(L)eadership - Negotiating The Slippery Slope

We all know people who positively lead others and get things done.  They seem to have been born with the ability to take people to a place of empowerment and help them them reach their goals.  Most of them possess the same characteristics:

• have a positive attitude
• forward thinking vision
• ask questions
• look at the big picture
• discover and use other peoples strengths and talents
• negotiate conflict well most of the time

It looks simple, easy and transparent.  Others think of them as mentors and personal advocates. 

 No one is born with the ability to lead.  We are not given sprinkles of leader ability.   The truth is that everyone has the opportunity to learn and develop into a leader.  Along the way we learn, stretch and grow into leadership in small ways. 

 Leadership as a slippery slope no matter what position or situation you find yourself in.  We can sabotage our own good intentions as these actions appear normal to us. 

What does the slippery slope look along our way to wiping strong leadership and replacing it with self inflicting sabotage.

1. We become more of a friend with the people we lead then a leader. Whoops, we fall when we need to deliver bad news as to not hurt the “friendship”.  We want to be liked more than lead.
2. Being extremely empathetic.  This looks like “I feel your pain!’” when being told that another can’t come into work or do this or that for various reasons.  Leaders need to care but not to the point that someone takes advantage of their empathy… and it WILL happen.
3. Refusing to be the role model that we want others to emulate.  You were chosen as a leader so step up and show the world what that looks like.  Others will rise or fall to that expectation.  Raise others up not push them down with your role as a leader.
4. Telling others that we do not agree with a management decision and why.  Although we might not always agree with decision, we can position it so that our “opinion” is kept out of the mix.  If you don’t buy in to it, then they won’t either.

Leave your ski’s at home and take the safe way down.  Leading others in business, family or personal can be a rewarding and growing experience. 

May 19th, 2009 - Posted in ABC's, Uncategorized, attitude, intellectual | | 0 Comments

(K)now The 5 Areas of Beautiful Strength

I walked into a national sporting goods store and saw a Nike tee shirt with the phase “Strong is the new beautiful”.  Up until then, I never thought about beauty or health in that way.  With so much media attention paid to an “image” of beauty, we sometimes lose focus on what beauty and strength can be in other life areas.  This also apples to men as beauty and health are gaining a greater focus on their side of the fence.

 I stopped to think about if I was developing strength in the five areas of strategic wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social and occupational.  Where is my strength in each area?  Am I working towards strength?  If not, let’s get to the big WHY?

• Are my muscles strong to lift and bend?  Are they lean and flexible?  Can I stretch and just plain move?
• Have I dusted out the cobwebs of any emotional issues or pain and begin to heal the past hurts?
• Am I doing enough to educate myself by attending free webinar’s, reading, blogging, joining online user groups for support and inspiration and attending professional development classes?
• Then there’s the social aspect with community, friends and family.  Have I been reaching out, going out and or just plain being out?   With the busyness of the past few months, we tend to hunker in for the long winter.
• Finally, am I planning on reaching my full occupational potential?  If yes, what plans do I have to increase my value as  an employee and reach new heights in my career?

Our hearts desire can be strong.  Each of us will ask our own strength questions to see how heart healthy we’ve become.  Beauty follows with confidence, joy, youthful expression and a positive attitude of wealth and happiness.

Be healthy and fabulous!

 Sandra

April 22nd, 2009 - Posted in ABC's, Uncategorized, attitude, emotional, health, intellectual, occupational, physical, social | | 0 Comments

(J)ustifying Our Measuring Stick

Where you ever in a conversation where you didn’t totally agree with someone.  Your kinda looking at them sideways trying to understand their point of view but are not quite getting it.  This happen to me recently.  Jim was telling me how he “coached” a co-worker into looking at their own personal measuring stick to measure results. 

Jim was approached by a co-worker, Kevin, and given a great compliment.  Basically, that the job he was doing was “great” and that Kevin could never measure up to the work ethic or results of Jim on this particular project.  Jim commented that we have our own personal measuring sticks on how we measure results.  Kevin should use his own measuring stick to find his own “job well done”.

I agreed with Jim on using his own personal measuring stick.  The first person we need to please is ourselves.  That’s what produces our self confidence for the future.  In contrast, our measuring stick is made up of many inches.

• Inch one -past personal and professional experiences
• Inch two -family upbringing
• Inch three -work ethic
• Inch four - failures in life and business
• Inch five - successes
• and … so on

But ….. what if …. our personal measuring stick is too low and we use this as a way to quit, avoid and not strive for success. 

Joining my own thoughts to Jim’s would look like this. 

We have our own personal measuring sticks on how we measure results.  We should visualize a measuring stick that is much longer.  Those inches should reflect a variety of expectations

• what is required to complete the job
• how my management team will measure me on a “job well done”
• how does this fit into my personal and professional development plan
• the areas of growth I need to be successful
• s-t-r-e-a-t-c-h-i-n-g   and   g-r-o-w-i-n-g  even though it’s uncomfortable

When we stop striving we settle.  Right now in history, we have tremendous opportunities.  Regardless of the economy or our financial status, we can continue to stretch ourselves to prepare for a greater future.  Our measuring stick should be growing by yards as our experiences and development increase.  We are forging the inches on this stick to be even better for future opportunities. 

Keep adding inches to your personal measuring stick.  To stop striving is settling.  Status quo may not always be the way to go.

Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra

September 16th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, Uncategorized, attitude, change, intellectual, occupational, performance, productivity | | 0 Comments

(I)ntentional Social Connections

Earlier this year, I reconnected with a high school classmate. I’m embarrass to say that I did not reach out to Dan first.  He initiated the connection from a posting on a high school alumni website.  Some of us start to sweat at the thought of “going back there” whether it’s through email, telephone or in person.  There is something to be said about staying connected and reaching out to others from high school, college, former organizations and associations.  It has it’s value when the time is right.

I’ve watched as Dan has reconnected me to not only him but others.  After learning more about Dan, I discovered he is truly an “intentional connector”.   An intentional connector is a person that makes it a point to keep in touch with people from their past, initiate new friendships in the present and connect people from both worlds for the future.  

Just recently, I received an anonymous email from from my website contact page.  It detailed how “Dan” told them about my website and to check it out.  It turns out that Dan had given my information to a former classmate and connected the two of us if even for a brief moment. 

Why is intentionally connecting people important?

• It allows others to see that you are interested in them for them.
• People find this type of reaching out as compassionate compared to the dog eat dog world we sometimes live in.
• Networking, whether in a social or business setting, just makes sense.
• Each person knows approximately 250-500 people.  What if you can help another or someone can help you?

What’s in it for you?

• friendships
• business relationships
• good times
• no regrets
• clear conscious
• future job opportunities
• interesting projects

Prior to Dan and I reconnecting, I reached out a number of years ago to my best friend from high school.  Was this scary? Yes.  Would she reject me?  Possibly.  I am happy to say that we established our relationship for the following three years.  Suddenly, on a May Sunday, she died.  I’m blessed to have reconnected with her.  I live knowing I have no regrets about about the “what ifs”.

Let’s look at being an intentional connector from a business aspect.  Being the connector in business can enchance your career.  Here’s how …

• You become the “go to” person.
• You’re seen as friendly, likeable and easy to work with.
• It creates positive energy that people want and need to be around in business.
• You the one who knows “a heck of alot of people”.
• You establish a huge network for yourself and your organization.

Go on!  Try it!  It’s not as scary as you think.  Quite frankly, what’s the worst that can happen.  I like to say if it’s not detrimental to your career, finances or family …. go for it!

Be healthy and fabulous!

 Sandra

September 10th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, social | | 0 Comments

(H)abits - The Good, the Bad and the Better

Did you ever say or hear someone say “Hey, that’s just a habit I have.”  Normally this is an excuse for our behavior that someone noticed and pitched a hissy fit.  Otherwise, we probably would have gotten away with it because it goes un-noticed by us.  Each of us determines our own habits.  Yet other people use their own measuring stick to “call us out”. 

If we look at it from the flip side, habits can also be positive and can dramatically impact our health and well being.  They also affect how other people see us which leads them into a our healthy behaviors.

For example,

1. brushing and flossing our teeth before we go to bed
2. eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day
3. taking vitamins
4. deliberately taking time to relax and/or meditate
5. going to church
6. cleaning up our desk at the end of the day
7. planning a to-do list
8. scheduling preventive screening appointments
9. reading one book per month
10. returning phone calls and answering emails
11. exercising at least 3 times per week
12. being on time
13. going to the dentist twice a year
14. drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day
15. being positive and friendly
16. balancing our checkbook
17. paying our bills on time
18. journaling
19. taking a nap on the weekend
20. getting to bed around the same time each night

If we  incorporate one good habit each month, we would have changed 12 behaviors towards health and wellness in one year.

Action Plan

• Make a list of less than desirable habits and another list of habits you would like to adopt over the next 12 months.  Use the list above to jog your memory.
• Rank the healthy habits in order.
• From your top 5 new habits, which ones can you move on quickly and which require other people, resources or sometimes money.
• Begin and chart your progress on a blank calendar.
• At the end of the first month, look at your progress and see how far you reached.
• Begin another healthy habit at month two.

The word “habit” gets a bad rap.  When we combine the habit with something that is good FOR us then we are on the road to being

• healthy physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and occupationally
• a mentor and role model for others to start and succeed at change
• positive and energetic
• someone that everyone WANTS to be around

Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra

September 4th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, change, habits, health, intellectual, occupational, physical | | 0 Comments

(G)et and Keep Your Business Etiquette

I must have been living in a hole over the last few years.  In the last 6 months I’ve noticed that business etiquette is a thing of the past.  Not only that, it’s getting worse by the day.  I’m talking about the common courtesy of doing business in a professional manner.   This type of behavior is becoming acceptable and the “way to do business”.  I think it’s getting out of control.

So what does less than stellar business etiquette look like.  Let’s break it down to the deliverer and the receiver.

From the person who delivers it ….

1. not returning phone calls because you deem the matter unimportant <or> don’t want to talk to the caller
2. not answering emails because you don’t have time
3. deciding not to respond to an invitation because they will “figure it out”
4. forgetting to act on what you said you were going to do
5. over promising but under delivering <or> not delivering at all 
6. scheduling people for meetings even though you see their calendar is blocked off for that time
7. being late for meetings
8. having speaker phone conference calls at your cubicle when there are people working in theirs
9. hijacking peoples time
10. being dishonest with a business partner by making yourself look “bigger than life”
11. intentionally refusing to end a business relationship when the common goal is no longer valid
12. scheduling meetings then canceling that day

To the person who is the receiver it appears …

1. myself and my business are not important enough for you
2. you have poor time management skills
3. your ego is bigger than our relationship can handle
4. lack of trust for future projects, promotions or referrals
5. lack of respect for my valuable time and money
6. weak leadership ability
7. your not as great as you think you are so get over it
8. I won’t work with you because I’m not putting up with this behavior
9. NEXT!  I can find another person to do business with, give referrals to or promote within the company
10. this is a small part of the behavior of your entire organization including the leadership team
11. this behavior is intentional!

What you will hear are excuses like lack of time and lack of resources.  We need to S-L-O-W down, take a deep breath and realize that this type of professional behavior molds our business reputation for our entire career.  Not only that, it follows us around the globe.  I’ve had this happen to me.  I use to work with a man who was a cross line associate in an organization on the east coast.  Fast forward many years later, 500 miles, a different company and he became my BOSS.  Take a peak at a short video presentation on this story http://sandralarkin.com/BizEtiquette.htm. 

Let’s get back to putting people and business relationships as a semi top priority.  For some of us, we can kick it up a few notches and make a huge difference in our careers.  For others, one notch may be just too much to handle.  Remember, its your career for the long haul and your designing it with all your cumulative actions.

 Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra

June 5th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, attitude, business etiquette, intellectual, occupational | | 0 Comments

(F)ree! Sign me up!

Everyone loves something for nothing, right!  It’s like finding a golden nugget on a beach full of rocks.  We hold up our shiny object and make a proclamation of where and how we found it.  Then proceed to the checkout line where we cash in our treasure.

In today’s economy, we stretch every dollar to meet the needs of our family.  For most wellness professionals, caring for your health and safety is of the utmost importance.  So a complimentary offer a.k.a. free helps us on our wellness journey.   Wellness professionals would rather meet you on the street healthy than in their office sick with a long road ahead to better health.  They provide a “no excuses” way for you to begin a healthy life journey.

Two major questions are  …

(1)  Where do we find FREE wellness activities to keep healthy and fit?  

(2)  How do we use these resources to move us to a better place personally and professionally? 

Today wellness is all the buzz and all the rage.  So it’s easy to find resources to help get us started.  Here are a few I highly recommend.

• Local hospital newsletter or website  
  • These are normally listed as events in their corporate calendars.  They range from workshops to seminars with health-care professionals (Doctors, Nurses, Dietitians, Former Patients, Martial Arts Instructors) leading the group discussion.  I have attended great hospital lead workshops.  Along with dynamic speakers there are also vendors to check out and healthy food. 
• Local Fitness Facilities (Franchise and Sole Owners)
  • Look for open houses with a full day of group and personal training.  You can benefit from the collective knowledge of the team and get great workout tips in the process.  Sometimes these open houses will include other health professions with demonstrations such as chiropractors, nutritionist, massage therapist and compliment treatments (reflexology and body work).
• Health Expos or ANY Expo
  • Both of these expos usually attract health care professional and health related vendors.  If your lucky, the expo coordinator will have mini-seminars during the day.  These is a great opportunity to tap into the knowledge of professionals that have your health and safety at the forefront.
• Group Health Care Provider Website
  • Your health care provider may have a wellness portal specifically for your organization.  This includes tons of information on getting and staying healthy.  Ask your Human Resources department how this works with your group health care provider.  In addition, some offer free services on-site.  Check it out!
• Internet Wellness Sites
  • There are hundreds of websites and blogs specifically for health and productivity.  I recommend checking a handful out then picking a few as favorites.  We could spend days choosing “the best one” when a few great ones will do.  Pick different sites for your different needs.  For example, if your having relationship issues, choose a site specifically for improving relationships.  Or, if your experiencing a challenge with stress, move to a site dedicated to stress management or one that supports a hobby you LOVE.
• Not for profit website and events.
  • Not for profits such as the American Cancer Society list events they will be attending.  Take advantage of their superior knowledge of prevention to include in your wellness journey.  Also, they are a wealth of physical information such as brochures for you and your organization.  There may be an opportunity to have them participate in  your organizations wellness fair or wellness work day events.

So …. how do we use these resources to move us to a better place personally and professionally?  Great question! 

When I worked at my corporate jobs, I planned my month to include one or more of these resources.  It became a part of my social calendar which, at times, included my family.  It became an event which led all of us to an increase awareness of wellness and safety.  YES, it took time to find them.  YES, it took time to attend.  And, YES, it took time to implement them.  But the alternative is what I was trying to avoid … being sick.  It becomes a matter of priorities.  Another subject we need to discuss.  In the end, I empowered myself to stay focused and productive leading me to be a better person, mother, wife, daughter and …. employee.  Everyone benefited.

I am happy to say that, as of this post, my daughter is becoming a pharmacist.  I wonder how much of this exposure contributed to her decision to go into the wellness field.  Yup, she was kicking and screaming at the time, but in the end she was healthy both physically and mentally.  Now, she is moving on to help others feel the same way too.   A benefit I did not foresee.

In a “golden nutshell”, here’s whats next. 
(1)  Check out the free events in your community. 
(2)  Get out your calendar for the month and plan to attend with your family.  Make it a family wellness day which includes other activities your family loves. 
(3)  Prioritize your health for the long term by being proactive.  Implement, implement, implement what you have learned.
(4)  Teach others to do the same!  Pass it on!

Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra

May 9th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, health, physical | | 0 Comments

(E)ducate Yourself Professionally And Proactively

And the survey says…..

• 57% of U.S. workers say that they have the necessary education and training to get ahead in their current career *
• 72% of U.S. workers say they have taken special courses or retraining to improve their job skills*

What does this say about occupational wellness and the need to keep thinking and moving ahead?  It’s necessary and a vital part of our workplace wellness.

I am a big proponent of “If your not growing, your growing mold” (Sandra Larkin).  This is a comical statement comparing ourselves to moldy cheese or bread all green, brown and stale.  But… do you want to BE THAT associate who is unwilling to keep up with the job, the industry, new technology and new and innovative ways to try something different or manage our time?  What does that say about the respect for your job, industry and fellow associates?  What does it say about respect for yourself? 

In today’s workplace time and stress go hand in hand.  Sometimes this stress is

• the people
• the process
• inadequate tools
• lack of proper time management techniques
• P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N
• lack of direction
• less than stellar accountability

No time to take a class.  Too busy.  Gotta go.  See ya! How can we be accountable for huge job responsibilities, when we can’t take care of our own occupational wellness to be and look sharp on the job?  

Accountability - the most dynamic work in the dictionary that keeps us moving forward in any area of life. In this case, with your professional education and commitment to be proactive.  We need to be accountable so that others can count on us to be at our best in the workplace. 

Here are some questions to ask in beginning to move yourself into being proactive about you professional development.

• I have or keep a list of all the training and development classes I have attended in the last 2 years? 
  • Yes!  Am I USING any of the techniques and improved processes? 
    • Yes!  Pass go and collect your $200 dollars.  This is alot less money that you probably made in a bonus and/or raise because you’ve been using the training you successfully completed.
    •  No!  Go back and revisit the manuals or original trainer to help me move forward in these areas.
  •  No!  Go back and develop the the training list to see exactly what you have taken and can use.
• Does my management team have a professional development plan for my career at the company?
  • Yes!  Find out the details of what is in store for you in the next 2 years.
  •  No!  Be proactive and request a meeting to discuss your professional development and the benefits to your organization.
• Does my organization budget professional development dollars for the year that I can tapped into?
  • Yes!  Great.  Look at your development plan and start searching for training on or off-site.
  •  No!   Now we are at the proverbial crossroads.  Do we go into our management and ask for professional development dollars <or> pay for it ourselves?

When our organizations do not have a professional development plan or dollars to accommodate.  What can we do?

1. Start by looking at your career past, present and future and create a professional map?  This will tell us where we have been and where we want to go in the next 3 to 5 years.
2. List all the classes you have taken to reach your ultimate goal.
3. Research your local community colleges and business groups to find out who is offering low cost classes or complimentary engagements (a.k.a. free).  You can learn from business professionals who have already forged the path. 
4. When there are absolutely no funds available through your company or yourself, go to your local library.  Ask the staff to assist you in finding library resources (books, CD’s magazines, newspapers, local events) to move you towards your professional development goal.
5. Seek out a mentor in your industry or your workplace.  A mentor can help guide you in the process and plug you into their experience of professional development.
6. Inquire at your company Human Resource department if there is a company library of books or CD’s to be “checked out”.
7. Start a workplace occupational development committee to bring in low or no cost speakers for lunch and learns or workshops.

Ready, set, go!  Your now in the drivers seat of your own professional development.  Neither lack of funds, time or an unwilling employer should stop us from being the best at our talents and abilities.  Now, go out and be FABULOUS!

Be healthy and fabulous!

 Sandra Larkin 

<* Source:  Pew Research Center for the People and the Press (2006)

January 28th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, Professional Education, intellectual, occupational, physical | | 1 Comments

(D)aily Workplace Health Commitments Improve Our Performance

“Exercise!  Eat healthy!  Keep a food journal!  Yeah, right.  I don’t have time to take a break at work how do you expect me to take better care of myself!” 

Many of us have repeated this mantra over and over again only to find ourselves stressed out physically and emotionally.  Been there, done that!  Unfortunately, I ended up with more serious physical problems that swirled out of control.   When I was sitting in the doctors office waiting for my MRI results, I wasn’t thinking about how the next project or the next meeting.  I was thinking about if I was going to be around for the next day.  Funny, and this was all for

• the love of the job
• the thrill of the chase
• my commitment to my employer and teammates who could not live without me
• ego
• money
• fame
• position
• status

By ignoring my daily health commitments, I put my family at risk in more ways than one financially, physically, emotionally and socially.  Who was benefiting from my ill health and not so stellar attitude?  It wasn’t me and that was the most important person I needed to take care of. 

Professionals place high expectations on themselves.   Good for the employer.  When we cannot distinguished when we are in the the “51% zone”, then our health and productivity start to plummet.  The “51% zone” is when you are giving 51% or more of you physical, emotional, social and intellectual energy to one particular event or period of time.  For example, you are professionally devoted to your position, this is great!  But when you cannot shut it off enough to take a break, go to the restroom, take lunch, exercise, or be somewhat social with your co-workers, you’ve probably crossed the 51% zone.  The whooping benefits can be … drum-roll please …..

• headaches
• migraines
• upset stomach
• anger or short temper
• shortness of breath
• overweight
• overwhelmed feeling
• acid reflux
• bad attitude
• poor eating habits
• tired
• achy breaky feeling
• loss of energy and feeling of importance

Some people are energized by being totally enveloped in the 51% zone.  Wonderful!  Please make sure you are seeing your physician at least 2 times per year for a complete checkup.  Sometimes intensity that makes us feel great doesn’t show up on the outside but still may have internal silent effects that you not be aware of.

Each person’s prescription for energy and productivity is different.  Here are some suggestions to move yourself away from the 51% zone.

•  Give yourself permission to take a break or lunch.  Start by affirming that it’s okay to take move away from the desk.  No one will get hurt in the process.  My teammates can go on without me for 15 minutes or more.  When you come back, look around.  Is everything the way you left it?  More than likely, yes!
• Take the steps to move from floor to floor.  This will move you one step closer to any fitness goals you have established.  The immediate benefit is that your burning more calories and getting you circulation moving.  Hey, you may even meet some really interesting people that you haven’t seen for awhile in the stairwell.
• Start your own personal walking program even if you need to do it alone.  We had a parking garage on the lot where our building was located.  I would walk up the garage levels (creates resistant) and take the garage steps (increases cardio) in 32 degree weather or above.  Why 32 degrees and not ALL degrees?  Basically, I didn’t want to have to deal with ice in more ways than one.  The benefit is that I lost weight!
• Graze on healthy alternatives during the day.  Suggestions would be left over salad, nuts, fruit, or 100 calories healthy snacks.   Your local grocery store has alot of healthy offerings.  It’s a matter of taking the one time and discovering what’s available. 
• Be in silence.  When it just gets too much go to a quiet place in your office building or complex or even your car to be in silence.  Sometimes we need to quiet all those demands in the form of people and projects to get ourselves in shape for the next round of meetings.  Silence helps us sort-out the real from the imaginary and helps us take control of our attitude.

 These are all suggestions we have heard or read before over and over again.  It’s time to make the commitment to take control of our daily health.  Small changes will not impact you negatively but will allow you to keep in the race longer.  They will increase your productivity and health a little more each day.

Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra

January 21st, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, occupational, performance, physical | | 1 Comments

(C)ommuicate Away From Conflict To Become A Millionaire

True Story.  A colleague of mine had an interdepartmental meeting with two of his team members.  As the meeting progressed, so did the challenges as they went from from a neutral starting point to a one-sided heated discussion with one of the team members.  All of a sudden, this person got up, open the door, walked out and launch his tablet across the department hitting a cubicle wall.  On the other side was someone intently working.  The situation escalated from the meeting room to also include the person on the receiving end of the tablet launch.  What happened to open and honest communication?   It appears there was a breakdown.

In today’s workplace, emotions can run high as more demands are put on our limited time without additional resources.  We begin to feel overwhelmed and out of control.  I know of a women that would hyperventilate when it just got to be too much for her.  Communication in the workplace begins and ends before any situation has a chance to escalate or even start.  A breakdown in communication is the result of how we should be stepping it up to better our communication methods.

Organizational conflict cost the company money in the form of stress related illness, lost time at work due to avoidance, as well as lower morale and productivity.  It also may cost the organization in legal fees if employees feel threatened or harassed by co-workers.  What are the solutions?  How can we take out an insurance policy on organizational communication?

Solutions range from

• professional coaching
• conflict training
• team building
• anger and crisis management
• work/life balance training

The million dollar answer is  knowing how to communicate effectively where both people are respected in the disagreement.  We need to develop skills that become a permenant part of how we deal with others.  This will help us form a collaborative environment coming to the best solution even though it may not be in our favor.

If these points earn you $250,000 each, would you pursue them with passion and intensity?

Be an active listener more than an active talker. 

Visualize yourself with HUGE elephant ears to stay focus on the message.

Ask questions. 

When we ask the right questions at the right time, we come across as a person who truly cares and wants to learn more about us.  What is the “right” question?  Any question that stays on point of the conversation.

Don’t let your body language give you away. 

If we listen intently, ask the right questions but we stand there with clenched fist and a puzzled look, we are communicating that we truly have no desire to be there or learn more.  Be conscious of your body language and the suttle ques your facial expression and tone may be transmitting.

Be truly concerned.

If you can’t be concerned or aren’t interested in another’s ideas, do yourself and the other person a favor…. get off the project, move out of the department or assign someone else to take your place.  Otherwise, the cost to your business could be in the thousands or millions depending upon the eventual negative outcome.

A small investment in ourselves and a conscious effort to see others point of view, goes along way in increasing our professionalism in the workplace.  People see us as friendly, easy to work with, and easy to deal with.  Eventually, this leads us to a positive increase in our professional back accounts. 

Be healthy and fabulous!

 Sandra

January 18th, 2008 - Posted in ABC's, communication, intellectual, occupational, social | | 0 Comments