TRUST - TEAMWORK - COMMUNICATION - MOTIVATION - EMPOWERMENT

Without these values at the core of businesses and teams, the strife and friction between people will slow down or rip apart a workplace. Conflict is inevitable in any group of people and needs to recognized as normal, and that it offers an opportunity for new ideas and creativity. But too often the rubbing between coworkers produces hard feelings, distrust and animosity, not a cohesive and well-oiled team.

Starfish seeks to build trust and cooperation between workers by encouraging sharing and talking. A group with these attributes is promoting and maximizing their positive energy. But this doesn't stop with coworkers! Leaders and managers are part of the interaction and cooperation in any team, and Starfish works to build smooth communications in all directions of business.

Why Do Groups Fail?
There are many reasons why a group can fail and not every challenge to a group's integrity can be controlled. But most of them can! By recognizing some of these reasons and working to avoid them, groups can overcome any other difficulties that may come along. Here are a few of the causes of group failure:

Lack of understanding/clarification of problem: global and specifics; Inability of focus or concentration on problem; Failure to follow a systematic and comprehensive procedure; Meeting dominated by a few individuals: chairman/boss, etc. The need for change is often interpreted by "boss" as incompetency on his/her part, hence resistence; Fear of punishment if he/she talks openly; Competition vs. cooperation Inability to work as a team Negative Chain: Put downs - withdrawal - attack Sub groups formed (allies/adversaries) Diversionary tactics Too much knowledge of what doesn't work often prevents speculation or exploration of ideas; "Yeah, buts..." and "what ifs..." are negative forms which develop negative energy that drains a group People cannot separate ideas presented from self-concept (they are extensions of selves); therefore rejection of idea is tantamount to rejecting person

Then What Should Be Done?

Starfish firmly believes in changing the heart of the person to change the actions of the person. The short paragraph below powerfully captures the essence of what is needed to truly change a person, team, group, or organization.

ATTITUDE The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think and do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitude!" — Chuck Swindol

Irv Furman gives some of the "secrets" of having a good attitude. They are simple steps everyone can take.

• Be optimistic (smile!)
• Set goals and meet them
• Be open to learning
• See the good in all
• Take responsibility for your own happiness
• Never say ... I should have
• Make the time
• Do what you say you will do
• Never never never give up
• Give 101%
• Make a difference in the lives of others
• Appreciate
• Love

So what can Starfish do for a worplace, an office, a company? Starfish can help change the most important part of any group - the people. By changing the hearts and attitudes of people, the entire group is changed and everyone - business and employees - benefits from the improved working environment.

Change the heart Change the person