The Power of Slow Time with Robert Biswas-Diener
Summary
In this episode, Tia Graham interviews Robert Biswas-Diener, a well-being and positive psychology researcher, speaker, and trainer. They discuss the importance of coaching in the workplace, the benefits of prioritizing well-being, the concept of slow time, and the significance of giving oneself permission to focus on happiness and balance. Biswas-Diener shares valuable insights and advice for leaders and individuals who want to improve their well-being and create a positive work environment.
Guests
Robert Biswas-Diener: Well-being and positive psychology researcher, speaker, and trainer. He has published over 70 academic articles and chapters on happiness and other positive topics. He is the author of eight books, including The New York Times Bestseller, "The Upside of Your Dark Side."
Topics Discussed
The importance of coaching in the workplace
Changing perception about coaching
Incorporating coach-like skills in leadership
Balancing work and well-being
The concept of slow time
Giving oneself permission to focus on well-being
Key Takeaways
Coaching is a philosophy that involves believing in another person's capacity to come up with their own solutions and supporting them in exploring those solutions.
Coaching can change the tenor of conversations and build trust between managers and their team members.
Well-being is worth prioritizing in the workplace as it leads to better performance, increased trust, and improved overall satisfaction.
Slow time refers to the subjective experience of time, which can vary depending on the situation. Slowing down and giving oneself permission to take breaks, reflect, and engage in activities that bring joy and meaning can have a restorative effect.
It is important for leaders to create space and allow for pause and silence in meetings to foster creativity, innovation, and reduce stress.
Giving oneself permission to prioritize well-being involves challenging beliefs and habits that prioritize work at the expense of personal well-being, recognizing the benefits of well-being, and setting boundaries.
Notable Quotes
"Coaching is just a philosophy that is a way of believing in another person, trusting them, trusting that they have experience under their belt, the capacity to come up with their own solutions." - Robert Biswas-Diener
"The nature of the conversation was better, and I sort of respected them better, and I trusted them more. And I think that's what coaching does for us, and I think that that's a pretty big promissory note." - Robert Biswas-Diener
"Do you give yourself time to do this? Do you give yourself permission to do this? And do you have a language for what it is you're trying to do?" - Robert Biswas-Diener
"The objective clock time is the same for you, for the busiest executive, for the janitor who works at the organization. How are you using that time? How are you prioritizing well-being?" - Robert Biswas-Diener
"Being able to distinguish between the few times where you're legitimately under pressure and rushing, and the rest of the time where you're legitimately not... You don't need an extra five hours in your day. The five minutes is enough." - Robert Biswas-Diener
"By making yourself available 24/7 even on vacation, you're missing the opportunity to do what vacation is intended to do, which is to restore." - Robert Biswas-Diener
Entities mentioned
Keywords
coaching, workplace, well-being, slow time, permission, balance, leadership, trust, philosophy