Wednesday, September 2, 2009

7 Good Habits

Years ago I read Steven R Covey's best selling book the '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' it was inspiring stuff and though I didn't go on to live by the habits it did influence and mature some of my thinking.  I think reading such self help books is not really about finding some secret that will lead to greatness, though that might be some peoples motivation, it is also about taking time to listen and learn about other peoples ideas and thoughts.  Often by considering what others think we can mature our own ideas and understand better what it is that motivates us.

A quick google search and you'll find the 7 habits.....needless to say they are not as portrayed in the cartoon!!!  

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

India's Confident Goalkeeper


I watched India v Syria football last evening, what a thrilling final decided in the end on penalties and with a local Kolkata champion saving 3, goalkeeper Subrata Paul!  As the shootout went on you could see him visibly grow in confidence.  His first save was perhaps his best but once he realised he could save one there was no stopping him.  He came up with a tactic of standing nose to nose with the penalty taker and catching him eye to eye.  It reminded me a little of one of my childhood heroes Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar who did a spaghetti legs dance before each penalty in the 1984 European Cup Final when Liverpool played Roma in Rome, and won.  He did enough it was reckoned to put the opposition players of.

But Subrata was impressive, I like to see people make eye contact.  It displays a confidence that is reassuring.  I wouldn't recommend getting nose to nose like Subrata did but being confident enough to look someone in the eye, particularly when shaking hands and in that first greeting can say a lot.

Our first impressions are important, both to potential employers but also to new work colleagues.  Much is written about the impression you make at an interview but I think just as important is the impression you make when you first take up a job.  And remember its not just our managers who will make or break our performance but colleagues at all levels, worth remembering!