Chances are, you are getting ready for Thanksgiving - maybe cooking, maybe traveling. And, during your feast, you will likely share thanks around the table. Why not do the same in the office?
You might be grateful for:
I'm stuffed with gratitude for readers like you!
Have your heard the expression "having a heart to heart" or "seeing eye to eye"? Both refer to meaningful conversations. Why not make your conversations more meaningful?
Try this: When you talk to a team member today, look them in the eye. I know it's tempting to look at your computer, glance around the office or peek at your phone but resist. Prove you are listening with focused eye contact.
Eye contact leads to feeling valued, feeling valued leads to engagement, engagement leads to improved productivity. And who doesn't want improved productivity?
I'm glad we see eye to eye on that...
If you want your team to listen to what you have to say - whether that's during a conversation, in a meeting, on the phone, or around the office - check your ego.
Take a moment and consider that. If you answered yes to any of those questions, consider why that is. Listening and really hearing others with an open mind builds trust.
I'm sure your 'to do' list runs to 2 pages long, right? Well, here's another bulletpoint to add to that list - but it's one you'll get an immediate return on.
SMILE! Yep - simple as that!
By wearing a smile, you instantly influence the people and atmosphere around you. So, before you walk into that meeting, that presentation, or just to the water cooler, put on a happy face.
I'll bet you get it back ten-fold. :-)
Let it go, let it go...
What jobs do you consider to be stressful? Brain surgeon comes to mind for me! But, it turns out many surgeons are happy folks. Why? Because they have control over their work.
It is very likely that your team has scripts, checklists, and other formalized processes to follow which promote consistency and positive outcomes. However too much structure can cause burnout.
To make your team less stressed and more effective, look for opportunities to hand over some of that control.
Can they make more decisions without your approval? Can you reduce the number of reports - or at least any duplication of efforts? Can you spend more time welcoming their ideas for improvement?
Need a little pick me up? click here.
65% of Americans would choose a better boss over a raise.
According to a world leader in positive psychology interventions in the workplace, many employees feel unappreciated, uninspired, lonely, and miserable. A survey of 1000 American executives found a “whopping” (yes, please read that with sarcasm) 35% of Americans are happy at their job. And 65% say a better boss would make them happy. Only 35% say a pay raise will do the same thing.
What can you do? Appreciate people.
Here’s how: Take a post-it, write a 'thank you' note and leave it on someone’s chair today while they are at lunch, at the photocopier or in a meeting.
Allow me to demonstrate:
Jenna, thank you for the sweet suggestions last week. Love the lifesavers for those who save you.
Craig, thanks for your ideas, very creative as usual.
Result: Happy, appreciated employees who smile!
Here's a few more tips from Forbes: click here
If you'd like the team to do more of something...sweeten the deal.
For example, if they;
You get the idea.
Please share with your ideas, I enjoy chocolate and a good pun! Have a good and plenty week.
I’ve been training and coaching virtually every day for the past 20 years and I’ve cracked the code on how to engage customers, teams and coworkers through the screen. Would you like to know the secrets?
If you've got a presentation in your future - don't wait, email or call today.
Ward Certified Consulting, LLC