I’m so thrilled to introduce this week’s guest blogger, Mary Jane (MJ) Paris of Positive Impact Consulting.  MJ is hard at work bringing a positive impact to the workplace and shares her thoughts with us:

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As we approach another holiday season and roll into the beginning of another new year – personally and professionally – it’s natural to reflect a bit.  Ever the time for looking at where we are, where we’ve been and, with a sense of hope, where we’re going.  New budgets, new goals and, of course, our personal self-improvement resolutions are on the horizon! Before I continue, let me say that you are a terrific person who’s doing the best you can with what you have right now.  It’s been a difficult few months out there for all of us and we need to remember that we will be fine…patience, perseverance, positive.

December and January are typically the time for organizational and business leaders/managers to wrap up year-end activities; review the past year’s successes and areas for improvement; for revising goals and making adjustments in budgets and the overall workplace. The wild economic ride and ensuing changes during the past few months of 2008 have brought change and choices to all of us in one way or another with some more drastic than others. Whether it was change you or your employees chose or change that chose you or them, the effect can be draining on our personal power source. How are you doing? How are your employees doing? Have you asked them? Talked with them “P2P” (people-to-people)?

Just like you, I have experienced life’s changes and choices – some I made and some that chose me – changes in residence, geographic relocation, divorce, single parenthood, job changes, job elimination, job betrayals, downsizing, finishing my education while working full-time, elderly parents’ declining health, starting my business…and the list goes on. Some of you may have heard me say, “I used to be six feet tall, look what happened!”  And cap it off by saying, “I’m on the grow again!”

As I reflect, here’s how I’ve coped…when a “perceived negative event” occurs, sure, I’ve gone through the stages of grief, anger, and the rest. What I’ve learned to say (and believe), is “Everything happens for a reason.”  I ask myself “what can I learn from this (adversity) situation? What do I need to do now to keep going?”  Instead of burying my head in the sand just waiting for time to pass and playing the “victim” role, I take a lesson from my parents’ play book! Let the dust settle, think about what’s happened, the role I played in it, what I can do differently, pick up the pieces, pray for guidance and get to work!  I give myself a “Power Surge!”  What about you?  Are you a “Power Surge” or a “Power Drain?”

Either way, You Are Your Own Power Source!

The Power Surge - Self-Empowerment – is relying on your own inner power and actively working through the adversity, which helps ease the pain and frustration.  Positive Self-Talk and action are the antidotes for negativity and plant the seeds for success!  The Power to make your life anything that YOU want it to be is inside of you right now!

Power Up!  Take Control!  As we come to the close of one year and begin another – both personally and professionally – let us remember that, in addition to setting new goals and understanding the financial aspects, effective leaders/managers continue to improve upon the three key leadership traits they need to possess to achieve results through people — objectivity, empathy, and self-awareness. It’s all about “P2P” and the importance of including in their high priorities, the employees – the people who are really driving their organization.

We know from history that economic downturns and recessions have tested the ability of leaders across the globe – in all sectors and in all industries. We learned that there are no easy answers!  Including a “people strategy” (P2P) in your business plans is a wise move because, without the people, the plans would not be fully executed.

Keep Your Power! Come out of your office; interact with your employees, your co-workers, your customers, your suppliers/vendors; increase communication; talk (face-to-face) with the people – they make your business work each day; seek their input; show your authenticity and human-ness!  It’s all about “P2P”!

Your attitude and behavior have a direct affect on bottom-line results, either positively or negatively.  Think about how you are affecting your employees, co-workers and the workplace environment…

Are you a “Power Surge” or a “Power Drain?”  Either way, You Are Your Own Power Source!
A Positive Workplace Means Business!  It Just Makes Cent$! TM
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Mary Jane (MJ) Paris, Founder and President of Positive Impact Consulting Services, LLC in Shelton, CT, brings a broad base of experience to her practice gained from more than 25 years in people management, sales, retail banking, training, recruiting, coaching, project management, event planning and community leadership.

With a focus on “The Positive Workplace,” MJ and Positive Impact specialize in leadership and professional development programs, speaking engagements, and small business coaching that bring “Positive Energy” to your workplace.  Engage employees, maximize productivity, improve customer service and business results…

mj@posimpact.net
203-929-6702
www.posimpact.net