By: Alastair Rylatt<br />
<br />
RECENT DISCOVERIES<br />
<br />
1. LEADING BUSINESS ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE<br />
<br />
In recent years many organisations have developed<br />
programs to be more sustainable and socially responsible. I<br />
recently came across a great initiative by Marks and Spencer<br />
in the UK. They launched Plan A in January 2007.<br />
They aim to work with their customers and suppliers<br />
to combat climate change, reduce waste, use sustainable<br />
raw materials, trade ethically, and help customers to lead<br />
healthier lifestyles. The plan includes 100 commitments.<br />
For the record they say there is no Plan B.<br />
To discover more visit: <a target="_blank" href="http://plana.marksandspencer.com/about">http://plana.marksandspencer.com/about</a><br />
<br />
2. RESOLVING YOUR INNER AGGRESSION<br />
<br />
In late January I attended a two day program by Yaacov Naor a<br />
world leader in helping people to resolve anxiety caused by the<br />
aggressor and victim roles within us. Here are my five insights<br />
gained from the program:<br />
* Aggression is much more than physical and verbal abuse, it<br />
includes neglect, emotional detachment, ignoring others and<br />
silence.<br />
* Many people think they are 'more' or 'less' than another.<br />
Everyone has their own truth<br />
* One of the great failings of education is that we do not<br />
teach people how to talk to others.<br />
* Peace is the ability to live with conflict<br />
* Relationships are a story of 'two' and not 'one'<br />
<br />
3. HOW TO BE A SAVVY PROTEGE<br />
<br />
There are many articles on how to be a greater mentor. What is<br />
rarer is what it takes to be a fantastic protege. Some useful<br />
suggestions include the following.<br />
<br />
The best proteges do not wait to be discovered by or be assigned<br />
to a mentor, but rather seek out mentors that match their own<br />
careers and needs. Successful proteges find a mentor that<br />
does not think of their proteges as proteges. Thriving in the<br />
workplace often requires asking more experienced people for<br />
technical assistance, a definition, or an explanation on how<br />
another part of the organisation or industry works. Savvy proteges<br />
use these experiences to look for opportunities to work with<br />
people again, and understand that the best potential mentors<br />
are people who are open to hearing and learning from others.<br />
<br />
Reference: An article by Steven Katz in the Federal Times dated the<br />
12th of March 2009<br />
<br />
4. DEVELOPING A PERSONAL VISION STATEMENT<br />
<br />
Recently I came across an article by Susan Heathfield on<br />
how to develop a personal vision statement. I know in my career<br />
having such focus is very helpful. Her article contains a list of<br />
great questions and tips to help guide your thoughts.<br />
<br />
Here are five of my favourites from the article:<br />
* What are the ten things you most enjoy doing?<br />
* Write one important goal for each of them: physical, spiritual,<br />
work or career, family, social relationships, financial security,<br />
mental improvement and attention and fun.<br />
* When your life is ending, what will you regret not doing,<br />
seeing, or achieving?<br />
* What strengths have other people commented on about you and<br />
your accomplishments?<br />
* What weaknesses have other people commented on about you and what<br />
do you believe are your weaknesses?<br />
To read the full article visit:<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://humanresources.about.com/od/success/a/personal_vision.htm">http://humanresources.about.com/od/success/a/personal_vision.htm</a><br />
<br />
5. TURNING DIFFICULT CUSTOMERS INTO BUSINESS SUCCESS<br />
<br />
John Faisandier a New Zealand based consultant has launched<br />
his new book called ' Thriving under Fire' on how to handle upset<br />
and angry customers. This is one of the best reads on this important<br />
topic. It goes well past the normal clich s and includes many<br />
great tips on how to be open to problem solving, being a better<br />
listener and finally getting your needs met without punishing<br />
others.<br />
To discover more about this book visit:<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.tuf.co.nz/book">http://www.tuf.co.nz/book</a><br />
<br />
LATEST NEWS ON ALASTAIR RYLATT<br />
<br />
6. RECENT CONSULTING ASSIGNMENTS<br />
<br />
Here is a selection of my latest projects:<br />
* Team development and leadership coaching for Pfizer<br />
* Facilitated a panel discussion for PhD students at the<br />
Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Annual<br />
Conference in Melbourne<br />
* Conducted a community connect workshop for Pfizer<br />
* Completed half of the first draft of my PhD.<br />
<br />
