people with them," moving ahead of everyone else, "daring to go where no other man has ever gone"? Engaging, trustworthy, risk-taking, empowering?

How bad do you want it?

What are you willing to do to make it happen?

What will keep you in action?

I heard a statistic last week stating that less than 3% of adults actually know what they wantAND have clear set goals to get there.

Is this you?

At first this number shocked me, but then I recognized my own version of this that I very often see in clients (and of course for myself as well), which is HOW bad DO you TRULY want it? And what are you DOING (not just thinking, planning, dreaming or intending) to make it happen? Hmmmmm.

Once upon a time ---

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students...?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

Food for thought on this lovely Tuesday afternoon...I've been "gathering evidence..." I've been looking at the cost of "disengagement" - in organizations, at work, at home, in our schools, on our teams. It's pretty significant. Emotionally. Energetically. Financially. Spiritually.

It's pretty much impossible to create magic and depth with a disengaged team, partner, spouse, student, etc. If you're creating it inspite of congratulations...and what could be possible with a little nudge of engagement?

What do you think? What's the cost of being unengaged?