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< PreviousSometimes it feels like the world is going bonkers and things are a little unhinged! The ongoing war in Ukraine, the dire state of the Middle East, the cost-of- living crisis, politics in the USA, the rise of autocratic leadership, the list goes on. It feels like the world is filled with volatility, threats, challenges, and uncertainty. Whenever I find myself getting overwhelmed and feeling this kind of despair by external events, I like to remind myself of a timeless and profound fable. The enduring story known as the ‘Tale of Two Wolves’, frequently associated with Cherokee tradition, although its origins and connection to Cherokee culture are the subjects of debate. Regardless, it is a powerful parable and the tale goes like this: 10 proteuslifeAn old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other one is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” He continues… “The same fight is going on inside you and indeed inside every other person too." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." I love sharing this powerful metaphor in the right moment, especially when I am coaching or running workshops when people are stuck or in a situation that feels hopeless. This helps to remind them that they need to consciously choose wisely what narrative they are constructing in their heads to ensure they nurture a healthy inner dialogue with themselves. Ironically, as I recount this story to others, I am simultaneously reminding myself that I must prioritise feeding the right wolf. To make a mindful choice to hunt for all the good things that are happening in the world, so that I can consciously cultivate and feed my mindset with love, compassion, empathy, and joy. I do this because when left unchecked, our ‘evil’ wolf will dominate our thoughts, shape our worldview, and ultimately dictate our behaviour, how we lead and who we ultimately become as a person in life. I often remind people that the metaphor of the two wolves does still acknowledge the inevitability of negative influences and challenges in life. It is essential to accept these negative emotions as part of the human experience. No one is immune from experiencing moments of anger, fear, or doubt. However, it is a choice whether we continue to feed and indulge in these negative stories. We can make a conscious decision at any time to stop feeding the ‘bad’ wolf! Dr. Wayne Dyer famously said, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” So, if we see the world as threatening, unfair and scary, a place of scarcity and volatility, we will undoubtedly become annoyed, cranky, intolerant, opinionated, distracted, closed, fault- finding and blaming. This will result in us having no agency, becoming a victim to external circumstances becoming that person who is renowned as being a chronic complainer. However, if we feed the right wolf and see the world full of abundance and opportunity, we become playful, joyous, open, generous, focused, curious, forgiving, and productive. We then find ourselves in a space where learning and growth are more important than being right. This will result in us having agency and choice in our lives. Giving us the power to decide our direction, to be more mindful and present, where we can make a positive difference with optimism and resilience. Where we see possibilities and are solution-focused now and about our future. So, the question right now is, which wolf are you feeding? It is a choice… Each day presents us with countless interactions, ranging from the mundane to the profound, and these choices collectively mould our mindsets. Through deliberate practice and effort, we can gradually feed and strengthen our ‘good wolf’ through our thoughts, words, stories, and actions, thereby enriching our lives and those of others. We can all proceed forward by consciously nurturing and growing our ‘good wolf’ which in turn, can radiate and flourish with its positive influence in our crazy but beautiful world. Richard Dore CEO - Director Of Partnerships Proteus Leadership "You either walk into your story and own your truth, or you live outside of your story, hustling for your worthiness." - Brené Brown 11 proteuslife“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” Napoleon Hill “Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.” Andy Rooney “Mistakes are the growing pains of wisdom.” William George Jordan “Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” Michelle Obama “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T.S. Eliot “If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs.” Dhirubhai Ambani “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu “Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” John F. Kennedy 12 proteuslifeDo the right things consistently Taking the stairs instead of the elevator for one day - or even for a week - won't result in any significant health benefits. Likewise, pursuing more sales one afternoon of every quarter probably won't result in significant increases. Even if you're doing the right things, you must do them consistently, or lasting and effective change will elude you. What's the secret to doing the right things consistently? Don't leave it to chance - manage your schedule, and be sure you have set aside adequate time for accomplishing your MVP activities. Often, we let the trivial and unimportant eat up time we should be spending on the significant and important. It takes awareness and discipline to keep those unimportant time-eaters on the back burner so that we can accomplish those things that we've decided are truly worthwhile. The good news, however, is that the longer you perform a task, the more efficient you'll become, and the less time it will absorb. Nevertheless, make the time you need to accomplish your MVP actions in a timely manner. No matter what you want to change - from your understanding of the Internet to the size of your waist - it takes more than thinking, believing, and feeling that the change should be made. It takes doing. It takes doing the right things. It takes doing the right things consistently! Republished from the International Institute of Directors and Managers (IIDM) - www.iidmglobal.com underlies all change: doing! In fact, it doesn't matter what we think, believe, and feel. If we don't do, effective and lasting change will never happen. Companies send people to classes, have high-level executive meetings, allocate funding, and talk a lot about change. But rarely do they get beyond the talking stage. However, most companies feel better just preparing for, or getting ready to, change. Keep in mind that even though your goal might seem miles away, it will get closer only when you take that first step of doing. Do the right things There's a saying that goes, "To accomplish nothing, attempt everything". Accomplishing nothing is the danger of bursting out of the blocks in your enthusiasm to do without a focused plan of the right things to do. Once you've decided to do, make a list of your options. Say, for example, your boss has just increased your sales goals for the next quarter. You're ready to tackle the new challenge - you're ready to do. But first, make a list of all the different ways you can accomplish an increase in sales, such as asking existing clients for referrals, improving your prospecting or beginning a direct mail program. Of those actions you can take, decide which ones are the Most Valuable & Profitable (MVP) ones to take. Those are the right things to do. Then when you've decided which actions are MVPs, you're set to go, with a clear focus on what to do. F or most people, particularly those of us in the fast-paced business world, change is about the only thing you can count on. To get ahead in business you must learn how to deal with, and make the most of change. If there's one thing that's constant in life, it's that life is always changing. Just when you've reached your quarterly sales goal, your boss raises it for the next quarter. Just when you've got your job down to a science, restructuring places you in a new department. Just when you've learned the latest spreadsheet software, an upgrade is released, making the first nearly obsolete. Change resistance - Part of being human Unfortunately, it's in our nature to resist change, to stay within our comfort zones and avoid the hard work that change requires. Tackling change is a risk that we're often reluctant to take, even when we're sure that the result will be an improvement for our personal or professional lives. For instance, how many of us know that a regular exercise program would greatly increase our quality of life? Yet we drive around the parking lot waiting for a space close to open up so that we won't have to walk any more steps than absolutely necessary. Likewise, in business, how often do we think, believe, and feel that we should undertake a change, but neglect the opportunity to do so? Just do it! The reason most of us don't change is that we don't focus on the key that 13 proteuslifeClick on the button below for more info MORE INFO A 12 Month Program With the ability to design your own timetable over a twelve (12) month period, the flexibility of the program is exactly what contemporary global leaders have been asking for. Being able to effectively manage people and processes, while being switched on to innovation and the changing global landscape, are essential skills required of today’s leaders, and leaders of the future. The most important thing to ask when selecting your personal leadership development is – “will I be able to use the skills in all areas of my life?” The Proteus Complete Leader Certificate Program will equip you to utilise the learned skills in both your personal and professional life, ensuring that you have the right strategy for every occasion. The Proteus Complete Leader Certificate Program combines three powerful Virtual Leadership Programs , with personal Group Coaching and Virtual Workshops , making it one of Australia’s premier leadership programs. Welcome to The Proteus Complete Leader Certificate Program 14 proteuslifeParticipants will gain access to: 4 x sessions per programVirtual Sessions Your own coach to guide you through your program Personal Coaching Comprehensive notes & interactive course manuals, ‘Let’s Go-Let’s Grow’ podcast and Proteuslife magazine. Program Resources Pre + Post Program Individual Coaching 3 Virtual Programs (4 x sessions each) 3 Group Coaching Sessions Following Programs Emerging Leaders Leadership Speak Leading Innovation & Strategy Leading People & Culture HR Essentials For Leaders Choice of 3 x Virtual Programs Attendance at one half-day scheduled Proteus Workshop of your choice (optional) The Leader As Coach Program Components 15 proteuslifeW hether in a formal setting or not, every leader has at some stage needed to provide feedback on performance. Yet perhaps the most powerful key to effective feedback is often forgotten. This key unlocks the door to better understanding, acceptance and use of any feedback you want to provide. Without this key it will always be more difficult for your feedback to have maximum impact. The forgotten key - ask what they think Start any feedback conversation by asking the other person what they think about their performance: • "So, how did you think it went?" • "What did you notice about your performance?" • "What did you think went well?" • "What would you wish you had done differently?" • "What pleased you?" • "What disappointed you?" • "What might you change next time?" These are just some suggested ways to open up the other person and create a dialogue about the performance - rather than you simply sharing your feedback in a one-way discussion. Why is this such an effective approach? There are at least five reasons why this is so valuable and important: 1. It engages the performer Especially if the situation is a formal performance review, people are most likely anxious or stressed. They are mentally bracing themselves for your input, not knowing exactly what it will be. It is, after all, your team member's performance and, while their perspective may not be complete, they do have insights into how they did. By asking them to share their thoughts first, you take some of the pressure out of the situation, immediately engage them and encourage them to participate. 2. It creates accountability in the development process By asking their thoughts, you are telling them this performance conversation is theirs - it isn't just something you are doing to them. In a not so subtle way, you are telling people you want their input and their involvement. People can't deny or get defensive about things that they saw in their own performance. You create ownership in the conversation by involving them. 3. Increases accountability for future performance Any feedback situation is meant to improve (or at least maintain) future performance. When people are engaged in the conversation, you are improving the chance they will be accountable for making any necessary changes. Why? Because, at least in part, they own the feedback and their behaviours. Once ownership is created, accountability increases. 4. Gives you a valuable insight into their perspective When you know what they think about their performance you are in a far better position to have your feedback received. If you need to give some corrective feedback, will it be more effective if you know before you begin whether they agree (or completely disagree)? Of course! They also may have noticed things - positive and negative - about their performance that you (the boss) didn't see - so with their input, you have the opportunity to have a more complete conversation about their performance. 5. Puts additional feedback in perspective for the performer If you have a disagreement about their performance on a specific area or situation, knowing their perspective will allow you to give that feedback in a way they are more likely to accept. The next time you need to give someone feedback - whether largely positive or negative - start by asking what they think. This will unlock the door to a more productive and effective conversation, and is more likely to lead to what you truly want - higher performance in the future. Republished from the International Institute of Directors and Managers (IIDM) - www.iidmglobal.com 16 proteuslifeThe Leader As Coach program has been designed to assist leaders to become exceptional everyday workplace coaches who know how to motivate, inspire and bring out the best in their staff. Keystone Radiology is an organisation made up of a group of young subspecialist trained radiologists and nuclear physicians who are passionate about providing world class medical imaging services in regional areas. Recently Lisa delivered her final session (reviewing the program & changes people were making), of The Leader As Coach multi-session program, after working with leaders from Keystone Radiology over the last couple of months. The Leader As Coach program has been designed to assist leaders to become exceptional everyday workplace coaches who know how to motivate, inspire and bring out the best in their staff. Feedback following the completion of the program identified that participants are now “Giving more praise, identifying strengths, building confidence & holding group coaching sessions; all key areas that are now producing notable differences in their teams & contributing to their goals. People are becoming more engaged, more motivated & want to learn; meaning greater cohesiveness, better teamwork & being on the same page”. It was an absolute pleasure to work with the team at Keystone Radiology. A fantastic group of leaders who were fully engaged throughout the program and who participated fully in each session. The Leader As Coach is a powerful leadership program which makes a positive difference! Proteus Leadership’s mission has always been to Create Great Leaders and to work with clients to transform their teams. Lisa Cutler, Regional Leader VIC / TAS had the pleasure of working with Keystone Radiology, delivering The Leader As Coach multi-session program. 17 proteuslifeProgram - Virtual Program Launch - 1 Hour (Virtual) Virtual Sessions - 3.5 Hours (Virtual) Group Coaching 1.5 Hours (Virtual) Program - Face-to-face Program Launch - 1 Hour (Virtual) Virtual Sessions - Full-day (Face-to-face) Group Coaching 1.5 Hours (Virtual) Breakfast Event 2 Hours Webinar 1 Hour Workshop Half-Day Virtual Face-To-Face Program FormatProgram Duration ProgramDateInfo HR Essentials For Leaders ProgramMay 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Jun 5More Info Moving From Busyness To Effectiveness WorkshopMay 2More Info Creating A Positive Culture WorkshopMay 21More Info Having Conversations That Matter WorkshopMay 21More Info Understanding & Managing Behaviour WorkshopMay 28More Info Super Breakfast With Richard Dore EventMay 30 - PerthMore Info Having Conversations That Matter EventMay 30 - PerthMore Info May Afternoon Session Afternoon Session Presenting With Confidence WorkshopJun 6More Info Emerging Leaders ProgramJun 18, 25, Jul 2, 9, 16 and 23More Info Super Breakfast With Richard Dore EventJun 19 - AdelaideMore Info Having Conversations That Matter EventJun 19 - AdelaideMore Info Leading People & Culture ProgramJun 20, 27, Jul 4, 11, 18 and 25More Info Super Breakfast With Richard Dore EventJun 20 - MelbourneMore Info Super Breakfast With Richard Dore EventJun 26 - BrisbaneMore Info Having Conversations That Matter EventJun 26 - BrisbaneMore Info Creating a Whole New Mindset WorkshopJun 27More Info Jun 18 proteuslifePROTEUS Face To Face PROTEUS Virtual Check out the full public schedule on our website for all our virtual and face-to-face programs that are currently scheduled. We continue to update this schedule based on client feedback and demand. ProgramDateInfo Creating A Positive Culture WorkshopJul 3More Info Moving From Busyness To Effectiveness WorkshopJul 10More Info Moving From Mate To Manager WorkshopJul 11More Info Coaching With Confidence WorkshopJul 17More Info Making Decisions That Matter WorkshopJul 24More Info Leading & Managing Yourself WorkshopJul 29More Info Jul HR Essentials For Leaders ProgramAug 7, 14, 21, 28 and Sep 4, 11More Info Understanding & Managing Behaviour WorkshopAug 8More Info Moving From Mate To Manager WorkshopAug 13 More Info Creating A Positive Workplace Culture WorkshopAug 13 - MelbourneMore Info Creating A Positive Workplace Culture WorkshopAug 15 - AdelaideMore Info Creating A Positive Workplace Culture WorkshopAug 20 - BrisbaneMore Info Emerging Leaders ProgramAug 20, 27 Sep 3, 10, 17 and 24More Info Creating A Positive Workplace Culture WorkshopAug 22 - SydneyMore Info Leading People & Culture ProgramAug 22, 29 Sep 5, 12, 19 and 26More Info Aug Afternoon Session Having Conversations That Matter WorkshopSep 10More Info Moving From Busyness To Effectiveness WorkshopSep 11More Info Presenting With Confidence WorkshopSep 16More Info Emerging Leaders ProgramSep 17, 24, 25 and Oct 1 - BrisbaneMore Info Emerging Leaders ProgramSep 17, 24, 25 and Oct 1 - AdelaideMore Info The Leader As Coach ProgramSep 18, 25 Oct 2, 9, 16 and 23More Info Leading Innovation & Strategy ProgramSep 24, Oct 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29More Info Sep Afternoon Session 19 proteuslifeNext >