The “Mala for Vets” Initiative

The vast majority of our wonderful veterans are returning to their families and successfully using their skills in the business world. However, some veterans find this transition difficult and require additional support.

Luckily, there are many organizations that help our heroes find the help they so deserve…and possibly some spiritual peace. Mala for Vets is one such organization.

Mala for Vets is Chris Eder’s Seva Project to raise money for Veteran Yoga projects like: Mindful Yoga Therapy for Vets, The Save A Warrior Project, and the Give Back Yoga Foundation. Chris is a Yoga Alliance registered Vinyasa and Hatha Interdisciplinary yoga instructor. He is the Communications Director for Mindful Yoga Therapy for Vets, a Sivana Ambassador, and is currently working on his 500RYT. He also has PTSD and A.D.D.

 

Military veteran, yoga guide, and CEO of Mala for Vets, Chris Eder (USAF Master Sergeant – Retired)

Are You a Good Boss?

The business world has no shortage of horror stories about micromanagers and “seagull” leaders (these people swoop in, poop on your work and fly away again), but how do we accurately assess our management skills?

My personal philosophy is to create an innovative team filled with talented individuals, instill in them a desire to succeed, and get out of their way.

As a manager, I act as the “lead blocker”.  My main focus is to clear the way, so the real superstars can score!

When team members succeed, I communicate their individual and team achievements to leadership and try to reward them whenever possible through recognition, quarterly/annual awards, additional training opportunities, or any other reward I know the individual places value on (a good boss knows his/her people well-enough to have this information available).

Once your team knows you are focused on making them successful, they will do anything for you.   In fact, I’ve been told by former employees that they delivered not because they wanted to be successful, gain a promotion, or serve the company better, but because they did not want to let me down.

Loyalty is not a right, nor is it purchased.  Loyalty must be earned.  If your people are not loyal, you may be doing something wrong.

 

FEAR always corrupts LOGIC

“Danger is real, risk is real, but fear only exists in one’s mind.  If one allows fear to enter into decision-making, the outcome will be negatively influenced.” -Me

To draw on military tactics, “GET OFF THE ‘X’!”
IED/Ambush procedures teach that when attacked, move out of the danger zone. Fear has the power to freeze Soldiers. It also has the power to freeze managers. Move forward. Make a decision. Adjust later as needed. This philosophy works in war, business, and life.

Do NOT let FEAR win!

U.S. military vets: well trained and ready for business success

Mary Hagly, The Business Journals writer, authored a wonderful expose of the true veteran situation in America today. The following is just a short excerpt from her article.

“The untold story of U.S. military vets: We are trained and ready for business”

Image provided by Getty Images (GWImages)

“The time has come for an authentic view of United States veterans. Unresolved misperceptions about veterans are costly for society generally, but particularly damaging for the business sector.

The story that remains largely untold is neither one of war nor tragedy. Rather, it is the everyday story of 22.5 million veterans – some 80 percent of whom are as successful, employed, and adjusted (if not more so) as any other American.

Today, public awareness rightfully focuses on those in crisis: The wounded, the ill, the unemployed, and the homeless. This focus must remain our highest priority, as it is our honor to help those who are suffering after sacrificing greatly to defend our nation.

Yet it cannot be our sole priority. There is an unintended consequence in communicating primarily about this crisis we must solve.

The complexities of post-traumatic stress, injury, homelessness and unemployment (impacted by the Iraq and Afghanistan drawdowns and the recession) have been distilled to an incorrect public perception of veterans as a group of victims who are mentally or physically ill and unable to function in everyday life.

The facts tell a different story

The Department of Veteran Affairs reports that vets earn 13 percent higher incomes and hold higher percentages of professional, management and sales jobs than non-veterans. Military-related students entering college for MBA degrees have jumped from 4.1 percent in 2010 to 8.1 percent of all incoming students.

SEE ALSO: Young military vets show strong interest in business ownership

Employers gain a competitive advantage by understanding the value of the veterans they employ and by hiring more of them. An increasing number of veterans hold business degrees, and a significant opportunity exists to leverage the government’s investment in training and education in skills that transfer directly to civilian jobs. Case studies, tools and resources are readily available to help employers implement a successful veteran employment strategy.”

For the complete article and other work by The Business Journals contributing writer, Mary Hagly, visit http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2014/04/military-vets-are-health-and-employable.html

Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF)

The Communications and Public Relations career fields rely heavily on relationship-building and networking. If you are searching for a better way to expand your professional network and skills, perhaps the SPRF is for you.

SPRF’s information page explains, “The Southern Public Relations Federation is a network of public relations professionals from Alabama, north Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi who share a common interest in the public relations profession.

SPRF is a 501-c (6) organization and membership in the Federation is automatic for members of the Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA), the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization (ECPRO), the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL) and the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM).

SPRF has more than 1,300 members and continues to grow. SPRF is led by a volunteer board of directors and is considered the premiere networking and professional development organization for public relations professionals in the Gulf South. SPRF sponsors an annual professional development conference that rotates between the member chapters. The 2014 SPRF annual conference will be held Sept. 14-Sept. 17 in New Orleans, La.”

If you live in one of these States and would like to extend your professional network and continuously improve your skillset, I encourage you to visit the SPRF site and consider membership in this organization. See you there!

http://www.sprf.org/