Archives for May 2015

There is often a tendency for people, and especially leaders, in the workplace to have two very different personalities when it comes to routine stressors and ones that are more challenging. The expression of these different facets often comes about as a cycle, with the everyday personality maintaining positive coping, until an extreme change in plans causes a tipping point.

For others in the workplace, this sudden transformation can come as a surprise, especially if there is little communication about how the situation is really impacting you. As a result, all that others can see is the outwards expression you are projecting, even if internally you are reaching a breaking point. The concern, however, is that the re-action you express is very different than a conscious action, and this energy does influence outcomes.

Taking A Few Steps Back

At Technalink, we sometimes refer to this cycle as the “terrible twos”, partially because it reminds us of the fact that we are empowered to choose which of these two sides of our personality we want to express. The other reason is that the metaphor of childhood development is also a good way to slow down and take inventory before deciding upon an action.

As children, we learn how to relate to others. We find friendships, disagreements, and acceptance, but we also find the experience of interaction. We learn that what we do reverberates out and influences how we continue to relate to others. In this process, we also eventually graduate from throwing a tantrum to get what we want, and move into the ability to communicate needs, while also listening and understanding the needs of others.

When we face challenges, either in people or in situations, we all have the tendency to want to become a toddler again and just have the whole obstacle resolve itself.

The Choice Of Action

We have to remember that it doesn’t matter how much internal work we have done in the past, what matters is how we put that self knowledge to work in the now. When stressors are beginning to feel overwhelming, communicating this fact can be enough to diffuse the expression of the terrible twos. Part of this is simply being able to voice the challenge and reduce the amount of emotional attachment that is being held, but another part is the fact that you are starting a dialogue.

Communication is key, not only for keeping you aware of your expression but also for resolving the challenge. This also means that you have opened up a two way path for exchanged ideas, and while you are voicing your needs, it also helps to stay conscious that others are trying to do the same. In actively listening, you not only begin to hear what the other is really saying, but you also hear yourself. This allows you to utilize all of this information in finding a solution, because it allows for an objectivity that respects and validates both sides of the challenge.

At Technalink, we have definitely learned from our experiences, and while these lessons have an individual impact on personal growth, they also influence how we run our company and interact with others. Some of the most important lessons that we have gained are in regards to how emotions can alter perceptions, and how this can also change our decision making process.

One of the truly wonderful things about practicing mindfulness, at work and in personal affairs, is that it allows for objectivity in examining motivations. By stepping back and separating emotions from actuality, we can also see how the direction of a path shifts depending on these feelings.

An ideal way of conceptualizing this impact is to imagine that emotions are different lenses on a pair of glasses. When we are mindful and take emotion out of the decision making process, we can see the path clearly, and make informed choices that can lead to success. However, different emotions can represent as the wrong prescription lenses, or even glasses that are like a Viewfinder, where the image is projected, obscuring the honesty of the situation.

This comparison is also powerful for illustrating the manner that emotions and outcomes become attached. If we simply wore the Viewfinder glasses all the time, we may lose sight of where we are actually going, because we are trapped in the illusion of the emotion. What becomes obscured, however, is the full potential that is all around us, and which we can gain clarity on, as soon as we let go of the attachment to both emotion and outcomes.

This is not to say that we stop feeling, but rather that we acknowledge the emotions, observe the situation, and proceed with the knowledge of both. Before you can let go, you do have to validate what you are feeling, but this also empowers you to find the core of your motivation, and use that to guide your path, not your outcome. In choosing action that is not clouded by a temporary perspective, you also give yourself the permission to find your own way to success.

Spirituality in the corporate workplace is becoming more accepted as business owners see the benefits of mindfulness, self awareness, and empowerment show through with success. However, many traditional corporate approaches include concepts of stricture and control as keys to productivity, and this is counter to a spiritual approach. Shifting perceptions and thought forms can be a process, but undertaking the journey itself is also a way of embracing spirituality in all actions in life.

A Place And A Time?

At Technalink, we are often asked about how to nurture this type of culture in a business setting. The best answer we can really give is to have the vision and the intent, and then allow the process to unfold. This is not only because everyone’s corporate journey will be different, but also because a key aspect of the spiritual workplace is the idea that resonance of energies, and not control, is what sets the tone for the exploration.

Another common question we get at Technalink is whether spirituality is appropriate in the corporate world. In one word? Yes.

Spirituality is not a dogma or a set of rules, but is an inherent dimension of wellness that all humans have. This means that spirituality is present at all times and in all actions, since it is as integral to the self as awareness. How we embrace it is also how we extend this energy into the world, and this is what can separate spiritual corporate culture from traditional workplaces.

Spirituality is also a freedom of expression and the choice to explore potential. When this is transposed to the corporate world, the result comes out as innovation and success, since this potential is now being utilized. Owners may extend the invitation of this culture to employees, simply through their being-ness, since the energy of staying present in the now resonates with the innate desire to always engage in more of what brings life into a person’s being.

One of the most overlooked resources that many small business owners can use to grow success is gratitude. At Technalink, we find that it can be very easy to forget about all the wonderful things that we do have in life, especially when there are challenges that are faced in certain areas. However, part of overcoming challenge is also a perspective change, and when gratitude is used as a means of evaluating a situation, it can alter the manner in which a solution is found.

Fostering gratitude in the office does not need to be solely work centered. Feeling joy over any dimension of life does translate through into the way that people act and how they resonate with others. When people give thanks for anything that they value, it also informs the Universe that they are open to even more joy and prosperity. This is because the focus is on gains, not losses.

Gratitude As A Solution

One way to encourage an attitude of gratitude is to utilize the positive aspects as a means of addressing challenges. At Technalink, we will often have situations that appear negative, but instead of focusing on what needs to be overcome, we focus on what we are gaining.

As an example, if a possible professional collaboration falls through, we may initially want to figure out what went wrong. However, this can easily turn into a cycle that serves no productive purpose, and as a result, motivation and energy is also lost in the process. Instead, when we adopt gratitude as our guide, we are able to give thanks for the positives, which opens up a path to opportunity.

Lessons in gratitude can be difficult for anyone, but it is also important to remember that the more we employ this energy, the easier it is to embrace. As we give thanks, we are also teaching ourselves to gain greater self confidence and the ability to accept happiness. This is not a selfish act, but rather, one that resonates with others and supports individual dreams and hopes. Collectively, the energy of gratitude becomes a message that empowers, because it validates the individual and the company to become the highest expression of integrity and joy.

For many small business owners, taking the first steps towards this dream does start with a plan. At Technalink, we know that focus and intent guide us through both our personal and professional decisions, and also that having a clear plan can guide our success. However, all growth is also a process of change, and it is necessary to stay self aware and evaluate when one path is no longer working.

Your business plan is your foundation, and in many ways it can also be a projection of yourself. The concepts, ideas, and process that have gone into its formation are as much an expression of your personality as they are the structure and brand of your company. Just as a parent with a child, you and your business plan have a unique relationship that is based on the parts of yourself that you put into it and also on the individual journey that you both take.

Parents are also aware that their child may seek expression and individuation in a manner that is different from initial expectations. Using the same analogy with your business plan can help in gaining clarity about a situation. Although this plan and this company have come from your vision, they do take on a life of their own. This means that letting go can be hard, but it can also be necessary.

Just as parents will still love their child, even when paths diverge, you can also embrace your business while deciding to alter the plan. This does not mean that you have abandoned your dreams or given up. Instead, it shows that your dedication to the company allows you to accept change as part of the process, even if it is difficult. However, self awareness and mindfulness act as guides in this determination.

Challenges are a part of being in business, but you also need to be honest with yourself as to whether some of these challenges are necessary or whether they are due to growing dynamics of your company. Are you holding on too tightly to an expectation that is no longer valid? Are you embracing the growth and changes that have occurred within you as well as your business? Just as you would evaluate the factors in a relationship, you can also examine these points for your business plan. Sometimes, letting go is the way to actually grow.