Monday 4 August 2014

Feeling valued, fulfilled and loved are the keys to overcoming your fears

We have 5 basic fears (as illustrated) says Karl Albrecht, Ph.D., in this excellent article which I recommend you carefully read and then consider the following:


In my work with leaders in over 40 countries since 1991 I have learned that the more people feel valued, fulfilled and loved, the simpler the path to higher employee driven engagement and lower employee turnover, both crucial to high-performance cultures. Key consequences are remarkable top and bottom lines, brands that are loved, and organisations making the positive societal and environmental impact that they must.

When people feel valued, fulfilled and loved they are energised, passionate, compassionate, creative, innovative, decisive, enthusiastic, fun to be with, candid, authentic, committed, and accountable. All these are paramount to being highly productive.

In my short white paper about valued, fulfilled and loved I write:

“Most people live in fear.
Most people are frightened of being hurt.
Most people fear they won’t be liked if they take a certain action.
Most people fear losing.
Most people fear the possible consequences of naming the elephant in the room - the obvious truth that is being ignored or going unaddressed.

I drew a laugh recently when someone in a meeting asked me for my thoughts. Without referring to anyone in particular I said “I can’t speak at the moment because the elephant in the room has got her foot on my throat.”

After the laughter died down and a long silence, the person we probably all least expected had the courage to finally name the elephant. Everyone felt better straight away.

I notice over and over that when fear is named it vanishes or at very least we feel able to confront it.

If you want to help people enhance their talents and to perform more consistently at higher levels then help them, support them, encourage them to face their fears.

The opposite of fear is love.

The Ancient Greeks had four words for love. You no doubt know two - eros (romantic love) and agape (love in a spiritual sense). The third is storge, meaning natural affection like parents feel for their children.

The fourth, philia, is the one I find the most insightful. Philia is often translated as affectionate regard or friendship. We need more philia in our organisations.

I find it simple (not always easy) to have affectionate regard for people because I know everyone of us is a one-of-a-kind human being. Only the hardest of heart can’t not love a one-off.

When there is affectionate regard or friendship in our workplaces better performance follows. Usually in my experience very, very quickly."
end of excerpt

How much philia is there in your workplace?

Do the majority of your employees feel valued, fulfilled and loved?

“Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here.”
Marianne Williamson

False 
Evidence
Appearing 
Real
Anon.

“Be so busy loving your life you have no time for hate, regret or fear.”
Karen Salamansohn

“Never let the sadness of your past and the fear of your future ruin the happiness of your present.”
Source unknown

If you’d like my white paper on feeling valued, fulfilled and loved please email ian@ianberry.biz Inside my paper is a simple diagnostic tool you will find valuable.

Be the difference you want to see in the world.
Ian

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