Chris Dimock, Co-Founder of Elation, has a sense of deep purpose in the work he’s doing. He’s able to change the lives of people in their work and personal lives by helping them understand the power of how they think.
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What about joy in your work? If you could feel joy in your work, how much focused and engaged would you be in what you’re doing? How more productive would your team be if this were the case for them?
There can be a danger in suggesting that everyone should have a core purpose. He’s watched people struggle through understanding their core purpose. Consequently they have a sense of inadequacy because they don’t have one.
There is a process to discover your strengths and the work that brings fulfillment that knits together a sense of being and comfort of who you are.
Dependent (Little kids) to Independent (As we grow and mature. However, often people often stop here.) to Interdependent (We are beholden to our peers to reach the outcomes we desire).
How are you rewarding your employees and is in line with your values and purpose? Are you encouraging your team to be interdependent?
One reason to begin with the leadership is because there may be a disconnect in how the manager is trying to lead the team who now has radical different expectations. They’ve found that beginning with leadership, a more effective and positive cascading effect occurs.
One of the largest reasons people leave their jobs or become disengaged is because of their manager. Therefore, when their manager is more aware of how they’re interacting with the team and becoming more mentor/coach and less task manager, their is more acceptance on what the company is trying to achieve. Less people quit their boss. Turnover lowers.
What would you recommend to someone who may like to make a change to become more human, engaging, and productive?
A friend of Chris’ said that when his Grandfather started his steel business, the answer to employee engagement was, “You’re damn lucky to have a job.”
Organizations have evolved. His friend went on to say that he must be an expert at the steel business. He didn’t have time to become an expert at how to create a culture that engages the team. He saw, however, that it was imperative that he figured it out. Therefore, having a company like Elation to walk with them side by side is extremely helpful.
This is difficult work. Seek out resources to help you move forward. The smallest thought will trump any behavior.
Become intentional at creating a place where work is fun and fulfilling. When you’re able to tap into people’s strengths and skills you will get more innovation.
An informed and energized leader will need to understand what motivates and energizes people.
References
Master Lube owned by Bill Simmons
Firms of Endearment by Raj Sisodia (Also Everybody Matters) and the Conscious Capitalism movement.
Communities Change – MIT Team looking at community change efforts.
Jon Kabat-Zinn https://www.mindfulnesscds.com/
Twitter @mindsetworks
Matthew Lieberman book on Amazon (not an affiliate link)
Book recommendations from Chris Dimock
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Carol Dweck, Ph.D.
Foundational work on how important our mindset is. Includes the research on fixed and growth mindset.
Your Brain at Work David Rock
Outlines ways we can use our brain chemistry to achieve success.
Emotional Life of Your Brain Richard Davidson, PhD
Each of us has an Emotional Style based on six domains: Resilience, Outlook, Social Intuition, Self-Awareness, Sensitivity to Context, and Attention
Immunity to Change Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey
The authors show how individual and organizational beliefs and mindsets combine to create a natural and powerful resistance to change. It is possible to recognize and unlock these immunities to change in order to move forward.
Quiet Leadership David Rock, PhD
Outlines six steps to transforming performance at work by helping people to think better.
You Are Not Your Brain Jeffrey Schwartz, M.D.
The authors propse a four-step method of addressing unhealthy thinking, changing habits and taking control of one’s life.
The Advantage Patrick Lencioni
Why organizational health trumps everything else in business
Drive Daniel H. Pink
What is the real aspects of motivation?
Make Yourself Indispensable Mark Samuel
This book covers the power of personal responsibility and the accountability loop.
Mindsight Daniel J. Siegel, MD
This groundbreaking book, from one of the global innovators in the integration of brain science with psychotherapy, offers an extraordinary guide to the practice of “mindsight,” the potent skill that is the basis for both emotional and social intelligence.
The Willpower Instinct Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.
Based on Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal’s wildly popular course The Science of Willpower, The Willpower Instinct is the first book to explain the new science of self-control and how it can be harnessed to improve our health, happiness, and productivity.