Stress is a relational transaction between our self and our environment during which we perceive and appraise events as threatening — in that they are over-taxing to us in some way. As leaders we must learn how to change the way we see our self in relationship to these stress-triggering events, and then help those we lead do the same. And because we don’t know what we don’t know, it becomes an organizational responsibility to provide leaders with the tools and knowledge necessary to ‘reframe’ how they see themselves in today’s workplace.
One such tool is the skill of Positive Presence™. Positive Presence is a deliberate way of thinking and behaving that makes the connection between human energy and behaviour and is easily practiced and developed right on the job. The skill is unique in that it is both a personal aptitude and it is a ‘group’ aptitude, and as such there needs to be a common vocabulary and understanding.
At the heart of Positive Presence lies the following competencies:
• Self-Awareness – Know thyself. We must first learn to effectively manage our own thought and behaviour habits, before we can lead others to do the same.
• Clarity of Mission – We must ensure our own personal values and purpose is aligned with the values and mission of our organization, and then we must teach others to do the same.
• Mental Model – Consistently successful people have the ability to maintain a positive and proactive attitude. As leaders we must hold our selves accountable for developing the necessary thought habits that drive a positive and energized mind.
• Behaviour habits – we must understand our own behaviour habits and how they affect others around us, and then we must learn to adjust our own behaviour in such a way as to effectively influence and lead others.
Our new workforce is no longer ‘salary expense’ on the balance sheet. Our new workforce is actually ‘human assets’ – assets that must be developed and grown. To grow human assets we must create a work culture that is energized, positive, caring, healthy and safe.
CORPORATE HARMONY is grateful to Dr. Michael E. Frisina for his contributions to this entry.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.