Joyce Weiss

I work with organizations and individuals who want to kick conflict and chaos to the curb - Queen of Conflict Resolution and Communication Coach

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2 4 6 8…Who Do You Appreciate? Employees!

Do you want to  cartoon booste office morale

  • Build morale?
  • Improve team spirit?
  • Get people talking about something positive for a change?

This article has strategies that my clients use and they receive GREAT results.  They liberate their team so they WANT to come to work.

Read this short article on Quick Questions to Check Your  Team’s Intentions for more ideas on how to get input from your team,

1. Celebrate Small Wins:

•   Birthdays
•   Work oriented accomplishments increase morale

2. Manage the Junk Pile:

•   Ask the following question to your team:  “The most demeaning, annoying, and humiliating rule/procedure/form/regulation/policy with which I have to live with  
     is…”

3. Crystallize your mission:  Ask…

•   What am I doing that gets in the way of achieving this goal?
•   What am I doing to sabotage it?
•   Launch a campaign to eliminate these mission-stoppers

4. Appreciate them now:

•   Write notes to two or three people each week (taking risks, speaking well on the telephone, educating themselves, handling a tough member).

 5. See windows of opportunity:

•   Organize a team to visit other organizations
•   Study their leadership training, employee involvement, managing change, hiring, quality assurance, etc.

Thoughts From Joyce

These 5 strategies are just the tip of the iceberg.  I will be including a powerful interview in a future blog from the QUEEN of Morale Boosters, Harriet Meyerson who developed ConfidenceCenter.com.  She will give you ideas like the ones included in this article to help you reduce conflict in the workplace and bring back smiles to even the doubting team members.  Look for this interview soon.  

Please let me know what you or your company does to appreciate employees.  I will send a copy of my booklet, 19 Secrets for Successfully Navigating Life’s Potholes, Ruts and Obstacles if I use your ideas in a future blog.

 Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?

Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional. To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
Visit her website at JoyceWeiss.com to sign up for your own FREE video series and Communicate with Impact Weekly to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace.

Was this helpful?

Please send me any comments that you may have about this article. Hit the link at the end of this post to share your ideas or questions. Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts to reduce conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is feeling stressed out…who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Business Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results.
How do I do this?
I teach them to tackle the tough conversations with bullies and negative people to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance…
The Result? My clients get a better night’s sleep!

Feel free to call me concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, on line professional growth coaching, and keynote speeches.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

PS Click here to read an article on Quick Questions to Check Your Team’s Intentions for more ideas on how to involve your team.

 

 

 

 

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You Don’t Need a Lever to Turn it Up a Notch

Do you want…ask your team what opp accountable 9

  • An easy activity to do with your team to get their input?
  • Constructive feedback from everyone during a meeting?
  • Ideas how to improve your team?

If so, this strategy will help you improve communication and reduce conflict in the workplace.  I have found that when large groups are asked to give their input, the response is not always great.  Divide your team in groups of 3 or 4 people.  There are many ways to divide groups in a creative way -ask them to find people who have a birthday in the same month or season.  Then find out if there are any team members who share the same birthday. 

Give each team a sheet with the following information on it:

 Team’s Need for Improvement

A Great Need for improvement = Great Energy Drain.
Some Need for improvement = Some Energy Drain.
No Need for improvement = Positive Energy.

Great Energy Drain
Great need:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Some Energy Drain
Some Need:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Positive Energy
No Need:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

 

Once teams have enough time to share their ideas in small groups ask them to give their best ideas to the large group.  Ask someone to write all the ideas down.  Once all the teams have given their input, start discussing each idea and prioritize which ideas to work on first.  Ask ALL team members to sign up on committees to follow through on the team’s need for improvement.   I strongly suggest that there has to be an accountability factor built into this process.  Deadlines and follow up feedback need to be part of the accountability plan.  I see the biggest mistake when groups get together and become very motivated to make changes and there is no follow up or resolution.  Remember when people respect the process, they resolve issues and get outstanding results.

Click here to read an article on You Have an OK Team…Now Make it An A Team

 Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?

Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional. To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
Visit her website at www.JoyceWeiss.com to sign up for your own FREE video series and Communicate with Impact Weekly to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace.

Was this helpful?

Please send me any comments that you may have about this article. Hit the link at the end of this post to share your ideas or questions. Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts to reduce conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is feeling stressed out…who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Business Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results.
How do I do this?
I teach them to tackle the tough conversations with bullies and negative people to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance…
The Result? My clients get a better night’s sleep!

Feel free to call me concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, on line professional growth coaching, and keynote speeches.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

P.S. Click here for an article to get more ideas on… You Have an OK Team…Now Make it An A Team

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Discover Secrets to Add 26 Days to Your Year

clock and hammer bigDo you want to…

  • Add 26 days to your year by reducing conflict in the workplace?
  • Stop others interrupting you so you can do what you need and want to do?
  • Set boundaries for those “talkaholics?”

Is so, you will really enjoy this post.  I was interviewed by RECHARGE! publication on how to set boundaries with others.
Click here to read the article.

RECHARGE! is designed to help you move forward daily in every sphere of your life. Visit the RECHARGE! website to see articles and videos by experts on self-development topics, such as career, wellness, time management, wealth, and much more. 
Click here to find more articles and videos on RECHARGE!

 Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?

Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional. To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
Visit her website at www.JoyceWeiss.com to sign up for your own FREE video series and Communicate with Impact Weekly to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace.

Was this helpful?

Please send me any comments that you may have about this article. Hit the link at the end of this post to share your ideas or questions. Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts to reduce conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is feeling stressed out…who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Business Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results.
How do I do this?
I teach them to tackle the tough conversations with bullies and negative people to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance…
The Result? My clients get a better night’s sleep!

Feel free to call me concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, on line professional growth coaching, and keynote speeches.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

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Hello…Is Anyone Listening?

Do you know how your team really feels about work?cartoon oops fb out of time
Do they give you ideas on how to improve processes?
Do they feel comfortable coming to you with ideas on how to improve morale?

The most important question is…Do you want to know the answers to these questions?

Hello…Is anyone listening?
Both leaders and employees tell me that their ideas are not listened to at work.  As a result I’ve been talking a lot about RESPECT in my trainings.  We all need to feel comfortable to express ourselves.  The challenge is – not everyone wants to hear constructive feedback.  There is an art on how to give and receive constructive feedback.  

Check out this video and article on Confused about Constructive Feedback?

The following questions will help you create an environment of RESPECT

  • What are 3 things I do that you like and dislike?
  • What can we do about this?
  • How do you think we can improve meetings?
  • Do you think some employees get better treatment?
  • What would you do first if you became the leader of this business?
  • What should I know about your work that I don’t know?
  • What do you need to know about the business that you don’t know?
  • Do you feel confident to speak your mind without worrying about negative consequences?

Thoughts from Joyce

The questions above are great ways to start removing barriers.  Make sure that you are open to this constructive information.  Train your team how to give feedback.  Tell them that this is NOT the time to become sarcastic, negative, or silent.  It is your way of showing that you want to listen to their ideas.  Once they give their feedback, tell them what you plan on doing or not doing as a result of this conversation.  Feel free to contact me with questions if this is new for you or if you want more details on how to have a successful conversation with your team.  Let me know the results after you ask these questions.

 Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?

Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional. To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
Visit her website at www.JoyceWeiss.com to sign up for your own FREE video series and Communicate with Impact Weekly to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace.

Was this helpful?

Please send me any comments that you may have about this article. Hit the link at the end of this post to share your ideas or questions. Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts to reduce conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is feeling stressed out…who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Business Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results.
How do I do this?
I teach them to tackle the tough conversations with bullies and negative people to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance…
The Result? My clients get a better night’s sleep!

Feel free to call me concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, on line professional growth coaching, and keynote speeches.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

Check out this video and article on Confused about Constructive Feedback?

 

 

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A Powerful Leadership Secret to Use at Work and Home

dylan and sushiDo you want to learn a leadership secret to reduce conflict at work or home?  If so, think about the word, expectation. We all use the word expectation many times during the day.  My question for you this week is…Are you communicating clearly what your expectations are to others?

The meaning of expectation

A belief that something will happen or is likely to happen.

Challenges from my clients

My clients tell me that they are disappointed when their team does not follow through or deliver expected results.  I ask my clients if they were clear on what they wanted their team to do. They tell me, “Joyce, Yes I was very clear.”  Many times we find out the missing link after we have a meeting with the team and leaders.  The team usually expresses that they did not know specifically what was expected of them while leaders did a bit of “mind reading” thinking that their team already knew what they needed to do.  This is a common mistake that I see many leaders do.  It is easy to fix.

A great example from a Hospital CEO

I am very clear when I interview each new hire for our hospital.  I am the last person on the team who interviews the candidate since I trust my employees to select qualified people.  I tell the candidate that “It’s not my job” is never tolerated here.  Everyone helps each department out.  We all help with patients and wheel them to their cars when they are discharged, if necessary. “It’s not my job” is not tolerated here. I am extremely clear on my expectations and ask them to repeat what I tell them.  This way I know that I was heard! 

A strategy for you to use at home to insure that your expectations are understood

My daughter, Wendy Edelman wrote the blog post below. She works at a MI based software company, Techsmith.   Her message can be used by anyone who wants to get outstanding results from his or her family.  Enjoy and let me know what you do at home or work to make your expectations clear.

The Productivity Activity: A Mom’s Take On The 20% Project

You may be familiar with the 20% project that some teachers are introducing into their classrooms to inspire creativity and student led learning. If you are not familiar, check out this explanation on 20% time in education. I have heard how many students took the 20% project to heart and have come up with amazing project ideas based on their own interests (running a marathon, creating a stop-motion animation movie, organizing a fundraiser, etc.)

My 13 year-old son Dylan is home for the entire summer with no real plans other than a few chores around the house, and playing with friends. Not a bad deal. Luckily, we live in a neighborhood with lots of kids. But I couldn’t help but feel I was letting him down as a working mom and offering him no activity or structure. Then it occurred to me: what if Dylan could do his own version of a 20% project? My husband and I talked it over, and we came up with an idea that takes 20 minutes out of my son’s extremely not-so-busy day. These twenty minutes would be spent doing anything productive and on something that Dylan wanted to explore. We called it the Productivity Activity. Just what every 13-year-old wants!

Here were our rules:

  • He must do something productive for 20 minutes every day
  • He can decide what that project will beDylan
  • We can discuss what he did for the day over dinner or the weekend

Pretty simple, but so far, very effective!

 I gave Dylan a few ideas of inspiration and he ran with it. We are into our first month of summer and here is what he did or plans to do:

  • Research how sushi is made and come up with a plan to make it at home (we bought supplies for was his 8th grade graduation gift)
  • Learn how to play The Office theme song on his guitar
  • Write his own song on the guitar
  • Continue to write chapters in his thriller novel
  • Master HTML with his dad (they have been using codeacademy)
  • Learn the fundamentals of hitting a speedbag (Rocky was his inspiration)

I wanted to share this idea with you because Dylan was so receptive from the very beginning and shows no sign of slowing down. If you do try this with your own kids, the key is to let them pick what interests them. I would love to hear your ideas on how to make the most of a very long summer!

AUTHOR

Wendy Edelman

Wendy Edelman is the Education Team Manager at TechSmith. 
You can follow her at @wendyedelman

  • She has been with TechSmith for over a decade!
  • She loves coffee, red wine, and water..
  • She has one son, one husband :), and one dog.

Thoughts From Joyce

Wendy’s blog post is perfect to share with your team.  Communication issues can be solved once we are all clear about our expectations.  This is also an example of how work and home life are not 2 distinct entities.  Company’s of choice know how to help their employees do their best to balance both home and work.  I will share more ideas on this in future blog posts.  Thanks Wendy for doing such a great job with Dylan.  I am very proud of my family and I will be including more articles about us.  It’s so much fun to learn some great lessons from my kids and grand kids.

Click here to read Powerful Presentation Skills Secrets From a 13 Year Old.  Yes it is also about Dylan.  Learn key ideas to make your next presentation powerful and successful.

 Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?

Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional. To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
Visit her website at www.JoyceWeiss.com to sign up for your own FREE video series and Communicate with Impact Weekly to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace.

Was this helpful?

Please send me any comments that you may have for this article. Hit the link at the end of this post to share your ideas or questions. Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts to reduce conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is feeling stressed out…who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Business Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results.
How do I do this?
I teach them to tackle the tough conversations with bullies and negative people to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance…
The Result? My clients get a better night’s sleep!

Feel free to call me concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, on line professional growth coaching, and keynote speeches.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

Contact Joyce

Email: joyce@joyceweiss.com
Phone: 248-681-5831