Workplace growth expert Cheryl Cran’s newsletter for leaders and business owners

There is now downloadable audio available in the Shop for Bold store, listen to a sample of The Illuminated Leader CD http://www.cherylcran.com/products.php here and then purchase and download the entire file. In the next few months Cheryl will be offering pod casts, video casts and Teleseminars so keep visiting the site and please refer your friends.

Question from a subscriber:
Dear Cheryl,
I seem to have lost my energy and drive for my role as a leader.

How come I don’t know what my purpose or passion is like other people? I like the people I work with, I like the job and the compensation I just can’t seem to wake up excited to go to work. Recently I had to fire someone and it literally caused me to get sick with the flu and put me in a depressed mood for days. What’s wrong with me?

Cheryl’s Answer: Dear what’s wrong …….
First of all there is nothing wrong with you! Everything is right with you. Who in their right mind would get juiced and excited about having to deal with a difficult situation. First of all you should be congratulated on doing something that many leaders put off doing because it is so unpleasant. The fact that you faced the facts and dealt with unacceptable performance signifies to me that you are a bold leader. There can be many reasons why you have lost your joy or do not wake up with excitement every morning. First of all we are not machines; we are not programmed to just produce work output like an automaton. We are human in human conditions and it sounds to me like you could be on the edge of burnout or very close to it. This is an exciting wake up call. Exciting because you get to choose what you want to create, feel and experience. My guess is that all of your focus has been on work with little or no focus on your own personal wellbeing. This also spills over into our personal relationships and we find no energy to share our best selves with those we love.
By the way don’t be fooled by other people’s apparent consistent joy because they have found their purpose. I have spoken to many, many leaders who do feel they are on purpose simply by being a leader and not every single day is a pure joy day.

When others are showing great joy and passion for their work let that be inspiring to you rather than discouraging.

I can promise you that even if someone seems to have the perfect job or life there are days when even they struggle with motivation and focus in what they do. You can take action on a few things, to get your mojo back consider hiring a coach who can help you define what you want and how to get it. Get back into wellness habits such as regular exercise and practice wellness thoughts such as, “I handled that firing with courage while maintaining dignity for the person involved”. Lastly begin investigating other career options and hire a career coach. Negative feelings are always an opportunity to make positive changes.

It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever- the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it.

Science Proves the Brain Can Change- Leaders Pay Attention!

Neuro plasticity is a term that scientists use to describe the potential for the brain to change. In a recent article in Scientific American magazine scientists studied in a lab to see how the brain responds to visual stimulation coupled with a reward. To read more about the article itself click here

The old wives tale that says you can’t teach a dog old tricks is just that- an old wives tale. When people use the excuse of I can never change, or that’s just the way I am they indeed believe in an erroneous truth.

The implications of the brain’s ability to change the way it connects with different areas within the brain and how the brain can rebuild is far reaching. In a presentation for leaders a few years ago and I made the statement that humans only use about 10% of their brains. I had heard this statement many times and believed it to be true.

At that seminar a gentleman came up to me and challenged me by saying that it had been proven by scientists that indeed we do use the entire brain and that the statement should be revised to, we can increase the overall usage of our brains. At the time I was annoyed by this person pointing this out but upon return to my office I looked it up and indeed he was correct!

Now it seems we can help others to increase their brain plasticity through the ways we interact and reward. As leaders we can fall into the trap of seeing those around us as one dimensional rather than seeing them as multi talented and multi functional. Many times we can limit the potential of someone simply by not seeing them perform in a certain way or by not providing opportunities for that person to perform in a new way.

As leaders we can perceive that there is just no way to change someone and fundamentally it is true that we cannot control others to change. A bold leader however can creatively and intelligently devise ways to create positive improvement simply by communicating in a new way and devising new ways for others to use their brains.

I am reminded by a story from the well worn book by Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People where shares the story of his employee who began to develop a drinking problem. Mr. Carnegie watched the employee arrive later and later during a week and finally on the Friday called the employee aside. With great compassion and care Mr. Carnegie invited the employee to his home that evening for a visit. The employee was astonished and a little wary of the invitation.

Promptly at 7:00 PM the employee arrived and Mr. Carnegie greeted him warmly and showed him into the study. Then he handed the employee a cigar and a glass of his finest brandy. The employee was now feeling bewildered, surely Mr. Carnegie must know about his recent drinking. Then Mr. Carnegie smiled and gently asked the employee how things were going at home. The employee broke down and began to share how his wife was leaving him and he had turned to drinking. Without Mr. Carnegie saying one word the employee stood up and thanked Mr. Carnegie for being so hospitable and vowed right there that he would be a model employee and not let Mr. Carnegie down if he would give him one more chance.

The employee was asked to stay and went on to become Mr. Carnegies most trusted employees.

Creativity, compassion and concern were used to address a very sensitive problem. We could argue that today we just don’t have the time or the ability to provide such personal attention. Or we can see that there are numerous opportunities to use unexpected methods that create exceptional results. Using our intelligence to influence others to use theirs is the ultimate proof of the brains ability to be flexible and to change.

Science says that the brain can change, can respond and grow. We as leaders can change our own brains/minds first and then use interactive methods that help those who work for us to change, respond and grow.

Cheryl Cran, CSP www.cherylcran.com

Check out the Bold Leader Blog:

http://www.cherylcran.com/bold_leader/index.php

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Permission to reprint: You may reprint any items from this monthly newsletter in your own printed publication or e-newsletter as long as you include the following:

Reprinted with permission from Cheryl Cran's monthly e-newsletter www.cherylcran.com. Cheryl Cran, CSP is an author, international speaker and and consultant.