Search Video Library for: Personal Performance, Communication
Accurate Communication - A Quick Conversation
In New York, taxi means a “black and yellow,” in India a “rickshaw,” in Thailand a “tuk tuk,” and in Haiti a “tap tap.” Travelers in foreign countries can be very surprised by another culture’s definition of taxi. Therefore, even with the most common of words, understanding the context in which that word is used is critical to understanding the significance behind what is being said, whether communicating across the world or across the hall.
Pay Attention To Nonverbal Communication - A Quick Conversation
While your colleagues in the workplace communicate both verbally and non-verbally, understanding how to interpret their nonverbal communication can be a great advantage. Keep in mind that the meaning behind body language and facial expressions may vary from culture to culture, so it is always good to check for understanding.
Achieving Communication Excellence
Accelerate the personal effectiveness and interpersonal abilities of your employees with a program focused on communication skills. In three, straight-to-the-point modules, employees will experience focused learning on how to effectively listen, communicate and give and receive feedback.
Brainstorming
Managing the brainstorming process during a meeting.
Cell Phones, Tablets, Etc.
Managing disruptions in meetings. As challenging as it may be, there is a correct way to handle disruptions while in meetings, in discussions, etc.
Clarify Change (Resolution)
Using clarification techniques to feel comfortable with a change in process. A good example for personal evaluation.
Communication - Outline Intent
How to best prepare to communicate effectively with others.
Involve Your Audience
How to inspire and influence others to communicate effectively by involving them.
Listen Up! (from Achieving Communication Excellence)
The importance of active listening. When we actively listen – our body language, gestures and behaviors let other know we are engaged.
Making a Smooth Transition
How to best transition from one topic to the next during a training session
Narrow Your Focus
How narrowing the focus of communication can add clarity and immediacy.
Overcoming Communication Issues - Hotel/Hospitality Scene
As we all eventually find out, bad communication can lead to even worse problems. This video vignette demonstrates how to effectively deal with a non-listener - confronting the communication problem.
Overcoming Communication Issues - Manufacturing
When a team can't freely exchange ideas or share thoughts, the team freezes or becomes ineffective. This vignette demonstrates why we need to deal with the team communication.
Overcoming Communication Issues - Office/General
Sometimes we need to discuss 'hard' issues - like setting the record straight. Communicating in these situations is critical to get consensus. This vignette demonstrates the approach to confronting others using good communication - to resolve issues.
Overcoming Communication Issues - Retail
Let's face it, bad communication can lead to even worse problems. This video vignette demonstrates how we can overcome workplace issues by taking a step back and working on our communication and interpersonal skills.
So, How Am I Doing? (from Achieving Communication Excellence)
The importance of being proactive and clarifying information when giving and receiving feedback.
Speak Up! (from Achieving Communication Excellence)
Gain confidence to communicate in a direct and clear manner.
Tailor Your Presentation
Learn about the importance of tailoring your presentation and the situations you may find yourself in when it becomes necessary... to effectively get your point across.
The Unexpected Departure
Tips on handling the unexpected departure of a key meeting attendee.
I Feel...
Allows for personal assessment and reflection on the training topic at hand. This activity is designed to be used with any SMART-START® video or other short video program with text, This activity may be used as a cultural commitment or assessment.
Team Spark: Assess Your Communication Style
When communicating with others, particularly people from other countries, it is important to recognize when your communication style has become outdated and when it is time to upgrade to a new technique.
Team Spark: Pay Attention To Nonverbal Communication
Colleagues in the workplace communicate both verbally and non-verbally. Understanding how to interpret their nonverbal communication can be a great advantage. The meaning of body language and facial expressions may vary from culture to culture, so it is always good to check for understanding.
Discussion Card: Nonverbal Communication
Did you know that 55% of communication with others happens without words? That means your body language is key in your daily conversations. These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (W.A.T.C.H.) along with thought-provoking questions to help learners understand the importance of nonverbal communication - helping leaders, managers and supervisors address individual or team issues. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.
Adapt to Encourage Growth - A Quick Conversation
Whales possess the ability to adapt what they hear and then make it their own. Adaptive communication is a skill that is also critical to organizational growth. Keeping something the same just “because this is the way we have always done it” hinders an organization from innovating and progressing.
Adversity Creates Inspiration - A Quick Conversation
When diverse teams come together, there can be conflict if there is a lack of understanding and trust among team members. When there is a lack of trust, the team is fighting its differences instead of embracing them. When teams embrace the challenges that come with differences, the differences can be leveraged for inspiration and growth.
Challenge What Needs To Be Changed - A Quick Conversation
There are times when faced with the choice of following the rules or fighting for a principal such as equality, that a fight against the rules is the right action to take. When working in a diverse environment, pay attention for opportunities to fight for the principal of inclusion instead of following the unspoken rule of “that is the way it has always been done.”
Craft Your Message With Purpose - A Quick Conversation
An enduring whimsical tradition that many people are familiar with is the act of placing a written message in a bottle and tossing it into the sea. The composer of the message has no idea who is going to receive the message or when they might get it -or if anyone will at all. Not knowing the end recipient of the message limits the ability to communicate with intention. Communication across differences is often done in a similar fashion.
Create Your Own Opportunities - A Quick Conversation
When working on diverse teams, sometimes you have to create your own opportunities by putting forth new ideas, proposing collaborations, and building networks that will help accomplish your goals.
See Potential Contributions, Not Limitations - A Quick Conversation
When working on teams, it is important not to look at limitations but instead at the potential contribution that each person can make – regardless of what kind of package that contribution comes in. This will allow you to maximize the skills and abilities of all team members.
Tell Stories to Build a Strong Community - A Quick Conversation
Across the globe, cave drawings thousands of years old have preserved the remnants of ancient civilizations. While the drawings may be scattered over great distances and originate from different cultures, they all have one aspect in common: they tell stories. The drawings recount stories about successes, hunts, trials, and daily life. Storytelling is at the heart of what makes us human and is a universal tool used by groups of people to explain who they are and the experiences that shaped their history. While we might not use cave drawings anymore, we still use storytelling to capture collective histories and lessons learned.
Understand Your Significance - A Quick Conversation
Both captains and lighthouse keepers have roles that, although different, are important to the navigation of ships. Likewise, each position within a company plays an important role in helping the company to navigate the global marketplace. When employees understand how their role contributes to team success, they are able to take pride in doing their job well and in contributing to the overall progress of the company.
Understanding From Experience - A Quick Conversation
A documentary about life in the sea will provide knowledge about ocean life. However, that knowledge is enhanced when it is combined with the experience of scuba diving. The combined knowledge and experience deepens your understanding of the sea exponentially. Scuba diving augments book knowledge with a visceral experience. The act of learning about people with different cultural backgrounds can be viewed in a similar way. Learning about a culture by reading a book or talking to people from that culture gives you a base of knowledge.
Understanding Impact - A Quick Conversation
A single drop of water splashing against a rock may not seem to have an erosive impact. However, there is power in water drops, for over time water has the strength to wear down stone. The Colorado River, which began millions of years ago as a drop of water, carved the Grand Canyon. Positive every day actions are like water drops. While each act may not seem to have much impact, over time, the cumulative impact of many drops of water can wear down fear, negativity, and resistance to help forge a new path ahead.
Understanding Passion - A Quick Conversation
The energy of a “match on the pitch” comes from a group of people sharing in their common passion. Being in the midst of your passion is an energizing experience. It is obvious when people are in their passion: their eyes light up, excitement fills their voice, and they are “in the zone.” Inquiring about a co-worker’s passion is a great way to gain insight into a person that you work with. Demonstrating a desire to understand a co-worker’s passion enables you to build connections and begin to create common ground.
Understanding Perceived Value - A Quick Conversation
During the Revolutionary War, lobster was considered such inferior food that it was used to feed the British prisoners, and even they revolted against it. With the advent of railroads, trains brought lobster to the Midwesterners, who had no cultural bias, and found it to be a delicacy. Gradually, New Englanders came to the same conclusion. Often it takes an outside perspective to realize the inherent value that is already on your team and within your company.
Discussion Card: After the Conversation
So you've had a difficult discussion with an employee, direct report, staff member... what's next? Things like action items, open issues, follow-up and more! These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (A.F.T.E.R.) along with thought-provoking questions on effective ways to follow-up with a tough discussions with grace and respect. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.
Discussion Card: Before the Conversation
Having a difficult discussion is hard. Though it must be done to get to resolution, you must be prepared. That includes understanding ground rules and preparing yourself mentally (working through a checklist). These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (B.E.F.O.R.E.) 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.
Discussion Card: During the Conversation
We all know that having a difficult discussion can be hard. It's important to watch out for key indicators during that conversation. This includes ground rules, verbal and non-verbal cues, and so much more! These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (D.U.R.I.N.G.) 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.
Discussion Card: Purpose of the Talk
It's not always easy having workplace discussions - whether to simply gather information or to tackle a tough situation. Shying away from key workplace topics/issues don't make those problems disappear. These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (T.H.E.C.H.A.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.
TrainingBytes® Preparing for the Post-Pandemic Workplace™
Due to the recent pandemic, organizations are navigating a broad range of issues that span from keeping their employees and customers safe to re-configuring business operations and getting things to a 'new' normal. This short video program is a great introduction to what employees might see in the post-pandemic workplace.
TrainingBytes® Telecommuting Tips & Tricks
Working from home is great on so many levels. But there are a whole new set of challenges, too. How do you keep from getting distracted when domestic duties call? How do you handle a family member who stops by unannounced in the middle of the day? How do you get anything done if you have kids around? This video provides a few quick tips for successfully navigating the pitfalls of telecommuting.
Conflict 101™
Most of us would agree that one of the biggest challenges is dealing with conflict… whether at work or at home. Unfortunately, most of us don't have the tools to resolve conflict in a healthy way. We end up damaging relationships, we lose trust… the list goes on and on. Conflict 101™ is a new micro-learning program packed with conflict resolution tips and tools.
Taking Care of Your Future Is...™
Stimulate discussion about what it really takes to succeed in a career. This thought-provoking, powerful short video uses impactful imagery, video and music to stimulate a discussion about what it takes to get your career on track and rolling. A common sense approach to understanding the important things to remember in the workplace.
Discussion Card: Starting Conversations
When it comes to having a tough conversation, just starting is often the most difficult part. These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (S.P.E.A.K.) along with thought-provoking questions to create a respectful flow of communication. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator for all employees and managers.
TrainingBytes® Looking Over My Shoulder
A conflict with a co-worker can be one of the most frustrating things we have to deal with. I used to try to avoid people I didn't get along with, and just hope they got transferred out of the department. But the truth is that costs the department and the organization big time. It's one of those "everybody loses and everybody is miserable" approaches.
Your Path to Success™ Empowering Teamwork
Even the most talented teams don’t start out as high performing. To begin with, there are steps you can take to set your team up for success and create a work environment that values teamwork and collaboration. Set a vision and shared goals based on trust… explaining how the work of the team fits with the mission and goals of the organization.
Your Path to Success™ Resolving Conflict
Most of us would agree that one of our biggest challenges is dealing with conflict… whether at work or at home. Unfortunately, most of us don't have the tools to resolve conflict in a healthy way. We end up damaging relationships, we lose trust… the list goes on and on. Like it or not, when you are around people...conflict is going to happen.
Your Path to Success™ Serving Others
These days, when most people pick up the phone, write an email or walk into an office or store, they pretty much expect the service they're going to get is indifferent or even just plain awful. Little things like… Thanking the customer and empathizing with their situation. Acknowledging their emotions, rather than ignoring them. And reassuring the customer that your goal is to help… Those are the kinds of things that make customers feel like you really care.
Kindness Is...™
Kindness is a virtue. You might have heard that saying before. It's especially true when working, serving or managing others. Based on the work of Barbara Glanz, Hall of Fame Speaker, this thought-provoking, powerful short video uses impactful imagery, video and music to encourage discussion on the importance of being kind and civil to one another.
Fearless Facilitation!: How to Lead Effective Training
This program builds the confidence, poise, knowledge and skills demonstrated by facilitators who are exceptionally competent. Participants will learn how to generate quality discussions, make smooth transitions between activities and manage disruptive behaviors. Organizations will benefit by having facilitators who increase the value of their training sessions, thus building the skills of associates.
Article: Selling Your Ideas
All we have to do is look into a mirror. I know. It isn’t pleasant to consider that we could be responsible for our lack of success, but there it is. If we have not convinced someone, the onus is still on us to do so. It is not the decision maker’s job to convince him or herself of the idea’s merit.
Group or Individual: Which Motivates You?
How cultures from around the world look at motivation differently.
Direct or Indirect: What's Your Route?
How communication styles differ within cultures and impact decision making and working relationships.
Clarify
The importance of clarifying how a change impacts everyone differently.
Communicate About Change (Dramatic)
How to ask for information to help feel comfortable with a change; dealing with a dress code change.
Make Your P.O.I.N.T. (Step-By-Step Demo)
A specific example of how to best use the P.O.I.N.T. model to effectively inform, inspire and influence others.
Fearless Facilitation! How to Lead Effective Meetings™
Just say "NO" to boring and unproductive meetings. Turn your meeting leaders into Fearless Facilitators! They’ll learn how to bring a laser-like focus to every agenda, handle disruptions with ease and condense a week’s worth of meetings into a single session. Fearless Facilitators expertly foster participation and make any group session more productive.
Life IS a Series of Presentations: Inspire, Inform & Influence. Anytime, Anywhere.
This program teaches employees how to focus and execute communication by following the steps of the P.O.I.N.T. model. Ultimately, employees will establish credibility, improve working relationships, increase efficiency and effectiveness, improve job and personal satisfaction and more. It will contribute to organizational success by providing employees the tools necessary to improve conduction of meetings, cascade clear messages, generate more business and execute effective communication.
Accentuate the Positive
How encouraging and reinforcing positive behavior will improve performance and build positive relationships.
All for One and One for All
Conflict at work? Really? Here's an example of work team conflict: two teams working through differences to make progress toward a common goal.
Analyze Needs (Sales Process)
Reviews how to best analyze the needs of a client during the sales process.
Are You Going to Get That?
How to best handle phone calls while also helping another customer in person.
Ask Fact and Feeling Questions
Asking questions to understand a problem
Being Accountable and Flexible
How a 'can-do' attitude, high-performing work habits and acceptance of constructive criticism can build flexibility and accountability.
Being Positive and Proactive
How initiative, decisiveness and seeking ways to improve performance can help promote positive and proactive behavior.
Challenging a Learning Point
Handling an objection to a key content point during a training session.
Clarify Change (Situation Set-up)
Using clarification techniques to feel comfortable with a change in process.
Commit to Change (Dramatic)
Dealing with the changes related to relocation; the importance of making a commitment to change.
Communicate About Change (Resolution)
The importance of effective communication when dealing with change. This video shows the resolution of the situation.
Communicate About Change (Situation Set-Up)
The importance of effective communication when dealing with change.
Communicate and Listen
How asking questions, seeking answers, controlling emotions and taking notes leads to effective communication.
Consensus Building
Rarely does an entire team agree on everything - especially during a time of stress. The video demonstrates the power of consensus building and making decisions that net the largest benefit to the team and organization.
Dealing With a Difference of Opinion
Differences of opinion, if not managed effectively, sometimes cause participants to behave in less than desirable ways. Whatever the causes of disruptive behaviors, they need to be managed or your meeting will spin out of control.
Dealing with Sensitive Comments
Responding to disparaging remarks during a training session
Establish Commitment (Sales Process)
Discusses how to gain commitment from a client during a sales interaction.
Handling an Off-Topic Conversation
Dealing with an off-topic conversation during a meeting
It's a Policy Thing
Correcting mistakes and diffusing a customer's emotions; upholding company policies while meeting a customer's needs at the same time.
Let Me Make Myself Perfectly Clear
Meeting a customer's needs without going against company policy.
Link to Solutions (Sales Process)
Reviews how to best link a client's needs with solutions.
Marcus' Dilemma
Adapting to a restructure change within the workplace.
Prepare for Communicating Effectively
How to best prepare to communicate effectively. Follow a process for getting ready to communicate with others.
Progressive Intervention
Managing pervasive disruptions
Recognize Opportunities
Helping a sales staff member recognize sales opportunities.
Recognize Opportunities (Example 1)
An example of how sales team members can practice skills to recognize sales opportunities. Ask, Listen, Clarify and Confirm to uncover these opportunities.
Recognize Opportunities (Example 2)
An example of how sales team members can practice skills to recognize sales opportunities.
Redirection With a Coworker
How using positive redirection with a coworker improves relationships and performance.
Resolving Problems (Example 1)
A demonstration of how to use problem-solving skills to help resolve an issue with a sales team member.
Straight TALK™ - A Spotlight on Change in the Workplace
As organizations change with increasing speed, so does the pace in which employees must respond. This new Straight TALK™ series focuses on common change management issues facing organizations today. Intended for managers and supervisors, this series gets straight to the point by providing easy-to-understand information - directly from Sollah's premiere subject matter experts.
The Question That Stumps You
Handling questions and generating discussion
This Needs to Go Out Today
Offering internal customers solutions when their needs have not been met.
Whatever It Takes
Tension at work? Conflict on the shop floor? Here's an example of conflict between a manager and an employee; reflects different ideas of work/life balance and communication styles.
Where Are the Drop Cloths?
Handling interruptions effectively; putting your focus on the customer even when you're busy.
Why Did I Push All Those Buttons?
Dealing with a customer frustrated by an automated phone system.
You Promised It Would Be Here Today
Dealing with a customer whose expectations for timely delivery have not been met.
Attitude Is...™
A human being can change their life… by changing their attitude. It’s up to you. It’s your choice. A thought-provoking video that uses music, text and graphics to inspire and stimulate discussion about attitude and the effects it has on relationships and companies.
Resolving Conflict Is...™
Like it or not, when you work with people...conflict is going to happen. This thought-provoking, powerful short video uses impactful imagery, video and music to inspire and stimulate discussion about the proper ways to react to conflict - turning conflict into collaboration.
Team Spark: Adapt to Encourage Growth
Adaptive communication is a skill that is also critical to organizational growth. Keeping something the same just “because this is the way we have always done it” hinders an organization from innovating and progressing. Adaptation taps into employee skill sets and allows people to utilize their diversity to improve upon old “songs”, making a new version that supports growth.
Team Spark: Check Assumptions Before Judging
When judging the “dance” of another person, especially across differences such as culture, be careful about making judgments based upon what you think is important. Focusing on their “feet” while communicating may mean you are missing the most important part of their dance.
Team Spark: Craft Your Message With Purpose
Communication across differences is often done in a similar fashion. However, taking time to think about who, when, and how a message will be received allows the sender to craft a much more effective message that will produce much better results.
Team Spark: Create Structure to Help Bridge Barriers
The lack of face-to-face interaction reduces the team’s ability to adjust and adapt as quickly as a team that is located all at one site. In situations like this, having a clearly defined structure detailing everyone’s role and responsibilities is a key to success.