Dr. Gary Carlson

It is always good when you can laugh with someone and not at someone. Humor actually can add years to our lives. Working in solitude with no humor can create a very stressful situation.

We are human race that believes in teams. This was as early as the tribal units back in time. We all thrive when a team can be formed to acheive a goal.

These are all great ideas and work quite well. Please remember each person needs to consider a balance in life with exercise, health, academic challenge and spiritual participation. If if you and your employees can find that intrinsic motivation that allows you to see your work as fun then you will love the challenge.

Good top management is always looking for the people who are their future. People with great communication skills and creative ideas that may help a company are a must for great companies. You can see in all the productive institutions no matter who they are have people who are willing to take the risk by communicating. As long as you communication is constructive and in the best interest of the company and is professional you will be fine. There will always be those who may want to sabotage your great ideas but don't let them stand in your way.

Exercise is a good tool for stress as long as you keep your life balanced with the other factors which can help you be less stressed. You can find some great recommendations in the book "Brain Rules" by John Medina. He has broke down the ten top needs of your brain. You can see some of his video on youtube under brain rules.

There many variables that will determine the outcome of most decisions. The most important value you can continue to possess is this ability to keep balance in your life. You have expressed this in your reponses. Another great book for you would be the John Medina book titled, "Brain Rules". You can view some of his videos on You Tube.

Pat, It is important to be organized when confronting a sharp deadline. It seems you know how to put your priorities in order. Some of what this is called is chunking the assignment into parts so you can accomplish the outcome within the time limits. If you have established the correct flags to determine the success of your activity you will succeed. Good Job! There is an interesting book out now that reflects on today's motivation of people and employees. It is titled "Drive" by Daniel Pink.

It is always great to have no surprises. Everyone must know what is expected of them. When you can be specific it helps to communicate the accountability side of the expectation.

It is good to have experience and be able to use it but to express your experience to often may turn some people off. It is the wise person who can draw upon what they have learned.

Approaching workers with a fair and honest attitude increases the trust levels for your employees. This is also a way to reduce the stress factors when a leader can have their employees admire the integrity of their character.