Becoming a better leader through communication skills.

I recently experienced a very unique and memorable Leadership Excursion. What made it so memorable is that horses were both the teacher and the student. The experience reinforced the power and impact of our non-verbal communication.

Here are 3 crucial take aways that will make you a stronger leader and more effective communicator. 

1.    Self-awareness

The Horsemanship Leadership Excursion began with the trainer (Kaitlyn), and owner Kri, helping us understand the fragility in developing a strong bond between the horse and the trainer. Be trustable, likable and relatable - this definitely applies in real world scenarios. Each horse is very unique, as are humans. Both the horse and the human participants are observed in regards to their characteristic strengths and weaknesses. That information is shared to help build self awareness (emotional intelligence), with the objective that leaders and employees can grow and improve their skills and clarity of communication and elevate engagement.

An organic synergy needed to be developed between horse and trainer, with the horse being very sensitive to all levels of the trainer’s energy and personality. The stronger and more streamlined the synergy or relationship is, the greater the odds of success… perhaps this sounds just like the workplace and client experiences you live.

 2.    Clarity and Simplicity

For those of you familiar with Albert Merhabian, you will know that 55% of communication is body language, and only 7% are words, with the remaining 38% based on facial expressions or tone of voice. Most of us confuse our colleagues because our words and facial expressions don’t fully align with what our body is saying. We complicate the communication with unnecessary information. If Mehrabian’s 7%-38%-55% rule is true, then how often have I (you) potentially confused team members through incongruent communication.

Miscommunication costs organizations money!

David Grossman reported in “The Cost of Poor Communications” that a survey of 400 companies with 100,000 employees each cited an average loss per company of $62.4 million per year because of inadequate communication to and between employees. Debra Hamilton asserted, in her article “Top Ten Email Blunders that Cost Companies Money,” that miscommunication cost even smaller companies of 100 employees an average of $420,000 per year.

 A Watson Wyatt study found that companies that communicate most effectively are more than 50% more likely to report turnover levels below the industry average compared with only 33% for the least effective communicators.

3.    Anticipation

The horse trainer highlighted that the major component of effective interaction and “teambuiling” was her need to anticipate the horses behavior. This made me think of how great leaders are sensitive/aware to the pulse of their workforce. It allows them to make needed adjustments ahead of time, minimizing roadblocks or loss of enthusiasm. Equally, in order for business and organizations to remain relevant and competitive, they must be fully aware of shifts in markets and trends… they must anticipate on all levels.

Bring it together. Implement these 3 steps and experience a significant improvement in all your personal and business relationships. Employee productivity and company efficiency will also increase.

THANK YOU

Vital Germaine

President of ENGAGEteams360

Top-selling author, Vital Germaine is also Las Vegas' most dynamic keynotes speaker and corporate trainer. His sessions are an experience designed to inspire extraordinary performance. BOOK VITAL TODAY for:

• KEYNOTES

• EXECUTIVE TRAINING

• EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

• WORKSHOPS

• BREAK-OUT SESSIONS

https://engageteams360.com/communication

Is motivation an empty promise.

We’ve entered an era with motivation pops up everywhere in our lives. Do more of this! Try these 3 steps! Be positive! That’ not really how motivation works.

Ironically, I am considered or called a motivational speaker. I've never liked that label. As a speaker and trainer, I only INSPIRE action or change. CNN legal and social commentator  and "motivational" speaker, Mel Robbins, gives a great talk on this topic. 

mo·ti·va·tion ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n/noun: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

What is motivation?

Motivation is not an external force. It is an internal desire, hunger or need to change something.  It’s built on your sense of purpose (your WHY). Finding your purpose is not an overnight solution. It’s something that is cultivated over time. Yes, some know without a doubt what their purpose and passion is at a very young age. Most aren’t that fortunate. Be patient in finding your purpose. Nuture it consistently until it becomes evident and fuels your drive. Don’t really on others to motivate you… that’s only short-term fuel that won’t get you there.

The only "motivation" somebody can gift you with is to help you feel empowered by building your confidence and belief, or providing hope that they can - the can only inspire you. Add enthusiasm or optimism to that inspiration and you are cleared for take off.

Don’t be fooled by short-term promises disguised as motivation. Dig deeper and find true motivation (purpose) within YOU. Understand what you really want by digging deeper than the superficial desire.

Something probably happened during your childhood (positive and/or negative) that established your sense of purpose. Take time to connect with that most authentic WHY. You will be surprised!

If this blog was of value, please feel welcome to comment, steal, borrow or share.

Thank you for reading,

VITAL GERMAINE

Top 5 drivers that optimize employee performance

Every company wishes they could improve and optimize the productivity and efficiency of their employees. By doing so, profits would increase. However, most companies fail miserably in regards to getting the best out of their employees. Your customers suffer as a result, as does your brand. It's really simple! Make your employees feel great about working for (or with) you and they will thrive, elevating Customer Experiences.

“The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel.” –Sybil F. Stershic

The 5 following drivers will optimize employee performance. Collectively, they come under the umbrella of respect.

1. LISTEN: Wall Street journalist and top-selling author Bryant H. McGill says that, one of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say. Sir Richard Branson further highlights the value and impact of listening in his book, THE VIRGIN WAY, how to listen, learn and lead. There are however different types of listening ranging from PRETEND listening to EMPATHETIC listening. As leaders we must place ourselves in the shoes of those we influence. We must truly listen to understand, rather than listen to await our turn to speak. Empathetic listening is the only way to truly hear and understand. How empathetic are you in your listening skills? 

2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Everybody likes to be acknowledged regardless of their "love" language. It's a great tool to express appreciation, and there is nothing more impactful than feeling appreciated, be it in the workplace or at home. Acknowledgment can be an announcement at a meeting, a personal pat on the back, an email, a recognition memo, an award... the options to demonstrate appreciation are endless and the rewards are massive. 

3. HELP: Modern leadership is shifting to increased autonomy in the workplace, with hierarchy fading into yesterday's outdated standards. The key is to set your employees free, all the while offering help, support and encouragement whenever needed. We all need help! Make sure that help or support are a clearly communicated option within your culture and business strategy. In addition, make sure that the channels to obtain help are easy and simple. Don't let bureaocracy or process hinder the ability for your team to ask for advice or obtain help.  Knowing that leadership has your build the confidence of team members.

4. GRATITUDE: A simple thank you is the most direct form of valuing the efforts, insight, expertise, and time that your team offers and shares - also be grateful for their failures as they are platforms from which to learn, grow and improve. Gratitude in any capacity offers high rewards regarding feelings of well-being. A simple verbal thank you goes along way in terms of employee engagement. Consider taking it to a different level by extending thank you cards or other tangible gestures that show you care and appreciate. 

5. EMPOWER: Have confidence that your team will do the right thing at the right time. If you have trained them well, clearly communicated company objectives and implementation strategies, then you're well positioned get out of their way. Let them know you trust them by giving them the power to take initiatives and make decisions. Empowerment is not a free for all. It will depend on your culture and who you've hired.  Strong and effective modern leaders hire the right people. Once this quintessential first step has been achieved you are cleared for take-off.  When employees feel they have ownership in decision-making and ideas, they will nurture and take pride in that work as if it was their own baby.  Besides, you'll be surprised as to who will step up when handed responsibility and freedom. 

At ENGAGE we offer fun and meaningful trainings and keynotes that focus on optimizing employee engagement. We revitalize and build happier teams that thrive and learn how to fly without a net. We are agents of relevant change in culture and leadership. Contact us today and initiate the paradigm shift!

THANK YOU for reading - Vital Germaine

The #1 Killer of Innovation

The most common and worst possible reaction to ideas being shared is somebody saying… "That's a great idea... but!"

1. Have you ever heard that? 
2. Have you ever experienced that?
3. Have you ever done that?

We've all done it. I've done it! We've all murdered an idea at its conception.

"Don’t murder the birth of innovation when somebody shares an idea."

The challenge is to focus on the potential of the idea as a starting point that will lead to the optimum solution. Let your team, fail, explore, discover, breathe, flow and expand until they spread their wings and fly without a net..

Throughout my years in varied positions of leadership and while giving corporate trainings and workshops around the world, I've seen and heard many murderers of innovation. Don't squash an idea from the onset when somebody makes a suggestion... you'll otherwise miss out on an incredible amount of potential. Allow all ideas to be shared, heard and considered, regardless of how valid or invalid the initially appear. Listen to a "bad idea" with full consideration for "what if"... or even better, "yes, and!" This attitude and collaborative approach will open the door to a better idea, which in turn will inspire the right idea. 

“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” - George Bernard Shaw

At ENGAGE we believe that the single most effective solution or STEP, to inspire ideas and collaboration is through creative empowerment. Disrupt your leadership, culture and innovation strategy. Invite your employees to participate and contribute more. Allow them to act as a launching pad and catalyst for innovation, change and ultimately growth and differentiation.

 

Inspire and stimulate creativity and innovation by making risk and the acceptance of  failure a part of your strategy and identity.

In order to achieve this objective, leaders must embrace individuality (within a teamwork mindset), and get out the way, allowing team members to be free to spread their wings, reach higher, and fly without a net

Find out more about our trainings, workshops and keynotes that are designed to strengthen leadership, stimulate creativity and build happier teams: ENGAGEteams.com

If this blog was of value, please feel welcome to borrow and/or share. 

THANK YOU - Vital Germaine

Why there should be an "I" in team

In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different - Coco Chanel

The irony behind the belief that there can be no "I" in team, is that nearly all advances and innovations are envisioned and created by the very "I's" we tend to alienate and surpress for the sake of maintaining the harmony of the team. But is that enough to justify anti-team warfare?

As a former Cirque du Soleil performer I fully understand and respect the value of team and working together to achieve a common goal. However! I also learned that individuality is a necessary catalyst for growth, competition and innovation. 

The "I"ndividuals who see more, can do more than their "supporting" cast should be celebrated and embraced because they iniciate relevant change by challenging and going against the grain, ruffling feathers and disrupting the comfortable creative status quo of society and corporate America. The reality is that without them we still might be in the stone-age. 

Companies can truly benefit by not only allowing individuality, but encouraging it. Companies strive to be unique within their market, separating themselves from their competitors and rivals. So why not let the differentiation factor trickel through from within your culture?  

WHY DO WE FEAR INDIVIDUALITY? 

We fear it because it makes for an uncomfortable challange to management and leadership. The key is to build teams made up of diverse individuals with varied skills and capabilities who each bring something of great worth to the table. Then adding to that element, communicate clearly what their roles are and what your expectations of them are.  

OPTIMIZING TEAM WORK

Teams ultimately work best not because everybody is the same, but because everybody understands their respective role and has a common purpose in mind regardless of who actually lifts the trophy. They should not only embrace their differences but stimulate and invite the differences to shine.

Some of the world's greatest sports teams, had an "I" that when properly managed, maintained their star "I" status, but simply became the chore and heartbeat of a team they lead and inspired to victory. Phil Jackson, (arguably one of the best man-managers around) gave Michael Jordan (Koby Bryant/Shaq) the freedom to unleash their individual genius, complimented by a Dennis Rodman, who Jackson allowed to be Dennis Rodman - resulting in sports dynasty. He didn't fear the individuality. I'm not sure anybody should.

If this blog was of value, please feel welcome to borrow and/or share. 

THANK YOU - Vital Germaine

The top ten leadership quotes to live by

Strong leaders build happy, focused and inspired teams that are committed to elevate the CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE by delivering on the brand promise and living up to the expectations and needs of the modern consumer.

The leadership paradigm has shifted. We’re becoming a networking society where collaboration is key, innovation essential, heightened customer experience a must, and responsibility belonging to many individuals, not just one. There is so much more to leadership today than power and having people follow you.

The ultimate purpose and objective of great leaders is to instill belief, hope, direction and inspire greatness from colleagues and employees. 

TOP TEN LEADERSHIP QUOTES

1. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. —John Quincy Adams

2. Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. —Peter Drucker

3. I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. —Ralph Nader

4. A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. —John Maxwell

5. The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. —Ray Kroc

6. Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily; even if you had no title or position. —Brian Tracy

7. Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. —Warren Bennis

8. A leader is a dealer in hope. —Napoleon Bonaparte

9. You don’t need a title to be a leader. –Multiple Attributions

10. A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them. —M. D. Arnold

Love and respect should be the driving force behind leadership, resulting in enhanced company culture, motivated and engaged employees hungry to give, deliver and achieve.

If this blog was of value, please feel welcome to borrow and/or share. 

THANK YOU for reading - Vital Germaine

Why business needs creativity and how it boosts sales

Every successful business needs innovation in order to grow and compete in today's faster-than-ever changing business climate. Creativity provides a platform upon which to envision tomorrow's great ideas and advances – be it developing a new and memorable sensory experience for your clients, or identifying new markets, to implementing revolutionary marketing and sales strategies, or creating defining products that will separate you from your competitors.

"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples, then you and I will still each have an apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas." - George Bernard Shaw.

The challenge with creativity is that people often claim to have none,  yet we are all creative. The common confusion is that most people say they are not creative when what they really mean is that they are NOT ARTISTIC. However, you don't need to be artistic in order to be creative! 

Creativity is more than a skill or talent, it is a mindset. A free mindset of curiosity, adaptability, flexibility, courage and a willingness to take a risk and fail. Add ingenuity into the mix and now you catapult your ideas into the stratosphere where everything becomes possible.

Business needs these qualities to open doors to innovation, extended horizons and to achieve new heights. Equally as important to the mindset, let's not ignore the financial benefits of a forward thinking culture where creativity is invited if not encouraged or expected. 

According to Gallup, forward thinking companies that adapt to trends and implement new approaches, stimulating paradigm shifts, experience on average 20% higher profits.

Are you stimulating sales, broadening your business perspective and promoting growth by inspiring innovation and creativity as a part of your corporate culture?

If this blog was of value, please feel welcome to borrow and/or share. 

THANK YOU for reading - Vital Germaine

Why Employees Quit

We have all experienced at one point in our careers where we simply no longer wanted to be at work. It could have been due to standard burn out or a change in our career goals/objectves… need of a new challenge..

There are usually two reasons or two typical symptoms of the unhappy disengaged employee, inspiring them to quit.

1. Bad leadership:

   ONE bad boss can be enough to determine it’s time to go. It’s that bad boss who disrespects, bullies, harasses you. The one who is indifferent and insensitive, rude, belittling or simply doesn’t like you and makes it evident.

   Such bosses heavily affect employee performance. Maybe employees take a few more sick days as a result (attendance). Some of them become less effective or less focused/comitted on the job (loss in productivity/efficienty). Perhaps that employees attitude become negative… which is highly contagious. They may become more confrontational, even a bad employee as a result. Many a good employee has become a bad employee due to anemic/toxix leadership or management.

   Too many companies allow bad bosses to remain in positions of management or leadership without fully realizing the negative impact they have on the company bottom line and customer experience! Sometimes it's a reflection of the CEO or executive leadership and culture they have established by example and lack of emotional intelligence. Execs… you need training too.  Contact us to learn more about our executive coaching programs.

   As leaders it's wise to frequently self evaluate and make sure you are not the bad boss that makes people quit. Be the boss that inspires greatness. Lead to empower not to have power.

   "IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE, AND BECOME MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER." - John Quincy Adams.

   DID YOU KNOW:

   • The number 1 reason why people quit their jobs is a bad boss or immediate supervisor - Gallup poll of more than 1 million employed U.S. workers.

   • 2 MILLION Americans a month voluntarily quit their jobs - The US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

   • Gallup survey of 25 million employees, part time and full time, in 189 different countries. They concluded that 1 in 2 employees are not happy at work.

   • Disengaged employees cost the US economy upwards of $350 million.

2. A lack of purpose:

Finding meaning in our work is a great motivator. As Simon Sinek says, “Start With Why”. Even though he meant as a business model, as in Apple’s approach to their products and service, the same “why'“ applies to the workforce. A paycheck is rarely the incentive to elevate employee engagment, unless it’s such a large amount that an employee witll put up with the lack of inspiration. Employees must feel INSPIRED.

Leadership must constantly and respectfully reinforce the value, meaning and impact of the work they do. People of not just driven by a paycheck. If a company isn’t offering work that provides value and truly changes the lives of its customers, they may find that over time, their workforce will inevitably become disengaged. It costs businesses not only dollars in lost productivity, but heavily impacts customer experience and the reputation of a brand. It only takes one bad manager or boss to cause a chain reaction within your culture. It only takes one minor shift in how leadership views and treats its employees to inspire meaning and motivation. Most human beings want to be seen, hear and understood. They want to know they bring value, are valued and make a difference.

If this blog was of value, please feel welcome to borrow and/or share. 

THANK YOU for reading - Vital Germaine

7 Steps To Turn Ordinary into Extraordinary

American football broadcaster and former player, Jimmy Johnson says, "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary, is that little extra."

It’s never easy to remain energized and motivated in any work environment. Company culture and leadership can and does influence engagement, but it is ultimately a personal choice as to the work ethic we establish and execute for ourselves. Becoming extraordinary or achieving greatness is an individual endeavor that burns from within.

1. PASSION: Withou passion, there is niether fuel nor direction to achieve a desired outcome. Passion is more than an intense LOVE or a compelling enthusiasm for an action or goal. It is also a love and compelling enthusiasm for those with whom you work or interact with. In other words... ADD MORE COWBELL, it will take you the extra mile! Nonetheless, passion without a plan is easily wasted! 
2. PURPOSE: It is crucial to have a "WHY." When our why is evident it adds meaning to what we do and how we do it. Purpose propells us to pursue and achieve because the reason becomes larger and more powerful than just ourselves. Human's have an innate desire or need to have a positive impact on those around us. Tap into that desire or need and inertia will take care of the rest and elevate your successes.
3. BE CHILDLIKE: By being child-like and curious we find fun in the scary. Our inner child tends to be less handcuffed and willing to explore, stumble and discover. 
4. HAVE FUN: We are better when laughing, enjoying and having fun... better parents, better friends, better employees, better lovers, BETTER EVERYTHING! We learn more, we experience less fear and are more invigorated, enthusiastic and optimistic when enjoying what we do.
5. WILLINGNESS TO FAIL: From failure come lessons and experience and new opportunities. The key is to not be afraid and to fail quickly. Use failure as a platform to build upon. It takes courage.
6. AUTHENTICITY: Be YOUnique. Be you in your truest and best form. Commit to share the best of you consistently and in a way that makes you memorable, likeable and trustable. Share the best of your truest self and inspire those around you to better themselves.
7. STEPPING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE:  That's where the magic happens. That's where ordinary becomes extraordinary! Take the risk, let go, be free, explore, discover, surprise yourself and achieve. Don't be afraid to fail.

If this blog was of value, please feel welcome to borrow and/or share. 

THANK YOU for reading - Vital Germaine

7 Keys to Optimizing Team Dynamics for Elevated Profits

All businesses need engaged employees. All businesses must have sustainable models, ecosystems or designs in place to keep the company progressing and remaining relevant and competitive in today's faster-than-ever changing climate.

At the heart of any business is culture, embodied by it's employees. Employees are the front line of how your customers experience your brand. If employees are not engaged, profits will suffer extensively - up to $370 BILLION annually according to Gallup!

To optimize team dynamics it's crucial to have a solid culture that allows employees, if not invites them to thrive.

ASK YOURSELF THIS?

1. Are your employees a good fit for your culture and goals?

2. Are you providing an environment that promotes collaboration and idea sharing?

3. Are you investing in your employees and setting them up for success?

4. Are you listening, relating and communicating clearly with your tribe?

5. Are you providing employees with inspirational leadership that stimulates growth and passion?

6. Are you enabling innovation and encouraging if not inviting change?

7. Are such values as love, respect, gratitude, kindness and appreciation a default setting within your culture?

As a former artist and team captain in Cirque du Soleil, I can attest to the value of culture and team dynamics - it's impact on performance is undeniable and heavily effects the customers overall experience beyond the stage.

Every customer interaction must leave a positive impression on every level of that experience. A great show experience could be compromised because the service provided by one disengaged team member at the popcorn stand or bar was lousy if not frustrating.

But imagine, if you could raise the applause level of your customers as if they were experiencing a memorable and amazing show from A to Z. How would that effect your bottom line?

Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results - Andrew Carnegie

If this post was of value, please feel welcome to borrow and / or share. 

THANK YOU for reading - Vital Germaine