As seen on SmartBlog on Leadership.
Smart leaders are developing a competitive advantage by creating a sense of connection and community among employees and customers. In the fitness world, SoulCycle and Tough Mudder are two organizations that have successfully tapped into the power of community. Each has developed a vocal and rapidly expanding following.
Most managers hire for competence but are not anywhere near as intentional about probing to understand a job applicant’s character. Take time to identify your core values as a leader then ask questions that explore those values as you interview applicants.
You can build connections with people during negotiations if you adopt and maintain the right mindset. Thinking of the people you are negotiating with as competitors leads to disconnection and distrust. Instead, think of them as holding knowledge that you need to unearth in order to identify an optimal solution that is a win-win for everyone involved. This requires probing, patience and perseverance to understand other people’s objectives, perceptions and sensitivities.
This is the thirtieth post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.
#29 Be a Connection Catalyst – Research by Rob Cross, Barbara Frederickson and Lynn Anderson has shown that the emotions of a group can spiral up or down. Take the initiative to be optimistic, positive and upbeat. Intentionally make positive connections with others to be a catalyst to get the positive spiral in your group going.
This is the twenty-ninth post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.
Jeremy Kingsley, author of the book Inspired People Produce Results: How Great Leaders Use Passion, Purpose and Principles to Unlock Incredible Growth, has some important insights into the power of connection.
I really appreciated how the country (and others around the world) paused on Tuesday, April 15, to commemorate the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. Many gathered in Boston. Elsewhere, people witnessed the ceremony the same way they’d witnessed the attacks, on screens and through speakers.
Wherever we were, we remembered the lives lost and harmed as we listened to the church bells and bagpipes, the speeches and children’s choir. We reflected on the admirable courage of the first responders and others who put aside their own safety and rushed in to help others.
The most memorable voices at the commemoration were those of the survivors. Many had been through an agonizing year of physical and emotional recovery.
Almost with one voice, they cited the same source of strength and healing. What we heard from them again and again was the importance of community.
As seen on Fox Business.
Are you performing at the top of your game at work? Or are you struggling, losing interest, or so stressed that you’d just like to walk away? To recognize what is driving either end, consider these six universal human needs and how each is being met, or not, in your job.
#27 Say “Thank You” and Write Thank You NotesWhen someone does something for you, be sure to say “thank you.” This seems obvious but you would be surprised how many people don’t do this.
If the person did something for you that required considerable effort on his/her part, send a handwritten thank you note. Several outstanding leaders we know send handwritten thank you notes on a regular basis. They know that a handwritten note stands out in this age of electronic communications and communicates that they value the recipient.
This is the twenty-seventh post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.
Day of Discovery Documentary – John Wooden: They Called Him Coach
I’ve written a lot about legendary Coach John Wooden on this blog, and for good reason. His life, leadership, and legacy are an inspiration to us all.
I highly recommend taking the time to watch the documentary John Wooden: They Called Him Coach, available online. You’ll learn more about Wooden’s perspective on success, love, and faith and see interviews with his family and former players. It will definitely motivate you to be a better leader, family member, and friend.
What’s your favorite Coach Wooden story? Feel free to share in the comments.
#26 “Tell Me Stories”Have you ever asked someone how his/her day went only to hear a standard reply of “fine?”
If you really want to connect, try “I really would like to know how your day went, so tell me stories.” This practice works well with children, spouses and friends, too.
This is the twenty-sixth post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.
Pixar Headquarters, Photo Credit Pixar Animation Studios
When Ed Catmull, CEO of Pixar Animation, and Steve Jobs, Pixar’s primary owner at the time, designed Pixar’s new headquarters, they created a large centralized space that included the company’s entrance and visitor reception area, meeting rooms, company cafeteria, employee mail slots and restrooms. Their rationale was that a centralized space would facilitate connection.
Research supports that physical location and office space design does affect connection. In general, people who work in physical space near one another feel more connected and physical spaces that are more open encourage connection. Consider how your organization’s physical space and office design encourages or discourages connection and how you can make changes to boost connection.
This is the twenty-fourth post in our series entitled “100 Ways to Connect.” The series highlights language, attitudes and behaviors that help you connect with others. Although the language, attitudes and behaviors focus on application in the workplace, you will see that they also apply to your relationships at home and in the community.