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There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616, British Poet, Playwright, Actor)

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3. Book Review: "Time to Think: Listening to ignite the Human Mind" by Nancy Kline

To Buy 'Time to Think' click here

On the first year of my degree course I was shocked by the lecturers attitudes towards essay writing, you were not expected to come up with any original ideas - an original thought was seen as a rather negative thing!

Everything we wrote had to be backed up by research.  I thought to myself, how is anyone going to have any original ideas if they constantly have to be in the context of research that has already been done.  To this day I still believe that a lot of education has the effect of reducing original ideas to essays of regurgitated old research.

This book "Time to Think" challenges that whole climate.  It introduces the concept of the "Thinking Environment".  Which is an environment where we are encouraged to think freely.

The ideas in this book are based on the assumption that the quality of everything we do depends on the thinking we do first, and our thinking depends on the quality of the attention we give each other. 

It describes a "Thinking Environment" which is 10 components that can be applied in any setting to enable others to think for themselves.  One of the main ideas is that "The brain that contains the problem probably also contains the solution". 

One of the main things that I like about this book is the way in which it is based on equality and respect for all people.  The idea that, given the right environment, we are all capable of coming up with genuinely new and interesting ideas.   The author talks about negative assumptions being the main things that cause blocks and stops free thinking from taking place.  She demonstrates ways to ask incisive questions to shatter the assumptions and free us to think again.

Here are some extracts from the book on various topics, from the concept of competition to the ability to listen.  You might, like me, find some of the concepts quite refreshing!

A fascinating section challenges the foundations of competition: "..to compete does not ensure excellence.  It just ensures comparitive success."

"Focus on a good idea rather than winning"

"The minute you begin listening to someone, your assumption about their ability to think for themselves will affect how well you pay attention and how confident you are in the likelihood that they will think perhaps even better than you can about their issue.   If you think their brain is inferior to yours, they will know it even if you do a dance a minute trying to hide it. "

"Equality helps the loud people from silencing the quiet ones.   But it also requires the quiet ones to contribute.   In a thinking environment noone can abdicate responsibility for thinking. "

For me the main benefit of this book wasn't so much in the practical application of the techniques, but more in the enthusiasm for free thinking that it fired up in me.  As you can see from my description of my college years, I think creating that enthusiasm is something that is far too rare in our culture today, but if we don't start to incorporate it into education and business we may have to put up with regurgitated ideas from our greatest resource, ourselves!

Jan Lawrence.

Do you have any thoughts on ways to build thinking time into your day to day life?  Have you got an opinion on any of the book reviews you have read in In Equilibrium? 

Please email us your comments to comment@in-equilibrium.co.uk

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4. Al's Column: Nasty shock below the Tropic of Watford

Where I come from (the middle of Scotland), people from the southern half of England are sometimes, very unfairly, thought of as ‘soft’.   Occasionally, the term ‘soft southern jessie’ is used to describe people from this subtropical zone of the UK.   So imagine my surprise when I encountered snow in Southampton – yes, the white stuff.   The local TV news’ lead story was about the ‘blizzard-like’ storm that had swept across Hampshire depositing ‘nearly an inch’ of fresh snow.   Naturally, this caused traffic chaos.

Yes, global warming was taking a well-earned break, and it really was uncomfortably chilly walking the 50 yards from the hotel to the pub (well I do like to take some exercise).   Locals were dressed appropriately: several jumpers, large coat, gloves etc.

I would like to contrast this with interesting local behaviour in Newcastle where I had been the previous weekend.   I was staying with a friend just across the Tyne from Baltic Quay.   Believe me, never was there a more appropriate name for a place.   OK, it was just above freezing, but there was a northerly blast and significant wind chill.  

In the North East, ‘Baltic’ climactic conditions clearly have little effects on the locals.   Because me and my friend are sensible (he is a southern jessie), we donned our thermals and rapidly headed for the nearest warm pub.   From said pub, we watched the locals in great numbers heading past the window into the ‘toon’.   I can honestly say we never saw a single jumper, let alone coat.   The lads were wearing thin slacks and a t-shirt or shiny short-sleeved shirt, and the girls, well frankly not a lot (skirts would not adequately cover it if you catch my drift).   In the meantime it had started snowing, but this appeared to have no discernable effect.

We, strictly from a professional view you understand (he is a psychiatrist and I am a psychologist), found all this absolutely fascinating.   We eventually came to the profoundly deep insight that ‘southern jessie’ is a euphemism for ‘sensible’ and that the Geordies are pathologically insane.

Stay warm,

Alan Bradshaw

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Looking back over 30 years’ working life, I’ve been supervised by many bosses, all of whom had their own ‘management style’.  The ones who left me completely to my own devices; the ones who had difficulty delegating and the odd one who seemed to get it just about right.  There are, however, two bosses who spring to mind when I consider the subject of workplace bullying: one who just enjoyed being ‘bossy’ to all staff, and the other who seemed to have a problem with me!

I had worked in that location for 7 years when a new manager joined the organisation.  This was her first post following university. Previously I had invariably received glowing appraisals, was known as a keen worker and seemed popular with the clients.  Almost immediately I seemed to attract trouble; everything I did was criticised; I was frequently ‘told off’ in front of clients and her ‘dislike’ for me was even remarked upon by other staff.  Luckily the job was part-time and I still enjoyed the work itself.  I had a second part-time job, which remained rewarding and challenging, and I also had the support of my family and friends.   Many occasions I would wait until the drive home before allowing myself the tears I had determinedly held back during the day’s work.  Determined not to let her get the better of me, I stuck it out and   ‘The bully’   remained my boss for two years.  Eventually she moved on, a new manager was appointed, fairness was re-established and I managed to repair my damaged reputation over time.

All this happened 15 years ago when very little was known about workplace bullying.  Now I deliver awareness training on the subject, I often wonder what I would do in the same situation.  The answer is “I don’t know”.  Unlike most bullies who ensure that their bullying behaviour is not witnessed by others, she was more public, however, even I could see that had I made a complaint, many of my complaints and the ‘evidence’ supporting them would have seemed very minor and petty.  Although the other staff disliked her behaviour to me, I am not convinced they would have wanted to risk their positions by backing up my claims. No doubt she would have labelled me ‘a trouble-maker’; ‘insolent’ and having ‘an attitude problem’.  I can now see that some of her behaviour may have stemmed from a combination of a lack of management training and a lack of self-confidence.

It is recognised that the following are some of the most common forms of workplace bullying:

I now recognise that my manager used every one of these tactics during those two years.

What could I have done? The following guidelines may help anyone facing similar behaviour:

It is common for a victim of workplace bullying to exhibit symptoms of stress, often resulting in an increase in absenteeism.  Relationships outside work may suffer and the victim may become increasingly withdrawn and lacking in confidence.  They are no longer able to be the confident, outgoing, popular individual they may have been before.  In extreme cases, suicide may be contemplated.  Many victims of bullying see changing their job as the only solution to the problem, thus making them doubly victimised, while the perpetrator remains in the job to practice their ‘skills’ on some other member of staff.

With an increase in public awareness and the introduction of relevant legislation, gradually organisations are waking up to their legal responsibilities in this area in addition to recognising the benefits of providing bullying and harassment awareness training for their staff.  It is crucial to remember that the problem lies with the bully, not the target and that everyone has a right to be treated fairly and with respect.

If you would like to know more about workplace bullying or harassment, contact us at Equilibrium Associates or go to http://www.in-equilibrium.co.uk/bullyingtrainingpage.html.

Lynne Walton

We are keen to hear your thoughts and opinions....Perhaps you have a comment about bullying in the workplace, optimism, organisations taking time to think...Maybe you don't agree with something you have read in this newsletter, or you find that a different approach works...

Please email us any comments to comment@in-equilibrium.co.uk

7. Stress Technique: Become an Optimist!

As you can imagine Psychologists are continually researching into why some people are happier than others.   The most common answer they come up with is that those of us who are described as ‘Optimists’ are generally happier.  

Optimism is a personality trait or attitude that things can and will improve.   It stems from habitually thinking or responding positively to events which occur in our lives and in the world at large.   Optimism is a very valuable and powerful habit to acquire.   It makes you happier because it generally makes you healthier in mind and body and also makes you more likely to succeed in whatever you are trying to do.

There are many reasons why Optimism makes us healthier; one is that because Optimists are pleasant people to have around, they generally have lots of friends and strong family ties.   This generates much social support that is one of the main weapons against stress and mild depression.   Optimists are also more likely to get involved in social exercise and team competition (because they always think they will win), which helps with physical health.   Optimists also, because they suffer less from stress and generally have a more buoyant mood, have stronger immune systems so suffer less from colds, sore throats and other viruses and infections.

Optimists are generally more successful because they habitually expect things to go well, and possibly more importantly, they respond well to setbacks.   The main reason people fail to achieve their goals, be it in business or recreation, is not because they haven’t got what it takes or that their ideas are flawed, it is because they give up too early in the venture because things don’t go exactly to plan.   This obviously has to be balanced with a degree of common sense as not everything can be achieved by perseverance alone.   This said, nearly all the great achievers in sport and business attribute the main reason for their success to a determination to never give up.

Like all personality traits, Optimism, or the lack of it, can be inherited from our parent’s genes.   But it can also be acquired if the desire to have it is strong enough.   If you think you could be more Optimistic then resolve to change the way you habitually respond and think about the things that happen in your life, the effort will be well worth while!

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We have started this section to tell you about resources on the internet which we have come across and think may be of interest to you, if you know of anything please email us at webresources@in-equilibrium.co.uk.

Mind out for mental health is an awareness and action campaign, working to bring about positive shifts in attitudes and behaviour surrounding mental health.

At the moment they have an excellent exhibition of black and white photographs on their website.  Portraits of people talking about their own experiences of mental health issues. 

Well-known figures like Ronnie O'Sullivan, Alastair Campbell and Claire Rayner.  You can see it at: http://www.mindout.net/1in4/1in4_background.asp

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