Is Optimism the Key to Developing Leadership?

Q&A from American Society of Interior Designers, prior to their summit in Atlanta, GA.   Written April 25, 2014

By Marjorie R. Barlow, Ph.D., Counselor, Consultant, and Coach, Interface, Inc.

With what anyone would describe as a full career already behind her, Marjorie Barlow began her work with Interface in 1996, as a part of Ray Anderson’s Executive Leadership Team. Barlow holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and a master’s in Psychology from Texas A&I University, and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Barlow, a Certified Strengths Coach, will present at the ASID Design to Lead Summit taking place May 2–3 in Atlanta. She will lead attendees through the StrengthsFinder process to help participants identify their strengths and grow as leaders. Read more...

Buckets, Dippers, and Games People Play

SYNTHESIS OF HFIYB AND HUMAN BEE-INGS

 

Part of my fun is synthesizing theories and ideas. Long ago, I wrote about the synthesis of Rational Emotive Therapy, by Albert Ellis and Transactional Analysis. My mind is always exploring the connectivity of opposites and I look always for how ideas meld together to bring us to a better place, a higher level of understanding. Today, I want to combine and coordinate Transactional Analysis and Strengths theories. This is fun to reach for some sort of synthesis, so I invite you to hang in and go on an exploratory journey of ideas. Read more...

CROSSING THE RIVER OF CHANGE

Crossing the River of Change

 

Note from Marj:  Many of you know how I love the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza.  I first heard him at the “Crossings” here in Austin.  He was on the program with Lynn McTaggart who wrote The Field.  Also, I had seen him in the movie, What the Bleep Do we Know?   His books, Evolve Your Brain and Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself were excellent.  And now, I am studying his latest book, YOU ARE THE PLACEBO.  Today, I read in that book the following excerpt.  I believe it is totally worth your time to read it carefully.  His work is phenomenol, in my opinion.  This is very good!!  Enjoy: Read more...

USING STRENGTHS TO CREATE A BETTER FUTURE

“To learn, to remember, and to experience is our gift as human beings.

We are changed.  To stop learning is to stop changing.

When we demonstrate what we have learned, the universe will never leave us behind.  Our change is our own evolution. “             Read more...

Hardwiring Your Brain for Happiness

We are hardwired to be negative!  Do you believe that statement?  I am investigating the ways in which I have a sort of knee-jerk response to whatever comes my way.  I have embraced a self-development course that I call “Merciless Self Awareness.”  What I have discovered about myself fits all that I read regarding our reptilian brain.   That is the part of the brain where we are thick-skinned and cold blooded in our effort to survive.  Survival requires vigilance, alert suspicion, and high stress to avert possible predators.   Just like reptiles, we want the habits of comfort and predictability.   And, just like reptiles, our brains are hardwired to fight, flight, freeze, or die. Read more...