Rolling Sands Consulting

Help…I Need More Content!

Did you know that October 31^st is National Bug Busting Day in the UK? (Bugs as in head lice…blech!)

I’ve spent many hours dreaming up content ideas. When I hit a creative lull, leveraging content that already exists is a great way to kick start my brain. Recycle or reimagine your own work. Or look for inspiration in other people’s works.

Are You Listening?

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” — Stephen R. Covey

My not-so-great meeting habit has always been the impulse to interrupt a speaker when something they say sparks an interesting idea. Being disrespectful or diminishing the speaker’s ideas is never my intent, but that is the result in the end. Essentially, I don’t want to forget about the idea or question that popped into my head. It’s especially difficult when my comment or question has personal relevance or the topic is one of my passions, like science, branding, communications or dogs. (Yes, I’m one of those pesky dog people!)

To be a good listener, not only do I need to remain silent until the other person is finished, I genuinely want to hear people out; “…listen[ing] with the intent to understand…” So, several years ago, I started taking a notebook and pen to every meeting. A simple fix but changing a habit is never easy. They say the best communicators practice *active* listening; they make a conscious decision to listen.

This HBR article does a great job explaining the finer points of taking notes to become a better listener.

https://hbr.org/2017/03/become-a-better-listener-by-taking-notes

Do you have a bad meeting habit that needs to go?

The New Normal Office and the Common Cold

Post-Covid offices – what will our new normal look like? There is ample speculation about how this is going to affect businesses. Ultimately, this will be a decision that each organisation will have to make for themselves, hopefully with input from their employees. Personally, to limit feelings of isolation, I would love a flexible, hybrid of in-office and WFH.

The one thing that I do hope comes from all this is the ability and the practice of staying home when a person is sick! Even if the illness is not due to a global pandemic, is it considerate to spread your germs to everyone in the office (and their families)?

At best, catching a cold or flu is annoying. However, even the common cold or a flu can very serious for some people. You may be working with one or more colleagues and/or clients that have a weakened immune system and not know it.

If you must work when you are sick, please WFH. At the very least, please wear a mask to the office. Don’t throw your reusable Covid masks away!

Those with invisible illnesses or conditions and their families will be extremely grateful for your consideration.

Are you in?