HQI: A Moment of Difference

Will you make a difference in a moment?

This month at Joyful Jubilant Learning we are looking at making a difference. The topic really got me thinking about how I make a difference and whom I make a difference with. I was thinking very large until I thought of the power of the small.

We have only moments to live in - are we making a difference in those moments?

Jane Dutton has written extensively on positive organizational scholarship. I have learned much about making a difference in the moment from her book: Energize Your Workplace: How to Create and Sustain High-quality Connections at Work.

The book explains how high-quality connections increase energy in the workplace and increase the effectiveness of both individuals and organizations. High-quality connections are characterized by mutual regard, trust, and active engagement. A high-quality interaction can take place in seconds and do not require a deep relationship to occur.

In a high-quality connection, people feel more engaged, more open, more competent. They feel more alive. High-quality connections can have a profound impact on both individuals and entire organizations.

We have thousands of opportunities each day to really show up for our relationships and make a connection that will make a difference to the other person, our organization, and even ourselves. We need to push through the energy paradox: it take energy to get energy. When we exert a little energy into our relationships we often get even more energy back.

Make eye contact, put down your Blackberry, listen carefully, engage fully, and be present to the people who are around you.

As Dutton states at the end of a chapter on creating energy through high-quality connections:

I hope this book gives you a heightened sense of understanding and a strengthened belief that you can make big differences with even small changes in the actions you take each and every day.

Make a high-quality interaction difference for someone else and yourself right now...it only take a moment.

Take these 4 steps to boost your high-quality interactions:

1. Make a conscious effort to be more mindful of all your interactions.
2. Read this short free interview with Jane Dutton on Look for Ways to Ignite the Energy Within.
3. Study and apply Jane Dutton's book: Energize Your Workplace.
4. Of course the real key is to engage in frequent and robust high-quality interaction with others to Make A Difference.

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Picture Credit: "one second" exhibition: http://flickr.com/photos/sugu/126638777/

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David Zinger is a prolific and eclectic blogger. He writes posts at: Slacker Manager, Strength Based Leadership, Employee Engagement, Zingers and Leadership Humor with Dr. Z.

Comments

[Rosa Say]

Oh my David, another book to add to my list! This subject fascinates me and is more timely than you can imagine! Just gave a presentation on it yesterday.

One of the things I am often called to speak on is the notion of acculturation in Hawaii; our local culture is unique, and while welcoming and hospitable overall (aloha is quite real!) it can be a big adjustment for someone newly trying to make it their home, especially from the perspective of workplace norms. Doing business requires quite a bit of patience, and generally there is no sale made until a relationship is solidified. The irony is that this is equally frustrating for those who have lived their entire lives here, and want to “cut to the chase instead” of “going through the drill.” Therefore, this one line jumped out at me – “A high-quality interaction can take place in seconds and do not require a deep relationship to occur.” for it is not so here.

That said, the concept of mindfulness and people-focus versus blackberry-addiction is not new, and so much comes back to our intent, doesn’t it.

[David Zinger]

I do feel that intent plays such a strong role. I see interaction and relationships as taking place on slightly different wave lengths. Relationships are so key and vital to me, I need to have high-quality interactions to build and maintain those relationships and I can also have high-quality interaction with all people I encounter even if there is no relationship to be formed.

I would suggest you can still have a high-quality interaction with someone at the grocery store or even a child you pass on the street.

Perhaps I needed to provide more detail but then I believe that Jane Dutton does an excellent job of that.

[Rosa Say]

I understand.

You (and Ms. Dutton) are spot on about the connection to energy too; often we can feel that we don’t have time for ‘niceties’ and ‘chit-chat’ in our interactions, however when we do engage completely in each interaction we build up these reserves that can be tapped into in so many other ways.

It is just past 8am for me as we have this conversation David, and it will be a keeper to work on and practice through-out my day to come!

[Steve Sherlock]

I'll second Rosa and add this book to my list too!

"eclectic"... I congratulate you on being so honest and forthright.

On the line of sight to generate energy, yes, I agree. It is dynamite when that occurs. I wrote a poem once upon a time that attempted to capture that feeling. The poet, Galway Kinnell, was giving a reading. He has memorized his poems. That is how he knows they are done, when they are memorized they are complete. His eye contact as he went around the room, it was like he was reading the lines off our faces (a la a prompter)... it was electric!

Oh, and of course, there is that look when your eyes connect with your loved one... you just know. Words don't need to be spoken. Whole conversations just took place!

[David Zinger]

Steve:

I love your two cents worth Steve. The poet reading stanza from the faces of the listeners and the the direct eye to soul connection with those we love...seeing eye to I.

I would love to hear or read the poem you wrote.

As to being eclectic I prefer that to being a heretic or lunatic or just plain old having a tic.

David

[Steve Sherlock]

David, I agree being an eclectic is better than the other tic options.

I managed to dig into the archives for the poem and just posted it:
http://quietpoet.blogspot.com/2007/09/this-advent.html

I do plan to get to record my sherku and other poetry soon. This will be my third podcast effort. Three is usually a good number! Once I do, I'll let you know.

[tim]

David...love this line -- "Make eye contact, put down your Blackberry, listen carefully, engage fully, and be present to the people who are around you."

I'm currently working with my student leaders on the concept of "paying attention." It can be quite difficult and in this day and age is moving into the realm of a _discipline_.

"Being fully present" to someone is a rare gift. Technology has given us the means to keep in better contact with those at a distance, but it has also kept us at a distance with the ones we come into contact with. (okay...that last sentence is pretty profound!).

[David Zinger]

I appreciate your thoughts Tim. You do such a wonderful job with developing student leadership and as we are all students your work applies to each of us!

I would change the phrase pay attention as I don't care as much for the "pay" metaphor and use the word give attention or focus attention. A small quibble with myself but I think there are some limiations with the time is money metaphor.

David

[Dwayne Melancon]

Hey, if I can drive and type on my Blackberry, why can't I have a conversation while using it?

Seriously - great perspective, David. Also a new book for my list.