Walking sticks are used by hikers for a wide variety of purposes: to clear spiderwebs; to part thick grass obscuring the trail; as a support when going uphill or a brake when going downhill; as a balance point when crossing streams, swamps or other rough terrain; to feel for obstacles in the path; to test puddles for depth; and as a defence against wild animals. 
Our life experiences may also be viewed as a walking stick. Think of those people or events that cleared the cobwebs from our eyes to reveal a change in direction. One such walking stick for me in 1996 was attending a three-day High Impact Leadership workshop facilitated by Jacksonville based Stop At Nothing.
They created a small group trust-based environment that enabled participants to address the real issues that hold back leaders, teams and organizations from achieving their full potential. I discovered how to make highly effective leadership changes from the inside-out. This experience was the catalyst for my journey to leave AT&T and enter consulting.
We can also be a walking stick for others. Reflect back on your personal and work significant experiences and think about when your actions might have served as a walking stick for others.
As we live each day, let’s be open to the walking sticks we will meet. And recognize that our words and actions may be a walking stick for others. Please share your stories of walking stick experiences.
Globally more than three out of five doctor visits are stress related. In the U.S. more than $22.8 billion is spent on anxiety-related health care each year.
Einstein said “The mind that created the problem is not the same mind that solves it.”
How do we create a mind where solutions arise? We can break the momentum of stress – sleep, wake refreshed, and then drive to work where we run, run, run. OR we can identify the factors that create stress for us and resolve to take action on some of them to reduce stress.
I met a young woman at Arena Football this weekend who shared she used to have a well paying corporate job which allowed her to take a couple of nice vacations each year. But she wasn’t happy and dreaded going in every Monday morning. She decided to follow her passion for broadcasting and now has four jobs in this field. She doesn’t earn nearly the same money but she pays her bills and most importantly… she truly enjoys the work she does. She is an inspiration to identify your passion and then recommit to making it work.
A new cocktail lounge opens in town and after only 2 months in business the owner/manager invites his staff of eight and guests to a bowling party on a Sunday afternoon. Everyone shows up and has a great time. Our daughter, Amanda, dee jays at Dos Gatos and loves her job. From comments she’s shared, I knew I wanted to learn more about the owner’s approach to leading a team. He shows that whatever size the business, there are lots of ways to keep employees charged up.
Meet Jason Albertelli, owner of Dos Gatos, whose leadership skills have contributed to a successful new business. Here’s what Jason has to say. Read more »
People in my diversity workshops often lament that they don’t know how to keep up with the current terms to use for various groups. Just as you have learned to check what you write for spelling, grammar, and wordiness, practice rereading your work for bias. The latest APA manual offers some useful guidance:
Gender – refers to role, not biological sex. Sexist bias can occur when pronouns are used carelessly, as when he is used to refer to both sexes. You can often rephrase by using plural nouns or pronouns such as “Managers who socialize too much after work with employees can lose their objectivity.”
The adjective transgender refers to persons whose gender identity differs from their sex at birth; it should not be used as a noun. Transsexual can be used as a noun or an adjective.
Sexual Orientation – refers to an enduring pattern of attraction, behavior, emotion and social contacts. The terms lesbians, gay men, bisexual men, and bisexual women are preferable to homosexual. The term homosexuality continues to be associated with negative stereotypes. Read more »
There have been many reports that employee satisfaction around the country has taken a big hit from the recession — fear of job loss, understaffing, increased pressure to do more with less, limited training opportunities, etc. It looks like we are starting to climb out of the recession but recovery will be slow.
Take our poll to see how your organization’s change in employee satisfaction due to the recession compares with other participants in our blog. Click here for poll.
What should organizations be doing now to address ”recession” hits on employee satisfaction and start to rebuild loyalty and engagement?
We look forward to your comments.
I am looking forward to 2010 and a new and improved right shoulder. Having had rotator cuff surgery just before Thanksgiving (no cooking for me) and now continuing with weekly physical therapy, I’ve been able to observe some enlightened people practices at the orthopedic center.
I first noticed something was different the night before surgery. My doctor called to see if I had any last minute questions. He urged me to get a good nights sleep knowing that he and the surgical team were looking forward to a successful outcome on my shoulder. I was impressed by his call. keep reading
Miscel | Linda Plummer | 
June 19, 2010 9:26 pm | 
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