What they see is what they hear

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Stop! Did you hear what you just said? Not with your words, silly. But with your body language.

As a leader, you will be more effective if you convey a non-verbal message that matches what you say.  That means checking your body language when you are about to offer feedback, run a meeting, or ask for their input.

Here's your 6-point checklist:

• Head - holding your head straight up means confidence, tilted means listening
• Eyes - look at individuals in the triangle of their face: eyes up to forehead
• Smile - please do!  (Unless it's bad news, then be authentically concerned)
• Shoulders - down and relaxed sends a confident, calm message
• Hands - no crossed arms please!  Open arms is more collaborative
• Feet - stop walking and turn toward your audience

This week, right before you talk to one person or the whole group, take a moment and do the 6-point body-check.

And then check out our Program of the Month: Presenting with Impact.

Around the office in 80 days...

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What if I told you there was a way to increase employee engagement, customer satisfaction, innovation, alignment and empowerment - for free?

Wait… what?  Yep, it’s true.  

Idea of the month:  Host a Departmental Open House

Invite colleagues from other departments to come visit your department.
Have team members be ready to describe “a day in the life” of your team.

• Share challenges, motivations, goals and metrics that your department is working hard to achieve.
• Encourage questions and suggestions.
• Listen to them, and act on them.

Anecdote: When I worked at Chateau Whistler, a Fairmont Hotel and Resort, we would set up the ballroom as an internal tradeshow.  Employees would travel the aisles with a "passport” and earn stamps after learning about each of the other departments.  It was fun and effective!

BTW - that's why, if you mention to a server in the Wildflower Restaurant that your ski boots are cold or wet, they’ll tell you about the handy ski-check services!  Win-Win-Win

Psst! Ward to learn more from Ward Certified? Check out our Program of the Month.

Managing Up

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If I asked your boss to tell me about you, what would they say?
If I asked you about your employees, what would you say about them?
We tend to think our bosses would speak highly of us (‘cause we rock!) but don’t usually speak that highly of those who report to us. 

So, wait!  Does that mean maybe there’s a disconnect between your boss’s perception and your actual behavior? Could be.

Answer these questions to help align perception and reality:

1. Do I understand my boss’s expectations for me?
2. Does my boss know what I need to meet those expectations?
3. What have I been saying I’ll do and doing?
4. What have I been saying I’ll do and not doing?
5. What have I done and not said that I’ve done?
6. What have I not said and not done – am I missing opportunities to step up and offer assistance?
7. When others talk about my boss, whose side do I take?
8. What could I do to support my manager more effectively?

You spend a lot of time focusing on your team, which is critical. Take a moment and think up.

Check out our Program of the Month: Presenting with Impact!

Off track?

Ever been to a meeting that went off track?  A question that took the group down a rabbit hole?

The solution is to say let's “add it to the parking lot” or “take it offline.”  But both of those expressions feel tired and sometimes awkward.

New idea:  Create a safe word or phrase.

My suggestion is to choose something that makes you smile, such as: “Swiper no Swiping.”
No swiping our time!

Let the team know that anyone can simply say “Swiper no swiping” to signal that the conversation is going off track.  

Check to see if the conversation aligns with the meeting agenda, then you can decide to follow the thread or get back on track.

What phrases or words did your team choose?
 
Want to "swipe" some more tips from Ward Certified? Check out our Program of the Month here.
 

Picnic?

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Happy almost-Fourth-of-July!

It’s that time of year when the boss gets to wear an apron and BBQ burgers for the team, right?  (Psst! If you’re not planning a summer event for your team, you should – nudge, nudge!)

Often we book those company outings looking at the corporate calendar vs. people’s calendars.  Then we wonder why attendance is low.
This year, plan the dates before you plan the activity. Use software like Doodle to get buy-in on the date and time, then plan away.
 
Tip: By the way, volunteering is a great way to build teamwork, make Gen X's and Gen Y's happy, and help the world.

P.S.- You can buy that apron on etsy.

P.P.S.- Happy July! Check out our new Program of the Month: Presenting with Impact.

The Rat Race

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"The problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat."  -Lily Tomlin

If you are doing work that you believe adds no value to yourself or others, it is easy to become frustrated or demotivated.

Take a moment and think about your goals and values.  Then consider how what you do in your day supports (or doesn't support) those values.

For example:
If you value good health, making the time to exercise is a good connection.
If you value kindness, making time to listen to customers and colleagues is a good fit.

Make a list of your top 5-10 values.  Think about those as you go through your day.
Seeing the big picture can make it easier to put up with the little irritations. 

Want more Ward Certified? Check out our Program of the Month: Teambuilding with Style.

Mentoring the Change

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The past few weeks we've discussed Ways to Make a New Coworker Feel Like Part of the Team without overwhelming them or leaving them lost. For our final tip, let's look at how to help them throughout the rest of their career.

Tip #3: Connect them with someone who will help them succeed.

More experienced team members can offer advice, guidance, and can act as a sounding board. Encourage a new employee to find a mentor, and offer to create that connection.

What other tips can you share? 

Check out Program of the Month: Teambuilding with Style.