How Ted handles pressure...

For international readers... we in New Zealand have just been through a very successful period in the life of our national sport, rugby, successful... we won the world cup!  Some might say it was a long time coming.  24 years between championships. Anyhow... The coach of our very successful team, the All Blacks is Graham Henry aka Ted.  I don't know why he is called Ted, it has been his nickname for as long as I can remember.  Being the All Blacks coach is arguably the only job in the country with more pressure than being Prime Minister.  

Now that Ted has coached a world cup winning All Blacks team played on home turf he has resigned on top.  Of course the last few days have been a number of interviews where Ted has let his guard down and opened up on a few things about being the coach of the world's most famous rugby team.  Today I was listening to another one being conducted by Murray Deaker.

Ted respond to a question about how he handles the stress that comes with being the All Blacks coach.  He made three very good points.  The last being my favourite.

Preparation

In order to be more relaxed about the upcoming event, meeting, coaching session or working day you need to be prepared.  It doesn't guarantee success or a trouble free day.  It does make the chances better.

Exercise

According to Ted, exercise helps with the mental clarity.  Something I would have to agree with having put more effort into my own physical exercise in the last two years.  Lack of exercise certainly impacts on my wellbeing. 

Control your Environment

This I really liked.  He said you need to watch you listen to and read.  When things are going well, read the papers and listen to talkback in the case of an All Blacks coach.  When they are not going well, don't read the papers, don't allow those with a negative frame of mind.   In the case of a leader watch what you read, listen to and who you take advice from.  It reminds me of an old computer term that has some applicability here, GIGO - Garbage In Garbage Out.  In other words if you allow the wrong people, the negative people to have too much of your time and attention then the pressure will grow and become unbearable.  Surprisingly… or not the bible was great on this topic a couple of thousand years ago.  Finally fiends I'd say do your best by filling your minds on things true, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, the best not the worst, the beautiful, not the ugly. (My paraphrase from the Message, Phil 4:8)   In Ted's words control your environment.

the new school... interesting discussion

See if you can spot what will make the difference in education.

Sir Ken Robinson...

There is not too much new here... but it is always good to hear again.

the curriculum of now... or... future?

Seth Godin published this under the heading, "What's High School for?".  I think it could apply to all school levels.

Perhaps we could endeavor to teach our future the following:

• How to focus intently on a problem until it's solved.
• The benefit of postponing short-term satisfaction in exchange for long-term success.
• How to read critically.
• The power of being able to lead groups of peers without receiving clear delegated authority.
• An understanding of the extraordinary power of the scientific method, in just about any situation or endeavor.
• How to persuasively present ideas in multiple forms, especially in writing and before a group.
• Project management. Self-management and the management of ideas, projects and people.
• Personal finance. Understanding the truth about money and debt and leverage.
• An insatiable desire (and the ability) to learn more. Forever.
• Most of all, the self-reliance that comes from understanding that relentless hard work can be applied to solve problems worth solving.

Need I say more?

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the social animal...

Watching this latest TED talk I found myself agreeing so many times with the ideas and thoughts presented by David Brooks.  It is like you know something intutively from your own experience and what you were waiting for was someone to come along and articulate it.  Well worth the 20 minute watch.  Getting the book now.

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7 things to stop doing @ work

Jill Collins of 'From Good to Great' fame talks about creating a stop doing list.  He argues that to many times we have and attempt to work towards completing our to do lists.  The other day I came accros this stop doing list for a workplace.  There is at least one here that you can take and action.

1. Being too busy for breaks (you’re better at everything when you’re rested).

2. Replying to email instantly (if they’re really waiting, they’ll call you).

3. Getting caught up in politics (it’s rarely worth it and never fun).

4. Pretending you’re saving lives (if you actually are, no need to pretend).

5. Refusing to give yourself uninterrupted time for work (they don’t need you that much).

6. Complaining about how little money you make (the people you’re complaining to can’t change it).

7. Forgetting to laugh and have fun (this can take work some days but is always worth it).

Bonus round: Stop eating lunch at your desk. You really deserve a walk, conversation with a friend, or a quiet hour away from your desk.

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the worst of days...

Our hearts, thoughts, prayers and support go out to people of Canterbury.  It has been and continues to be quite a surreal experience watching the coverage of the quake on T.V.  The size of the country means there is most likely no Kiwi that has not been touched by this devastating event.

In the days before technology many tasks following such an event would have been harder, longer and ultimately possibly more tragic.  Even the simple ability to txt and call makes the rescue and reconnection process easier.  There have been many stories of technology assisting the situation post quake.  I have just read this story blogged by Dr Brian Edwards (who by the way is an interesting blog to follow).  He and his wife Judy tell the story about the power of Twitter in locating their family in the suburb of Sumner.  Read it, it does the heart good.

Kia Kaha Canterbury