John S. Gordon - Business and Personal Coach

"You have the greatness and the power.  I just help you turn on the switch."

MARVELOUS MONDAYS

 

April 29, 2013 - Issue 223   

 

Connection-The 2nd Step to Peak Performance

 

  

This is a fourth in a series on achieving peak performance for yourself and others you may manage. I acknowledge as a resource Edward Hallowell, psychiatrist, neuroscience expert and best-selling author.
Dear ,

 

Welcome to Issue 223.  If you did not receive a previous issue, you may use the archive link below to view it now.  The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships. 

 

Please feel free to forward "Marvelous Mondays" to others who will enjoy it.

 

PEAK PERFORMANCE IS SYNONMOUS WITH THE CYCLE OF EXCELLENCE

Dr. Shine used a 5 step process for achieving Peak Performance, which Dr. Hallowell also calls the Cycle of Excellence.

 

 

CONNECTION-THE 2ND STEP IN THE CYCLE OF EXCELLENCE 

Dr. Hallowell describes connection as:

  1. A bond someone feels with another person, a group, a mission, or a project.  
  2. It stirs feelings of attachment, loyalty, inspiration, or a willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of the connection. 

ISOLATION-THE OPPOSITE OF CONNECTION 

In our fast paced and high tech world of emails, voice mails, teleconferencing, etc., personal connections are rare, which can lead to isolation in the work place. 

 

 

THE CONSEQUENCES OF ISOLATION 

  1. Work Consequences. The Karolinska Institute published a study known as "Poor Leadership Poses a Health Risk at Work" showing that disconnected or isolated employees are more likely to be sick and miss work.   
  2. Health Consequences. Sarah Burgard refers to her findings in her article entitled "Perceived Job Insecurity and Worker Health in the United States" published in the Social Sciences and Medicine 69, No. #5 (2009):777-785. Her research showed that isolated employees often have job insecurity, which can be more harmful to them than actually losing their job. She found that job insecurity was a more reliable predictor of bad health than even smoking or high blood pressure. 
  3. Early Death. Harvard professor Lisa Berkman pioneered a study entitled "Social Networks, Host Resistance and Mortality", American Journal of Epidemiology 109 #2 1979:186-04. The conclusion of this study is that social isolation can lead to early death.
  4. Summary of Consequences. The opposite of isolation is connection. The obvious conclusion is that connection is good for you and your organization. 

 

 

EXERCISE

This week I invite you to do the following exercises for better connection:

  1. Encourage "human moments" in the workplace. This means some face to face contact at least every two hours. 
  2. Praise people genuinely. 
  3. Encourage people to reach out-just like Dr. Shine. 

 

 


businessman shaking hands 

 

"The only thing that really matters in life are your relationships with other people."

 

George Vaillaint-psychiatrist and expert on happiness and success

JOHN'S BIO
John has owned several businesses and is an attorney who has practiced in the business and estate  areas.  In addition, he coaches business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, speech makers and presenters.  He also coaches persons who are determined to accelerate their careers and leadership skills or who are considering a career move or retirement.  John uses coaching as a tool in his leadership and business results based consulting.  He is also a life coach.

                   **John is currently accepting a few new coaching clients.**

Did you miss a previous issue of Marvelous Mondays?

Click here to view an Archive.