The power of intentionality

Keywords

Resilience – Intentionality – Building Relationships – Mindset Shifts – Behaviour Shifts – Intentional Action

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled John Miles, a leading authority on intentional behaviour change and personal growth, discusses his career path and experiences in various industries. John emphasises the importance of being intentional and deliberate in building relationships and adapting to different organisational sizes and sectors. He also highlights the significance of passion, purpose, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and adaptability for future leaders.

 Main topics

• Being intentional and setting life goals.

• Why building relationships and emotional intelligence are important skills for success.

• Adaptability in a changing world.

• Intentionality in making deliberate choices and taking deliberate actions.

• How different voices and perspectives can resonate with people in different ways.

Timestamps

1: Introduction to John Miles. 00:02-02:35
2: The Power of Intentionality. John explains the importance of being intentional in one's career and decision-making process. He discusses how commonalities exist in various business sectors and emphasizes the need to be intentional about personal and professional goals. 03:40-08:30
3: Building Brilliant Relationships. John explores the secret to building successful relationships, highlighting the importance of trust, communication, and perseverance. He mentions the need to develop core elements often overlooked in leadership and management textbooks. 10:01-13:34
4: Mindset Shifts for Success. John introduces six mindset shifts that can be applied to overcome challenges and achieve success. He emphasizes the significance of passion, perseverance, and deliberate action in developing a growth mindset. 14:22-16:45
5: Behaviour Shifts for Personal Growth. John discusses six behaviour shifts that can lead to personal growth and development. He shares stories and examples of individuals who have successfully implemented these shifts in their lives. 23:15-24:30
6: Taking Intentional Action. John explains his approach to taking intentional action and outlines a step-by-step process for readers to follow. He provides a quiz to help readers understand their starting points and offers additional resources, such as eBooks and templates, to support implementation. 24:58-27:06
7: Conclusion and Call to Action. 27:27-29:58

Action items

You can find out more about John at https://johnrmiles.com/ His podcast is Passion Struck with John R Miles

   You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

The ethics of Impression management

Wanting to create a favourable impression is a basic part of human nature. Once someone forms an opinion of you, it can be very difficult to change and, whilst we can’t control people’s opinions, there are ways in which we can present ourselves which are more likely to get a positive opinion.

Impression management involves consciously or unconsciously controlling the way others see or perceive us so we can manage what we say about ourselves and make the best possible impression. It’s something we all do to a greater or lesser degree but whether it’s ethical or not depends on the context, intent and means we use to manage our impression to help us achieve professional and personal goals.

If impression management is to be both effective and ethical, it's important to strike a balance between projecting a positive image and remaining true to our core values and principles. Authenticity is key and while it's essential to create a positive professional image, it should be based on our true skills, abilities, and values. Being seen as overly inauthentic can lead to issues around trust and our credibility.

One of the most obvious ways impression management is used is during a job interview. Candidates and interviewers both feel the need to appear ‘authentically perfect’, pleasant, competent but not so perfect as to be disingenuous. Whilst some self-promotion can help candidates and potential employers leave a positive impression, interviews are not the time to make false claims – a lack of skills, competencies or difficult working conditions will be found out pretty quickly so, as well as being unethical, it can be a lot more damaging to your reputation in the longer-term.

Another way of using impression management in the work environment is in how we build relationships with our colleagues. People often have a work ‘persona’, which might involve behaviour, appearance and interests that they think their managers and colleagues want them to have. This isn’t unusual and isn’t really a problem as long as people don’t try to own ideas or achievements that aren’t theirs or manipulate situations to their own benefit. If they do they generally get caught out - think of the numerous influencers who've tried - and again it’s not only unethical and reputation damaging but a very quick way to divide teams.

Impression management is only effective and ethical if it’s based on transparency and honesty. It becomes unethical the minute it involves deception or manipulation. Whether its appropriate depends on the context in which its used. Used correctly, it can help in the success of your career and in building strong relationships with colleagues and managers. Ultimately, authenticity is the key, and impression management a tool to help us achieve our goals rather than something that compromises our identity.

Focus right now

Keywords

Resilience – Hypergrowth – Focus - Customer Behaviour – Success – Building Brands – Brand Promise

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Jeffrey Hayzlett, a global business celebrity, speaker, best-selling author, and Chairman and CEO of C-Suite Network, talks about hypergrowth and the importance of capturing customer behaviour and input. He also talks about building brands particularly the importance of a brands promise and of delivering on that promises.

A recurring theme for Jeffrey is that of change, adapt or die and the importance of learning from previous change. He uses the downfall of companies like Kodak who forgot their true purpose and were too focused on past successes to illustrate this. Jeffrey feels it’s important to strive for success and to be persistent until success is achieved and highlights that times of crisis such as COVID-19 can present opportunities for growth for organisations with a defined strategy and investments.

Main topics

• Why its important to capture customer behaviour and input.

• How businesses can adapt and evolve to avoid becoming outdated like Kodak

• The importance of striving for perfection

• Finding opportunities in a crisis

• Learning from past change

Timestamps

1: Introductions - 00:00-00:28
2: Jeffrey's background as a former Fortune 100 officer and TV personality. Jeffrey's current work with the C-Suite Network. Jeffrey's executive consulting work in hypergrowth - 02:26-04.12
3: Capturing Customer Behaviour. Jeffrey's approach to capturing customer behaviour. The importance of asking customers for input - 05:02-06:42
4: Lessons in Change. Jeffrey's recurring theme in his books of "change, adapt or die". The importance of learning from past changes - 14:14-16.22
5: Strategies for Success. The importance of striving for perfection. The importance of persistence and surviving until success is achieved - 17:54-18:57
6: Finding Opportunities in Crisis. The importance of thinking about strategy and investments during a crisis. Examples of companies that found opportunities during past crisis - 21:08-23.15
7: Conclusion. Jeffrey's final thought on focusing on the things that will lead to success. Closing remarks and goodbyes - 23:26-23.53

Action items

To find out more visit https://c-suitenetwork.com/ or  https://hayzlett.com/ Alternatively follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn

   You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Reducing performance anxiety.

We’ve all been there. The increased heart rate, racing thoughts, feelings of dread or even panic attacks we get before our workplace skills, knowledge and performance are put to the test. The apprehension, nervousness, and fear that can arise in response to the demands and expectations of our working lives is referred to as performance anxiety and it’s a phenomenon that many people experience in their professional lives. It occurs when people feel pressure to meet high expectations, perform perfectly, or fear negative consequences for mistakes or workplace performance. In this situation anxiety can develop which manifests in various ways and can have a significant impact on an individual's overall well-being and job performance.

Workplace performance anxiety can hinder an employee's ability to perform at their best. The fear of making mistakes or being judged can lead to cautious, risk-averse behaviour and make it difficult for them to communicate their concerns or ask for feedback. Their creativity can become stifled, and collaboration reduced as they become reluctant to share new ideas or take risks. It can also negatively impact their mental and physical health, leading to burnout and decreased job satisfaction.

A psychologically safe work environment where employees feel they can share their thoughts or concerns without negative consequences and feel comfortable being themselves, leads to employees being more engaged and motivated. They are more able to openly discuss their challenges, seek help and learn from their mistakes, and are confident seeking feedback and discussing areas for improvement. Because they are happy to share ideas and work collaboratively, a more innovative and productive work environment develops. With employees feeling better supported, there is a reduction in stress and a sense of belonging and wellbeing is promoted.

Whilst a certain level of stress in the workplace is normal and can even be motivating, when anxiety becomes overwhelming and chronic, it can have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health. Building a psychologically safe workplace and addressing performance anxiety can make a significant difference in improving overall job satisfaction and productivity and provide a work environment where employees can thrive and contribute their best.

Breaking free from addiction and crime

Keywords

Resilience – Addiction – Transformation – Trauma – Positive Change - Connection

 In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Don Cummins, a transformational coach, speaker, and author, discusses his journey of overcoming addiction, rebuilding his life, and finding success in a professional career after serving a 20-year prison sentence for bank robbery.

Don shares his experiences of overcoming addiction and rebuilding his life and discusses how trauma and a desire to fit in led him down a destructive path of drug use and criminal behaviour. He emphasises the importance of self-acceptance, support, insight, and of recognising when you reach the bottom in making positive change and highlights the need to address underlying issues rather than solely focusing on addictive behaviours.

Main topics

• Why hitting rock bottom can be the turning point in making positive change.

• Why you need support, insight, and self-awareness to make progress.

• The challenges of re-entering society and finding a job after prison

• Why it’s difficult to relate trauma experiences with others who haven't been through it.

• Finding understanding and connection with people who have shared similar struggles.

• Finding true purpose and meaning

Timestamps

1: Introduction and Background - Overview of the podcast episode and introduction of the guest, Don Cummins. Don briefly shares his background and what he does as a coach - 00:05-01:41

2: From Trauma to Prison - Don discusses the traumatic experiences he went through as a youth and how it led him into a cycle of addiction and involvement with the criminal justice system. He shares that this ultimately resulted in him serving a 20-year prison sentence for bank robbery - 01:41-02:03

3: Rebuilding a Life - Don talks about his journey of recovery and the challenges he faced in rebuilding his life after being at the lowest point. He emphasises the importance of support, gaining insight, and discovering one's true purpose and meaning - 02:03-03:10

4: Unpacking the Downfall - Don Cummins reflects on the factors that contributed to his downfall, acknowledging that it is a complex process to unpack. He mentions the struggle of staying clean and employable, and the emotional challenges he faced - 03:10-05:02

5: Gaining Resilience - Discussion on the importance of support, gaining insight, and developing resilience to overcome difficult circumstances. Don shares his perspective on hitting rock bottom and how it can be a turning point for positive change - 05:22-07:05

6: Rebuilding Relationships - Don talks about his experience in rebuilding relationships and finding understanding and connection with others who have shared similar struggles. He shares how counselling and communication skills helped in improving his relationship with his partner - 07:28-09:25

7: Sharing the Journey Through Writing - Don discusses his motivation to write a memoir, "The Prison Within: A Memoir of Breaking Free," to share his story and help others who may be going through similar challenges. He talks about the impact of his book and his upcoming book, "Awaken, Connect, Transform: The Universal Path to Happiness and Success.” - 09:25-14:23

8: The Universal Path to Happiness and Success - Don explains the concept of the universal path to happiness and success, emphasizing the importance of connection and recognizing our interconnectedness. He invites listeners to explore his work and learn more about his books - 14:23-21:41

9: Conclusion and Call to Action - Final thoughts on the power of resilience and the potential for personal growth and transformation - 21:41-24:10

Action items

• Visit doncummins.com to learn more about his work and pre-order or order his books.

• Find Don on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to connect with him and stay updated on his work.

• Don’s upcoming book is "Awaken, Connect, Transform: The Universal Path to Happiness and Success,"

• Don’s memoir is, "The Prison Within: A Memoir of Breaking Free”.

  You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

The egoless leader?

Can you imagine your organisation with egoless leaders? Would it be a more pleasant, less confrontational work environment with better, more open communication? Would employees feel comfortable talking about what gets in the way of them doing their job? Would employee engagement improve because they feel their leader cares about them? Would it increase productivity, improve morale, and improve word of mouth from employees and customers?

Egoless leadership is an approach to leadership and management that minimises personal ego and encourages a collaborative and team-oriented work environment. It’s a concept of management that was made popular by Douglas McGregor in the 1960’s, and it aligns with the principles of humanistic management, of fostering a positive and inclusive organisational culture, that improves employee engagement and satisfaction. It also promotes innovation and creativity within teams and recognises that leadership is not about asserting authority but about enabling and supporting others to reach their full potential.

It's a concept that also understands that a successful leader can have contradictory traits (some leaders strike a balance between egoless leadership and assertiveness depending on the needs of their team and organisation), the art being to find a balance between any potential tensions that might occur between them.

Egoless leaders have a clear vision, build on and use the capability of their team, welcome input from stakeholders, and look for new opportunities to grow or do better. Their personality characteristics drive organisational culture and has a direct impact not only on their performance but also on broader engagement and team operations. They put the needs of the organisation ahead of their own, and act in a way that serves the business first.

Whilst it may not be suitable for all organisations or situations, egoless leadership can have real benefits. Although leaders need to have self-confidence and a belief in their abilities, they also need the ability to strike a balance and to avoid having an inflated ego. In today’s workplace, are humility, empathy, adaptability, collaboration and the well-being of the team and organisation more important than a leader’s ego?

Safe conversations for work and life

 Keywords

Resilience – Trauma – Mental Health – Fulfilment – Purpose – Self-awareness – Safe Conversations

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Bill Carson, a visionary leader in mental health, wellbeing, shares his personal experience of childhood trauma and how he overcame it through therapy and understanding brain chemistry. Bill emphasises the importance of taking care of our mental health by focusing on both psychological and physical well-being and also discusses the significance of finding a sense of purpose in life and serving others as part of building resilience. The conversation highlights the need for a holistic approach to mental health that includes addressing biological, psychological, social, and existential factors.

 Bill also discusses his experience as a volunteer crisis supporter and the fulfilment he receives from helping others. He emphasises the importance of not letting external factors overshadow one's own identity, relationships, and sense of connectedness and concept of finding purpose through the three levels of happiness: pleasure, passion, and purpose. He also touches on psychological safety in conversations at work and how it contributes to overall well-being.  

Main topics

• The importance of managing automatic negative thoughts (ANTs).

• The process of negating harm from a childhood incident.

• Cognitive repair and the importance of positive thinking.

• The importance of purpose and learning to learn.

• The importance of self-awareness and identifying suitable resources.

• How safe conversations can still be robust and professional.

• The importance of creating a safe and healthy culture for conversations

Timestamps

1: Introductions. 00:02 - 01:08

2: Impact of Childhood Trauma. Bill discusses the challenges of childhood trauma and how it can affect people's lives, often without their conscious memory of the original incident. He emphasises the importance of learning to manage and change perceptions of trauma. 01.08 - 04:23

3: Overcoming Childhood Trauma. Bill shares his personal experience of dealing with childhood trauma and how he discovered helpful approaches. 04:29 - 06:46

4: Finding Purpose. Bill explores the concept of finding purpose in life and how it relates to resilience. He highlights the importance of having a sense of belonging to a higher purpose and aligning personal actions with that purpose. 06:47 - 14:23

5: Discovering Personal Purpose. Bill discusses the process of uncovering one's purpose and offers an example of building a cathedral as a metaphor for finding purpose through meaningful work. 14:24 - 19:03

6: Psychological Safety and Safe Conversations. Russell raises the topic of psychological safety and safe conversations in the workplace and asks the guest, Bill, to share his insights. Bill explains the importance of creating a safe environment for open and honest conversations to support individual growth and performance. 19.04-25:03

7: Safe Conversations Skills for Managers. Bill introduces his book, "Safe Conversations for Work and Life," which focuses on developing safe conversation skills for managers to foster a culture of psychological safety in the workplace. He explains the process of helping team members become self-aware and identify suitable resources for support. 25.04 – 27.46

8: Emotional Fitness and Resilience. Russell briefly mentions a model of resilience and emotional fitness on Bill's website. They express interest in exploring this topic in more detail and provide information on how listeners can access the resources and contact Bill. 27:47 - 29:24

9: Conclusion: The host thanks Bill for the conversation and provides information on where listeners can find more about Bill's work and his book. 29:35 - 29:50

Action items

You can find out more about Bill at https://inspirelearning.au/skills-for-leaders-managers/

His book is Safe Conversations for Work and Life.

  You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Why an organisation needs an EVP.

The EVP, or employee value proposition, has become increasing important since the great resignation changed the employment market. An EVP can play a key role in attracting, engaging, and retaining top talent as well as elevating an employer brand so, in a competitive recruitment market, should all organisations have one?

An EVP simply aims to set out and communicate the unique benefits and rewards that an organisation offers to their employees in exchange for their skills, experience, and commitment. This includes salary, benefits, rewards, career development, and work-life balance, as well as the organisation’s values, mission, social purpose, and culture. In short, it’s the value employees can expect to receive from their employment with an organisation. and why it’s the right place for an employee to thrive.

Key components of an EVP include:

·      Compensation and Benefits - salary, bonuses, health insurance, pension plans and any other financial incentives.

·      Career Development - the opportunities for growth, learning, and advancement that are available

·      Work-Life Balance - policies and practices that support a healthy balance between work and personal life

·      Company Culture - the values, mission, and culture of an organisation

·      Job Security - the assurance of a stable and secure employment environment.

·      Recognition and Rewards - programmes that acknowledge and appreciate employees' contributions.

·      Work Environment - the physical and social aspects of the workplace

·      Leadership and Management - the quality of leadership and management within the organisation

·      Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - the commitment to give back to the community and address environmental and social issues.

·      Employee Wellbeing – the support for physical and mental health, wellness programmes, and employee assistance services.

Whilst an EVP highlights what an employee can or will receive in return for their commitment to an organisation, an employer brand is external and refers to an organisation’s reputation in the outside world. It highlights its mission, values, what it stands for, and what it’s like to work with, something that is increasingly important to potential employees. The EVP is therefore the core of an employer brand, something that shows the substance of an organisation and why it’s unique.

A well-defined EVP helps an organisation attract the right talent, engage employees, and retain them in the long term. It’s something that should be communicated clearly to both potential and existing employees, align clearly with the organisation’s values and goals and most importantly evolve over time as the organisation's needs and the job market change.

Being open to the moment

Keywords

Resilience – Enlightenment – Receptivity – Spiritual Awakening

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Rachael Jayne Groover, a spiritual teacher and founder of the Awakened School, discusses her journey from being a full-time singer to becoming a personal coach. She talks about her interest in why certain people have magnetic presence and effortless leadership and explains that spirituality is about receptivity to the moment and becoming more open to something greater than your individual self.

Rachael Jayne discusses the benefits of spiritual awakening and receptivity, which can lead to more effortless manifestation and a sense of peace without resistance. Through working on energy fields, mindsets, and physical relaxation techniques, Rachael Jayne helps others sustain enlightenment moments or experiences that can positively impact all areas of life. She emphasises however that it's not just doing what you love; having a strategy and taking action are also critical factors for success.

Main topics

• The process of enlightenment.

• Being open to the moment

• Achieving spiritual awakening

• The benefits of receptivity

Timestamps

1: Introduction. The host welcomes listeners to the podcast and introduces the guest, Rachael Jayne Groover - 00:02-00:45

2: Background. Rachael Jayne talks about her background, how she became interested in personal development work, and how she started her coaching business - 01:03-05:11

3: The Awakened School. Rachael Jayne describes the Awakened School, what it offers to its members, and how it can help people achieve spiritual awakening - 05:36-11.03

4: Enlightenment and Personal Growth. Rachael Jayne talks about her personal spiritual journey, the process of enlightenment, and how it can benefit an individual's personal growth - 11:04-21:03

5: Resources and Next Steps. Rachel shares how listeners can learn more about her and the Awakened School, and offers a final message to the audience. - 21:10-23:36

Action items

• Find out more about Rachael Jayne and free membership at The Awakened School website.

• Connect with Rachael Jayne through YouTube and Facebook.

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Q & A Session - January 2924

Keywords

Resilience – Toxic Resilience – Burnout – Leadership Styles - Adaptability

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Dr Russell Thackeray answers some resilience-based questions that have been put to him recently by listeners. This is the first podcast Dr Thackeray has done in this format and he covers a range of subjects including toxic resilience and how it relates to leadership, how toxic resilience can lead to burnout, different styles of leadership and the relationship between adaptability and resilience.

Main topics

• What toxic resilience is and its connection to toxic leadership.

• Why toxic resilience is the result of leaders expecting constant strength and performance from their employees without considering their well-being.

• How toxic resilience can lead to burnout and a loss of energy needed for the job.

• The importance of adapting leadership style to fit individual needs and situations

• Why effective leadership is adaptable and driven by the task requirements, available resources, time constraints, and risk levels.

• The difference between resilience and adaptability and why adaptability is a subset of resilience.

Timestamps

1. Introductions - 00:02-00 - 00:46

2. Question 1. Is there such a thing as toxic resilience? -  01:11-04:39

3. Question 2. What would Dr Thackeray’s preferred style of leadership be? - 05:48-09:11

4. Question 3. Is there a link between adaptability and resilience? - 12:02-13:47

5. Predictions and Expectations for 2024 - 13:58-18:40

6. Conclusion and Invitation for more Questions - 18:41-18:54

Action items

• If you have any questions for future Q&A sessions, please send them to info@qedod.com

  You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

8 Ways To Balance Work And Life When Working Remotely by Matthew Cruz

The past years have seen several people working remotely that it has become a norm in today's society. We could all agree that remote work provides benefits, like more time flexibility, work-life balance, less commute, and increased productivity.

However, working from home also eliminates the boundary between personal and professional lives. Since most people work in the comforts of their homes, they feel tied to their work, which forces them to work for longer hours or on the weekends.

But work-life balance is more than time management to balance professional and personal responsibilities. In fact, juggling the two will only lead to less productivity.

If you want to maintain a healthy work-life balance, you must learn to practice work-life integration as it sets the tone for healthy personal and professional lives. 

What is Work-Life Balance?

The foundation of a healthy work-life balance is the feeling of being equally fulfilled by your personal and professional duties. A person who lacks balance will think they have more obligations at work and home, making them work longer hours and have less spare time. As a result, most people are motivated to attain work-life balance internally and externally.

Numerous studies have shown that longer workdays don't always translate into more tasks completed. Employers should be reminded by this data that longer workweeks do not automatically equate to higher productivity.

Whether fully-remote or hybrid working, It's becoming more difficult for workers to maintain a clear separation between their personal and professional lives. They always ensure to have adequate virtual social connections, manage work and lunch, and organize meetings in their homes.

Extended work hours have been linked to health problems like diabetes, depression, cognitive decline, sleeplessness, and binge drinking. Therefore, achieving a better work-life balance is necessary to improve your total well-being, which includes your mental, emotional, and physical health.                                                                         

8 Strategies to Achieve a Good Work-Life Balance  

Below are some tips you can apply to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance in the long run. Remember that results don't happen overnight, and achieving this takes time, effort, and consistency. 

Set Boundaries Between Work and Personal Time

Achieving a healthy work-life balance involves setting boundaries between work and leisure time. You may make it obvious where your business and personal life stops by setting clear work hours. Turn off your work phone when not using it, and fight the urge to check your email.

Take Regular Breaks

Taking a break could assist you in maintaining focus and preventing burnout. Explore the best parks for relaxing walks  or get in a quick workout to decompress. You might be able to concentrate better, feel less stressed, and return to your work with greater vigor and attention.

Allocate Time for Your Passions and Interests

Achieving a healthy work-life balance requires giving your interests and hobbies priority on your agenda. Making time for your favorite hobbies, whether reading a book, dancing, or hiking, can help you relax and recharge amid professional obligations. Remember that personal and professional development are equally important

Delegate Tasks, If You Can

Learn to assign responsibilities to others so you don't get overwhelmed at work. By sharing some of the workload, colleagues can help you reduce it and prevent burnout. Also, don't hesitate to ask for help if you have too many duties.

Learn When to Say No

Put boundaries on your workload and confidently decline any additional responsibilities that can jeopardize your work-life balance. Prioritizing your health and setting boundaries for your time and energy are essential. Saying no might be difficult, but it's a skill that can improve the quality of your job.

Go On Vacation

Achieving a healthy work-life balance requires using your paid time off to unwind and heal physically and mentally. Taking a vacation allows you to relax, recharge, and approach your work from a different angle.

Do Some Relaxing Activities

Pilates, yoga, meditation, or mindfulness are some relaxation techniques that you may incorporate into your daily routine to help you manage your stress and create a healthy work-life balance. Even in a hectic work atmosphere, you may stay composed, focused, and serene with these activities.

Consult Professional Help If Needed

When juggling your personal and professional lives becomes too much, professional help can be beneficial. Consider having a conversation with a therapist or counselor who can help you learn different coping methods for when things get too much to handle. 

Final Thoughts 

A healthy work-life balance is essential to achieve productivity and improved well-being, especially in today's world, where managing work and personal lives can be challenging.

With our tips above, you may discover that strengthening relationships with family, friends, and yourself can be easy while enhancing your quality of life. Maintaining a work-life balance will also help you achieve success professionally and personally.

 Matthew Cruz is a freelance writer with a passion for crafting engaging and thought-provoking articles. He focuses on exploring the connections between wellness, fitness, and lifestyle, and believes his unique perspective can bring a fresh and inspiring voice.

Individualism and influence

Keywords

Resilience - Individualism - Influence - Leadership - Accountability

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Brian Smith, the founder and senior managing partner of IA Business Advisors, a management consulting firm that has worked with more than 19,000 CEOs, entrepreneurs, managers, and employees worldwide. In this podcast Brian discusses the importance of understanding people in leadership, the role of  accountability in promoting positive learning, the multidimensional influence individuals can have and how their non-participation can affect others.

Main topics

• Approaching leadership development in small and medium-sized organisations

• How individualism can mean different things depending on the area of influence

• Understanding and harnessing our influence in a positive way

• Why accountability is important for setting expectations and promoting positive learning.

Timestamps

1: Introductions and Background - 00:00-01:39

2: Leadership and Accountability - 02:08-11.40

3: Diagnosing Business Problems - 11:41-14:57

4: Individualism and Influence - 15:00-20:12

5: Conclusions - 20:50-22:51

Action items

Find out more at IABusinessAdvisors.com/the-i-in-team-series/or check out their social media accounts under “I” in Team series handle.

Their latest book is, Positive Influence – Be the “I” in Team which shares how to become our best selves with everyone we influence.

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Balance or Fluidity? Integrating our professional and work lives.

We’re all aware of the importance of having a good work life balance but is it really the best way of ensuring our wellbeing?  Is work/life fluidity the key to a better blend of our work and personal lives?

Nowadays, we’re all encouraged to have a good work-life balance to ensure our mental and physical wellbeing. Whilst this looks different for everyone, it generally means finding a balance between the demands of our work and personal life to ensure a greater sense of well-being. By having a clear and firm boundary between our work and personal lives and by seeing them as completely separate entities we can devote our attention to them at any given time. In reality though, our work and personal lives are linked in many ways and trying to separate them can be difficult and often counterproductive.

A different way of bringing our work and personal lives together is through work/life fluidity. Instead of having hard boundaries between our work and personal lives, it acknowledges the connection between the two and finds ways to make their different aspects complement and enhance each other. Instead of putting our work and lives into different compartments, we embrace the way they overlap and interconnect and recognise that our needs and responsibilities change constantly. This means we can adapt to the changing nature of our world and allow our work and personal lives to support one another.

That’s not to say though that work life fluidity is a better option than "work-life balance”. Whilst some people may prefer a more traditional work structure with clear boundaries, others may thrive in a more fluid and flexible environment. The key is to find a balance through open communication that meets the needs of both the individual and the organisation. One that ensures work expectations are met, but also promotes overall well-being and aligns the individual's personal and professional goals with their specific circumstances.

Gaining strength through adversity

Keywords

Resilience – Trauma Surgery – Spiritual Beliefs – Hope – Inspiration - Motivation

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Craig Thayer, a general surgeon of over 30 years, talks about his experiences in the field and how he got into surgery. He discusses the challenges and rewards of being a surgeon, particularly trauma surgery and touches on advancements in medicine, such as monoclonal antibodies for melanoma treatment. He also shares his belief in evidence-based science while also acknowledging the potential for spiritual beliefs to provide hope.

Craig also talks about his experiences growing up as an orphan and later reconnecting with his natural family and opens up about his struggles with dyslexia.

 Main topics

• What inspired Craig to become a surgeon?

• How does Craig deal with the stress of being a surgeon?

• Craig’s thoughts on spiritual beliefs and their impact on health

 Timestamps

1. Introductions - (00:00 - 01:09)
2: Writing a book to inspire, motivate, and give hope in today's society - (01:09 - 02:16)
3: The emotional toll of surgery and the impact it can have on a surgeon - (02:27 - 05:38)
4: The different responsibilities of a surgeon - (05:38 - 08:33)
5: Changes in Medicine - (11:22 - 13:10)
6: The philosophical questions in science and the limitations of science -  (15:55 - 16:28)
7: Craig talks about his book and the inspiration behind it - (17:30 - 22:22)

Action items

• Find out more about Craig at https://www.craigthayer.net/

• Craig’s memoir is Saved: One Trauma Surgeon’s True Accounts of the Miracles in His Life

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Renee Joyal – Living beautifully

Keywords

Resilience - Wellness – Lifestyle Change – Self-healing

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Renee Joyal, a newly published author and wellness enthusiast shares her personal journey with lupus and how she made lifestyle changes to overcome it. She emphasises the importance of nutrition, exercise, and self-healing practices in maintaining good health and also talks about having a holistic approach to health instead of restrictive diets.

Renee discusses her approach to wellness, emphasising the importance of focusing on both physical and mental health and shares techniques for strengthening the mind, such as journaling and meditation, which can help in handling life's challenges.

Main topics

• Making specific lifestyle changes to overcome autoimmune disease.

• The functional medicine practices Renee implemented in her life.

• How being in an abusive relationship affected Renee’s health and autoimmune disease.

Timestamps

1: Introduction. The host welcomes the audience and introduces the guest, Renee, who is a newly published author and wellness enthusiast. Renee talks about her passion for helping people expand their health journey - 00:02-01:03
2: Overcoming Life's Obstacles. Renee discusses how to overcome life's obstacles, live healthily, feel good, and enrich your life to live it to the fullest. 02:12-02:29
3: Renee's Health Journey. Renee shares her personal health journey, including her debilitating illness, Lupus diagnosis, and how she made lifestyle changes to improve her health - 02:29-07:31
4: Focusing on Healing. Renee talks about her focus on healing and what she added to her life to make it better and live fully without restriction - 09:16-11:32
5: Strengthening the Mind. Renee discusses the importance of strengthening the mind and shares techniques such as journaling, meditative experiences, and empowering mind techniques - 11:32-17:56
6: Live Beautiful Book. Renee talks about her book, Live Beautiful, a compassionate balance guide to everyday wellness and well-being. She shares where to find it and discusses the rewarding process of writing and connecting with the community - 17:57-20:43

Action items 

• Renee’s book is Live Beautiful: A Compassionate Balance Guide to Everyday Wellness and Well Being

• Connect with her on her website or Instagram to learn more about her approach to wellness.

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Thinking differently about disruption.

Keywords

Resilience - Change - Transitions - Disruption - Changing Narratives

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled, Linda Rossetti, a business leader and pioneering researcher on individuals’ experience at the crossroads of their lives discusses her work in helping people respond to disruptions in their lives. Linda emphasises the importance of thinking differently and responding with hope and expansion and explains the differences between changes and transitions. She also highlights the emotional response that accompanies change and disruption, acknowledging its significance alongside practical considerations and touches on the limitations of traditional change management approaches before suggesting a new narrative around disruption and transformation.

Main topics

• The power of changing narratives and shifting from a chronological narrative to a value-based narrative.

• Why educating people about the options and new perspectives during times of disruption can be enlightening.

• The importance of anchoring on things that hold meaning or value in times of transformation.

• Why we need to ask new questions and explore different narratives to move forward.

• The different levels of response to change.

• Focusing on the practical and emotional aspects of transformation.

• Why people should see disruption as an opportunity to engage more of themselves and amplify their voices.

• Why there is a need to change the way society responds to disruption.

 Timestamps

1: Welcome and introduction - 00:02 - 00:19
2: Traditional ways of responding to disruption - 02:06 - 06:51
3: The power of transformation - 08:03 - 10:03
4: Changing the narrative - 12:16 - 14:09
5: Leadership and change - 15:18 - 19:58
6: Empowering individuals to respond - 21:47 - 24:38
7: Addressing values and the book "Dancing with Disruption" - 26:39 - 28:48
8: Conclusion and contact information - 29:59 - 30:26

Action items

• You can find out more about Linda on LinkedIn or thorough her website

• Linda’s books are "Women and Transition" and "Dancing with Disruption".

You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

The increase in unpaid overtime

New research from Ciphr has shown that some UK employees are clocking up three hours of unpaid overtime per week with 11% of those surveyed putting in an additional five hours a week.

The survey, of 1,000 employees, showed that there are more employees who work unpaid overtime (49%) than those who do receive payment (23%). Employees most likely to work the unpaid extra hours include senior managers, 25-34-year-olds remote workers and those working in legal services and education.

Employees can work unpaid overtime for a variety of reasons. It might be an industry or work culture norm, a dedication to their work, a desire for achievement or to achieve their personal goals, in understaffed or resource-constrained environments, they might work unpaid overtime to cover gaps, ensure essential tasks are completed or because of pressure from managers and colleagues. Alternatively, there may be a fear of falling behind through heavy workloads and tight deadlines or of being seen as less dedicated particularly if job security is low.

Employees might also work unpaid overtime to ensure that a project is completed successfully on time or because they don’t have a clear understanding of their job responsibilities or how long tasks should take whilst some employees resort to working unpaid overtime to catch up on tasks they couldn't complete during regular working hours, something that can be particularly noticeable if people are hybrid or home working.

Although employees might need to put in extra hours to meet business needs, (and be happy to do so), It's important that both employees and employers understand the negative consequences of unpaid overtime. The aim should be to create a workplace culture that values the work-life balance, fair compensation, and sustainable workloads. Employers should communicate clear expectations, manage workloads effectively, and discourage a culture of overwork whilst employees should prioritise their well-being and consider the long-term impact of consistently working unpaid overtime.

Navigating an organisational pivot

Keywords - Resilience - Organisational Pivots - Change - Personal Growth

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled, Jason Shen, an executive coach with a focus on resilience and reinvention who is renowned for guiding entrepreneurs through crucial transitions.  A former national champion gymnast Jason faced multiple setbacks including layoffs, lawsuits, company failure, and traumatic knee injuries, so he understands what it takes to adapt and overcome adversity!

Jason talks about the importance of continuous learning and personal growth and talks about his background in the commercial world, including working in marketing roles and starting companies. The conversation focuses on organisational pivots and the importance of making changes earlier rather than later and Jason emphasises the need for leaders to adapt their leadership approach during these transitions. They also touch upon personal resilience and how taking care of physical and creative/emotional needs is essential. Cultural considerations are mentioned, such as differences between men and women's expressions of emotions or vulnerability based on Eastern/Western philosophies.

Main topics

• The concept and process of organisational pivots

• The impact of founders in organisational pivots

• The relationship between resilience and pivots.

• Cultural considerations in coaching

• Exploring different coaching approaches

Timestamps

1: Introduction and Background - 00:02-00:44
2: Understanding Organisational Pivots- 02:17-04:06
3: Navigating Organisational Pivots - 04:06-06:23
4: Developing Leadership Capacity during Pivots - 07:21-07:30, 07:55-08:59
5: Cultural Considerations in Pivots - 09:46-12:07
6: The Cycle of Learning and Support - 14:46-16:02
7: Overcoming the Fear of Not Knowing - 16:35-17:32
8: The Role of Coaching in Organisational Change - 20:37-22:19
9: The Path to Pivot Book - 22:19-23:41

Action items

Jason’s book is called "The Path to Pivot," or find out more at jasonshen.com

You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

To nap or not to nap?

In the past napping at work was a quick way to get fired but now some organisations are starting to consider whether ‘taking a nap’ should be part of the working day.

The average adult needs at least seven hours of sleep a night to achieve optimal health but many people don’t get anywhere near that with Nuffield Health’s 2023 ‘Healthier Nation Index’ (a survey of 8,000 UK adults) highlighting that, on average, we’re only getting 5.91 hours of sleep a night, down from 6.11 in 2022 and 6.19 in 2021. This discrepancy positions insufficient sleep as one of today’s pressing health issues.

In the workplace, whilst we might think that powering through the day without breaks is the most effective way to work, it’s actually counterintuitive to health and to productivity. We’re actually wired to take time to recharge through ultradian rhythms with our brains actually achieving maximum productivity when we follow 90 minutes of work with 20 minutes of a recharging activity - something like yoga or mindfulness, or just something as simple as taking a nap.

Around 3% of GDP is lost each year due to sleep deprivation, so offering employees the opportunity to recharge with a nap during the day could not only help to improve their physical and mental health but could also see them contributing more. Research shows well-rested employees are better cognitively and this includes essential work functions such as learning, decision-making, attention to detail and memory recall.

Of course, creating a napping policy would take some commitment and resources and the idea of “sleeping on the job” is still anathema to most companies. But if you want your team to be at the top of their game then maybe giving them the opportunity to have scheduled naps could mean improved mental wellbeing, increased employee performance and productivity and perhaps even a way to attract and retain top talent.

Navigating workplace bias

Keywords

Resilience – Bias – Navigating Bias – Unconscious Bias – Workplace Bias

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Dr Russell Thackeray talks to Buki Mosaku, one of the world’s foremost bias-navigation experts. Buki is the founder and CEO of Diverse City Think Tank, a workplace bias and diversity-and-inclusion consultancy.

In this podcast Buki discusses the impact of bias in the workplace and suggests a new approach to addressing it by equipping individuals with the skills to navigate bias, rather than labelling certain groups as victims or perpetrators. He talks about the concept of directional bias (bias towards certain groups) and reverse bias (misinterpreting unfavourable decisions as biased) and emphasises the importance of calling out bias and engaging in dispassionate developmental inquiry to address it effectively.

Main topics

• What unconscious bias is

• Why individuals and organisations need to be aware of unconscious bias in order to address it effectively.

• Why the traditional model for addressing workplace bias focuses fails to equip individuals with skills to navigate bias themselves.

• Creating an awareness and culture profile within organizations that promotes a bias-free environment.

Timestamps

1: Introductions - 00:02 - 04.57

2: Examples of Workplace Bias - 4.58 - 10:26

3: Navigating Workplace Bias - 10.27 - 21:21

4: The Power of "I Don't Understand" - 21.22 -

5: Navigating Bias Strategies – 21.23 - 31:58

6. Concluding remarks

Action items

You can find out more about Buki at www.bukimosaku.com His book is Navigating Unconscious Bias in the Workplace

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.