Category Archives: Self-Management

April Reflections and PRESENCE

Aside

This April during the last 16 days of the month, many people will be practicing their traditions of worship. It is a time of reflection of who they are, how they relate to people in their community and the world at large.  Reflection takes place to recognize shortcomings and how to define a place in their life with humility and courage.  The Poet John O’Donohue explains the beauty of self-transformation by describing how we change without knowing we have it within ourselves to do so:

FOR PRESENCE – Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the      quiet immensity of your own presence.

Have joy and peace in the temple of your own senses.

Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.

Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow it’s path.

Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity.

May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.

May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.

Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.

Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.

May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.

No alt text provided for this image

Enjoy yourself as your reflection of who You Choose to be Known As results in a positive experience for you in your business and personal life! Happy Holiday to those of you who are celebrating! Here follows an anagram to consider during this Holiday:

E asy to gaze out the window

T rying to forget incivility.

H ow we handle the self-managed situation

I s

C omforting to those involved.

S o why don’t we self-manage more often? ©Jo Ann M. Radja

The above poem by Poet John O’Donahue can be found on page 42 of the book, Bless the Space Between Us, ©2008 by John ODonahue, published by DOUBLEDAY.

The above Blog was originally published by LinkedIn on April 17, 2019 under the title, “Reflections. . . April, 2019.”

Do YOU still SURPRISE yourself during the SPRING season?

Aside

A few years ago, I wrote two blogs during the month of March.  The first was entitled, “How will you SURPRISE yourself this SPRING?” https://careermanagementcoaching.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/how-will-you-surprise-yourself-this-spring/? and the second was entitled, “What’s Your 2016 Spring Surprise?”   https://careermanagementcoaching.me/2016/03/20/whats-your-2016-spring-surprise/ An anagram for the words Spring Day was included in each Blog.      Today, I want to share with you another anagram for the words Spring Day as you  Choose Who YOU Want to be Known As.

S ervant Leadership
P erhaps is a phrase not used often in today’s jargon. Yet, 
R esolving to put your people first 
I n order to augment their contributions
N ecessary for their development and performance
G oes a long way for profitability and stability of a company.
D eciding to accept feedback from those you work with gives rise to 
A gility and accountability bubbling to the surface.
Y ou hone your strengths to be the best you want to be in your career journey. ©Jo Ann M. Radja 03/25/19
LIFE IS GOOD  “Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive Coach
http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa This is a paid-for Business Account, hosted by WordPress. It is for informational purposes only and NO cookies of a viewer’s personal data are kept by the owner of the account.

IT’S NEVER EASY. . .

Aside

E very business person today understands

T he #Me Too Movement.  Yet it is still

H ard to Believe that someone

I nsists he had the right to walk into someone’s residence
and announce, “He’s in

C harge now,” and begin to harrass a woman who multiple
times tells him to

S top. ©Jo Ann M. Radja

The Non-Violence movement is remembered today on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birth.  As  a Leader within the civil rights movement in the 1960’s, he espoused how a Non-Violent Movement could provide dignity and respect for those who faced racism.  Dr. King holds, for many cultures, a heroic status of how to act in a nonviolent way.

I was in my residence when the scenario discussed above in the ETHICS Anagram occurred last Friday.  The man was not in Charge of anything.  The situation was scary to say the least.  It begged me to try to remain calm as the man had a mission that held no rationality to it.  It was only when I said that he was on camera (not mine, the building’s) that he ran out, after some five minutes.

As you Choose Who You Want to be Known As this week, consider how your actions can provide respect and dignity to others.  It’s never easy in a difficult or crisis situation, yet we have to do the best we can under the circumstances.  Have a good week!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive Coach   Life in Good

http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa This is a paid-for Business Account, hosted by WordPress. It is for informational purposes only and NO cookies of a viewer’s personal data are kept by the owner of the account.

 

 

 

 

What’s Your BEST Daily Change?

Aside

changeandsocrates-enhanced-buzz-3685-1366095362-11-102116-viapinterest-com

 

It was cold and dreary this morning and yet, a few hours later, it is brisk outside and full of sunshine.  Was this a change in opposites or just a 180 degree change of outlook – (from which we had no input)?

Change  is in the air this Friday in October. The Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in a Pennant race. Halloween is around the corner. Night football is played on television, and many businesses are gearing up for the last quarter of the year and we find ourselves “right in the middle of it all.”

If  we want to focus on one item in our career development before our life becomes more hectic than it already is – what would that be?  In other words, What’s your Best daily change?  Here are some thoughts on this subject:

Choose a path to stretch yourself, or:

turnonthelight-enhanced-buzz-22385-1366095037-0-tubler-102116

safeboundaries-enhanced-buzz-22855-1366095705-3-viatumbler-102116

change-pixabayfreeimage-from-john-hain-102116stream-1106336_960_720However you define your Best daily change, I hope it becomes intertwined with how You Choose how you want to be Known As.  Have a great Day and Weekend!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coach

http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

When Mindfulness becomes a Personal Mantra

Aside

i-am-954818_640byjohnhain

 

 

Heedfulness, Mindfulness and Introspective Awareness help us retain our core values in life.  The Dalai Lama

 

While leaving a Professional Building before Labor Day Weekend, I noticed a few available individual public trays of current magazines.  One of which is called, YOGAChicago , September – October, 2016. It was a surprise to see the lead article written by Mia Park entitled, “Reflections on Mindfulness by Illinois Politicians at the DNC.” [this past Summer]  

Ms. Park quoted a number of Illinois elected officials who shared how Mindfulness was incorporated in their public lives:

Senior US Senator Dick Durbin – “A moment of reflection is valuable….for you to consider what your political career might be able to accomplish.  Real world reflection helps to set the stage for value-driven policy making.”[paraphrased].

Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Cook County Board of Commissioners –   “When you’re going off into battle to debate legislation, remember who you are accountable to.”  “It’s important to be conscious of that always – it will keep you away from the forces that have led many politicians astray –  money, special interests, and many other vices that make you cease to be a public servant.”

Theresa Mah – 2nd District – Reflects on how mindfulness for politicians can acutely keep uppermost in their minds why they became public servants for the people they serve.

The complete Mia Park’s one-page article, includes the Secretary of State, Jessie White is at this link :http://yogachicago.com/2016/08/reflections-on-mindfulness-by-illinois-politicians-at-the-dnc/

The quotation by The Dalai Lama was found at page 107 of his book, Beyond Religion, Ethics for a Whole World. (2012)  He explains that:

 Heedfulness relates to being vigilant and conscientious about what we do;

 Mindfulness, in the context of living an ethical life, is about recollection of one’s core values and motivation; and

 Introspective Awareness means being honestly aware of our behavior and bringing it under control.   Of course, this does not happen overnight.  It requires practice.

As You Choose Who You Want to be Know As, consider how a Mantra of a mindful thought will bring you closer to the person you want people to see.    Enjoy!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coach

https://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

Following Up is Not Always Easy. . .

Aside

up-d-people-men-person-team-39156641DreamstimeFollowUp062216

 

 

 

Pain often leads a conversation

Over six months ago, our city was mourning the loss of a young man who was shot while walking down a street.  After a video of the shooting was released, citizens vehemently blamed people they believed were personally responsible for the death.   Anger and bewilderment followed in our neighborhoods and across social media.  The personal anguish of citizens was felt, recognized and acknowledged resulting in municipal and federal investigations  beginning the work to respond to the demands understanding the Why of what happened. The citizen focus over the past few months appeared to be quiet and perhaps blurred.  When people are in mourning, learning how to deal with the pain is not an easy road to go down.  Pain leads the conversation.

I am writing this blog post because of two separate instances that happened this week.  The first occurred shortly after I arrived back in the City from a business trip.  I spoke to a man and asked a follow-up question of why downtown streets were closed due to police protection.  He was surprised I knew about what happened since I was away, and then responded that a construction crew accidentally hit an energy mainline.  Responding to his surprise, I said, “I’m signed up with the city to receive weather and other alerts.”   His perception: “That’s because you are So and So.”  The conversation remained friendly and the man understood from me that all citizens were able to receive the same alerts.

The second instance was my learning that the US Justice Department would hold a meeting where citizens would have an opportunity to raise their concerns about interaction with the police department – an outgrowth of the investigation that began six months ago.  I listened to this news shortly before 6:00am.  The next day the Illinois Progress website announced only 30 people attended the first Justice Department forum.  http://www.illinoisprogress.org.

Following up on issues that are important to you is not easy when you are in pain and mourning.  If I had not listened to the news early in the morning, I would not have known about the US Justice forum that evening.  The business of municipal and federal agencies is for the common good – so for those who would  like to attend a future forum, here is the listing, again from Illinois Progress:  http://progressillinois.com/news/content/2016/06/15/us-justice-department-hold-public-forums-chicago-police-department-probe.

As you Choose Who You Want to be Known As this week, consider reaching out to someone who would benefit and want to know about these future forums.  Thank you and have a great week!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coaching

http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

http://creativecommons.org/by-nc-sa

A Common Place Term: Bystander

Aside

diffusion-responsibility-bystander-effect-illustration-crowd-witness-act-crime-doing-nothing-47422863It’s in the news recently, the term Bystander Effect or Bystander Action.  It’s the principle – when in a group of people, personal responsibility to assist/help someone is mostly not recognized.  Last week on March 30th,  the following post was published on Linkedin.com/Pulse on this subject:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-catching-now-understanding-jo-ann-m-radja

imageslookfordiagnosisdotcomPreviousNextbystandereffect040516

The issues of Bystander Actions are present in our society at all levels.  Vice President Joe Biden has been involved in a Bystander action prevention program to discourage violence on college campuses and is planning to visit Pittsburg, PA today: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2016/04/05/Vice-President-Joe-Biden-in-Pittsburgh-today-for-It-s-On-Us-campaign/stories/201604050156  and the photo, to the left, is from the website:  www.lookfordiagnosis.com/mesh_info.php?term=Bystander+Effect&lang=1

Since WordPress.com represents the spirit of collegiality, I would like to share with you my September, 2015 presentation notes on Bystander Actors in the workplace.  It was prepared for a specific industry and is easily updated to fit any industry.  Included within the presentation are insights of Professor Mary Rowe from MIT, Senior Advisor – Compliance Strategist and Attorney, Joe Murphy, and Margaret Heffernan, Author of: Why We Ignore the Obvious to Our Peril, Willful Blindness.

As you Choose Who You Want to be Known As, have a great work week!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coach

Notes: Understanding Bystander Actions by Jo Ann M. Radja with Insights from Dr. Mary Rowe Ph.D September, 2015

Scenarios attachment   and  Bibliography and Resources

http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

A Parody for early March, 2016

Aside

can-stock-photo_csp11752164viaBING030416 SATIRE

Here is a parody on the issue of customer service.  It’s the first week of March, 2016; we recognize that we are only responsible for our actions as we attempt to diffuse the conflict “ball” thrown at us.  One way is to find humor in the situation. . .

E. xcuse

T. he unwelcoming you

H. ear.

I. t’s Thursday and we have few

C. ustomers.

S. o, we forget the service training we were given.©

As You Choose Who You Want to be Known As this month of March, consider humor as a means to diffuse conflict.  Enjoy.

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coach

https://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

https://creativecommons/licenses/by-nc-sa

 

 

LABEL, LABELED, LABELING

Aside

BINGwordsLabelingfromBING063015

It’s interesting how people want others to know who they are. We like to be known either by our strengths, by our family position or by what we do for a living. Yet, there are times when a situation arises where we may say,   “Please don’t label me as . . . . .”  We express those words because we want to choose how we are evaluated, and perhaps because the label we heard “rubbed us the wrong way.”

Our salary depends on our performance for a position that we chose to accept. So, our employer does label us for the position we hold and we agreed to that label.  Under what circumstances does labelling come into play in our careers?    While researching a few blog ideas, I came across a fresh presentation of how people can be defined in their roles at the office.   It is called Dr. Edward de Bono’s “SIX THINKING HATS” [registered mark].  The California State University at Los Angeles prepared a brief slide share presentation explaining each “Thinking Hat” …

http://web.calstatela.edu/faculty/jpark/Six%20thinking%20hats.ppt

Should you be a Red Hat and strive to become a Green Hat, how would you obtain the educational training to do so?  Online and brick and mortar classes are available as well as many Human Resource Departments.  Business and Civic organizations also offer programs for self-development.  As you Choose Who You Want to be Known As let your Label shine though as you manage your career.  Enjoy your day!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Executive and Career Management Coach

http://www.wordpress.com/disclosures

http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/y-nc-sa

Notes: http://www.debonothinkingsystems.com/tools/6hats.htm

 

 

Judging, judged, judge

Aside

we-judgeBING032414

 

 

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:

Green_Leaf_2WayneDyerquoteonjudgingothersBING032414This 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