Whose responsibility is it to learn how to manage work-related stress? Ours? Or our managers and the company’s? A recent forum I participated in led me to reflect on this alongside leaders and experts from various sectors. 🎶 Forum Reflections: Quique Dacosta: “We identified someone as a time thief; they were super talented but approached others 15 times a day without transferring positive energy.” This three-Michelin-starred chef not only innovates in the kitchen but has also shown for many years that his innovation extends beyond culinary arts to team management. I understand that one cannot lead the world of haute cuisine without giving maximum value to the people who accompany them and assist in their growth. Alejandra Vallejo: Challenges us with her vision of work-life balance, putting our routines in perspective compared to those of athletes: “We want to be corporate athletes, but athletes sleep 10 hours, work 6 hours, and eat perfectly. How are we going to achieve that if we do the opposite?” These words resonate especially in sectors like hospitality, where Quique Dacosta was a pioneer many years ago, in understanding that his role as a leader and the support of specialists was key in helping his teams manage stress. For my part, my contribution was clear: “Avoiding stress and ensuring well-being at work is a shared responsibility. People don’t leave companies; they leave bosses or stressful situations.” In summary: Shared Responsibility: The management of stress and occupational well-being is a joint effort of the teams and their leaders. The Role of the Leader: Must be a model of organization and teach effectiveness, relying on external support if deemed necessary. The Role of the Employee: To assume individual responsibility and be open to change and other ways of organizing to gain efficiency and effectiveness. 🔹 Beyond Words: These ideas, although arising in the context of tourism, have a universal echo in the working world. What’s your opinion? Who do you think should lead the responsibility to improve time management and stress? Where does the individual part in improving our organization lie? What should companies and managers teach us?
Author Archives: Gabriela Morales
Jan
Let’s analyze our daily work modes and discover our shortcomings: Participating in meetings. Communicating via emails, WhatsApp, Teams, and face-to-face conversations. (Yes, fortunately, these still exist!) Focusing without interruptions on tasks that require it (30′, 45′ with high concentration on the same task). Intentionally resting with short breaks during the day + adequate nightly rest. (10′ or 15′) Enjoying quality personal life every day. Unfortunately, many of us get trapped in modes 1 and 2, leaving little room for deep concentration (mode 3) and necessary rest (mode 4). This imbalance leads to exhaustion that hampers our effectiveness and personal life (mode 5). We find ourselves on what we call the hamster wheel filled with M&Ms: mails, meetings, mobile, and messaging of teams… with a progressive deterioration of our energy throughout the day, which goes against true balance. And finally, some reflections to ponder: ‘Deep Focus’, as Cal Newport calls it, requires effective rest to recharge energy (Mode 4) and face high-concentration tasks (Mode 3). If the energy is not as it should be due to not achieving “Mode 4”, it is most likely that, consciously or unconsciously, we avoid that high-concentration task and wrongly enter “Mode 2” which has those gratifying but unhelpful dopamine shots concerning our big challenges. That’s precisely why we procrastinate. The lack of sufficient energy makes us more prone to it. One last advice we always remind our clients: we don’t manage time, but energy. Planning our day, our weeks, and months to maintain an optimal level of energy is essential to work smarter, not harder. This includes small daily activities that help us stay energized and weekend activities that recharge us physically, emotionally, and cognitively. It’s non-negotiable for those who want to be effective and achieve the much-desired WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER. Now, I’d like to know your strategies: 1️⃣ What are your mini-activities during the day that allow you to maintain your energy in the best way during the workday? For me, morning workouts are key. 2️⃣ What are the weekend activities that allow you to return on Monday recharged physically, emotionally, and cognitively? In my case, being with my children, my partner, and my friends revitalizes me enormously. 3️⃣ How restorative are your nights of rest? Thanks to expert Jana Fernández’s advice, I’ve improved a lot in this aspect. Working many hours, but in ‘hamster’ mode is not being a good professional; on the contrary, it’s a warning sign that sooner or later you’ll end up with problems.
Jan
What is a widespread mistake in organizing yourself effectively, common among many who seemingly work hard and are highly focused on their jobs? On January 5th, I had dinner with some close friends. I engaged in a fascinating conversation with one of them, a lawyer named Alfonso. Highly intelligent and an excellent character, Alfonso genuinely cares about others and knows how to ask the right questions: Alfonso: “Agus, have you started sessions with clients this week?” Me: “Very few. Most clients are still on vacation, even those from outside Spain. They don’t miss out.” Alfonso: “So, what are you doing this week as you’re already working?” Me: “Doing the most important thing I do every month, though with a bit more time at the start of the year. Spending time planning the next quarter. Identifying priorities to ensure my calendar, meetings, habits, routines, and systems for the coming months align with them in the right proportions.” Alfonso: “Tell me more, I think I heard you discuss this on a podcast recently.” Me: “We call it STOP & THINK, dedicating time to plan intentionally based on our priorities.” Alfonso: “That’s exactly where I fail. Why do I find it hard to stop, think, and plan, yet I can spend hours with clients or preparing for a trial? I can’t seem to dedicate a few hours to thinking and planning.” Me: “Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s a common human nature absurdity. However, as a successful lawyer who seems happy, you don’t have a severe problem. But, I will tell you two things: Without sufficient planning and reflection, you probably work more hours than necessary. And, you haven’t yet discovered your best version and what you’re capable of achieving, probably with a better lifestyle.” 💭 This conversation left Alfonso thoughtful, questioning his current approach to work. This exchange with Alfonso highlights a common dilemma: we can work long hours, day after day, yet struggle to dedicate time to planning. And planning is the foundation of everything else. Without setting aside time to think and plan from a distance, we are likely not working on what we really should be, which is the greatest absurdity. 📝 Reflecting to plan not only improves our effectiveness and ensures our best professional version but also allows us to maintain a balanced life. It’s the best possible investment. ✅ How much time have you devoted to planning your first 2-3 months of the year in relation to your priorities?
Dec
December Predicts January Stress: Strategies for a Smooth Start to the Year Did you know that December can predict your stress levels in January? Here’s how to start the year on the right foot. December is unique: fewer working days, more festive events, and the pressure to close the year on a high note. It’s also common to neglect personal care, impacting our sleep and exercise routines, along with a psychological effect – feeling more tired as vacations approach. 📅 Planning for a Peaceful January Organize Your Agenda: Ensure your January schedule is well-planned and prioritized. This will allow you to enjoy your holidays peacefully and avoid chaos upon your return. Maintain Balance: While it’s tempting to indulge in holiday excesses, remember the importance of balance to enter January refreshed. Maintain minimal exercise routines and some self-control during the holidays. 🔍 The Impact of Good Planning Stress Reduction: Having January organized in advance can prevent the increase in cortisol levels due to falling behind and post-holiday stress. Avoid Physical Regrets: Planning helps you avoid regretting holiday excesses and lack of physical activity. 🚀 There’s Still Time Every day counts. Spend some time planning January with intention and coherence. This way, you can fully enjoy December, knowing your return will be more manageable and less stressful.
Nov
“The Best Legacy for Our Leaders of Tomorrow: Beyond Material Wealth” In our dynamic conferences, we often delve into unconventional topics, and today’s focus on legacy is no exception. We’re redefining legacy, shifting the focus from material inheritance to something far more impactful: habits that shape future leaders. The Power of Reading and Reflective Writing Among these, the habit of reading stands paramount. Its benefits are well-documented: enhanced attention, improved communication skills, and stronger neural connections – all crucial for effective leadership. Equally important, though less obvious, is the practice of reflective writing. Whether with traditional pen and paper or a digital stylus, this habit fosters: Enhanced synthesis and conceptualization of ideas. Improved processing of complex information. Better retention and comprehension. Balancing Speed with Thoughtful Reflection In our fast-paced, tech-driven world, handwritten reflection might seem outdated. Yet, it offers a unique advantage: it curbs the lure of multitasking, a challenge identified in recent studies as detrimental to productivity and focus in both educational and professional settings. Applying Reflective Practices in Professional Life How can these practices be integrated into our daily professional routines? They’re invaluable for: Learning new concepts and strategies. Structuring impactful presentations and pitches. Brainstorming for innovative solutions. Making well-considered decisions. Reviewing and analyzing key documents. In our FASE Method, we emphasize starting with handwritten ideas, and transitioning them into digital formats for further development. Conclusion: Embracing Traditional Skills in a Digital Age In an era where digital tools dominate, the traditional art of reading and writing holds immense power. The most significant legacy we can leave for the next generation of leaders is the ability to disconnect, reflect, and innovate, free from digital interruptions.
Nov
“Whoever wants to reconcile, must earn it” Reconciliation involves finding a balance between personal and professional life achieving goals in both areas. It’s about advancing in professional challenges without neglecting what you value most: family, partner, hobbies. We always like to remember that professional purpose should be a means to achieve personal purpose, something that, in my case, took me too long to understand. The Need for Organizational Training But, have we ever been taught to reconcile? Are there specific practices or training in organizations to facilitate this balance, beyond mindfulness training for stressful moments or motivational talks? Organizations and Employee Retention Fortunately, the landscape is changing. Reconciliation has become a priority for both professionals and employers. Organizations are seeking to retain their talent, knowing that a balance between professional and personal life is key to commitment and retention. To achieve this, they are starting to allocate resources more intentionally to help people organize themselves better. Initiatives for simplification or understanding what it means to work smarter, not harder, are some examples in this direction. “Organizations want to retain their talent and know that one of the key elements to achieve this is for workers to maintain a balanced life between the professional and personal.” Strategies for Effective Time Management However, as employees, we must also take individual responsibility to improve our organizational skills. Reconciliation requires an individual effort to manage our time and resources efficiently, which means a process of individual change with all that it entails. “Work smarter, not harder: fortunately, it’s not about working many hours but working with productivity and intelligence, not more.” Conclusion: A Collective Effort for Better Balance In summary, both professionals and organizations must strive to achieve reconciliation. By focusing on effective time management and prioritizing work-life balance, we can foster a more productive and satisfying professional and personal life.
Oct
The leader of a team bears the ultimate responsibility when one of their members experiences burnout. Acknowledging this can be tough, but it’s a reality. That’s why being an effective leader is crucial to prevent others from going through the same ordeal—a state that is difficult to recover from. For this reason, among many others, people invest time in learning how to be better leaders. The positive outcome is that we avoid actions that would negatively impact our perception as good leaders (e.g., giving negative feedback to a team member in front of others). However, this doesn’t necessarily mean doing everything we know we should do to be effective leaders (e.g., not dedicating enough quality time to the team consistently). This becomes a double-edged sword, as we either overcompensate or fail to be assertive when things go awry. Why does this happen? The answer is simple: we lack one of the fundamental bases for good leadership—mastering our schedules and time sufficiently to engage in behaviors, practices, routines, or habits that lead to balanced leadership. Balance involves mobilizing our team to achieve desired results while also considering how to care for them by addressing their various motivations and needs. A leader who is not well-organized will not set an example for their team and will lack the necessary time to devote to them, either individually or as a group. We need time to think about each of them, observe their well-being, and then dedicate quality time to them. Otherwise, much of what is illustrated in this fantastic explanatory chart on how to prevent burnout in your team remains theoretical. Leaders have a far greater influence on preventing team burnout than they might imagine. Everything proposed in this blueprint (by Tamara Beckford MD, MS) requires two things. First, a genuine desire to help our team. Second, being organized enough to have sufficient time to carry out all these actions. Leadership involves a prior exercise in self-leadership, which includes assessing our level of effectiveness and organization, as well as our willingness to improve in these areas. Self-awareness is the key foundation for any change process.
Sep
CEO Conversations: The last quarter: Navigating the year-end chaos During this time of the year, one of the most common conversations with CEOs revolves around the challenges presented by the final part of the year. Just this week, a CEO shared something that’s not new to us, something we’ve all heard or experienced almost every year. He mentioned that the last quarter of the year, once again, becomes the most critical period for his company. It’s the time when we must ensure we meet the budget while simultaneously closing the plan for the next year. The pressure is high regarding the results we need to present, and the expectations for 2024 are considerable. The list of pending tasks that must be addressed before the year-end seems to grow every day. His schedule is packed and riddled with meeting conflicts, and, more worrisome, he barely has time to reflect or work individually on truly important matters that require his “personal time,” as he always reminds me. Additionally, the need for sales and margin recovery to meet the 2023 budget has become urgent. He was direct and asked that I remind him of the keys of the FASE Method in our next meeting to help him tackle this complex quarter in the best possible way. So we did. I asked him to take notes so that, at the end of our session, he could perform an honest self-assessment on each point. F for Focus: Delegate as much as possible on what isn’t relevant or categorically say no. Reconsider what wastes your time, especially concerning emails, meetings, mobile devices, and distractions. Spend time identifying what’s important, and most importantly, decide which areas you need to be personally present in and which you can delegate to your team. Divide and conquer. A for Attention: Ensure that when you work on key matters, you do so with quality concentration, as this will ensure you’re truly working with the necessary quality. S for Systematization: Prioritize each month with quality time and attention. Plan each week with the aim of maintaining a strong and productive focus on the upcoming week. Execute each day on what truly matters, sticking to what you’ve planned and protecting that time. And, of course, analyze your progress day by day, week by week, and month by month to make necessary adjustments. Remember, consistency based on habits always prevails over intensity. That’s the essence of the FASE Method: creating and maintaining these habits. E for Energy: The foundation of everything. Although you might feel refreshed after the summer, you must prepare for a marathon that extends until the end of the year. If your energy fails you, you won’t be able to achieve it. Energy is your true enemy, both for you and your team. Therefore, carefully review your weekly and daily routines to keep it in optimal condition. Protect and respect those moments as you do with the most critical meetings. At the end of my explanation, his reflection caught my attention. “After years of working with you all, I’m familiar with this, but the fact that you remind me, put pressure on me, and demand self-assessment on each point is the key.” My response was as clear as his comment. The key isn’t just that. The key is in fulfill the planned actions day by day, week by week, and month by month, which I’m confident will be logical and consistent, especially after this session. This requires daily reflection on your progress and tasks for the next day to avoid getting lost in the complexity of daily routines. Furthermore, it entails weekly planning where we reflect and learn from the past week while thinking carefully about the next one. As a CEO, you must set an example of rigor and adherence to the FASE Method, and you must guide your team in the same direction.
Sep
Do you remember when you could study for an hour without interruptions, completely focused on the task? Without checking your phone, email, or responding to messages on Teams. An entire hour is dedicated solely to one activity. If we observe ourselves honestly, we will see that this is no longer part of our regular practices. Despite tasks still getting completed and results achieved, they come at a high cost: More hours are required. We experience greater exhaustion by the end of the day. We don’t reach our best potential. That’s why we assert that, above all, the most differentiating skill nowadays is the ability to work with mindfulness and concentration on truly relevant tasks, in time blocks of at least 45 minutes. The problem is that we start from such low concentration levels that this becomes truly challenging. Therefore, we propose five ways to enhance concentration in this illustration we have prepared. P.S. These practices will not only have a positive impact on your concentration but also on your enjoyment, your ability to listen to others, and your ability to make a significant impact.
