Search Video Library for: Leadership, Communication
Build On The Collective Effort - A Quick Conversation
The survival of a hive of honeybees is dependent upon the collaborative and collective efforts of every bee. The work of the hive is divided into specific tasks, each with designated worker bees. Only when every bee is doing its work can the hive stockpile the honey needed to survive the cold winter. A company is like a beehive that depends upon the collective effort of all of its employees. It is critical that each employee understands their role and how it contributes to the success and of the company.
Create Structure to Help Bridge Barriers - A Quick Conversation
Foosball is a tabletop soccer game featuring players that are fixed in position, meaning that each player can only cover a predetermined area. Flexibility, adapting, or helping out are all out of the question. This lack of flexibility is similar in some ways to teams that are spread out over multiple locations or across borders, as their interactions are also limited in a predetermined way. The lack of face-to-face interaction can reduce the team’s ability to adjust and adapt as quickly as a team that is located all at one site.
Cultural Quick Tips - A Quick Conversation
Work forces around the world are diversifying daily. Understanding the implications of a diversified workplace or marketplace is critical for any organization. A company that lacks the ability to attract and retain diverse employees risks dulling its competitive edge. Being proactive about assessing and understanding demographic trends allows an employer to prepare for change rather than react to a trend after the fact.
Encourage Greatness - A Quick Conversation
Ziauddin Yousafzai is a Pakistani educator who broke tradition when his daughter was born, by adding his daughter’s name to the family tree – the first girl in 300 years. The impact of Ziauddin’s choice to break tradition and educate girls had a global impact many years later when his daughter became the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Like the rearing of a world famous daughter, creating powerful teams with high impact does not happen in a single day.
Find the Missing Ingredient - A Quick Conversation
On the surface, a desert appears sparse and desolate. The harsh conditions do not seem conducive to growth. Yet, on the rare occasions that rain soaks the desert, it becomes a plethora of color and life - often overnight. Sometimes team projects seem like a desert, as if all of the efforts are providing little visible signs of growth. And yet, when the right ingredient arrives, the program flourishes and ‘flowers’ on cue.
Gauge Opportunities - A Quick Conversation
Like the surfer selecting the right wave, people encounter endless opportunities for growth and must decide whether the opportunity is worth the inherent risks involved. Some opportunities may involve moving to a new country, working with colleagues with different backgrounds, or taking on a new role.
Invest Your Time for Others - A Quick Conversation
On teams, it is important to be willing to invest time into the lives of other team members. We do this by learning about what they need and what obstacles they face and by then offering our assistance. This investment pays off in greater team cohesion, inclusion, and trust, as well as the removal of obstacles that stand in the way.
Link Different Points of View - A Quick Conversation
The U.S. railroad was started in 1862 during the Civil War. President Lincoln and Congress understood both the symbolism of connecting the country and also the need to think long term, even while the country fought within itself. The railroad removed geographic barriers, spread ideas, and introduced a new way of life – a fresh start that was badly needed. Building a railroad symbolically within a team can mean bridging together two divergent points of view, bringing new insight into a situation.
Overcome Obstacles - A Quick Conversation
Tree limbs grow so that the leaves can absorb sunlight, the energy needed to sustain and create growth. Obstacles never stop a tree from finding the sunshine. Limbs bend around buildings, grow over street signs, and through abandoned structures. In the same way that trees need to be flexible and persistent in their quest to find sunlight, diversity projects need to grow under, through, or around any obstacles that block their path moving forward.
Understand How To Use Your Skills - A Quick Conversation
A guitar in the hands of a novice is simply an object to hold. In the hands of a master, that same guitar becomes an instrument that makes beautiful music. The guitar itself does not change; it just requires well-developed skills to unlock its musical potential. With effective instructions, open communication, and management support, employees are able to unlock and cultivate their natural talents and interests into skills that add to the strength of their team.
Understand Preconceived Notions - A Quick Conversation
Hear the word flour and what comes to mind is probably baking, bread, and pizza crust. The preconceived notion that flour is only found in baked goods can lead to surprise when it is discovered that it can also be an ingredient in: pasta sauce, hot dogs, salad dressing, soup, taco sauce, and even dog food. Having preconceived notions about other people is like assuming that you know all of the ingredients of an item of food just by looking at it.
Understanding Hidden Beauty - A Quick Conversation
The majority of the time, a male peacock looks ordinary and small. However, when given an opportunity to showcase himself, he becomes a world-renown beauty. While he has the beauty every day, it is only when he feels duty-bound to be his best, that it is displayed and appreciated. People can be like peacocks. When they are not given opportunities to shine, they don’t let their true beauty show.
Discussion Card: The Power of Recovering
When we say (or do) something that negatively impacts a co-worker, it's often hard to know what to do to mend the relationship. Recovering a relationship is important to moving past the issue(s). These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (R.E.C.O.V.E.R.) along with thought-provoking questions on effective ways to tackle the tough discussions with grace and respect. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.
Introduction (from Maximized Leadership™ The Power Of Positivity)
What's the most common response you get when you do something right at work? If you said - nothing - you're right. People usually only pay attention to you when you make a mistake. The fact is a "gotcha" approach is what most people experience on the job. Which basically means they never hear from anyone until they mess up. And when they do hear from someone - it's usually to point fingers and make sure they know it's their fault.
Say Something Positive Today (from Maximized Leadership™ The Power Of Positivity)
Nothing can match the power of positive relationships to deliver results for ourselves and our organizations. To foster those relationships, we all need to wake up and say something positive... especially when things are going right. That's why using skills like redirection and giving people positive responses are so important.
Everyday Leadership™ Yet Another Fire
Communication can make or break a project. Ensuring our team members are communicating effectively, efficiently, and timely is a key to success in the workplace. There will be times when we must have difficult conversations, but we need to confront and resolve these issues, not avoid them.
I'm Not Signing That
When an employee refuses to sign a performance evaluation, you might be tempted to just say - okay, fine. I'll just make a note that you refused to sign, and you do what you need to do. But the truth is, when an employee won't sign it generally means there's a lot more going on that really needs to be out on the table so you can deal with it. And the best way to make that happen is to take the time to T.A.L.K.™ about it.
Discussion Card: Checking the Relationship
Having active and respectful discussions are paramount to creating working relationships based on inclusive and trust. These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (R.A.P.P.O.R.T.) along with thought-provoking questions on effective ways to tackle the tough discussions with grace and respect. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.
Everyday Leadership™ There's More We Can Do
Having quality customer service is critical to any business. It's your job as a leader to set and maintain the organization's expectations when it comes to servicing customers. Those that are willing to go the extra mile for their customers will have customers for life. It is important to realize the consequences of our actions and know there is always more we can do.
Discussion Card: Let's T.A.LK.™ Navigating Difficult Workplace Discussions
Dreading that difficult discussion with an employee or coworker who just isn't engaged or performing as expected? These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (T.A.L.K.) along with thought-provoking questions on starting those tough conversations. Great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a discussion generator.