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

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 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

3 Simple Steps to Inspiring and Achieving Greatness

Many pursue and desire greatness but don't know how to achieve it or inspire it. Fortunately, through years of experience and extensive research, ENGAGE has created relevant and meaningful guidelines or tricks, approaches, attitudes and mindsets that can enthuse, activate, and enable extraordinary results on a personal and/or professional level. 

There is no quick fix, singular formula, pill or overnight solution to inspiring or achieving greatness. It is a process a never-ending pursuit that can be attained more easily than one thinks.

At ENGAGE, we have broken down the process into to 3 simple to follow steps listed below.  We call them: FUEL - AMMUNITION – TOOLS (F.A.T)

Establishing the “why” behind any pursuit or goal, and understanding the purpose and meaning is paramount. The more significant, expansive and encompassing your “why” is, and the greater its positive and relevant impact is on others, the easier it becomes to realize. We are always more driven by a cause that is greater than ourselves.

Here are the 3 SIMPLE STEPS (F.A.T).

1. FUEL

• Determination (drive, resilience, persistence)
• Courage (inner strength)
• Happiness (joy, love, humor and gratitude)
• Belief (conviction, confidence)
• Passion (desire, determination, feelings
• Patience (endurance)
• Respect (appreciation, acknowledgment, recognition

2. AMMUNITION

• Meaning (significance)
• Sense of Purpose (the why, the motivation, objective)
• Social Relevance (who benefits)

3. TOOLS

• Creativity Ingenuity (envisioning, trying new possibilities)
• Awareness (self awareness and of our environment/people)
• Childlike Approach (the love of exploration and discovery)
• Adaptable Perspective (willing to change)
• Positive Outlook (yes or why not)
• Willingness to fail (without risk there is little reward)
• Connectedness (egoless, authenticity, empathy) 

Contact ENGAGE today and allow us to inspire your team to greatness.

• www.ENGAGEteams.com
• Vital@ENGAGEteams.com
• 702.523 1792

If this post has been of benefit to you, please feel welcome to borrow, copy and share. Thank you, Vital Germaine

Life lessons

There are many lessons I learned during my years at Cirque du Soleil... some of them I now use to inspire as a speaker because they relate and lend to the business world. Other lessons focus on who we are as individuals, as humans. All the lessons have helped me grow as a person and I gadly share them.

One of the biggest take aways from my 5 years in the company were the lesson learned about integrity and being authentic - being true to who we are and not being afraid of our individuality or expressing it; qualities Cirque thrived on and inspired us to be, encouraged us to do, including being CHILDLIKE and in the moment.

Here is an excerpt from the sequel to FLYING WITHOUT A NET (still yet unnamed and close to publication) - this little "tease" gives a hint as to one of those many lessons.

CHAPTER 13 ~ The Cirque Audition… continued ~

There I stood below the trapeze; confused—a part of me fearless, the other half trembling.

The first part of the Cirque du Soleil audition had been a whirlwind of exploration, discovery, some really crazy shit, and a sturdy reminder to let go of conformity, feel and express without inhibition. Debbie Brown’s creative insanity left me none the wiser, only more curious and eager to play, be silly and have fun at the expense of the clowns, midgets and sword-swallowers I thought lived at the back in trailers.

The coach, Pierre, and his quiet assistant whose name I don’t remember, placed me into a harness. It fit snug around the waist. It squeezed my inner thighs and everything in between. They attached the belt to the bungee cords by a clip that mountain climbers use.

Pierre began my crash course like he had done to the other dancers...

...Instead of dancing up there as the other dancers had done, I played like a child on Christmas day. I made up several silly spur of the moment moves: the suspended swimming frog, followed by the flying monkey, ending with the slow motion astronaut and the seventies aerial robot. I went from zero to genuine clown in under six seconds.

 “It’s fun, non?” asked Pierre.

Debbie and Pierre congratulated me.

I had apparently captured their attention, imagination and curiosity despite having no idea what I was doing. It sometimes pays to be vulnerable and authentic and just do without a plan or a sense of direction—to be spontaneous regardless of circumstance—to reconnect with one’s forgotten inner child and just be.

"It's not always easy to be in the moment, authentic and let go of your inhibitions to be free, to be vulnerable and childlike. But when I do, good things happen!"

Vital Germaine

How to improve your communication skills.

COMMUNICATION comes in many forms. As leaders, we must develop an acute sensibility to the non-apparent messages that humans send. We must listen, not only with our ears, but our eyes, our hearts, hair follicles, our noses and our intuition.

We must develop the ability to speak and be heard without words. Be understood without gestures. We must pay attention to the nuances of expression on all levels.

Albert Merhabian illustrated this best when he stated that only 7% of our communication is actually through words. The remaining 93% is non-verbal!

All the clues, skills and solutions of relevant and clear communication lie within our awareness and sensitivity to ourselves and the external world (Emotional Intelligence) - it opens doors to connectivity and increased levels of company growth and success. Poor communication can lead to disasters and easily avoidable errors and conflicts.

The more aware we are, the better and more effectively we can send and receive messages.

To further improve your communication skills, always place yourself in the shoes of the receiver, as their perspective might not align with yours. And finally, if not most importantly, it is the responsibility of the communicator to make sure clear and correct communication has been established. The best way to achieve this is by asking the receiver to clearly communicate back what they have understood, bringing everybody on the same page. 

Become a more confident communicator

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

THANK YOU, Vital Germaine

HAPPY MINDSET_RICHER LIVING

Actively disengaged employees cost the US economy $500 billion annually, simply because they are not happy!

• Is your company culture, or your leadership, remotely contributing to this statistic?

• Are you inspiring greatness, peak performance, collaboration and happiness from your employees.

• Is your team as engaged as they should or could be?

The mental wellness of your work force and company culture has such profound effects on your company's bottom line.  It's simple!  When we’re happy, we’re simply better. We’re better leaders, better lovers, better parents, employees, friends… better everything.

Have you ever noticed that when you are happy, things fall into a place a little easier: the sky's a little bluer. You don't notice all the red lights on the way to work - in fact, there are no red lights. When our mindset is positive, we have more clarity, more energy, more focus and of course more confidence. WE BECOME BETTER LEADERS... BETTER HUMAN BEINGS.

The math behind a happier mindset. Happy, forward thinking companies are up to %20 more profitable according to Gallup.  

There is sadly not enough happiness in the workplace.

According to a Gallup, who surveyed 25 million employees in a 189 different countries, to determine employee satisfaction and engagement, concluded that 1 in 2 employees are not happy at work! 

By inspiring relevant paradigm shifts within yourself as well as your company culture, these "unhappy" facts can be turned around very easily. The change will stimulate personal and professional growth and benefits.

On a spiritual level, one could say HAPPINESS is a question of vibrating at a higher frequency. On a chemical or scientific level, it's about stimulating the production of key hormones like, Serotonin, Oxytocin and my favorite, Phenylathamine (chocolate!!!).  Be it spiritual or scientific, happiness is in part due to mindset, lifestyle, attitude and perspective. It's the result of a series of choices; but there is more than that (for another blog).

Is your leadership stimulating happiness and satisfaction in your team, thus maximizing their contribution and impact to the relevance and growth your company (or your own life)? If so, SMILE and be happy - stay calm and carry on :)

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

THANK YOU.