Reflections of a Road Warrior: News: Saying No. Motivating Teams. And For Pete's Sake.

September /October 2013 issue

Enhancing your Workplace.

Dear friends,

We're pleased to offer you information relevant to your organization's human resources, employee development, leadership growth, and performance improvement.

How to Say No

" No! Can't Do It! I'm not doing that!"

These are words you might want to say but would never utter in your workplace. After all, we are expected to be team players. That means chipping in and going beyond the call of duty AND beyond the job description. However when you have 80 hours of work on your plate and 40 hours to get it done, it's time to devise a different strategy which could make you more productive, less stressed, and more in control.

Let's not call it saying no.

Let's call it offering an alternate version of yes.

Here's how it's done.

First, express your understanding of and empathy for the other person's situation. You are tell them that you know their issue is important and you want to help.

Next, state your situation. Explain what you have on your plate, what your working on, and/or your deadlines. This helps you justify why you can't drop everything to address their issue. You have priorities and a schedule to keep!

Learn more about prioritizing your daily tasks.

Then, suggest a different way to handle it; or a different time when you're available to assist. You could even refer the person to another individual who is better equipped to help.

Ask us: How to say no to your boss!...

Handle it like a Pro - Get a Script customized for this conversation.

Motivating Teams

Motivating Teams is not always easy, but it is possible to create synergy among staffers. It starts with indivual motivating. Team member need to have basic needs covered in order to feel energized and motivated to do their best work.

1. Clear Expectations

Expectations need to be communicated and reinforced. Your team needs to know goals and objectives you have in mind for them and how they are expected to achieve them. Expectations should include boundaries, milestones, and resources. Spell out avaiable budget, anticipated results, and deadlines. If you're dealing with more seasoned pros, you can jointly determine these factors or you can have the staff member develop goals on his/own and report them to you. Either way, they need to be clear and communicated; not assumed. By setting clear expectations you are setting your team up for success.

2. Harmonious Work Envrionment

This may sound warm and fuzzy but it's actually an important factor in making sure your team is functioning well together. Make sure the team has all the resources they need to do the job. Those resources could include people, tools, supplies, authority, and information. Also, set standards for team work. Reward team collaborate and create opportunities for it as well. Also, setting a team charter which specifies how the team is expected to work together and treat each other.

3. Value

Your team are the eyes, ears, hands, and hearts of the organization. They do the work, that make your business profitable. They need to feel appreciated and be tangibly/visibly recognized for their efforts.

Ask us about 101 ways to recognize employees.

Additionally, team members have unique attributes and talents. You need not only to recognize those but tap into them. Your organization will benefit from leveraging the strengths of its contributors.

Featured Article

FOR PETE'S SAKE

Co-workers were shipwrecked on an island.

Worried Wilma said: "We'll never survive here. We're all going to die."

Unfocused Ursula chimed: "Look at those beautiful flowers, I'm going to take a closer look."

Lazy Larry remarked: "You guys gather wood; I'm going to rest."

Grudge-holding Glen growled: "I won't help because I'm still angry with Ursula about something she said last week."

And then there wasPete. After hearing this ongoing conversation,Pete became frustrated and disheartened. He said "I would rather take my chances with the sharks than stay here with you people! I'm going back in the water!"

The moral of the story:

If you're not helping the situation, you are probably hurting it. So, keep your negativity to yourself, FOR PETE'S SAKE.