A simple hack to boost morale in the workplace.

I shared an incident I had a couple of weeks ago with a dear friend, and it sparked a conversation that sparked my thinking. The incident began when I cycled down a huge hill (Paekakariki Hill, for those who know it). I thought the drama was over once I got to the top. I was wrong!

The Crash

In this incident, I lost my tyres on the way down due to many broken rocks, stones and debris that had rolled off the hills. This caused my tubes to pinch, and I lost my brakes. When your tyres are flat, your brakes are useless, and bikes don't stop when rolling downhill with no brakes, just in case you were thinking of riding up a big hill after it rains.

I had to put myself in the hands of the Gods because at the bottom of the hill is traffic, and lots of it, going North and South. As I desperately grabbed at the brakes till my hands felt like they were breaking, I had to make a decision. Fall down the hill and break my neck, plough into the slope on the other side and potentially get a head injury, or take my chances that there would be a break in the traffic at the bottom.

Somehow, a miracle happened. I got a gap in the traffic and thought I would make it. I didn't. I still crashed, and it was still ugly, and there was much blood and pain, but I am here to tell the tale. This crash has and continues to affect me profoundly. It was a near-death moment that impacted where I saw my place in the world in a way that removed all limiting beliefs and burned my protective layer. (You know, the one we create so we can fit in?)

I saw the truth in my life in a good way.

The Reframe

My wonderful friend and I spoke about gratitude being a by-product of recognition. As he framed it, he explained, "A bit like going down the hill on your bike, missing all the traffic, recognising you are one lucky girl, and appreciating you might look at alternative routes in the future." The feeling that my crash could have had a terrible outcome changed how my brain fired almost immediately. I no longer cared about how I presented my views. So you see, I can be Frank and Diplomatic simultaneously, but I've been leaning toward diplomacy a bit more of late.

Over the next few days, I realised I had been holding back, not sharing my perspectives, adding to conversations and making more effort to be part of the world in the way I imagined in my head. I was holding back because "who am I?"

The Purpose

Indulge me. My near-death experience has sparked a fire in me. I'm on a mission and intend to be a bit louder about how I see the world of work! Being grateful allows me to reset not only my life but but reminds me why I chose to be in my own business and the values that underpin what I do for others.

You see, my purpose has always been to heal the world of work. It might sound a bit fluffy, but it is a business imperative for growth and an opportunity to spark hope in businesses stuck in the doldrums. Focusing on people is a way to look at growing productivity from another angle.

A new perspective going into 2023 might be the tool that helps small businesses survive and thrive as we start a new year. A wise man once told me that if your perspective is the only one that gets heard, you better be the most intelligent person in the room. So here's my perspective for what it's worth.

The Lesson

So often, we resist speaking our truth for fear up upsetting others. But, unfortunately, some of us tell our truth bluntly and without empathy and have no trouble disturbing others.

Perspective is personal to the person who has a view to share. However, I have worked in large organisations that shut down viewpoints because the only people with ideas of value are supposedly those who "lead" others. As a result, resentment, disillusionment, stress and anxiety lay here, along with poor retention, absenteeism, presenteeism (even worse), and decreased productivity.

Your perspective is only as valuable as your ability to listen to others; everyone offers ideas and views from many different realities. This is what diversity is about, not just a box to tick or a course to send your people on.

True leaders listen, summarise and make decisions based on ALL the data. It makes people feel like they are part of something, not just doing a job. Instead, managers shut people down and keep control of their teams.

?Encourage others to speak up, use the power of good questions followed by silence to understand, and resist the urge to hear the argument so you can argue back. You could make a difference in someone's life; we only have one.