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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You Have to Read This Book on New Ideas to Motivate Others

cartoon oops fb out of timeIf you want to reduce conflict in the workplace and fully engage yourself or your team then read on! Daniel Pink is the author of DRIVE: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.

The next few blog posts will describe important aspects of autonomy that you can adapt for yourself or your team. Some of the information is not new YET Daniel Pink shares interesting strategies to explore what motivates you and others.

Autonomy is always an issue that my clients want me to cover in their training. They always ask me, how can I motivate my team or fire up the troops? 

 This post and the ones that follow will help start your own journey on this topic.

Click here for my short video on The Importance of Being Accountable.

 Daniel Pink tells us that Motivation 1 is about survival only.

Motivation 2 is about a drive to seek reward and avoid punishment such as bonuses or incentive plans.

I will describe Daniel Pink’s ideas about Motivation 3 in the next blog post.  I will give you a hint…it is all about autonomy.

 Motivation 2 sounds like…”If you do this…you will get this.” For example, “If you improve productivity we will give you a bonus.”  People expect these kinds of rewards all the time and it  takes away their autonomy.  People don’t have control of their lives with this kind of motivation.  They eventually do the task for the reward.

The carrots and sticks approach creates the following behavior:

  • Diminishes performance
  • Crushes creativity
  • Fosters short term thinking

At times the carrots and sticks approach will work.  For example, promise an office party if the team does some mundane task on a weekend. “If you come to the office on the weekend to stuff envelopes, we will have a gourmet dinner delivered to our office this week.”  There is no hidden agenda in this statement.  The team knows that for this one mundane project, they will get rewarded.

Carrots and Sticks (Motivation 2) works when:

  • You offer a rational for why the task is necessary
  • Acknowledge that the task is boring
  • Allow people to complete the task their own way

Please share the good or bad news on how you use this kind of approach.
What has worked and what has back fired when you use the “if you do this…you will get this” approach?

Look for strategies on the new way of motivating others in the next few blogs. I will share case scenarios that I have seen with my own clients on how they have turned non engaged teams into self motivated employees.

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Please send me any comments that you may have for this blog post.
Place your comments in the comment box at the end of this post.

Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts.
Feel free to share this post. Just make sure and give credit to:
Joyce Weiss Training & Development LLC > www.JoyceWeiss.com
Please let others know about these blog posts on reducing conflict at the workplace and home.

There may be someone in your life who is experiencing some stress… who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Conflict Resolution Consultant

I help others have tough conversations so they get a better night’s sleep.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

 

PS Click here to check out my short video on the importance of autonomy

 

 

 

 

 

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5 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Improve Your Team

conflict in meetingYou know those communications…the ones where you just can’t
pay attention or roll your eyes.

Have you ever been on a losing team? What would you have changed
if you were the leader?

Don’t set your team up for failure.
Whether you’re the team leader or a team member,
don’t let the following 5 scenarios happen in your office.

On a Losing Team, People:

1. Do not know what is expected.

2. Do not know how he/she is doing.

3. Cannot do the required skills.

4. Lack organizational support.

5. Have poor relationships.

What Can YOU Do When You See Your Team’s Success Dwindle?

1.  Ask questions and be clear about what is expected from your company, colleagues, and your boss.

2.  Find out how you are doing a few times/year and NOT just during evaluations.

3.  Know what the required skills are for you and others and get training immediately.

4.  Look for another job if there is no support from the top.

5.  You don’t have to like your colleagues.  Let go of old issues if they are getting in the way.
Do your best to change a negative situation into something a bit more manageable in order to
move forward.

Remember…YOU Get What YOU Tolerate!

Click here for an article on How to Increase Respect in the Workplace.

Thoughts from Joyce

I know that these 5 ideas sound easy.  They are not always simple to follow.
Please write questions about your own conflict or communication situations at work.
You are not alone.  There is usually a second right answer once you brainstorm with an ally!

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Let us hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feel free to share these tips with your team – just be sure to give Joyce credit when you share.

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For more information, videos, articles and podcasts, visit Joyce’s website.

Click here for an article on
How to Increase Respect in the Workplace and Reduce Stress

 Until next time…This is Joyce Weiss

Remember…YOU Get What You Tolerate!

Don’t run away from conflict. Resolve it now to get respect back in the workplace.

I help people have tough conversations so they get a better night’s sleep!

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Do You REALLY Want to Improve Morale?

photo the office superboss

This is the 2nd post about the gems that I learned from the MI Lean Consortium Conference.
The information for this post comes from an incredible LEAN leader and author, Jamie Flinchbaugh.
Employee engagement helps reduce conflict in the workplace…only when programs are put in place after a lot of planning with the entire team.

 

 

 


 

Employee Engagement Works When…

  • Everyone buys into the program, not just the leader or a few people
  • Leaders become teachers and walk their talk
  • Problems with the program are dealt with immediately

3 Important Ideas That Impact Change

  • Behavior is how we act
  • Action is what we do
  • Results are what we get

Build Tension with Change…NOT Stress

  • What is the current reality?
  • What is the vision of the ideal state?

The gap creates tension.  This will help the team forward.  Now discuss what changes need to be made
to get the results that you ALL want.

How to Build Positive Tension

  • Eliminate fear
  • Eliminate comfort
  • Make sure that there is space for learning and making mistakes

 Joyce’s Opinion on Successful Employee Engagement

Respect is NOT about being nice

“Be Direct with Respect ” is our company trademark that has changed the environment for my clients.
The idea is to give your opinion to anyone in a respectful way.
It takes practice to learn communication skills that work!
The GAP is where people learn new behavior for themselves and others.

Click here to find out how you and your team can take an ON Line Master E-Course
Communicate with Impact.
You will be in touch with Joyce for 2 months while you practice
new skills to get the communication results that you deserve.
Learn how to deal with negativity, bullies, time wasters, and boundaries.
You take the class from the comfort of your own home and the class is personalized to fit your needs.

OK, It’s YOUR Turn!

Please share how your company encourages employees to share their opinion to make positive
change in your company.

Was this helpful?
Please send me any comments that you may have on this subject.
Place your comments in the comment box at the end of this post.

Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts.
Feel free to share these ideas. Just make sure and give credit to:
Joyce Weiss Training & Development LLC > www.JoyceWeiss.com

Please let others know about these ideas on reducing conflict at the workplace and home.
There may be someone in your life who is experiencing some stress…
who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home
life.

 Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss, Conflict Resolution Consultant

I help others have tough conversations so they get a better night’s sleep.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

PS  Click here to find out how you and your team can take
an ON Line Master E-Course Communicate with Impact.

 

 

 

 

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Employee Engagement Rocks!

cartoon booste office moraleI just attended a very productive few days at the
MI Lean Consortium Conference in Traverse City MI.
I will be sharing some of the “gems” that I learned in the next few blog posts.

LEAN Thinking: Eliminate waste and maximize profits

Andy Dillon, State of MI Treasurer was one of the keynote speakers.

He told us how MI has saved money and increased productivity by using LEAN concepts.

Here are key ideas from his speech:

  • People do things wrong for so long that they don’t know if the system is broken
  • Know your weaknesses and hire people who can fill those gaps
  • Everyone needs to be trained in LEAN in order for it to be successful
  • Leaders not only have to buy into the LEAN concepts…they have to be part of the change

Mr. Dillon and his team spoke to numerous state employees and REALLY heard what was needed
to get more employee engagement. As a result morale and productivity went up after employees
had a chance to share ideas on how to improve things for both citizens and themselves.

The idea is…don’t ask for input unless you will do something about it!

You may be wondering…Joyce, what is your interest in LEAN Thinking?
Once there is change, there is conflict.
I will be assisting LEAN consultants on how to manage conflict.

It takes a while for people to like and understands LEAN thinking.
There will always be the naysayers who complain and try to derail the process.
LEAN consultants use several tools to help change and I will help make the process move forward.

I will be learning about the concepts and start taking courses through the MI Lean Consortium
because I see such value and the results are over whelming.

Please share if you use LEAN Thinking concepts and how they have helped.
Also share frustrations that you have experienced and we can start an interesting conversation
on how to move forward.

Below is a link to the Mi Lean Consortium.
Their philosophy is “Making MI the Benchmark for Economic Success.”
Michigan Lean Consortium website

 Was this helpful?

Please send me any comments that you may have for this blog post.
Place your comments in the comment box at the end of this post.

Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts.
Feel free to share this post. Just make sure and give credit to:
Joyce Weiss Training & Development LLC > www.JoyceWeiss.com
Please let others know about these blog posts on reducing conflict at the workplace and home.

There may be someone in your life who is experiencing some stress…
who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their
working condition or home life.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Conflict Resolution Consultant

I help others have tough conversations so they get a better night’s sleep.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

PS  Check out my short interview on The Leaning Edge Radio Show about
communicating ideas between employees and ways to eliminate wasteful
conversations with host and MLC Chair, Debra Levantrosser.  
The Leaning Edge Radio Show with Debra and Joyce

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What is the Most Important Part of a Strong Team?

photo donkeys on back

The answer is … TRUST.
Trust is an Important Part of Building Strong Teams

Have you heard your team complain about the lack of trust?
If a horse can trust a goat on its back, surely your team can trust each other to help with the workload!
Building trust on teams is continuous work.

Use the following guidelines to build trust on your team:

  •  Attract and keep a team made up of the most outstanding people in the industry.
  • Create and maintain an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.
  • Listen to the people who do the work.
  • Build and maintain a spirit of “all for one and one for all.”
  • Encourage every team member to take risks and never be afraid to make mistakes.
  • Hold team members accountable for results.Click here for an article on Tips to Create a Winning Team

Click here for more information on Tips to Create a Winning Team

 

Was this helpful?

Let us hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feel free to share these tips with your team – just be sure to give Joyce credit when you share or publish.
Joyce Weiss Training and Development LLC > www.JoyceWeiss.com

Sign up at the RSS feed on the blog site to be included in future blog posts from Joyce on this subject.

 

Contact Joyce

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