Reflections of a Road Warrior

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Build Your Verbal Defenses

Things can go horribly right or horribly wrong when we communication. If you are a student of the bible, you've noticed dozens of scriptures advising us to control/bridle/silence our tongues.

If you're a student of life, I'll bet you've noticed similar messages in the media, old adages, and from advisers, spouses and friends.

Here are three hurdles that prevent productive communication:

Facial expressions
Body language
Reactionary verbiage

Human Nature can be harmful. Sure, it's natural to defend oneself when one feels offended. It's natural to attack when one feels attacked. But all these are reactionary. What is more effective is a chosen response, rather than a hasty reaction.

When we don’t clear these hurdles, This creates emotional violence, which can be just as destructive as physical violence.

A victim mindset also creates conflict, or escalation of issues– when someone acts as if they don’t have dignity or deserve respect they end up being treated that way -- they are first a victim and THEN victimized. The kid on the playground who sulks, looks at his feet, avoids others, and never socializes, becomes a target. He gets teased, threatened, controlled, and abused. Of course bullying is always wrong and never justified. However, this kid is suggesting with his body language that he is a victim. He is then treated like one.

Here are some questions to ponder by yourself or to generate discussions with your team or staff.

What are 3 words to describe you. We are talking about your brand. When you walk into a room, what should people instantly presume or deduce about you.

What is professionalism – define it?

How do you communicate in rough times? It’s easy to communicate in a non-offensive, gentle manner during good times. Most people think they are better at this than they actually are. After your next challenging conversation, confrontation, or argument, jot down some notes about what was said. Did you use natural reactions based on human nature or well-crafted responses focusing on productivity?

Efficiency is for things, effectiveness is for people. Don’t be efficient with people. Don’t focus on being organized and brief and controlling.

Let us know if we can help you create training programs or coaching sessions around this or other leadership/team building topics.

www.yourenhance.com

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

The relationship of recruiting (and hiring).

Please click the window to watch the video.

Then take Our Poll: Tell us what you think!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

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.