The frog never judges, never evaluates, and never gives advice – it merely offers questions. Dr. Karl Albrecht
Frequently in our careers, we find ourselves being judged by our actions, or lack of action on an issue. How do we handle it? We may answer, “I forgot,” “I guess I didn’t make it a priority.” “Thanks for reminding me, I’ll take care of it right now.” The answers are many and varied in response to someone who may be in a situation of Judging, Judged or Judge. Dr. Karl Albrecht in his 2004 book entitled, Conversations With a Frog (http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Frog-Dr-Karl-Albrecht/dp/0913351172) guides us to consider asking questions and not evaluate or judge someone because within a professional coaching situation, questions are the norm.
Dr. Wayne Dyer offers the following thought:
This quotation begs the question of whether how you would act in a situation comes out in a conversation and not how the person you may be speaking to has acted. It’s a learned practice not to judge others. Experts tells us a new habit can be learned within some 21 days. The Season of Spring often helps us look forward to new ways and opportunities to develop ourselves. If it’s a good fit for you, consider how you Choose Who You Want to be Known As in the next situation of Judging, Judged, Judge.
Have a wonder Spring Season in your Career!
“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Career Management Coach & Change Agent
A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. David Brinkley
One way of interpreting David Brinkley’s quotation is to understand you have to be self-reliant in your life. You Choose Who You Want to be Known As at any given moment of time. Sometimes we surprise ourselves and other times it a great effort to work through whatever process is before us. The question becomes. What pieces are you picking up in your career?
The photo above could be seen as plastic pieces on asphalt or another mixed media art project in the making, or a schematic design of a puzzle maze or magnified pieces of broken glass. The reality is, it is a cracked ice formation on the Chicago River. What we see is perception. Our perception is formed by past experiences, the present moment, the time of day, our culture and our values. How mindful we are of our emotions and the emotions of others will drive our perceptions as well.
If you had to pick up pieces today that were left by someone else, what would your first step be? Pick up the pieces, finish the task and then move on. Ask someone for assistance because the job entails more than you are able to handle at this moment? or, walk away from the pieces and let someone else take care of it because it’s not your responsibility anyway? Since the readers of this blog come from so many professions, there is no correct answer. If the pieces are left for you to deal with this week, Choose Who You Want to be Known As. Best of luck as you choose!
“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Career Management Coach and Change Agent
When you fall down, are you alone or are you in public, or was someone nearby that helped you stand straight. Because I have a weak right ankle, there have been a few times I have fallen down during the daytime in pubic when the pavement was not even. The way of Silence surrounding this event is astonishing.
Since I did grow up in a football family, I watched the 2014 Super Bowl. Early on, sports announcers gave positive explanations why the Professional Denver Broncos may have been nervous and missed certain plays. This worldwide event has been taken apart and analyzed by many experts in the sports field. This blog is focusing on a different aspect to this event. . . The way of Silence.
Many of us have grown up with advice, “If you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything.” When someone is down, you don’t step on them and make they feel worse.
I took a look for a reporter’s take on the 2014 Super Bowl published this morning and found: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1947809-super-bowl-2014-blowout-score-was-most-shocking-result-in-years. The way of Silence was taken by a reporter who gave quiet reflection. He wrote in a positive way how the Broncos were not the only Offense Team beaten in a Super Bowl. The way of Silence allowed reframing to take the sting out of the Broncos performance.
We can’t change what happened yesterday in our careers. We can only Choose Who We Want to be Known As when we fall down. Hopefully, we can fall into the Way of Silence and reframe the situation. Have a great week!
“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Career Management Coaching & Change Agent
Last week when I awoke, it was one degree outside. When I came home, some 13 hours later and as I opened my car door and stepped out, it felt wonderful and much warmer. It really did. I checked my cell phone and was surprised to read it was only 14 degrees. What? That’s all? The something we deal with wherever we are is getting through our day the best we can by being resilient.
Snow fell this week in Vietnam; it caused a traffic jam, not primarily because of the weather. Many people who had never seen snow drove to see where it fell. Snow fell over the Middle East as well. A Jordanian Prince joined other people to help a motorist out of a snow bank. Below is a Picasso image of resilience that the editor(s) of http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/ chose to represent resilience. What do you think?
When we are at our workplace, the SOMETHING we deal with usually comes up when an emotional response takes place. [Should I take a moment and manage my emotions before speaking to anyone else?] How did this happen? What’s the first response to our staff? What information do we need that we don’t as yet have? What must we address right now, later today or tomorrow? How am I dealing with the element of survival at this moment? What can I do that I haven’t done before to control myself, and remain aware of what’s going on to assist other people?
As you choose Who You Want to be Known As this week, when YOU deal with that SOMETHING, consider this – – –
I hope you Shine brightly, whatever your activity this week.
“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Career Management Coach and Change Agent
Note: The images shown in this blog post were allowed to be copied and pasted from Google Images.
Neuroscience is understanding the fundamental nature of ourselves…how we think, feel and do. Dr. Charles “Ed” Connor
Two days ago in my home State of Illinois, a multitude of tornadoes struck communities in at least 13 Counties. [It was reported some 17 tornadoes were sited and by Monday morning, 80 tornadoes blew through the Midwest Region.]
Many people who were interviewed, spoke about how grateful they were to be alive. While their home was destroyed, they could rebuild. While their possessions were taken in this act of nature, their life was spared. While years of joy in maintaining and furnishing their home was wiped out in a second or two, they were in a community of friends and neighbors (nearby and within Illinois), who gave them solace and friendship. The SYMBOL OF GRATITUDE resided in their hearts. Finding the personal truth in yourself during a time of crisis is a learned virtue as these citizens Chose Who they wanted to Be Known As.
The symbol of gratitude itself has been a bit difficult to track down. The circle is an accepted symbol of inclusiveness and represents many aspects of our human nature. Our Global community throughout the world has roots within the spirituality of GRATITUDE and the use of a circle symbol.
Whether from exemplary observations of our neighbors or from recognized Neuroscientists, Choose Who You Want to be Known As in your careers, during this wintry week of November, 2013.
the Walters Art Museum to examine how the brain perceives abstract sculpture. The original project was initiated and funded by the Johns Hopkins Brain Science Institute. Gallery visitors will wear 3-D glasses to explore digitally morphed versions of sculpture and learn how 3-D
shape characteristics relate to aesthetic preferences. Through January 3, 2014
It’s not often that we speak about vulnerability in our private lives. We tend to look to the experts around us to assess and manage the risks we may be exposed to in our neighborhoods, our communities and the world at large. Our governments strive to keep order for the common good and our well being. Yet, Vulnerability is an attribute we may not apply to ourselves. Speaking positively, we are, have been and will continue to be vulnerable. It’s how we learn about ourselves.
Staff within the Federal Government (at fs.fed.us) describe Vulnerability this way:
What’s the exposure if we pursue this strategy? How are we ready because we’ve taken into account our sensitivities? Will our contemplated action(s) be in keeping with our value system?
Adjustment goes hand in hand with being vulnerable as demonstrated by the following graph from a Peace Corps worker named Bailey:
Choosing to become vulnerable allows you to work though and learn about yourself in ways you had not considered before. If you drew your last few months of activities, what would your graph look like? How often did you consider yourself to be Vulnerable? What sensitivities did you realize you had by letting go of a habit, or by learning something new?
A well-known International Coaching Expert, Brené Brown describes Vulnerability as follows:
Very recently, I attended a two-day Coaching Seminar on cultural competency. I participated in a brief exercise to understand and recognize Vulnerability. It was an enlightening experience. So please enjoy your activities during this first full week of November as You Choose Who You Want to be Known As.
“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Career Management Coach and Change Agent
“EXERCISE. . . Accountability, Ability, Learning, Professionalism, Intuitiveness” A few days ago, I heard a phrase that resonated with me. It was spoken by a Senior U.S. Government Official. The phrase is, “It’s not an empty exercise.” Many of you in … Continue reading →
Pushing, Pushed, Push sometimes is very helpful to try out a new option, opportunity or idea you or your company may have. Forum groups have been part of mainstream America for well over 25 years. We want to know how … Continue reading →
Career Management Coaching 
You must be logged in to post a comment.