Monday, April 18, 2016
5 Ways to Create Advocates
Who are your advocates?
Advocates could be people inside your organization, or outside your business that advocate for you. These people who can recommend you to others in their network, share resources, products and services with others. Advocates are vital to anyone in corporate or entrepreneurial business.
If you want to create and build relationships with advocates you need systemized thoughtfulness. Yep that’s right a system to keep a track of connecting with them.
You might be saying ‘Neen I am too busy!’ I know, everyone is busy. I call this making time in time. Make time to use those small pockets of time to connect with people and let them know you are thinking of them i.e. while you are waiting for a meeting to start text a client to thank them for their business, when you are in your hotel room send an article to someone you found interesting. Make the most of each moment.
I do this with people inside my industry and outside my practice that might be looking for speakers for their annual leadership events and association conferences. If I am not a fit, I can recommend another fabulous speakers for them.
Here are 5 ways to create advocates using systemized thoughtfulness:
- Create a system – I confess, I don’t like spreadsheets, some people find them useful. It is the most, old fashioned and easy way to track connections. If you have a relationship management system use that, but keep it simple. You don’t need anything fancy.
- Share resources monthly – spend a few minutes each month sharing an article you have read, a book you have just finished or send something to remind them you were thinking of them. Update your spreadsheet and voila – you now have a system. Easy peasy.
- Keep top of mind – schedule a recurring appointment in your calendar to reach out monthly, carry your advocate list with you in your phone and if you see something while traveling or shopping, pick it up and send it along.
- Remember their holidays – if you have diverse team members, leaders or clients make a note of special holidays they celebrate and reach out to them at that time i.e. Greek Independence Day, Chinese New Year or Rosh Hashana.
- Review list annually – at the end of the year determine who you need to add or who you have strengthened relationships with that you don’t need to continue to connect with month.
Show someone they are important to you, give them the gift of your attention by regularly connecting to be a resource for them, promote others and also strengthen relationships. Who are your three advocates, reach out to them this week.
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Monday, April 11, 2016
Do You Have Grace Under Pressure?
What would you do if you had organized a big industry event and the headline speaker didn’t show up?
Or maybe you have a high profile project and the deliverables are going to be way behind deadline?
I witnessed the best example of grace under pressure recently at an industry event. It’s amazing what examples we have all around us when we pay attention.
The lights came up, he slowly walked on stage and immediately we knew something very sad had happened. The speaker’s disappointment was obvious in his body language and facial expressions.
Sitting in the audience of an industry conference, I was in awe watching the speaker who was scheduled to interview a living legend; announce the special guest was ill and unable to attend.
We were disappointed. Not only for what we would have learned listening to his distinguished career and advice, but for the interviewer, who had obviously invested significant hours to prepare for this event.
The speaker quickly turned disappointment into delight.
We observed how he authentically shared his personal disappointment and then turned an unfortunate situation into significant moment for everyone by choosing to interview another high profile person, legendary Scott Halford, with such fun and flair – the whole session was saved. The interviewer is a brilliant example of someone who pays attention to his guest; asking questions and listening intently for the response, adding information to expand examples and answers, repeating phrases and words used to show he was truly listening with intention.
The interviewer had a contingency plan. He showed the most remarkable tribute video to the speaker who was ill and he received a standing ovation (maybe the first standing ovation he’d ever received without being present).
This brilliant interviewer liaised with the conference chair, meeting planner, CEO and many others on the team, to create a moment that was talked about for weeks to follow and heavily discussed on social media.
Social media sites used words to describe the interviewer like ‘class act’, ‘role model’, and ‘epitome of class’, and ‘true professional’ to describe the handling of this, I’d add the word ‘exceptional.’ It’s always fascinating to me what people pay attention to on social media. This was an example of how to give great attention to a well deserved situation.
Every attendee in that ballroom witnessed how to elegantly handle a tough situation with grace, compassion, and eloquence.
As busy leaders working with your team, do you have contingency plans when your talent doesn’t arrive or the project is running late or a team member is ill, and do you do it with such grace under pressure?
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Wednesday, April 06, 2016
Becoming the Professional Butterfly – Guest Blog by Nido Qubein
Reinventing ourselves as leaders is critical to our continued success. It challenges us to focus on our weaknesses and areas of opportunity.
By doing fine tuning our skills, we can pay attention to those around us more and provide them the support and growth development they need to be their best.
I knew this blog post, Becoming the Professional Butterfly (see below) by the brilliant Nido Qubein would encourage you to push beyond your current self and develop into what you have the ability of becoming.
Enjoy,
Neen
When corporate leaders decide to re-engineer the corporation, they don’t just set out to improve the present system. They set out to create an entirely new system.
When you set out to re-engineer your life, you’re not just improving your present circumstances. You’re creating a whole new set of circumstances, in keeping with your vision of what life should be.
Harvard Business Review compares it with the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
“A butterfly is not more caterpillar or a better or improved caterpillar; a butterfly is a different creature,” noted authors Tracy Goss, Richard Pascale, and Anthony Athos.
Becoming the butterfly you want to be means putting the old circumstances in the past, and concentrating all your resources on creating the new ones.
This can be risky and scary. You’re leaving the comfort and security of the old cocoon and accepting the challenges and uncertainties of a free environment. It’s natural to want to leave the path open for a return to the old ways if the new ways don’t work out.
But if you leave the path open, you’re quite likely to retrace it. At the first sign of adversity, you’ll give up the adventure and return to your cocoon — the life you were trying to put behind.
A butterfly, of course, cannot return to its cocoon. The moment it makes its way to the outside and flutters its wings, it is committed to a new type of existence. Its life as a butterfly is not just a matter of what it does. It is also a matter of what it is.
You can shut off the path to retreat by transforming yourself into something you never were before.
The process of education can be transforming. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. wrote that when a mind stretches to embrace a new idea, it “never shrinks back to its original dimensions.” There is a qualitative difference between an educated person and an uneducated person, just as there is a qualitative difference between a butterfly and a caterpillar.
The worker mentality sees a job as a necessary evil that has to be endured until quitting time sets you free to pursue your real life. Professionals see their careers as rewarding components of their real lives. They learn to integrate their careers and their personal lives so that one meshes with and supports the other.
Workers wait for someone to tell them what to do and how to do it, and they let others worry about whether the way they’re told to do it is the right way. They may concentrate on performing their assigned tasks well, but won’t worry about what happens outside their own areas.
Professionals take responsibility for their own success and for the success of the organizations to which they belong. They see themselves as partners in prosperity with the organization, and see the organization’s ups and downs as their own. They are constantly looking for things that they personally can do to contribute to organizational success.
Workers accept a ceiling on success in return for a steady income. They are not boat-rockers, but believe in doing things the way they’ve always been done — which they perceive as the safe, cautious way.
Professionals are willing to take intelligent risks, accepting the possibility of failure as a fair price for the opportunity to grow.
Workers concentrate on the means. They do their jobs without worrying about how their jobs contribute to the total picture.
Professionals concentrate on the ends. They see their jobs in terms of how they contribute to the organization’s success.
Professionals are usually perceived as good because they go the extra mile to be good. They keep up with the latest developments in their field, and share their knowledge with others. They communicate confidence, dressing and grooming themselves for success and always conscious of the importance of image.
To achieve this type of professionalism, you must set a high standard for yourself and never allow yourself to fall below that standard.
As an educator, he is president of High Point University, an undergraduate and graduate institution with 4,300 students from 40 countries. He has authored two dozen books and audio programs distributed worldwide. |
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Monday, April 04, 2016
10 Ways to Create Attentive Meetings
Ever sat in a meeting checking your email?
Ever attended a meeting and wondered why you were there?
Ever been frustrated by a badly run meeting at your company?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone!
When did it become OK to be rude in meetings or to be on our devices rather than pay attention? If you want to engage your team members, board members or participants in your next meeting here are ten strategies to help people pay attention and get faster results from your meetings.
- Publish the purpose of the meeting – in your meeting invitation explain the purpose in one sentence. Let attendees know what you will do and keep it action-oriented i.e. brainstorm, decide, determine next steps, finalize the project, debrief event. Be specific.
- Stop being rude – email is not more important than the meeting. Give participants a reason to pay attention and lead by example.
- Shorten meetings – instantly halve your meetings and see what happens. Stop wasting people’s time. If you host 60-minute meetings try 30 minutes, if you host 30 minutes try 15 minutes. People will thank you when you give them time back.
- Consider device free meetings – if you are brainstorming new ideas or handing a tough conversation ask people to put away devices to pay attention for short periods of time.
- Control side bar conversations, disruptive attendees and tangent conversations with his simple (and assertive) line ‘For the sake of time, let’s move on’ – keep the conversation moving.
- Cancel meetings – if you don’t have the decision maker or the information required to make a decision, cancel the meeting. If you don’t need to ask others to invest their minutes with you, give them back. People will appreciate you.
- Decline meetings – if you are unsure the purpose of the meeting or how you will add value to the meeting, say No. Yep, that’s right. No is a complete sentence. Decline the meeting. Be brave.
- Summarize actions before the meeting end – allocate owners and timeframes to actions and ask people to report back between meetings on progress. A meeting with no agreed outcomes is a waste of time.
- Listen with your eyes – show people you are listening to them by being involved in the conversation, asking relevant questions and probing for more answers. Use your body language to actively participate and pay attention.
- Read Death by Meeting – this brilliant book is one of the best I have ever read on this topic. It defines four styles of meetings and when to host them. Check it out.
In a time of massive change, technology changing he pace we work and many organizations wanting to get more out of fewer resources, one of the best things you can do is eliminate unnecessary meetings and run more efficient meetings. If someone gives you the gift of their attention in your meeting, honor them and make it worthwhile.
Love to hear your ideas for making your meetings more productive, and what have been your results, share them in the comments below.
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Tuesday, March 29, 2016
3 Tips to Pay Attention to the Old Fashioned Ways
My grandfather was a farmer, a community leader and he sang in his church choir. When he was alive, he used to write me long letters. Even as an adult, I will get so excited when I saw one in my post box and I would make coffee, sit in a cozy spot and read them. With each word I could hear his voice updating me on his adventures with Nanna; the animals on the farm, and his volunteer work. I loved him deeply and miss him, and one of my regrets is I didn’t keep all those letters.
I still love hand written notes. There is something precious about someone taking the time to write you a note, rather than send an email or a text.
In our busy digital world, sometimes the analogue approach gets more attention and has more impact.
Here are three ways to share old fashioned attention to get results:
- Write thank you notes – no one does this anymore (except Jimmy Fallon). My friend and fellow speaker, Thom Singer does this, imagine how impactful it is for his clients when they receive a hand-written note after he has spoken at their conference. When was the last time you wrote a note to a team member to say thank you, a vendor to thank them for their partnership or a family member to thank them for a memory? Could you carry stamped stationery with you to make the most of those small pockets of time? I call this making time in time.
- Make a phone call – did you know a phone call is now considered a personal touch! That’s crazy. In the world of tweets, texts and instant message some think it’s quicker and easier to send an electronic communication. When is the last time you called a client to thank them for their business, no sales pitch, no requests, just a thank you? The sound of your voice, the action of investing time to call will make a big impact on them.
- Make a date – my goddaughters and I have an annual date to celebrate the holidays, and it involves a show in New York, lunch and of course, shopping. It’s a tradition we keep to create memories. One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is your time and attention. Do you have someone you meant to catch up with? A team member you can take to lunch? A potential partner who can help you serve your clients? Schedule time to share a meal, host a Skype date or a virtual coffee. I schedule tele-coffees (that’s where you make a coffee and I make a coffee and we talk on the telephone). I do tele-cocktails on Fridays – love those!
Show someone you care this week. A note to a team member praising their work, a call to a client to thank them for their business, a date with a friend you haven’t seen in awhile. Give someone your attention.
In our distracted, crazy busy worlds people want to know that you see them and you hear them. Show someone they matter to you today by paying attention the old fashioned way.
Love to hear your stories or ideas if you use these strategies. Share your results in the comments below.
Neen’s Tip of the Day:
Invest 15 minutes writing a note, calling a friend or scheduling a date with someone you care about.
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Thursday, March 24, 2016
What’s your next goal? Mine is a half marathon.
A simple question, with a complex answer.
When asked the question I wasn’t sure about the answer.
It’s no secret I am an ‘all-in’ kinda girl. If I love you, I love you with my whole heart, if someone dares me to run a marathon (apparently) I do, and I also have an addictive personality (dangerous combination).
Realizing I was in a rut, and didn’t have the next big goal to really look forward to, I turned back to running.
Before Spring 2015 I was never a runner, yet in that same year I started running and trained for a marathon in less than 6 months (did I mention I was crazy too).
Now I have a new half marathon (just a half, not a full) on the calendar for October it’s time to begin training (carefully and thoughtfully this time instead of last time where my stubbornness and ‘all-in’ is the only thing that got me over the line).
As I haven’t run for such a long time and my overweight, over-tired body sure does know it, it will be a long process however having hired my running coach again putting it in writing, I am fully accountable.
I like that running doesn’t let me down, clears my head, doesn’t want anything from me…. Just me; the road and my playlist. There is something freeing about the ability to go and run and work out any concerns or frustrations I have.
Because of the lifestyle I choose to lead, running is a good goal for me, a half marathon is manageable and I believe where you focus your attention you get results. What’s your next goal? What’s something you are working towards that you could share with someone else to keep you accountable?
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Monday, March 21, 2016
3 Ways to Pay Attention and Tidy Up this Spring
Ever hear you mum or dad say ‘tidy up your room!’ I did. Growing up, my little sister and I shared a room and yet we didn’t share the same idea of what ‘tidy up’ meant. It may not surprise you that I liked to label things, color code and designate specific containers for Barbie doll clothes and toys (I can hear you laughing). To me tidy equals clarity.
I love choices. I love the freedom to choose (which might explain my shoe collection but that’s another topic for another blog)!
Ever feel like clutter distracts and overwhelms you? Does it prevent you from making the clearest, best choices?
The best leaders know attention pays. We need to pay attention to what matters so we can create more significant moments for our clients, our teams and our family.
In order for you to make the best choices, you must pay attention to what matters most in your surroundings. This may result in a need for you to tidy up your space to eliminate distractions and enable you to make quicker decisions.
According to a Newsweek report, the average American spends a year of their life looking for misplaced items… A YEAR! No, thank you! The distractions that come with clutter challenge our ability to be productive and remain calm.
I’m a fan of Marie Kondo book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (you can watch our book review video here). Her philosophy is simple; hold each item and ask yourself ‘Does this spark joy?’ – her follow up book Spark Joy, is a brilliant sequel.
Here are 3 ways to tidy up and improve your ability to pay attention:
- Notice everything – look at your desk as you read this… does it show you are in control? Is it a true reflection of your knowledge? Is it important to you? If not, now’s the perfect time for a quick 15-minute spring to eliminate unnecessary distractions. Notice your calendar. Do the meetings have clear purpose? Are they productive? Do they positively achieve the goals set? If the answer is no, perhaps it’s time to tidy up your schedule. Free time to accomplish tasks and reevaluate the purpose of your committed meetings.
- Give everything a place – invest time to allocate space for the things that are important. After applying Kondo’s strategies, everything should have a designated space making it quicker to find and utilize in accomplishing tasks. It’s a simple strategy with a big impact. Do your team members have a place on your calendar to regularly chat about their development, projects and client challenges? If not, choose a date and time on your calendar to devote to team development.
- Create calm – Organizing your work space and your calendar will create calm for you and your team. When everything has a place we don’t waste time and energy trying to find things. If everyone knows the mission or objective of the team they are less likely to get stressed not knowing what to work on next. The productiveness created by a tidy space and the routine that compliments it creates clarity and peace necessary for success.
Think about what is distracting you right now? If it’s clutter, tidy up. If it’s an unfinished conversation, schedule it. If it’s an overdue thank you, say it.
With this week’s arrival of spring (for my US readers), it is the perfect time to eliminate what you don’t need, clear clutter and tidy up. Schedule a pick up by your favorite charity to donate items others could benefit from using. Start today. Spring Clean. Remember Attention Pays.
Love to hear your ideas below of how you manage to tidy up and pay attention to what matters.
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Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Top Tips on Accountability, Attention and Productivity
Paying attention increases accountability, profitability and productivity.
Time management is out the window.
Productivity was the conversation of yesterday.
Today’s conversation and the most important topic, is attention!
Yes you guessed it; attention pays.
Over the years, we have shared how to accomplish more and focus on what matters. Here is a fun selection of blogs written to assist you with focus on the people and projects mean the most to you.
5 Ways to give Attention on Facebook
Read: http://ift.tt/1LMm5Nm
Watch: https://youtu.be/5bqIoMIHSxI
3 Ways Confidence gets Attention
Read: http://ift.tt/1ZMw5Hx
Watch: https://youtu.be/9FSgYVEk8ws
3 Strategies to Share Your Message for Attention
Read: http://ift.tt/1Ikgrkg
Watch: https://youtu.be/cAp3Ooicp4k
Pay Attention to Your Community
Read: http://ift.tt/1lqIaVz
Watch: https://youtu.be/PFKk10IovPE
3 Strategies for Leaders to Accelerate Attention, Appreciation and Affection
Read: http://ift.tt/1PwduiG
Watch: https://youtu.be/Z3bfSKwPm5w
3 Strategies to Pay Attention to Your Existing Clients
Read: http://ift.tt/1Rqdk9U
Watch: https://youtu.be/UbrZXg8YDfs
Call to action:
Where can you invest your attention this week?
Can you share these ideas with your team?
Share with us which of these blogs were most beneficial to you.
Can’t wait to hear from you
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Monday, March 07, 2016
5 Ways to Give Attention on Facebook
Love it or hate it (and depending on the day, I move between both of these emotions…) Facebook is a way to show people attention.
I admit sometimes it often drives me crazy… some posts are so bad, I can’t help myself and still read and sometimes I see posts and shake my head. However the positive aspects of Facebook of being able to connect to my family in Australia, chat with friends around the world and see life changing events for others in real time… makes it all worthwhile.
I have been known to say ‘I don’t need to read other people’s crazy to feed my crazy’ #truth.
Here are 5 ways to give attention to others using Facebook:
- Like a post – it’s a simple click of a button and now Facebook offers more emotions like Wow, HaHa, Love or Dislike. It shows someone you read their post.
- Comment on a status – spend a moment to write a quick comment so someone knows you saw it and have an opinion.
- Share a memory – one of my favorite features is Facebook shows old photos of memories shared with others. You can then re-share and remind someone of something fun that occurred.
- Add to a discussion – Facebook has groups where you can add value, share a resource or help someone in a conversation.
- Shoot a video – for people I adore when it’s their birthday, I shoot a little video singing Happy Birthday (I do NOT have a great voice, but it’s fun). Videos allow others to hear your voice, see your face and know you went a little extra just for them.
What would you add to this list to give someone attention on Facebook? Love to hear your ideas below
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Tuesday, March 01, 2016
Book Review: Marie Kondo’s ‘Spark Joy’
Marie Kondo’s unique KonMari Method of tidying up is nothing short of life-changing—and her first book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has become a worldwide sensation. You may recall, I previously reviewed her book, and found it to be a fabulous resource with inspiring words encouraging everyone to simplify their surroundings. In Spark Joy, Kondo shares how to declutter and organize specific items throughout your home and office from work-related papers to hobby collections. User-friendly line drawings illustrate Kondo’s patented folding method as it applies to shirts, pants, socks, and jackets, as well as images of properly organized drawers, closets, and cabinets. This book is perfect for anyone who wants a home—and life—that sparks joy.
When you consider your surroundings, I challenge you to ask yourself: Does this really matter? Does this spark joy in my life? Might it spark joy for another?
Enjoy,
Neen
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Monday, February 29, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Monday, February 22, 2016
How to Stay Relevant and Current in Changing Times
It seems one of the biggest challenges for leaders today is how to remain current and relevant in such changing times.
More than 3,000 books are published daily (and I am not talking electronic books), and there are more text messages sent and received on a daily basis than there are people on the planet!
Our access to information via Google and other online sources is enormous. How do you stay relevant with so much information available to you?
It’s not the information age; it’s the age of over information!
To stay current and relevant today you need to educate yourself, energize your skills, embrace technology and engage in social media. Do you want people to pay attention to your company, your team and your results – use these strategies to attract and keep attention on what matters.
Just like in school where every year you got an annual report card as a snapshot of where you were at, this month decide to measure how relevant are you in your organization?
Leaders today need to focus on four areas to stay relevant in such dynamic times.
Educate Yourself
Is your personal education adding value to your conversations each day and managing your team? If not, what actions do you need to take to increase your education? Can you attend industry event and conferences? Can you complete online webinars and programs to bridge any gaps in your learning? Is it time to invest in watching TED talks of thought leaders in your area? Can you hire a mentor to provide an accelerated learning process? It’s up to you… not your boss or your clients to tell you. If you want to add value to your team, your industry and yourself – get educated.
Energize Skills
When was the last time you did a personal skills audit? Often it isn’t until leaders want to make a change of job or industry that they stop to update their resume. If you want to say truly relevant in your organization choose to accelerate this process and allocate time to a review. What one skill are you good at that would impact your business the most? Focus your attention on getting even better at that one skill and accelerate your results – get energized.
Embrace Technology
Are you across the latest time-saving technologies for your everyday activities? Have you found a cell phone that can help you achieve the demands of your communications needs? Is your computer system helping you achieve the results you want … or … are you putting up with slow machines, outdated equipment, and redundant applications? Challenge yourself to embrace the technologies that are most relevant for you and your clients. This may mean upgrading some areas of your technology, investigating the latest apps and spending time and money in new systems. If you want to amplify your message using platforms including social media and apps – start embracing.
Engage Social Media
According to Fast Company magazine, 78.6% of sales people using social media to sell outperformed those who weren’t using social media. They went on to say when it came to exceeding sales quota (by more than 10%); social media users were 23% more successful than their non-social media peers.
Social media is not a passing fab.
You don’t have to participate on every platform however now is the time to engage in conversation with your clients on the platforms most suitable for them. At a minimum every professional needs a LinkedIn profile (consider it your own personal website). How current is your photo? Your skills listed, your experiences – spend time today updating it. Do your clients hang out on Facebook? Is your business page regularly providing value to your readers to advance your message? Are you participating in conversations on Twitter with your community. Find the platform most beneficial for you and your clients and advance your conversations using this too – get engaged!
What are your ideas on how you can stay relevant in such changing times? Share your ideas with us here on our blog.
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Don’t Sprint the Marathon: Positive Changes take Pacing – Guest Blog by Tami Evans
As someone who started running and then ran a marathon in 6 months later (crazy I know), I ran really slowly and I loved every step of it. It’s incredible what you can achieve when you pay attention to what matters. I loved Tami’s blog and thought you might too.
Enjoy,
Neen
26.2
You’ve probably seen the sticker, and chances are you know someone who actually earned the sticker. 26.2 This number represents the amount of miles run to complete a marathon. It takes the average marathon runner 4 ½ hours to do it.
As a runner… well, a slogger (slow + jogger)… my sticker would only read 3 which is the number of miles I am able to complete a few times per week – and it takes me about 30 minutes. But even on my relatively short shuffle, I have to pace myself – If I tried to run my 3 miles in 15 minutes, I would fail.
So, you know that bright shiny feeling of power you feel facing this new year? Perhaps you named a few new behaviors you were excited about incorporating? You feel full of potential and able to achieve your most elusive goal?
Pace yourself.
The positive changes most of us want to incorporate are BIG changes – otherwise we would have made them on a random Tuesday last November. And big changes are like a marathon. You can’t sprint a marathon. Don’t expect to hit mile markers every day, every week even, but do keep moving toward the finish line.
If you start to feel the familiar urge to chuck it all and revert back to old habits, or think “Holy wha! Look at the pile of stuff on my to-do list, how did I think I would have time to make a change?!?” Please don’t give up the race. Rather, step off to the side for a quick slug of water and a hamstring stretch. Then take a deep breath and get back in there, moving forward, slowly one step at a time. Even if you find yourself back at the starting line – keep starting!
It may take all 52 weeks to complete your goal or institute your positive behavior change. So what if it takes all year? At the end of 52 weeks you will have achieved a major accomplishment. Which is a heck of a lot more than you will achieve if you step out of the race because it takes longer than you would like.
You decided on this positive change for YOU. Don’t let anyone or anything muck up your marathon. Now, lace up and let’s get going!
Meet Tami Evans – quirky chic and, WOW, she can speak!
Genuine and funny, motivational speaker Tami Evans specializes in crucial content with heaps of humor! Her eloquent and engaging keynote programs are perfect for national conventions and conferences, for Associations & Organizations, teacher in-service programs, kick-off meetings, lunch & learn sessions, and more!
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Monday, February 15, 2016
Stop Being Rude
When did it become acceptable to be rude by paying more attention to our gadgets than to each other? How often have you witnessed people failing to pay attention to those around them because they are looking down at their phone? Are you guilty of this behavior? I believe it’s something most of us struggle with and must resolve to change.
Whether you are with people you know, or interacting with a stranger, it’s time to stop being rude.
Watch my 3 tips to stopping rude behavior, being kind and connecting with those around you. Give your attention to those that matter most.
Can you commit to paying more attention?
Can you commit to putting down the device and connect with those around you?
Leave your comments for how you will begin to pay attention and connect with those that matter.
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Tuesday, February 09, 2016
Monday, February 08, 2016
Be a Force of Nature
An ah-mazing speaker I admire with a brilliant mind interviewed me for an industry program and I was so flattered by his introduction, he said ‘she is a force of nature’ – it stopped me in my tracks, made me smile and I wondered what does that mean?
When you call someone a force of nature it means the person has a strong personality or character — like a hurricane or a tsunami – they might be full of energy, unstoppable, unchallengeable, unforgettable. In summary, a person to be reckoned with – that made me smile even more!
Are you a force of nature?
What is your energy level? Your drive? Your confidence level?
Can you be, as the great speaker Patrick Henry says, ‘Remember-able?’
I am surrounded by people who are forces of nature. It’s fun to observe them, debrief their actions that impresses me.
Listed below are observations we can all apply at work, at home, and in our community.
Make people matter – be fully focused. Can you give someone the gift of your undivided attention so they realize they are the most important person you are talking in that moment in time? This means STOP looking at your cell phone and look someone in the eye. Stop making technology more important than people. Please put your cell phone away.
Invest wisely – be deliberate with how you invest your time, energy and attention to the people and the projects that will give you the best ROA (return on attention). Say ‘no’ to the things that don’t matter. We have a mantra in our office that says ‘if it’s not yes, it’s no’. It sounds simple and it’s incredibly liberating when you do it. Stop wasting time in indecision. Make a decision and move on.
Enter energetically – your energy is contagious. You can change the energy of a conversation, presentation or the feeling of a room simply by the way you enter it. Show us as the best version of yourself as you walk in with assumption that everyone wants to play with you (that’s my belief). This means walking in confidently, with a real smile on your face and not looking at your cell phone. It means extending your hand first to shake hands, it means not looking like the ‘bag lady’ weighed down with too many bags, coffee mugs and clutter. Stop walking into meetings connected to devices, clearing emails and not acknowledging your team members. Make people matter.
Attention pays. Paying attention increases profitability, productivity and accountability.
I challenge you, today to make someone feel like they are the most important person you have met, talked to, texted, called, or seen. People want to be seen and heard. The forces of nature I have in my life have mastered this skill. Be a force of nature today.
Many of you have shared you want to be more productive this year. Our new online Folding Time Mentoring Program has just been released, check it out and each month I will pop into your inbox (well not literally) with videos, blogs, white papers, interviews, templates and all kinds of goodies – sign up today!
The post Be a Force of Nature appeared first on Neen James.
Monday, February 01, 2016
“Eyes Full of Dreams” Book Review
“Eyes Full of Dreams” is a wonderful book written by Scott Ginsberg, aka: Name Tag Scott.
Scott is a brilliant professional speaker, writer, photographer and songwriter. His new book is an interactive, fun and thought provoking resource for anyone who wants to pay attention to what matters.
Pick up a copy of “Eyes Full of Dreams” and set goals for yourself that will help you focus and pay attention to how you can increase profits, build lasting relationships and cultivate business.
To learn more about Scott and his work on “Eyes Full of Dreams,” go to http://ift.tt/1c22YGO. Learn more about him, or check out his TEDx speaking event here. Follow, watch and learn from Scott. He knows how to get attention for his message the RIGHT way.
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Sunday, January 24, 2016
Confidence Gets Attention: Know Yourself, Your Team and Your Ideas
Confidence gets attention. Confidence gets results.
Do you know someone that walks into a room and you can tell they feel confident, in themselves, their outfit, their knowledge? They have a presence about them and they present their ideas with authority.
If you want to get the right attention for you, your team and your ideas here are three strategies to help you today:
Know Yourself: invest time to know your strengths (and your stressors). Explore assessment tools, read books like Fascinate by Sally Hogshead, Strength Finder 2.0 or do an assessment with Core Clarity online… so many great tools available.
Early in my career, sitting in Barb’s office (she was a beautiful, elegant and fantastic boss), and she gave great advice saying “Neen you need to know 3 things you are good at, don’t blink and don’t look away”. What are your three things you are good at?
Knowing this has helped with job searches, projects and promotions over my career. Watch this video for more ideas:
Know Your Team: know their strengths, invest in training and development and know the status of their projects. Always be looking for ways to promote your team to others in your organization. What are your team’s top three priorities this week?
Know Your Ideas: I love creating ideas and especially contextual models to support real thought leaders… however I am not fabulous at the implementing routine activities. I love helping brainstorm ideas, capture ideas… I just don’t enjoy implementing them (I definitely leave that to talented consultant colleagues). Do you believe in your ideas? Can you present your ideas with conviction and make them easily understood to those in your meetings and presentations?
Positioning your unique thoughts confidently makes you stand out in a room and within your organization.
When you know yourself, your team and believe in your ideas you are able to walk into any room, meeting or presentation with your head held high, a smile on your face and true confidence to get attention for your team, projects and ideas. Try this out today.
Many of you have shared you want to be more productive this year. Our new online Folding Time Mentoring Program has just been released, check it out and each month I will pop into your inbox (well not literally) with videos, blogs, white papers, interviews, templates and all kinds of goodies – sign up today!
The post Confidence Gets Attention: Know Yourself, Your Team and Your Ideas appeared first on Neen James.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Top 10 Leadership Strategies for the New Year
The beginning of a new year always provides a fresh perspective and a time for us to reflect on what worked, and what didn’t previously. This tip list provided by Mark Sanborn is perfect to print and hang in an area you frequently see. Let it be the reminder you need to focus on what matters most.
Attention Pays,
Neen
- Revisit why you lead. Get clear on your purpose, not just your strategies and tactics.
- Refocus on the most important things you should be doing. It won’t be a long list.
- Tend to important relationships. Repair for some and renewal for others might be in order.
- Set a few big goals. Aim for the big things that matter. Don’t get distracted by the insignificant.
- Pay attention to the difference between activity and accomplishment. It isn’t about how busy you are; it is about how much you get done.
- Dig deeper. Don’t stop at first or second thoughts. Think harder than others are willing to do.
- Learn something new every day. Go to bed smarter than you woke up.
- Develop your team. If your people aren’t getting better, you’re not leading effectively.
- Work hard and have fun. Don’t make the two exclusive.
- Be grateful and express it frequently to others.
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Monday, January 18, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
What’s Your Contextual Word?
One word. What is one word to describe your 2016?
Mine is attention. What’s yours?
A gazillion years ago, I heard Matt Church recommend a focus word for the year. I have been doing it ever since. He’s so smart.
A contextual word allows you to focus your time, attention and energy into the people and projects that matter most to you. Could you create one this year?
Is your new year’s resolution already broken? I don’t set them because it seems that if I couldn’t’ master the behavior last year, it’s not going to happen with some silly, over-tired, champagne-induced resolve!
This year my contextual word is attention (it is also the name of my new book and the keynote I share with clients as the opening keynote speaker at their events). My desire is to pay more attention at home, work, in my community.
Here are a few ideas to help you implement your word:
Choose Five: We set goals in five areas: spiritual, relational, physical, financial and educational. Maybe you could use a similar framework? This year I intend to be more focused through regular mediation (spiritual), connected (relational), stronger and fitter (and definitely need to weigh less, boy oh boy when I stopped paying attention to my food and champagne choices I gained 15 lbs, yuck), diligent with money (financial), and study deeper (educational). What are your 5? Megan Kristel wrote a great blog on her 2016 goals for real people and I loved the terminology she used.
Choose ‘No’ – choosing to focus on your word might seem selfish to others (it’s not!) and it means you might have to say no to things more often and in awkward situations. It’s no secret I love champagne, this month I am avoiding it (stop judging), I am also avoiding chocolate, fries and anything else that seems to stay around my middle. I have also said no to people who want time that drain my energy (do you have anyone like that in your life), projects that sounded fun but weren’t profitable, and invitations that don’t make me happy. Selfish? Maybe? I prefer to say self-full. No is a complete sentence!
Choose now – make a decision. Determine your focus. Write it down. Share it with a friend, your partner, and/or your team. Share it online to accelerate accountability. Now go and implement it. Easy peasy (well not really, but it will become your new decision filtering system).
You don’t have time to everything, only time to do what matters.
Today choose people, projects and passions that are going to help you stay focused on your contextual word… and share with me your word, I’d love to hear it. Let’s do this together.
Many of you have shared you want to be more productive this year. Our new online Folding Time Mentoring Program has just been released, check it out and each month I will pop into your inbox (well not literally) with videos, blogs, white papers, interviews, templates and all kinds of goodies – sign up today!
The post What’s Your Contextual Word? appeared first on Neen James.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Thursday, January 07, 2016
6 Must-Haves to Be Influential Monday to Monday
Are you consistent from Monday to Monday? Do you put on your “A” game with the same level of effort, focus and preparation for ALL conversations as you do for high-stakes presentations?
Influence from Monday to Monday requires you to be consistent with how you deliver a message and the words you speak during all interactions and through all communication mediums. This high level of communication takes discipline, hard work and a lot of focus.
Begin TODAY applying the six must-haves.
- Where are you going? Have a clear and specific vision of what you want to improve. Be willing to commit to and make that vision your reality. Begin by writing five specific action steps to improve your communication, which you promise yourself you’ll accomplish. Is it time to avoid the “uh’s” and “um’s” that are cluttering your message and allowing your listeners to question your knowledge?
- Avoid doing it alone! Every day, ask a family member or peer to immediately give you constructive feedback on the communication behaviors you’re focusing on. This feedback can occur during a phone call, face-to-face or Skype conversation, Google Hangout, meeting or presentation. Ask them to let you know when your non-verbal behaviors are distracting or purposeful.
Be consistent. The perception
- Is what you’re saying consistent with how you’re saying it? Tailor your message to your listener by asking yourself, “Why would my listener be interested in my topic?” your clients create of you during your presentation needs to be the same perception they created of you during that first interaction. Influence from Monday to Monday means you never speak with non-words or filler You consistently connect and engage with your listeners during all conversations. You walk into every room like you belong there. You have a polished presence that communicates your attention to detail and that you’re someone whom your client can rely on.
When you’re consistent through your words and actions, a trusting reputation builds. Others will want to listen and follow your lead. If they’re following you, there’s a strong probability that they’re influenced by you Monday to Monday.
- Seeing is believing. At least once a month, video or audio record yourself during your day-to-day conversations.
Immediately review your playback as you give yourself balanced feedback. Is your message consistent with your non-verbal behaviors? Do you sound confident or uncertain? Do you perceive yourself as having knowledge or uncertainty?
After reviewing your playbacks, answer these questions:
- What did I do and say that had impact and influence on my listeners?
- What do I want to change?
- How will I make these changes permanent?
- Take five minutes. At the beginning of every day, identify what communication skills and techniques you’re committed to work on throughout the day. Write these down!
- Communicating with influence is like living a healthy lifestyle: both are lifelong commitments based on daily choices. A healthy lifestyle involves making good choices about diet and exercise. Fundamentally, enhancing your influence also comes down to intentional choices. Should you:
- Answer emails during that conference call or use it as an opportunity to practice your influence skills?
- Assume no news is good news or ask for real feedback?
- Give a canned presentation or listen to your prospects and adapt your message accordingly?
Although there are no “quick fixes” when it comes to enhancing your influence, when you hold yourself accountable by seeking feedback and practicing the skills, you will see positive changes fairly quickly.
Being influential Monday to Monday is a choice. One year from today you’ll either be the same communicator you are now or you’ll be an individual who has influence, has stronger relationships and is consistently perceived as trustworthy, confident and knowledgeable. Not to forget more money in your pocket.
Stacey Hanke is founder of Stacey Hanke Inc. and co-author of the book; Yes You Can! Everything You Need From A To Z To Influence Others To Take Action. She is in the process of writing book #2 on the topic of Redefining Influence.
She has trained over 15,000 people to rid themselves of bad body language habits and choose words wisely. Her client list is vast from Coca-Cola, Kohl’s, United States Army, Navy and Air Force, Leo Burnett, Nationwide, University of Chicago, Novartis, GE, General Mills, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cardinal Health. In addition to her client list, she has been the Emcee for Tedx. She has inspired thousands as a featured guest on media outlets including; The NY Times, SmartMoney magazine, Business Week, Lifetime Network, Chicago WGN and WLS-AM.
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Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Win More By Not Being Rude – Guest Blog by Thom Singer
When I read Thom Singer’s recent blog about accepting rude behavior as a cultural norm, I knew this would resonate with many people. We must begin paying attention to each other and getting back to kindness and general polite behavior. It begins with each of us making a conscious effort to put down our devices and becoming present within the moment.
Are you ready to pay attention?
Rise to the challenge,
Neen
Has it become “okay” to be rude? Is the trend of self-focus gotten us to the point that we rarely even acknowledge the people around us? Smart phones and other gadgets have our attention, and since the power to connect with the whole world is in our hands we are missing the human engagement that is all around us.
I am not talking about blatant in your face nasty (that should never be acceptable), yet there seems to be less common courtesy and fewer smiles between people in our daily interactions. While “rude” is a word that makes many nervous, I think it is the right word. Most people do not see their own actions as “rude”…. but in a world where being over-extended and busy is a badge of honor, few people take the time to notice others (much less give them a few seconds of polite attention).
If you watch closely throughout your day you will see what I mean. People seem more detached in recent years. It is in the little things where etiquette seems to be abandoned. I am not blaming the internet, social media and the mobile technology, but there is clearly a lack of intention lately to the social manners.
At Starbucks this morning I watched the line of people in front of me. Only one woman said “Thank You” to the person who was serving the drinks to the waiting customers. Now, one could argue that in the transaction of six dollar cups of coffee one does not need to be gracious to the baristas, but one out of eight people seemed out of wack.
Last week at a hotel when the elevator doors opened two young women who were staring at their phones walked into the lift without waiting for others to exit. Those of us getting off had to push past, and once the doors closed we all looked at each other in amazement. No recognition that other people had been present.
And don’t get me started about “Thank You Notes”, or at least saying “Thank You” to people who have done you a favor or sent you a gift. Too many people just go on with their lives without showing any gratitude, and if questioned about it they look at you like you are from Mars. Gratitude is not something you should ever ignore.
In a world where common courtesy seems to be in short supply, if you want to stand out and find more success in your human-to-human relationships it is easier than ever to get noticed by simply not being “rude”. Being polite and making others feel special will allow you to win more often in the game of life.
Go back to the basics of social etiquette and people will be impressed by your actions. It takes no extra time to be polite, and if you do this regularly you will develop an epic reputation for how you treat others. It is sad that being kind to others has become a way to stand out in the crowd, but those who practice being nice, and avoid being rude, will find more success.
I often speak to groups about “Cooperative Significance”. We all want to make a contribution and be significant at work, home, and in our communities. But you cannot decide for others that you are significant, they make that determination. To be significant you begin by making others feel they matter (as this will cause them to notice you). One way to do this is to be nice to them and help them feel good about the things they are accomplishing in their world.
Five Tips To Being Kind
1. Be observant. Many people go about their day feeling invisible, as too few are noticing others actions. Take the time to watch the people around you and acknowledge their contributions. You should do this at home, around the office, or anywhere you go. Make it a habit to be aware of others.
2. Say something nice. Everyone is so busy that we rarely say anything to the people around us, and this is amplified when dealing with strangers in transnational situations (the coffee shop, elevator, car wash, etc…). When you are interacting with someone look them in the eye and say “please”, “thank you”, etc… Maybe add in a compliment about their work product, their appearance, or something else they are doing well that makes them stand out.
3. Look up from your phone. Get beyond thinking that important things are happening constantly in your email or you Instagram feed. Put the phone down and be present with the other people. When you are talking to someone one-to-one do not put your eyes on your phone during that conversation. Nobody appreciates being ingnored. We call it rude when other do this, but when we do it ourselves we call it “multi-tasking”. Sorry, it is rude.
4. RSVP and show up on time. Somewhere along the line we forgot that we are supposed to respond to invitations and then do what we said we were going to do. Respect other people’s time. Be militant about your schedule and show up when you say you will attend.
5. Make gratitude your secret weapon. When someone gives you a gift or does you a favor, make sure you thank them in a proper manner. A text that reads “THX” may or may not be the right answer. Know this: No matter what you do, if you take a shortcut to show gratitude the other person will know it.
Being rude or aloof should not be acceptable in the course of your day. It takes no more time to be polite, attentive and aware. Those who embrace these small actions will have more wins in the long run.
To learn more about Thom Singer, a speaking entrepreneur that will “wow” your audience with his practical and motivational presentations, visit his website.
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