Respect in the Workplace Archives - Page 5 of 6

December 17, 2013 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

A Powerful Yet Simple Tip to Help You Stay Positive

I wish you were a fly on the wall when my son taught me an important lesson

It’s funny about life. At times our adult children start using OUR words. Of course they may not recognize this but we sure do. It seems like a miracle when this happens…especially when we remember when they were teenagers! A few months ago I was speaking with my son, Ron and was complaining about a future meeting. I was looking forward to seeing one of my favorite clients. I was excited to use new and improved strategies at the workshop that I was conducting. The training session was being held in February and was located in the Bahamas….I reside in MI.

I was complaining on how I didn’t want to spend time with a colleague because he monopolizes ALL conversations and turns everything into a negative. He drains everyone around him. I help people have conversations like this so they can take control of these difficult people. I also know that there are times when nothing seems to work…especially when we deal with people who don’t listen well.

So, What Did Ron Say?

“Mom, concentrate on steel drums and sunshine. You are wasting too much energy thinking about this long winded colleague.” I said, “Ron, how did you get so smart?” It dawned on me that I say the same things to family members, friends, and clients. Those were MY words that Ron said to his mom. The important part of this story is that we all slip into old patterns at times. It takes someone else to point this out to us. I immediately “changed my state” as Tony Robbins (Author of Unlimited Power) tells us to do when we need to change our internal messages.

I have told many people this story and I get interesting reactions. Everyone “gets it” immediately. We all need reminders on the valuable time that we waste when we constantly complain and don’t do anything about it. Others told me how lucky I am to have a son who is so honest with me. That is how I am with all of my family. Our conversation are never dull! What goes around comes around.

Click the links below to find out what legal services my son, Ron Weiss offers to his clients.
Michigan Injury Law and Michigan Lemon Law

So What About You?

Has someone gently kicked you when you needed to “change your state?” If so, lucky you. Remember to let others know when they are wasting valuable time complaining. You will be appreciated when your statement is direct, positive, without judgment and sarcasm. Please click here for a short video on “Dealing with Negativity in the Workplace.”

Write your own story and what you have said to others when they needed a gentle reminder on how their negativity was getting in their way. If you have questions on what you can say to someone, please ask me and I will respond.

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 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 for a short video on “Dealing with Negativity in the Workplace”

December 5, 2013 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Liberate Your Team With These 4 Easy Steps

Thoughts from Joyce

I’ve been meeting many people who share their stories on why they love working at their company…and these are NOT the owners or presidents!
You will experience their stories in future blogs. Many of you know that I help people take on conflict and resolve it to get better results.

The other part of the equation is how to feel more engaged at work to resolve conflict in the workplace. This post will help those of you who want 4 easy ways to start seeing smiles at work again. Please call me if your team is experiencing hidden agendas, lack of responsibility and accountability because the ideas below will work only after you remove the communication issues. BUT if you have a good team and want to make the environment more positive…enjoy these tips.

How can you make your work environment more enjoyable? Increase motivation? Create an atmosphere where others share new ideas? Working with a team is at times tedious and contentious. Bring on more cake!

The following ideas are a good starting point to liberate your team:

1. Celebrate small wins (birthdays)

2. Manage the junk pile (What is the most annoying rule we can eliminate?)

3. Appreciate them now (Write thank you notes to 2-3 people each week especially when people take risks, speak well to a customer/member, and handle a tough member.)

4. See windows of opportunity (Organize a team to visit other teams to see how they involve their employees)

Check out this article on 5 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Improve Your Team.

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 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, 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 this article on 5 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Improve Your Team

PPS Please click here for gift ideas for unique inspirational professional growth books. I will autograph all copies once you send me the names. Shipping and handling are FREE.

November 18, 2013 By Joyce Weiss 2 Comments

You Have to Read This to See the Importance of JOY at Work

Periodically I share innovative projects and systems that my colleagues or clients are doing to reduce conflict in the workplace and create employee engagement. This post is about a company based in Ann Arbor, MI. It’s fearless leader, Rich Sheridan’s title says it all – “CEO, Chief Story Teller & Tour Guide.” Anna Flynn who is also in the photograph has the following title…“Jack of all Trades.”

Menlo Innovations is a leader in the business value of joy and is passionate about building quality software. They have been voted the 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work numerous times.

The minute I walked in I knew I was not in a “normal” place! There was no receptionist. There were no cubicles. The room was full of people laughing and working together. Rich was right in the middle of all of this and was NOT in a special gold studded office.

The following are just a few of the best practices at Menlo Innovations:

pairing; no one works alone

change partners every 5 days

open and collaborate workspace

40 hour work weeks

pets and babies at work

making mistakes faster

Menlo’s way of hiring new team members:

Team members and leaders don’t ask any questions to the job applicants. Job applicants are put to work immediately. There are 30-50 people working at the same time during the interview. The applicant experiences what they will be doing if they get hired… to make sure that they like this kind of environment without micro managers. In 20 minutes they switch pairs. This process takes 2 hours.

After they leave employees gather to analyze what they observed. The team discusses whether the job applicants bring out all the best qualities in their partners. The applicant’s job is to make the other applicant look as good as possible.

When they make the cut applicants are invited back for the 2nd interview and get paid for their time. If they make this cut they work for 3 weeks to see if they like the Menlo Way and if Menlo sees a fit.

How does Menlo deal with conflict?

Team members receive feedback from a peer group whenever they request it. When team members have an issue with others they are empowered to take care of this themselves. A factory floor manager gives them strategies if they need extra assistance. Managers don’t get involved.

Check out Joy, Inc: How We Build a Workplace People Love by Richard Sheridan.

Rich offers an inside look at how he removed the fear and ambiguity that typically make a workplace miserable. I will be writing another blog post about Menlo Innovations after I read Joy, Inc.

Check out this video on resources to reduce conflict in the workplace to increase morale at work.

Thoughts From Joyce

I can just hear some of you thinking…”I would love to work at Menlo Innovations” or “This will never work at my company.” Why not? Start with small steps. Reread some of my past posts on how other companies engage their employees.

Let me know what you do to engage your employees to bring JOY at work. When I started my career, leaders told me NOT to have their employees laugh during my presentation. Leaders only wanted serious training to increase productivity. They only wanted me to share strategies. I’m so glad that this archaic thinking has changed. Those of you who know my personality realize that humor is part of my life and every training project. Laughter and getting energy from each other makes a great training session rock!

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 this video on Resources to reduce conflict in the workplace to increase morale at work.

July 9, 2013 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Different Does NOT Equal Wrong

This blog post is the 2nd in the series taken from my book,
Take the Ride of Your Life! Shift Gears for More Balance, Growth and Joy.
Dealing with conflict in the workplace takes a lot of courage at times!
Especially when you may be the only one with an opinion and your entire team disagrees with you.

Different equals different. Different does not equal wrong.

Click here to find out how to receive your FREE poster on Fast Help for a Tense Workplace

ALYCE’S Story

Even on a broken old Schwinn, Alyce learned the importance of freedom and helping others.

Alyce is a crisis counselor for abused women. She understands the power of asking for and giving help.
She spent her earliest childhood in a Louisiana migrant camp.
She remembers watching her mom pick tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries,
apples, peaches, and cherries under broiling southern skies.

Alyce’s First Bike

“My first bike did not even have wheels.
It was a real old Schwinn.
Everybody took turns pushing each other on it, because it didn’t pedal,” she recalled.

“It had a big seat on it, and we pretty much taught ourselves to ‘ride’ it.
All the kids took turns holding the bike and pushed each other until we skinned our knees.
We had a ball.”
It wasn’t until Alyce turned eleven or twelve and moved to Michigan
that she got her first new bicycle.

Trouble in the Neighborhood

The family experienced racism in their new neighborhood,
but young Alyce and her sisters bounced right through it.

“We were the first black people to move in.
For a long time, the other parents wouldn’t let us play with their children,” she says.
“Eventually the kids outgrew it; we didn’t scare easily and we didn’t know any better.
We’d still go over to play even if they yelled at us.”

Learning Tolerance

Despite the pain racism caused, Alyce’s mother never allowed her daughters
to behave that way in return. “The prejudice made me a stronger person.
It made me realize that no matter what color a person is, you treat them
the way you want to be treated.”

Different Does Not Equal Wrong

Today Alyce’s home has become a shelter for the homeless.
“I always have a house full of children,” she says matter-of-factly.
“They’re people; something I do or say may help them.
Why should I be the one to turn them away?
I want everyone to remember and say, ‘She helped me.’ ”

Alyce’s Bike Lessons

When Alyce thinks about her bikes she has some keen insights.
“That first bike wasn’t complete. Yet, a bunch of kids got together
and supported each other so we could all play. Then all of a sudden, I
had a bike that I could ride myself. It’s like my life.
I love doing things with people, for people.
I’m much more content with this than being by myself.
I’m happy with my life.
Now I have a full bike with everything on it — and I’m sharing it.”

Asking for Help During Conflict

Many of us don’t ask for help because we think it is a sign of
weakness. Asking for help is a strength. It is a sign that you are
taking care of your own needs. Sit down and create a list of people
who can help you feel less pressured. Problem-solving gives you
control of the situation; it allows you to create your own positive
environment amid the stress of everyday chaos.

Problem Solving

Problem-solving is another technique that moves people into action.
It gives control, versus staying stuck and complaining about the same old things.

Life means getting into or out of a crisis most of the time.
Instead of lying in bed feeling angry, hurt, or worried, take the
stress associated with crisis and turn it into positive energy.
Figure out what you need to do to create a more fulfilled life.
Problem solve, be innovative, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Gear-Shifting Action Steps

1. Write the name of a negative person who brings you down.
Problem-solve a plan to protect yourself.

2. Who is a cheerleader in your life?
What does this person do to encourage you?

3. Who are you a cheerleader for?
How do you encourage this person to be the best he or she can be?

4. On the left side of a paper, make a list of the situations that troubled you last year.
On the right side, list the effects of each situation.
Hopefully the items on the right side won’t seem so important.

5. What worried me one year ago?
What are the consequences?
At work?
At home?
With relationships?

6. Now make a list of the troubles you’re facing today.
Visualize how they will turn out one year from now.
What worries me today?
What will be the consequences?
At work?
At home?
With relationships?

Was this helpful?
Please send me your bike story. Place your comments in the comment box at the end of this post.
       Who taught you how to ride?
       What memories do you have about that important time in your life?
       What lessons did you learn from your parents or other adults when you were a child?

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 order your own copy of Take the Ride of Your Life! It is an easy summer read.

PPS Click here to find out how to receive your FREE poster on Fast Help for a Tense Workplace

June 4, 2013 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Why Should Your Company or Clients Keep You?

One of my clients asked me to talk to her high level administrative professionals on “Empowering Yourself to Success.”
Her team is doing a GREAT job.
My task was to encourage them to get to their next level of continuous improvement.

This blog post contains some of the content that I used in the training.
A future blog post will address the total opposite situation…
How to deal with non-engaged employees.
I hope that you enjoy these ideas.

Make sure and share your concerns, stories, or questions about employee engagement…to reduce conflict in the workplace.

Check out this podcast on TEAM Synergy.

Doing Your Personal BEST
These are some of the comments that the audience answered when I asked them, “How do you do your personal best?”

“I ask for more things to do.”
“The more I know, the more I can contribute.”
“I do what I can to make my boss look good.”

I shared the platform with Olympic Gold Medalist, Mary Lou Retton.
She told me how she feels about doing your personal best.

“Champions don’t wait 4 years to make their heroic opportunity. They create their opportunity every day.
Champions practice because they treat workouts as the Olympics.
Anyone could win in the Olympics, but could does not count.”

Adding Value

Make sure that you contribute more than you cost.
Make a difference.
Add enough value so that something very important would be missing if you left!

The title of this blog is …Why Should Your Company or Clients Keep You?

This is your chance to send in your answers to this question to me.

What are the reasons? Hey, if you don’t toot your own horn…who will?

Your answer may be a good one to keep during your next evaluation. 🙂

Use this post for a team meeting

Share this post with your team and ask them the same question. This is a great team exercise which I use during my training.
People who are modest are asked to go deep and share because we all need to know our strengths.
People who like boasting about themselves are asked to be very honest and share their talents.
The team will let them know if they are just bragging.
Be careful with this one because at times conflict can come out of these transparent exercises.
You know where to find me if you want me to help you discuss these important issues and hold each other accountable.

Was this helpful?
Please share with your team or others who you feel would enjoy the content.
Be sure and give Joyce Weiss Training and Development LLC credit for the information.
Make sure and send me the reasons why your company or clients should keep you.
I will respond and I’m sure this will be an interesting set of comments from my readers.

Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss
And Remember…YOU GET WHAT YOU TOLERATE!

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

Remember to check out this podcast on Team Synergy by hitting this link

A Powerful Yet Simple Tip to Help You Stay Positive

Liberate Your Team With These 4 Easy Steps

You Have to Read This to See the Importance of JOY at Work

Different Does NOT Equal Wrong

Why Should Your Company or Clients Keep You?

Contact Joyce

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