EQ Philippines

PRACTICES OF TRUSTED LEADERSHIP

Model the Desired Behaviors
Leaders must embody the values and behaviors that define the desired culture. People who:
Walk the talk.
Showcase Ethical Leadership.
Exemplify Desired Behavior.
Lead by Example.

Cultural Champions
Leaders empower cultural champions within the organization. Individuals who exemplify the desired culture and can influence others positively. People who:
Embody Organizational Values.
Live the Mission.
Exemplify Core Values.

G R O U P T H I N K

Have you ever felt pressured to do something while you were part of a team or group that led to a flawed decision? In January of 1986, the orbiter Challenger exploded 73 seconds after the launch due to that exact reason. Decision Makers and top echelons at NASA and Morton Thiokol cared more about satisfying and entertaining its major customer, the American people rather than the safety of the launch and its crew members. America was becoming disinterested in spaceflight and NASA saw the dwindling popularity and excitement in their space shuttle program. Groupthink theory could help explain how leaders and decision makers played a major part in the disaster that occured in 1986.

Groupthink is defined as “a process of flawed decision making that occurs as a result of strong pressures among group members to reach an agreement”. (Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M., 2017). After the explosion, the Rogers Commission examined the causes of the explosion and one of the “potentially catastrophic” elements was a rubber part called an O-ring. In the article, Challenger Explosion: How Groupthink and Other Causes Led to the Tragedy it states, “The O-ring was known to be sensitive to the cold and could only work above 53 degrees. Temperature on the launch pad that morning was 36 degrees.”. With this knowledge that NASA and Morton Thiokol had, how did the launch get approved for launch? Was it a lack of communication amongst the groups, a way to chase publicity that the companies saw was dwindling, a result of major pressure the group had internally and externally, or all three?

There was national, group, and political pressure on NASA and Morton Thiokol, the company that built the solid rocket boosters to have the Challenger launch on time. NASA had averaged five missions a year after the projected frequency of the space shuttle program was 50 flights a year. How could they keep America’s interest if they weren’t having as many missions as originally promised? They diversified the astronaut crews with women, people of color, and scientists but that proved to not be enough to keep the country’s attention. President Ronald Reagan was also announcing the launch at his Union address that night. The only option that NASA and Morton Thiokol felt they had was to continue with the launch as scheduled. As we know, that faulty decision making led to seven people losing their lives.

The effects of groupthink could be small or big but regardless of the impact of the flawed decision, it is important for people to know about it while trying to prevent it. “Janis (1983) proposed a set of prescriptions for preventing groupthink. The prescriptions generally focus on helping a group carefully examine all relevant information and courses of action to ensure that it does not rush into making a poorly informed and reasoned decision”. Maybe if NASA and Morton Thiokol followed Janis’ set of prescriptions for preventing groupthink or examined all of the information before rushing into the launch due to pressure they felt, the outcome of that day could have been different. The Challenger tragedy led NASA to focus on a safer future in space by fixing communication and the management of safety at the organization. Next time that you are part of a group, consider ways to prevent groupthink to stop any flawed decisions from being made.

References:

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W. , &. Coutts, L.M. (Eds.). (2016). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems 3rd edition. SAGE Publications.

Your days are finite.
So, I will....

A strong character exudes strengths, and inspires respect. Your goals may be accomplished before you say or do anything.

Arguing your point rarely changes anyone’s mind — even when you appear to win, you lose because you stir up resentment.

Understand that true life is a pathway of purpose, not just a pursuit of happiness.

L E A N P A R E N T I N G

The 4 S of Parenting

Do you want to create a good parenting foundation fro your children?

Make sure you do the Ss.... Safe, Seen, Soothed, and Secure.
(Outlined in “The Power of Showing Up” by Daniel J. Siegel)

S A F E

Definition: Creating a sense of physical and emotional safety for your child.

Explanation:

• Safety involves protecting children from harm and ensuring they feel secure in their environment.
• It’s about providing a safe harbor where they can take risks for growth and change without fear.
• Parents should manage their emotions to avoid becoming a source of fear. This means avoiding yelling, threats, or overreactions.
• When mistakes are made, it’s important to repair the relationship by reconnecting and apologizing if necessary.

S E E N

Definition: Ensuring your child feels noticed and understood.

Explanation:

• Seeing your child means attuning to their internal mental state and understanding their emotions.
• Parents should strive to understand what’s happening in their child’s mind beyond their behavior.
• This involves being curious and not making assumptions about their behavior, but instead taking time to understand their inner life.
• Creating opportunities for deeper conversations helps children feel truly seen and valued.

S O O T H E D

Definition: Helping your child calm down and manage distress.

Explanation:

• Soothing isn’t about shielding a child from all distress but teaching them how to cope with challenges.
• It involves being present and comforting during times of distress, showing the child they are not alone.
• Parents can help build a calming toolkit, which includes strategies for self-soothing that the child can use when facing difficulties in the future.
• This process helps children learn to manage their emotions and develop resilience.

S E C U R E

Definition: Creating a reliable and consistent presence that builds a secure attachment.

Explanation:

• A secure child knows they can count on their parents to be there for them reliably.
• Consistent and predictable care helps children develop a secure attachment, which is crucial for their emotional well-being and development.
• Secure attachment allows children to feel “at home” in the world and trust in their relationships.
• This secure base helps children explore their environment confidently, knowing they have a safe haven to return to.

The best gift you can give your kids is sometimes those things we usually find MUNDANE!

Best Ideas from "Thank God It's Monday!: How to Create a Workplace You and Your Customers Love" by Roxanne Emmerich:

"Replace dysfunctional behaviors with passion and creativity."
"Overcome setbacks with a 'bring it on' attitude."
"Breathe results-generating life into your vision and values."
"Think big and make big things happen."
"Help every team member align to profit every day."
"Transform your workplace to create massive results."
"Shift from a 'why we can’t' to a 'how we can' mindset."
"Companies grow when their people grow."
"Embrace enthusiasm and light that fire in your belly."
"Life balance: Show up fully no matter where you are."
"Values should be your true north."
"Bravely go beyond the job description."
"Ignite spirits through profound service."
"Clear the roadblocks and saboteurs to keep dark moments from poisoning the future."
"What we have here is a failure to communicate clearly."
"Vanish the energy vampires."
"Bust the bad attitudes (baditudes)."
"Get on the happy bus... or get off the bus."
"Gossip: The hurt that never heals."
"Always being right can be wrong."

"The Highly Sensitive Child" by Elaine N. Aron explores the unique challenges and strengths of children who are highly sensitive.

Here are ten lessons from the book:

1. Understanding Sensitivity: Recognize that sensitivity in children is a normal trait, not a flaw or weakness. Understanding the characteristics of sensitivity can help parents and caregivers better support their child's needs.

2. Validate Their Feelings: Highly sensitive children often experience emotions more intensely. Validating their feelings and providing a supportive environment where they feel understood can help them navigate their emotions more effectively.

3. Respect Their Boundaries: Highly sensitive children may have strong boundaries and be sensitive to sensory stimuli. Respecting their need for personal space and understanding their sensitivities can prevent overwhelm and foster trust.

4. Provide Predictability and Routine: Establishing predictable routines can help highly sensitive children feel safe and secure. Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and support their emotional well-being.

5. Encourage Self-Expression: Create opportunities for highly sensitive children to express themselves creatively and verbally. Encouraging self-expression can help them process their emotions and build confidence in their abilities.

6. Teach Coping Strategies: Help highly sensitive children develop coping strategies to manage overwhelming emotions and stimuli. Techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and positive self-talk can empower them to navigate challenging situations.

7. Celebrate Their Strengths: Highlight the unique strengths and talents of highly sensitive children, such as empathy, creativity, and intuition. Celebrating their strengths can boost their self-esteem and encourage a positive self-image.

8. Model Healthy Emotional Regulation: As caregivers, model healthy emotional regulation and problem-solving skills. Highly sensitive children often look to adults for guidance on how to manage their emotions effectively.

9. Create a Nurturing Environment: Foster a nurturing and supportive home environment where highly sensitive children feel accepted and valued for who they are. Provide opportunities for them to recharge and decompress when needed.

10. Educate Others: Advocate for understanding and acceptance of highly sensitive children in schools, communities, and other social settings. Educating others about sensitivity can promote empathy and inclusivity.

Here are some steps to help you flourish:

Self-awareness: Understand your strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals. This awareness forms the foundation for personal growth.

Set meaningful goals: Define what success means to you and set achievable yet challenging goals aligned with your values and aspirations.

Continuous learning: Stay curious and open to new experiences.

Embrace lifelong learning to expand your knowledge and skills.

Productive mindset: Cultivate optimism and resilience. Focus on solutions rather than problems, and practice gratitude to foster a positive outlook.

Healthy lifestyle: Take care of your physical and mental well-being by prioritizing sleep, exercise, nutritious diet, and stress management techniques.

Build relationships: Foster meaningful connections with others. Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who uplift and inspire you.

Embrace challenges: See obstacles as opportunities for growth. Approach challenges with a growth mindset, viewing failures as learning experiences.

Practice mindfulness: Be present in the moment and cultivate awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and sensations.
Mindfulness practices can help reduce stress and enhance overall well-being.

Give back: Contribute to your community or causes you care about. Engaging in acts of kindness and altruism can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Celebrate successes: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress can boost confidence and motivation.

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalm 92:12-15

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