7 Business Lessons from 7 Knee Surgeries – #2
There are two parts to this strategy. I’ve found this works well as part of a wide set of strategies to help overcome the overwhelmings of challenges. In essence, this recognizes that pain, in any form, is a whole-person experience and that caring for the whole person provides multiple benefits.
When caring for and processing your thoughts and feelings, let me encourage you to find a quite place; make for quiet times and write down your thoughts. The greater the intensity of the challenge, the more I’ve found this to be critical. Try it once. Then try it once a week or so, and refer back to your notes. Look for patterns, and most of all, seek a depth of understanding for yourself.
Before even trying to care for someone else, please note:
- Don’t attempt to unless you’re in control of your own emotions
- Don’t inject yourself into a new caring relationship; wait for a clear opening
- Don’t proceed if you find yourself taking on the other person’s emotions
- Gain a thorough understanding of what active listening is and how to apply it; read-up on it and practice it
- One way to *test* if someone is willing to open up with you is to ask with genuine care, “How are you, really?” and see if their response is leading the conversation down that path
- Put your energies into simply understanding what someone shares with you; understanding, not solutions
- An appropriate response to what they share is to simply reflect back what s/he says
As you lead yourself and others through these times, let me encourage you to plan, plan, plan – like never before – and use strategies like this to engage and encourage each other.
You’ll turn challenges into opportunities.
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Just as I’ve seen how lessons from business can apply to my personal life, many of the lessons I’ve learned through seven knee surgeries since a football injury 45 years ago have applications in business, as well.
Here’s the first of seven which I hope will serve you well, especially during such a challenging time as now in 2020.
I look forward to your thoughts and the lessons you’ve learned in business and life.
It’s a strategic framework that simultaneously equips you and your teams to lead through change, be more productive and grow closer together as a team.
A new welcome message from Rick Cram.
As you probably know now more than ever, the challenges associated with change compromise our ability to plan, lead and move forward.
I’m here to help with the experience of consulting for hundreds of companies (as well as from navigating and growing through seven surgeries on my left knee).
With PLAN TO BE YOUR BEST …As You Navigate Change©, I consult and facilitate for leadership and management teams and individuals with a more strategic way to plan, make decisions and communicate.
It’s a strategic framework that simultaneously equips you and your teams to lead through change, be more productive and grow closer together as a team.
For more information, please call 617-500-0006.