You can’t escape the fact that the world has changed pretty significantly over the last few years and that’s inevitably changed the way people work too, with almost half of the UK workforce now being home based for at least part of the week.
This has some real advantages. For example, working from home saves approximately 408 hours of commuting time a year and companies who facilitate working remotely have around 25% lower employee turnover. So far, so good. However, let’s be honest … there are some real challenges too.
Distractions are rife when you’re at home. Be it children, animals, the pile of washing or the overly talkative delivery driver, it can be really difficult to give due attention to the task at hand. So what can we do to help focus attention, minimise distraction and perhaps most importantly not end up totally burnt out?
Research shows that negative emotions narrow the ability to focus while positive emotions can broaden it; when people feel good, they are more creative, adaptable and efficient. Try to notice what information you’re consuming. Especially during the working day really try to limit the negativity you expose yourself to and where possible take an hour to do something that makes you feel good.
Be conscious too of what constitutes negativity. A quick look at the news, or a scroll through social media might not seem a big deal but notice how it really makes you feel. You might find you’re better off setting time limits for these activities, or restricting them to out of work hours. After all, nobody’s going to feel great sat at their desk on a dark winters day if they’ve just spent half an hour looking at somebody else’s pictures of a sun soaked private yacht in the Bahamas!
We all have two types of attention; Proactive - the two to the three hours a day that we are at our most productive; and Active - the few hours afterward where we are still able to focus but are not as effective.
For most of us our proactive attention peaks during the morning so this is the time we should use to generate new ideas or tackle the most important tasks of the day. Try to resist the temptation to simply get through emails as soon as the working day starts, you risk squandering your proactive most productive time.
Use your active attention time to catch up on emails, do routine jobs and take calls. Making a ‘to-do’ list at the end of every day can help you delegate your time most efficiently between proactive, and active hours the following day.
If you’ve got a large work project on the go try breaking it down into small chunks which not only makes it much more manageable, but also easier to stay with it. We’re less likely to have our productivity derailed if we allocate tasks into 15 minute slots and use these small increments to build towards the bigger goal.
Try and stick to a schedule too. We’re creatures of habit by design, so scheduling in break times, stopping for lunch and allowing yourself an hour to catch up on chores is a great way to keep your day moving in a positive direction! Making sure you fit in some time for what makes you feel good is imperative too. Go on a dog walk, do some exercise or finish that chapter of your book you keep putting off!
At YOPLA we’re here to help your business navigate the challenges of today’s world and tomorrow’s future. We can support you in creating a healthy, productive, digital work place that enables everybody to reach their potential. To start your digital transformation journey just send us an email or fill in the contact us form – we’d be delighted to speak to you!
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There’s not much better than a good book. The opportunity to get lost in the pages of your favourite genre, leaving the real world behind to be completely absorbed in what you’re reading. Books can make us laugh, cry, gasp, change our perspectives and help us through tough times. From recipes, to elves, biographies to Mr Darcy, and everything in between, there’s a book out there for everyone!
As it’s National Read a Book Day in the US, and coming up to International Literacy Day on 8th September, we wanted to give some thought to the books that have shaped our lives, inspired us and made us think. Why not use the next couple of days as an excuse to dig out some of your favourites and use them to spark a conversation with the people around you? In the meantime, here’s Eve, Stephanie and Charles’ selection!
Eve
The book character I love the most is ….
Elizabeth from Richard Osman’s fantastic Thursday Murder Club series. Throughout the books you see her character in so many different lights it’s impossible not to love her. She’s determined, strong willed and fierce but with a kindness and unwavering loyalty to the people who matter the most. And she’s pretty good at solving crimes too, lol! If I manage to crack all the answers to a crossword I’m a happy bunny … let alone unmask a murderer!
My all-time favourite book is ….
Yes Man, by Danny Wallace. While we’re not all going to live our lives saying yes to everything (for a multitude of reasons!!) it’s a light-hearted reminder of what can happen if you do push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s great for an easy read with some real laugh out loud moments.
My favourite book as a child was …
The Magic Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton. I can’t even count how many times I’ve read them over the years. When I was little I’d curl up in my bed on a night and truly lose myself in the wonder of the lands at the top of the tree. When I’d inevitably have to turn out the lights to go to sleep the stories would swirl around my head until I eventually nodded off!
The book I buy for others the most is …
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy. I truly love this book. Every page has a beautiful message accompanied by an equally beautiful hand drawn picture. No matter the mood you come to it in, it always lifts you and makes you smile. One of the only books which never leaves my coffee table!
The best book to movie adaptation is …
It’s more a TV adaptation, but Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth version) … many people shy away from the classics either finding the prose off putting or them too dense to tackle. When they find new life on the big (or small) screen they find a whole new audience to appreciate them.
Jane Austen’s ideas were revolutionary for her time; representing women as being strong and having choices were concepts that were rarely explored. She’s inspired so many who’ve come after her to build on what she started and understanding where it all begun is crucial. It’s a stark reminder too that over 200 years after it was written, many women are still having to fight for the “right” to choose.
The book I think everybody should read is ….
I have two which are impossible to choose between!
Firstly, A Handmaids Tale. Set in a dystopian future it makes for a pretty uncomfortable read but it’s hard to put down. We know the character only as “Offred” and the book follows her journey through her experiences in the oppressive Republic of Gilead. It’s been turned into a TV series but read the books first, they’re extremely thought provoking, especially in today’s world.
Secondly, Factfulness by Hans Rosling. It can be very easy to become lost in the mass of negativity that’s been fired at us from every direction over the last few years. This book is a poignant reminder that despite what we see in the media (traditional and social) that there are a lot of positives to focus on and gives hope for the future.
My favourite quote from a book is ....
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think"
It’s an oldie but a goodie. For those who aren’t Winnie the Pooh fans Christopher Robin tells Pooh to always remember this if he ever feels alone. It’s stayed with me since discovering the joy of A.A Milne and wisdom I hope I’ve passed on to my own children.
My favourite place to read is ….
On a cushioned sun lounger with the sun shining and a gentle breeze! Preferably with a cold glass of Diet Coke and the kids happily occupied in the swimming pool!
Stephanie
The book character I love the most is ….
Hermione Grange from the Harry Potter series. She was one of the first strong female characters that I really identified with as a child. I was basically the same age as the characters when the books were released, and I was definitely a bookworm and bit of a know it all!
My all-time favourite book is ….
Little Women by Louise May Alcott. It's a warm hug of a book for anyone with a sister. The love between sisters is special and complex and so well embodied in this book.
My favourite book as a child was ….
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I was really into the classics when I was young and loved the slight mystery that runs through this story, it wasn't just another Jane Austen type love story. I find the prose really transports you to that era.
The book I buy for others the most is ….
The Little Prince (I mostly buy books for kids!). It's a really sweet book and the illustrations are wonderful, it’s extra special that they’re also drawn by the author. I've bought it in French mostly for my nieces.
The best book to movie adaptation is ....
Lord of the Rings! I watched the films before I read the books so I'm probably biased, but the sets and music just felt magical. Rarely a year goes by where I haven’t watched all three!
The book I think everybody should read is ….
All the Harry Potters! As a collection the story and character development is just wonderful. I highly recommend listening to the audio version too - Steven Fry's narrations really make the words come to life. My sister and I used to fight over who got to read the newly released hardbacks first! We’d then stay up all night with a torch to devour them as fast as possible. Any book that keeps you reading right through the night is special!
My favourite quote from a book is ….
"Though she be but little she is fierce." Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Shakespeare had a good head on his shoulders!
My favourite place to read is ….
Lying in the sun - preferably somewhere very warm!!
Charles
The book character I love most is ….
Conn Iggulden’s Julius Caesar or Genghis Khan where phenomenal, pulling historical fact and drama together to give full breadth to these figures was really something. But, my favourite character is reserved for Elizabeth from the Thursday Murder Club, I don’t want to give anything away from the two books out so far but Elizabeth leads a group of older folks on some fantastic adventures proving her whit and while as she goes.
Her and Ron have me laughing and looking forward to every year ahead with those I’m blessed to have around me.
My all-time favourite book is ….
The In Her Name Series, but specifically from Chaos Born.
These books felt like an escapist blend of Asimov’s Foundation Series and Conn Iggulden’s Emperor or Lord of the Plains books mixed with a bit of Avatar. Expansive worlds, deep mythology and flawed characters all set to explore the challenges of competing cultures in the hope of achieving greater meaning. Isn’t it fantastic when a book is simultaneously different and similar to reality?
My favourite book as a child was ….
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
I would love to imagine the train appearing outside the window on Christmas Eve, heading out in the snow in my dressing gown and slippers before embarking on a fantastic adventure. It’s a great story, but what really makes this book for me is that it has always felt like the boy in the story gets to go on an adventure, but in reality, he never leaves home to do it. He’s as safe from beginning to end as if he dreamed the whole wonderful journey tucked up in bed, even at the end when he gets the gift it’s as if the authors leaving it to us to decide.
The book I buy for others the most is ….
Selling to Win by Richard Denny.
Someone said to me when I was younger to “never lend a book, always pass it on”. I love that each book can take it’s lessons on to a new reader and I’ve made a habit of buying people books or recommending my current “good reads” whenever I get the opportunity. My reason for specifically choosing this book for others is that it’s short and full of common sense like “wear wellies to meet a farmer in a field”.
Richard Denny has updated the book over the years but the core message about sales being a profession, not a gift, and an upstanding one really left an impression on me. People make life a joy and helping match a need or want with a solution is at the heart of everything we do.
The best book to movie adaptation is .…
Chicken Little.
This might be a stretch as there’s been a variety of versions of Chicken Little but without doubt this is the greatest movie adaptation of a book. You’ve got a fearless fish, a terrified pig, plucky ducky and the chicken who all have to overcome their reputation. It’s a kids movie, full of laughs for everyone and it rejoices in laughing at itself. The last 5 minutes are probably my favourite of any movie, bar the starting 5 minutes of both Top Gun movies!
The book I think everybody should read is ….
Regenesis by George Monbiot or The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff; I can’t pick one over the other!
Books always educate us, whether it’s sharing something of the author or the author intentionally mirroring the world, every book has a sub text or means to give you more than the words on the page. These are perhaps the most important books I’ve read this century.
George Monbiot focuses on how we must transform the agricultural economy, our relationship with food and critically, the soil which we all so badly take for granted. If we don’t, we will bring about the end of life as we know it. If we engage, we might just create the utopian future, full of flora and fauna, that so many of us badly want. Why have we domesticated the planet, rid ourselves of so much wildlife and reduced and rationalised everything we grow. I’m excited to live in a world rich in variety and Regenesis sets the stage!
Zuboff’s book eloquently describes the rise of surveillance capitalism, where knowledge about behaviour becomes more valuable than oil and leads to a world in which behaviour is predicted, prompted and rewarded. Reading this book led me to consider the transaction I make with all “free” tools and make my default position on any piece of software (social, search, media et al) that if I don’t understand the transaction, I won’t engage in it. Works for the kids too.
My favourite quote from a book is ....
"The first person you lie to is always yourself"
My eldest daughter was reading the Eragon series by Christopher Paolini, she was determined I should give them a go, so I did! They are great books, made all the more impressive when you consider the author was in their early teens when they wrote the first book. This might not be an original quote but it remains the only time I’ve heard or read the phrase.
It’s a fantastic reminder that however you treat yourself is how you will treat others and tripping yourself up with BS is only going to go one way. While we’re on quotes, “be yourself, everyone else is taken” is super.
My favourite place to read is….
Anywhere where there’s just enough going on that it’s almost tranquil. Sat on the sofa when everyone’s doing their own thing, in an airport when everyone’s moving around, at the gym when everyone’s busy about or reading in bed beside the human water bottle I live with! It’s a bit like the feeling I get from Polar Express, total escapism when I’m somewhere full of life, safe to explore.
The most effective teams are built upon three key people (and ideally teams are made up of odd numbers as they grow, so that there is always a casting vote), and that those original three should share traits that include an innovator, operator and leader.
"Within any high-performing team there are three types of people: leaders, warriors and special talent. Leaders provide direction and guidance, though only one of them will provide overall leadership. The warriors do the hard grind. The special talents provide the spark, the creativity and the strategic response. All three groups understand the nature and demands of their role, and they also know how to fit into the wider group to maximise its effectiveness. Any imbalance can be fatal." - Alastair Campbell.
The innovator, operator and leader
In any high-performing team, you need:
The Innovator (or "special talent") - This person provides the creative spark, fresh ideas and strategic thinking to address challenges in novel ways. They are the source of ingenuity.
The Operator (or "warrior") - The operator does the hard grind, tirelessly executing to turn vision and strategy into reality through disciplined effort. They make things happen.
The Leader - Provide overall direction, guidance and motivation. They set the vision, make the tough decisions, and inspire the team to achieve ambitious goals together.
All three roles are essential and interdependent. The innovator dreams up the bold ideas, the operator makes them real, and the leader charts the course and steers the ship. There can be multiple leaders in a team, but only one at the helm providing overall direction. The key is getting the balance right - an overabundance of any one type leads to imbalance and dysfunction.
"Any imbalance can be fatal. Too many warriors and there are insufficient ideas. Too much special talent - a team of Ronaldo’s and Messi’s - and you end up with egotistical mayhem. Leadership requires skilled management of that balance." - Alastair Campbell.
Alastair Campbell's leader, warrior and special talent
In his book, "but what can I do" Alastair Campbell uses slightly different terminology to describe these three essential roles and these descriptions resonated with us:
The Leader - Provides overall leadership, direction and decision-making just like the captain of a ship. Sets the tone and culture.
The Warrior - The disciplined executors and determined fighters who relentlessly drive progress and refuse to accept defeat. They are the engine of the team.
The Special Talent - Those with unique abilities and creative brilliance who conjure up innovative strategies and solutions. The maverick geniuses.
The most successful teams and organisations get this combination right, with each type understanding their role and how they fit into the broader team to maximise effectiveness.
"The warriors respect the special talent, the special talent appreciates the warriors, and the leader values them both while steering the ship." - Alastair Campbell.
The three roles in companies: CEO, COO and CTO
In digitally mature companies, these three essential leadership types often map directly to the roles of CEO (Chief Executive Officer), COO (Chief Operating Officer), and CTO (Chief Technology Officer):
The CEO as the Leader - The CEO sets the overall vision and strategy for the company, makes the high-level decisions, and is ultimately responsible for its performance and results.
The COO as the Operator/Warrior - The COO is responsible for executing the vision and strategy. They oversee the company's day-to-day operations, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. The COO is the disciplined operator who translates plans into reality.
The CTO as the Innovator/Special Talent - The CTO drives the company's technological innovation and development. They identify emerging technologies, determine how to leverage them for competitive advantage, and guide the technical direction of products and services. The CTO is the creative force behind the company's technical brilliance.
Of course, the specific titles and division of responsibilities will vary between organisations. But in general, the CEO-COO-CTO trio provides a balanced leadership team with a leader charting the course, an operator driving disciplined execution, and an innovator fuelling creative disruption.
The most successful companies recognise the importance of this leadership combination and ensure that the CEO, COO and CTO work together as a close-knit, complementary team. Each plays a distinct yet equally vital role in driving the company forward.
Putting it all together
Building a winning team is both an art and a science. It requires the identification of the right people for each role, ensuring they recognise the importance of all positions, and unifying them behind a common purpose and vision. The leader must set the culture, encourage ideas from everywhere, and keep the team focused on the ultimate objectives; but remember that teams need leaders as much as leaders need teams.
When you get that alchemy right - a respected leader charting a bold course, a band of determined warriors executing the mission, and creative talents inspiring and innovating - that's when teams become truly unstoppable forces. As Campbell asserts, it's a "Holy Trinity essential for any meaningful change…"
Master that combination, and you can take on the world. And if you need a bit of help along the way, you can always rely on Yopla for support - get in touch here!
Envision a workplace where each morning heralds a confluence of camaraderie, projects navigate with the ease of a well-oiled machine, and the unique strengths of each team member are not merely acknowledged but are wholeheartedly celebrated. This ideal might seem like an impossible pipe dream, yet it is entirely attainable with the right appreciation for, and understanding of, the diverse personality types within our teams.
“We must not only learn to tolerate our differences. We must welcome them as the richness and diversity which can lead to true intelligence.” — Albert Einstein
A Spectrum of Workplace Personalities
Consider the remarkable diversity of personalities present in any workplace. Analogous to a painter with an array of colours in their palette, a manager has access to a vibrant spectrum of personality types, each adding its distinct hue and texture to the team's dynamics. By understanding and appreciating this variety, managers can craft a team dynamic that resonates with depth, harmony, and cohesiveness.
Tailoring Motivation: The Gateway to Unleashing Potential
It is well understood that motivation is not a universal language but a personal dialect. What might ignite passion and drive in one individual could leave another utterly indifferent. This reality underscores the immense value of recognising and catering to the varied personality types within our teams. By personalising our motivational strategies, we can unlock a level of engagement and passion that generic methods rarely achieve, encouraging employees to not only meet but often surpass their own expectations.
Navigating Conflicts with Insight and Empathy
Conflicts, though often unwelcome, are inevitable in any collaborative setting. However, armed with a profound understanding of the personalities involved, managers can navigate these conflicts with a focus on harmonising different perspectives rather than dwelling on the dichotomy of right and wrong. This approach not only resolves issues more effectively but also strengthens interpersonal relationships within the team, fostering a culture of resilience and mutual understanding.
Assembling the Optimal Team
Imagine the precision and care of a chef selecting the perfect ingredients for a signature dish. Similarly, understanding personality types enables managers to strategically combine team members, balancing strengths and weaknesses to foster an environment of mutual learning and growth. This deliberate crafting of personalities leads to teams that excel in their tasks and enjoy the collaborative journey, transforming each project into a fulfilling adventure.
Cultivating a Sense of Belonging
Ultimately, the goal is to create a workplace where every individual feels valued and included. By embracing the diversity of personalities within our teams, we cultivate a space where everyone feels recognised and appreciated for their authentic selves. This nurturing environment not only boosts loyalty and happiness but also engenders a profound sense of community and belonging, making the workplace feel less like a mere job and more like a place where one can truly flourish.
“Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common… Celebrate it every day.” — Winston Churchill
Enlightening Leadership Through Understanding
For leaders, the insight gained from understanding team personality types is invaluable. It offers a nuanced perspective on how to lead, motivate, and support their teams effectively. This knowledge can elevate competent leaders to exceptional ones, as they adeptly manage the complexities of team dynamics with empathy, insight, and visionary leadership.
A Journey of Discovery and Growth
Delving into the intricacies of team personality types is not solely about enhancing work performance; it represents a voyage of discovery and learning. It fosters a culture of curiosity, continuous improvement, and personal development, inviting us to explore the rich tapestry of human interaction and its transformative potential for our workplaces.
Exploring Further Together
The concept of leveraging personality diversity to enrich the workplace is not just compelling; it's a pathway to creating more dynamic, understanding, and productive environments. If this exploration into understanding and harnessing the power of personality types within your team piques your interest, we'd love to delve deeper with you.
If you would like to know more, and discover how to utilise personality insights to enhance your workplace, please get in touch at team@yopla.co.uk. Here's to embarking on an extraordinary journey towards creating workplaces that are not just productive but also profoundly fulfilling!
