Key to Productive Teams: Who are You Being?

Written by Linda Ferguson | Edited by naga

Last updated on Aug 13, 2022

Sections of this topic

I’m always inspired by Jeffrey Swartz, former CEO of Timberland Co. He understands that who you are being at work matters just as much as the activities that you do.

I’ve often pondered the interplay of Beings and Doing. Our work world puts waaaaaaay more emphasis on doing- being productive, keeping busy, meeting deadlines, accountability for performance. How many performance appraisals give weight to Who You Are Being at work? …..What gets rewarded gets repeated.

So why not reward who you are being that supports a positive workplace? Think of how many projects get derailed because people don’t get along or can’t stand each other! If managers and executives paid more attention to who staff are being , it would help teams be more productive.

Notice this week how much energy you give to what you do vs. who you are being.

Are you being kind?
Are you being gracious?
Are you being open-minded and open-hearted?

I love to share this story of how Jeffrey Swartz realized that who he was being as CEO of a Fortune 500 company was just as important as what he was doing.

Enjoy! Leave a comment below to let me know what you think of his moment of awakening.

Here’s a Special Bonus– This interview with Jeff shows his commitment to his faith and his belief that businesses play a vital role in social justice. He shares his views that engaged consumerism is the key to social change- “Interview with Jeffrey Swartz”

I am grateful for his commitment to corporate social responsibility and his understanding that work and spiritual life are interconnected.

***********

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Sign-up on Linda’s website- www.lindajferguson.com to receive other valuable tools for living and working with heart.

Click to buy Linda’s 10^th Anniversary edition of “Path for Greatness: Work as Spiritual Service”.

Linda Ferguson

Recommended for you

Frequently Asked Questions About Peer Coaching Groups

Frequently Asked Questions About Peer Coaching Groups (PCGs) Information on this page assumes that you have read the information at How to Start Your Private Peer Coaching Group. Standard Questions What is a PCG? What Process Does a PCG Use? Who Joins a PCG? What Does “Coaching” Mean in a PCG? What Do People Get …

Improving Yourself

Critical Thinking Skills: What It Is, Examples and Guidelines

Critical Thinking Skills: What It Is, Examples and Guidelines Copyright Carter McNamara, Authenticity Consulting, LLC Sections in This Topic Include What is Critical Thinking? Benefits and Examples of Critical Thinking How Good Are Your Critical Thinking Skills? Developing Your Critical Thinking Skills General Resources Also consider Concentration Creative Thinking Mindfulness Mindsets Reframing Systems Thinking Strategic …

Improving Yourself

Creative Thinking Skills: What It Is, Examples and Guidelines

Creative Thinking Skills: What It Is, Examples and Guidelines Copyright Carter McNamara, Authenticity Consulting, LLC Sections in This Topic Include What is Creative Thinking? Benefits and Examples of Creative Thinking Developing Your Creative Thinking Skills Also consider Concentration Creative Thinking Critical Thinking Mindfulness Mindsets Reframing Systems Thinking Strategic Thinking Related Library Topics Learn More in …

Improving Yourself

Concentration: What It Is, Examples and Guidelines

Concentration: What It Is, Examples and Guidelines Copyright Carter McNamara, Authenticity Consulting, LLC Sections in This Topic Include What is Concentration? Causes of Poor Concentration Test – How Well Do You Concentrate? Strategies to Improve Your Concentration Also consider Creative Thinking Critical Thinking Mindfulness Mindsets Reframing Systems Thinking Strategic Thinking Related Library Topic What is …

Improving Yourself

How to Improve Your Memory: Guidelines and Resources

How to Self-Reflect: Guidelines and Resources Copyright Carter McNamara, Authenticity Consulting, LLC Sections in This Topic Include What is Self-Reflection? How to Improve Your Self-Reflection Also consider Related Library Topics Learn More in the Library’s Blogs Related to Personal Development In addition to the articles on this current page, also see the following blogs that …

Improving Yourself

How to Improve Your Thinking Skills

How to Improve Your Thinking Skills Thinking skills are how you use your brain to recognize, interpret, analyze and come to conclusions about information. It is you use your brain to make decisions and solve problems. It also is how you use your brain to convey information to others, including to clarify what you want …

Improving Yourself

Improving Your Learning

Improving Your Learning The focus of the Library is on resources for personal, professional and organizational development. At the core of these is personal development. Without personal development, it’s difficult to sustain professional and organizational development. Sections in This Topic Include Are You Learning Everyday? Learn, Grow, Lead: Stand Out In the Crowd Various Perspectives …

Improving Yourself

How to Study and Use Study Guides

How to Study and Use Study Guides Copyright Carter McNamara, Authenticity Consulting, LLC Sections of This Topic Include How to Improve Study Skills How to Use Study Guides Also consider Adult Learning Concentrating Continuous Learning Creative Thinking Critical Thinking Learning in Courses Defining Learning Group Learning Key Terms in Learning Improving Your Learning Improving Your …

Improving Yourself

How to Learn More From Courses

How to Learn More From Courses © Copyright Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, Authenticity Consulting, LLC. Market research shows that we adults are enthralled with courses. We love to learn! Trainers and developers are responding with an explosion of new courses, and these are costing more than ever. Therefore, it’s critical to know your learning needs …

Improving Yourself

Law of Attraction: Release your Judgments and your Pain

I have worked with several Coaching clients this year who recently lost their job. Like so many people in that situation, their fear over finances started to suck their energy, and drag them into a downward spiral. To add salt to the wound, they also beat themselves up over losing their job. They add extra …

Improving Yourself

Vacate and Renew – 4 Major Benefits

Afraid you'll be buried in work when you return from vacation? There are more benefits to time off than you think. Learn more here....

Improving Yourself

Servant Leadership and Compassionate Collaboration

I’ve collaborated with Dr. Crystal Davis for the past two years. It’s been a nice creative process. I first met Crystal while she was working on her Ph.D. She had read my book “Path for Greatness: Work as Spiritual Service” and wanted to include it as a piece of her dissertation work. Here’s a post …

Improving Yourself

Honoring Balance with Self-Acceptance

I recently started reading, “The Pathwork of Self-Transformation” by Eva Pierrakos. From what I’ve gleaned so far, the Pathwork process is about finding the unresolved conflicts within you that create turmoil, problems, tensions in your life. It reminded me of the concept of Polarity Management, the ability to manage conflicting desires, needs, yearnings. The elusive …

Improving Yourself

Love in All Ways

‘Tis the season of Love – a time to remember the power of Love to heal, transform, and nourish. Valentine’s day is a reminder of all the ways that Love shows up in our life. Sometimes Love shows up with flowers and candy. Sometimes Love shows up as an unexpected call from a friend. Sometimes …

Improving Yourself

Get UnStuck and Get On with Your Life!

January is behind you and those New Year Resolutions may be a distant memory. You still want to lose weight, be more patient with your kids, change jobs, get more organized. Yet you just don’t seem to have the focus, energy, or motivation to make a change. You keep letting old habits go on auto-pilot. …

Improving Yourself