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Forty WinksPeople often ask me how I come up with ideas for this column every month, and I explain that many times, a topic will show up in the leadership literature over the past
month - and when it shows up for the third time in one month, I know I better pay attention, because a trend is underway. This month, I've been reading everywhere about sleep deficit - something I have been noticing in my executive clients for quite some time now. Sound familiar? As Harvard Medical School researcher Charles A. Czeisler tells us in an interview in the current issue of Harvard Business Review, modern corporate life encourages a culture
of "sleepless machismo" where caffeinated executives routinely hop a red-eye flight and then drive an hour or so to a high-stakes meeting or negotiation where they conduct business in a fog of jet lag, all the while jumping at every buzz of the Blackberry. Czseisler points out that corporations have all kinds of policies to prevent employee endangerment - rules against smoking, drinking, drugs, and sexual harassment - all
the while pushing employees to work around the clock at a level of impairment that can be equivalent to intoxication. Ever wonder why it's perfectly OK to take a 15-minute smoking break outdoors in the fresh air, but definitely not OK to take a 20-minute afternoon nap in the office? Prolonged lack of sleep impacts our ability to sustain attention and maintain peak cognitive performance. We expect airline pilots, surgeons, and others in whose hands
we put our lives to be fully awake and alert, but give little thought to the consequences for thousands of people when groggy managers make flawed decisions. Fundamentally, when we deprive ourselves of sleep, we are denying our very nature as biological beings. You can't fool Mother Nature, at least not for very long. As a leader in your organization, there are several things you can do to counter the
culture of sleep deprivation. First, of course, is to make good sleep hygiene a key part of your own wellness regimen. Getting enough sleep on a regular basis is probably the single most important thing you can do for your physical and mental health. You can model a sleep-friendly lifestyle for your own workforce by your own actions: don't book overnight flights, but if you have to, never schedule a meeting first thing on arrival. And
definitely don't drive yourself there! If your company promotes wellness programs, make sure sleep education is included. Ask the program's manager to research model corporate sleep policies and work to get one adopted. Does your company's executive physical exam include screening for sleep disorders? Take a look at your own department's mode of operation, and try not to overschedule employees or set standards that require an excessive number of
working hours. Move away from the expectation that everyone will be available all the time via Blackberry and cell phone. Take back the night! Of course, there will always be circumstances where unusual demands for long work hours are required. But these should be recognized as potential health and safety hazards and support resources should be put in place to help mitigate the risks of sleep
deficit. In a competitive world, your organization can't afford to have its workforce operating at anything less than their best. Siesta, anyone? Coaching is a great way of attending to your own wellness and that of your workforce. Let's talk about how coaching can work for you. Call (410)626-6008, or email info@bloomfieldassociates.com.
One of the questions I ask all new coaching clients is "How is your sleep?" Try keeping a "sleep journal", a notebook where you can keep track of how much sleep you get each night; when you can't fall asleep and when you wake up during the night; and when you feel fatigued or sleepy during the day. At the same time, make notes for yourself about when you consume caffeinated drinks and how much; same thing for alcohol; eating patterns; and your sleeping environment.
After a week or two, take a look at all your notes and look for patterns or trends. When do you sleep best? Least or worst? Are there symptoms of possible sleep disorders? |
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In a recent study by PsyMax Solutions, a human capital assessment firm, middle
managers scored highest in resilience, defined as tough-mindedness and the ability to accept criticism. Company presidents and CEOs ranked lowest, followed by executives, and professional, technical, and administrative employees. A report from the McKinsey Global Institute estimates that Chinese companies will need 75,000 leaders during the next 10 to 15 years. Currently, it is estimated there are only 3,000 to 5,000. The Wall Street Journal, citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports that the
number of welders has declined 10% during the past six years. Also cited is the American Welding Society, which predicts that demand for welders could outstrip supply by about 200,000 workers as soon as 2010. Some heavy industrial companies reportedly have begun to outsource their welding to skilled tradesmen in China. 
Computer Forensics The tools, methodologies, and analytics used to investigate and prosecute computer security breaches. These have all become far more sophisticated in recent years in the game of cat-and-mouse between computer criminals and corporate security officers. 
 Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think, by Denning Greenberger and Christine Padesky. What I like
about it: It focuses on "automatic thoughts", and gives concrete exercises to help examine and respond to them and how they affect choices you make. A very valuable resource, particularly for new coaches looking for some structured tools to rely on both for themselves and for clients.
Susan Collins, PhD
Leadership Coach
703-237-2736  The Power of Full Engagement
, by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. What I like about it: I was privileged to attend a workshop conducted by Jim Loehr last month, and it prompted me to dip once again into this seminal work on how to manage your energy as the key to high performance. I recommend this to all my clients, and it has changed the lives of many of them.
Beth Bloomfield
Executive Coach, Strategy Consultant
Principal, Bloomfield Associates
Share what you're into - books, articles, movies, music, websites - with others on the list! Send us the title and author or other pertinent information, along with a sentence or two on what you like
about it, and if we use it in A Different Optic we'll not only quote you, we'll provide a link to you or your website. |
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"Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans."
-- John Lennon | | Do you know someone else who might be interested in reading this? Send it to them now by clicking here.
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After a break last semester, Beth Bloomfield is back on the faculty as a Learning Circle Coach with the Georgetown University Leadership Coaching Certificate Program. The Georgetown program is holding its 2006 Alumni Reunion on October 26-27
. The featured speaker is Rick Tamlyn on "The Bigger Game." This promises to be both inspiring and a really great time! If you're an alum and you haven't registered yet, call Frank Ball right away at (540) 349-3855. | | |
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