The Psychology of Teamwork: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teams
There’s an old saying among sports coaches:
“A champion team will defeat a team of champions.”
However, as much as we value the ideals of teamwork and connectedness, there’s also the alternative notion of the “rugged individual” or “prima donna,” who stands out from the crowd and succeeds without help from anyone.
Our culture often places more value on a single talented person than on a cohesive team that has no standout star.
Research has to ask, what is better: one standout player or a cohesive team of average performers?
Finding Your Focus Through ‘Deep Work’
It happens all the time. You start out the day with great intentions to get that financial report done or to work on your marketing plan only to find it’s 3pm and you’ve barely scratched the surface. Every time you sit down to work on something, a ping, ding or dong stops you in your tracks.
Social media and email are our biggest distractors, according to Cal Newport, author of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World. While turning off devices may seem a simple solution, Newport says the problem runs much deeper. Our attraction to digital devices has created a permanent fracturing of our attention, affecting our ability to maintain focus and be present.
Cultivating our ability to focus means engaging in a practice Newport calls “deep work.”
“Deep work is when you focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task,” he says. “You work on it as hard as your brain is capable for an extended amount of time without any distractions.” Working on something while in “deep work” mode will produce much better results than working with distracted, fragmented attention – what most of us do every day. “Most people don’t go five or ten minutes without glancing at their phone or inbox,” says Newport.
Related: Stop Paying Attention to the Non-Urgent in Your Life. Learn How to Single-Task.
Engaging in deep work isn’t as simple as setting aside a chunk of time to work on something. “You have to treat your attention with a lot of respect, like a professional athlete might treat their body,” says Newport. This also means training your brain to focus.
In order to engage in deep work, Newport says you need to develop a few habits:
How to Intervene if You’re Concerned Someone is Thinking of Suicide
Did you know that every 40 seconds, someone takes their own life? It’s a hard pill to swallow, right? The truth is, if the topic of suicide makes you uncomfortable, you certainly aren’t alone. But, the thing is, as human service professionals, we must empower ourselves with the knowledge needed to save lives.
September is Suicide Prevention Month and a time to shed light on this critical topic. In efforts to bring you the tools to help those in need, we asked Associate Clinical Director Bryan Cantwell how to intervene when there are concerns about a client or loved one having thoughts of suicide.
Bryan also discussed the importance of asking the question, “Are you thinking of suicide?” While many people are afraid to ask because they think they’ll plant the idea into someone’s head, the reality is, most people report feeling relieved when asked.
It’s also important to know that if someone is at high risk for suicide because they have a plan and means to execute that plan, it becomes an emergency. If they are unwilling to go to the hospital to be evaluated, you will need to call 911.
That said, if you’re struggling, know that you don’t need to bear the heavyweight of sadness without support. It might feel like you’re alone in your struggles, but there are people out there who care about you and want to help. Call a friend or family member, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
For more information on the warning signs of suicide and intervention, check out the blog, “Save a Life- Know the Warning Signs of Suicide.”
We want to thank each of you for the impactful work you do in your community. It is your commitment to youth and families that is paving the way to a bright future for our state. Remember, each of us has the power to make a difference, one child and family at a time.
Responding to Suicide Warning Signs- A Manager’s Guide
Employees may spend more face-to-face time with coworkers and managers than their own family and friends. The workplace may represent a place of belonging. These reasons may contribute to an employee showing suicidal signs in the workplace. An employee may share thoughts with a coworker or make comments that are overheard. Coworkers or a manager might notice changes in behavior that are concerning.
