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How jet lag hurts diplomats

03/03/2016 /

Jet lag is a pain for every traveler. For diplomats and leaders it can be a killer.  The effects of jet lag can impair leaders, diplomats and the negotiations they are engaged in.

In this article, published by The Washingotn Post, Dan Caldwell and William G. Hocking give us some examples of well-known leaders who suffered from the effects of jet lag.

This is the story of Secretary of State J.F.Dulles. In 1956 he agreed to provide Egypt with economic aid to build the Aswan dam. After a long return flight to the USA, he found out that Egypt had bought weapons from the Soviet Union. Therefore, he immediately decided to cancel the agreement just signed. Years later, Dulles regretted this decision and affirmed that it was due to the effects of jet lag.

The article indicates other anectodes involving leaders such as J. H.W. Bush, H. Kissinger, H. Clinton.

Possible strategies to cope with jet lag are the use of melatonin, a substance that helps sinchronysing the cyrcadian system, or the use of sleeping pills, as many leaders admit to do.

Another alternative for the Gouvernments could be the return to residential diplomacy, that means relying more on their diplomats posted in the foreign countries.

Read here the full article

Jet.Lag

Image source: commons.wikimedia.org

Panta rhei

01/03/2016 /

The Diplo calendar 2016 realized by Stefano Baldi and Ed Gelbstein presents a selection of quotes from the Classical World for living and working better.

For the month of March the selected quotation is by Heraclitus, Greek philosopher famous for his insistence on ever-present change in the universe.

Everything flows

Calendar 2016 Festival_im_Page_06

Photo credit: coloneljohnbritt (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

‘Sorry’ seems to be the hardest word

25/02/2016 /

The need for an apology might suddenly emerge in organizations. At some point, every company makes a mistake that requires an apology—to an individual; a group of customers, employees, or business partners; or the public at large.

Maurice E. Schweitzer, Alison Wood Brooks, Adam D. Galinsky inquired into the “The Organizational Apology” on the Harvard Business Review September 2015 issue.

Should we apologize? We need to consider the “psychological contract” – the expectations customers, employees, business partners, or other stakeholders have about an organization’s responsibilities and what is right or fair.

When an apology is needed, setting up a strategy might help convey remorse and minimize the damage or defuse a tense situation.

As a general rule, the more central to the mission of the company the violation is and the more people it affects, the more important it is that the apology be pitch-perfect.

Suggestions for a tailor-made “sorry”.

  1. Who. The more serious and the more core the violation, the more necessary it becomes that a senior leader make the apology.
  2. What. Choose words to express candor, remorse, and a commitment to change. Leave no room for equivocation or misinterpretation.
  3. Where. Strive to control the coverage of an apology to determine how loud—and widely heard—the message will be.
  4. When. The quicker, the better.
  5. How. The way an apology is delivered can matter just as much as the content of the apology.

Read more here.

sorry

Image source: themuse.com

How to survive your day at work

23/02/2016 /

An article by The Guardian includes 10 tips on how to keep healthy at work by exercising and taking breaks:

1. Stand up: stand up frequently and do the same exercise you would on a long distance flight.

2. Get some fresh air: get out of the building and take a walk around the block.

3. Take the stairs, not the lift: great way to exercise!

4. Look away now: look away from the screen and at the furthest place you can see.

5. Turn your devices off in the evening and overnight: don’t give up your resting time!

6. Go to sleep: get enough sleep and nap if possible.

7. Take time for your lunch: no sandwiches at the desk!

8. Drink water:  keep hydrated.

9. Cut down on caffeine: coffee is dehydrating and it can affect how we sleep.

10. Do tasks for other people: altruism makes you feel better.

Sitting-Cartoon-1024x781

Image source: tao-wellness.com

 

6 Ways to Bring Gratitude into the Workplace

18/02/2016 /

A 2013 survey commissioned by the John Templeton Foundation stressed the importance of gratitude and its benefits in the workplace. Workers feel better when someone thanks them and their mood improves when they thank other workers. Despite this, workers are not very good at expressing gratitude to their colleagues.

A manager can make a real difference by modelling gratitude: according to the Templeton survey 81% of respondents would work harder for a more grateful boss. Here are some tips for how to make your workplace a thankful one:

1. ‘Catch’ your employees doing something right;

2. Be specific and authentic;

3. Recognise that your success as a manager is largely due to the hard work of your team;

4. Help your employees be the best they can by providing them with the training and tools they need;

5. Encourage gratitude sharing within your team;

6. Keep a gratitude journal.

Read more here.

GuadalupeNOLA15Oct07Thanks

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

 

9 Productivity Tips from People Who Write About Productivity

16/02/2016 /

In recent years, work has become more complex due to technological innovation. Now, more than ever, we need strategies for being productive. Here are some advice given by 26 bestselling science and productivity writers for achieving top performance at work:

1. Own your time;

2. Recognize busyness as a lack of focus;

3. Challenge the myth of the “ideal worker”;

4. Intentionally leave important tasks incomplete;

5. Make a habit of stepping back;

6. Help others strategically;

7. Have a plan for saying no;

8. Make important behaviors measurable;

9. Do things today that make more time tomorrow.

Read more on Harvard Business Review

Productive

Image source: Lifehack.org

 

 

4 Reasons Why You Should Leave Work On Time

11/02/2016 /

According to The Australia Institute‘s recent research, when employees do not leave work on time, the number of negative impacts associated far outweighs the number of positive impacts. Current working arrangements negatively impact on a range of personal situations. Whether you’re an employee or a manager, the following four reasons should further convince you to leave work on time:

1. Increased mental health;
2. Greater Productivity;
3. Positive personal relationships;
4. Improved physical health.

Read more here.

LeaveWorkOnTime

Image source: Julliengordon

 

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