Defence

Results through People

Kicking off again in 2006

By Paula Adamson

Welcome back to 2006! Hopefully this year will offer you a new set of opportunities and challenges. It is the time of the year when our New Year resolutions are either well under way, or well and truly forgotten. It's a time for us all to come back to work with the expectation that we are going to make a difference and contribute, or we are more determined than ever to make a change.

But...

Remember your first day back after holidays? By lunch time you have faced your first challenge and feel like you have never been away. You reach for the coffee pot desperately hoping that energy and enthusiasm will kick in. Higher operational tempo, more reporting, and still 300 e-mails in your Inbox. The feeling of helplessness creeps in and you start to lose your resilience. By the end of the first week it feels like you never had a holiday.

Finding your resilience may be a start to a healthy, productive and happier work environment for 2006.

The new reality - and not just for Defence - is that increased complexity, loss of stability, sometimes confusing organisational structures and the impact of technology on work require us to continually re-evaluate how we will react in different situations. People attuned to mind, body, heart and spirit inspire those around them through hope and vision which, in turn, creates resilience.

When we are continually faced with challenges, it may be our positive attitude that becomes contagious and resonates through our work environment. True leaders are able to do this on a daily basis and the reality is we are all responsible for leadership in Defence.

The assumptions that your intellect is good enough, that your mood does not matter or that great leaders are tough enough to take constant pressure, are all false. The truth is that emotional intelligence makes the difference. As individuals our positive and negative emotions are contagious.

Negative emotions are brought into the workplace as people are unable to sustain constant threat and sacrifice from the instability of a modern work environment. Positive energy and emotions, such as passion, optimism, enthusiasm, compassion and hope, can generate unity amongst co-workers. These individuals create a culture in which people thrive, and develop productive workplace relationships.

Are you one of these people? Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I inspirational?
• Do I create an overall positive emotional tone that is characterised by hope?
• Am I in touch with others? Do I experience and demonstrate compassion? And
• Am I mindful - authentic and in tune with myself, others and my environment?

If you can't answer yes to these questions, one question still remains. How can I inspire others when I feel less than inspired myself? It is important to realise that we all have control over ourselves and our actions. We all have choices about the way we react to situations and how we impact on others.

When you receive your safety instructions on an air flight, the announcer will say "If you are travelling with a child please ensure that you put your oxygen mask on before assisting your child". The reason for this is obvious - you need to be alert enough to help your child by helping yourself first. This should be the same lesson for all of us in life.

It can be more difficult to sustain a positive attitude and remain hopeful and compassionate when we continually make sacrifices and forget to put back into ourselves.

Here are some tips to help restore your energy and positive attitude. Use RED and make a start.

Rest - the amount of sleep we get every night

Exercise - Energy gives us more energy

Diet - Good food creates positive energy

Take time for yourself, have fun, eat well and enjoy life. It is only then that you can start to build resilience into your life and feel hopeful, positive and compassionate about the future. Remember, every day above ground is a good day.

The Results through People Network sponsors events that bring people together from across Defence to discuss better ways of managing ourselves and our working relationships. If you would like any further information on the Network, or you would like to know where your regional Network leader is located, please contact Steve Newton on (02) 6265 4489.

Best wishes for 2006!

Paula Adamson is Assistant Director in the Renewal Directorate.

If you are interested in reading further on these issues, there is a range of helpful resources including Resonant Leadership by McKee and Boyatzis, Working with Emotional Intelligence by Goleman, Crisis and Renewal by Hurst and Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman.

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