Courageous Conversations

The Gift of Risk: How to Live (and Die) Smiling

I interview Doug Sundheim of Clarity Consulting on his recent work: "The Gift of Risk: How to Live (and Die) Smiling."

In these 10 minutes, we talked about the three Risk Zones - Comfort, Danger and Stretch. And we talked about the "pull" that will put any risk you take into context to make it all more manageable. (10:40)

Risk Zones:

• Comfort Zone - familiar, but becomes uncomfortable if we stay too long.
• Danger Zone - too much risk so as to create paralysis.
• Stretch Zone - we must create the space for the Stretch Zone in order to take action.

And where does the "Pull" come from to create the Stretch Zone?

• Destiny - we are born to it (think Mozart and child protege).
• Delivered - life events bring it into focus.
• Discovered - we need to find it for ourselves.

Read more about Doug and Risk at Clarity Consulting.

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"C'mon! Keep that chin up"

OK, Joy is thinking. How do I keep my employees' spirits up?

Yes, the turbulent business environment has gone on for a long time. A lot of folks have been let go. It looks like you may begin to hire again in 2010. But not quite there yet.

Joy's employee, Sam, continues to plug-away, but is feeling quite beaten down. During their weekly meeting, Joy realizes she needs to bolster his confidence. (12:45)

• Upbeat tone of voice - Don't be dismissive of the employee's concerns
• Don't over promise - Only what you can deliver
• Listen - Don't talk him out of how he feels
• Be specific - Who is doing what, when.

Download Lessons Learned

"You have got to let me do it."

2009 was dismal. I mean, you made do. You got by. You put off your internal clients as best you could.

But it's 2010, a new year. This year you must get to do more - right?

The new year has begun and Gil has got to wrench more money and opportunity out of Mike, his boss's hands, to do more of what his clients need. (11:50)

• Engage in dialogue - Let the employee speak and be genuinely curious
• Ask questions - Not just statements
• Listen - You have to know what is said, to ask questions

Download Lessons Learned

Digital Nation: Engaged and Employee-generated

Social Media. User-generated content. Four generations in the workplace. Increase employee engagement. All these trends are converging in the workplace.

Listen to how getting your employees involved in creating their own content using audio, video and mobile technologies can transcend all these issues, and move your business forward. (04:06) PBS Frontline: Digital Nation