Doing things right will increase your profitability
I promised last week that this week will be about keeping your business in good shape and raise the profitability by Systematic Work. Last week was about the leader this week is about the company. Most directors and leaders want to have high profit in their business. Smart directors and leaders do things right from the beginning and will have higher profit. Systematic Work is compulsory in Sweden. It is really all about preventing accidents and disease caused by work. It does reduce the risk for harmful things but it also definitely helps you be more effective and raise your profit.
In the hustle and bustle of the business world, stress often plays the role of an unwelcome companion. However, what if I told you that there’s a transformative way to navigate this stress, a way that involves the art of self-expression?
The “Canvas” Of Calm
Let’s call it the “canvas” of calm, where art therapy becomes a powerful tool for managing stress.
At its core, art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes the creative process of making art to enhance well-being.
So for business leaders grappling with stress, it offers a unique avenue for expression.
The Science Behind Art Therapy and Stress Reduction
You’ll be astounded by how fascinating the science behind art therapy is. But to further understand it, here’s how it happens…
The “Feel-good Neurotransmitter”
When you engage in artistic activities, it triggers the release of dopamine or our feel-good neurotransmitter. It’s a biological dance that counteracts cortisol, reducing stress levels.
Through art, the brain finds a harmonious rhythm.
How Art Can Help In the Workplace
Bringing art therapy into the workplace is a strategic move! Imagine stimulating the brains of people in the room, and imagine everybody’s dopamine getting stimulated or released…
OR…
Imagine a room full of people “feeling good”! How creative can people get, right?
Here Are Some Things That You Can Do:
1) Have a “Creative Corner”
Make your office unique and fun. Stand out from the rest of “normal” offices. You can designate a creative corner and then allow a 15-30 minute “creative break” per work day, on top of the regular breaks… because these are healthy breaks that increase creativity, and it will be a win-win situation for your people and the company!
2) Hosted Art Sessions
You may host art sessions once a month. Whoever said that only companies in the art industry can have artsy people? Nobody!
There are no rules in art, so even if your team doesn’t feel like they are creative enough to participate, reassure them by making the art sessions focus on personal creativity and freedom. Whatever works for them works: abstract, strokes, or freestyle art. Make it a form of self-expression, and encourage you to connect it to stories!
3) Workspace Personalization
Why can’t it be allowed, right? If you have your own workspace, and you know bright colors boost your creativity, would you want somebody to decide that only dark colors are allowed in your workspace, even knowing that this decreases your creativity level?
I cannot stress enough the importance of allowing your team to personalize their desks (given certain rules against vulgar things), as this not only fosters stress relief but also promotes a vibrant, innovative work culture.
Art as a Tool for Self-Expression and Stress Reduction
There is no question that art is a form of language that transcends words.
So when words fall short, art speaks!
And that is where “self-expression” comes in. You get to paint, draw, or sculpt your thoughts and emotions. It’s a silent dialogue with the canvas, a cathartic release that eases the weight of stress.
Measuring the Impact: Assessing Stress Reduction through Art
How do you measure the impact of art therapy on stress?
By observing subtle shifts.
Decreased tension, improved focus, and enhanced creativity are markers.
BONUS TIP
Create a stress-relief gallery showcasing the evolving artworks of your team. It’s a visual testament to the power of art in stress reduction.
A STRATEGIC APPROACH…
In your leadership journey, consider art therapy as more than a creative pastime.
It’s a strategic approach to stress management, a palette where the chaotic hues of stress transform into a masterpiece of calm resilience.
If you want to learn more about how you can utilize Artful Therapy to elevate your leadership, download this Complimentary Guide to jumpstart your stress-less leadership journey.
Stress is often one of the few things we perceive as an unwelcome guest. We consider it an ‘adversary’ to our well-being. But what if I told you there’s a side of it that can be your ally and can actually help you achieve new heights?
Let’s dive into the world of positive stress and uncover the transformative power it holds for stressed-out business leaders.
Cultivating a Mindset that Welcomes Positive Stress
Positive stress is something often overlooked in the complicated world of stress. But in reality… it’s actually behind every motivation and growth. Positive stress urges you to stretch beyond your comfort zone so you can grow and reach your maximum potential.
A SIMPLE REFRAMING
A simple reframing or a change in mindset can help you embrace the power of positive stress. And in the end, instead of viewing it as a hindrance, you will start seeing it as a challenge, or a motivating factor that pushes you to think out of the box, to be creative, and to grow both personally and professionally.
So if you’re looking for a way to open the door to the realm of possibilities, you can begin with a simple shift in perspective.
Positive Stress-Driven Achievements
Remember your most significant achievements? What drove you to accomplish them? Was it because you just love what you do and you’re passionate about it? Or was it because there’s something you cannot exactly pinpoint, but there’s this urge that pushes you to perform beyond what you thought your capabilities were?
That’s positive stress. It’s the urge that you feel, the urge that drives you to accomplish something because you have to, but at the same time NOT let it control you.
AN EXAMPLE TO THINK ABOUT
Did you need to finish something within the given tight deadline? It’s stressful, but you’ve done it anyway, You’ve done it stressed, but you gave your best anyway, and then you got astounding results.
The project timeline stressed you out, but because you know where the balance lies… You harnessed it into positive stress, giving you mind-blowing results!
Positive stress compels you to rise to the occasion, tapping into your hidden talents or potential you might not have known existed.
It transforms challenges into opportunities, and turns the ‘ordinary’ into the ‘extraordinary’.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE THE Balance LIES.
Ah, yes, the balance… ‘What about balance?’
As always, “balance” is the key to everything, and it’s the same here. We all know how positive stress becomes ‘counterproductive’ when it tips the scales into distress, so it is important that you know your thresholds and that you can recognize when stress transforms from invigorating to overwhelming so you do not get drowned by it.
Imagine the case given above, had you let the stress eat you alive… Would you have met the tight deadline? Maybe yes, maybe not, or maybe yes but not as great as the results you got.
So it’s always important to never forget about…
Resiliency and Adaptability
There is also no denying that resiliency and adaptability must always be present when it comes to leadership.
Your active positive stressors also activate your brain’s problem-solving capacities and enhance your cognitive function, which, in turn, not only improves decision-making but also fortifies your mental resilience.
REMEMBER YOUR TEAM
Leadership is also NEVER a solo act, but a combination of diverse talents coming together.
Imagine being stressed on your own; you sometimes just couldn’t find the courage to face it. But imagine when the stress is shared, you and your team also share the “grit” to solve the cause of the stress or issue.
POSITIVE STRESS: WHEN USED CORRECTLY
When harnessed right, positive stress can create an environment where every member is driven, motivated, and invested in ONE shared goal. So as a leader, it’s vital that you encourage a culture that views challenges not as stumbling blocks but as opportunities for collective growth.
You can foster team unity, and propel everyone to work towards shared success, all with the power of positive stress.
Embracing the Thrive
Witness how positive stress is the bedrock of adaptability and resiliency. That even when you sometimes feel like the path seems uncertain, you thrive? So as you lead, remember the power that positive stress holds in uniting and empowering your team!
Ready to embrace the thrive? Join me on this journey, where challenges are opportunities, and stress is not a hurdle but a stepping stone.
In the relentless world of business, stress is often a companion we’d rather not entertain. But what if I told you that understanding stress, particularly its impact on the brain, could be a game-changer for your leadership journey?
The Neuroscience of Stress: Navigating the Brain’s Terrain
Picture your brain as the control center of a bustling city. Stress triggers a cascade of responses, similar to traffic jams during rush hour.
The neuroscience of stress is fascinating. It’s not about eliminating stress but managing it effectively.
When stress hits, your amygdala signals danger, prompting the release of stress hormones.
Here’s the trick:
embrace “mono-tasking.”
Your brain is wired to focus on one thing at a time. Pause, breathe, and ground yourself in the present – as this is the cornerstone of stress management.
A Matter of Reframing
Understanding the neuroscience of stress empowers you to reframe your perception. Stress isn’t actually the enemy, as it’s a signal from your brain, indicating an “opportunity for growth”.
Instead of seeing stress as a roadblock, view it as a navigational tool, guiding you toward “areas” that need attention and improvement.
Mastering Cognitive Resilience: Small Steps, Big Impact
Cognitive resilience is your secret weapon against stress. Think of it as your brain’s fitness routine.
Begin with mini-meditations, and remember how a mere 3-5 minutes a day can work wonders. Then gradually extend to 10 minutes, fostering resilience in the face of challenges.
Like Success, It Doesn’t Happen Overnight
Cognitive resilience isn’t an overnight transformation; it’s a journey. So go on and celebrate small victories along the way.
Each mindful minute like small win celebrations contributes to the strengthening of your cognitive muscles. As a leader, cognitive resilience allows you to approach challenges with a clear and focused mind, enhancing decision-making and problem-solving.
Unlocking the Brain’s Potential: A Leadership Power Move
Your brain is like a treasure trove waiting to be explored but to unlock its potential, you must engage in “lifelong learning”.
You must learn to embrace change, encourage curiosity, and even challenge your mental boundaries.
Flexibility and Adaptability Are Your Best Friends
Because leadership is an ever-evolving landscape, your brain needs to be able to catch up. Hence, an active, adaptable brain is your ally in the dynamic world of leadership.
Your brain, like you, is a constant work in progress. So never forget to train your brain and sharpen it through attending workshops, reading diverse materials, and exposing yourself to new ideas.
Think of a leader’s brain as a fine wine, as it gets better with age and continuous refinement.
Emotions, Stress, and Leadership: The Path to Emotional Intelligence
Leadership is not just about strategy; it’s about emotional intelligence. Stress often clouds emotional clarity, and without it, we hit and miss on decision-making.
To prevent this from constantly happening, you must learn to practice active listening, be able to cultivate empathy and understand the emotional landscape of not just yourself, but also your team, as this not only enhances leadership but also fosters a harmonious work environment.
STRESS: Both A Disruptor and a Catalyst
In the realm of emotions, stress can be both a disruptor and a catalyst. But in between – there’s your emotional intelligence.
Your level of emotional intelligence allows you to discern between the two, as it’s the ability to understand not just your emotions but also the emotions of those around you. When stress arises, emotional intelligence guides you to “respond” RATHER THAN “react”.
Nurturing a Resilient Mind: Brain-Boosting Tips for Leaders
A resilient mind is a leader’s fortress. But how can one boost their resilience? Well, there are plenty of options for this.
Getting quality sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise.
Delegating tasks, outsourcing when needed, and building a robust support system.
Journaling is your bonus tool—it’s not just about documenting, but processing.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO RESILIENCY
Nurturing a resilient mind involves a holistic approach. It’s not just about managing stress when it occurs but creating a lifestyle that minimizes its impact.
Quality sleep is your brain’s recovery period, balanced nutrition provides the fuel for optimal cognitive function, and regular exercise is the key to a healthy mind in a healthy body.
In your leadership journey, remember that stress isn’t the enemy; but a companion.
By understanding its nuances, you can harness its energy for growth.
Navigate the neural terrain, cultivate cognitive resilience, and unlock the limitless potential of your brain!
GET HELP IF YOU NEED
Ready to embark on this journey? I invite you to explore my Complimentary Resource for Leaders for more insights. Together, let’s master stress, nurture resilient minds, and lead with unwavering brilliance.
You know how when it comes to success and other things, most people say it’s all about the mindset? It works the same with stress management. Mindset can also be key.
And while sometimes it seems that you have nothing else to do about the amount of stress you experience – regardless of its source, there actually are a ton of steps you can take to help you regain control of your emotions.
But first…
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MANAGE STRESS?
It might not seem like it or maybe it just doesn’t cross your mind… but constantly living with a high amount of stress level puts you and your well-being at risk by jeopardizing both emotional and sometimes, even physical health too.
Stress is annoying, it makes you feel like you’re out of control – and you feel like there’s an endless to-do list and there’s not enough time – plus the fact that you’re distracted due to the stress that you’re feeling… it’s all becoming a blur.
You make more mistakes or you keep re-doing things because you have less focus, you make bad or unthought-out decisions, or you feel like you just can’t function at all.
BUT YOU HAVE CONTROL, YOU JUST HAVE TO LEARN HOW
Yes, you can regain control – you always have it within you. You just have to learn how to tap on it whenever you need to.
It is in how you reframe your MINDSET, and before you think of anything I just want to say – I understand if you mistrust me here but hear me out first.
STRESS MANAGEMENT KICKS IN…
Helping you get out of that negative spiral and find a positive spiral. Where your ultimate goal may be to get a balanced life, get enough time for your work and family, and have fun things – all of it. And you will be more resilient to hurdles along the way.
And, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER…
There is no one-size-fits-all solution in this so you have to figure out what YOU need.
Here are a few tips and tricks to choose froM
1. Identifying what stresses you out – in your life.
When you know your stress triggers, it will be easier to avoid them, or even address them once you’re ready.
2. Having and keeping a stress diary at hand.
A great way to start is to make a stress diary. When writing things down, they become clearer in our minds. We can look at the whole picture and compare and re-organize until we feel – this is how it is!
A stress diary can be made with a structure where you in boxes write about situations – feelings around the situations – how you have tried to solve them before – and the result.
3. Being true to yourself.
The most important thing when identifying and reflecting on your emotions is to always keep it real by being true to yourself, and a way to do that is to accept your feelings and approach them from a third-party perspective by trying to separate emotions from decisions, so you can think rationally and without bias caused by emotions.
Getting those out of your way can make a world of difference.
4. Identifying what helps in making you feel better.
When you have identified your stressors and have noticed you started to feel better, immediately try to track or figure out what helped in making you feel better. Having this at hand can really change too much before you start dwelling on more negative thinking.
ALWAYS REMEMBER, THOUGH...
Stress is an automatic response in our systems – and these responses come whether we want them or not.
Sometimes, or most of the time, they come at the most unexpected times so knowing how to deal with them is really needed.
In addition to the above…
Here are 4 actions you can take when a stressor comes:
1. Avoid & Learn to Say No
This is good to do when we talk about toxic people.
On the other hand, it is not advisable to avoid things that need to be addressed because then they will become limiting beliefs in you. So it’s still crucial to know which are to be avoided and which are to be solved, and to do that, reflect on the pros and cons.
2. Alter was the second word
Finding ways to alter your behavior and actions can help you move on. Compromise, and who knows, maybe you can find new ways or some other way to make things work better.
3. Adapt.
If you can’t change the situation you have to change yourself to get a new result. Look at the bigger picture and identify what is important or what needs to be changed vs. what needs to be accepted and adjusted.
4. Accept
Acceptance is one of our prime stress management tools. If you can’t change things, you just need to accept and that is how it is – accepting that you can do nothing about that fact except you can change your mind about it and find other ways.
TAKE A BREAK, PAUSE & BREATHE
When things are hard, go back to the basics… which is to take a break so you can pause, relax and breathe.
Look and focus on the good things and find ways to grow. When you’re refreshed, you’ll find it easier to think.
FORGIVE…
Forgive – yourself and others.
Always keep in mind that in this life and even in the next, everyone makes mistakes and some of those mistakes may affect us. Try to free yourself from that negative energy and move on, as it is not worth it to go down that pit hole…
TRY SAYING YOUR FEELINGS OUT LOUD
Put words on your feelings, as saying them out loud can help make you feel so much better than just letting the thoughts stay in your mind.
Talk to friends you trust – or with a therapist if you feel it is too personal to share with your tribe.
Another great help if stress creeps up on you…
is to start MOVING YOUR BODY.
Moving eats stress hormones as the stress hormones are then used as energy.
At the same time, moving creates energy that enlightens your brain toward positivity. With that, comes clearer thinking because of the gift we got then back 200,000 years ago.
SMILING HELPS
Smiling helps as it gives you the “feel-good” hormones. It is contagious and can make people feel good too when they see you smile — and because of the mirror neuron theory… It creates a ripple effect.
DON’T LOSE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR.
Laugh if you can and when you can, even if that means laughing at yourself, and lastly…
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR HEALTH
Because our mind, body, and souls remain connected inside us.
And as you notice…
I always come back to the mindset over and over again…
Transparency for me is the basis for trust in doing business with other people.
Going back, one of the ladies I had that talk with, asked me about my thoughts on the matter because I was very firm on it, making a statement that it’s really important. And today, I’ll share with you the things that I’ve shared with them – where after the end of the long discussion they got new perspectives.
I’ll begin by giving you a scenario.
“Let’s say, you lied to your friend John, but here comes Marie who knows the truth, and one day, you discovered that John and Marie are friends What are you gonna do? Will you tell the truth to John or pretend like nothing’s wrong at all?”
That’s entirely up to you – but to tell you something, regardless of the act that you take, you cannot reverse the damage that you’ve done with the lying, you’ve already tarnished your reputation, and with that reputation, how can people know if they can trust you?
The scenario may be simple, but we know how common it is.
Aside from reputation being tarnished, what can it do to you internally?
You’ll be anxious and you’ll always overthink it. You’ll have to be very extra cautious and you’re always scared of something, especially the truth spilling out.
All that are very stressful and we know what too much stress does to our bodies, so it’s not wise to lie from the very beginning.
THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY IT TAKES
All these things also take a lot of energy just to keep track of things.
One lie leads to more lies, and it will just never be over.
Let me share my personal experience about the matter.
When I was new with my business, I got help from various associations from the upstart and got into a co-op with a lady nurse.
Everything was great! Or at least, looked great on the surface as she had a great business model that we used – except that she had a hidden agenda.
She was never transparent in the beginning as my business partner. She put everything in her name and was just telling me that it was ours, but then I was too blue-eyed to question it.
People around me started questioning some of the things we were doing so I had a hunch that something more was happening. I then confronted her but all I got were additional lies I failed to notice as lies so we continued…
Until I asked the wrong question, or actually, the RIGHT ONE that made her shield crack and blew up on me, even uttered things like I do not know anything about healthcare.
Me? Who’s been a Doctor for decades???? Knows nothing about healthcare??? Pretty sure that’s her way to gaslight in her effort to escape the questions I asked.
Then the 3-month hell started, til I got help from my lawyers to put the company in bankruptcy. We both lost a lot of money and it took me a year of hard work as a Doctor to be able to recover.
THE LESSON
Be aware of what you sign up for, and ask the right questions. Transparency is a MUST.
TRANSPARENCY AND SUCCESS CORRELATION
How does transparency help in business success?
Well, aside from the fact that you’ll be closer to achieving success if you are less stressed…
Imagine running a business without transparency. You can be great at what you do, but the company’s success will never be long-term without it.
Remember, it only takes a single wronged person for a business to fall.
WHAT TO DO WHEN BEING TRANSPARENT IS NOT AN OPTION
Having worked in healthcare as a Doctor for many years… I know that there are just unexpected situations where being completely transparent is hard so I know that it’s not always easy.
It was always a thin line to walk for me. I mean, how do you easily tell your patients about things that you know could really hurt them and their families?
But of course, at the same time, I know better – than holding it off, covering it up, postponing it, or worse, lying about it would just make things worse.
“So you shrug it off, the possibility of hurting them?”
No. But I always search for the best words to tell them. I tell the truth and nothing but the complete truth, but I kind of wrap my words in a nice package so it doesn’t hit them so hard. If possible.
BUSINESS TRANSPARENCY
Transparency in business means offering a clear, honest assessment of what’s going on within one’s work and starts with a simple shift in communication: openness and honesty between everyone involved in the business relationship.
It is also the basis for trust between a firm and its investors, customers, partners, and employees, having its core objective to be always the same: establishing trust and goodwill.
Let’s look at Some examples of what transparency in business can include:
With Investors and Shareholders – Investors think about transparency in terms of how readily they can access financial information about a company, including its price levels and audited financial reports. Investors must be able to trust that your organization produces financial reports that are informative, accurate, and independently audited.
With Customers – Customers want to see transparency from the businesses where they choose to spend their money. To achieve transparency with its customers, businesses should respond to customer inquiries and feedback in an honest and timely fashion, and increase the accessibility of information about their products and services. Transparency also means admitting to mistakes instead of trying to cover them up, and working to make things right with customers. When executed well, transparency with customers results in elevated brand loyalty, increased sales, and stronger employee satisfaction.
In the Supply Chain – Transparency between an organization and its vendors and suppliers is essential for ensuring a productive ongoing relationship. An organization may cease doing business with a supplier who fails to honestly communicate about the sources of its materials or labor. Supply chains are increasingly being scrutinized by governments, consumers, and NGOs who are concerned about the ethical sourcing of labor and materials.
With Employees – Transparency with employees is centered around honest, two-way communications between employees of the business and their managers. This can include transparent discussions about business goals and objectives, challenges, employee performance, and other work-related issues.
In the end, the primary benefit of business transparency is that it produces trust and goodwill while safeguarding the firm’s reputation among investors, partners, employees, customers, and other stakeholders. In addition to all the above-mentioned, benefits also include:
Increasing employee morale
Boosting employee engagement and retention
Demonstrating stability and encouraging investment
Leveraging honest feedback to improve processes and drive results
Demonstrating integrity and ethical behavior
Studies show that approximately 9 in 10 individuals (85%) are expected to stick by the company during a brand crunch if it possesses a history of being fully transparent.
TRANSPARENCY AND INTERNAL INFORMATION
Transparency in business can also mean publicizing a company’s internal information externally which can include:
Financial performance
Pricing
Key processes
Hiring practices
Diversity and inclusion data
Sharing all of this information keeps companies accountable to their customers and, most importantly, pushes them to follow ethical business practices.
Nowadays, people don’t just buy your product or services — they also buy what you stand for. In Edelman’s 2019 Brand Trust Survey, 81% of survey respondents reported that they “must be able to trust the brand to do what is right” to justify their purchase of the brand’s products or services.
But how exactly do you gain people’s trust, especially when the majority of consumers are skeptical of a lot of brands’ true intentions? A crucial first step to take is to fully commit to transparency. People value transparency because we evolved to trust the people who are honest and despise those who are deceptive. The former could help us survive. The latter could do the very opposite.
In a nutshell, people buy brands — not just products — and practicing transparency helps build their trust and affinity for your company. But this begs the question — what does that actually look like?
As I started off today ALL of these angles – steps – viewpoints cause a lot of stress for everyone involved if we feel we are doing the wrong thing.
Sticking to the truth helps us to stay grounded and be sure we do our best and that will be the best guarantee for less stress in your business
And of course, all these facts and angles can be applied to your personal life too.
This discussion around transparency, around the truth or lying, can be hard to tackle. It is a sensitive subject that can stress you out a lot.
What is right and what is wrong?
If you do not know where to start or feel hard to do on your own, it’s okay! You can start with little things, such as mastering your stress management as a leader, and then with less stress, the rest will automatically follow.
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