Productivity Planner

Fortunately, the spring was full of rain and for this the emergency drought and electrical blackouts seem averted.. Anyway, the Italian civil protection ensure that the worst is not yet past and will appear in the next two months, fortunately devoted mainly to holidays and summer vacation.

As every year, however, the indications from various institutions are useful and to respect for oneself but above all for the environment, such as to dole out the water of their water taps.

In particular, for the health of the elderly and children, the authorities always advised to avoid the dehydration by drinking at least 1.5 litres of water a day and avoid the hottest hours of the day, especially after lunch, where the organisation is already involved in digestion. In these terms, another valuable advice is to eat mainly fruit and vegetables strictly cold and in any case to stay light, without to get heavier too.

Usually to avoid, these boiling hours, it is advisable to pass them at home without taking the sun and avoid any physical activity and effort. In particular it is recommended, for who can to install air conditioners to wall and impose these with temperatures not less than 5-7 C compared to room temperature.

Of fundamental importance for the health, is the maintenance of these coolers and all the accessories for air conditioners used. This is to prevent malfunctions of this can lead to wrong measurements and observations, both temperature and humidity, which could be extremely harmful to the body that would suffer too many sudden changes between internal and external dwelling.

In particular, it should also be checked annually all vacuum pumps that if with a malfunction can lead to big energy wastage electric as regards the fuel gas, affecting significantly the performance with resulting damage, more than anything else , for [Read more →]

Tags: , , Leadership, Inspiration, Management, Organizational Culture by Chris Russell
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A senior executive from a highly successful and dynamic organization stands in the centre of the small wooden enclosure as her 4-legged teacher stares out across the fields. Distracted by the feed bucket that is passing and various movements around the enclosure, what will compel these two learning partners to join up and begin the dance of relationship? The facilitator asks “imagine that this is the workplace and Lotta* is a member of your team, how will you motivate her to want to be lead by you? What kind of relationship would you want to create in order to build trust and connection? How could authentic leadership guide you in this situation?” The two-legged student responds by saying “actually she does remind me of many of my team members. She is strong and independent and traditional way of motivation might not work. I think she is too smart for that. I am not exactly sure what will work, but I am willing to try and step outside of my comfort zone and see if she responds to me if I move towards her.” As the student moves into Lotta’s space, there is a noticeable and immediate connection between the two of them. Both sigh and relax, breathing together.

This situation is one of many experienced by leaders and team members around the world as Equine/horse Guided Education supports humans in their quest for moving to a more authentic place within themselves. Expanding our thinking about the role that animals play in helping us to become more healthy is rapidly spreading around the world. Since the early 1950’s, horses have traditionally been engaged in therapeutic riding programs to help those with physical disabilities and since the early 70’s, mental health facilities and practitioners have partners with horses in creating major breakthroughs for trauma survivors, abuse victims and emotionally damaged people. Over the past 10-15 years, vari [Read more →]

Tags: , , Leadership, Inspiration, Management, Organizational Culture by Chris Russell
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Feedback has been hailed as the most powerful tool in the modern workplace. So why is no one is using it and what can be done about it? After years of researching interpersonal skills and then training supervisors and managers on the fine art of giving feedback, I think I have finally figured it out–but I would appreciate your feedback!

Recently, I had the opportunity to test the necessity of feedback. During a simulation exercise, I was given a picture of a maze and detailed directions. These directions were given to me both in writing and verbally, providing information on how to move the pencil by inches, when to move upward, and other specifics. The directions were provided to ensure I made it out of the maze successfully. I was encouraged to refer to the directions throughout the exercise. I was then blindfolded and told to begin.

I failed miserably.

Why? Because getting directions–no matter how clearly created and beautifully executed–cannot replace step-by-step feedback. Just imagine if someone had been behind me watching my moves, urging me along when I was headed in the right direction, and giving me corrective information when I got off-track. I would have undoubtedly made it out of the maze. I think this is a relevant analogy for the function of feedback in today’s workplace.

Those employees that do make it out of the “departmental maze” are either lucky; have had some inside information from a mentor or other knowledgeable co-worker; or have been through it enough times that they know the pattern. The result is a mixed outcome of successes and failures leaving a supervisor scratching her head. Some of her employees are succeeding, some are not, and she can’t determine what to keep doing and what to stop. It is feedback that will make the difference between the successful employee and the unsuccessful, so why is [Read more →]

Tags: , , Leadership, Inspiration, Management, Organizational Culture by Chris Russell
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