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  • Painless Universal Valentine’s Day Wish List

    Painless Universal Valentine’s Day Wish List

    Celebrate Valentine’s Day with gifts that inspire love, joy, and positivity!

    Check out our curated wish list to make this season of love truly special:

    For Relaxation & Self-Care

    1. Aromatherapy Diffuser– Create a calming ambience with soothing scents 

     

    2. Luxury Bath Set – Pamper yourself with indulgent bath oils and salts.

     

    3. Weighted Blanket – Wrap yourself in comfort for better sleep and relaxation.

     

    For Connection & Togetherness

    4. 360 Rotating Skincare Organizer:  A practical gift that adds beauty to your countertop. It is one of the best gifts you can give yourself or your loved ones.

     

    5. Large Multipurpose Lap Desk Tray:

     

    THOUGHTFUL GIFTS FOR HIM

    6. Wooden Keg Whiskey Barrel:

     

    7. Pain Relief and Relaxation Heated Foot Massager:

     

    8. Ugg Scuff Slippers:

     

    9. Squeezy Boob Stress Toy:

     

    PRACTICAL GIFT IDEAS

    10. Theragun Sense Percussion Massage Gun – Deep Tissue Personal:

     

    11. K. Bell Women Tennis Takes Balls Ankle Socks:

     

    12. The New York Times Sweetheart Sunday Crosswords: 75 Puzzles from the Pages of The New York Times:

     

    13. Men to Avoid in Life and Art” by Nicole:

     

    FOR HER

    14. Heart Cardigan:

     

    15. Heart of Gold Idiom Bangle:

     

    16. Tom Ford Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum:

     

    17. Rose Bouquet:

     

    18. Velvet House Slippers:

     

    19. Personalised Couples Large Matchbox:

     

    20. Dash Red Heart Mini Waffle Maker:

     

    21. Hamper for Her – Surprise her with this exquisite gift basket designed to create a luxurious spa experience at home:

     

    22. Benevolence LA Plush Velvet Jewellery Box:

     

    23. Best Self Intimacy Deck 150:

     

    24. Cheese and Wine by Buchanan’s CheeseMongers:

     

    25. Bialetti Dolce & Gabbana Mediterranean Blue Perfetto Moka Autentico Ground Coffee Tin, 200g:

     

    26. Personalised Photo Book – Cherish memories with a custom keepsake:

     

    27. Online Cooking Class – Cook up a storm and bond in the kitchen:

     

    For Giving Back

    28. Donation to a Health Advocacy Cause – Support initiatives that make a difference:

    29. Sustainable Gift Box – Eco-friendly items that show love for the planet:

     

    For Inspiration

    30. Motivational Book – A perfect read to fuel personal growth and positivity:

     

    31. Mindfulness Card Deck – Daily reminders to stay present and grateful

     

    Let us spread love, joy, and positivity this Valentine’s Day with thoughtful choices!

     

  • 2024 Power List – Celebration of Black Excellence Awards!

    2024 Power List – Celebration of Black Excellence Awards!

    Friday evening at the 2024 Powerlist – Celebration of Black Excellence Awards! Our CEO and founder had the pleasure of joining the team at PwC UK to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Black leaders across various fields.

     

    It was a true honor to receive the PwC Purpose Award from Unang Paw, Chief Technology Officer of PwC UK. As an entrepreneur and advocate for sickle cell awareness, I have dedicated my career to helping people manage the physical and mental pain of sickle cell disease. As the Founder and CEO of Painless Universal and former Chairperson of the Sickle Cell Society UK, my passion continues to inspire and uplift communities worldwide.

    Evenings like this are a powerful reminder of the impact of purpose-driven leadership. We are proud that PwC UK continues to support individuals and initiatives making a real difference. This event also highlights the duty of businesses and leaders to champion and support people from diverse backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and genders.

    A heartfelt thank you to Michael Eboda and the Powerful Media team for their ongoing commitment to showcasing and celebrating extraordinary Black leaders who are breaking barriers and shaping the future.

    Congratulations to all honorees and award winners on their outstanding achievements!

  • The Potential Dangers of ChatGPT in Children’s Learning Environments

    The Potential Dangers of ChatGPT in Children’s Learning Environments

    Introduction:

    In an era where technology plays an increasingly prominent role in education, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such as ChatGPT, has sparked a significant debate about their impact on children’s learning. While AI has the potential to enhance educational experiences, there are concerns that ChatGPT, a sophisticated language model developed by OpenAI, poses certain dangers that may hinder rather than facilitate the learning process for children.

    1. Lack of Discernment:

    One of the primary concerns with ChatGPT in educational settings is its inability to discern appropriate content for children. The model generates responses based on patterns it learned during training, which may include inappropriate or biased language. This poses a risk of exposing children to content that is not suitable for their age group, potentially leading to misinformation or even harm.

    1. Limited Understanding of Educational Pedagogy:

    ChatGPT lacks a deep understanding of educational pedagogy, making it challenging to tailor responses to the specific needs of individual learners. Unlike human teachers who can adapt their teaching styles based on a student’s progress and comprehension, ChatGPT may struggle to provide personalized and effective learning experiences for children.

    1. Reinforcement of Biases:

    AI models like ChatGPT are trained on vast datasets that may inadvertently contain biases present in real-world data. When children interact with ChatGPT, there is a risk of reinforcing and perpetuating these biases. This could impact their worldview, potentially leading to distorted perceptions and attitudes based on biased information.

    1. Detrimental Effects on Social Skills:

    Interacting with ChatGPT may diminish the development of crucial social skills in children. Effective communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence are best learned through human interaction. Relying on AI models for communication may hinder the natural development of these skills, which are essential for success in both academic and real-world settings.

    1. Substitution for Human Teachers:

    While AI can complement traditional teaching methods, relying too heavily on ChatGPT may lead to the substitution of human teachers. The dynamic and personalized nature of human interaction in education cannot be fully replicated by an AI model. Children benefit from the guidance, mentorship, and emotional support that human educators provide, which AI cannot replace.

    Conclusion:

    While the potential of AI in education is vast, the use of ChatGPT in learning environments for children must be approached with caution. The risks of exposing children to inappropriate content, reinforcing biases, hindering social skill development, and substituting human teachers raise valid concerns. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to strike a balance between leveraging AI for educational enhancement and preserving the irreplaceable qualities of human educators in fostering well-rounded and socially adept learners.

  • Finding Joy In Pain

    Finding Joy In Pain

    We, humans, do whatever we can to avoid feelings of pain and do whatever we can to repeat feelings of pleasure. The pain and pleasure cycle of life dictates our thoughts, feelings and actions and is at the centre of all experiences.

    But how do we avoid physical and mental pain that is a direct result of an illness, and what if this illness is incurable and lifelong? And how do we find moments of pleasure whilst having to endure this pain? Extremely difficult, if not impossible, would you agree? Not according to, author, philanthropist and motivational speaker Anne Welsh. From birth, Anne
    has been suffering from a rare blood disease called Sickle Cell Anaemia, an incurable and lifelong illness.

    Sickle Cell anaemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder, the disease can affect all major organs of the body and people who suffer from this awful illness face many challenges, which include fatigue and severe episodes of pain on a regular basis. Anne was diagnosed with the disease at the age of three, she said, “ As a child, I was always ill and the realisation of my condition was devastating for my parents, especially being told I may only live to the age of twenty.”

    Anne is one of four siblings, she describes growing up as extremely challenging, her condition at times was unbearable. Anne said, “I would often ask what have I done to deserve this, why me? The answers were never convincing or I could accept, it’s like you’re being punished for something and you don’t know why.”

    Anne added to say “I felt alone, whilst my siblings and friends got on with their lives, my life was on hold. The hardest part of having an illness like Sickle Cell is you can’t plan anything, let alone plan for a future. The onset of symptoms is not something you can predict, they can trigger at any time and any place. The very best you can do is take each day at a time.”

    She openly admits for many years she struggled to cope with her illness and suffered from depression. “I couldn’t enjoy or look forward to anything, at the back of my mind there was always the possibility my illness would ruin any joy and happiness, I was living a nightmare.”

    Today, Anne talks about her experiences at events, on social media and wherever the opportunity is presented. Despite her condition, Anne is a successful entrepreneur, She runs a company that provides expert support and guidance in the world of business and works with several charities, raising money to further research and find treatments for the disease.

    In 2019, Anne published her best selling book ‘PAIN-LESS’ a powerful account of her life with the illness and to raise awareness. In the book Anne shares ways on how to prevent adversity from holding you back and not allowing any illness or difficulty in your life to paralyze you. She shows you how to win back your freedom regardless of your situation.

    Anne’s remarkable attitude is beyond even words like inspirational, it has a deeper understanding and meaning. She added, “God has given you a body, all of it is unique to you, its abilities and frailties are its assets. Use what you have, share what you have and above everything else, find joy in the pain you have.

    In 2016, Anne decided to join the Sickle Cell Society here in the UK and it was there that she realised how many other people were suffering like her. “Instead of focusing on myself, I started noticing my desire to help others, supporting them to become more comfortable with their illness. In a short time, I began mentoring other sufferers.” Anne started to use her illness as motivation to help others, to speak out and be an ambassador. “Helping others overcome their struggles with this illness gave me joy, I discovered犀利士
    and experienced for the first time that you can live with pain and still find inner joy.” she said.

    Anne continued, “When you can with conviction accept your situation and find something that is bigger than your own pain, the pain can no longer control how you feel, it is now merely a condition you live with. Your situation is no longer breaking you, it is the making of you.” Anne also believes sometimes you have to experience extreme intense pain before you can break through it. She said, “It’s when you’ve reached your breaking point and you say, enough is enough.”

  • DEMONSTRATING EMPATHY IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH NOT WEAKNESS by ANNE WELSH

    DEMONSTRATING EMPATHY IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH NOT WEAKNESS by ANNE WELSH

    During this time of unprecedented pain, brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic and Brexit uncertainty, people are looking for leadership that this pain is going to end soon. An empathetic message for people, often under-represented by gender, race, and disability and who are most at risk from this pain, is very necessary for the healing process to begin.

    I have very personal knowledge of how important empathy is and how it has impacted my own life. Growing up in the UK and in Nigeria was about survival from the physical illness of sickle cell anaemia and the corresponding mental stress that accompanied it. Not until my family, friends, academic institutions and employers saw what was needed and how to support my aspirations did the concept of empathy really take hold. It empowered me to overcome the inadequate stereotypes of race, gender and disability, all issues over which I had no control over. This energy helped me to achieve in academics and the corporate world of investment banking and entrepreneurship.

    For a true understanding the role empathy plays in daily interactions with individuals or wider groups, clarity in the meaning of the word is so very important. What empathy is not is sympathy, which is the ability to understand and support others with compassion or sensitivity. Empathy is the ability to step into someone else’s position in life, be aware of their feelings and understand their needs.

    Recent surveys on empathy have found that approximately 80% thought that an empathetic organisation inspires more employees to be motivated and CEO’s surveyed agreed at about the same percentage level that an empathetic workplace has a positive impact on business performance, motivating workers, and increasing productivity.

    There are a few rules that are absolutely required for empathy to take hold in your life and for the halo of goodwill that will follow to show positive results.

    This means that the trend of cancel culture, barriers to personal expression and mob thinking must be resisted without exception. Freedom of speech empowers individuals to learn from others their feelings and needs.

    When this happens through empathy, trust is built between people or teams in an organisation. Positive things begin to happen when trust is built. Empathetic people listen attentively to others and put their complete focus on the person that is being communicated with.

    Positive action can be grouped into the message that is shared and then how the objectives of that message are implemented. Be careful in messaging because frankly, words do matter. No matter how sensible a topic may seem, you must carry that person along with you or the intention of showing empathy is lost.

    Remember that people are indeed unique. Prepare yourself for a difficult challenge or perhaps even hostility to your messages or implementation plans.

    Empathy is a human trait. Humans use all senses to make informed decisions. The pandemic has brought in remote working and this has created the need for a new skill set of interacting with people from afar.

    Remember that empathy must start with individuals showing that they: like people, enjoy working with and helping others and value people as individuals. Listen, be open to change and convince others that by being empathetic, the work-place will see performance improving.

    This is what I do on a daily basis as CEO of Painless Universal. I founded the company to work with key decision makers in corporations and governments so they can be successful in implementing quality of life agendas. Its mission is simply to help individuals find their joy in life.

  • What One Courageous Woman’s Life with Chronic Illness Can Teach Us About Thriving During These Challenging Times

    What One Courageous Woman’s Life with Chronic Illness Can Teach Us About Thriving During These Challenging Times

    5 Tips for Thriving During Unprecedented Times

    Every year in December, I make it a practice to reflect on the prior months, to see what lessons I can glean to help in the year ahead. In this regard, the end of 2020 is no different, and yet at the same time it couldn’t be more different as the world we have come to know has changed drastically because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

    This has been the most challenging year ever for me personally, and arguably almost everyone else on the planet will feel this way also.  Given the current state of affairs, and continued state of uncertainty which clouds so many areas of our lives, it’s clear that 2021 also has the potential to challenge us to limits we never thought possible.

    As a firm believer in thriving in, not just surviving through whatever crisis we may face, for my yearly reflection practice, I decided to seek inspiration from someone who is the epitome of thriving in the face of great difficulty, Anne Welsh, Author of the powerful book Painless, CEO of Painless Universal, and Sickle Cell sufferer.

     

    In my recent interview with Anne, she shared about being born with this debilitating chronic blood disorder, which could at a moment’s notice strike her with a crisis of crippling pain which she likened to a hammer slamming repeatedly against her bones. These crises were sadly a common occurrence in her life growing up, and lead to her being hospitalised for days to receive lifesaving blood transfusions.  

    These terrible experiences and hospitalizations were so traumatic and disruptive that many people told her she would never be able to have a relationship, kids, or do any meaningful work.  Yet today Anne is a proud wife and mother, whose work is positively impacting individuals, businesses and governments globally.  

    Through our conversation I discovered 5 things from her journey that can help us all thrive in difficult circumstances. 

    1 – No Matter What You See Or Hear, Dream Big, and Believe In Yourself

    As Anne was almost always sick growing up, well-meaning people would say things like “you shouldn’t get married”; “you shouldn’t have kids”; “just stay with your mum and let life take care of you”; “you’re disabled, and an ethnic minority, it’s going to be impossible for you to get the kind of job you say you want.”  

    The facts surrounding her circumstances certainly looked bleak, however, she has been able to consistently overcome them by getting clear on what she wants, holding on to that dream, believing in herself, and creating another way when she met dead ends.  Having accomplished everything she was told she could not do, and so much more, including working with the former Head of state of her country Nigeria, and other world leaders she advises, “don’t let anything or anyone tell you you can’t, you have to find the channel that will work for you to reach your dream.” 

    For Anne, turning dreams into reality manifested itself in her commitment to very hard work.  Her accomplishments did  not happen overnight, and it took years of  discipline before those dreams became a reality.  Anne accomplished this by coming to the UK from Nigeria, achieving A levels and going on to graduate with an Accounting and Finance degree from the University of Hertfordshire – all things she had been told were not possible for her. But that was not enough,  and she graduated with a Masters in Investment Management from London’s Cass Business School.  This was the gateway to her investment banking career with Lehman Brothers.  Coupled with her dreams of family, business and charitable endeavours these experiences have led Anne to the point at which she is at now. 

    2 – When So Much Is Out Of Your Control Focus On What You Can Control

    This year, many of us felt the frustration of being on lockdown, even if we could appreciate that it was in an effort to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19.  Having her movement massively restricted is something Anne experienced before the word lockdown became so widely used.  She shared of many long frustrating days spent in hospital after having one sickle cell crisis after another.  She pleaded with the doctors to let her go home so she wouldn’t have to just lie in a confined space for days on end.  The answer was no day after day because in the doctors’ opinion, she looked so frail, weak and tired.  

    One day, she had the thought, I may not be able to change my blood results or any other medical facts, but I can change the way I look, and my energy and attitude when I speak to the hospital staff.  In doing that, she not only felt so much better as the frustration lifted, but it led to the same doctors who were nervous about discharging her, to do so the very next day.  She described it as a miracle that she proceeded to repeat during future hospitalizations. 

    During these current unpredictable days, she is thankfully seldom in the hospital because she has discovered a way to maintain her physical and mental health with a controllable daily routine which includes exercise, meditation, healthy eating, and drinking lots of water.

    3 – In Times Of Crisis, Look Back To Move Forward With Confidence

    It can be tempting, and quite frankly understandable to want to shrink back and hide when faced with the unprecedented times we have this year. Anne however suggests looking back to the unprecedented challenges you faced in the past to find the courage, confidence, and potential strategies to move forward.  She shared that complications with sickle cell meant she couldn’t do something as simple as get a part time job at the supermarket like her younger sisters as a teenager.  She joked that this forced her to hone her leadership and money management skills as her siblings’ treasurer.  This experience helped give her the confidence to apply for and land a prestigious post-graduate job in investment banking when the stakes were much higher, and the odds much more impossible.  

    4 – Build resilience by reframing knock-backs

    Working with my coaching clients to increase their resilience has been such an important focus this year, so I was keen to learn how Anne approached this on her journey battling chronic illness.  She shared that “living with sickle cell, you’re always knocked back, no matter how much you try things, you get knocked back – A LOT. So, I stopped seeing these incidents as knockbacks. Instead, I reframed them as I was going back to the hospital to rest. I was tired. My body needed rest. And when I finished resting, I got up and started the engine again to keep moving towards my dreams. I saw myself as a car, never felt pity on myself like, Oh, I can’t do this. What people tend to forget when faced with difficulties is that no matter what it looks like, there’s always so much opportunity, but it’s up to you to accept the responsibility to look for, and go for it.”

    5 – Don’t let wanting make you forget thanking

    A key thing that struck me about Anne as I read her book, and interviewed her is her refusal to feel sorry for herself, or blame anything or anyone for what she has been through. In her book she shared that giving birth to her second child Caroline, was an extremely difficult physical experience. In fact, it was a miracle she survived the birth of either of her children.  In the excruciating pain of Caroline’s birth, she was tempted to feel depressed, when she remembered that “she was the luckiest woman in the world.” She credits her winning and optimistic mindset to “never letting her wanting make her forget thanking”.  Focusing on, and being grateful what she has is a powerful daily practice that she says helps her thrive especially during these days.

    None of us knows exactly what 2021 will hold, but I am confident that these tips can help us all thrive and navigate the days ahead with courage, come what may.

    Read Also: Your story of pain is an important piece of history.

     
     
  • Mitigating Pain in the Workforce

    Mitigating Pain in the Workforce

    By Anne Welsh – Founder and CEO Painless Universal
    September 20th, 2020.

    CEO’s all have preferred styles when dealing with staff, investors and clients.  A possible style can include a keen theme of empathy and kindness, especially when focusing on qualities that are needed to lead a team.  Many CEO’s believe that exhibiting these traits reduces unnecessary pain that would otherwise be in the organisation and consequently,  leads to better worker loyalty and productivity. 

    As a CEO one of the most difficult jobs is to make sure that people feel safe at work and that requires that empathy is exercised.  Here are some things that should be considered when leading a team.

    1. GIVE TRUST BUT DON’T ASK PEOPLE TO “EARN YOUR TRUST”: A manager could empower his team to make their own decisions, allowing the team leader to own his own results and learn from his mistakes.   That does not mean I don’t give feedback, but I relish the growth of a person finding they are capable of executing complex work on their own.   This approach will also demonstrate to you how individuals perform naturally. Even though you may give trust, you must also take that trust away if merited.    
    2. BUILD SPEED BY BUILDING A STRONG WORKFORCE CULTURE: Most companies have problems with this because playing a short term game often brings in better financial results early on but sacrifices longer term efficacies. It must be transparent to management and investors, that to build speed comes at a monetary cost to the organisation.  If implemented correctly then bickering goes away, strategic alignment is well known deep into the organisation and everyone is working to achieve those goals as quickly as possible.  A proper reward scheme can then be much more effective.
    3. MANAGEMENT CANNOT BE AFRAID: Typically, management act like tyrannical bosses instead of mentors. Why? Because team leaders often feel threatened if underlying’s start performing at a high level. The manager must therefore become a listener and exhibit humility. Empowerment of staff will come naturally.  This trait should be visibly rewarded by executives in the organisation.

    By accomplishing the implementation of these principles,  the pain of confrontation and fear will be diluted in the organisation.   The staff will likely treat a crisis with reciprocal empathy when it occurs.  

         

  • How Pain Affects Your Life

    How Pain Affects Your Life

    By Anne Welsh – Founder and CEO Painless Universal
    September 14th, 2020.

    Pain impacts everyone’s life.  When a person deals with chronic or invisible pain this impacts both your physical and mental health.  Each person will be impacted differently, and individual circumstances play an important part in how you can mitigate the pain.

    The chronic pain cycle is important to understand

    The body of a chronic pain sufferer, continually sends stress signals to the brain, leading to a heightened perception of not only the pain itself but also the perceived level of threat.  The condition changes the way a brain will process emotion and react to the pain itself.  Studies indicate that people with chronic pain experience depression.  Sleep is often impacted and when it becomes unsatisfying, feelings of depression, anxiety and pain become more intense.  Depression itself can therefore lead to chronic pain.  The cycle is very difficult to break.

    You can help yourself

    Start right now and get outside in nature, take time to find listen to your body or meditate,  and connect with family and friends to get a quick boost in lifting your mood.

    Depression and anxiety disorders do not just go away so it is important that you treat these disorders as real, treatable conditions that should not be ignored. If you are a  chronic pain patient experiencing depression or anxiety, it is important to reach out and to your doctor and find support in your community.

    Decisions must be made and priorities set daily depending on the level of pain you are feeling.  You see, time, energy, and attention are in limited supply and if you don’t prioritise what you must accomplish each day you will often come away saying you failed in the days’ activity.  This can create a downward emotional spiral and loss of self-esteem.

    Focus on strengthening relationships.  Communication is key when dealing with relationship issues that arise due to chronic illness.  Usually how you deal with your partner, children and work are the critical areas that need to be approached.  Being transparent is what you can accomplish is important.  This may take some doing, especially with invisible illnesses, but don’t give up in this endeavour.  The patience you exhibit in tackling issues will be noticed by those around you and hopefully returned in compassion in assistance that will make your life better.

    Work relationships can be by taking breaks with their colleagues, keeping open lines of communication with employers and colleagues and where possible remote working.  Because chronic pain can limit time on the job, many pain patients are extra efficient when they are at work.

    Read Also: Hard Realities About Remote Work Every Business Owner Should Know(Opens in a new browser tab)

  • Pain and learning disabilities.

    Pain and learning disabilities.

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    By Anne Welsh – Founder and CEO Painless Universal

    September 7th, 2020.

    With the school year starting in many parts of the world as part of the push to regain normality in our society post COVID-19, there is the need to shine a light on the population of children that suffer from learning disabilities and the pain they are in. 

    Pain can be an important indicator of health problems – however, it is subjective and the experience and expression of pain is unique in every individual. Most pain assessment strategies rely on self-reporting but identifying expressions of pain in people with limited and complex communication needs can be challenging. Some people with learning disabilities have minimal language skills and difficulty using non-verbal communication, such as gestures, eye contact or facial expressions. This can make it hard for them to say when they are in pain, or to explain the location, nature and severity of that pain.

    Many scientific studies indicate people with learning disabilities have a shorter life expectancy than the general population and experience greater preventable premature death.  Ill health in this group often goes undiagnosed and untreated. A typical contributing factor is that behaviour changes that could indicate a health problem, are wrongly assigned to a person’s learning disability.

    There are tools available to health care professionals that can help in pain determination; however, it is important that the day to day carer who is the front-line for determining if that person is in pain also be skilled in identification.  The family or carer’s knowledge of that person when they are feeling well and when they are not is a most important input. By focusing questions on how the patient has responded in past situations when pain and distress were thought to be present can support health care professionals in making a determination.

    For many children with mental based disabilities, the return of school can be a welcoming time when routine is reinstated in their lives and a sense of wonder returns.  For all the carers that must take on such a difficult task of reintegrating these children into school life it is important that you are aware of the pressures placed on yourself and how you are responding.   The mental health of the carer is equally as important as your level of functioning has a direct influence on the person in your care.  Take time to understand your pain and what you are doing to ensure that you don’t become a patient yourself.

    Read also: A History Lesson On Mental Health(Opens in a new browser tab)

  • Applying knowledge of leadership styles to limit pain.

    Applying knowledge of leadership styles to limit pain.

    By Anne Welsh – Founder and CEO Painless Universal
    August 31th, 2020.

    Leadership, in personal life or in organisations, is important to deliver aspirations.  Recognising the type of leadership needed is required to prevent unnecessary pain in the journey to achieving those goals.

    Let us begin by discussing transformational leadership as this style allows movement from one position to another position to occur.  The design is capable of delivering a change of outcomes. Transformational leadership motivates followers to move beyond their own self-interests and guide their behaviours to produce a desired result.  Generally, the motivation usually takes the form of integrating idealised influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual motivation and individual consideration usually in the form of specific rewards that differentiate employees.

    There has been much empirical evidence documented on how behaviours related to transformational leadership have a positive effect on individuals and groups within an organisation.  This positive influence requires consistency and frequent interaction of application with staff.  Efficiency will always come with some distribution of pain as individuals often sacrifice personal work-life-balance for the benefit of the company or the longevity of personal careers.

    In contrast, the label of a servant leader can be attributed to a person who places the needs, aspirations and interests of his followers over his own.  By doing this, others in the organisation develop quickly and the goals of the organisation are therefore achieved.  This role must be well scoped out as it must enable the formation of many individual leaders who when combined, shape a positive organisational environment.

    There are occasions when the previously described forms of conventional leadership are not sufficient to meet the needs of individuals in the organisational environment. This worshiping form of leadership came to the forefront in 1996 when academics identified qualities such as life goals, deep moral values, very high intellect and social skills to describe what is essentially a commitment to a singular person’s vision.  It smears the best of the leader’s personality and the organisation, allowing this vision to be imprinted on the followers with the result the objectives and goals of an organisation become symbiotic at all working levels.  The downside to this approach is that when everyone has this extremely high belief in the leader, when the religion is broken, the progress achieved can just as quickly become decimated as a sense of personal loss will occur. 

    Finally, success is still being debated with the implementation of an Ethical Leadership (sometimes referred to as Authentic Leadership) style.  All previous styles of leadership mentioned take on some form of ethical components; however, this style is unrelenting in promoting appropriate behaviours in the followers, using a reward system and transparent communication to deliver a purely moralistic outcome.  The obvious question is how sustainable any organisation can be when interpersonal moral relationships between staff and leaders must be maintained.  Clearly, organisations contain a diversity of opinions on what is ethical and what is not.  How any succession of leadership can maintain or improve on that same level of interaction becomes a challenge.

    At Painless Universal we are experts in the debate on complex leadership issues.  When one observes pain in an individual or an organisation. it is time to sense check what style is best needed to bring maximum benefit.  The definition of success is the key to increasing or decreasing the pain quotient.