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The Champions

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In HR, we talk about ‘Champions’ a lot.  We talk about needing Champions for Recognition, for Diversity,  for Change…people who are leaders, big picture thinkers, are dedicated to the cause,  are not afraid to use their voice and will perform to high standards. Someone with ideas, passion and committment.  There are champions in sport, health, environment, community – I am sure you can name a few.

I was referred to my Champion of Pain Management (for lack of another term) almost 10 years ago, and we’ve been together ever since.  He is relentless on finding a solution, a fix, a cause…or being a source of  hope.  Although he is a trusted leader, he doesn’t hesitate to refer to others when puzzled. He is a respected mentor, coach and teacher.  I have heard the many stories.

At first,  I felt I wasn’t doing my part in my relationship with my Champion. Perhaps I was naive, scared, intimidated, but, because of my natural curiosity, I started to read how to make the connection better. Plus,  I wanted to find some way to demonstrate my appreciation for his time and work. (Words just don’t cut it).

So, I put myself in the driver seat and took my role more seriously:

  • openness/honesty:  yep, that took time to get there, but it’s hard to solve a problem with only 1/2 the info (besides –  he could always figure me out)
  • follow the plan, not some version of it:  making up your own rules or using another approach never did go so well 🙁
  • communicate: remembering that little notebook of things that were said and things to share, info on meds, etc.
  • be prepared: what is new since last time? how is it going? any changes? I often need to think through my appointment ahead of time.
  • bring someone with you: I still struggle with this one personally (that’s a whole other blog), but it can assist with communication and information capture – plus emotional support.

**ask questions, ask questions, ask questions – about everything – I learned that Doctors need and want you to be involved in your care and its through your story they are best equipped to do their jobs.

A recent visit sparked this blog as I found myself once again feeling grateful to have him in my corner.  But I can’t talk about this Champion without also sharing my gratitude to the many other leaders, researchers and health care practitioners, all Champions too, that have provided guidance and support along my journey.

As fortunate as I may be, I recognize that so very many continue  to struggle to find their own Champion/leaders/partners/voices.  Everyday the paper, tv news or social media is filled with heartbreaking stories of cries and pleas for help and resources; people looking for many levels and different kinds of care. I remain ever hopeful for some creative solutions by all those impacted.

Best,

Angela

 

Getting Off the Rollercoaster

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A couple of years ago, I started with a Personal Trainer at GoodLife. My initial motivation was to reduce stress, establish a work/life balance and get my blood pressure down. Having never really been a workout person, it made for a tough go at first. But when matched with the right trainer, I learned how to eat and actually appreciate food and to have the trust to push myself (nothing like a good sweat!). It was hard work and required constant focus (and so much self talk). But in about two years, I became a label reading, sugar-slamming foodie, who you’d find more often on the elliptical machine than at a happy hour. I even ran the Blue Nose (ok, the 5K). I was strong, energetic and in control of my health, and was actually having fun with it (surprise!). During this process, the Pain was kind of a thing, but would come and go, so I was able to just work around it. I was in the Zone.

Near the end of my sessions with my amazing trainer, things took a bit of a turn – courtesy of an unusual Pain related issue. And while I knew something was different, I didn’t imagine that in just a short time I would move from an exciting, proud place to one of confusion and disruption.

The timing of these blogs is not a coincidence. I’m now trying to get off that rollercoaster and into a new kind of  Zone, and writing makes it real. But the biggest part of this process is learning to let go of what was and find a new path of what can be. The cardio is being replaced by cycling and walking and the foods that crept back in are being once again replaced by better choices. I am understanding how the Pain works and how to work with it. It may be a winding road, but I still have lots of energy to fight.

I never hesistated to reach out to professionals that I thought could provide me with solid advice, and that includes the team at EFAP. In particular, health-related support. To check it out,  sign-in to http://workhealthlife.com, go to MyServices. Or just give them a call at 1-800-387-4765. Or an online chat. Worked well that way too.

Take care,

Angela

What difference will you make today?

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Reposted from Patricia Katz’ Pause Newsletter Vol 14 No 16-April 23, 2014. Subscribe at www.pauseworks.com.

Reflection:

While taking my morning walk along the riverbank trail, I came across a couple of staff from the Meewasin Valley Authority. They were working their way along the trail, emptying the garbage cans scattered throughout the park.

It’s a workplace setting that has a lot to offer especially on a warm spring day. You can’t beat the great outdoors with a river view.

Still, emptying trashcans can’t be the most pleasant job in the world. They’re jammed with sticky cans and bottles and the remnants of fast food lunches in the park. To top it off, they’re overflowing with stinky, leaky plastic bags of doggy do.

On my way past, I gave the fellas a wave of my hand. And then I thought, “I could do better than that!”

So I stopped in my tracks, turned around and said, “Hey, guys, thanks for all the work you do cleaning things up out here. It makes a big difference for all of us, and I really appreciate it!”

And they, in turn, stopped what they were doing, looked up, and rewarded me with two of the biggest grins I’ve seen in some time. I smiled right back and carried on.

Action:

And in that small exchange, I was reminded that it doesn’t take much to lift another’s spirits or make someone’s day.

We simply need to move ourselves off auto-pilot, tap into an appreciative intention, and act on the opportunities that are right in front of us.

Our actions need not be any more extraordinary than the acts they recognize. A smile. A kind word. A helping hand. They’re all simple, doable ways of making a positive difference and giving an upbeat tilt to someone else’s day.

And, by the way, extending appreciation is a definite “twofer.” It lifts our own spirits, too. Positive actions do double duty. Who could ask for more?

Caring as a Managerial Strategy

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Michael Kroth and Carolyn Keeler in a thoughtful article entitled, Caring as a Managerial Strategy in the Human Resource Development Review outlined a number of actions by managers that demonstrate caring:

  • Invites employees
  • Is receptive and fully available to the employee
  • Is emotionally accessible
  • Pays attention
  • Shows interest in the employee
  • Accepts the employee
  • Remains open to ideas, possibilities (is open minded)
  • Empathizes
  • Advances employees
  • Has a desire to help the employee succeed
  • Puts employee plans and goals ahead of his or her own
  • Advocates for the employee
  • Commits to employee success
  • Protects employees
  • Seeks opportunities for advancing employees
  • Builds employees capacities
  • Sees individual potential and helps employees grow and learn
  • Informs employees
  • Facilitates problem solving
  • Gives generative feedback
  • Encourages employees
  • Believes in employees
  • Teaches and mentors employees
  • Connects with employees
  • Shares feelings
  • Develops relationships of mutual trust and obligation

If you supervise others, how many of those behaviours do you practice?  Does the person you report to exhibit these behaviours?  Tell us your thoughts.

 

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