Taking the Hell out of Healthcare

Thrive with True Inspiration Using these Important Leadership Ideas and Skills

by Angeline Pacy on 11/14/18

Why adopt healthier leadership styles and management culture? What’s in it for YOU? For starters, it improves outcomes! An unethical or toxic leadership style may be conventional, but often leads to destruction. You don’t have to look long to find that the news headlines are filled with stories of resignations, firing, closures, and layoffs that are a direct result of toxic management. The inferior leadership style examples described below create a toxic energy (company, community, and family culture) that propagates errors, rather than improving outcomes. Read more to discover healthy and unhealthy leadership skills and practical tools that you can adopt today (or thankfully leave behind)…

In these next sections, I describe the concept of “driven” leadership and “driven” personality types versus truly motivated (and inspirational) leadership and personality types. What are the differences between “driven” leaders and “inspired” leaders and management style?

As a general observation, “driven” leadership styles and personality types primary operate within what neuroscientists describe as the “Fight or Flight Response.” This comes with specific qualities (outlined in more detail below).

In contrast, truly motivational leadership and inspired personalities operate in a more balanced way, moving fluidly between the “Relaxation Response” and the “Fight or Flight Response” as situations demand (and are appropriate). What does this translate into tangibly?

Achievement-Oriented or “Success-Driven” Leadership Exhibits the Following Signs:

Self-seeking behavior, primarily operating for self-benefit, adopting the “do-me first” philosophy rather than acting on behalf of the betterment of the whole group
Neuroticism, working to achieve success at any and all costs (legal or illegal), overlooking human rights issues, worker safety, healthy boundaries, and work-life balance, even making irrational self-sacrifices at the cost of personal and worker health, family, and personal obligations
Adopting an “Ends Justify the Means” attitude to not just “tighten up the belt” but cut corners for short-term benefits, arbitrary milestones and appearances of success (sometimes illegal or morally questionable)
Shame and fear-based motivation, operating from the standpoint of lack rather than abundance, a doom-and-gloom attitude that deflates others rather than uplifts and encourages others.
Aggressive or passive-aggressive communication style and behavior adopts controlling behavior and procedures such as manipulation, embarrassment, and humiliation, while shaming, isolating, or alienating others inappropriately; utilizes sarcasm as a means of communication
Hasty decision making (‘trigger happy’) is characterized by a lack of mindfulness. This lack of mindfulness does not take into account long-term consequences; does not carefully plan ahead; often takes on too much responsibility without delegation
Routinely does not consider the insights, experience, opinions of others
A lack of responsibility and ownership for mistakes or poor communication, blaming others, allots as much or more time to covering mistakes instead of preventing mistakes
Taking too much credit, without acknowledging the vital contributions of others (big or small) that create overall success
Unhealthy criticism, using overly critical language, overly inflammatory or dramatic, or frames criticism poorly, using blanket phrases like “you ALWAYS do this…” which ensures alienation of the listener and is often unbalanced (simply not true)
Unreasonable expectations that instigate “a fight or flight response” culture that is higher stress than healthy or necessary
Focuses too much energy or resources in job justification or gossip
Inability to connect with staff, picking favorites, building cliques rather than building bridges

Truly Motivated and Inspired Leadership Styles and Personality Types Demonstrate:

Healthy boundaries with self and others
Frames criticism respectfully and positively, using “the sandwich method” that first introduces both successes, areas that need improvement, and finishes on a positive message
Continues education in healthy communication areas to adopt positive communication skills and reinforce good habits
Leadership has a team- or community-oriented emphasis for better collaboration, inclusion, unity, and high group and employee-satisfaction
A strong value and skill-set in delegation that seeks to discover the talents and limitations of self and others; delegates tasks to appropriate individuals (not punishing or overly-criticizing others who are not properly trained or naturally skilled in a task, re-assigning duties as appropriate)
Effective coping skills for stress management such as good self-care, work-life balance; expanding healing modalities for stress; observing labor laws
Reasonable expectations set reasonable timelines and goals for self and others; abides by laws (including labor laws and environmental laws)
Utilizes a positive reward system for self and others, such as healthy rewards and activities for project milestones and achievements, because it propagates positive behavior and reinforces behavior change
Utilizes mindfulness skills which consider the consequences of actions and feelings of self and others
Leads by example, by keeping a humble, gentle servant’s heart; removes ego; does not expect more out of employees and others than what they are willing to do themselves
Takes ownership and responsibility for mistakes and behaves honestly and forthright
Makes amends to others, self, and community as appropriate
Practices patience with self and others, implementing good "pacing" skills
Uses conflict-resolution and crisis-prevention tools; adopts an intelligence-over-emotion attitude
Celebrates individuality and diversity, conveying a healthy minimum standard of respect and tolerance for natural differences and reasonable and appropriate self-expression
Celebrates cultural and emotional intelligence (CQ and EQ, respectively), not just IQ
Clearly communicates and outlines practices, expectations, and company culture to prevent confusion and reduce embarrassing situations

Conclusions

Effective leadership requires plasticity in attitudes and thinking. We must never grow:

Completely comfortable
Completely self-satisfied

Instead, we must:

Assess and re-assess self, staff, partners, relationships on a regular basis to discover what is and is not working
Engage in life-long learning, training, coaching, and mentoring

Adopting healthy coping skills is a daily, life-long process that creates motivational leaders, healthy groups, and pleasant environments. To make this a lifestyle rather than a pop-psychology fad, seek-out self-development and training resources that don’t just focus on achievement-oriented life-skills, or conventional appearances and perceptions of success. Instead, seek out motivated communities that inspire and train-up leaders for lasting, positive change!

Quality leadership resources can be found online and through networking. Wellness and behavior change coaches and advisors can be an important resource for inner-development. Some spiritual and leadership organizations, that work for healthy (balanced) personal development, and also for the common good, provide inspirational leadership training. They mentor leaders and also help members to develop effective communication tools.

Don’t just get inspired to be a leader. Be an inspiration to your world today!

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Quick and Easy Tips for Boosting Energy

by Angeline Pacy on 07/09/16

When someone I love (or a client) tells me that they feel exhausted, I can't help but inspire and motivate them. As a road-warrior and wellness-victor, I keep a handy energy mental checklist of favorite energy bursting tips. Discover some of them right here for FREE!

Exercise...

Exercise has a paradoxical affect on energy. When tired, a small microburst of exercise can help improve energy as it releases endorphins and improves circulation. Energy increases the size of a tiny organ within ours cells called mitochondria. Mitochondria help to produce energy. The more exercise, the more energy we may ultimately unlock from our calories and nutrients we consume. Remember to exercise to tolerance and in accordance with doctor-recommendations.

I like to take out my weighted hula hoop and hula for about 15 minutes. I listen to energizing music like oldies or salsa music. It gets my attention focused, boosts mood and changes the outcome of my day.

Am I thirsty?

Dehydration is a common source of fatigue and afternoon headaches. To get a fast and easy pick-me-up, make hydrating drink (containing electrolytes).

I create this hydrating drink at not just at home but in the office for maximum personal success. I like a pinch of minerals (like salt, fruit/vegetable juice for potassium and glucose) or buy a commercial mineral drink supplement that comes in the form of drops to add to water.

Remember to keep hydration drinks low in sugar and artificial ingredients (whether in the form of table sugar, fructose from juice or high-fructose corn syrup). Recognize that what goes up (blood sugar) must come down (and sometimes comes crashing down and that can create an energy slump and lead to diabetes). Some glucose is good. A lot can be dangerous and lead to chronic health problems.

Instead, a slow, steady supply of glucose (very diluted juice) is much better than straight-up juice, soda or a chemical-filled hydration sports drinks. Even better, squeeze fresh lemon, lime and oranges. They contain live enzymes and more vitamins, and they also transport well to work (thanks to their natural protective peel that keeps them fresh and stable for a longer period of time).

Non-Stimulant Energy...

My favorite energy supplements are actually not traditional stimulants at all. Traditional stimulants (like caffeine, like coffee and tea, or nicotine) are ok for most people in very small moderation. But, stimulants, in general, can be habit-forming and also wear out the adrenal glands over the long-term (creating a state of chronic stress and burn-out that can lead to immune dysfunction, mood disorders, endocrine dysfunction such as long-term weight gain and sexual dysfunction); they can also deplete vitamin stores by increasing urination (diuretic and laxatives effects).

For more energy, I enjoy the pure, stabilized, enhanced, and standardized mitochondrial nutrients from Geronova Research such as carnitine (taken on an empty stomach twice daily) and their lipid-soluble mitochondrial antioxidants and AMPK-stimulators (taken with fatty meals/snacks). Research shows that mitochondrial nutrients facilitate the production of energy by aiding in the production of ATP (the body's energy molecule). Unlike traditional stimulants, they also have positive side-effects in the body (such as an anti-aging effect and better glucose and fat metabolism).

30 Minute Power Nap!

The French do it and they are considered sophisticated...many Italians do almost everyday! In fact, people all over the world take afternoon naps everyday and many of them have productivity equal to and even higher productivity than American counterparts who stand in Puritanical juxtaposition). Make sure that your afternoon nap is short (less than an hour) and earlier in the day, so as to not interfere with bedtime sleep. Disclosure: please remember to nap responsibly.

Pacing...

Pacing, breaking up daily activities into smaller increments and then take mini breaks, is an effective way to break up activities in a more manageable way. We can't do it all at once, so pacing allows us to better manage time, energy, activities, and relationships. Let pacing make a big impact on your energy levels and life!

*Remember to consult a highly trained integrative physician before beginning any new health or exercise regimen.

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Immunomodulation: hot or hype?

by Angeline Pacy on 02/28/15

Immunomodulation 101: it's risky. And since the makers of marketed immunomodulators are rarely the partakers of immunomodulators, I'll cut to the chase.

American medicine has truly missed the mark in this field. It's not always what you add to the body that will most benefit an irregular immune system. Sometimes the effective therapy involves controlling the intake of a substance starting with the following:

1.) Arachadonic acid. If you don't know what this is, learn it. Eliminate it from the majority of your daily meals and watch your body flourish.

2.) Control inflammation by eliminating refined carbohydrate and sugar. Spiking blood sugar is a recipe for an inflammatory cascade that even Jesus can't save you from unless you want to do the work. Get on board. The truth shall set you free. Controlling blood sugar also aids in the process of controlling pro-inflammatory endogenous arachadonic levels.

3.) Detox: make it your number one priority. Regardless of the underlying condition for immune irregularity (albeit it infectious, metabolic, environmental toxicty / heavy metals, usually all of the above mentioned), the only way up is down. That means that you may fall apart before you get better during the metabolic detox process. But, no pain, no gain.

Metabolic detox is complex if you are a newbie; but, the truth is out there. I like a combo of therapies, beginning with the basic detox pathways: sulphur (MSM), methylation (methyl cobalamin injections, methyl donors in general), phase 1, 2 and 3 - detox with GeroNova Research's potassium r-lipoic acid and the R-lipoic acid plus curcumin (two of the world's most powerful detoxifiers combined into one product). That increases the endogenous antioxidants like glutathione and SOD which speed cellular detox.

Most of the currently marketed immunomodulators are immunosuppressive drugs with side effects resembling a Stephen King novel. Modulation should not be confused with suppression or even targeted suppression. For that reason alone, I recommend the following for true modulation of an irregular immune system (in order of effectiveness and safety).

1.) biological spin traps

2.) lipid-soluble antioxidants

3.) medicinal mushrooms

4.) plant sterols

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