February 2017 – Cimbria Badenhausen, MBA, ENV SP

Community Building, First Circle Coaching, Pathways to Thriving, Synergetic Genius, Unique Genius

The Sum: Leveraging Our Power

February 12, 2017 cimbriab

It is with pleasure that I share with you a video created by one of my clients, Elliott Cisneros. Elliott is the Director of The Sum (www.TheSum.org). Elliott and I are working to introduce The Sum and the Diversity Power Leveraging Model to the wider world. We would appreciate your help!

I recently relocated to Central New York. Elliott became one of my first local coaching clients, and the more he shared with me about his work to support equality and celebrate diversity, the luckier I felt about being part of this project. Much of my work in the world is around power dynamics, and Elliott has helped me understand how my innate biases are affecting my relationships. My experience in relationship with Elliott is not one of judgment: I seldom feel judged, or that I’m acting in a “wrong” manner. Rather, I feel elated as I learn to communicate clearly what I am feeling and thinking in a way that doesn’t threaten others, and allows each of us in the relationship to contribute our best selves.

Elliott began working to support human rights and diversity very early in life. It is truly his Unique Genius to help each of us understand what The Diversity Power Survey shows is our “power perspective”. He guides us in integrating the complementary perspectives so that each of us can unleash our personal power across cultures, genders, and abilities.

Please take a moment to watch this brand new video. Elliott discusses the Diversity Power Leveraging Model, and the Diversity Power Survey. Hopefully you will moved to take the Diversity Power Survey yourself, to see what your primary power perspective is. I promise you, if you do, a new awareness of the diverse beauty and unique genius each of us offers will be become part of your experience.

Collective Genius, Community Building, First Circle Coaching, Green Collar Economy, Local Economy, Mindfulness in Schools, Pathways to Thriving, Synergetic Genius, Unique Genius

Chicago’s Mindful Children

February 11, 2017 cimbriab

The majority of the news coming out of Chicago has been horrific. 67 people have been murdered in Chicago as of 2/10/2017. When I hear good news, when I hear mindfulness is being taught to children in the early grades in Chicago schools as a way of helping them cope with stress, I want to jump for joy, and share this news with everyone. So I am!

This Erikson Institute project is a bright light, and shows what is possible, even in the darkest of times. If you’re looking for an efficient, compassionate and creative organization to support with your hard-earned cash, please consider donating to the Erikson Institute. @EriksonInst

Collective Genius, Community Building, First Circle Coaching, Green Collar Economy, Local Economy, Pathways to Thriving, Synergetic Genius, Unique Genius

Finding the Hidden Talented

February 3, 2017 cimbriab

Looking for an employee who is friendly, dependable, has good customer service and would be grateful for a chance to expand her skills, and accept more responsibility? There are people with Hidden Talents right in front of your eyes!

When the economy went bust in 2008, people who formerly had “successful” careers began to find themselves unemployed or underemployed. These hard workers still had their hard-won skills sets and unique genius.

Some of these people have retired. Some are waiting to be recognized for the human resource assets they are. To many in the business world, these people are invisible. I’m here to tell you these dedicated, loyal workers are the ones checking you out at the chain stores, the convenience marts, and supermarkets. They want to increase their income, gain more experience, and work for a supportive company with compassion.

Now, imagine you’re a small business owner in a geographic area with limited human resources. There are a couple of big local employers who can afford to give their employees great benefits. These employers naturally are the employer of choice for most of the experienced talent pool. What’s a small business owner to do?

First, I suggest that you change the way you’re thinking about what defines “talent”. Instead of looking for staff trained for office work, with higher expectations around income and benefits, look for the kinds of skills that is transferable, the ones that make a good employee. You want someone with a good attitude, primarily. She also needs to be dependable and honest, with the best interests of the company at heart. You want someone who is going to be accountable, and loyal, because turnover is expensive.

People with these skills are working in “blue collar” jobs throughout your community, and many would love the chance to try something new.

cashier02 The next time you’re shopping at the pet store, in a box store, or eating out, pay attention to the person behind the counter. Are they courteous, helpful? Are they accountable when they make an error, or if something is mis-priced? Are they aware of what is going on around them, do they create relationships? Pay attention to the way they speak to customers on the phone. Then imagine them working in your office.

When you meet a service person with hidden talents, give her one of your business cards. Let her know you’ve noticed what a great job she’s doing, that you’re looking for someone with her skills for your business. Just this moment of appreciation will improve her day, to be sure! She might even give you a call, or send you her resume. And you’ll both win!

It may take some time until her hidden talents will be fully aligned with that of your business. If you handle this relationship with compassion, understanding, and clear communication of expectations, I believe you will both have engaging and successful careers ahead of you.