Cherie's Random Thoughts

L ooking for members for a book club that will start in December. We are a group of ECE educators, directors, and professors who will discuss the book Swinging Pendulums: Cautionary Tales for Early Childhood Education. http://groups.google.com/group/ swinging-pendulum-book-club Would love to have members from all of the country and the world to diversify our discussions. If interested please request an invite. The book can be purchased through Redleaf Press. http://www.redleafpress.org/Swinging-Pendulums-P528C1298.aspx

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203388804576612943738516996.html?mod=dist_smartbrief Finally someone said this in an article: "Many organizations wrongly assume that employees dealing with things like stressful commutes or worrisome family problems can simply check their emotions at the door. Most can't." It's really impossible although we may try. Other great quotes: "Leaders and managers, meanwhile, can do their part by creating positive transitions for their teams at the start of the workday. They might, for example, hold a quick motivational gathering with staff members each morning, or send an e-mail to each employee with a positive thought, goal or feedback." Can you imagine if this really happened, what would be the impact? Lastly: "The manager who shows immediate frustration with an employee who arrives a few minutes late, for example, likely will exacerbate the person's bad mood, sending the employee into a negat...

http://www.bnet.com/blog/business-research/most-unusual-excuses-to-take-a-sick-day/2435 Funny, I know longer have to worry about this. When I did it was my biggest pet peeve, probably since I rarely get sick. What interesting about this article is the tactics that people do to check up on the no-so sick. I would think the energy that you put in that would get you sick! Anyway, its better to just find yourself a job you love to do and you probably will be less likely to call in those not so sick days or at least be honest about your need for a break.

http://www.christianbook.com/the-top-ten-mistakes-leaders-make/hans-finzel/9780781445498/pd/445498?event=SHAREFB J ust finished reading this one! Great stuff! Some of my favorite quotes include: "Delegation means giving people the freedom to decide how jobs will be done." "The major players in any organization are like its stockholders: They should decide how it is done." "The one who does the job should decide how it is done." "The lifecycle of every organization seems to eventually move from passion to para lysis over time, and it is the pioneer spirit of a maverick that can save us." and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE -"Don't allow your policies and procedures to stifle your brightest stars. Be flexible. Bend the rules if you believe that someone needs more space. Never be in bondage to your policy manual. Rules are made to be broken, principles are not." Gives you something to think about! I particularly like how the book ta...

http://blog.brazencareerist.com/2011/10/18/why-bosses-should-welcome-these-taboo-activities/ What a MAVERICK idea? Unfortunately most fear these and impose many policies that are difficult to enforce. Which means wasted energy playing the TABOO police and puts divide between staff. I will say if your job provides you with meaningful work, work that helps the affects many and give you the space and tools to make it work you probably will spend little time using this TABOOS at work since you will have much to do in terms of work during the day. I do like how the article talks about using some of the tools to TRULY network and connect with others. Too often we use them for mindless entertainment.

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