The American Heritage Dictionary defines transparency as “capable of transmitting light so that objects on the other side can be seen clearly”; or “sheer – so fine in texture that it can be seen through, easily detected, obvious candid or open.”

Are you transparent in your leadership style?  Do you provide employees with not only day to day information, but the “big picture” of what is going on in your organization?  Can you sit in a meeting with subordinates who are asking questions about upcoming changes or providing suggestions on how to accomplish something differently, without feeling threatened?  Do you hold back relevant information from employees because you feel they do not need to know?  Do you feel your security is tied to completely controlling others?

Unfortunately, leaders that discourage a culture of transparency cultivate an atmosphere of distrust, gossip, and lower productivity.  Meetings are not likely to be productive because employees will be afraid to voice their opinion.  People will spend more time complaining to each other about how unhappy they are and how they are being treated than using their creative talents.

Why not achieve a higher level of leadership by examining yourself and your feelings towards those you lead?  Learn to listen to what employees are saying.  Acknowledge their comments and suggestions.  Shine your light as a leader by looking at every person and finding something positive about them.  Know that they have the capacity to reach a higher level.

Many companies and businesses are unprepared, unwilling, or unable to change the workplace environment.  This leaves employees feeling powerless to do anything to improve their work situation.  They soon give up on trying to change things or adapt, lose hope, and become part of the problem.  Does this sound familiar?

How do we hold onto some of that enthusiasm and motivation that we had when we were first hired?

One way to stay motivated is to learn how to lead from the middle regardless of the job that you have.  Whether we recognize it or not, we all lead someone and therefore are leaders in some capacity.  Leadership expert John Maxwell says, regardless of position, an employee “can lead up, down, or sideways in an organization”.  Simply put, this means that workers can help their bosses and one another.  Developing a sense of appreciation and self esteem by helping others in an empty work environment often provides purpose and meaning.  Once we regain a sense of purpose and meaning on the job, we regain a sense of satisfaction.  Sensing that we have value is reconfirmed through our interactions with those that we work with.

Can you become a leader, regain a sense of purpose, meaning, and satisfaction on the job and model that to others?

Question: How does your language affect the quality of your life, at work, home, or at play?

We have all experienced many examples of leaders who disable their efforts at communicating or achieving their vision every day by the way they speak.  The noblest goal of a well intentioned leader can be defeated by the language chosen when communicating or interacting with individuals, groups, or organizations.  If you have ever listened to a political candidate on the campaign trail or in a debate, you know what we mean.  Proper words, positively spoken, when coupled with positive modeled behaviors encourage and motivate.  Negatively spoken improper words, regardless of behavior, discourage and drain enthusiasm and energy.

Spoken words create thought and spur conceptual development, positive or negative.  When a leader at any level articulates a word, it forms in the left hemisphere (cerebral cortex) of the brain.  It simultaneously produces an idea, image, or concept, in the right hemisphere.  Thus, negative language, whether intentional or not, spurs negative ideas.  Since thoughts motivate behavior, negative ideas, images, or concepts produce negative, self defeating behaviors.  Most people do not understand the power of a thought.

We have often said that leadership, in its simplest form, is the ability to influence others.  A person in a position of power or responsibility can influence others positively or negatively.  Thus, positive influence of individuals, groups, or organizations originates in the positive language used by a leader.  Likewise, negative influence of others originates in negative language.

We all are leaders in some capacity; some from the top of an organization, some from the middle, some with their co-workers, some in a friendship or marriage, and some in their neighborhoods or communities.  Think of how parents can increase their influence with children through positive language!  The language we learn and the language that we use speaks volumes about not only our leadership ability but also about the quality of our personal relationships.

Perhaps we should all choose our words more carefully.  What do you say about this topic?

Wellness, the overall feeling of health and well being, is made up of many dimensions all of which need to be addressed. Dr. John Travis, one of the founders of the American wellness movement, maintains that there are twelve dimensions of wellness which are interrelated. A change in the status of one dimension, positively or negatively, affects change in other dimensions. Consciously or unconsciously, you probably give some of the dimensions your attention and neglect or are unaware of others.

For example, good nutrition yields sustained energy. Sustained energy enables and initiates more and better movement (exercise). Better movement not only relieves tension, stress, and anxiety, but creates a sense of peace. Peace in turn helps to enable better rest, clarity, and problem resolution. Clarity can also yield better communication and intimacy. Thus, all of the twelve dimensions are interrelated in some way, shape, or form.

So, while it seems that wellness is a very hot, contemporary topic, it remains largely misunderstood. Consequently, many attempts at self improvement, seem to fall short, never bringing the sense of wellness they are “supposed” to bring.

The 12 dimensions of; self responsibility and love, breathing, sensing, eating, moving, feeling, thinking, playing & working, communicating, intimacy, finding meaning, and transcending are all important. The nice thing about properly understanding wellness is that once you begin to make improvements in one area, you will open yourself up to more awareness in other dimensions! You will no doubt recognize needs in the other dimensions also.

Barbara and I are in the process of finalizing our facilitation certification in using The Wellness Inventory. We are licensed to use this wonderful tool and resource to help our clients discover a true sense of wellness and balance in their lives. Take a free tour of The Wellness Inventory by going to http://www.intouchlifecoaching.com (our home page) and clicking on “wellness inventory”. We are happy to discuss this resource with you free of charge. We can also introduce you to a cost effective way of qualifying for our wellness coaching that accompanies the inventory. You will be amazed at how many options you discover to living a happier and healthier, life.

In these difficult economic times, children in school districts are more threatened than ever before. Reduced financial aid, increased operating costs, widespread unemployment, increased health care costs, tax caps, increased state and federal mandates have forced districts into perilous financial straits. Local district response has resulted in teacher/staff layoffs, elimination or reduction of special services, privatizing transportation, postponement of raises, reduced health coverage, and increased class size. Clearly, American education is in crisis. Courage and good leadership on class, building, district, and board of education levels, are more important than ever before. There is little room for poor decision making.

In such a complicated environment, what should guide good decision making? Good decisions
are those that build the people and clients of an organization, inspiring them to perform their
very best. Good decisions also encourage creativity, teamwork, employee engagement and
bottom up problem solving. Good leaders inspire commitment to the advancement of the
organization by demonstration. Since leadership is influence, good decisions also increase the
influence of the leader. Leaders of influence have many followers who have been inspired and
who, in turn, inspire others in the organization. They also encourage others to be leaders, at
every level of the organization.

Courage, the ability to pursue an initiative, despite dire circumstances or threatening people,
is clearly required today. Getting people to perform their very best despite the demoralizing
effect of reduced staff, resources, and programs is a challenge that can be overcome by a
courageous leader. A leader shows courage and vision when pursuing the goal of building
people. Courage for standing up for what is right, and vision in knowing that the organization
will operate even more efficiently and effectively. A courageous leader pursues building the
people of the organization no matter how unpopular it is. To do anything else results in its
demise and destruction.

Our educational leaders must take off the blinders of fear, learn the lessons of the past and
boldly lead us out of the present and into the future.