In German “Frohe Weihnachten und einen guten rutsch ins neue jahr” …

… is said this time of the year.  Translation = “Merry Christmas and a good slide into the new year”.  It’s a shame we don’t use the phrase “good slide” in English.

Like many of you, each January I spend some time thinking about the year ahead from both a business and personal perspective. For me it’s not so much about setting specific goals; its more about things to dial up and dial down.  Like collaborating more or pausing before committing to things that sound exciting. 

This January I’m adding a step - reflecting on 2024 before moving on to 2025. What went well, what I achieved, what was challenging, what I learnt, and how I felt. I think it will help with the “slide”. 

Give it a try!!! Wishing you all "Frohe Weihnachten und einen guten rutsch ins neue jahr."

What would your Christmas card to your team say?

I asked a team I work with this exact question? Their responses were thankful, thoughtful, creative and best of all funny. They made actual cards too - tactile activities open different neural pathways. 

Team development and team coaching doesn’t always mean deep and intense conversations, sometimes it’s about taking a little time to think, reflect, share and have some fun.

If you’d like more thinking, reflecting, sharing and fun within your team please get in touch. I’d love to have a chat about plans for your team in 2025. Contact me at www.growtobe.co.nz.

Think Polar Bear and chill!

I visited Chur"chill" recently - the Polar Bear capital of the world! 

In Churchill Polar Bears are so prolific, they often come into town, disrupting traffic, messing up rubbish bins and scaring tourists. So the Polar Bear Police set traps baited with seal oil. Once caught, bears go to Polar Bear Jail for a few weeks for some “time out”, then helicoptered to someone remote in the hope they’ve learnt their lesson.

We can learn many things from Churchill and Polar Bears. A standout for me was learning how bears react when trapped.  They just chill and nap!  Afterall, there’s no point fighting something they can't change. They go with the flow in the belief that everything will turn out fine.

Next time you or your team feel a bit trapped, rather than fight it, think “Polar Bear” and chill. Time to be calm, reflect, rest and build strength might result in better outcomes in the long run. 

If you’d like to learn more about Churchill and their Polar Bears this link will take you to a 13 min documentary that has won many global awards. You might see me in the sequel (filmed while I was there). https://lnkd.in/grapXm9D

And get in touch if you or your team would like to have a conversation about automatic responses to feeling trapped and whether those responses serve you well.