Inspirations News’ Post

Blindly following rules is crippling your organization. How do we start to go past rules and your staff just sticking to the word of the "law"? https://lnkd.in/g3GhpAqH 1. Start with why. If we can put all the rules we have on a whiteboard, do we see any underlying similarities between all of them? If we look at the way leaders run their teams, are there specific values that stand out? Consolidating all these values into a statement allows staff to start seeing the intent of the rules, and not just stop at rigidly executing instructions. 2. Give the staff boundaries. Instead of getting staff to ask for permission, tell them that everything within certain boundaries are allowed. This is challenging on 2 fronts. For staff that are not used to being given freedom to do what they want, it takes time, knowledge and practice for them to get used to this new found power and responsibility. For leaders, it can feel disorientating to delegate control and it is challenging to hold oneself back and letting the team member experiment and practice. 3. Be very clear on expectations. Start small, and set your team up for success. Then work your way up. Your team might just surprise you with the results. Delegating responsibility should come with a delegation of power, resources and the ability to use them. Consistently doing it over time is how you eventually have your team ready to take on greater responsibility and roles. If you could, what would you delegate tomorrow to your team and give them the freedom to execute and deliver?

In the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games currently happening in Paris, I have been thinking a lot about the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Back when I was a Paralympic swimmer living out at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, there was not a whole lot of publicity or recognition for the Paralympics at the time. Sponsors for Paralympic athletes (including the big names such as Jessica Long and Tatyana McFadden) were few and far between. I am proud of how far we have come in the last 12 years. To finally start seeing equity between the Paralympics and the Olympics is huge. For sponsors such as Deloitte, Toyota North America, and Chobani to equally represent the athletes is extremely inspiring to see. Rather than just the Olympics, these sponsors are seeing Olympians and Paralympians as equitable partners as simply Team USA. Currently, there is a controversy with SHRM over the concept of dropping "equity" from diversity, equity, and inclusion. These large sponsors as well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games themselves are great examples of how important equity really is and that it still needs to be acknowledged. We have definitely made many strides as a society towards equity, but there is more we can continue to do. #DEI #Equity #KeynoteSpeaker #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamUSA #Paralympics #Olympics

From a fifth-place finish in Tokyo to claiming two gold medals in just 24 hours, Ezra Frech is on a mission to become the greatest Paralympian of all time. "I believe this is what I was put here on this earth to do—normalize disability, change perceptions about what is possible as an amputee, and win back-to-back golds." Discover more about this incredible double Paralympic champion in my feature below. https://lnkd.in/eY6N_gu8

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. #LinkedInNewsAustralia Yes. there are two wonderful things that happen with the Paralympics. One we can admire the wonder, skill, and commitment of these wonderful athletes. Hence encouraging diversity. Two, possibly more importantly, this competition gives paralympians hope. As they compete and succeed.

Another #Olympics may be done and dusted....Tom Cruise has abseiled into the Stade de France (Sorry Tom you're not a patch on Queen Elizabeth parachuting but nice try!). But the spirit of competition and excellence is far from over. 28th August marks the start of the #Paralympic Games - highlighting the incredible abilities of #disabled athletes. I am am blown away by that fact that 24 athletes competing in this year's Paralympics have used Back Up's services at some point in their journey to #Paris! The Paralympics are not just a sports event; they are a global movement that challenges perceptions, breaks down barriers, and fosters inclusivity. These athletes train with the same intensity and determination as their Olympic counterparts, often facing additional hurdles both on and off the field. Supporting the Paralympics also means advocating for greater visibility and accessibility in all aspects of life. It’s an opportunity for businesses, communities, and individuals to commit to creating environments where everyone can thrive. As the Paralympic Games begin, let’s rally behind these incredible athletes, celebrate their victories, and ensure their stories are told with the same enthusiasm and respect that we have shown the Olympians. The journey of excellence continues, and it is one that everyone should be a part of. International Paralympic Committee International Olympic Committee – IOC #teamgb The National Lottery Community Fund #disabilty #spinalcordinjury #sport

With the Paralympics drawing to a close, it's fascinating to note the contrasting success of top-performing nations. In the Olympics, USA & China led the medal charts (126/91) while Team GB secured an honorable 65 medals. In the ongoing Paralympics, China & Team GB are on track for a similar medal haul as the Olympics (87/54). However, the USA's current medal count is 42, just a third of their Olympic total. This raises questions about their focus and efforts in the Paralympics as a nation. At Anglia Research, we understand the importance of allocating efforts across all areas. We prioritize equal care and consideration in our work, avoiding a singular focus on flagship cases and revenue streams. #Paralympics #TeamGB #AngliaResearch

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." Paralympian Curtis McGrath embodies this truth. His story sheds light on the immense potential that lies within every individual, regardless of physical ability. After losing both legs in a landmine explosion serving as a soldier, Curtis could have given up. Instead, he drew upon his inner strength and rewrote his story, becoming a world-class athlete and an inspiration to millions. His resilience teaches us that adversity doesn't define us, but our response to it does. Curtis McGrath's story also reminds us that disability does not equate to inability. It shows us the importance of determination, the value of setting new goals, and the power of believing in our own potential, no matter the obstacles. His journey encourages us to face our challenges head-on and reminds us that we can achieve greatness with the right mindset. The Paralympics are more than just a sporting event; they are a beacon of hope that lights tangible efforts towards building a world where diversity is embraced, talents are valued, and everyone is empowered to achieve greatness. They spark crucial conversations around what it means to be genuinely inclusive, pushing us to take meaningful action. The athletes' stories, like Curtis's, challenge perceptions and break down barriers, proving that ability is not defined by physical limitations but by courage, perseverance, and heart. Let's celebrate the Paralympian Curtis McGrath's journey as an incredible strength of the human spirit that inspires us to champion inclusion and diversity in all areas of life, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to shine. 🌟 #Inclusion #Diversity #Paralympics #CurtisMcGrath #Inspiration #OvercomingAdversity #LinkedInNewsAustralia

Resilience: the key to unlocking growth and learning in every challenge life throws your way.

My first article with Gamamari is live! ⭐️ It was announced this year that Australian Paralympians will receive the same medal incentive payments as their Olympian counterparts. While this is a step in the right direction, we still have a long way to go when it comes to recognising Paralympians for what they are: elite athletes. Read my thoughts below.

What can others learn from Paralympian Curtis McGrath’s story of overcoming adversity? How can the Paralympics boost conversations — and action — around inclusion and diversity? Here are my thoughts. #LinkedInNewsAustralia In my opinion one of the challenges of this topic is that it doesn't directly touch everyone's lives with the same degree and for some it is unfamiliar and given that we as humans can fear, resist, reject or ignore what we don't know or understand, that creates barriers to effecting meaningful social change. If we look back at history at parts of our regular daily lives, it's easy to forget that these were hard won victories of the bygone era - Voting rites, gay marriage, freedom of speech... and for them to become normalised to the point where they are no longer 'unusual', challenging or controversial takes time and a shift in the social conscience. We have seen this with many other important social issues like mental health, domestic violence, gender equality and homelessness where until the topic is openly covered and discussed in mainstream media on a day-to-day basis rather than just once every four years, that real change is slow. Certainly our country, people living with a disability and the broader need for greater diversity and inclusion have much to thank the likes of Curtis McGrath OAM PLY, Dylan Alcott OAM and Damien Thomlinson for sharing their stories and inspiring us with their incredible life journeys of overcoming adversity. They pave the way for others to follow, as many have done to help reframe and set a new narrative for diversity and inclusion and encourage us all to be aware of our own unconscious bias and not to judge a proverbial 'book by its cover'. The real power to drive public opinion and effect attitudinal change though still resides with the mainstream media and online platforms and how they behave. And whilst the coverage of the Paralympics was better this time than I have seen before, I feel like we still have some way to go. So, being able to watch events like these with the same ease as the Olympics, supported by the same fanfare, combined with celebrating the successes (and by this I don't mean only those who receive a medal) and stories of anyone overcoming adversity, will help normalise the topic and bring it more mainstream and into our lives so that we can appreciate and relate to anyone with a disability as another human being. Blair Rebecca