J. Davies Picture 
 Happy Holidays From
 J. Davies & Associates - A Professional Development Corporation
Reach Higher  
With J. Davies & Associates 
Your Professional Development Newsletter December, 2009
In This Issue
It's About You!
What's New?
Becoming an Influencer
Centered Leadership
The Power of Gratitude
It's About You!

Juanita Davies

In this month's e-newsletter you will find tips and information that will help you have a positive influence on others and increase your effectiveness as a leader.
 
These articles will give you:
1. Steps to increase your sphere of influence
2. A checklist for Successful Leadership
3.  Proven benefits to having a grateful attitude
 

If you have a comment or suggestion for our newsletter,  please email me, Juanita Davies, at
  [email protected]
 
What's New?

Juanita Davies
 
We are excited about our new video which documents the professional development process that was so successful in helping the Webster School District to optimize their Professional Learning Community.  Watch for a notice in your email announcing the availability of this motivational video.
 
To learn more about any of our professional development programs, please visit our website jdaviesandassocites.com
 

Quick Links...
 
 
Coming up....
 
Learn more about Effective Marketing  in our next newsletter!
 
Join Our Mailing List

Many Thanks
 
We are thankful for all of you who continue to read and to stay in touch.
 
If you would like to see past issues of our Reach Higher newsletter, you can access them through our Newsletter Archives Page . Have a blessed holiday!
 
 
Juanita Davies 
Welcome to the December edition of J. Davies & Associates REACH HIGHER. 
Information, inspiration and motivation to help you excel in your professional & personal life. 
Visit our web site at: www.jdaviesandassociates.com
 
Becoming a Person of Influence
 
We all have occasions to influence others. Whether it's a Influencercolleague at work, a family member, a student or even ourselves, there are times when we want to have a positive influence on someone's behavior. The book Influencer, the Power to Change Anything, McGraw Hill, 2008, offers strategies that can result in changed lives. 
 
Many of us rely on verbal persuasion to get people to change. Wouldn't it be great if your best friend would stop smoking just because you lecture him or her on all the health dangers associated with that habit? It would be so easy if your co-workers would adopt the complex new procedure you are proposing just because your presentation was brilliant!  Unfortunately, the authors say that verbal persuasion rarely works. It often comes across as an attack and can feel like nagging, manipulation or pressure. As you can imagine, that approach can cause a person to dig in their heels and become more resistant to influence.
 
So, what does work? When people are considering making a change they ask themselves 2 questions: "Will it be worth it?" and "Can I do it?" Here are some things you can do to increase your sphere of influence and help key folks in your life make a change for the better.
 
  
Centered Leadership
In preparation for this year's Women on Wall Street conference,  I took part in a leadership survey that was sent out to all participants.  While this survey focused on women leaders, the results have a broad application.
 
Based upon the model of "Centered Leadership" developed by McKinsey & Company, the survey measures a leader's effectiveness and satisfaction in five categories. The higher your mastery of these five capabilities, the greater your success potential.  Here are the categories:
  1. Meaning: To love what you do and believe that it matters
  2. Framing: Viewing life events through a positive lens & adapting to handle difficult situations
  3. Connecting: Building strategic alliances & strong support networks
  4. Engaging: The ability & willingness to take risks
  5. Energizing: Practicing ways to sustain & renew your energy

Think about yourself and how you "measure up" in each of these categories. Is there one area where you know you can use some improvement? Why not make it a goal to increase your own effectiveness and satisfaction as a leader and work to maximize your mastery of these capabilities? To learn more, read the McKinsey Quarterly article on Centered Leadership.

 
The Power of Gratitude
                                                        
An "Attitude of Gratitude". You may have heard that phrase before, but do you know that there are proven benefits to having a thankful attitude?
 
In his research into the positive effects of gratitude, Robert Emmons, University of California, discovered that those who practiced thankfulness had increased levels of the chemicals serotonin & dopamine, that are associated with pleasure & contentment. His study documents a plethora of benefits such as:
 
*  Increased optimism
*  Reduction of reported "ill health" physical symptoms
*  Higher alertness, determination, enthusiasm & energy
*  Improved sleep
*  Lower levels of stress & depression
 
One simple way to increase your awareness of the good things happening in your life is to create a create a Gratitude Journal. Studies done by Martin Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness, show that a weekly recording of the good things happening in your life will bring about increased mental and physical well-being.
 
Expression your thanks or appreciation for a job well done can help improve the morale of the people around you. In our seminars on Interpersonal Communication, we teach folks how to give and receive Positive Feedback. Be specific when letting someone know they have done a great job or have provided a beneficial service. And, here's a hint when on the receiving end of someone's gratitude: say "Thank you!" and then, zip it!!  You don't need to add qualifying phrases like "Oh, it was nothing" or "I'd do that for anyone". Let the person know you value their appreciation!
 
This is a great time of year to begin a new gratefulness habit. Begin your Gratitude Journal by taking a weekly break to ponder and record thoughts like:
 
*3 things I'm grateful for
*4 good things that happened this week
*2 things that made me smile
 
There is a proverb that says "A cheerful heart is good medicine." So take some good medicine today and, while you're at it....pass it around.
 
 

� 2009 J. Davies & Associates. All rights reserved.