Mental Health, Stress and Mindset with Mark Butler

This week’s conversation was with Mark Butler, specialist in workplace mental health. We discussed returning to work after lock down, practical things leaders and organisations can do to address the roughly 30% of people who will return to work with significant mental health distress. If you’d like to contact Mark for more information visit his website or email him directly at: mark@markbutler.com.au.

And to watch our earlier sessions, you may check on the playlist here.

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Here's our line-up for the coming weeks: 

June 10 

Grant "Axe" Rawlinson - A Kiwi based in Singapore and an adventurer that makes the stuff I have done look mild. He played international rugby and has over 50 expeditions across the globe under his belt including walking across countries, cycling across continents, climbing Mt Everest and crossing sea's completely by human-power. We'll talk decision-making, goals in uncertainty, mindset when all seems lost.

June 17

Shaun Nannup - Human being and Aboriginal Elder. Shaun connects people with powerful stories of belonging. Aboriginal people have culture dating back at least 60 000 years in Australia. Shaun and I will discuss connection, sustainability, and what's important when you are focussed on legacy beyond your lifetime.

June 24

Bonnie Davies - Founder, CEO and Creative Director for Gelo. Bonnie is all about “Unboring things”. Bonnie is constantly rewriting the playbook for creative, performance based businesses. She also creates and becomes Famous Sharron. We'll talk innovation, doing things differently, refusing to quit and ask why so much stuff is boring.

Come and Join us 2:00 PM Perth time on Wednesdays.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

More than Words with Rachel Callander

This week we were joined by the amazing Rachel Callander wherein she went through some questions we can ask ourselves, our community, or our team to help us navigate communications as we head back to reconnecting and rebuilding relationships.

If you wish to contact Rachel or receive a copy of her workbook or tools around communication, you may visit her website at: rachelcallander.com.

And to watch our earlier sessions, you may check on the playlist here.

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We have a fantastic line up of guests for the Wednesday webcast in June: 

June 3

Mark Butler - Mental health, Stress and Mindset. Mark has researched mental health in workplaces extensively in a 25-year career globally. We'll explore the line between personal and collective responsibility for robust mental health and resilience. 

June 10 

Grant "Axe" Rawlinson - A Kiwi based in Singapore and an adventurer that makes the stuff I have done look mild. He played international rugby and has over 50 expeditions across the globe under his belt including walking across countries, cycling across continents, climbing Mt Everest and crossing sea's completely by human-power. We'll talk decision-making, goals in uncertainty, mindset when all seems lost.

June 17

Shaun Nannup - Human being and Aboriginal Elder. Shaun connects people with powerful stories of belonging. Aboriginal people have culture dating back at least 60 000 years in Australia. Shaun and I will discuss connection, sustainability, and what's important when you are focussed on legacy beyond your lifetime.

June 24

Bonnie Davies - Founder, CEO and Creative Director for Gelo. Bonnie is all about “Unboring things”. Bonnie is constantly rewriting the playbook for creative, performance based businesses. She also creates and becomes Famous Sharron. We'll talk innovation, doing things differently, refusing to quit and ask why so much stuff is boring.

Come and Join us 2:00 PM Perth time on Wednesdays.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Human and Social Impacts with Suzanne Waldron

I had a wonderfully warm and generative conversation with  Suzanne Waldron. We discussed so many things including economics, contentment, striving and production, change, art, spirituality and more. There are sure to be some gems for you in there - enjoy!

To watch our earlier webcasts, you may click on the playlist here.

Next week…

More than Talk with Rachel Callander, Global speaker, Author and master communicator. Connection is key to humanity. Connecting/reconnecting with people, reversing isolation, communication with artful care.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Forecasting for Real with Michael Ford

Forecast is never about predicting, it's about preparing.

This week, Michael Ford joined us to talk about 'how a robust forecasting process is essential as we design pathways through and out of COVID'. 

The discussion touched on:

• Forecasting

• Growth

• Budgeting

• Recovery

To watch the webcast, click on the link below:

If you have questions for Michael, visit Castaway, or contact him through Linkedin here.

To watch our earlier sessions, you may click on the playlist here.

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Here's again our guests in the next couple of weeks:

20 May - People Impacts with Suzanne Waldron, Human behaviour specialist and TEDex Curator. COVID19 impacted many and will for some time. Many people also made an impact during this time. A lively exploration of globally important issues and thinking. 

27 May - More than Talk with Rachel Callander, Global speaker, Author and master communicator. Connection is key to humanity. Connecting/reconnecting with people, reversing isolation, communication with artful care.

See you in our next session!

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19, Threats, Opportunities and COVIDSafe App with Brian Smith

This week, Brian Smith, Founder and CEO of QuadIQ, shared what security threats, and opportunities we may need to navigate through post restriction world, and his thoughts in using the COVIDSafe App.

To watch the webcast, click on the link below:

If you have questions for Brian or if you wish to know how QuadIQ can help, you may contact him through: brian.smith@quadiq.com. 

To watch our earlier sessions, you may click on the playlist here.

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Here's again our line-up for May as we switch our focus to recovery and evolving:

13 May - Forecasting for Real with Michael Ford, Founder and CEO of Castaway Forecasting, an Aussie business going global. Meaningful forecasting? Wishful thinking, doomsday or warm figures plucked from the air. We’ll get real about forecasting that makes a difference.

20 May - People Impacts with Suzanne Waldron, Human behaviour specialist and TEDex Curator. COVID19 impacted many and will for some time. Many people also made an impact during this time. A lively exploration of globally important issues and thinking. 

27 May - More than Talk with Rachel Callander, Global speaker, Author and master communicator. Connection is key to humanity. Connecting/reconnecting with people, reversing isolation, communication with artful care.

See you in our next session!

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19, Principles and Pillars of Recovery with Steven Young

This week, Mike interviewed Stephen Young, expert in crisis response about recovery from a crisis. Steve led the response/recovery team for Cyclone Larry in Queensland, 2006. At the time it was the largest natural disaster response in Australian history - Steve and his team significantly contributed to current crisis response and recovery methodology.

"Whilst we may well be ready to recover, personally, or as an organisation or small business, those around you may not be ready to recover...

Recovery solutions are typically complicated because they are multi-faceted. Everybody recovers at different speeds."

To watch the full video, you may click on the video link below:

 You may access and share Steve's the 5 Key Crisis Leadership Task here.

To learn more and connect with Steve, you may visit his website at: www.tpcm.com.au.

And watch the rest of the webcast series here.

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As mentioned in this session this week, reflection is an important piece to our recovery, so we are pressing pause next week... no new content or guests.

We would instead take the time to touch base with the people present in the call; tackle questions that may have arisen from what we have discussed over the last few weeks; and to know what you would like to hear in the coming weeks.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19, Showing Up is Half the Battle with Pip Loader

It was a great session with Pip Loader this week, with this quote to sum it all up:

"Your Life is a series of Balloon rides"

SHOW UP, MAKE IT COUNT!

To watch the full video, you may click on the video below:

You may download and share the Show Up Worksheet here.

To learn more and connect with Pip, you may visit her website at: www.piploader.com

And watch the rest of the webcast series here.

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As we saw a couple of weeks ago, a leader during a crisis such as Covid-19 crisis ideally fulfills 5 Key Leadership Tasks, these are Sense-making, Decision-making & Coordination, Meaning-making, Accounting & Termination, and finally Learning. During next week’s session, we will have Stephen Young back to discuss the challenges we will face planning for recovery from this unprecedented global crisis. History shows that those that plan their recovery well and that learn from a crisis will not only bounce back, but more importantly they’ll bounce forward.  

Better practice recovery demands that the crisis leader develops an in depth understanding of the context, the complexities, the coordination and communication requirements that recovery will require.

Stephen will discuss the principles and pillars of recovery and respond to key questions about what you can do within your own organisations to recover from and bounce forward out of this crisis.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19, Leading in a Crisis with Stephen Young

Stephen shared with us three of the 5 Key Leadership Tasks:

1. Sense making

2. Decision-making & coordination

3. Meaning making

Here is the handout to Stephen's discussion.

To learn more and connect with Stephen, you may visit his website at: www.tpcm.com.au​​​​​​​.

You may also listen and share last week's video below:

Click on the complete playlist for Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 here.

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Watch out for this week's video with Pip Loader on the topic SHOWING UP IS HALF THE BATTLE!

How are you showing up right now? Are you bringing your best self to the table? Or are there cracks appearing in your ‘diplomacy dike’?

Whether you are leading or working in a team, are a parent with kids now home 24/7, or you are simply wanting to focus your time and energy where it is needed the most right now, this session will provide a practical framework to help you work through how to show up as the best version of you, for yourself and others, as we navigate this current journey. 

Pip Loader works in Leadership & Team development, helping people connect, create and deliver impact in their day-to-day work and lives.  This session is part of based on a section of her ‘Meaningful Leadership’ coaching program (and slightly adapted for current times!)  Pip is a firm believer that ‘Everything we do, starts and ends, with people’.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19, Decision Making with Jason Clarke

Jason Clarke’s session on decision-making was informative and tactical. Lots of practical advice for making tough decisions. Click below to watch the recording. 

The tools Jason covered can be found here, along with many other tools for thinking.

If you would like to contact Jason his email is jason@mindsatwork.com.au.

Previous sessions can be found here.

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Next week, I'll be talking to Stephen Young who is a 40-year veteran of local and international crisis management. His company Turning Point Crisis Management works with leaders to build organisational resilience and responsiveness. Stephen and I have presented together and independently on crisis management courses for Fire Services, Biosecurity, Police Counter Terrorism, Oil Spill Response Teams (local, federal and global).

In a crisis, there are 5 key leadership tasks:

1. Sensemaking,

2. Decision-making & coordination,

3. Meaning making,

4. Accounting for the response, and

5. Learning for improvement/future prevention.

We'll discuss the first 3; how can we make sense of this Coronavirus situation, what decisions must we make and how will we make these, and finally how will we make meaning of this crisis to all of our stakeholders. Crisis leaders get harshly judged when they passively stand by and wait for the situation to unfold. How can you ensure you are proactive enough without being foolhardy?

More about Stephen here.

I look forward to seeing you on the call.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 with Dr. Jenny Brockis

This week, Dr Jenny Brockis and I discussed the difference between COVID 19 and regular flu, how to keep yourself mentally and physically well in social distancing, and tactics for finding the upside in unprecedented times.

If you wish to learn more from Dr. Jenny Brockis and find out how she can be of support, you may contact her at: jenny@drjennybrockis.com.

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Next week, April 1st, we will be joined by Jason Clarke.

Jason Clarke - Mindworker, celebrated author, adventurer, gold medal Olympian and popular TV chef; Jason is none of these things. He is, however, one of the most sought-after creative minds in the country. As founder of Minds at Work, he’s helped people ‘think again’ since the end of the last century, working with clients across Australia in virtually every industry and government sector on issues ranging from creativity and trouble shooting to culture change and leadership.

Jason and I will be discussing HOW TO MAKE DECISIONS YOU PROBABLY WON’T REGRET. The only real measure of a decision being ‘good or ‘bad’ is how happily you could live with its consequences, which means that thinking through those possibilities in advance is better than discovering them once the decision’s been made. Learn simple back-of-the-envelope techniques for anticipating the mistakes you’re about to make.

If you have any questions that you would like us to discuss/answer during the webcast, you may post them here. Jason and I will aim to answer all your questions.

See you next week!

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.

Join the weekly Don’t Panic - Surviving COVID19 webcast here.

Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.

Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Unshakeable?

Toilet paper madness still reigns supreme in Australia. It is simultaneously funny and tragic. Last week I wrote about the madness in Dunny Paper, Dentists and Disease.

On a more serious note, there are lessons for leaders in the apparent about face of Aussies.

Only months ago, Australia was in the global news spotlight for very different reasons. The country was burning. Facing that wide spread tragedy, Australians showed the very best of our culture to each other and the world. We stood shoulder to shoulder and faced the flames. Countless hours and millions of dollars of tangible support flowed. It was backed up by even more emotional support. While much was lost, the fires were a reminder of the power of people aligned to a common cause. We were shocked and grieving and we were Unshakeable.

Coronavirus has revealed a different face. We are skittish and reactive. We are more likely to turn on each other to ensure our own interests, including resorting to violence. Our blindspots and biases cloud our vision, resulting in boycotts of local Chinese business and hoarding of paper (Neither of which make the slightest difference to the virus). Many of us are expressing sorrow and shock at what we are seeing here. How can it be that a culture can turn so quickly? 

There are some key differences between the challenges faced, leading to very different responses. I outline a few below with recommendations for leaders in any uncertain environment.

So while media and social media coverage have an impact, we are also facing dramatically different circumstances. Both the fires and COVID19 are disruptive and threatening, but they show up in very different ways. 

What are you doing as a leader (whether you lead yourself, your family, a small team, an organisation, or a country) to make COVID19 tangible?

What is within your control, and how are you rallying focus and energy around that? 

In the absence of answers, we will continue to see people reactivity acting in their own interests, potentially to the detriment of much that we hold dear.

Let’s be Unshakeable and hold the line.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakeable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakeable teams here.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakeable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Dunny Rolls, Dentists and Disease

COVID19, pass it on! 

And we did… this is one of the most ridiculously contagious events of modern times. Symptoms are showing up everywhere… and few of them are flu like. 

Why just yesterday I was in the local supermarket and there was not a single dunny roll to be had. Even the single ply home brand was sold out.

I rang my brother the dentist to have a whinge and got zero sympathy. Turns out that he’s got bigger things on his mind than being unwiped. In not many days, he’ll be out of medical masks. No Mask, no appointments. No appointments, no income! Supplies are critically low across Australia as people rush masks with the same intensity as dunny rolls. Experts say that wearing a mask if you are infected is a good idea, but not particularly useful for a well person trying to stay well. Given how low infection rates are, one wonders what people are using them for. Some are wearing them around their chin, nose and mouth merrily exposed, so maybe it’s all in the name of fashion.

Meanwhile a mate in London reports that China town revenue is down 50% on this time last year. People are staying away in droves. Apparently a COVID19 symptom is to be unreasonably afraid of anyone who looks Chinese! Really??? 

As a survival specialist a number of people have asked me if they should adopt a “prepper” mindset, stockpiling for a potential 14 day period of isolation at home. Here are my tips on that:

1. There’s way bigger things to worry about especially given some experts are saying this has less impact than the regular flu and is past peak infection.

2. If you do decide to “Prep” (And please don't) food and water are a way bigger priority than dunny rolls. 14 days with no food would leave little need to wipe. Dehydration can kill, and a major symptom of death is that your bum stops working along with the rest of you. Most of us would be able to get by on the non perishables and stuff we have in our fridge anyway, even if it meant eating that limp carrot.

3. Give our health professionals, supply chains and Chinese Aussies a break and adopt a business as usual approach.

4. Of course pay attention to hygiene and be alert if there are people around you with respiratory symptoms, but that makes sense anytime, not just now.

The final straw for this article was a truck carrying toilet paper that caught fire in Brisbane over night. Fire officer Justin Francis said “This is not overly common, particularly around the city areas but the main thing is no-one got hurt tonight and we've been able to save quite a lot of toilet paper.” I don’t know why the truck caught fire, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find that a couple of million Aussies intensely meditating on the need for a healthy supply of dunny rolls, led to it spontaneously combusting.

On the up side, it seems like Brisbane fireys will be right for dunny paper, at least for the foreseeable future, and I reckon if push comes to shove there will be more than 14 days of tucker in the Asian aisle at the local supermarket. 

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakable teams here.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Thriving Under Pressure

People who Thrive and Adapt fully accept and face the circumstances they are in. They recognise what they can control and what they can’t. They don’t waste energy on things they can’t change. Thrivers recognise the flow of what is happening around them and use it to their advantage. They take action, solve problems and take responsibility for the outcomes.

That realistic take on circumstances is key. It's both liberating and intimidating to fully face your situation.

Thrivers create calm and opportunity for themselves and others. They are highly effective in any circumstances they face. They are constantly seeing, shifting and doing - hunting for the most effective way forward.

How squarely do you face your circumstances? How well do you make it possible for others to do that if you are a leader?

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakable teams here.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Where's the Line

There’s a line between influence and manipulation. Being on the wrong side of it is dangerous. It’s like crossing the centre line into oncoming traffic. You might survive occasional crossings, but eventually you’ll crash.

It’s interesting how people respond to change. Some rapidly adapt while others resist until it’s inevitable. I wonder where you sit.

For a number of years, I was tasked with leading change in a large disability services organisation. It was one of Australia’s oldest registered charities, so there were traditions and mindsets that could be traced back over 100 years. Many staff had worked there 30 plus years. That stability led to deep corporate knowledge, but also significant reluctance to change.

My role was unusual. I had no budget and no staff. I was tasked with complex situations that most preferred to avoid. My only real tool was influence.

Influence is the process of getting someone to act and/or think the way you want them too. We influence people all the time. Partners, kids, colleagues and customers. Some cross the line between influence and manipulation.

Manipulation is influence using devious or morally questionable methods for your own advantage.

Some examples of Manipulation are:

• Implying that sex will win you favour (promotions or preferential treatment)

• Bribes, intimidation and threats

• Claiming credit for the work of others

• Pitting people against each other.

These things can be really overt and clearly over the line or much subtler. The TV reality show Survivor is built on manipulation. Everyone is clearly there to be the final winner, so they pull every piece of manipulation they can think of to win.

Examples of Positive Influence are:

• Mentoring

• Building an intentional culture and code of conduct for the workplace

• Setting targets that lift performance

• Being kind to others

• Helping others achieve results - adding value

The line between manipulation and influence is marked by intent. The more ruthlessly you police your own line, the more enduring your results will be.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakable teams here.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Influence

One of the greatest sources of stress for people is confusing the line between control and influence. If I feel like I have some control over your actions and you behave differently to my expectations, I'll experience frustration and stress. Like a driver who rants at the drivers around them in traffic. They expect people will drive differently, and their rant will make a difference. When it doesn't, they get even more cranky. I understand, and I'm not immune, especially in merging lanes (really Perth how hard is it?) however such rants are ineffective and stressful ways to influence.

We have a choice to influence or not. One way to reduce stress is to limit the amount of people and situations you choose to influence. Pick the ones that are worthwhile and important.

Be aware that the outcome is not in your control. When we exert influence the result may be different than what we expect. Be as clear as possible about the outcome and then hold the expectation lightly for less stress.

If you choose to influence someone, choose the best tactics. Is it a casual conversation? Maybe it's better to involve someone else and influence indirectly. Should it be formal? How much force or incentive is available and what are the long term consequences of those? Is it a one off, like asking someone to move their trolley so you can get past, or one of many with someone close to you? Can you add value to them in some way? Pick the best tactics for the situation.

Next week we'll look at the difference between manipulation and influence.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakable teams here.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

What Can You control?

There’s been a theme over the last few weeks – Overwhelm. I have spoken to front line staff and CEOs, and they are all saying that the year has just kicked off but they are already feeling overloaded. Some of the threads are:

• To do lists growing faster than the ability to tick them off.

• Increased scrutiny.

• Growing pressure to justify budgets and approaches.

• Disruptive change

• People working against each other sometimes on the same team.

And more… and all coupled with fatigue and a mind that is hard to still in the whirlwind.

When psychologists study the Survivor Personality, they look for attributes that consistently show up in people who beat the odds. One attribute is they focus on what they can control and make sure they do a cracking job of that. They either ignore things outside their control or are very discerning when exerting energy on things they can’t control.

Stephen Covey mapped 3 layers:

1. Control - the things you can directly control. You take an action and there is a direct result. This ‘bucket’ is generally relatively small. How you prepare, how you work, what you say, think and do are in this bucket. Other people’s actions are generally not.

2. Influence - things you can't directly control, but can have an influence over. Other people’s actions, preparation, opinions etc. fit here.

3. Concern - things you need to pay attention to, but you have no control or influence over.

(Covey articulated it well, but the idea has been around much longer. The Stoics of Ancient Greece and Rome have this as a central theme in their philosophy of life. if you’d like to know more about this very practical philosophy read “Happy” by Derrin Brown)

How does it work? The Pilbara region of WA has just experienced a once in 30-year storm event. If you lived in the path of the storm, damaging winds, and extreme rainfall are in the circle of concern. It’s wise to pay attention, but no amount of effort or worry on your part will change the fact that the storm is coming and will arrive in its own sweet time.

Ideally, we pay attention on things in our concern bucket, but don’t exert emotional energy like worry, fear, or anger over it, because that is wearing and entirely ineffective. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but often it’s simply a matter of deciding that that’s going to be your approach. What are the current ’storms’ in your bucket of concern? Sometimes we also need to consciously remove things from this bucket, especially when overwhelmed. Reserve ‘concern’ space for things that are current and directly relevant to you. Ditch the rest.

Influence in the storm might include encouraging a neighbour to clear up a big pile of scrap in their yard that could become flying missiles when the storm hits. You can influence that, but ultimately you have no control over whether they will clean the yard.

Control is your own preparation and action leading up to and during the storm.

When I am overwhelmed I find these buckets useful as a triage tool. I work out what I can control and focus most of my effort there.

What can you control?

Next week we'll look at ways to make the circle of influence more effective.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakable teams here.
Join Mike's Thrive and Adapt Workshop in Perth. $50 from each ticket will go to Australian Bushfire Relief.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Aiming for Unshakable Part II

Last week we looked at the least effective operating levels on the Unshakable Ladder. Did you find yourself there? Hopefully not this early into a new year. Let’s explore the top side of the ladder.

Resolute

Focussed on production and transactional success. Relies on drive rather than delight. Often impressive results. Perspectives include “mustn’t grumble, turn up, work, get paid, go home, rinse and repeat”. It looks resilient, because people bunker down and get it done. But tension is just below the surface. People find common enemies - the boss, or company, or the greenies, or the regulator. They say their team is fine. It’s ‘us and them’ Silos and bunkers galore. Cooperation, support or collaboration beyond the immediate tribe are extremely unlikely. If challenged or held to account, the blame game starts.

Cost of Resolute:

Time: Polarity. Productive in the immediate group. Wasted as people justify, defend and shift blame to others.

Happiness/engagement: Well-being and resilience are neutral. Individuals often report high engagement, but typically scores are low across the business.

Status: Results and toughness are highly valued.

Money: Isolated returns but broad waste due to lack of cohesion. 

Cohesive

Everyone heading in the same direction. Two draft horses can reputedly pull 3x the load of one. The cohesive team achieves more than the sum of their efforts. They relish working together. The strong focus on individual results, shifts to achieving results together.

Value of Cohesive:

Time: Well spent, efficient. Focussed on long term. Urgency diminishes as proactivity increases.

Happiness/engagement: High. People enjoy the team and the sense of productive purpose. Wellbeing and resilience are high.

Status: People feel a genuine part of something bigger.

Money: ROI increases due to effective and efficient focus on collective results.

Unshakable

Results become secondary. They are still important, in fact keeping score and seeking feedback have greater focus than at other levels. Teams rise above their transactions. They stand genuinely united and deeply committed to each other. Ego and fear are still present but no longer dominate. Teams actively seek to test themselves under pressure. They value growth.

Unshakable teams and people are like self-righting lifeboats. Rough seas might capsize them, but they roll back up and carry on.

Value of Unshakable:

Time: Output is high but rarely feels pressured.

Happiness/engagement: Very high. People feel highly purposeful, valuable and respected. Well-being and resilience are extremely high.

Status: Teams get widely recognised for their results and ways of working together

Money: ROI is massive. Teams are achieving beyond the sum of their efforts.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakable teams here.
Join Mike's Thrive and Adapt Workshop in Perth. $50 from each ticket will go to Australian Bushfire Relief.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Aiming for Unshakable Part I

An Unshakable team is adaptable and relishes challenges. An Unshakable organisation treats resilience and well-being as part of every result.

What’s needed to become Unshakable? The levels apply to individuals, teams, leadership, companies and sectors, and provide some guidance.

Fragile

Pressure causes a tailspin. Many people get dragged into the drama. Restoration is difficult and costly. Scars are felt for years.

I recently spoke to a HSEQ Manager. They had 2 suicides a week apart. Tragic loss of life. Unmeasurable, lifelong impact on their families, friends and peers. Camp was shut down for weeks. A supervisor took 6 months off to deal with grief and feelings of guilt and responsibility. The company was bracing for the 12-month anniversary. This time of year will never be the same for them. Aside from the unmeasurable human costs, there are significant legal and economic risks too. Suicide is a worst-case scenario, but every instance of stress leave, mental illness, loss of focus or rumination on problems has a tail and a cost. People want to get out of the fragile state, but often can’t see how.

Cost of Fragile:

Time: picking up the pieces, holding things together

Happiness/engagement: Well-being and resilience declining. Engagement may seem high as people try to ‘rescue’ each other or the situation, but stress and unhappiness are rising.

Status: People can bond over drama which creates more drama.

Money: Increased cost. Opportunities lost.

Reactive

Like‘whack-a-mole’. No plan, no strategy, trying to stay ahead of the game. Reactive is productive but easy to disrupt. Exhaustion is common - no light at the end of the tunnel. Proactive work goes out the window. Action-oriented people find the rush of ‘fixing on the fly’ addictive. In monotonous environments, reactive feels important and purposeful. Time pressure and addictive appeal can make it hard to shift.

Cost of Reactive:

Time: Wasted on immediate fixes not underlying causes.

Happiness/engagement: Well-being and resilience low. The buzz of overcoming hurdles falls away as stress, lack of progress and exhaustion kick in.

Status: Short term praise for quick fixes. Long term reputation for last minute, chaotic action.

Money: Short, focused bursts for unanticipated workload or issues can be useful. Long term, everything happens on the fly. High turnover, balls dropped, do overs, wasted time – all hurts bottom line.

Where do you and your team lie? 

Next week we’ll look at the more effective levels Resolute, Cohesive and Unshakable.

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More from Mike

Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakable teams here.
Join Mike's Thrive and Adapt Workshop in Perth. $50 from each ticket will go to Australian Bushfire Relief.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy

Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakable teams:

mike@mikehouse.com.au

+61 423 193 196

Resilience is Being Tested

Resilience is the ability to bounce back. With catastrophic fires across large parts of Australia at the moment, resilience is being tested. There are short-term ‘bounces' like these hard working firefighters grabbing a quick break, any way they can before the next round of solid work. Individuals and communities are in the immediate ‘bounce' of saving life, animals and property. There are resources being rallied, evacuation centres set up, help being sent. 

When the flames are finally extinguished the longer ‘bounce' of resilience begins - rebuilding houses and communities, restocking farms, recreating infrastructure. There will be even longer bounces in our environment as plants and animals try to re-establish themselves in damaged areas. Some places will take decades to recover, if they ever fully do.

I have been reflecting on immediate and longer term actions I can take to contribute to the resilience of my fellow Aussies at this time. I’m running a Thrive and Adapt course in Perth in February. The course is all about tools to help people deal with stress and pressure - to handle the circumstances that they face. I’m taking the following actions:

• $50 from every ticket sale will go directly to bushfire relief. That will be spread between community and environmental rebuilding efforts.

• I’m offering a tailored version of the course to DFES in WA with spaces for 50 emergency services volunteers to attend free of charge.

If you want to join me on the Perth course to make this contribution bigger you can book a ticket here. 

Add Gratitude

Gratitude has copped a flogging over the last few years. The world is filled with Insta worthy moments and posts about gratitude. Many of them seem to be staged happiness for public view or overtly ‘rose coloured glasses’.

Reality can be tough. This year family, colleagues, friends and clients have experienced some doozies including:

• Life threatening illness

• Loss of loved ones

• Significant accidents/injuries

• Breakups both personal and business

• Massive financial losses

• Failed projects

• Being shafted by unethical people around them

• And many more.

There’s a good chance people close to you may have experienced one or more of these too.

Life consists of some awesome moments where things are going beautifully, and also uncertainty, challenge, heartache, stress, and occasionally outright survival.

The beauty of gratitude is that it doesn’t require life to be going well. Even in the darkest of times there are things to be grateful for. A growing body of research clearly shows it changes how we think and view the world. Gratitude is not just about the rosy times. It’s an effective tactic on the dirtiest of days in the toughest seasons too.

My wish for you in this festive season is that whether you are currently experiencing the best moments of your life, or some of the worst, you will find some moments of deep gratitude.

Here are some specific ways to Add Gratitude at this time of year...

Service People - Say a genuine thanks for their service in restaurants, bars, transport, shops, entertainment and more. At this time of year service people often bear the brunt of people's frustration. Stop and consider for a moment how this busy time of year is for them and what their service enables you to do. Say thanks and tell them why you are grateful.

Booze Busses - Imagine the impact of looking the cop in the eye and saying "Thanks for the delay - I'm grateful that you are helping keep our streets safe.

For Leaders - Your people! What have you been able to achieve this year with them. You might express gratitude to them individually, or in a card. Maybe you'll do a big function.

For Followers - Your Leaders! Leaders rarely get thanked. It's more common that they will see only the issues and problems that people want them to solve. What opportunities have been created for you by the leaders in your life?

When you get a gift - OK so it's not what you wanted. If all you do is compare your gift to your expectation, you are likely to be disappointed. Be grateful for the time and thought that someone has taken to get you a gift.

Loved Ones - Often the people closest to us see us at our worst. At busy times of year like Christmas, it can seem like you are just plowing through endless lists of things to do. Deliberately set the intention of being kind and gentle to each other. Tell each other why you love them. Take the time to notice and tell them about at least one thing a day that they did to make your life easier, feel more supported, or put a smile on your face.

Yourself - What are some of your greatest strengths and passions? What opportunities have you had? What skills do you possess? What are you learning or contributing?

Connect with Place - Sometimes life throws massive challenges our way. In times like this gratitude can be hard. For many Christmas is a sad and depressing time of year filled with challenges. If that's you, if it's hard to find gratitude in any of the above, then maybe you can find it in this place. Australia is a very safe, very prosperous place compared to many other spots in the world right now. If even that seems too big a stretch for you focus on the micro in the place. Notice trees and their shade, clean drinking water, the song of a bird, warm sun on your back, the smile of a stranger, colours in the sky, the sea and the land, the smell of summer rain, or the first hint of a sea breeze on a hot day.

Research tells us that a daily habit of gratitude profoundly impacts our well-being. It significantly reduces depression, increases resilience, brings genuine happiness, creates a sense of progress and physically rewires our brain for greater creativity, problem solving ability and personal effectiveness. It's one of the easiest, quickest and cheapest gifts we can give ourselves and the people around us. And it also turns out that the impact on our well-being is about the same, regardless of whether we are grateful for big or small things. I could be grateful that I'm not living in Syria right now, or grateful for a silly conversation with my wife that made me laugh. The scale of those things is vastly different, but their impact on me when I am grateful for them is similar.

There's so much to be grateful for, both big and small. All we have to do is take the time to find it.

I hope you and the people around you find many reasons for gratitude that refreshes you, strengthens you and sets you up for a great start to 2020 (I still reckon that sounds like science fiction!).