Insights on Achieving With Purpose, Power & Passion
Productivity, Engagement and TRUST
How many times have I heard over the past few years “I’m doing the work of 3 people!”… “They eliminate people but not the workloads!”…or “We are now doing more work with less people”….
Do you have more work to complete than any human being can achieve in a day? Does the work just keep piling up? Is this a habitual problem at your company? Is morale low? If all of this sounds familiar, then join the club of millions of workers who feel the same exact way you do!
Ok – go get a rubber band…..I view the workload issue like a rubber band. In good times, when workloads are low, the rubber band is slack, people are comfortable and when experiencing the occasional “peak of stretch”, they can handle it. However, in recent years, as the economy has gotten tighter, the rubber band of resources gets stretched tighter and tighter until it almost snaps. And, when it does snap, people break down from the workloads, stress and are overwhelmed. We’ve all seen it and it’s not pretty.
Here’s something else to think about as you ponder your rubber band. When you stretch anything beyond its elastic limit, then its ability to go back to a “normal” state is lost. Take your rubber band – hold it fully stretched for a long time and it will never go back to its original state. This happens to people who have been held at the snapping point so long that they “just get used to it”, forget what a normal, reasonable workload is – experience frustration, decrease productivity and no longer enjoy their jobs. Then the ugly negativity sets in….
How many of you have witnessed people who are constantly complaining about their “crushing workloads” however, when you’ve watched them, they really do have opportunities to conserve time and positively change their productivity levels. When I’ve listened to different managers, I’ve heard that they do not have enough resources to get the jobs done. The familiar statement is “I simply need more people to do the work” yet when these managers get together to discuss how they can make improvements, they will often state that they are frustrated because too many people are goofing off and not applying themselves. Interesting…..
Now – put your rubber band down…..
Did you know that the average company in the USA obtains less than 50% of the potential from their workforce on a regular basis? There is a definite disconnect between how people perceive being overworked and overloaded and the actual state of the workload. According to a recent study of 2000 people, roughly 60% of people felt they were bogged down, yet in reality there was plenty of productive time remaining, and with some basic reengineering of functions, systems and habits, there would be even more time available!
The cure for this problem is getting an employee engaged….and the road to achieve engagement is connected with TRUST! Without trust, workers will not reach their potential because they will not feel engaged in the work! When a leader engages their team and truly trusts the people on that team – that team feels special, empowered and that they are being trusted to make improvements. They are considered as a “high trust group”…and that specially trusted group will achieve a higher level of productivity…every time!
When you employ and develop a culture of trust, in both your personal and professional arenas, you achieve results and success – with HorsePower!
For more information on these topics and more, go to my website at www.betticoffeypresents.com
Leading with Authenticity, Integrity, Respect, and Trust
Everyone wants successful relationships where they can trust, have faith and rely on others! What makes for great relationships in both business and in our personal lives? How we present ourselves, what we stand for and how we expect others to present themselves is what makes relationships successful or not successful.
The first step is starting with respect. If we don’t respect those we have relationships with, in both our personal and professional lives, it’s going to be hard for us to feel safe and trust others. Without respect – there’s not going to be a real relationship! Trust is an important factor in everything we do and we seek people we can trust! So starting with respect – it is the first building block and foundation for trust.
Respect has to be earned. Our actions will either build up or tear down trust – and once it’s damaged – it’s hard to build back. To build respect we must act with real authenticity and integrity. And we must respect ourselves.
Authenticity is where we learn to be real. Too often I see people who are fake and phony. We all have known people who are “counterfeit” – and we walk away, never feeling comfortable in trusting them. When someone is authentic it’s easy to believe they are what and who they say they are.
Part of being authentic is when someone is congruent with both their actions and words. They do what they say they’re going to do! You can rely and count on them! When a person is congruent it becomes easy to trust what they say and not have to worry about being taken advantage of.
Integrity is what it’s all about. When you tell the truth, no matter how rough and tough it is, you are being authentic and will be seen as having integrity. Integrity to me is all about honesty and fairness. This means that we are fair to both others and ourselves in the dealings we have every day.
There will always be conflicts of interest in our lives. Integrity is what allows us to ask ourselves what the conflicts are and what is the best way to manage them. Leaders know that when you manage conflicts well – you will be trusted and respected by those around you – no matter how tough the situation and outcome.
I’ll be honest… those who show all these traits are the people I want to be around, have as friends, do business with and have in my life. These are people that always think about being honest, fair, are authentic, have integrity and are trustworthy. They are the people I admire the most, want to learn from and have strong relationships with. They are invaluable!
For more information on this subject or others, please callbetti@betticoffeypresents.com me at (214)763-6344 or email me at betti@betticoffeypresents.com
Thoughts for Memorial Day
“But the freedom that they fought for and the country grand they wrought for,
The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children.”
William Havard
My friends, as you remember the sacrifices that have been made to secure our freedoms, have a safe and blessed Memorial Day – make it special!
Enjoy this day with your friends and family – appreciate and “ride every stride”!
Betti
Body Language
Body language is not just how we hold and move our bodies…it also encompasses:- How we position our bodies when sitting, standing, leaning…
- Our closeness to others, the space between others, and us and how it changes
- Our facial expressions
- Our eyes especially and how we move and focus them (are you an “eye-roller”???)
- How we touch others and ourselves in a conversation
- How our bodies connect with things like pens, cigarettes, spectacles, clothing, furniture, etc.
- Our breathing, our heartbeats and perspiration
- Our voices…very important! The pace, pitch, volume, variation, pauses, intonation…
Body Language is especially crucial when you’re meeting someone for the first time! We form our opinions of someone we meet for the first time in just a few seconds, and this initial instinctual assessment is based much more on what we see and feel about the other person than on the words they speak! On many occasions we form a strong view about someone before they can speak even a single word! And remember…this works both ways!
When you understand the importance of body language – you have a gift that will give you a significant advantage in life – professionally and personally!
Body Language is a powerful concept that successful people tend to understand very well. Make it work for you…with HorsePower!
For more information, Contact me at:
Understanding Body Language and Strengthening Your Non-Verbal Communication Skills
An essential part of communication and strengthening your interaction skills is understanding body language. Understanding “Non-Verbal Communication” is critical in not only recognizing, appreciating, learning and gaining perspective into another person’s feelings and thoughts – but also in knowing how you yourself are being perceived!
Body language refers to the nonverbal signals that we use to communicate. These nonverbal signals are a large part of our daily communications and interactions with others. From our facial expressions to our body movements, the things we don’t say are incredibly important and can convey volumes of information!
Body language and non-verbal communication is thought to account for between 50-70% of all communication!
Body language is relevant to all types of interactions – management, leadership, all aspects of work and business… in addition to personal, family, parental relationships and bonds.
Communication includes listening and observing… a special type of witnessing, studying and perceiving of observable body language, messages, non-verbal signals.
Body language can go both ways…
Your own body language reveals your feelings and meanings to others! Do you know what messages you’re sending to others?
Other people’s body language reveals their feelings and meanings to you!
Be aware of the messages you’re sending out…and getting in.
And remember…those body signals happen on conscious and unconscious levels!
Always keep in mind that body language is not an exact science and no single body language sign is a reliable indicator.
Understanding body language involves the interpretation of several consistent signals to support a particular conclusion…so don’t be too quick to jump to an assumption!
When you understand the importance of body language – you have a gift that will give you a significant advantage in life – professionally and personally!
Body Language is a powerful concept that successful people tend to understand very well. Make it work for you…with HorsePower!
For more information on Body Language and other communication topics, contact me at http://www.betticoffeypresents.com/contact-betti.html
For more information on Body Language and other communication topics, contact me at http://www.betticoffeypresents.com/contact-betti.html
E.I. Tips
Tips to improve your Emotional Intelligence:
Ask people questions about their lives, interests, hobbies, their challenges, their families, their aspirations!
Pay attention not only to verbal cues but also to body language. It can say so much more!
Listen without judging. Tricky…but so important.
Use active listening; double check the meaning of what another person is saying by paraphrasing.
Don’t interrupt. Don’t change the subject. Let the person talk….and you listen!
Be fully present with body and mind. Never multi-task! Don’t read e-mails, take calls or think of something else.
Encourage people to speak – especially the quiet ones.
Grow in your emotional intelligence skills! Always!
Learn more about Emotional Intelligence and Empathy and how you can be more successful using these valuable tools…with HorsePower!
Listen with HorsePower
Listening is a magnet…it’s a strange thing…it’s a creative force. Never underestimate its power! The people who listen to us are the ones we will always move towards. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. We know that person…who is listening to us…really cares.The most successful leaders in business always listen to learn…and then they lead.
When leaders listen – they empower. They gain commitment. When a leader listens, they encourage diversity and collaboration! A true leader must be compelling in their ability to help others embrace change and company values that will lead an organization to success. They have to be able to do more than just verbally communicate. True leadership requires the ability to listen…and listen intently!
Listening at all levels of an organization will foster openness, collaboration and a sharing of ideas. When a person listens, they proved the opportunity to give the gift of meaningful feedback. That gift will enable everyone to feel valuable and grow.
So, I have a few questions for you to think about:
Who have you really, truly, deeply and emphatically listened to lately?
Think about a particular friend, colleague, and family member. How can you use listening to help this person “unfold and expand”? How by listening to this person can a particular challenge or issue be resolved?
Who has listened deeply and intently to you in the past? How did you feel?
What did that mean to you both personally and professionally?
Never underestimate the powerful tool of listening! Listen with HorsePower!
Managing and Developing Emotional Intelligence Skills with HorsePower!
There are Four Attributes in Managing and Developing Emotional Intelligence Skills with HorsePower…
Self-Awareness – learn to recognize your own emotions and understand how they affect your thoughts and behavior. Learn to understand your strengths, weaknesses and “triggers”…and gain control and self- confidence!
Self-Management – When you’re able to control your impulsive feeling, behaviors and emotions in healthy ways…you take initiative, follow through on your commitments and can adapt to any changing circumstances!
Social-Awareness – Understand other people’s emotions, needs and concern. Pick up on emotional cues! Gain confidence in social environments and be able to recognize the power dynamics in any group or organization!
Relationship Management – You’ll learn to develop and maintain good relationships, clearly communicate, inspire and influence other people, work well in a team setting and be an extraordinary resource in managing conflict!
Be empowered with strong Emotional Intelligence Skills Through HorsePower!
Contact us now and learn more about these 4 important Emotional Intelligence Attributes!
Growing your Emotional Intelligence Skills
Can empathy skills be taught? Can you develop your emotional intelligence and empathic capacities and increase trust and builds bonds?
People are born with general emotional intelligence that will determine their potential for learning emotional competencies. Research shows that if EI competencies can be improved, then they are sustainable! Older people show higher levels of empathy, suggesting that empathy may be learned through life experience. The more situations you experience, the easier it will be for you to emphasize with others and “put yourself in their shoes”.
So, while IQ is very much fixed…..EI can be improved with the right motivation!
Tips to improve your Emotional Intelligence:
Ask people questions about their lives, interests, hobbies, their challenges, their families, their aspirations!
Pay attention not only to verbal cues but also to body language. It can say so much more!
Listen without judging. Tricky…but so important.
Use active listening; double check the meaning of what another person is saying by paraphrasing.
Don’t interrupt. Don’t change the subject. Let the person talk….and you listen!
Be fully present with body and mind. Never multi-task! Don’t read e-mails, take calls or think of something else.
Encourage people to speak – especially the quiet ones.
Grow in your emotional intelligence skills! Always!
Learn more about Emotional Intelligence and Empathy and how you can be more successful using these valuable tools…with HorsePower!
For more information about Emotional Intelligence and other topics, contact me at
http://www.betticoffeypresents.com/contact-betti.html
Betti Coffey Presents…Horsepower in Action
Here is a video about Communicating with HorsePower! Enjoy