The Big R

The Big R

The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life,

and that in turn another, until who knows where

the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.

Living Lavita

First off I would like to thank Helen for the awesome “Big R’s” she made for our POIS team.

We talked about our meeting minutes from last week. Helen shared the story of Paul Smith give Rich Crawford a copy of her and Glenna’s poem about the doofus.

Helen asked what our definition of leading upward was.

Carol – Self Confidence, believe in yourself. She said we are the best we can be right now. Sharing with teams and buddy’s. She said negative bunny’s are never going to get down the path.

Helen – Using your objectives on people above you.

Judy – Everyone wants to be great whether they’re above or below you.,

Tanya – Leading upward means leading the best you can and people will see you being great and will want to follow.

We all agreed that when we’re modeling the behavior it’s keeping everyone connected.

We talked about how our actions effect others and Helen shared the story about the girl who drops out of school because she doesn’t think her mom in interested in what she does. Tanya talked about how she is starting to say Hi to everyone she passes in the hall and Carol shared the story about her boss, Ray Schlaff, and how she got him back on the path.

To the question “How do you demonstrate a Big R throughout the course of a day?

Helen said it shows up in the work you do. Proud of what you accomplish. Helen talked about parents and bosses giving praise.

Judy shared the story of a project she worked on for Ricky.

Judy Moore, Helen Underwood, Tanya Molnar, Carol Fleck

Salsa Brew Crew

1) The accomplishments of the Treasury Operations Team from 2005 til today are amazing. I put together a presentation with highlights!!! Everybody was excited to see on a piece of paper what we have done as a TEAM. We are continuing to build the BIG R and encouraging people to continue this excellent work!

2) A couple of my sons friends came over to work on their cars, but were having trouble doing so since they did not have all the right tools to do the job.
After a little while, I could hear them arguing and complaining about scraped knuckles, they finally asked for help.
Once I had a chance to look at what they were doing, I told them they had the right idea, but were not using the right tools to get the job done.
Once the proper tools were used, everything fell into place.
After that moment, everyone worked together to finish what they started, and they understood its ok to ask for help…..even from a grown up.
For me, I was just glad I could help. For them, the benefit will be the next time something like this happens, they have the confidence to ask for help.
We are all good at something, but we don’t have to be good at everything.

Fernando Cevallos, Mike Fantasia, Nicole Hummer, MariAnne Wozniak, Shannon Haines

Get Smart

1) We asked the question how do you demonstrate the big throughout the day?
Each of us answered this with examples of how we built up someone's BIG R.
2) Listened to the big R CD
A) Talked about the big R as being the most important thing as a leader.
B) Talked about using the awareness muscle to read the road signs of life
C) Talked about how Big E's have little R's and that you can deal with these people by asking FF questions.
3) Talked about how your Big R affects upward relationships.

Glenna Takats, Chris Walton, Joan Channell, Cindi Phalen

T.O.P. (Tools of Pathways)

Opening question of 'How do you interpret the Big R' was answered with the stock answer of 'Relationship with yourself' but we all agreed it pretty much comes down to confidence. Not so much confidence that you move over into Big E territory, but using your belief in yourself to do a better job and help others.

We talked about the importance of demonstrating your Big R and noted it's hard to see much of a difference if you already have a Big R.

We talked a little more about ways to get on a roll. Getting started with your work right away was mentioned. Steve had been in greenbelt training the prior week and just getting back to normal daily activities allowed him to get on a roll. He also pointed out that drumrolls are an excellent tool for getting on a roll.

We all agreed that it should be our leaders' priorities to build Big R's. It starts at the top, and everyone wants to be great. But the same can be said in regards to upward leadership. All parties having a Big R is essential.

Amy Yarad, Kyle Reau, Steve Fitzpatrick, Sean Pennywitt

Presidential Detail

Big R Discussion points:
· Trying to promote Big R concepts with spouse and building confidence in others. Developing an improved awareness muscle during interactions with spouse and children.
· Big R takes time to develop, but takes no time at all to destroy. We need to consider the impacts of this when dealing with people. This concept has provoked more thought for me in personal interactions with friends.
· Good sleep/health is required for a big R. Basic needs need to be met in order to build Big R’s.
· Engineers need to build big R’s too. We should praise the efforts of a colleague when they deserve it.
· If we are in a situation where we have forgotten to compliment or provide praise to help build big R’s and disappointment could ensue, it is possible to make-well on the missed opportunity and perhaps even have an enhanced impact on big R if done in a timely fashion.

Big R Examples:

· Advising a friend/coworker/spouse to set smaller, more attainable goals. For instance making a list of 3 things to get done during the day, first thing in the morning, can help promote a sense of accomplishment. Other tools such as asking FFQ and the Communication Spiral (model, message) can help enhance the effectiveness of building a big R.
· Sharing one or more Pathways tools with others not having been through the program. For instance sharing Homeward Bound framework to reinforce “Work/Home” balance as a required element of the wellness culture and taking care of self (building your own big R) while driving home.
· Appropriate application of the 3 S’s of Yes can help to build big R’s. For instance, “praise in public, scold in private”

The most important reasons we want to be more effective in upward leadership:

· Earn more $$
· To have a better work environment (positive energy vs. negative)
· To be happier, more well-rounded
· To improve my reaction and interaction with my supervisor
· To have a more pleasant work environment

Joseph Fretz, Paul J Smith, Samathia Rousos, Kathy Nisch, Allan Schroeder

A Halloween Surprise....

Two of our POIS members are in this picture. Can you identify which two???

Scroll down to see answer.......

Drum Roll.....

YOOOOOOOOO Shannon and Nicole Baby!!!!!!!

Pathways to Leadership-On a Roll

Pathways to Leadership POIS Team

When you are on a roll, you will

See things Clearly

You will feel more powerful than the activities in your life

You will make time to maintain wellness in our organization and your life.

Teams

Salsa Brew Crew

Mike-my son asked if he could camp out overnight at a friends farm for a bonfire. He asked if he could take our truck, so he could pick up other friends as well, my issue, was we needed the truck by 10am the next morning and knew he would not be in any condition to make it on time even though he said he would be okay to drive.

I made sure I listened to the whole story before commenting. I also used the magic moment and stayed positive before I replied!!!! Since you will be drinking and having a good time with your friends, it may be safer if I drove all of you to the party. Then I will pick up everyone up when you call, so you don't have to miss the fun and wake up early! We had to repear it a couple of times, but it all worked out in the end. Everyone had a good time at the party and got home safely the next day!

The tools we used were the 10:90 rule, magic moment, front side of the energy map.

It prevented him from possibly drinking and driving with others in the vehicle. He could enjoy himself without worrying that he had to wake up early. We knew that he was not driving our vehicle and we were able to sleep.

We were able to maintain a civil conversation, even though he did not get his way. Both parties compromised and we both had a great evening....

Fernando Cevallos, Mike Fantasia, Nicole Hummer, Mari Anne Wozniak, Shannon Haines

Living La Vita

Judy - thank you for preparing and running the meeting! Yoooooooooooooooo Judy Baby!

We all agreed that one of the most powerful messages from the Pathways training was the concept of the Energy Map. We all shared experiences we had over the past weekend, how they relate to tools learned at Pathways, and how we approached people and situations differently and positively to stay on the positive side of the energy map (...and...to stay on a ROLL!)
Vision Exercise - how we can benefit from the POIS meetings. The POIS meetings will:

- Help keep us motivated, and in the Pathways spirit
- Help us from falling back into old habits
- Help us stay on a ROLL!
- Help us deal with negative people who are on the back side of the energy map
- Help us to encourage negative nellies over to the positive side
- POIS meetings will be a sounding board for us

We talked about the tools we utilized - FFQs, using the PDF, our Buddies, setting reachable daily goals to stay focused, flexing the Awareness Muscles, and using the Homeward Bound technique to name a few. We shared stories about the profound impact we have had on our families, friends, and co-workers, just by asking a few questions, or directing them to the positive side of the energy map. It is truly amazing how a family culture can be changed by these tools...we want to bring this wellness culture to our workplace!

It feels GREAT to be on a roll, and without question, being on a roll increases energy and productivity.

The team came up with the idea of getting a list of the birthdays of all our Pathways classmates, and celebrating each birthday in some small way! Great idea !
Thank you, Team, for a GREAT meeting! Yoooooooo.....Team Baby!

Judy Moore, Carol Fleck, Tanya Molnar, Helen Underwood

Presidential Detail

Team listened to Pathways to Leadership audio tape segment “On a Roll” and engaged in a brief general discussion about its contents.

Each member of the team then shared his or her person and or work related experiences from the last week as they returned from the Pathways to Leadership seminar.

Team Member – I have had some difficulties being on a roll at work as things really piled up from the week I was gone. At home, I have been taking more time with my children to make good choices and change my responses to stay on the front side of the energy map. This has worked well when getting my kids to clean their rooms.

Team Member – At work I have observed lots of negativity in my department. I am striving to not contribute to this negativity and to do what I can to turn it around. Recently I have taken more time to help people outside of my department who have called me for assistance. This has gone over very well and these people have learned a lot and been very grateful for me taking the extra time to explain things to them and this has helped me stay positive. At home, I have had many magic moments. My husband was very skeptical of me going to Pathways to Leadership and one of the first things he asked me when I returned was “What are you going to try on me?”. I am taking more time to process my responses and take the high road with my husband every chance I get. I have also had success correcting some minor behavior issues with my kids.

Team Member – I have not have a good relationship with my brother these last few years due to his negativity and victim mentality and my recent lack of relationship with him has been bothering me for some time. His birthday is coming up and I am planning something with my brother and my father. By being the bigger person I hope to mend some of the fences between my brother and myself.

Team Member – I would like to think most of the Pathways to Leadership tools are things that I was already doing in my daily life. The other day though, a co-worker asked me a question about the meaning of what someone had said in a meeting the other day. I recognized this as a loaded question and a magic moment and put a positive spin on my interpretation, which is actually the way I interpreted it in the first place. My co-worked paused for a moment and said that he had not thought of it that ways and that I was probably right although that was not how he originally understood it. I have also been trying to maintain a positive mindset when coming to work in the mornings and to be friendly and happy to see my co-workers.

Team Member – my trouble has been recovering from the “rocks” people have been dropping on my head. Things have really been piling up on my recently. I have been making more of an effort to take my time, get my emotions straightened out, and then face my work with a positive attitude. This has been helping a lot. I was in a meeting recently where someone knocked me off my roll. They would not give me the time I needed to respond to their questions and I felt they were completely off base. Then without stopping I had to go straight from that meeting to another meeting. The whole time I was going to my second meeting and the whole time I was in it, I had to keep telling myself that this was a different group of people and that I needed to put the other meeting behind me and stay positive with this new group of people. Turning yourself completely around like that is difficult. I need to have time to process.

Roundtable Discussion – Some people seem to be negative all the time. This can sometimes be caused by chemical imbalances in the body which lead to clinical states of depression. Drugs can be very effective in curbing this condition. If you think this may apply to you or someone you know, it may be beneficial to seek medical advice.

Roundtable Discussion – We are more productive when we are on a roll. We need to take the time to organize our lives to make ourselves more efficient workers. It may be a good idea to block out personal time on your calendar for this very reason. Starting the day off with a to-do list is a good way to focus your priorities and to review your accomplishments at the end of the day.

The next meeting with be on the Big R. AS will be the leader of the next meeting with SR serving as the scribe.

Joseph Fretz, Paul J Smith, Samanthia Rousos, Kathy Nisch, Alan Schroeder

Get Smart

Glenna opened our meeting with a question....
Where have you seen a difference in your ability to live on-a-roll?
We each shared our on-a-roll moments and talked about how it is to not be on-a-roll and how to get back on the positive side of the energy map.
Each of us found times we were on-a-roll. We also talked about how at times in life the troubles you experience or the actions of others at work can make it very difficult.
We listened to the Audio Tape for Week #1.
Then we asked the question: Where can we see us "on-a-roll" and how can being on-a-roll impact our own productivity and productivity within our team or department.
We all agreed the more people within the department are on-a-roll the more productive the department can be. We shared some examples of how we can see someone not on-a-roll and help to redirect them.

Glenna Takats, Joan Channell, Chris Walton, Cindi Phalen

T. O. P. - The Tools of Pathways

Kyle - Stay forward focused while dealing with a department in turmoil
Sean - Being more efficient by not allowing himself to get behind. By prioritizing better it will be easier to get on a roll and stay on a roll
Amy - Staying on top of her accounts, checking them more regularly, in order to stay focused and on a roll
All commented that since we all have similar issues it was good to share as far as managing the workday better to stay on a roll. This all directly tied to being able to increase productivity individually, and within our respective teams.
Kyle Reau stated that this kind of sharing "helps to renew the renewal".
As far as being able to influence our families and team by being on a roll we were all in agreement that:
- we need to remain forward focused and ask forward focused questions
- continue to employ different tools to determine which work best for the individual and the team
- to be sincere in doing these things

Amy Yarad, Sean Pennywitt, Kyle Reau, Steve Fitzpatrick