THE WORK LIFE COMPASS€¦ · a better understanding of your child’s life. 1. Keeping up with current trends Every generation has different trends whether it’s the latest pop

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THE WORK LIFE COMPASSISSUE 127

February 2015

Work/Life MattersBridging the Parent – Child Gap

Dear CoachFamily Matters: Life of a Working Father

Feeling Good 24/7Get closer to your family: Ideas for fun family activities

Manager’s HelpdeskEmployee Discipline: From Regulation Enforcement to Performance Enhancement

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February 2015

WORK/LIFE MATTERS

The Fundamentals Every child is dif ferent and as such, bridging the parent-child gap will dif fer depending on the par ties involved. However, there are a few fundamental rules that you can keep in mind when tr ying to grasp a better understanding of your child’s life.

1. Keeping up with current trendsEvery generation has different trends whether it’s the latest pop stars, movies, music genres or fashion. If you want to close the generation gap, it is imperative that you keep up with current trends. One does not need to know the ups and downs of every trend but it is important to at least be aware of things such as the latest technological advances. Knowing what is popular amongst the younger generation can help you inform your children on making smart decisions in life, which is especially important in the internet age.

2. Every generation is different Have you ever heard of the phrase “Back in my day ...” It is not uncommon to hear parents trying to get their children to conform to the days of old. However, it is important to understand that times are different and things have changed. Forcing the old model on to children may have negative repercussions as it may create resentment between the child and the parent.

3. CommunicationCommunicate with your children on a regular basis to ensure that you know what is going on in their lives and that they know they can look to you for guidance. According to the American Psychological Association, adequate listening and talking are essential skills to a healthy parent–child relationship and this will certainly play a big role when bridging the parent-child gap.

Have you ever thought that your children’s taste in music is weird? Have you ever been curious with the meaning of the slang words your children use? Ever feel that you and your children are not always on the same page? This is the result of the parent-child gap, also known as the “generation gap”. The term “generation gap” has become a trending topic in recent years from management to parenting and rightfully so as the ability to bridge this gap between parent and child can be the dif ference between a good relationship and a great relationship. What do you need to keep in mind when tr ying to bridge this gap?

Bridging the Parent – Child GapRyan Cheng

Copyright © 2015 Human Dynamic. All Rights Reserved.


February 2015

WORK/LIFE MATTERS

Age differences There are dif ferent ways to gain a deeper understanding with children of various ages. Below are a few tips for each age range:

Age 3–6 •Show your children that their interests are your

interests as well. Participate in the activities that they like and try and show a genuine curiosity in what they do. For example, the next time you see your daughter drawing, try joining in.

•Children at this age are still trying to figure thingsout. Be patient with them.

•Beapartoftheirlearningprocessandpracticefuneducation. Interactive learning games can be found online or even purchased at local toy stores.

Age 7–13 •Listenmorethanyouspeak:Letyourchildrenknow

that you are always available to talk and no subject is off limits. Regardless of your own personal stance, try listening to your children whole heartedly before responding.

•Allowyourchildrentovoicetheiropinion:Atthisage,children are starting to grow up and become more independent. Including them in decision making processes can ensure that you and your children are

on the same page and can do wonders for closing the parent-child gap.

Age 14+•Givethemsufficientfreedom:Theadolescentyears

are a time of self-discovery and decision making. Parentsshouldgivesufficientfreedomatthistimeoftheir lives. Offer your guidance and help them analyze the pros and cons of their decisions. This flexibility is a good thing as it also invites your children to discuss any topic with you without feeling uncomfortable or restricted.

•Privacy: Teenagers are at a critical age of self-exploration and parents need to provide sufficientprivacy for their teenage children. This privacy conveys a message of respect and also allows for self-growth. Don’t worry: If your communication has been done well, your children will come to you if they have any questions or concerns.

All in all, getting in touch with your children is not an easy task as dif ferent generations will have dif ferent perspectives. However, as the gap between parent and child closes, family closeness increases so it is definitely wor th the ef for t. If you have any concerns regarding your relationship with your children, please do not hesitate to contact your Work Life Coach!



February 2015

DEAR COACH

Family Matters: Life of a Working Father Ryan Cheng

Contact your Work Life Coach now ! Confidentialandfree Call… your local hotline E-mail… [email protected] Login to… www.HDWorkLife.com

practice when business trips take you away from your family. What counts the most is the commitment to stay connected and accessible.

2. Kids at the workplace Try and gauge your company to see whether they

can foster a family friendly culture. In order to help working parents juggle between family and work time, many companies allow their employees to invite their family over to visit them. You can use this time to grab a bite to eat with your children, give them a tour oftheofficeandevenshowthemadayinyourlife.Even simply allowing your children to be near you as you work gives them a closeness that is beyond compare.Youdon’tneedtobeawayfromtheofficefor your family to feel like you are part of their life!

3. Create a family calendar Planning and scheduling are some of the most

difficultpartsof jugglingworkandfamily.Createafamily calendar containing the monthly schedules of every family member. This calendar will do wonders to your family time planning process as there will be no surprises and minimal last minute cancellations. You can also add a designated weekly or bi-monthly family day for each month. This will give you and your family something to look forward to. A scheduled date gives plans more substance and security. This can also double as a morale booster and help you rejuvenate after a stressful work month.

Lifeasaworkingfathercanbedifficult.StudiesfromthePewResearchCenterintheUnitedStatesreportthat dads are spending more time than ever with their kids, almost triple since the mid-sixties. Despite this milestone, surveys still show that dads are more likely to be dissatisfied with the amount of time they spend with their children and family compared to mothers. New found expectations of men to juggle work and home life can be shocking and challenging. As such, here are some tips to keep in mind to help you find the perfect balance.

1. Be open and communicate Communication is a key component in any successful

team and this is no different when it comes to family. It’s understandable that as a working father you may have deadlines to adhere to, overtime work or even business trips; these things will hinder the quality time you get with your family. Just be mindful in keeping your family “in the loop”. Talk about your work life with your family so that they understand why you are away. Even though you are not physically present, proper communication makes a world of difference. Your family can get a better understanding of why it is that you are away and also feel closer to you knowing moreabout your daily life. Staying connected andaccessible to your family while you travel is made possiblebytoday’stechnology.Shortphonecalls,atext message, a quick chat over skype are just some of the numerous “rituals” of connection you could

Dear Coach, “I want to be there for my children and make sure that they get the adequate care they need. How can I better manage my family life and work life as a working father?”



February 2015

FEELING GOOD 24/7

Grow plants together•Agoodactivitytodowithyourfamilyistogrowplants

from scratch. Many florists sell seeds for flowers, fruits and vegetables. The fun comes with nurturing and watching something grow, as a family. Not only is this a great opportunity to teach your kids the science behind plants but it also creates a common topic for discussions amongst your family.

Cooking and baking •Cookingandbakingisagreatactivitythatthewhole

family can enjoy. Try searching for tasty recipes together. You can shop for groceries, prepare ingredients and cook as a team. Cooking and baking provides many opportunities to establish teamwork, communication and understanding amongst your family members. Not only is the activity fun but as a result you and your family will also feel a sense of accomplishment and become a close-knit unit.

Get closer to your family: Ideas for fun family activities

Crystal Fung

Making a time capsule •Time capsules are a small collection of items and

information that someone compiles to be opened at a future date. Gather your family and each shall decide on things they would like to contribute to the time capsule. The process of deciding makes for great conversation amongst family members of all ages. Opening the time capsule 3-10 years down the line (or whatever time you decide) allows the family to reminisce, catch up and see how far they have come.

Paper airplane race •Friendlycompetitionusuallyleadstofunandlaughter.

Try challenging your kids to a paper airplane race. There are many ways that a paper airplane can be modified to make the planes fly further, fasteror even perform tricks. Research these with your family and challenge one another to making the best paper airplane. This activity not only nurtures the creativity of the kids but is also a fun way for kids to learn essential skills such as good sportsmanship, confidenceaswellasphysics.

Sometimes thebest remedy forworkstress isspendingsomequality timewith your family. Thisnotonlyhelps inrelieving stress but also allows you to create memories and cement bonds between you and your loved ones. With heavy workload, work stress and other concerns you may feel that fun family activities require a lot of effort and planning. However, we recommend the following simple yet effective ways for you to feel closer to your family, all while having a great time.



February 2015

The Traditional Perspective of Discipline: Reinforcing RegulationsSome may say that discipline goes hand in handwith the ef fective functioning of an organization. Traditionally, disciplinary actions are taken against others who violate cer tain norms or codes of conduct in the work place and thus, “discipline” is not discussed unless it is warranted. As such, “discipline” often carries a negative connotation. Some even perceive it as restrictive or inhibitingan employee’s ability to per form at his/her best. Discipline in this sense does not enhance morale or per formance.

A New Perspective of Discipline: Enhancing Job EngagementManagement seeks ways to improve productivity and employee per formance. When an employee is actively engaged, absenteeism and other undesirable behaviors will be reduced, making discipline less of an issue.

Among good practices of employee engagement, a pleasant working environment is essential for high productivity. Google and IDEO are often cited to illustrate this point. Workers par ticipate to create their own code of conduct and are repor tedly more engaged in their work and feel more fulfilled.

It is impractical to crone a Google or IDEO workplace as dif ferent companies have their own business structure and culture. However, small steps could be taken to make an organization a good and fun place to work. An open and trusting work culture instead of rigid rules and regulations could be created. For example, simply adopting flexible work-hours will make many gen-Ys happy and committed. We have to do more than flexible hours for the emerging class of young workers. We have to redefine work, as something more meaningful than just making a living. Work has to be interesting and challenging. Foreseeably, work design will become an impor tant par t of managers’ activities in the near future.


Employee Discipline: From Regulation Enforcement to

Performance EnhancementDr. Peter Liu

MANAGER’S HELPDESK



February 2015

Discipline of a Higher Order

•Discipline of Execution Discipline of a higher order shifts the disciplinary

concerns from individual conduct to productive goal-oriented collaborative behaviour, as illustrated by the 4 Disciplines of Execution (Chris McChesney et al, 2012):

1. Discipline of focus,2. Discipline of creating a compelling scoreboard,3. Discipline of translating goals into actions, and 4. Discipline of holding each other accountable.

DuPont, a global chemical company, defines discipline as “the deeply rooted dedication and commitment by every member of an organisation to carr y out each task the right way every time”. This is self-discipline to do the right thing every time.

•Discipline of Thinking and Planning Jim Collins, another management guru illustrated

the Discipline of Thinking & Planning with a moving story in his book “Great by Choice”, addressing the question why some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, and others do not (Collins & Hansen, 2011). The story is about two international teams, one from Norway led by Amundsen, one from England ledbyScott,racedtoreachSouthPole.Attheend,Amundsenreachedthepolefirstwiththeteamintactand healthy. They observed a rule – traveling 20 miles a day no matter how the weather was. They enforced other disciplines such as maintaining equipment well.Scott’steamfailedandallmembersdiedjusta few miles from a supply station. Amundsen took disciplineseriously.Scottdidnot.

In Summary Discipline is the bridge between organizational goals and outcomes. Hence, HR and management need to work together to transform the traditional approach of discipline for regulation enforcement into a productivity tool by focusing on promoting Disciplines of Execution and Thinking.


MANAGER’S HELPDESK


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THE WORK LIFE COMPASS€¦ · a better understanding of your child’s life. 1. Keeping up with current trends Every generation has different trends whether it’s the latest pop