The Concept of Beauty

I was told recently that I use the word 'Beautiful' frequently and in doing so I devalue it, just to clarify where I stand:-

Beauty falls under different concepts based on the culture, values and attitude of the individual (to name a few variables). My concept of beauty is simple, the collective whole compounds the whole.

We have far exceeded the imagination of each generation by advancing in Medicine, Technology, Production, Products, Marketing, Consumerism, Brainwashing etc

It is far too easy for us today to dismiss, neglect or under prioritize the simple pleasures of exploring because we are being conditioned on a daily basis to be attracted to what is relevant at a particular point in time.

My concept of beauty allows me to digest the small matters, the flaws, the blemishes, the history, the approach, the detail given or lack there of, the colours, the textures, the list is truly endless. Because these details are what make a whole, what an individual is likely to overlook because the finished product doesn't fit the commercialized trend, I savour.

I savour it or parts of it, I allow myself to look beyond the finished, presented product, piece, article, individual and so on.

Granted this may be difficult, especially to explain adequately. But my concept of beauty allows me to explore, to interact, to study, to understand, to appreciate, to push forward and to influence. This concept allows me flexibility and freedom of choice.

My concept of Beauty is not Rigid, it flows. Perspective is a Beautiful Tool.

WARNING: Those who fear scratching the surface in case it shakes their values or beliefs are not advised to dabble in this concept. The weak minded are not able to accept paradigms or diversity, simply because they fear they will lose their way or be swayed in to uncharted territory. I am able to hold on to my values & beliefs because I am able to dissect and relate, dissect and refute using flaws and inconsistencies in an opposing stance, dissect and appreciate, dissect and believe, dissect and...

(TGIW)

My younger cousin making me proud!

This is the direct donation link: 

www.charitygiving.co.uk/ccaworldchallenge 

This is the program link: 

http://www.world-challenge.co.uk/pages/swaziland-mozambique-itinerary.asp 

TGIW Story

TGIW Story:

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles roll

ed into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

What's on my mind? 

I went to bed last night and whilst waiting for blissful unconsciousness to hit, my brain decided this is the perfect moment to dive head first into the complexities of Human Behaviour. 

United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

That is the phrase that Brain decided to break down for the night. It kept on echoing in my head like a buzzing fly that I couldn't swat, simply because those 6 words are directly linked to events as simple as School Bullying to events as complex as the Aftermath of 9/11.

In order for us to survive we are ultimately dependant on the support & acknowledgement of others, dependant on the acceptance of our peers, fearful of isolation, abandonment, loneliness. We crave to be within a circle, regardless of what it stands for in beliefs or values as long as we "belong".

How say you? Quite logical stuff actually, it's all to do with insiders vs. outsiders. The "In-Group" Vs. the "Out-Casts" or the "Popular" Kids Vs. the "Losers" Vs. The "Nerds".

Since our toddler years we look to connect to others and we group up looking for someone who understands us, looking for the familiarity in a stranger. You find these people and you click, but it's that click that is our real downfall. 

Because that bond created requires a common system, belief, enemy, theory, individual, group or what have you that is ultimately rejected by the two parties in order to signify their uniqueness. In order to permanently solidify this friendship, this understanding the two individuals or the group create a common enemy.

And hence the phrase "United We Stand, Divided We Fall". However it starts, whenever it starts this bond is stronger when based on an ideal that distinguishes "this group" from "that group" because they form a group identity that is based on defending themselves against said system, belief, enemy, theory etc.

A couple of weeks back I had a similar conversation with a group of friends where I was trying to explain why Bullying occurs, it is a self-defense mechanism that deflects the attention of the audience from the actual victim. The bully could be a victim of low-self esteem or an abusive relationship. But as long as the bully has a target and makes an example of someone, he doesn't have to worry about attention being on him/her because he is leveraging the attention through intimidation and by giving others victims they themselves can pay attention to as long as they don't focus on him/her. 

I know I'm rambling off in different tangents, but this isn't exactly an essay format. 

United We Stand, Divided We Fall. Communities, Groups, Friendships & Marriages are all based on excluding something or someone in order to strengthen the bond between themselves. Do you remember High School? Have you watched a High School Movie lately? Its all about being in, "inclusion" the need to belong, to be understood, to be accepted. 

It's not just a High School phase, it's a life time phase. Next time you're watching the news you'll start noticing specific words, next time you read a paper you'll start noticing the grouping. 

Popular Kids Vs. Losers
Republicans Vs. Democrats Vs. Liberals
Terrorists Vs. The American People
Middle Class Vs. Upper Class
Whites Vs. Mixed Race
Fat Vs. Skinny
Homosexuals Vs. Hetrosexuals
Catholics Vs. Christians
Sunni Vs. Shia
Jews Vs. Muslims Vs. Christians Vs. Catholics Vs. Hindus Vs. *Other Religions
VIP Treatment Vs. Average Service

It's all based on group survival, and that is humanity. We all suffer from it unfortunately and the minority that doesn't  well that's another rambling for another day but here's a hint its to do with Alexithymia.

10 Tips for Body Language (Non-Verbal Communication)

(Note this is an external article)

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; now picture yourself, approaching a woman or a prospective client, walking into a board meeting or a party. How do you look? What message do you communicate the moment you walk into a room? What are your eyes, hands and shoulders saying? What information can people gather about you before you ever say a word? Never thought about it? You should. And you can start by perusing our top 10 tips to show confidence with body language.

People read your body language, often via instinct and without thinking. It’s because our poses and postures are a great source of information. They reflect our mood and our confidence level. We stand and walk a certain way when we’re confident and another way when we’re nervous. In a glance, most people can discern if we’re apprehensive or outgoing, relaxed or aggressive. With a little practice, we can learn the tips to show confidence through body language so that we always appear confident, capable and ready.

Top 10 Ways to Show Confidence With Body Language.

01. Avoid your pockets

The first tip on our list of the top 10 tips to show confidence with body language is to keep your hands out of your pockets. We put our hands in our pockets when we’re uncomfortable or unsure of ourselves. And as long as you have your hands stuffed down your pants, that’s how other people will view you.

Instinctually we tend to hide our hands when we’re nervous; keeping your hands out in the open indicates confidence and shows people you have nothing to hide. Also, recognize that putting your hands in your pockets encourages slouching, which isn’t good. As an alternative, try putting your hands on your hips; it’s a far more confident posture.

02. Don’t fidget

Fidgeting is a clear sign of nervousness. A man who can’t keep still, is a man who is worried, tense and certainly not confident. Your hands can be your worst enemies — fight to keep them still and steady. You can definitely talk with your hands, but keep your gesticulations calm and under control. Also, when seated, avoid that rapid leg-vibration thing that some guys do (you don’t want to look like a dog getting his belly rubbed).

03. Keep your eyes forward

Keeping your eyes level might be one of the trickiest ways to show confidence in body language. When you’re walking anywhere by yourself, it often feels natural to lower your head slightly and watch your step, but this posture communicates to others that you don’t want to engage in conversation or interact. And if you’re not careful, you might get into the habit of doing it all the time. Keep your chin up and your eyes forward, even when you’re walking down the street by yourself.

04. Stand up straight:

With your shoulders back Standing up straight is one of the most important of our top 10 tips to project confidence through body language. It can be a challenge especially if you’ve been a sloucher all your life, but get over it. Standing up straight is perhaps the most important means of communicating confidence.

Concentrate on pushing your shoulders back slightly when standing and walking. Nothing major, just a little. That one simple motion does wonders for your posture. Try it in front of the mirror—you’ll be surprised how much more confident it makes you look.

05. Take wide steps

A confident man will never be described as "scurrying," "creeping" or "sneaking," so pay attention to the way you walk. If you want to show confidence with body language you want to take large steps. Wide steps make you seem purposeful and suggest a personal tranquility, which denotes confidence in a man.

06. Firm handshakes

Another of our top 10 tips for showing confidence with body language has to do with the firm handshake. There are few things worse than reaching out your hand during an introduction and getting a palm full of dead fish. Don’t be that guy. Instead, grip the other person’s hand firmly and confidently. If shaking hands with someone you’ve already met, you might even consider the two-hand grab: placing your free hand on the other person’s elbow adds warmth and enthusiasm to the handshake. Just don’t get carried away. A handshake is not a contest. Don’t try to crush the other person’s hand and don’t hold on too long.

07. Proper grooming

Imagine yourself walking into a room, maybe there are lots of beautiful women there or maybe the room is filled with respected colleagues. Now consider your appearance: four days’ worth of scruff, bad skin, hair crispy and pointy like a Backstreet Boy’s. The point we’re trying to make is that grooming is an essential component of communicating confidence through body language.

You want your hair, face and even your smell to work for you, not against you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new products to find the ones that work for you.

08. Smile

Confident people smile because they have nothing to worry about. Try this as an experiment: smile at someone as you pass them on the street or walking around the office. Chances are good that they’ll smile back. Now wouldn’t you like to have that effect on people all the time?

09. Don’t cross your arms when socializing

Crossing your arms is a protective posture. We do it when we’re cold, nervous or on guard. Think of those big, burly nightclub bouncers, crossing their 26-inch pythons while standing guard at the door to a club. Do they look like guys you want to talk to, joke with or work with? No, right? Their job is to look intimidating. Your job is to look likeable, open and confident. So relax a little and keep your arms uncrossed.

10. Use contact to show appreciation

The pat on the back is a lost art. Don’t be afraid to pat a buddy or a colleague on the back when he or she delivers a perfectly timed punch line or nails the big presentation. Most people aren’t freaked out by a hand on the shoulder and they’ll likely be appreciative of your sign of affection and respect.

HR Humor:- Casual Day Policy

Casual Fridays:


Week 1 – Memo No. 1 Effective this week, the company is adopting Fridays as Casual Day. Employees are free to dress in the casual attire of their choice. 


Week 3 – Memo No. 2 Spandex and leather micro-miniskirts are not appropriate attire for Casual Day. Neither are string ties, rodeo belt buckles or moccasins. 


Week 6 – Memo No. 3 Casual Day refers to dress only, not attitude. When planning Friday’s wardrobe, remember image is a key to our success. 


Week 8 – Memo No. 4 A seminar on how to dress for Casual Day will be held at 4 p.m. Friday in the cafeteria. A fashion show will follow. Attendance is mandatory. 


Week 9 – Memo No. 5 As an outgrowth of Friday’s seminar, a 14-member Casual Day Task Force has been appointed to prepare guidelines for proper casual-day dress. 


Week 14 – Memo No. 6 The Casual Day Task Force has now completed a 30-page manual entitled Relaxing Dress Without Relaxing Company Standards. A copy has been distributed to every employee. Please review the chapter You Are What You Wear and consult the home casual versus business casual checklist before leaving for work each Friday. If you have doubts about the appropriateness of an item of clothing, contact your CDTF representative before 7 a.m. on Friday. 


Week 18 – Memo No. 7 Our Employee Assistant Plan (EAP) has now been expanded to provide support for psychological counseling for employees who may be having difficulty adjusting to Casual Day. 


Week 20 – Memo No. 8 Due to budget cuts in the HR Department we are no longer able to effectively support or manage Casual Day. Casual Day will be discontinued, effective immediately.

How often do you see Intuition in play during the Decision making process?

I can not help but ask this question as such a "soft" skill is still regarded as somewhat taboo in today's corporate world. I have yet to meet a professional outside of the Sales community who would credit Intuition for what it's worth for fear of seeming *blank* (fill in the blank as their are so many stereotypes associated with soft skills!).

As such, I am interested in your both your experience and what you have observed in regards to how intuition is used in the decision making process. Below are some points to keep in mind extracted from one of my previous projects:

Definition:

• Intuition is recognition or judgement:
• Arriving rapidly without deliberative rational thought
• Difficult to articulate verbally
• Based on a broad constellation of prior learning and past experiences
• Accompanied by a feeling of confidence or certitude
• Affectively-charged
• Intuition is a derivative of Tacit or Implicit knowledge
• What is Tacit or Implicit
• Interpretation or Working knowledge, again relating to experience.
• Experiencing an automatic, non-conscious process that draws upon experientially established cognitive structures or schemas. (Wally and Baum, 1994) *may bring about bias

Managerial Competencies:

• Logical capabilities take up only 25% of managers time (Other aspects include; supervision, motivating employees etc) (Keegan, 1984)
• Intuition has proven to be more valuable within the upper chain of command as it deals with broader issues and is considered to be a component of leadership behaviour;
• This is reflected within the research of Agor, 1984. Where upper management scored higher in the ability to use management then lower management. 

Applicability of Intuition:

• Behling and Eckel, (1991) detected that certain aspects within an organisation are more dependent on intuition rather than hard fact or numbers; such as
• Developing an organisations vision, goals and future
• Establishing policy
• Aspects of leader ship
• By balancing the hard facts and using a soft approach a compelling argument arises as it results in a broad analysis that keeps the “bigger picture” in play, (Taggart and Robey, 1980/1981)

Examples of Intuition:

• Einstein came up with the Theory of Relativity while daydreaming on a tram
• Descartes Principles of materialist rationalism was explained to him by an angel
• Kekule discovered the cyclical structure of benzene after falling asleep in front of a fire.

Why is Intuition being used:- Business Evolution

• The argument of Implicit Knowledge Vs Explicit Knowledge dates back to 1938 with Chester Barnard’s “Functions of the Executive”
• His work also mentions that managers depend a great deal on “non-logical process”
• Isenberg (1984) argued that there seems to be an inconsistency with how managers “ought” to act Vs how they’ve learn to act effectively
• A recent study has identified Intuition as a dominant factor within the decision-making function related to organisation effectiveness. (Jon Anderson, 1999)
• The Collective mind:- based on cumulative experiences shared within group interaction. Greater interpretation and a greater range of strategies and actions are influenced through the collective mind, (Prahalad and Bettis, 1986)
• Some of the advantages include; (March, 1981; Simon, 1976; Nonaka, 1994)
• diverse insight and information based on experience, interaction, analysis and hard data
• Overcoming the obstacle of mass information that can overwhelm the knowledge and experience of one individual
• Can increase the level of creativity, which in turn increases the quality of solutions or paths
• Avoids bounded rationality
• Group exposure to knowledge and interaction also allows greater innovative capabilities. Also known as Absorptive capacity; an organisation ability to recognize the value or new, external information which is then assimilated and applied to commercial ends. (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990)
• New forms of organisations emerge such as Technoservice, Authority Systems, Organic or even Learning Organisations;
• “The goal is to tap as much as possible of the intellectual, emotional, creative and physical capacities of the firm’s multi-faceted individuals teams in pursuit of the corporation’s mission and strategies. Approaching experience holistically, synthetically, laterally and in network terms, i.e. tapping the intuitive potential, is required condition for success.”

I hope I haven't provided an overwhelming amount of information but I've learnt to try an include as many citations as possible when it comes to soft skills!

Please note: Although I advocate soft skills at every turn, a strong validated foundation based on the function is always a primary need.