Watercooler Wisdom

How smart people prosper in the face of conflict,
pressure and change

By Keith Bailey and Karen Leland

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Acknowledgements

Introduction

The Sterling Study: 20,000 people cant be wrong
Who are these smart people?
How to use this book

Start Smart

The anatomy of stress at work: Conflict, pressure and change
Stress isn’t one thing, it’s three
The prosperity at work index

Part 1: Change: Smart People Are Central Players

Chapter 1: Facing The Challenge: From Predicament To Prosperity

Unexpected and disruptive events
Initial impact
Case study: Ken and the restaurant
Reality hits home
Integration
Self-initiated and significant events
Case study: Alice and the presentation
Find a motivating factor

Chapter 2: From Horizontal Thinking to Vertical Feeling

Beware the commentator
Five steps to going vertical
Name that feeling!
Case study: Craig and the monthly bills

Chapter 3: Taking Time To Reflect

Reflection is a skill that takes practice
Case Study: Stephanie and the late co-worker
Reflection equals results
Attitudes for reflection

Chapter 4: Six Rules For The Road

Rule 1: Enjoy the journey
Rule 2: Invent meaningful context
Case Study: Gillian and interruptions
Rule 3: Choose choice
Rule 4: Don’t believe everything you think
Rule 5: Find the success in failure
Rule 6: Cultivate optimism
Case Study: Jack and the longshoreman

Part 2: Pressure: Smart People Create Tomorrow Today

Chapter 5: The Power Of Closure

The principle of diminished energy
Closure generates energy
What finished feels like
Closure with the 4-D plan
Bring some closure to your computer

Chapter 6: Work Happier Not Harder

Aim for the future
Case study: Steve and the black shirt
From your goals values come
Your Personal values
Work values
Connecting your values and goals
Finding your gifts

Chapter 7: Idea To Accomplishment

The 80/20 relationship and you
ABC with a twist
Learn to say no
The terrific three

Chapter 8: The Habits Of Action

Chunking down – Focus on the trees not the forest
Case Study: Jack, Sharon and micro milestones
Case Study: Steve and mini tasks
Take energetic credit for completion
Time planning: Put a stop to putting it off
The Two-Step Time Plan

Part 3: Conflict: Smart People Dance With Fire

Chapter 9: Building Rapport With (Almost) Anyone

Social rapport
Case Study: Ursula and the job interview
Getting in step working styles
Pacing and leading
Natural rapport
Changing interests

Chapter 10: Facing Tense Times

Choose your interpretation
Case study: Greg and the message from his boss
Reframing Practice
Stop the spiral
Case Study: Val and Veronica
Clean up the put down
Case Study: Katrina and Jonathan
Dig into smoothing
Case Study: Jose and Rob
Appreciate opinions for what they are – opinions
Say “I” not “you”

Chapter 11: Getting to Know Your Negative Filters

A fleeting negative thought
A persistent negative point of view
Case study: Negative filter on flight 22
Negative filters are contagious
Case Study: Yvonne and the skeptical patient
Switch filters
Stress and Negative Filters

Chapter 12: The Ins and Outs Of Anger

Anger hurts
Desk rage on the rise
The anatomy of anger
From hot to cold: Strategies for letting go
Case Study: Trina and the inconsiderate actor
The prevailing wisdom: Five practices
Five minutes to a calmer you

Chapter 13: Speak Up and Be Heard

The cost of remaining silent
The Sound of Silence
Case study: Gayle and her supervisor
Separate fact from fiction
Speak honestly, responsibly and with good intent
Plan your conversation
Use your pause and resume buttons
Be smart about time and place
Stages of conversation

Appendix: The Mini Makeovers

Endings and Beginnings
Mini Makeover #1 – The Energy Booster
Mini Makeover #2 – The Propeller
Mini Makeover #3 – The Eye Opener
Mini Makeover #4 – The Filter Fixer
Mini Makeover #5 – The Relationship Builder