Feature Article
Don’t Chase Your Tail

My cat Scooter enjoys his play time.  One of his favorite activities is simply "chasing his tail." He will spin around to the right and then sharply back to the left going in circles in an attempt to catch his tail.  Finally, he stops and drops to the floor, tired and noticeably dizzy from this actions.  His mission seems to never get accomplished though he really puts out the effort.  

In life, we too find ourselves "chasing our tails".  We too often rush from one falsely perceived emergency to another.   Pulled to the right to address this challenge and then seemingly at the same time pulled to the left for another.  Hour after hour and day after day we find ourselves working extremely hard; but, at the end of the day not really getting accomplished what we should have or need to.  Finally, we get to a point that we too drop, tired and physically exhausted from our all out efforts.   Our question becomes, "What more must I do to get things done?" "I work hard but little gets accomplished."

Do you find yourself in this scenario?  Are you seemingly busy and working hard but at the end of the day finding that you are not accomplishing what you need to or really want to see?  Don't feel bad.  This is a very common reality.  It is curable.  The cure may sound simple; and, if you will follow its suggestions, you are destined to catch what you need.

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Energy Leadership Article
Leadership Communications

In our exploration of the characteristics of anabolic and catabolic leaders, so far we’ve determined that anabolic leaders “lead” and “participate,” while catabolic leaders “manage” and “delegate.”  This month, let’s look at another aspect of leadership - how information is passed along to others – to further see the difference between the two types of leaders.

In any type of leadership role – whether as a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or as a parent, imparting information to others is an integral and essential part of leading. Catabolic leaders give information, while anabolic leaders share information.  

“Giving” means to convey, transmit, assign, or allot. When we give to others, we no longer have ownership of what we give. “Sharing,” on the other hand, means to partake of, use, or experience with others. When we share, we’re still part of the process – we’re “in it” with the other person. It’s similar to the difference between catabolic delegating and anabolic participating.

When a catabolic leader gives information to others, they do so without much explanation, and with little buy-in or justification. An anabolic leader who shares information, however, explains well and gets buy-in, which builds trust, develops rapport, and deepens the connection with the other person. 

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Holiday Article:
Christmas Time At Home

 A quick glance at any history book will tell you that peace on earth and good will to men is a pretty tall order. This only serves to make the Christmas Truce of 1914, which occurred during the first year of World War I, even more amazing.

On Christmas Eve 1914, British forces stationed on the Western Front found something unusual in their trenches: a chocolate cake from enemy German troops with a note asking for a ceasefire in order to celebrate Christmas.

The ceasefire, it said, would begin at 7:30 p.m., at which time the Germans would light candles on the parapets of their trenches and put on a Christmas concert.  At 7:30 p.m. on the dot, the Germans rose from their trenches and serenaded the British with Christmas carols. Puzzled and hesitant at first, the British soon joined in.

Similar events occurred all along the Western Front, without authorization from the higher-ups on either side. German and British soldiers met in No Man’s Land, between the trenches, to exchange gifts and autographs, play soccer and attend to the more somber task of burying their dead.  The truce lasted until the end of Christmas Day in some parts of the Western Front; in others, it lasted until New Year’s Day.

And so, when Aunt Mary starts making hostile statements about your sweet potato casserole, or Uncle Henry asks why you don’t have a “real” job,  I encourage you to remember the Christmas Truce of 1914.

If warring soldiers can put aside their differences and embrace one another in the name of Christmas, there’s hope for even the most challenged family to make it through the holidays intact.  May you and yours have the best holiday season ever!

Care For Parents:  http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/12/05/when-youre-lending-or-giving-money-to-your-parents

Leadership & Conflict:  http://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2014/12/5-pitfalls-that-make-workplace.html

The Art of the Sale:  https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/sales-negotiations-begin-yes/?linknav=us-openforum-article-trending-4

Insights on Entrepreneurs:  https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/9-traits-adored-entrepreneurs/?extlink=of-syndication-Recommended_Reads-SmartBrief-112696946-p