…heartbeat
of the positive revolution
|
  |
Changing Your World, Imagine… One of your colleagues grabs you by the arm and says, “Can you believe what John did?! Gary told me all about it. Man, it really makes me mad.” You smile a compassionate smile. Stunned by your unexpected response, your colleague suddenly grins sheepishly and says, “Oh, yeah… that’s right. We’re practicing that Agreement this month: “I agree to resolve conflicts directly.” Sorry to have bothered you with this – I’ll go talk with John and first find out if it’s even true!” Imagine enjoying a work environment in which your colleagues speak directly to those with whom they have an issue, rather than creating destructive drama by speaking behind their backs. How much would it be worth to practice “I agree to resolve conflicts directly” at work? Imagine… Your spouse (significant other, sister, brother) is shouting at you about that habit of yours that drives them crazy. Instead of your typical reaction, you take a deep breath and smile compassionately. This unusual response knocks them off guard and stops them in their tracks. “Oh yeah,” says your attacker. “I forgot. We’re supposed to be practicing that agreement this week: “I agree to respect our differences.” Off goes your loved one, muttering quietly and considering the power of this Agreement. How would it feel to live peacefully in your home where you are loved and respected for who you are? How much would it be worth to practice “I agree to respect our differences” at home? Consider the difference practicing only one Agreement could make. Is it worth mustering up the courage to introduce one of your favorite Agreements to your colleagues and loved ones? Dan Lavender felt it was well worth spending a day in a teambuilding exercise (see Success Stories, below). Sigrid and Ted Farwell felt it was worth practicing the Agreements to strengthen their marriage. (see June 2005 issue). For Susan and Bill Seale, Carol Hoskins, Kate Birky, Susan Gallagher and others, it was worth bringing Revolutionary Agreements to their worship communities, and then sharing their Facilitator’s Guide for FREE with others who want to do the same (at www.revolutionaryagreements.com/programs). What’s it worth to you to transform stress and struggle into freedom and joy, and change your world, one agreement at a time? With gratitude,
Do you feel that each Agreement is worth at least $1? (That’s a rhetorical question!) To support you in sharing these Agreements at home and at work, we are offering a special rate of only $1 per Agreement through September, at www.RevolutionaryAgreements.com. Get Revolutionary Agreements for only $12 instead of $21.95 per book (plus shipping and tax) if you order now. This is a great time to think about birthday and December holiday gifts, family reunions, teambuilding at work, and relationship-building in your community and at your place of worship. For case orders (40/case—limited quantity), we can give you an even steeper discount. Let’s talk! Helena@marlinpress.com Allow us to support you in changing your world, one agreement at a time. Agreements Build Strong Teams (12 Ways!) Dan Lavender is Director of Systems and Development at a major cable company, part time professor for the University of Phoenix and competitive cyclist. Five years with this company and I was seriously wondering how long I would last under the present tumultuous conditions. My challenge was finding a workable solution that would inspire a small, non-performing core organization within our bigger corporation to re-engage and move forward. I met with Joanne Cohen, an internal consultant, for some coaching. She gave me a copy of Revolutionary Agreements that I read and re-read over the weekend. By Monday I was energized and ready to recommit myself to take on the role of facilitating positive changes within this core organization. I put up a poster of the Agreements outside my office and allowed people to notice and ask questions in their own space and time. I worked with one Agreement at a time, watching myself transform as I related to my colleagues in a different way. I discovered the power of Looking within when I react and Listening with my heart. It was nothing short of amazing. Management noticed a difference in me and their curiosity peaked about these twelve simple guidelines. Soon the management team agreed to engage in a full-day teambuilding workshop facilitated by Joanne. Copies of Revolutionary Agreements were provided as well as copies of other corporate agreements. We divided into two teams with each team writing their agreements on flip charts. At the end of the working session we came together, combined the charts and wordsmithed a draft of what became Our Foundation (reproduced below) by which we agreed to live and work. We have been functioning as a cohesive team with our new agreements for seven months now and to say that this core organization has turned itself around would be an understatement. I look back and remember upper management laughing at my one-year goal strategy. Back then, they did not know about the power of using the Agreements. I can say that I am in love again with my career and assert that the Agreements are the best tools for stress reduction I have ever found. Next step: Move what we have done with this core organization outward to the rest of the corporation, one Agreement at a time. OUR FOUNDATION: To This We Agree… Keep Things in Their Proper Perspective. I agree to create joy in my relationships, my work, my life, and to appreciate the humor in our daily lives. Keep Commitments. I agree to only make commitments I am willing and able to keep. I will consider whether I have the authority, information, tools, time, and support to do what is being requested and will make certain my needs are heard and understood. I will re-negotiate commitments as appropriate and necessary. Go For Excellence. I agree to support others and to be supported in participating at the highest level of excellence, enabling a positive internal and external customer experience. Respect. I agree to treat others with mutual respect and professionalism. I will operate from a sense of cooperation, respect, caring and support in my interactions with others, understanding that goals are often the same although methods of accomplishing them may differ. Appreciate My Contributions. I agree to take responsibility for acknowledging myself and receiving acknowledgement from others. Express Appreciation for Others’ Contributions. I agree to acknowledge others and celebrate team accomplishments as well. I will work to create an environment that supports independent decision-making and risk-taking when appropriate. Focus on the Future, Grow from Experience. I agree to let the past be the past and to work as a team for the future. Seek Advice from Others. I agree to ask for advice from others and to listen to the advice that is offered. Tell the Truth with Compassion and Candor. I agree to take the responsibility to communicate openly and honestly, focusing on the issue or behavior, not on the person. Resolve Conflict Constructively. I agree to take problems, complaints, and upsets to the person(s) with whom I can resolve them, not to criticize or complain to colleagues who cannot do something about my complaint, and I will redirect others to do the same. Be a rEvolutionary Leader. I agree to foster an environment of genuine collaboration, in which all people, including myself, feel empowered to express our individual and collective potential. Thank you Dan, Joanne and the whole cable company team for sharing these awesome agreements with our Revolutionary News readers! Writing Dan’s story I am reminded of just how blessed I am. I have had the pleasure of writing your stories for more than a year and each time I am moved and inspired. Nearly every one of our storytellers started by saying, “I love the Agreements, but I don’t think I have a story,” or “I don’t like to write.” That’s where I come in: I love to write, it’s what I do. It would be my joy to interview you by phone for 10-15 minutes and discover together how you use one or more of the Agreements. Your story could make a difference in others’ lives. I know it will in mine. Are you game? Give me a holler: newseditor@revolutionaryagreements.org.
|
|
||||||||||
