Reigniting Employee Passion

Today, I read an article from the Ken Blanchard Companies about how it’s important that leaders don’t take their employees for granted.  In the article, Blanchard points out that the recent downturn in the economy and challenges in the workplace may have lead to a bit of apathy in leadership.  He says: “I think that there have been some organizations who felt that the recent lack of options for employees let them get away with less than great practices with their people. And so I think that people are at a pretty low level of trust and excitement with many of the organizations they are working for.”

This perspective got me thinking . . . is there ever a “best” or “better” time to build spirit and motivation among your team?  Well, I think Ken Blanchard makes a great point.  And, I also think anytime is a good time to cultivate trust, build excitement around organizational goals, and ignite employee passions.  At Madd-Steiny Productions, we work with companies during both times of abundance and times of challenge.  Regardless of the circumstances, we encourage leaders to focus on making sure employees are engaged and have the tools they need to succeed, no matter what the job is or what the times are like.

So, whether there are rough waters ahead, or smooth sailing . . . what are you going to do today to ignite the passions of your employees?  Here are some ideas:

• Walk around today and look for people “doing something right” and thank them for it on the spot.
• Meet with everyone on your team and ask if the job allows them to exercise their strengths regularly.  If not, try to add a project or shift some responsibilities to allow them more time doing what makes them feel strong.  (This will pay dividends in spades!
• Get the team together for an informal celebration.  At the end of the day sometime soon, invite everyone to an impromptu meeting in the conference room.  When they arrive, have some nibbles and sodas for them.  Let them know the occasion is just to say thanks for their hard work.
• Re-calibrate goals and objectives.  Is everyone still focused on what matters most?  If not, get everyone moving in the direction the organization needs and where they can bring their best to the job.
• Ask your team for ideas on what you can do to communicate more clearly, reinforce priorities, and clear the way for them to do their job.  They’ll appreciate you for it.

With passion,

Lynae

Celebrate Positive Outcomes

I was working with a group of managers and employees in a client organization the other day and the focus of our discussion was sharing the “highlights” of the week. Each participant took their turn and shared the observations, experiences and accomplishments in their week that were “good”.

The time that we spent in review and recognizing the positive outcomes produced a lot of gratitude and appreciation for each other and what was created together.

Along with the appreciation came energy and motivation to keep going in their improvement efforts.

In our work at Madd-Steiny with organizational culture development we have seen the significant impact of celebrating positive outcomes to increase employee engagement and motivation for continuous improvement.

Here is a tool that you can use with your team to recognize and celebrate positive outcomes. It’s called the After Action Review and involves discussion around three questions.

1. What have we accomplished over the last 6 months?
2. Why do you think we were able to accomplish these things?
3. What can we learn from our review to take forward into the next 6 months?

Respectfully yours,
Georgine

A Lesson in Respect at My Yoga Studio

I practice yoga several times each week, and benefit from it in so many ways.  In addition to its physical, mental and spiritual benefits, I receive repeated and unexpected lessons in respect.  As we arrive in the studio, we remove our shoes and place them in cubby holes.  When we enter the room for our practice, we refrain from talking so everyone can prepare to the sound of gentle music and their own beating hearts.  We put our props away carefully when done, clear our places after practice, and create a clean and open space for the people who will come after us.  All of these actions, albeit small, are expressions of respect.  I have learned to appreciate it enormously when I see that someone who went before me made things a little easier so I may enjoy my practice even more.

From yoga, I learn that expressions of respect, no matter how small, create a smoother life.  Being respectful of things and people creates space for others to be respectful.  That’s what I notice more than anything . . . respect begets respect.  When it’s clear that someone has shown respect for me, and they don’t even know me, I am compelled to show respect for the next person.  And, this idea follows me as I leave yoga.  I like the feeling of showing and receiving respect in small ways.  So, I ask myself, and you:

1. What small action can you take right now to make someone else’s life a little easier?
2. What would your life be like without the sweet and small courtesies (i.e., saying please and thank-you, leaving a place better than you found it, holding the door open for the person coming in behind you, etc.)?
3. How does being respectful make you feel valuable and an important part of your community?

As my day begins tomorrow with yoga, I will commit to treat everything and everyone with respect.  I’ll bet it’s going to be a smooth day.

Namaste,

Lynae