<![CDATA[The Wind Horse Journey - thriving every day

<![CDATA[The Wind Horse Journey - thriving every day - Blog]]>Thu, 02 May 2024 20:57:25 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Mastering Leadership: The Essential Shift from Tech Expert to Team Catalyst]]>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 21:24:26 GMThttp://thewindhorsejourney.com/blog/from-technical-master-to-team-catalyst-level-up-your-leadership-in-todays-dynamic-landscape

Are you a technical expert who has been asked to step into a project and people leadership role, and for whom people leadership will be a first? Such a transition can be both exhilarating and intimidating. What skills should you prioritize in leading diverse teams through often complex projects? How can you lead others, deliver results, and learn quickly in today's fast-paced, resource-limited environments? These are common concerns for a technical expert taking this step into new territory. This article serves as a guide to highlight a few key points.

Get ready to discover:

The Essential Conditions for Team Success: We'll delve into the must-have relational and structure skills that set successful teams and their leaders apart.
Why We Have Bad Managers: We’ll touch on why good technical people can make bad managers.
Key Skills for Leaders Today: Explore emerging trends like relationship building, global mindset development, learning, and prioritizing well-being to stay ahead of the curve.
Practical Examples of Time-Efficient Leadership Development: See two examples of how organizations can enable meaningful learning, whilst accomplishing real work.

Let's explore.

The Essential Conditions for Team Success
Modern workplaces often rely on teams for everything, even when a team is not necessary. Research shows that smaller, focused teams with clear roles are proven to be more effective than unwieldy teams with undefined goals. But team success goes beyond structure. A few key factors make a big difference to a team’s and a team leader’s success.

Key factors:

Team Composition: Invest in finding high-performing individuals ("A-players") with diverse skills and perspectives. Don't underestimate the power of those who excel in unexpected roles. For example, a non-technical communications person from a critical stakeholder demography you are trying to serve could provide insights to help you better understand and meet their needs.
Team Interaction: Positive relationships are crucial. Encourage open communication, mutual respect and appreciation, and vulnerability. Equally important is having a "Devil's Advocate" to challenge ideas, seek out blind spots, and prevent groupthink. Encourage a work culture that allows honest sharing, even if what is shared might be unpopular, perhaps because it creates more work.
Team Leadership: Leaders should focus on creating a safe, supportive environment with a clear sense of purpose. Clear goals and priorities, agreed on ways of working together, fast feedback cycles, and communicating with internal and external partners, help a team focus on completing the right tasks. Motivate by highlighting the positive impact your team's work creates and celebrating progress toward important goals and outcomes.

Why We Have Bad Managers
In the 1960s, Dr. Laurence J. Peter, a Canadian education scholar, coined the term “Peter Principle.” He observed that, “in any hierarchy an employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.” In short, a person who is competent at their job will earn a promotion to a position that requires different skills - until their performance drops as they do not have the required skills for the new role. In fact, this concept is something we commiserate over when it comes to bad bosses. How does this management concept hold up today?

Kelly Shue, a professor of finance at the Yale School of Management, recently decided to test the Peter Principle empirically with large data sets. The study findings were summarized in The Quarterly Journal of Economics — called “Promotions and the Peter Principle,” co-authored with Alan Benson and Danielle Li.

Her findings highlight little-considered, yet important, insights for functional experts contemplating transitioning into a management role.

Technical Strength Does Not Prepare You to Be a Good People Leader
Your technical strengths and high intelligence are not the basis for successfully managing the complexities of people, work contexts, and productivity. Managing is not the same as doing. Shue’s study found that a person’s ability to collaborate with others was the main driver of the value a manager brings to a team’s performance.

Often an individual contributor’s high job performance is used in business as a trigger for promotion. The evidence shows that it is not top performers who make better managers, it is those with lower individual contributor performance metrics prior to their manager promotion. Why? They can facilitate greater value-add through their ability to effectively collaborate. Assessing your ability to work through and with people to effect results is an important step to complete before assuming a people role.

Ask Yourself Why You Want to Become a Manager
Do you really want to manage people, or is a manager title the only way to grow in your career and pay?

As an individual, if your “manager promotion why” is born of this career pathway limitation you may be setting yourself up for reduced performance, life satisfaction, and well-being. Your job will change from one of focusing on your technical mastery to being in meetings, managing politics, delivering your own projects, and being accountable for others’ performance. If your honest answer to the "why" question is indeed due to a non-technical career promotion track then start exploring if there are alternative ways for you to assume more seniority within your organization as a technical leader.

Key Skills for Leaders Today
Relational Skills Mastery: Acknowledging the vital role of technical expertise, it's also imperative to refine relational and social skills such as communication, team collaboration, and emotional intelligence to strengthen adaptive leadership in uncertain times. This skillset also reduces burnout risk.
Invest in specialized training and coaching to unlock learnings in motivating, influencing, and cultivating high-performing teams.
Personalized Learning Journeys: Keep in mind, a one-size-fits-all approach falls short. Embrace personalized learning through self-assessments, coaching, and microlearning tailored to your unique strengths and goals. Attend industry conferences, explore new knowledge domains, and actively seek opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Experiential Learning: Gain practical experience and enhance confidence through hands-on learning. Immerse yourself in simulated projects, hackathons, and real-world challenges to skillfully prepare for the intricacies of leading initiatives.
Global Mindset Cultivation: Foster a global perspective. Nurture intercultural understanding and communication skills to lead diverse teams and navigate the international landscape with grace.
Prioritizing Well-being: Remember, a thriving leader is a productive leader. Integrate stress management, time management, and work-life balance strategies into your leadership development plan. These skills are not only good for you, but they are also good for your team and organization at both a human- and positive business outcomes level. Healthy boundaries are good for families too.

Practical Examples of Time-Efficient Leadership Development
Example 1: Fostering Synergy Through Peer Learning
Challenge:
Over-stretched senior leaders from diverse backgrounds and organizations often feel siloed, alone, lacking in timely learning resources for individual development, and are unable to explore best practices as it relates to their daily dilemmas.

Solution:
Organizations can offer a facilitated Leadership Community of Practice (CoP), bringing together senior leaders for quarterly virtual and hybrid meetings. This approach creates personalized development experiences that flex and adapt to leaders’ needs, meeting them during the critical moments that truly impact their real-life leadership. The ongoing peer community allows leaders to sustain and accelerate their development experiences and learn about other business functions, to boot.

The format blends:

Real-life challenge discussions: Leaders share current obstacles and collaboratively brainstorm solutions, leveraging diverse perspectives.
Peer coaching and mentoring: Leaders guide each other with varying functional and business expertise, facilitating growth and knowledge transfer in a safe space.
Joint learning initiatives: Identify common knowledge gaps and conduct short, facilitated learning sessions (e.g., online courses, guest speakers) addressing those needs.

Expected benefits:

Improved leadership practices through collective wisdom and peer support.
Enhanced cross-functional collaboration due to shared understanding and trust.
Reduced reliance on centralized training, maximizing resource efficiency.

Example 2: Hands-on Team Leadership Labs
Challenge:
An under-resourced business needs its technical and science leaders to take on implementation of strategic projects critical to the organization’s effectiveness and resilience. This results in additional workload, and can be perceived as a big stretch of already thin capacity. Formal training options are limited, while there is little- to -no time or budget to attend project leadership training.

Solution:
Curate simply-designed quarterly career and leadership development labs for these new project team leaders to:

Work on the new projects: Small teams tackle their real-life projects as a learning cohort. They apply new project management and leadership skills learned during the lab. Their senior managers help scope, guide, provide check points, and support their success throughout the project. They also report progress to colleagues in all-staff and group meetings, modeling new leadership accomplishments, helping staff see that the business is being accountable for implementation of a strategic plan.
Receive expert facilitation: A facilitator guides the teams through consistent project start-up and ongoing project leadership phases and processes, providing group coaching, tools, templates, and individual feedback tailored to their specific challenges.
Asynchronous learning and discussion: Between labs, participants engage in online forums and discussions for peer support and continued learning to keep real work progress moving forward.

Expected benefits:

Accelerated development of practical project management and leadership skills, resulting in career enrichment and growth.
Increased team cohesiveness and collaboration through shared learning experiences.
Enhanced project success due to effective application of new skills and insights.

By leveraging peer learning, practical application, and ongoing support, these leadership development models can be adapted to resource-constrained environments to empower over-extended businesses and individuals. They also cultivate highly skilled and collaborative leaders thereby bringing immediate skill and knowledge transfer to the workplace, while achieving concrete and real business results, at little to no cost.

To Sum Up:

Higher performing teams are those that have an intentional mix of team members, are small, have clear goals and a collaborative, open, honest work style.
One reason businesses end up with bad managers is because, often, high performing technical or other experts are promoted into roles where unproven collaboration, rather than technical skills, drive team success.
Today, the leadership skills that are most useful are relational, global mindset, adaptive learning, and wellbeing.
Finally, whilst most leaders do not have the luxury of attending training or practicing leadership before an assignment or promotion, leadership learning opportunities can be integrated into the work of leading projects.

At www.thewindhorsejourney.com our development mission is to explore, develop, and thrive. We create safe spaces for learning, support individual growth, and ultimately contribute to organizational success.

P.S. Share this valuable resource with your network of fellow technical professionals who aspire to enhance their leadership. Together, we can explore, develop, and thrive!

Thank you for reading!

Visit us at:
Linked In
Ultimate Friend Quest Community
Youtube Channel

Resources:
Blog: 4 Secrets Of High-Performing Teams, Eric Barker, https://bakadesuyo.com/2024/02/teams/

Podcast: Why Are There So Many Bad Bosses? Freakonomics, 2023 https://freakonomics.com/podcast/why-are-there-so-many-bad-bosses-replay/

Articles
5 Common Traps Newly-Minted Managers Need to Avoid, Firas Kittaneh, November 21, 2018
https://www.inc.com/firas-kittaneh/5-common-traps-newly-minted-managers-need-to-avoid.html,

The Case for Inefficiency: Taking Aim at the “Player-Coach” Model, Leadership Research Institute, 2025
https://www.lri.com/resources/useletter/case-inefficiency/

Pieces of Advice for First-Time Managers, Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar
June 02, 2022
https://hbr.org/search?term=rakshitha%20arni%20ravishankar

]]><![CDATA[When Success Backfires: The Turnaround Act]]>Tue, 12 Sep 2023 18:31:33 GMThttp://thewindhorsejourney.com/blog/when-success-backfires-the-turnaround-act

In the relentless pursuit of success, many business leaders find themselves trapped in a cycle of overwork and self-sacrifice. The badges of honor—long hours, promotions, and accolades—become addictive, masking the emptiness that creeps in as other aspects of life are neglected. The feeling of being indispensable and the thrill of producing ever-increasing results create a powerful illusion of fulfillment.

But the bubble eventually bursts. A sudden illness, a strained relationship, or a profound sense of isolation shatters the facade, revealing the true cost of unchecked ambition. At this crossroads, a choice must be made: to continue pushing forward on the same self-destructive path or to embrace a new approach to life.

This article delves into the experiences of two highly successful leaders who faced this stark realization. Their stories serve as cautionary tales and offer valuable insights into how to navigate the aftermath of a burnout. Through their struggles and triumphs, we discover practical steps that can be taken to reclaim one's life and find a next chapter where your value is defined differently.

Acknowledge the signs of burnout. Exhaustion, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and emotional detachment are all red flags that indicate the need for a reset.
Identify the root causes of the problem. What are the underlying beliefs or fears driving the excessive workaholic behavior?
Make conscious choices to prioritize personal well-being. Set boundaries, delegate tasks, and schedule time for yourself.
Seek support from loved ones, a therapist, or a coach. External guidance can provide valuable perspective and encourage positive change.
Explore new ways to define success. Consider what truly matters in life and redefine success in terms of holistic well-being.

The journey away from burnout is not easy, but it is necessary for sustainable success. By confronting the challenges head-on and taking steps to create a more balanced life, leaders can rediscover joy, fulfillment, and meaningful connections. The following stories provide inspiring examples of how others have navigated this transformative journey.

Case 1: The COO Who Felt Stuck
Sara was a driven and ambitious woman who had achieved her career goals by the age of 30. She had become the COO of a growing company, and she was well-respected in her industry. However, after six years in the role, she started to feel stuck. She had lost her passion for her work, and she didn't know where to go next.

Sara tried to ignore her feelings of stagnation, but they grew stronger over time. She started to feel restless and unfulfilled. She found herself daydreaming about other careers and wondering what else she could be doing with her life.

One day, Sara decided to confide in her mentor, a wise and experienced businesswoman. Her mentor listened patiently and then offered her some sage advice. She told Sara that it was important to take some time for self-reflection and to figure out what she really wanted in life. She encouraged Sara to explore her interests, try new things, and step outside of her comfort zone. Reflection was something that Sara did not do: action got results, not thinking about life. Though she respected her mentor, she shelved the input.

Three more months passed by, and Sara started to notice early signs of burnout such as feelings of irritation with others, objectification of others, and general malaise. Enjoyment no longer entered her days. She was living “Groundhog Day,” but unlike Bill Murray’s character, she was not learning new things, nor meeting new people, or adding extra value.

Eventually, Sara took her mentor's advice. She started by taking a vacation to a new country. She also enrolled in a yoga class and started volunteering at a local animal shelter. As she began to explore new experiences, she started to feel more alive and energized.
Sara also started to meet with a coach. The coach helped her to identify her strengths, values, and passions. She also helped Sara to develop a plan for her future career, and the next level of influence Sara wanted to develop.

Through her self-reflection and exploration, Sara realized that she wanted to use her skills and experience to help others. She decided to start her own consulting business to help other businesses grow and succeed. She was excited about the prospect of using her knowledge to make a difference in the world.

Sara's journey was not easy, but it was ultimately rewarding. She learned that it is important to listen to your inner voice and to follow your curiosity. She also learned that it is never too late to make a change in your life.

Lessons Learned

It is important to be self-aware and to listen to your inner voice.
It is okay to feel stuck in your career. However, it is important to take action to change your situation.
There are many ways to find meaning and purpose in your work. Explore different options and find something that you are curious about or drawn to.
It is never too late to make a change in your career.
Don't be afraid to take risks. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to new opportunities and growth.
Seek support from others. Talk to friends, family, a mentor, or a coach.

Productive Next Steps

Take some time for self-reflection. What are your strengths, values, and passions? What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?
Explore different career options. Talk to people in different industries and professions. Read books and articles about different careers.
Set realistic goals for yourself. Don't try to change your career overnight. Start by making small steps in the right direction.
Take action. Don't wait for the perfect opportunity to come to you. Create your own opportunities.
Be patient and persistent. Change takes time. Don't give up on your dreams.

Case 2: The Successful Entrepreneur Who Crashed
Mark had achieved his lifelong dream of building and selling his own company. He had retired early with a comfortable nest egg. At the age of 45, he had the freedom to do whatever he wanted. However, he soon found that he was bored and unfulfilled.

Mark had always defined himself by his work. He didn't know who he was without his job. He tried traveling, but it wasn't enough. He missed the challenge and the satisfaction of running a business. He started to feel anxious and depressed.

Mark realized that he needed to find a new purpose in life. He started volunteering at a local soup kitchen. He also began taking painting classes. He started to make new friends and discover new interests. This was all new to Mark. He had never thought of himself as a volunteer or artist before, but he tried and liked, these pursuits.

Mark also started to see a therapist. The therapist helped him to understand his emotions and to develop coping mechanisms. Mark learned to be more present in the moment and to appreciate the simple things in life.

Through his self-discovery, Mark realized that he wanted to use his wealth and experience to help others. He started a foundation to support education and entrepreneurship in his community. He also became a mentor to young entrepreneurs.

Mark's journey was not easy, but it was ultimately rewarding. He learned that success is not just about making money. It is also about making a difference in the world. He learned that it is important to find meaning and purpose in life.

Lessons Learned

Retirement is a major life transition. It is important to be prepared for the emotional and psychological changes that come with leaving the workforce.
It is okay to feel lost or disoriented after retirement. However, it is important to take steps to find new meaning and purpose in life.
There are many ways to find fulfillment in retirement. Volunteering, travel, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones are just a few examples.
It is important to stay connected with others. Social isolation can lead to depression and anxiety.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. A therapist can provide support and guidance during this time of transition.

Productive Next Steps

Explore your interests. What do you enjoy doing? What are you passionate about?
Set goals for yourself. What do you want to achieve in retirement?
Make a plan. How are you going to achieve your goals?
Take action. Don't wait for the perfect opportunity to come to you. Create your own opportunities.
Be patient and persistent. Change takes time. Don't give up on your dreams.

Here are some specific suggestions for Mark:

Continue volunteering at the soup kitchen. He could also volunteer for other organizations that he cares about.
Continue taking painting classes. He could also explore other creative hobbies, such as writing, music, or dance.
Travel with a purpose. He could volunteer on a mission trip or take a language immersion course.
Start a blog or website to share his insights and experiences with others.
Become a mentor to young entrepreneurs or students.
Join a retirement club or support group.
Seek professional help if he is struggling to cope with retirement.

Mark is in a fortunate position. He has the time, resources, and experience to make a difference in the world. I hope he will use his retirement to find new ways to express himself and to contribute to his community.

Thank you for reading!

Visit us at:
Linked In
Ultimate Friend Quest Community
Youtube Channel

]]><![CDATA[Building Strong Relationships: The Key to Personal and Professional Success]]>Thu, 03 Aug 2023 20:02:18 GMThttp://thewindhorsejourney.com/blog/building-strong-relationships-the-key-to-personal-and-professional-success

Strong relationships are essential for both personal and professional success. In our personal lives, strong relationships provide us with love, support, and a sense of belonging. In our professional lives, strong relationships help us to build trust, collaborate effectively, and achieve our goals.

In this article, we’ll cover relationship dynamics:

Real Situations: A case that underscores the pivotal role relationships play in shaping individual and communal social bonds, and how managing time and priorities can align you relationally.
Cultivating Bonds at Work: Insights and steps tailored for managers to nurture and amplify a sense of connection within the workplace, thereby enhancing team cohesion and shared purpose.
The Individual Imperative: Actions that individuals can undertake to build enduring and meaningful connections, elevating both personal and professional dimensions of life.

The Art and Science of Relationship-Building
Studies from diverse fields such a social psychology, leadership, and neuroscience, show that social connections play a central role in fostering a sense of purpose and well-being in the workplace. They also impact the bottom line. Effective talent management facilitates learning and knowledge sharing, increases employee retention and engagement, reduces burnout, sparks innovation, and improves employee and organizational performance.

A Tale of Three Hospital Visits
John went to the emergency room over the weekend panicked that he was having a heart attack. This was the third time in six months he had visited. Three times out of three, he was advised that he was having a panic attack. John admitted that he was over-extended at work, spending 60-80 hours a week focusing on work tasks, fighting fires, and trying to keep everyone happy.

At home he could not spend the time he wanted with his two boys and wife, because he was constantly being drawn into work issues. His eldest son was due to graduate high school this summer, and John wanted to spend more than three days away from work so that he and his family could spend quality time together on a special vacation. He also wanted to celebrate this big family milestone. He felt like he was missing out on important life events and that time was slipping away. He was not being the father he wanted to be.

After conducting a time inventory, John realized that he wanted to reprioritize his professional and personal relationships and be intentional about how he structured his time. He has started spending an hour every Monday with his staff to review their shared calendars, successes, priorities, deliverables, challenges, and support needed for the next four weeks. “If what is there does not align with people, purpose, or passion, it gets moved, delegated, or deleted. I know where my values and priorities are, and how I want each of my 24 hours to be spent. The quality of my days is more important to me – how I feel at the end and start of each day is critical information I use to prime for meaningful success,” he says.

Despite a full professional schedule, John also has strengthened ties to his family and church community to keep him humble and grounded outside of work. He and his wife regularly evaluate whether they are spending their time on the people and activities that matter most. By intentionally managing his time and proactively nurturing key relationships, John now feels more satisfied in his life and career. He has since been promoted into an executive role.

What Managers Can Do to Foster Connections at Work
Nurture our shared humanity.

Lead through your values. Humble leaders who are compassionate, generous, forgiving, and ethical do better. They lead with kindness and keep their employees’ well-being in mind. They create positive workplaces that yield superior financial performance, customer satisfaction, productivity, and employee engagement. When teams share work values, use shared working frameworks, and approach projects with the same sets of expectations and priorities, they perform better.

Leaders who can communicate vision, direction, and goals clearly with employees, who seek diverse perspectives, and respect differences in how to approach work, are able to forge stronger commitment, alignment, and implement strategic deliverables at an operational level.
Feeling connected to others requires being on the same page emotionally as well as intellectually. It requires being guided by values.

Communicate and model taking care of yourself. Self-care is a strategic necessity. Learn which mental states burn you out faster. Take your vacations and make the most of short breaks. Learn recovery techniques and build your stress resilience to activate your parasympathetic nervous system. Breathing techniques, taking breaks in nature, and quiet time are just a few examples. Encourage your employees to do the same (and make sure it’s not just lip service). Set aside time just to focus on rejuvenating your own energy. Put your oxygen mask on first.

Tap into human skills, such as being present with each other without distractions, deep listening, empathy, authenticity, and communication. Listen for the emotional tone beneath the words and in the body language, tune-in to one another, and have follow-up conversations to check-in. Connection is a “neural balm” and an antidote to disconnection.

Our sense of connection to others doesn’t just impact mental health, it directly influences motivation.

Motivation at work is largely impacted by our feelings of connection to others. We feel inspired when we’re reminded that we’re not alone in our endeavors and that our experiences are not ours alone to struggle through. One of the things that makes burnout particularly detrimental is its link to loneliness.

Inspire. When someone sees the best in us, it motivates and inspires us to become better. The same holds true for employee-supervisor relationships. Research also shows that when we feel inspired by someone’s positive perspective of us it inspires us to improve. Whether it’s an employee or a friend, we feel valued when others acknowledge and celebrate our strengths. This kind of interaction is deeply energizing, which further enhances productivity. Everyone wants to feel respected and appreciated for their unique strengths.

Use technology with intentionality to strengthen relationships, while breaking the negative habits technology fosters.

Authors Jen Fisher and Anh Phillips explain how our increasing connection to technology is decreasing our connection to people. In their book, Work Better Together, they discuss why human skills like relationship-building, empathy, and emotional intelligence, are essential to the future of work and how remote work and our "24/7" society is increasing isolation and burnout that is negatively impacting staff happiness and engagement. Armed with this knowledge, managers can co-generate team norms around hours of work availability, sacrosanct downtime, and what constitutes reasons to “flex the norms” on a rare occasion.

Managers can also seek input and guidance from their staff, ensuring that they hear the diverse and valuable perspectives of younger team members, more senior team members, culturally-diverse, and neuro-divergent team members. Yes, it may take a little more time and be a little more work, but the benefits for all are worthwhile.

Manage workplace relationships, whether you’re in the office every day or telecommuting—or something in between. What are the in-person meaningful social or collaboration touchpoints that work for your team and your business? Put those in place. Keep things fresh. Check that they are working. Re-design when something new is needed. Let others be part of the new “social design.”

Develop a culture of strong relationships that drives quality collaboration throughout the organization. Define what this really means to your team. Embed relationship building into your weeks without adding to the time burden. Getting to know each other, group outings, team retreats, challenges, competitions, book groups, games, sing alongs – are all ways to bond. Design meetings to strengthen skills by working through challenges, differing opinions, making tough decisions together. Even remotely being online with each other at the same time while working on your individual projects, but being able to ask questions or chat, can bring collegiality into a day.

What Individuals Can Do to Build Strong Connections
Invest in meaningful relationships outside of work. Invest time and energy at least once a week to call a friend, talk about a topic that interests you both, go and do something you enjoy together. Those who work through the discomfort and time investment of nurturing their friendships reap the rewards of being understood and supported by friends, especially during tough times.

Buffer your time against draining interactions. You can create rules for when you check email or make phone calls. Block time in your calendar for breaks or energizing projects. Create hard stops at the end of the day. One leader who thrived, even during his busiest times, would change his clothes after finishing his work day so that he could get into the mindset of stopping work to enjoy time with family and friends.

Develop emotional and social intelligence. How you handle emotions (especially “big ones”) is critical to your ability to navigate inevitable conflicts and challenges. Are you self-aware? Can you name your emotions? Do you know your triggers? Can you regulate your emotions? One of the fastest and most efficient ways to regulate your emotions is through breathing. Taking that pause with a few deep breaths can be the difference between reaction versus considered response. It can be the difference between being a draining, toxic presence, and being the person with whom people feel psychologically safe to navigate troubled waters.

Social attunement helps you relate to others. Can you read others’ voice tone, emotional tone, and body language? Can you discern cultural context? Do you know how to show compassion toward others? These social skills are crucial to enjoyable group interactions.

Conclusion
Healthy work relationships – be they at an individual or organizational level - benefit more people, and everyone experiences moments of genuine happiness and satisfaction. Businesses thrive under such leadership. Leaders can carry forward positive energy and empathy in a team’s days. When your team feels inspired and cared for, they bring their best selves to work and increase their discretionary effort. Individuals, too, can develop their relationship skills. They help you have a satisfying life outside of work, and the same skills boost your impact at work.

What’s good for individuals, is good for businesses, and is good for communities. Thrive.

Thank you for reading!

Visit us at:
Linked In
Ultimate Friend Quest Community
Youtube Channel

]]><![CDATA[Shifting Focus: Thriving Skills for a Life Well-Lived]]>Tue, 27 Jun 2023 22:39:50 GMThttp://thewindhorsejourney.com/blog/shifting-focus-thriving-skills-for-a-life-well-lived

“You don’t think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking,”
Henri Nouwen.

This powerful quote reminds us that what we focus on ultimately shapes our experiences and outcomes. By shifting our focus towards building thriving skills, we can rewrite our internal narrative from "burnout" or "stress recovery" to a life well-lived. In this article, we'll explore the concept of burnout, its causes, and how to redirect our energy towards cultivating resilience and thriving.

When it comes to burnout, it's essential to take a step back, assess where we are on the stress and burnout curve, and reset how we allocate our time, energy, and mental game.

The truth is life is “a non-stop triggering machine,” states top executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith. Some people thrive, while others do not – even when all things are equal. So what drives this? Resilient individuals possess a set of psychological traits and coping mechanisms that allow them to adapt. They return to applying this skillset on a regular basis, re-setting themselves when either work or home life causes them to drop a few skills for a while.

What is Burnout?
Christina Maslach, who created the widely-used Maslach Burnout Inventory, defines it as “erosion of the soul caused by deterioration of one’s values, dignity, and spirit.” Herbert Freudenberger defined it as “a state of mental exhaustion caused by one’s professional life.”

Recognize the Symptoms and Impact of Burnout
Burnout manifests in three main categories of symptoms:
1. Emotional exhaustion - feeling overextended, overworked, and numbed to situations where you would normally feel empathy or compassion.
2. Depersonalization - cynical, detached, and objectifying people, and thirdly
3. A sense of low personal accomplishment or meaning - you feel you do not make a meaningful difference, are ineffective, and have negative feelings about yourself.

These symptoms, when left unaddressed, can severely impact physical and mental health, work performance, and relationships.

Take a moment to reflect on what burnout factors are affecting you. Consider asking someone who knows you well for an honest opinion.

Understand the Contributing Factors
Burnout can arise from various factors, both external and internal. While demanding workloads, lack of autonomy, and poor colleague relationships can contribute to burnout, personal characteristics such as perfectionism, self-deprivation, and unrealistic expectations can also play a role. Recognizing these factors is crucial for developing a holistic approach to prevent burnout in the workplace.

Practices to Thrive
Our Windhorse Vitality Model is a blue-print of sorts.

The Windhorse Vitality Model comprises six pillars or muscle groups that play a crucial role in building resilience: physical well-being, mental well-being, spiritual well-being, community of support, enjoyment and pleasure, and priority management. Within each pillar, there are daily, weekly, and monthly actions that contribute to overall well-being. Thrivers understand the importance of consistently investing time and energy in all six pillars.

During particularly demanding periods at work or home, thrivers may find themselves temporarily prioritizing other responsibilities and putting certain actions within each pillar on hold, such as exercise, healthy eating, or social connections. However, they are keenly aware that returning to these pillars after intense periods is vital for their long-term well-being. They also recognize that if work demands consistently require an unsustainable lifestyle of overwork, it may be a sign that the company culture is not the right fit for them. Thrivers prioritize living their lives in ways that align with their values and protect their health. It is a way of living and enjoying life focusing on what's most important for them. They transform stress by coming back to "living" these Vitality Principles. This does not mean they don't work hard. In fact, these talented individuals often excel in their roles, achieve high sales, secure leadership positions, and drive innovation.

Another benefit of the actionable Windhorse Vitality Model lies in its accessibility to people from all socio-economic backgrounds. The actions thrivers take do not demand significant financial investments in equipment or memberships, nor do they require specific timing. This makes the model inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their financial resources or job status.

Here are some actionable steps to incorporate into your life:

Pick One- Pick just one area you would like to focus on, set a goal for the next week such as taking 10 minutes by yourself when you get home from work. Commit to this goal for a week.
Replace- Identify habits that hinder your ability to thrive, such as excessive time spent on social media, and replace them with activities that promote vitality and well-being.
Amplifier – Discover an activity that benefits you across multiple resilience categories.

An inspiring real-life example of this is demonstrated by a colleague and friend of mine who is deeply passionate about marathon running. Despite having a full-time job and a busy community engagement schedule, she prioritizes her physical well-being and amplifies her resilience in numerous ways. Running with friends not only provides her with social time but also allows her to discuss ideas and maintain meaningful connections (community of support). Moreover, running serves as a spiritual practice for her, enabling her to connect with nature and find inner fulfillment (spiritual well-being). It also brings immense joy and pleasure to her life. Despite the demands of her 12-hour days, she consistently makes running a priority by scheduling it in her calendar every week. Her dedication and commitment are evident as she competes in marathons worldwide, consistently achieving top rankings in her age category. Notably, she continues to grow stronger, more flexible, and faster with each passing year, serving as a true inspiration.

By harnessing the potential of Windhorse Vitality Practices, you can embark on a journey of resilience, growth, and fulfillment. Experiment with these practices, have fun, and be open to learning and repeating what works for you. There's no need for guilt. Embrace the simplicity of taking one step at a time.
What's more, these vitality principles are good for individuals, for businesses, communities, and the world. Data show that the benefits cross domains - from individuals, to family, health, community, country, and the bottom lines of business.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts. We'd love to hear your insights, experiences, and ideas on this topic. Comment below and let's engage in a positive and enriching discussion together.

Visit us at:
Linked In
Ultimate Friend Quest Community
Youtube Channel

Sources:
1.     Maslach C, Jackson SE, Leiter MP. Maslach Burnout Inventory Manual. 3rd ed. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1996.
2.     “Burnout and Resilience, FAQ’s” was written by J. Adam Rindfleisch, MPhil, MD, (2014, updated 2017) https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/burnout-resilience.asp#ref-5
3.     Armitage, S, Ph.D, Doctoral Dissertation 2016, A Blueprint for Work-Life Integration and Stress Reduction: Mindset, Behaviors and Life Outcomes

]]><![CDATA[Harnessing Windhorse Energy: Overcoming Adversity and Building Inner Strength]]>Wed, 31 May 2023 20:19:40 GMThttp://thewindhorsejourney.com/blog/harnessing-windhorse-energy-overcoming-adversity-and-building-inner-strength

Drawing inspiration from Windhorse vitality practices that resonate worldwide, we embark on a quest to hone our inner resources, transform obstacles, and emerge stronger in the face of adversity. Windhorse represents strength, vitality, and the energy needed to overcome life's challenges.

In this article, we will explore the best practices, stories, and insights from high-quality research and articles on deepening your inner resources and thriving.

Life is filled with unexpected challenges and adversities that can test our strength and coping ability. However, the ability to recover, adapt, and thrive in the face of adversity is a skill that can be developed and cultivated.

Understanding Resilience
Resilience is not simply about surviving or enduring difficult times, it is also a doorway to grow stronger in the process. Our research shows that resilient individuals possess a set of psychological traits and coping mechanisms that allow them to adapt and bounce back from adversity. These traits include optimism, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, social support, and problem-solving skills.

The Role of Coaching
Coaching is a powerful tool that helps individuals strengthen and expand their flourishing abilities. Coaches provide "safe thought space," support, guidance, and practical strategies to help individuals navigate challenging situations to deepen their capacity and capability. By working with a coach, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their strengths, develop effective coping strategies, and cultivate a positive mindset to overcome obstacles both at work and home.

Resilience in Action
Numerous stories highlight the transformative power of resilience. One such story is that of J.K. Rowling, the renowned author of the Harry Potter series. Rowling faced hardship as a single young mother, plus multiple rejections and setbacks before her manuscript was finally accepted. Her resilience, coupled with her unwavering belief in her work, led to the creation of one of the most successful book series in history. This story underscores the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and willingness to adapt to reality to achieve one's goals.

Best Practices for Building Resilience
a. Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Embracing a growth mindset, which focuses on learning, development, and the belief that abilities can be improved, enhances resilience. Individuals with a growth mindset see setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.

b. Building a Supportive Network: Social support is a crucial factor in resilience. Building and maintaining strong relationships with friends, family, and mentors can provide emotional support, encouragement, and guidance during challenging times.

c. Cultivating "Me First" Practices: Prioritizing activities that nurture your well-being, including exercise, self-reflection, ample sleep, and a balanced diet, significantly contributes to your overall wellness and strengthens your physical, mental, and emotional stamina. Ensure these essential self-care activities by scheduling dedicated time in your calendar.

d. Emotional Regulation: Mastering the art of managing and regulating emotions empowers individuals to navigate challenging situations with clarity and composure. Recognizing emotions as valuable information serves as a stepping stone toward developing deeper empathy and social attunement, fostering stronger relationships with both oneself and others. Additionally, incorporating techniques that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, such as intentional rhythmic breathing, present-moment awareness, and reframing negative thoughts, enhances emotional regulation and facilitates quicker recovery from stress.

e. Setting Realistic Goals: Setting clear and attainable goals empowers individuals with a sense of direction and purpose. Breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable steps not only builds motivation but also boosts accomplishment. Recognizing the concept of "good enough" and avoiding a self-defeating perfectionist mindset conserves energy and fosters satisfaction.

Resilience in the Workplace
What is good for individuals is good for organizations, communities, and society as a whole. Resilience is not limited to personal challenges but also plays a crucial role in the professional sphere. Employees who practice resilience exhibit improved customer service, lower burnout rates, and are less likely to leave high-stress and toxic environments. Resilient employees are more adaptable, productive, and better equipped to handle workplace stress.

Organizations have a significant role in fostering employee resilience through the promotion of a positive work environment, provision of training and development programs, and the encouragement of open communication and feedback. In fact, during my recent conversations with several highly talented young engineers, I was inspired by their resolute commitment to seek employment only in organizations that prioritize positive workplace cultures. Their unwavering dedication serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of creating an environment that nurtures and supports employees' well-being and growth.

In conclusion, embracing the inherent power of Windhorse energy empowers us not only to overcome adversity but also to emerge stronger, both as individuals and as businesses. By diligently cultivating the Windhorse skillset, fostering a mindset of growth, and cultivating supportive relationships, we not only navigate life's challenges with vitality but also thrive in the process. Let us harness the potential of Windhorse energy and embark on a journey of resilience, growth, and fulfillment.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts. We'd love to hear your insights, experiences, and ideas on this topic. Comment below and let's engage in a positive and enriching discussion together.

Visit us at:
Linked In
Ultimate Friend Quest Community
Youtube Channel

]]><![CDATA[5 Ways to strengthen your friendships and build lasting connections]]>Wed, 24 May 2023 19:14:41 GMThttp://thewindhorsejourney.com/blog/5-ways-to-strengthen-your-friendships-and-build-lasting-connectionsFriendship is an essential part of life. Friends provide us with companionship, support, and laughter. They help us through difficult times and celebrate our successes. But even the best friendships can fade over time. If you want to strengthen your friendships and build lasting connections, here are five things you can do:

Be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not just to make friends. People can spot a fake a mile away. Be genuine and authentic, and you'll attract people who appreciate you for who you are.
Be a good listener. People love to talk about themselves, so be a good listener. Show that you're interested in what they have to say, and ask questions to keep the conversation going.
Be supportive. Be there for your friends when they need you. Offer your support and encouragement, and be someone they can always count on.
Be forgiving. Everyone makes mistakes. If your friend does something to hurt you, be willing to forgive them. Holding on to grudges will only damage your friendship.
Spend time together. Friendships need to be nurtured. Make an effort to spend time with your friends, whether it's going out for coffee, going to the movies, or just hanging out at home.

If you follow these tips, you'll be well on your way to strengthening your friendships and building lasting connections.
Here are some additional tips that can help you strengthen your friendships:

Be reliable. When you make plans with your friends, be sure to show up. If you can't make it, let them know as soon as possible.
Be honest. Honesty is essential in any relationship, but it's especially important in friendships. If you have a problem with your friend, talk to them about it. Don't gossip behind their back.
Be positive. A positive attitude can go a long way in strengthening your friendships. Be someone who brings out the best in your friends, and who makes them feel good about themselves.

Building strong friendships takes time and effort, but it's worth it. Friends make life more enjoyable, and they can provide us with the support we need to get through tough times. So don't be afraid to reach out and make new friends. You never know who you might meet!

Interested in practicing these skills with a like-minded group? Join us at Ultimate Friend Quest.

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