Learning: Why it’s easier said than done

How can you learn and grow, when you feel you need to know it all to begin with?  We are habituated to measure our success by external validation.  For children, this may take the form of stickers, praise or grades at school.  For us adults, it includes promotions, pay rises and positive feedback. Unfortunately, this external validation can undermine our capacity to learn and grow. (Image source: www.holidayssun.com; Puerto Banus at night)

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Irasshaimase: The Art of Mindful Service

There is no chance of walking into a Japanese store unnoticed.  And when you are spotted, you will hear a welcoming greeting – ‘Irasshaimase’ – which seems to reverberate around the room, with each available staff member joining in the chorus. Japanese customer service is mindful customer service.  Time stands still and the most important thing in the world is the present moment. Image Source: http://agorafukuoka-hilltop.com/english/

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That Sinking Feeling

When do you get that sinking feeling?  Is it when you’ve made a great big whopping mistake?  When you feel out of your depth and not sure of what you are doing?  Or when you receive negative feedback?  Read more about working with that sinking feeling to be the leader/team member/partner/parent/friend you want to be.

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New Year, New You? Embracing the Inner Gorilla

Argumentative? Time poor? Control freak? No willpower? Weakness for a good Shiraz? Coffee addiction? Bad hair?  No problem, leave them all behind in 2015 and welcome a NEW YOU in 2016!  As we welcome in another new year, we are overwhelmed with articles encouraging us to become a brand new turbo-improved version of our former selves. But the reality is – You can’t just skip over yourself.

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Working with Teams in Conflict

If you have ever worked within a team that was in conflict, then you know how bad it can get. Many teams go through periods of conflict, and some teams go through periods where the whole working environment can feel absolutely toxic.  A team in this situation needs assistance to work effectively together.  The worst thing a manager can do is ‘let them be’ and hope they will work it out themselves.  However, even the best managers find these situations very difficult to navigate.  

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Positive Neuroplasticity: Hardwiring Behaviour Change and Building Inner Resources

What do you want to become ‘more’ of?  More patient, more confident, more assertive, more light-hearted? This article explores how we can identify the inner resources we need and want to develop, and the practical ways that we can ‘hardwire change’ in our minds. As I mentioned in my previous article, there is a growing body of research in the area of neuroplasticity that supports the idea that our talents, abilities and strengths are not fixed.  We are all very quick to put ourselves (and others) into boxes which limit us.  In fact, we all have the capacity to change, …

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Achieving Goals: Applying Positive Neuroplasticity to Your New Year’s Resolutions

Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or a professional development goal, most of us struggle to find the motivation and persistence necessary for follow through and success.  The good news is that research in the area of neuroplasticity is providing growing evidence for how to use everyday activities to develop the inner resources necessary for sustainable behaviour change. 

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How do you inspire confidence and competence in others?

One of our greatest challenges is standing back and allowing others to learn from their own actions, triumphs and mistakes.  It can be too easy to step in and ‘save the day’ at the first ‘wobble of the wheels’.  However, when you give others the space to apply new learnings, you provide invaluable opportunities to develop confidence and competence.

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