Author Archive for fionagalea

The Commonalities between Shoes and Resumes

Resumes can be compared with many things , shoes however are personal items as over time they take the shape of the wearer’s feet even aspects of the wearer’s personality. For example the clean, neat, conservative styled shoes of the clean, neat conservative wearer and the flamboyant eye catching shoes of the person with a larger than life personality.  Resumes too, are personal items even when reduced to the impersonal by application forms they remain facts about you

Shoes as with resumes have a purpose understood by all to facilitate movement either through the physical environment or the work/career environment.  The function of shoes and resumes is to make that movement easier and provide protection.  Shoes ensure our feet are not damaged, resumes assist in ensuring that our qualifications, experience, competencies are preserved and our reputations are protected.

We could live with the same style shoe and we would achieve the purpose and function of shoes in a physical sense. However we may miss out on being accepted by particular social groups because we have been not aware of the rules of engagement, the rules that relate to staying with the trends and fitting in. It can be said about resumes, by all means use the style you have used for years but be prepared for others to make judgements about your interest in staying alert to and interested in change.

If we have a desire to finish a fun-run, play a reasonable game of tennis, walk quickly to catch the bus, keep our feet cool or warm we wear different types of shoes. Same with resumes, if you are applying for roles that are similar but require you to have different competencies or experience, you will have a better chance of success if you have versions of your resume that fit exactly with what is being asked for.

Maintaining our shoes if we want them to perform well, is necessary, a little prevention is better than none. When they can no longer serve us well we dispose of them and replace them.  Resumes need care and attention also, so they can perform well at a moment’s notice.  We might even throw out the existing one and replace it with several versions.

Judgements – a bit tricky when based on assumptions.

While staying in a tiny coastal town I noticed a flock of birds flitting between the trees and I quickly assumed that it was a random event, just a group of birds flying about.  The next day (at I what discovered was the same time as the previous day),  I noticed the birds again , this time I took the time to sit still and watch , and the magic that unfolded was truly amazing.

This was no random event , the flock flew as one, in definite patterns: figures of eight, expansive circles decreasing to tight ones , vast swoops from one end of the clutch of trees to another , and swoops that took the group high and then low.  There did not seem to be a leader nor was there at any stage a rigid formation, it appeared that occasionally on turns that several birds were “ left behind “ and when this occurred the group reformed so the laggards could be incorporated into the edges of the group. The flight continued for about 30 -40 minutes and happened on sunny days at 3.00pm each day during in my stay in the town.  If I really wanted a complete understanding of this event and a full explanation of the facts I would consult the experts as I know nothing about birds.  What I do know is that I could have missed out on discovering that there was more to simply a group of birds randomly and seemingly chaotically flying about the trees.

So it is with human behaviour . We join a new group of people, a new team at work as the leader or a member and after an initial period of time we think we have summed up what’s going on: the politics, the personalities, the way the team interacts, the implicit and explicit commitment to the goals, the unspoken rules, the culture and we make our judgements accordingly.  Perhaps we could suspend our hasty judgements now and then and wait for the magic to unfold, it will. There are often specks of gold in the dust.  No time you say, got get on with it .  Mmm, maybe and there is the risk of decisions being made in a vacuum devoid of facts and rich opportunities missed.

two brains are better than one or the pitfalls of self-reliance . Part 1.

My four -year old granddaughter is shaping up to be doggedly self-reliant.  She must do it by herself , and she receives lots of praise for this.  There are times when she has success and times when there are buckets of tears and I mean buckets!  Her seven- year old sister has a more flexible personality and has learnt the benefits of doing it yourself as well as seeking assistance from others, fewer tears for a start, and the opportunity to learn how to do it from the already experienced.

Both scenarios are common day occurrences – with the young , the older and the old! Maturity comes from recognising the lessons learnt in either scenario. Some of us learn and some of us keep trying to do it on our own.

The level of self- reliance incorporated into how we cope is influenced by our personality, the environment we grew up in and the prevailing cultural mores.

I went to boarding school as a seven year old and learnt the hard way, self- reliance equals survival.  It’s been a hard lesson for me to unlearn.  I don’t know everything, more particularly I don’t have to know everything and often I am on a winner when I ask for assistance

Change , particularly change that has been foisted on us, is when the decision to deal with it on our own can result in “buckets of tears”.

two brains are better than one or the pitfalls of self-reliance . Part 2.

Irene , a senior manager with many years of experience in foisting change on others found herself facing change in the guise of finding another job.  Her response to the offer of assistance was:  “I know what I want, I know what I must do and I don’t need your help, thanks. “

I kept in touch , phone calls , emails etc and when I got a response it was a concise: “great thanks.”

Irene had something to prove, all those years of managing others , being smart , street- wise , focused and hard working really did mean she must be able to find another job by herself .

Four weeks into her job search, I received a different response to my contact, anger , at how rude people were, at how demeaning particular behaviour was, how soul -destroying job seeking was and it was obviously their fault , not hers.

Another four weeks into her job search, Irene was getting worried about her financial situation and the “buckets of tears “ had commenced – not literally but the emotional response was building , moving from anger to contained despair .

Now, Irene was ready to ask for assistance.

So together we reviewed what she wanted, what she had been doing, what was working, what was not working, and what else she could do.  Using two (and sometimes more than two ) brains we developed a strategy that was successful .

Irene found a job she could be happy in and for the money she could initially be satisfied with.  She learnt that relying on others on occasions, can be a liberating, effective and enjoyable thing to do.

In defence of procrastination

Often we find ourselves in a situation that requires us to make a decision that will result in change !

At times we can feel guilty that we have not yet made the decision and therefore not got on with what ever change we have to make.  For example, finding another job, making a career change, dealing with a situation, or resolving an ongoing issue.   Pressure to “get on with it ” builds either from within ourselves or from others.

Recently I met a client , Jack, who had commenced some study for a qualification that he felt was required and by doing it would open up new opportunities.  In an effort not to waste time on what seemed like an important thing to do , Jack commenced the study and found  it most unrewarding.  His response was to this was to procrastinate in getting the assignments completed .  The course of study had flexible timelines so it was relatively easy to “procrastinate” .  Anxiety mounted in the form of irrational feelings of being lazy , fear of failure , and questioning his ability.  Jack moved beyond his irrational fears and decided quite deliberately to procrastinate , delay completing the study.  In allowing himself to do that he found that he could do without the qualification , it was something he was not going to enjoy anyway and the decision to embark on it in the first place was probably made in haste.

There are many times when I think we can be kind to ourselves and just take some time , not get caught up in the perceived urgency of the matter, and allow the events to unfold . Often the answer is there, we just have just been too focused on making things happen to recognise this.

Being kind to ourself can also mean not feeling guilty about what we think is procrastination. ” I should be more focused, I should be doing something , I should have been able to make the decision by now , I must not put it off any longer”.

There are often benefits in delaying,  versus acting simply out of fear of procrastination. More information emerges, the situation resolves it self, events unfold that change the situation yet again, taking time can mean that a decision becomes obvious,  and most importantly if relaxed we can think more clearly.

So do not feel you must act to avoid procrastination, give yourself permission to delay the decision !

The web site is ready !

To all to whom I have been promising the Site , it’s now up and running so welcome, and lets hope this is a means of staying in touch!

Testimonials

Retirement is the new work!

There will be an unprecedented rise in the number of baby-boomers retiring over the next few years, and there will be as many interpretations of retirement and how the retirement years will be lived as retirees.

However we all hope that our life in retirement will result in us flourishing, not languishing.

This may come about by embracing a new identity, and finally being able to find the time to do what you have been putting off for ages.

Perhaps you have been retired for a period of time already and your early goals achieved, your new identity established, new routines in place , now what ?

Like all change there is a honeymoon period and then the reality sets in. For some, a sense of life-purpose can be missing as the retirement years roll on.

So – it’s time to get focused on being truly happy and live a meaningful life.

You may well have discovered that money helps, achieving goals works, health and loving relationships are fundamental, holidays help, status and material things can contribute to living a meaningful life , living your passions certainly helps, and giving to others can provide significant life-meaning.

Even if you have not set out to, in retirement, you are still learning about yourself and how you can be truly happy and content.

If you would like to ensure that the remaining life you have brings you the greatest enjoyment and happiness that you dare to dream of , you may need a little assistance.

Someone who can get to know you then step outside of you,  and challenge your thoughts and feelings about how you can achieve a memorable life.

Knowing what you can do, want to do and how to do it seriously helps !

Like to talk about what is possible ? Contact me.

Welcome to Fiona Galea & Associates

facilitating & supporting organisational & personal change

Thanks for logging on. I do hope you find what you are looking for. If what you need is support in making organisational or personal change, read on.

The first step in change is the most difficult and the journey can be somewhat daunting. With my considerable experience and skills I can support your endeavours.

The following pages will outline my professional journey, including my qualifications, the clients I have worked with, the successes we have had and how I have been able to collaborate, advise, support and assist.

Values

• Confidentiality
• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Empathy
• Wisdom
• Diversity

My value add … an enabler of change

The length and depth of my experience combined with my energy and determination to provide the best support that I can, sets me apart from others in the field of facilitating change.

My ability to distill and focus on the critical aspects that create sustainable change have been consistently demonstrated throughout my career.

Having reached an age of “interest” I am well able to assist people who are about to embark or have embarked on definitive change journeys – career advancement, career transition and/or retirement.