Flow and Engagement

What is flow and how does it relate to Engagement

Just to recap the definition of engagement – we are talking about it as a combination of productivity, profitability, and retention.

So what is flow? Flow is that magical state when you are so engrossed in what you are doing that time flies.

If this is a topic that is of great interest to you – check out the work by the same title by the psychologist author who coined this term: muh·hay·lee chik·sent·mee·hai

The term came from the way participants described this state – like being carried along with water – just flowing with the current.

What does this have to do with engagement? It’s the productivity arm of our engagement triad. We are at an utmost state of productivity because we are not just engrossed and highly focused but also enjoying ourselves which is what we want for every employee and leader.

There are a number of combining factors that make up that state of flow including:

Being present and at the moment Clear on the purpose of each action A lack of self-consciousness A sense of personal control Time flying And intrinsically rewarding, not for the approval of others

All of these factors regarding flow can be influenced heavily by coaching. This is part of making work fun again! We work on items such as mindfulness and being present. We work on creating clarity and intention.

We also address confidence areas such as focusing on effort and practice vs. being attached to results.

We want every client to feel that they are their own captain and determine their own fate. Using their gifts and talents, and finally living in accordance with their own values – We call that integrity.

In fact, so many of these virtues of flow are so important to the coaching they are part of the coaching code of ethics, and the competencies we practice and strive to be in every coaching interaction.

You will even find that these elements are so fundamental that coaches will specialize in one or more of these very elements of flow.

With all of these agreeable attributes of flow naturally, we’d like to increase the amount of time spent in flow.

Leaders can encourage this state in a number of ways:

Leaders can model being present by not multitasking- putting away distracting devices and giving their full attention to the topic or person at hand They can challenge each action item and confirm the team is clear on the purpose of each action They can encourage expression and refrain from judgment -especially in public– contributing to an environment that eliminates self-consciousness Clearly confirming that the leader is covering the what – but the employee is endowed with the ability to determine how – contributing to their sense of personal control Encouraging productive time by setting boundaries for meetings and even do not disturb time zones to contribute to Time flying Finally, they can ensure that as easily as they can bestow approval- they can take it away, and therefore the employee should strive for their own approval and growth milestones in their work I believe these behaviors also make good parenting to raise happy, strong, self-confident, and grounded children.

If you’d like to create a team environment that fosters flow and leadership behaviors that encourage flow: schedule a workshop for your team email me: shawna@shawnacorden.com

This brings us to our tool of the week: eliminating obstacles

Great leaders remove obstacles that prevent work from being completed. Employees should be able to ask for what they need- aircover, backup, reinforcements, or supplies. Anything that gets in the way of flow.

As an example – look around the room you are in with a fresh set of eyes. Pretend you are a first-time visitor. Are the items in the room arranged for the purpose of the room? If there is a reading chair, is there a light nearby that doesn’t cast a shadow across the page of your book? Is there a place to set a beverage, a throw to provide warmth? Does setting welcome the work you conduct in this space? Be intentional. What do you need to be the most comfortable and productive?

Now apply this to your team space- or ask this question of your team members. What do they need to be productive?

SO, HERE’S YOUR fieldwork –because COACHING WITHOUT ACTION ISN’T COACHIng – IT’S JUST ENTERTAINMENT

Think through the top activities you go through each day- is your routine and space well-suited to produce success? Do they encourage good habits? Or are you going through a number of workarounds, the equivalent of bailing wire and chewing gum to get things done?

Be sure that you have personal habits or standard operating procedures, and business rules to address the regular workflow. Create good habits that feed you and make the work a joy.

One effective method to start new habits comes from the Premack method – the psychologist who made this discovery. Pair a new habit with an existing one for ‘stickability’ Do the new habit immediately before an ingrained one – like doing 10 pushups immediately before brushing your teeth. Soon you’ll have chains of tasks done together like – taking your vitamins, refilling your water glass, flossing, brushing, and putting in that retainer.

I have found this method is so effective that it’s never a surprise to me when I miss my vitamins because upon seeing them still in the tray -I can recall the moment my routine was interrupted and what else was forgotten too.