Scientific discoveries from biology to quantum physics reveal new understanding of how the world works, and these amazing findings can have profound effect on our understanding of how we live and work together. Margaret Wheatley captures these discoveries and the insights they provide beautifully in her book Leadership and the new science: Discovering order in a chaotic world. If you’re interested in changing your organization or your community, there are some wonderful lessons we can learn from nature. Here are a couple of ideas that stuck with me after reading her book.

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” Ralph Waldo Emerson I work with a person who is well known for her love of purple.  Whatever it is, if it can be found in purple, all kinds of people will help it get to her desk.  It isn’t that she has
[continue reading...]

I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions.  But this year I’m settling on a theme.  Stop thinking and start doing. Less Hamlet, more Beowulf. Ask yourself this question , who will likely create the more pleasurable dining experience:   a) someone who has spent years in the kitchen using a variety of techniques and working with
[continue reading...]

I often feel lucky, but as I get older and more experienced I am beginning to realize that luck really has little to do with it. Luck, by definition, is a casual set of conditions to which we are subject.  However, I think that good luck is often about conditions you create and your ability
[continue reading...]

Recently I happened across two different articles that mentioned the concept of ROWE: results-only work environments. The idea behind ROWE is that if you give employees the freedom to define when they do their work, getting rid of work schedules and meetings, you will increase productivity. Perhaps it’s a lofty idea for many, and not
[continue reading...]

I have multiple projects going all the time, all of them very different. It requires constant mental retooling to keep everything going. Without organization, my productivity would fall victim to daily randomness with lots of time wasted trying to figure out exactly what I should be doing at any particular moment. Let me tell you
[continue reading...]

Last month, on the advice of an experienced project manager, I reversed a deeply ingrained work habit: I merged my work TO DO list and my personal TO DO list. Ignoring a sense of mischievousness, I wrote “book hotel room for bachelorette party” right after “finalize budget reallocations for next fiscal year.” Surely, this must
[continue reading...]

I didn’t start using to do lists to stay organized until I took an administrative position.  One thing I discovered early on, frankly, was how darned depressing these lists can be, an ever present reminder of what I’m not getting done.   This may seem like a small thing, and indeed it is so easy to
[continue reading...]

In Week 9, Chris explains the benefits of delegation and how you can create an environment that empowers your employees. Delegating work will definitely help you be more productive, but more importantly, you are offering someone else the opportunity to learn and grow. Here are some practical tips for delegating work successfully: Be clear on
[continue reading...]

I’ve posted about the importance of prioritizing before, but acting on priorities is more complex than just putting your nose to the grindstone.  There is context, the real life parameters that affect your ability to take action.  So you have your daily list of 10 things you need to do and you’ve prioritized it.  Do
[continue reading...]