The goal

Here's an idea to try.

Send an email blast to your team and ask each person to write down their biggest priority for the day.  

Collect and read them.  

What do you think?  Is that what you thought the priority woud be?

If not, hold a quick huddle and reset the goal.  Be careful not to blame or make anyone feel bad, but rather to levate the goal or build consistency.

i.e. you might get some responses like, file, answer the phones, stuff envelopes, answer questions.

Have a standing huddle and say "Thank you for your ideas and for your hard work.  Let's make the goal today to make 10 people SUPER happy!"  Then spend 5 minutes brainstorming ideas on how to make thaat happen.

If you need a little inspiration - watch this video clip about Johnny the Bagger.  http://youtu.be/Xgq1rSR38zg 

Running late?

Study after study show us that we waste a lot of time in meetings.  One of the biggest contributors to that waste is people being late. 

A great way to encourage your team to be on time is to model the behavior you desire.

Tip of the day: Show up at least 5 minutes early to your meetings.

Need something to do if you are the only one in the room?

- if it's your meeting, practice your opening

- if you are an attendee, use that time to consider the impression you want to give and the ideas or questions you have about the topic at hand. 

- answer some emails, after all you have your phone with you - right?

If nothing else you will get first pick at the pastries!

Just checking...

  Have you ever…

• Rolled your eyes at an employees’ request or suggestion?
• Used sarcasm instead of dealing with the situation directly?
• Delivered negative feedback to an employee in front of the whole team?
• Shared bad news in a biting way? 

Embarrass an employee and you may take away their dignity.
Treat your team with respect and you will earn theirs. 
 
My Dad used to tell me that you can’t back people into a corner and win. 

This week, when you ask an employee to do something new or to change their behavior, give them time and space to absorb your message and treat them with dignity.  

I like to move it, move it...

The mind follows the body and the body follows the mind.

When people sit still, they lose the will.

I came across these words earlier this week and thought about how relevant they are to managing and customer service.  

In customer service we talk about how important our tone of voice is over phone and that we have control over our tone of voice. One of the best ways to ensure you sound upbeat, professional and confident is to change your body language.  Sit or stand tall, smile, move etc.    The voice also follows the body.

Participants in management sessions often ask about motivating people.  Motivation is internal.  What you can do is create an environment that inspires. Look for ways to create a sense of purpose, enthusiasm and urgency. When people sit still, they lose the will.

http://youtu.be/ecSCaZ_XPlo   (Dare you not to move it!)

What do you do to keep your team moving to that they have the ‘will’ to do their job well?

Ya, I'm Gonna Need the TPS Report

Want somebody to do something for you? 
Consider these pointers...

Explain your request. Aim to be factual and avoid the words “you need to”.
Explain the why Adding the reasoning or sharing your goal adds logic and incentive.
Offer a choice. People like to feel in control. When you offer a choice or provide an option you allow them to feel in control.
Walk away. Walking away after giving them a choice gives them a chance to think, and that’s when the engagement clicks in.

Here's what it might sound like...

Before: “Sheldon you need to get that report to me today by 2pm”
After: “Hey Sheldon, the client is calling later today to see what numbers we came up with. That’s why the report is so important. Let me know if you want to talk to the client when they call at 2pm or if you want to give me the report before that and I’ll take the call”