Balance and Flow

The world of work has an odd sense of humor. When we find our passion...and commit ourselves to it...we end up having greater demands placed on us. Those demands become a source of energy and motivation to push ourselves even harder (at least they have that effect on me.)

My competitive side loves the world of work's sense of humor.

Finding Balance
Much is written about the ever elusive notion of work/life balance and how differently this concept is applied in the modern world. Should we compartmentalize our lives into neat little time slots? Should we only check email twice a day? Should I only focus on three tasks every Monday? Do I have to be present for every single thing in every part of my life every time?

I'm exhausted trying to figure out how not to be exhausted.

Stop Chasing Balance
As our scope of responsibility grows...our project list stretches into double digits...and apparently everyone on Earth feels compelled to send us email...we need to stop doing one important thing.

Stop trying to "find" balance. 

"Balance does not have an address. It is not hidden on a website. You can not sign up for balance through an RSS feed. Nor can you register for balance at an event. Balance is a fantasy."

The Joke Is On You
For those living in the modern world it is impossible to separate work and life. That is not a bad thing...in fact, it is quite freeing. Stay with me now. 

Once the pressure to turn off work and turn on home (or any other non-work part of your life) is no longer present, your complete life can simply flow.

My friend Doug Shaw understands this concept and has helped me understand it too. Don't let unrealistic concepts force you to live an awkward life. Life is about flow...and it is a powerful way to integrate all of the pieces of your world.

How About You
Have you allowed yourself to believe that balance exists in your life; or, have you embraced your whole life as one flowing experience that integrates everything that you are? 

I'm glad I listened to Doug when he said "flow beats work/life balance." He was right.

I'd love to hear from you.

No Excuses.



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Khaos Legions or New Leadership

The baby boomers are now in a full retirement blitz, right? Think about it...thousands of experienced professionals transitioning out of paid employment into a new phase of life. Who will follow them? One option is that legions of inexperienced leader-wanna-be types have convinced themselves they're ready to step up. But are they? 


Work/Life Balance is A Lot of Work
Have they embraced the need to respect work/life balance but also appreciate that without hard work, whining about balance is perceived as a lame excuse to slack off? Have they developed the maturity to understand that as the world of work has evolved the role of ethical decision-making is more important than ever? We'll see...the last thing we need with a big election year looming are the khaos legions taking over. We have enough of those in high profile public positions, no need to fill the list of leadership vacancies that are soon to follow with them too.

Best Days Behind Us
Some might say that without an old-fashioned work ethic the future of corporate leadership looks bleak. Without a laser focus on achieving goals, making sacrifices, and joining the cult of profits above all else, we are doomed to continue our economic nosedive. How can we possibly move ahead without laughing off the younger generation's expectations of that infamous balance? Surely we can't make the world of work better and different at the same time, right?


Best Days Ahead
I'm here to tell you both are possible. Not only are they possible, but quite frankly they are essential if we're going to take work to a place that has meaning beyond a paycheck. Work can be so much more, but it takes leadership. It takes new leadership across many facets of life.


It takes you.


How About You
What have you done to prepare yourself to lead effectively in 2012. So much is riding on what you do as an individual, as a member of a team, and as a representative of your organization. Are you ready?


I'd love to hear from you.


No Excuses.





pic courtesy of appsfuze

All We Ask Is That You Join Our...Cult!

Finding the perfect job.  The "dream job."  Ahhh, so enticing.  The grass looks so green over there...but how do I get from here to there?  I believe everything they're telling me about this opportunity, and it sounds perfect.  I believe.....I'm expecting this to be just what I've been searching for...

Really?  Wake up.

Nothing is Perfect

One of the issues that has challenged me in my professional life is the notion of expectations. At work we often have such lofty expectations for employees that we forget they are people, not machines. They will have moments of brilliance, and moments when they struggle ( I am really good at the struggling part.) Accepting that variability in performance is key to creating a welcoming culture. 

Beware the Corporate Cult

Sometimes however, a different agenda comes into play. An agenda based on a command and control leadership style. Even though this approach has proven to be incredibly inefficient in the modern workplace there continues to be companies that actually believe this is a good idea. In fact it can be woven into the very fabric of these organizations. Although they may claim to be "progressive" or "current" or even "cutting-edge" their behavior displays a very different reality.  A reality they will want you to buy-in to.  Immediately.

But I Didn't Know
Ask these simple questions to gain a better understanding of your "dream company:"
- Do they believe they do "it" better than everyone else in the industry?
- Do they support any semblence of work/life balance?
- Do they automatically assume their processes are "best practices" and should be adopted universally?
- Do they expect you to devote inordinate amounts of your personal time to the company?
- Do they expect employees to speak, behave, and perform in a very specific and uniform way regardless of background or skill set or ethnicity? (formerly known as "scripting")

This my friends is a classic example of the Corporate Cult.  It's not that their intentions are bad, or that bad people are leading that organization.  My problem is that with such a closed-minded view of how things should be, huge opportunities are lost.  Opportunities to learn, challenge, debate, learn some more, and hear different perspectives on issues that could move the company forward are completely missed. 

"Rejecting diversity in the name of institutional arrogance is the epitome of the Corporate Cult."

 



How About You
Are you contemplating making a move to a new position?  Check it out first. Ask questions. Are your new team members transparent (hello social media) so you have a good feel for what they're like IRL?  Or maybe you've been seduced by the Cult...er...company you're working for today. Maybe it's time to take a closer look at yourself?  I know I'm going to. 


I'd love to hear from you.


No Excuses.



pics courtesy of allthoughtout and buildings