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Yesterday I came across an article in the Harvard Business Review that framed a sad workplace truth for so many companies:
The implicit contract between organizations and their employees today is that each will try to get as much from the other as they can…Both individuals and the organizations they work for end up depleted…
Exactly! As a seminar leader I often get a bird’s eye view of the whole broken system. I’ve worked with dozens of employee groups who feel victimized by their companies. And I’ve witnessed managers at their wits end trying to motivate their staff.
The article (written by Tony Schwartz and Catherine McCarthy of The Energy Project) offered this alternative:
We envision a new and explicit contract that benefits all parties: Organizations invest in their people across all dimensions of their lives…Individuals respond by bringing all their multidimensional energy wholeheartedly to work every day…
What does it mean to “invest in their people across all dimensions of their lives?” Here are just a few of the many activities they have introduced to their clients:
• Express appreciation of those you work with – be really specific and consistent
• Take short breaks every hour and a half to two hours – get up, take a walk, chat, visit someone, mix it up
• Eat just enough food to last 3 hours and keep refueling this way all daySimple enough, right? The Energy Project has conducted experiments with heavy hitter companies like Wachovia and the results were unequivocal. Intelligent wellness efforts like the ones listed above resulted in quantifiable increases in revenue. Yep, you heard it, not just fuzzy wuzzy feel good results, but revenue.
This is such a wonderful win/win, don’t you think? Click on the box below to see a video of Tony Schwartz sharing more of his smart ideas.
I like what Tony's talking about!
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I am committed to sharing with you what works – even if it sounds unusual. That’s why I’m blogging today about Feng Shui. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics. My friend, Katie, has studied it for years and is a consultant. A few months ago, I gave myself a birthday gift of a Katie consultation.
In preparation, I had to send Katie a floor plan and detail for her my life and business goals. She came in and cheerfully suggested tons of ideas how I could bring in more “chi” or positive energy. Some of her ideas I implemented right away.
A week later, I noticed an up-tic in business. I was musing happily to myself that my marketing efforts must really be having an impact. Then I remembered my work with Katie. Was there a connection? My gut tells me Yes.
Have you ever tried Feng Shui? How did it go for you?
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Looking for a pick-me-up? Notice who you hang out with. Go through your personal phone book and ask yourself this question: after spending time with this person, do I feel neutral, depleted or energized?
My prescription for pep:
Increase time spent with those precious ones in your life who energize you. Honor them, appreciate them, thank them for what they bring into your life – vital, positive energy.
