Why is it at the moment, that everything we read starts "in times like these" or takes a depressing view of the world? I have managed to resist the temptation to publish all of the members' (of ChangeMaker) expenses or indeed our pension payments! In contrast we thought that this issue of our newsletter should take a positive view and look at some things that will help to lift spirits or break those habits that keep life mundane. We hope you enjoy them.......oh yes and try a few!!

At midday each Thursday, in the small town of Manzanita (Oregon USA) a few dozen people gather in the centre of the town. At 12:05 there is a countdown and the crowd erupts into laughter for exactly three minutes. According to The Oregonian newspaper: "They giggle. They guffaw. They snort and snicker and squeal. One chuckles. One chortles. They hoot and howl. They double over in hysterics. For three minutes, they crack themselves up". At 12:08 a whistle blows, the laughter quietens down, and people return to their normal activities with a sense of well-being thanks to their "mirth break". The health benefits of laughter are well known. Have you laughed yet today?

Do you always set the alarm at a fixed time? Do you tend to use the main time breaks like 07:00, 08:15 or 07:30? Why be a slave to the regular? Try 06:57 or 08:13. You wont feel any better when you wake up but at least you will know that life will be little different today! Staying with time and how we limit ourselves by the clock. Liberate some more useable time for yourself. If you set a half hour meeting you know that you are most likely to make the material fit the time. Try setting a 23 minute meeting! When running programmes we often say something like "the break will be 13½ minutes". If you stick to the usual 15 or 20 minutes no one looks at their watches. Use the 13½ minute method and you will have their attention!

Have you noticed what happens when you smile at people? We are not suggesting you work on the synchronised swimmers fixed smile but we know that a huge percentage of our communication effectiveness is nonverbal and smiling is considered one of the most significant displays that a human being can use. "If you are not using your smile it's like having a million pounds in the bank and no chequebook!" (after L Giblin). Doors open to people who smile. People listen to people who smile. It may not bring you success in every endeavour but you will feel better and others will appreciate it; as the song says "Smile and the world smiles with you".

You are skiing off-piste in the woods. The guide shouts "keep well clear of the trees". Where is your focus? What are you most likely to hit? Try skiing through the gaps and aim for the clearings, and suddenly it becomes a whole lot easier. A usual opening question with colleagues is "How's business?" Particularly at the moment this can direct the response along a negative track. What is it about us Brits who will always find the negative side to talk about? Here's a different question to try: "What good things have been happening in your business lately?"

We have it on good authority that some banks are re-recruiting people who they had previously "let go". Why? Because the younger managers, who they put their faith in, have no experience of managing in a recession. The old hands have "been there" and understand what to do to lead the way forward. Where can you find people who have different perspectives?

It is natural to think that your own view is the right one, when we are busy or under pressure it is easier to go with what you think rather than asking others who may offer a different perspective. Yet the rewards of bringing together a host of different styles and approaches can be immense. Have a look and listen to this as a metaphor for the benefit of engaging diversity. Turn up your speaker volume and Click Here.

If you are a regular reader of our newsletter you probably know about the work we do with the Maasai in Kenya so we thought it appropriate to finish with a Maasai proverb sent us by Emmanuel Mankura, (that's him jumping in the picture) one of the warriors who we hosted at the Institute of Directors last July. We think it is a great endorsement for executive coaching: "MEIGUEN OLAIGUENANI KEWAN. - A chief/leader cannot advise himself."

Chris Howe, Chief Executive of ChangeMaker International recently spoke at a "Worldly Leadership Symposium". It was held at the Leadership Trust and attended by delegates from around the world, and it marked the start of a new initiative to broaden our understanding of leadership away from just the traditional western dominated models of the last 30-40 years. It is often said that we now live in a global economy, but are we actually using global leadership wisdom to build sustainable solutions to the problems that we face?

On the 22nd and 23rd of September they will be hosting the first International Worldly Leadership Summit in partnership with Ashridge, for details look at our website http://www.changemakerweb.co.uk/Worldly_Leadership.html or www.leadership.org.uk or contact Dr Sharon Turnbull sharonturnbull@leadership.org.uk