I have just read “Bouncing back with Changes” by psychologist and former Treasury & Finance – Director of People & Culture, Tony Vickers-Wilis. Given an ongoing interest in positive psychology and a disappointment with the often overly theoretical training offerings we get in this space, I was compelled to see what Tony had to say.

Born out of an intense curiosity about what it is that makes some people bounce back from severe adversity and others capitulate with seemingly lesser challenges, Tony has set out to not only describe the science behind being resilient but also too provide real life narrative against which the principals can be demonstrated.

The book is one in two parts. The first dealing with the extraordinary life of Jim Vickers-Willis. I won’t go into details here for fear of spoiling the narrative for future readers, but it is a home-grown and truly inspiring story. The tremendous obstacles that fortune had placed in Jim’s way and the means via which he overcame them provides real meaning to the word “resilience.”

The second part provides a simple and practical set of seven principals to enable individuals to bounce back when adversity strikes, as it almost invariably will for each of us at some stage. The principals account for the CHANGES in the title of the book, and form a simple but powerful recipe for addressing anxiety, depression, stress and providing an appropriate perspective on surviving and thriving.

A third component of the book is the range of practical exercises provided to the reader for self-reflection as the science behind thriving is explained. These provide the reader the time and space to pause and reflect upon how the science might apply directly to their own lives and associated problems. Through simply undertaking these reflective practices in the book, I’ve made a couple of decisions that will not change the course of history, but will certainly benefit me going forward.

I think what I like the most about the principals, is that they are not simply a means of addressing psychological problems, they are a ready made practical recipe for building a happier and more resilient life, even in the absence of major issues.

“Bouncing Back..” is a book about individual resilience and I hear through the network that Tony is currently working on a new book looking at organisational resilience. One which is sure to be in great demand.

“Bouncing back with Changes.” purchase a copy

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The Practical Leadership training is for leaders who have the power to influence their environment and the desire to shape high performing and positively focused teams. This full day course has been designed to show participants how to use positive and performance psychology through practical management strategies.

With a strong focus on the practical application in the workspace, topics covered will include:

• The key traits of a great leader and how to incorporate them into your style.
• Practical means of developing a high-performing team.
• How to separate your leadership into frames of importance and focus on the key areas.
• Why leadership is based on fairness to you and how to adapt your leadership thinking.
• Creating environments for ‘idea creativity’ and ‘analytical’ thinking and why these processes are so different.
• How top performers define success for strong, long term performance.
• How leaders can remain positively focused through challenging and turbulent times.

This training will aid leaders to garner more ‘followers’ and alter the way they lead for the better.

For more information on Positive Leadership contact Frank at think.quick@me.com or on (03) 8502 042 * 0400 109727

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This programme provides a range of practical guidelines and tools that enable people to maintain a positive and practical focus even when things around them are not quite going according to plan.

The vast majority of people think that being positive and being happy are the same things. They are in fact NOT and the rhetoric about having to be happy to achieve is simply incorrect.

Research has shown that people who frame their life through a positive focus can perform better, develop stronger relationships and are more value to be around.

Positive Workskills training isn’t about laughter, motivation or adding humour to the workplace, it’s about showing you a way to develop and maintain a positive focus that will allow you to perform at your best and enjoy the process as best you can.

The course differs from many offerings in the “resilience” space in that there is a practical orientation and does not dwell on Happiness as being a major driver of developing a more positive focus in work and life. The methods allow participants to examine their beliefs around performance, resilience, confidence, happiness, self-image and temperament and refocus productively where possible and where necessary.

For details on these half day training sessions contact Frank on 0400 109727 or at think.quick@me.com

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