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

By Leave a Comment

Do You Live With or Work with A Generation Y? Understanding Different Generations in the Workplace

If so, this blog post if just for you.
Generation Y was born between 1981-1995.

I had the privilege of being the keynote speaker at the Jump Start program for freshmen at Oakland University in Rochester MI.

There were 200 eager freshmen waiting to learn how they can become involved as future leaders during their stay at Oakland University.

Thanks to Chris Jensen (Assistant Director of Leadership and Service) and Meaghan Walter (Graduate Assistant for Leadership Development & First Year Programs) who coordinated & planned the most impressive Jump Start Program.

They made all 200 students feel extremely welcome and important.  The enthusiasm continued throughout the entire day.  It’s a good thing for Vitamin C and caffeine!

Both Chris and Meaghan helped me plan my portion of the program to make sure that it would be a success.
I thank both of them for their important input to help us achieve a most successful project together.

Joyce with Meaghan Walter and Chris Jensen

We started out the session discussing how these young men and women have the world in their hands.
Each one can make a difference due to their desire to share their uniqueness with the world.

The millennial generation…or generation Y has been given many choices.
They want to become active in making the world a better place.

We had a very energetic discussion on the meaning of success.
We discussed that money is good and a hot career is important.
We also discussed that their unique talents will make the true mark in this world.

They all shared their unique skills and talents that they brought to Oakland University.
This was truly book material!

We then discussed the 4 NEW WORK REALITIES which contained information on my experience dealing with conflict in the workplace between employers and employees.
I helped them discover what to expect when they graduate to prepare for their career development.

Work Reality #1:
Generation Y is Both Colliding and Clicking with Gen X, Baby Boomers, & Traditionalists.

Generation Y:  Millennials want to express themselves and their unique gifts.
They are on the move because they see many opportunities that are offered to them.

Other generations watch Gen Y change jobs and see this as a lack of work ethic.
This generation may be finding a better job that fits their skills and talents better.

Each generation has its own positive contributions.
All generations need to be ready to collaborate with each other and discuss challenges openly and respectively.

Here’s a question for you…
How do you think other generations feel about your own generation?

Are these assumptions accurate or generalizations?  The same goes for all generations.

Different equals different.
Different does not equal wrong!

Work Reality # 2:
Commit Fully to Your Education

Commitment …

  • Is a gift that you can give to yourself
  • Empowers you
  • Brings out your very best potential
  • Makes you a more valuable student and future employee

I’ve noticed that people who do whatever it takes to get the job done…

  • Seem to be fulfilled in their life
  • Become experts in their field
  • Understand that “just doing my job” is a sign of mediocrity

I have a question for you…
How are you showing your commitment to be the best at what you do at school or at work?

Work Reality #3:
Constantly Learn

Lifelong learning is the only way to remain competitive.
This relentless drive to acquire new skills & stay informed creates enthusiasm in what you do.

Here is another question for you…
What is the best class that you ever took and why?

The answer may reveal some important information on future training or exploration for you.

Work Reality #4:
Learn From Setbacks and Convert Challenges Into Success

I told the freshmen the following message:

“You won’t always do the right thing.
Maybe you didn’t do well in high school and Oakland University will be your fresh start.
You may get your first C in school or even fail a class.
Do you drop out or start over, learn and improve?

I know what I’m talking about.  Look what I do for a living.
Most people would rather die than give a speech.
Professional speakers face rejection every time they open their mouth.
Some people will not like the speaker’s message, sound of their voice, pattern of their business suit…etc.
I’ve become an expert in helping others turn their challenges into an opportunity due to my own work related challenges.”

Here are two more questions…
What challenge may be stopping you at this moment?
What do you need to do to face the challenge in order to grow?

Failure is never final.
Success does not last forever!

We also discussed multitasking and balancing time between doing homework and having a social life.
Look for these tips from the keynote speech Take the Ride of Your Life in a future blog.

Check out these video testimonials from 3 very bright and positive future leaders at Oakland University.
I enjoyed my time with each and every student and look forward to hearing about their continued success!

Share this blog with your own Gen Y and let me know the result of your communication.
I love staying in touch with my loyal readers!

Was this helpful?

Let us hear your thoughts about your own experiences with different generations.

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

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

******************************************************************************************

Until next time

Remember, You GET What YOU Tolerate!

Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP
Conflict Resolution Consultant & Accountability Coach

 

 

 

By Leave a Comment

Independent Community Banks of North Dakota Learns New Facts On Stress and Doing More with Less

I had the honor of working with the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota.  Wendy Ruud-Assistant Vice President of ICBND- asked me to work with her Emerging Leaders Development Group.  The Emerging Leaders are creative, bright, and open minded banking leaders who all impressed me…to say the least!

They are progressive, energetic bankers who want to better themselves both personally and professionally.
They are committed to preserve community banking and its philosophy.

We discussed The New Normal…Doing More with Less.

Check out the following topics from the training:

  • We can’t have a productive work environment if employees are stretched to the max in their work or home life.
  • All generations need to discuss their needs and challenges with each other in an open forum to create a positive work flow.
  • Boomers live to work.
  • Generation X work to live.
  • Generation Y blend the two
  • Making time for yourself is not a luxury…it is a necessity
  • Make appointments with yourself in outlook to go home at certain times to gain control in your personal life
  • Have strong conversations with negative people who pull the morale down.
  • Negative people need to understand that they waste a lot of time and energy.
  • Complaining cannot be tolerated.  Bringing ideas to solve an issue must be the new norm.
  • It is not enough to be efficient.  We also need to be effective!
  • New facts on stress:  Burn out means that it is time for a change.
  • Humor is a survival skill.
  • Improving morale is a constant challenge for all successful companies.
  • Learn the lean philosophy from Toyota.  Continuously look for waste.  Make sure people discuss the root cause of problems immediately before mistakes continue.

We had some very interesting group interaction on each one of the above topics.
Participants walked away with ideas on how to set boundaries at work and home.  They commented on how they enjoyed learning new facts on stress to reduce conflict in the workplace.

A special thanks goes out to Wendy Ruud, Anita Quaglia, Dawn Flaten, and David Mason who allowed me to interview them before the program.

Check out the video from Anita Quaglia and Jeremy Jensen – 2 Emerging Leaders on how they will set boundaries after learning new facts about stress.

***************************************************************************

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.

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

Until next time…Remember

You Get What YOU Tolerate!

Joyce Weiss

 

By 2 Comments

How to Increase Respect in the Workplace and Reduce Stress

Do you want to increase respect in the workplace?

Do you want to re-energize your team?

Do you want to reduce conflict and stress?

If you said “yes” to even one question…please continue reading!

All teams need a wake up call from time to time – an energy boost or an attitude adjustment. How do you know when it’s time for your team to get re-energized? Look at them. Is there energy in the team?  Are they communicating with respect?  Do your teams make time for stress relief exercises? Are people excited about work? Are employees talking to each other? Is there laughter and fun in the air? If you answered “no” to even one of these questions, then it could be time for you to initiate your team for ideas on how to increase respect and reduce stress.  It helps if you are open and will use some of their ideas.

For many companies, it’s the “same old” routine day in and day out. People grudgingly go through the motions of work, but they don’t have their heart into it. There’s so much stress or negativity in the air that you can cut it with a knife. The silence is deafening, and when someone does talk, it’s laced with sarcasm and retaliation…there is an over abundance of conflict in the workplace.

But work doesn’t have to be this way. You can help your team learn new facts about stress so everyone is focused and having fun again. Here’s how.

  • Create a stress relief committee.

Ask for volunteers to head a stress relief committee. Typically the people who want this role are the overly optimistic people who are full of energy anyway, but that’s okay. You need someone to take the lead. Empower the committee to determine when the team needs to do various stress relief exercises and allow them to organize a group break so everyone can recharge.

  • Ask the group for their input.  Ask them the question…What does respect mean?

You can’t mandate what the team “should” do to reduce stress and re-energize. That approach will always backfire because someone (or maybe everyone) will think the activity is “dumb” or a “waste of time.” Therefore, have the stress relief committee find out what each person would like to do to reduce stress and increase respect in the workplace. It could be anything from bringing in a chair masseuse once a month to getting everyone to dance to some upbeat music to having a 15-minute silence break. There are numerous respect activities and I will include a few examples in the next article.  The possibilities are endless so long as you get everyone’s input.

Check out this blog post on New Facts about Stress to Reduce Conflict in the Workplace.

  • Address the nay-sayers.

Invariably you’ll have at least one person who won’t want to go along with the group’s activity. The key to winning this person over is to find out what he or she needs to do to reduce stress. Whatever you do, don’t let the nay-sayer sit out from the designated activity. That will only cause others to look down on him or her and erode the team’s spirit and increase workplace gossip. Instead, say to the person, “As the manager, it’s my job to make sure everyone has some stress relief. Tell me what will help you re-energize.” Listen to what the person says and do that activity next (as long as he or she participates in the current activity).

The Energy to Succeed

Everyone needs a fun break from time to time – an escape from the stresses of work and life. So give your team the opportunity to discuss how to reduce stress to increase respect in the workplace. By doing so, they’ll have the strength and creativity to get more done in less time…and with better results.

Was this helpful?
What is your most pressing issue on your conflict in the workplace?
Let us hear your thoughts in the comment box below.
Feel free to share these tips with your team – Just be sure to give Joyce credit when you share or publish.
Sign up at the RSS feed on the blog site to be included in future blog posts from Joyce on this subject.

For more information, articles and podcasts, visit https://www.joyceweiss.com

Until next time…REMEMBER
YOU GET WHAT YOU TOLERATE!

Joyce Weiss

By Leave a Comment

Make Time for Yourself! Work Life Balance Articles & Tips

Does this sound familiar?
“I don’t have time to do what I really want to do!”

I’ve launched a new site, www.TipstoBeHappy.com that contains free tips on how to be happy in your life, career and with your team. Each tip will contain a quote, stress relief exercise and quick activity so that you can live your life the fullest.

Here is a sample of a tip and a favorite quote for you to use to make that time for YOU!

“We are always getting ready to live, but never living.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer

List the activities you’d like to do – like taking a trip, going for a daily walk, or organizing your day. Then, prioritize.  Put those items that most closely match your life’s purpose at the top of the list. Get started accomplishing what’s most important to you!

Sign up for your own tips here.
You will receive weekly tips on how to deal with work and home.
They will also contain new facts about stress.

There are numerous articles written on stress and work life balance.
Click here for a blog post that I wrote on “New Facts About Stress to Reduce Conflict in the Workplace.”

Please write your biggest challenge that you are experiencing at work in the comment box below.
*******************************************************************************

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.

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

Until next time… Remember, You Get What YOU Tolerate!

Joyce Weiss
Conflict in the Workplace Consultant

By Leave a Comment

Lean Culture and Resolving Conflict in the Workplace

I had the privilege of co presenting a program for the MI Lean Consortium.  G.S. Clarke shared his knowledge on measuring, analyzing, and changing an organization’s existing culture focusing on thought patterns and behaviors.  I continued the discussion on how to deal with resistance during change.   The members asked great questions and they shared their best practices using Lean.

MI Lean Consortium is a diverse network of knowledgeable Lean professionals who come together to share innovative practices.  The organization aims to create a lean culture in MI to ensure sustainable competitive advantage, which could translate into healthier businesses that offers more job opportunities leading to economic growth in the state.

I’m so impressed with this group and will be become a member soon.

Check out some of the main ideas that we discussed on resolving conflict in the workplace especially while convincing naysayers about the benefits of cultural change.

  • When you change culture, you will get conflict
  • We need to convince leaders that they will be able to do what they want to do after lean processes are implemented
  • Front line employees will see how their working condition will improve when waste in time and resources are reduced
  • Everyone has to be responsible for lean every day.  It is not a passing fad and takes a long time to implement
  • The role of Lean leaders is to create change based on learning
  • It is more important to be effective than right

It is NOT an easy task to deal with people who are resistant to change, but it is possible…once we learn how to improve communication skills.

Lean consists of the following:

  • Philosophy:  Long term thinking
  • Process:  Eliminate waste
  • People and Partners:  Respect, challenge, people
    Problem Solving:  Continuous improvement and learning 

    Here are a few more ideas on lean:

  • Signs of good leadership include high morale and consistent achievement of objectives within the group…growing people while still doing tasks to accomplish greater results.
  • A lean company forbids its people to do what they did yesterday.
  • Learning and experimenting are expected and required for every job.
  • Leaders provide the emotional safety for those who are willing to risk and shrink the comfort zone.

If you want more information about the MI Lean Consortium or on
resolving conflict in the workplace
feel free to contact me and I will introduce you to the fine people at MI Learn Consortium

 

Check out the 2 videos from Debra Levantrosser Setman who is the co founder of MI Lean Consortium and Phil Berry who sits on the Board of Directors on what they learned from the program


Debra Levantrosser Setman, Les Sutherland, Joyce Weiss, G.S. Clarke, Phil Berry

Was this helpful?
Let us hear your thoughts in the comment box below.
Feel free to share these tips with your team – Just be sure to give Joyce credit when you share or publish.
Sign up at the RSS feed on the blog site to be included in future blog posts from Joyce on the subject.

Until next time, Remember…YOU GET WHAT YOU TOLERATE!

Joyce Weiss
Conflict Resolution Consultant and Accountability Coach

Contact Joyce

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