We at Aha! Leadership are excited to announce we have entered into a partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in order to provide clients cutting-edge leadership development resources that are researched and designed by a top-ranked, global provider of leadership development.
In the spirit of continuous development that we inspire in our clients, we, too, model such – creating a strategic alliance with one of the world’s most respected leadership development institutions — CCL.
CCL also recognizes the value of partnering with Aha! Leadership because it helps further CCL’s mission of inspiring greater leadership in businesses and organizations.
I am excited about our relationship with CCL because it allows us to broaden the services we provide our clients, including ground-breaking cultural assessments, or offering new topic-specific workshops for leaders.
Want to hear more? I would love to share more about how our expanded capabilities will enrich and provide exceptional leadership development programs for you. I welcome your call or email.
Empathy isn’t usually a trait that comes to mind when you think of professional relationships. However, Gail Gross, PhD., a family, relationship and child development expert and host of the PBS radio show Let’s Talk, says empathy is the most important characteristic of relationships, whether at work or with family and friends.
“If you can put yourself in the other person’s shoes, even if you don’t agree, then you can often see the issue from their perspective. This will then open the door for collaboration and communication,” Gross says, “If you are busy defending yourself, then you can’t hear what the other person has to say.”
Gross developed a 3-step process that can be used to improve ALL types of relationships when addressing conflict:
When attempting to work out differences, meet in a neutral location, such as a conference room or restaurant. Do not meet in one party’s office because that puts one person in a power position. If the discussion is between family members, sit down together in the kitchen.
Set ground rules before talking: Neither party can use hurtful language or personal attacks.
Divide the time allowed for the discussion into thirds;
For the first third of the time, one person talks while the other is actively listening.
Then, for the second third of the time, the other person talks.
During the last third of the time, both parties work together to solve the problem. You don’t have to agree with each other, just collaborate on a compromise that has value for both people.
“At the end of the day, trust is based on experience. By using empathy, you develop tremendous trust with your colleagues, significant other, or children. The key to good relationship is mutuality, with no one winning and no one losing.” – Gail Gross
Managers are traditionally taught that the key to getting results is by holding employees accountable, yet the reality is the secret recipe to getting great results is to set clear expectations.
Bottom Line: In setting clear expectations, communication is vital to high performing teams – any communication challenges are easy to fix once you have identified it as the issue. Try these 5 steps instead of getting frustrated with your employees:
First, know WHAT you WANT. Often we assume that others are being lazy or thoughtless when they don’t meet our needs. However, most likely we have not clarified in our own minds what it is that we want. Get clear on this first and communicating expectations will come easily.
Explain what you DO want rather than what you DON’T. Rather than saying “Stop emailing me about urgent issues,” try, “When an issue is urgent, I would really appreciate it is you would call me or stop by my desk.”
Clearly communicate expectations and ensure understanding. Ask the person to summarize or re-explain what it is you asked for. This helps to make sure you both are on the same page.
Define your desired outcome. What do you want the end product or behavior to look like? Rather than telling an employee, “I need this ASAP” say, “I need this by 10 a.m.”
Reward the positive and coach the negative. If your expectations are met, make sure you show appreciation. If not, before assuming the person intentionally disappointed you, clearly communicate what you were expecting.
“Communicate unto the other person that which you would want him to communicate unto you if your positions were reversed.” — Aaron Goldman
Every year Aha! Leadership organizes a community service ministry called Backpack Buddies.
This year we have worked with local churches and five high quality community organizations to deliver 1100 backpacks right into the hands of the children who need them by September 1st. This school supply collection drive helps children begin the school year in a positive way. Just $20 sponsors a child and provides them with a backpack filled with all of the supplies they need to start the school year off right.
This program is truly exceptional and we believe in it wholeheartedly. Please consider sponsoring a child this year – $20 provides them with everything they need on the first day of school. …AND for every child that one of our friends sponsor, Aha! Leadership will sponsor one in kind.It’s easy and impactful:
Writing and receiving handwritten notes are becoming a lost art in today’s society. Yet this tradition of notes is a timeless act of appreciation in both our personal and professional lives. How unexpected and welcomed when you receive a note of appreciation from a client, teammate, etc.? It just feels good….and when you acknowledge and thank others, it’s a simple way to build relationships. You will stand out in that person’s mind, and it will make you feel good as well.
Here’s how to make the most of your thank you notes:
Set the right mood. Select a salutation that matches the formality and intimacy of your relationship with the recipient. Make sure you address the recipient correctly.
Be specific. Reference the exact gift or act of kindness in which you are thankful for. Express how it touched or affected you. Avoid referring to the specific amount of money given as a gift.
Be authentic. Express genuine appreciation in a personal way. Strive to use the same tone you would use if you were speaking to the recipient in person.
Use quality paper. Beautiful stationery shows the recipient that you care and also provides a more pleasurable writing experience.
Write legibly. Take you time and use a good, smudge-free pen. If you’re not sure of what you want to say, write a draft before beginning the final version.
Close with affection. “Sincerely” is a classic option, but you can use a warmer, more personal closing for more well-connected relationships.
Do you have trouble being productive in the morning? Eva Wisnik shares her advice on how she gets more done before lunch than most people do in a day! Here’s how you do it:
Get your head in the game. Some people keep their brain shut off until the moment they reach their desk. However, you’ll be more productive with some morning forethought before you start working. It is helpful to sketch out your plan either the night before or on you morning commute. If you’re going to be chained to your desk for 8 hours, treat yourself before work. This will give you an energy spike and help you start your day in control. This could be wearing your favorite shirt or stopping for your favorite morning treat.
ID your to two. Identify the two most important things that must get completed that day. Write out small manageable steps for completing these important tasks and get to work! Aim to complete these tasks before lunch.
Do the worst things first. Avoiding dreaded tasks from the beginning can lead into a day filled with procrastination. Completing these tasks first will allow you too move through your to-do list rapidly.
Focus on critical emails. On average, only 30% of emails require an immediate response. Flag these important emails and work your way through them before lunch!
Stop interrupting yourself. When distracting tasks pop into your head such as, text messages, appointments, or online orders, it feels as if they must be completed at that moment so they won’t be forgotten. However, these interruptions will eat up your morning. Keep a piece of paper handy where you can jot down these non-urgent personal to-dos and complete them at a later time. Minimizing these interruptions will increase efficiency in your morning.
We at Aha! Leadership are excited to announce we have entered into a partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) in order to provide clients cutting-edge leadership development resources that are researched and designed by a top-ranked, global provider of leadership development.
