You're making me crazy!

I’m often asked how to deal with a co-worker that drives you bonkers.

Well… You can pick your nose, you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your co-workers.  It’s a job.  Some people will annoy you.

If, on the other hand, you decide to deal with it (which by the way would make me very proud!) here’s some advice.

• Start with a positive
• Be specific
• Get their perspective

Here's what it might sound like.

"Our working relationship matters to me, we work so closely here at Awesome Co., I’d like us to get along better.  When you and I work on X, Y seems to happen.  What’s your take on it?"

The goal is to change behavior and people won't be open to change if they are feeling defensive.  This conversation builds bridges, not fences.

Another tip: If the thought of this makes you nervous, practice it on a friend - or your dog - first.

If you've ever wanted to get yourself Ward Certified™, now is the time.  Click here to learn more.

Have an INCREDIBLE Halloween

Apparently, there is truth to the adage 'dress for success'.  

Research shows your alertness is affected by what you wear.

One study found that people wearing a doctor’s lab coat displayed heightened attention.

When the same people then wore an identical coat but were told it was a painter’s coat, they weren't as attentive as when they wore (what they perceived to be) the doctor's coat.

The research found: “The influence of clothes thus depends on wearing them and their symbolic meaning.”  

Seems like the impact of dressing casually in the office can have some scary effects.  Read more here.

But not tomorrow....

Happy Halloween!  

If you or your team dress up, please share a picture on our FB page. 

"I don't know"

My dunkin' donut habit/math problem from last weeks' E-Couragement inspired some conversation, so let's continue.

The moral of the DD story was to be curious vs. being right.  When we think we are right, we don't listen very well, in fact, instead of listening, we're waiting to speak. 

When we're curious we focus fully on the caller's request.

But what do you do when you don't know?   Find out.
What do you say?  "I'd be happy to look into that and get back to you by 4 pm today."

Why does that work?
- you're expressing your desire to help
- you're letting them know that you will take action
- you are managing expectations by setting a specific timeframe

And in case you are wondering, it's 3 cups of strong, black coffee a day.  Thank goodness new research shows this to be a good habit!

It's the people

If you left your job today, what would you miss?

The most common response to this question is: “the people.”
This answer doesn’t change across businesses and industries that I work with.  It’s the people.

Why not take a moment today to appreciate your people:
-    Offer to get someone a coffee
-    Bring in some homemade goodies
-    Share a good binge-watchable show recommendation
-    Give someone your full attention as they share a personal story

For inspiration, check out this 2.48 minute video story.

Blink, Blink

Normally I like to share a tip that gets your body moving so that your circulation, breathing and energy improve. 

But this tip caught my attention, maybe because my eyes are aging faster than I am, and I wanted to share it.

The problem: Screen fatigue; tired, itching and/or burning eyes.  One of the most common causes of eye fatigue is staring for long periods at digital devices such as computer screens, smartphones, sillyphones and video games.

The solution: Scientists say 20 seconds of BLINKING can stop computer users getting eye strain

Try this:  20/20/20/20

Blinking 20 times in a row every 20 minutes, combined with looking away from the screen for 20 seconds and focusing on an object 20 feet away.

What to read more? 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2292882/The-simple-solution-screen-fatigue-Scientists-say-20-seconds-BLINKING-stop-users-getting-eye-strain.html

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Q: How do you make the Customer feel like they are getting the royal treatment?
A: Get the whole team working on their issue.
 
I was in a colleague’s office the other day while they called Grainger looking for a specific item.  The Customer Service Representation couldn’t find the item but instead of saying “we don’t carry that” or “I can’t find it”, he said let me try one more thing, then I’ll get some help.  When one more thing didn’t work, he told us he would conference in Technical support.  The specialist joined the call by saying, “I understand you can’t find a specific item, let me help”.  The CSR stayed on the phone the whole time giving this call a real team feel.
 
How can you do this?
Step 1: Tell the Customer whom you will ask to join the call.
Step 2: Call your colleague and give them some background information.
Step 3: Introduce the Customer to your colleague.
Step 4: Solve world problems together!
Repeat as necessary.