Dr. Gary Carlson

Good ideas. When you are focused and dedicated to your goal of the meeting you are the steady rudder to the outcome.

It is sometimes hard to not become emotionally involved but is not a good practice. We need to stay neuatral and investigate all situations from both sides and make a ratioanale decision from the facts you have at hand. By remaining calm and handling the situation from this process you will feel assured of making the best possible decision.

Structure is a great way of responding to project and assignments. I have always found you can do much better when you start early and revisit your projects before they are due. Stress is reduced when you feel you have had enough time and support to accomplish the task. Sometimes you may be hit with a inpromtu project. These are sometimes the hardest to deal with. The best practice is to first outline what needs to be done first and progress through your outline.

Listening is the primary purpose for communication. When we are better listeners we can acheive better collaboration with the members of our staff. Analysis of the communication by listing will help us to better read between the lines.

Good job! You have discovered the value of team building. Through team building you create purpose for your employees. You can listen to Indra Nooyi, the CEO for PEPSICO who has very strong in the belief of purpose. You can find the podcast under ITunes University, Yale interviews. "

The best plan is to consider what is critical information and how can you protect it. Secondly you should consider how to keep business going as usual as can be expected in a crisis. With this in mind you can develop the simple plan that is a fall back plan when these issues arise. I have had to do this in a few occassions during the past years I have been a managment position.

Positive stress helps us all. Stress with focus that produces positive and rewarding outcomes is always encouraging to do more. When your stress is focused on negative or traumatic events it may cause emotional or health issue.

All good points. The key to emotions is to remain calm and not rise to the level of the others who may.

Culture plays a huge part in communication. Listening is a big part of great communication. It is great you understand the need to understand the cluture of the people you are listening to.

It is always good to stay as much as possible in a non partisan position. This will help you with future decisions with your people as a leader. They will assess how you come to conclusions with a clear and fair mind.