In today's economic times businesses are asking themselves the questions they probably should have been asking during the times of milk and honey. What is really necessary around here? How can we trim the fat? Which leads to lean... But "Lean" is often just associated with variation reduction, six sigma, and the like. But drilling down to the basics, lean is "how do we do business without the fluff?"
That really is the tough call. Who is the one deciding what is fluff and what is needed? As we pare down the different functions and people need training to do new tasks or as they move into new positions, again, how do you decide what they really need, and what is the least expensive, most effective option?
Often combined products are purchased and none of the multiple aspects live up to expectations. Other times you are so blown out of the water by the depth and usefulness of a product, you wonder why the price is so attractive. Those latter situations are the ones we really look for, don't we? And when you find them, do you share them with colleagues? Isn't that what networking is all about? Suddenly instead of a conversation being about you or your product, you are talking about something that will help their company in many aspects of its business, and will also build your relationship with the person you are networking with.
What seems to be the one thing that is the barrier to growth and/or profitability in many companies? In my mind it is all about relationships and communication. If you can't communicate clearly the goals and methods to achieve those goals, you might as well close the door. And when relationships start to form - good bad and everything in between, that's when you either have synergy or conflict.
So the road to synergy has to be in massaging the relationships while growing the business and guiding everyone toward set goals. What does that sound like to you? To me it's coaching. Effective coaching. But most people haven't been taught how to be a coach. My degree is in Organizational Behavior and Applied Psychology, and there wasn't a single course that was about coaching others. It was hinted at, but it was never fully on the table. So it is no wonder that as a leader, I wasn't the greatest coach in the world. It wasn't that I didn't have the general tools, I did. During my time in the military there was lots of 'on the job' training, coaching moments, and they helped me grow. I also graduated from the Army's Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and learned about primary leadership, but still that didn't give me all the tools that I needed.
Rabu, 25 Oktober 2017
Kamis, 12 Oktober 2017
Marriage Relationships and Communication - Learn 7 Communication Tips to Spark Those Loving Feelings
Do you know how many couples drift apart and lose the closeness in their marriage? Most people are aware of how words can hurt their spouses, but are you also aware of how you can use your words to build up you partner and your marriage?
There is a proverb in the Bible that says the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Here are seven ways you can start adding more life to your marriage through your speech.
1. Affirmation
Affirmation is telling our mate about his or her positive qualities. Early in our relationship this is easy.
However, everyone has both positive and negative traits. Over time, you may get so focused on the negative that you forget the positive traits your spouse has. Find something you appreciate about your spouse and tell them about it.
2. Telling the truth in love
We need to be honest with our partners even about small things. If your spouse discovers that you have lied about something, however small, it creates suspicion in their heart. They may wonder if you have lied about other things.
3. Focused listening
Focus on what your spouse is telling you; eliminate distractions, such as television, newspaper, or doing the dishes. Too many times we are planning our response before the other person even finishes their point.
4. Remember your spouse is not a mind reader
Even if you have been married forty years, your spouse still needs you to communicate with them. State your desires plainly and let them know what you expect from them.
5. Clarification and feedback
This makes sure that you understood your spouse. You can say, "Did I hear you say the pig is stuck in the chimney?" This allows your spouse to clarify by saying, "No, I said I picked up your brother Jimmy". Many misunderstandings could be prevented with this one simple step.
6. Reminiscing
Many couples forget the attraction that brought them together initially. Reminiscing enables you to reflect on happy memories which evokes loving emotions
7. Back to the future
When you discuss your future dreams together, it creates a sense of permanence. It helps you visualize the future and brings security into the present. This assures your partner that you plan to be there to fulfill that dream with them.
Keeping That Loving Feeling
Many couples are focused on the relationship problems and use negative, hurtful words. Initially it may take a lot of energy to find positive words to say to each other. However, the effort will help bring more intimacy to your marriage.
There is a proverb in the Bible that says the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Here are seven ways you can start adding more life to your marriage through your speech.
1. Affirmation
Affirmation is telling our mate about his or her positive qualities. Early in our relationship this is easy.
However, everyone has both positive and negative traits. Over time, you may get so focused on the negative that you forget the positive traits your spouse has. Find something you appreciate about your spouse and tell them about it.
2. Telling the truth in love
We need to be honest with our partners even about small things. If your spouse discovers that you have lied about something, however small, it creates suspicion in their heart. They may wonder if you have lied about other things.
3. Focused listening
Focus on what your spouse is telling you; eliminate distractions, such as television, newspaper, or doing the dishes. Too many times we are planning our response before the other person even finishes their point.
4. Remember your spouse is not a mind reader
Even if you have been married forty years, your spouse still needs you to communicate with them. State your desires plainly and let them know what you expect from them.
5. Clarification and feedback
This makes sure that you understood your spouse. You can say, "Did I hear you say the pig is stuck in the chimney?" This allows your spouse to clarify by saying, "No, I said I picked up your brother Jimmy". Many misunderstandings could be prevented with this one simple step.
6. Reminiscing
Many couples forget the attraction that brought them together initially. Reminiscing enables you to reflect on happy memories which evokes loving emotions
7. Back to the future
When you discuss your future dreams together, it creates a sense of permanence. It helps you visualize the future and brings security into the present. This assures your partner that you plan to be there to fulfill that dream with them.
Keeping That Loving Feeling
Many couples are focused on the relationship problems and use negative, hurtful words. Initially it may take a lot of energy to find positive words to say to each other. However, the effort will help bring more intimacy to your marriage.
Kamis, 28 September 2017
How Dinnertime Can Improve Family Relationships and Communication
Most adults can probably remember stories their parents and/or grandparents told about family dinners. With all the activities young people are involved in these days, lengthy hours put in at work by either or both parents, and even hours worked by many young people after school, the institution of a "family dinner" has all but disappeared. This is a trend we need to reverse.
Gathering the family together - even if it is only 2 or 3 times a week - is critical to improving relationships and is vital to good communication. There are many ways to stimulate conversation at the table. If talk does not come naturally, you could have a jar with topics in it that someone could pull from - or a similar method of choosing a topic. The topics could range from discussing the highlights of each person's day to discussing local events to the coming state or national elections. The goal is to get everyone involved and talking. Draw everyone into the conversation. If someone is uncomfortable, help them by giving them a little assistance. This could be in the form of stating a fact and asking what he or she thinks of it or how he or she thinks it would affect the family. Gently prod reluctant family members until they get accustomed to sharing with everyone. Make sure everyone knows that the family's conversation stays in the family and they are not to discuss any of the information with friends or other relatives unless the person who shared has given their permission.
Make these dinners fun for everyone, not only with the talk, but by making the dinner easy and something everyone likes. Let everyone participate in preparing the meal. You could have pizza ingredients and let everyone put their favorite toppings on their half of a pizza (or however much they would eat). While the pizza is baking, everyone could help set the table and start the conversation.
Perhaps a taco night is in order. Place Pyrex Storage Plus bowls on a lazy Susan (later, you can snap the lids on to keep the leftovers) and let everyone help load the bowls with chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, ground beef, chopped chicken, refried beans, shredded lettuce, chopped green onions, and whatever else your family likes on tacos. Of course, the meat would have to be cooked before placing it in the bowls. Again, everyone can pitch in and the conversation can begin the moment you start the preparations - or, you may just discuss the meal and hold the main topic for during the meal.
There are many dinners in which everyone could participate. Sub sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, spaghetti and garlic toast - as the children get older, you can expand the menus. Whatever you have for dinner, you might plan a special dessert one night a week. This could be something one of the family members makes, or a favorite treat you purchase, such as an ice cream cake. I, personally, think a homemade dessert would be very special and it could be rotated to give everyone the experience. Let the person in charge that week plan the dessert and prepare it alone - unless he or she asks for help. It doesn't matter if you have boys or girls - my son could cook pretty well by the time he was thirteen.
Gathering the family together - even if it is only 2 or 3 times a week - is critical to improving relationships and is vital to good communication. There are many ways to stimulate conversation at the table. If talk does not come naturally, you could have a jar with topics in it that someone could pull from - or a similar method of choosing a topic. The topics could range from discussing the highlights of each person's day to discussing local events to the coming state or national elections. The goal is to get everyone involved and talking. Draw everyone into the conversation. If someone is uncomfortable, help them by giving them a little assistance. This could be in the form of stating a fact and asking what he or she thinks of it or how he or she thinks it would affect the family. Gently prod reluctant family members until they get accustomed to sharing with everyone. Make sure everyone knows that the family's conversation stays in the family and they are not to discuss any of the information with friends or other relatives unless the person who shared has given their permission.
Make these dinners fun for everyone, not only with the talk, but by making the dinner easy and something everyone likes. Let everyone participate in preparing the meal. You could have pizza ingredients and let everyone put their favorite toppings on their half of a pizza (or however much they would eat). While the pizza is baking, everyone could help set the table and start the conversation.
Perhaps a taco night is in order. Place Pyrex Storage Plus bowls on a lazy Susan (later, you can snap the lids on to keep the leftovers) and let everyone help load the bowls with chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, ground beef, chopped chicken, refried beans, shredded lettuce, chopped green onions, and whatever else your family likes on tacos. Of course, the meat would have to be cooked before placing it in the bowls. Again, everyone can pitch in and the conversation can begin the moment you start the preparations - or, you may just discuss the meal and hold the main topic for during the meal.
There are many dinners in which everyone could participate. Sub sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, spaghetti and garlic toast - as the children get older, you can expand the menus. Whatever you have for dinner, you might plan a special dessert one night a week. This could be something one of the family members makes, or a favorite treat you purchase, such as an ice cream cake. I, personally, think a homemade dessert would be very special and it could be rotated to give everyone the experience. Let the person in charge that week plan the dessert and prepare it alone - unless he or she asks for help. It doesn't matter if you have boys or girls - my son could cook pretty well by the time he was thirteen.
Jumat, 08 September 2017
Relationships and Communication - Finding the Courage to Say What You Should Say Every Single Day
What if you went outside to the flower garden and found your beloved had died of a heart attack? This happened to a client of mine. She was shocked because her husband was so young and apparently healthy.
It would truly be hard to lose someone like that.
After my friend had buried her husband, she told me all she could think about was what she wished she had said to him or done with him.
She spent the next several weeks telling him how much she loved him, how very much she cared . . . in her thoughts and prayers. It was as if she hoped he could hear her.
If she had had some kind of warning, she might have been able to say what was in her heart . . . before it was too late. But so many times there is no warning.
What can we learn from this kind of experience?
Perhaps it can motivate us to think about what we need to tell our loved ones while we have the chance. Sometimes we want to say certain things, but we simply never get around to it. Other times, we wait for the right time, but it never seems to come.
If we ponder our family and love relationships, think about our friends and colleagues, we should ask ourselves, What hasn't been said that we would like to say?"
A Wonderful Communication Habit
I recommend cultivating the habit of digging down deep and speaking from the heart with all your loved ones . . . on a regular basis. If there is anything that needs to be said, say it. Don't wait.
After all, taking the time to communicate with care, concern and honesty is an act of love.
For some people who have a hard time speaking directly from the heart, this is a difficult task. But it is possible to learn. And the more you do it the easier it gets.
To get started, all you have to do is remind yourself that no one in your life is always going to be there. And you never know when the end of a relationship may come. So . . .
Say what you want to say and say it today!
For example, if you think your daughter is doing a great job as a new mother, then say so and be perfectly clear about it. If you're sorry for neglecting her when she was little, sit down over a cup of coffee or tea and tell her. If you've never given your spouse enough credit for the love and devotion they have given you, say it tonight! If you need to apologize to someone, do it! Why wait for tomorrow?
Tips For Shooting Straight From The Heart
1. The best time to tell someone how you feel is when things are going well and there seems to be no reason to say it.
2. Or say it now - now is often the very best possible time.
3. Keep it simple and be sincere.
4. Say it with a smile or a hug.
5. Let your words touch your loved ones in a special way. Give compliments and praise in a sincere but creative way that celebrates this person's life.
6. Don't be afraid to use the word "love," as long as you remember actions speak louder than words!
Saying what you really want to say is usually easier than you think, if you'll just get started.
Ask yourself how many people, who have moved on, do you wish you could talk with again? What would you tell them?
Give it some thought and let that be a guide for talking with the living.
I hope you will let this article serve as a friendly reminder for you to share your innermost loving thoughts and feelings with people on a regular basis. If you practice this wonderful interpersonal skill every day you will never have to wish you had said something . . . you will have exceptionally healthy relationships, and everyone in your life will know how you feel . . . they will feel greatly valued, respected and supported by you!
It would truly be hard to lose someone like that.
After my friend had buried her husband, she told me all she could think about was what she wished she had said to him or done with him.
She spent the next several weeks telling him how much she loved him, how very much she cared . . . in her thoughts and prayers. It was as if she hoped he could hear her.
If she had had some kind of warning, she might have been able to say what was in her heart . . . before it was too late. But so many times there is no warning.
What can we learn from this kind of experience?
Perhaps it can motivate us to think about what we need to tell our loved ones while we have the chance. Sometimes we want to say certain things, but we simply never get around to it. Other times, we wait for the right time, but it never seems to come.
If we ponder our family and love relationships, think about our friends and colleagues, we should ask ourselves, What hasn't been said that we would like to say?"
A Wonderful Communication Habit
I recommend cultivating the habit of digging down deep and speaking from the heart with all your loved ones . . . on a regular basis. If there is anything that needs to be said, say it. Don't wait.
After all, taking the time to communicate with care, concern and honesty is an act of love.
For some people who have a hard time speaking directly from the heart, this is a difficult task. But it is possible to learn. And the more you do it the easier it gets.
To get started, all you have to do is remind yourself that no one in your life is always going to be there. And you never know when the end of a relationship may come. So . . .
Say what you want to say and say it today!
For example, if you think your daughter is doing a great job as a new mother, then say so and be perfectly clear about it. If you're sorry for neglecting her when she was little, sit down over a cup of coffee or tea and tell her. If you've never given your spouse enough credit for the love and devotion they have given you, say it tonight! If you need to apologize to someone, do it! Why wait for tomorrow?
Tips For Shooting Straight From The Heart
1. The best time to tell someone how you feel is when things are going well and there seems to be no reason to say it.
2. Or say it now - now is often the very best possible time.
3. Keep it simple and be sincere.
4. Say it with a smile or a hug.
5. Let your words touch your loved ones in a special way. Give compliments and praise in a sincere but creative way that celebrates this person's life.
6. Don't be afraid to use the word "love," as long as you remember actions speak louder than words!
Saying what you really want to say is usually easier than you think, if you'll just get started.
Ask yourself how many people, who have moved on, do you wish you could talk with again? What would you tell them?
Give it some thought and let that be a guide for talking with the living.
I hope you will let this article serve as a friendly reminder for you to share your innermost loving thoughts and feelings with people on a regular basis. If you practice this wonderful interpersonal skill every day you will never have to wish you had said something . . . you will have exceptionally healthy relationships, and everyone in your life will know how you feel . . . they will feel greatly valued, respected and supported by you!
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