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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Leadership Consulting: Great Leaders Make NO Excuses

Have you ever attended a meeting when complaining prevailed?

Did you wish that the leader stopped the negativity in order to move forward?

This blog post describes how a strong leader took a negative situation and turned it into a very productive meeting.

I recently attended the School of Education and Human Services board meeting at Oakland University in Rochester MI.  Our fearless leader Dean Louis Gallien told us how Oakland University may lose 23% of its state allocation if state legislators accept our governor’s budget plan for higher education.

Dean Gallien told us that our governor needs to fix our state budget and make tough decisions.  He led us into discussions on how to move forward and figure out what we must do to continue making Oakland University vital and growing.

The board of directors did not waste time feeling like victims or blame the government.
“No excuses” became our mantra for the rest of this productive meeting.

I wish all leaders stopped constant complaining during meetings. This kind of behavior only breeds negativity which stops problem solving and creativity.

Think about your own situation for a moment – especially if your budget was cut or if you experienced a reduction in staff or benefits.

How much time was wasted in conversations on what was taken away?

We need to spend more time on the positive things that the company is doing.
We need to spend the rest of our time discussing ideas for streamlining, cost cutting, and restructuring.
Many of us are experiencing the “new work reality” about reduction of budgets.

Do your best to use the following tips to keep creative ideas flowing:

  • Look towards the future
  • Search for a second right answer
  • Find opportunity from change
  • Do your best to stay positive during challenges
  • Accept responsibility and don’t blame others
  • Don’t walk away from negative people – run!

These are not easy to do BUT they are necessary in order to move forward and succeed.
Let our competition complain and stay stuck in their status quo while we find answers to our challenges.

Remember – You Get What You Tolerate!

Until the next time.
What is your most pressing question about your own meetings?

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

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So…You Want to Be a GREAT Listener?

Many of my clients ask me to include ideas in my training programs  on how we can become great listeners.

Effective listening skills will help improve our relationships and sales.  The next time you are in a conflict make sure and use this technique because it will help you gain control and concentrate on what is really being said.

We have to ask ourselves if it is more important to be right or to resolve a conflict.

Enjoy this 2 minute video and let me know what your most pressing communication challenge is in your own life.

The rest of this blog post contains the words included in the video.

Has anyone ever told you that you’re just not listening?
Do you ask a question and the other person tells you that you already asked the same question?

If so – not to worry.  We are all so busy doing the things that we do and at times our mind is on over load!
Here are a few reasons why people aren’t great listeners:

  • They are thinking of what they are going to say while the other person is talking
  • They tune out the person’s message because they don’t like what the other person is saying
  • They are thinking about what’s for lunch

Here’s the bold solutions tip for today:

  • Really focus on the person who is talking
  • Slow down your pace and concentrate only on what you are being told
  • Turn off all internal dialogue
  • Repeat what the other person just told you (parroting technique)

This one simple technique can help you become a GREAT listener.  You will see how others appreciate your concentration.  You will also see how others will listen better to you.  It may take a while to change your listening habits, but it will be worth the work since you will see how your relationships and sales will improve.

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For more information on Joyce’s accountability coaching and speaking please visit:  https://www.joyceweiss.com

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Developing Respect in the Workplace by Building Trust

I just worked with the MI TWP Association in Grand Rapids MI on a “Building Trust in Your Community Workshop.” The group was open to the ideas and participated in numerous group exercises.

Below is an exercise that I asked the audience to complete.

On the left side of a piece of paper write down the name of a person who you don’t get along with. Write down a few characteristics that describe this person. On the right side of the paper write down the name of a person who you get along with really well and write a few characteristics that describe this person

OK…now for the fun! Most of the time people tell me that the description of the person that they don’t get along with is NOT like the person doing the exercise. It is interesting because participants tell me that the description of the person who they get along with describes the person doing the exercise.

Here is the challenge: Personal bias gets in the way. We get along with people who are like us and many times have conflict with people who are NOT like us. Hopefully this will help the next time you have conflict with someone. Ask yourself if the differences between you and the other person is really the issue.

The definition of conflict is the following: “An open clash between groups or individuals.” It can be due to different ideas, behaviors communication styles or cultures. We all deal with conflict in different ways!

I hope that this tip will help you resolve your next conflict. Please look for a video tip on this subject in one of my next blogs.

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

Until next time!

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Set Realistic Expectations to Improve Communication in the Workplace

Do you want better group cohesion?
Do you want to communicate effectively with your team?
Has your team discussed expectations with each other?
Has your team had honest and tough conversations?

Knowing the employees needs will convert challenges into golden opportunities to improve your team’s communication and morale

A good place to start is to speak openly to each other in order  to improve the working condition.
To create a strong team,  you need to communicate all team expectations, like;

  • When you disagree with me, let me know.
  • The team is counting on everyone to have this project done by 3:00 today.
  • I expect projects done on time, even it means working late.
  • I want you to take the initiative, and start contributing at our team meetings.
  • Give me regular status reports, so I don’t get last minute surprises.

Was this helpful?

Let us hear your thoughts in the comments 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

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Hiring Trends Survey

I’m partnering with Casey Jankoska who is the Client Relationship Manager for Express Employment Professionals. Express Employment Professionals are always looking for top talent and great companies to work with.  Her goal is to be the bridge to someone’s tomorrow.  They are hiring in the areas including office, customer service, skilled manufacturing and professional positions.  Most of the positions they work on are long term positions.  They help their clients relieve their burdens and help them make the hiring process easier.

Casey sent me the following “Hiring Trends Survey” and I want to share the survey with you.  Make sure to send this to people who you feel could benefit from this interesting report.

Hiring Trends Q4 Summary Report

The following questions mirror what I see in today’s corporate climate:

Please rate your current level of work stress
36% feel “overwhelming” or “very high” stress at work
63% feel “moderate” or “minimal” stress at work
1% currently feel “no stress” at work

Please rate how the following has changed since last year:
49% state their current work stress is “higher”, and 39% state “it has stayed the same”
42% state their pay rate is “higher” and 45% state it has “stayed the same”
68% state their currenc workload has “increased” and 25% state it has “stayed the same”

  • Resolving conflict and interpersonal issues are all part of our work life.
  • Delegation and prioritization are more important than ever before.
  • Coping with stress will always be an important skill for all of us.
  • The most important key is to communicate effectively with your team, management, and with yourself.

Remember…YOU GET WHAT YOU TOLERATE!

Please send me your comments about your own work stress.  Let’s see how we can plan for a better 2011!

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Contact Joyce

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