People Activation at Work: The Ripple Effect of Great Leadership

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In the realm of leadership, profound lessons often emerge from the simplest acts. Imagine a soccer player, drenched and weary, noticing the child right in front of him during opening ceremonies who is exposed to the relentless rain. Without hesitation, this player steps forward and offers his own jacket to the child. This small yet powerful gesture doesn’t go unnoticed. Inspired by this act of kindness, the other players quickly follow suit. This is the ripple effect of great leadership.

But why does this example resonate so deeply? Why is everyone so moved by the simplest acts of kindness? And furthermore, how the heck does coaching amplify such moments to create lasting change?

 

The Power of a Single Act

Leadership is often misunderstood as a command-and-control display of authority or the execution of complicated ideas and strategies. However, true leadership is more frequently found in small, intentional acts of compassion and empathy. The soccer player’s decision to protect the child exemplifies this beautifully. This single act not only provided immediate relief for the boy but also sparked a chain reaction among teammates. This ripple effect reminds us that small acts of compassion can flood the world with hope and inspire others to act similarly.

The Role of Coaching in Leadership Development

Coaching plays a pivotal role in harnessing and amplifying these moments of compassion. Here’s how coaching can transform individual acts into a broader culture of leadership:

  1. Awareness and Mindfulness
    • Coaching helps individuals become more aware of their surroundings and the impact of their actions. By cultivating mindfulness, coaches encourage leaders to be more intentional and notice opportunities for kindness and intervention, much like the soccer player did.
  2. Encouraging Authenticity
    • Authenticity is at the heart of impactful leadership. Coaches work with individuals to embrace their true selves, allowing them to act from their place of genuine concern and empathy.
  3. Building Confidence
    • Often, it takes courage to step out and act differently from the norm. Coaching builds confidence in leaders, empowering them to take those first steps, just as the soccer player did, knowing they can make a difference.
  4. Creating a Culture
    • Coaches help leaders understand the importance of creating a supportive and compassionate culture within their teams. When one person leads by example, as seen on the soccer field, it sets a precedent for others to follow, fostering a culture where empathy and support are the norm.
  5. Sustaining the Ripple Effect
    • Leadership coaches work on sustaining these positive behaviors. They help leaders implement systems and practices that ensure these acts of compassion are not one-time events but part of an ongoing culture!

The Broader Implications for Leadership and Life

The soccer player’s act of shielding the child from rain serves as a metaphor for leadership across all domains. Whether in the workplace, in communities, or in personal relationships, the ripple effect of great leadership lies in those small, selfless moments. Coaching ensures these moments are not fleeting but become ingrained in the leader’s approach to life.

Remember the old adage that a good leader is the same in public as in private. Well in leadership and life, never underestimate the power of one selfless moment. These moments, amplified through effective coaching, have the potential to create waves of positive change, transforming not just individuals but entire organizations and communities.

What do you or your business do to embrace the power of coaching to cultivate leaders who inspire, act with compassion, and create lasting ripples of hope and humanity?

5 Strategies for Rapid Transformation and Growth Through People Activation

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In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, transformation is not just a buzzword; it’s an imperative. To thrive in this era of acceleration, businesses must look beyond new technology and processes. The core of successful transformation is profoundly personal—it’s about PEOPLE ACTIVATION.

Accelerating transformation is crucial in today’s business environment. According to a 2020 McKinsey report, companies that embraced digital transformation and innovation during the pandemic were more resilient and outperformed their peers. The urgency is clear: businesses must adapt swiftly to changing market conditions, technological advancements, and evolving customer expectations.

However, a study by Gartner reveals that 75% of transformation initiatives fail to deliver the expected results. The hurdles include capability and skill gaps, burnout, and disengagement from continuous change. Middle managers, in particular, bear the brunt of these challenges, often expressing concerns about their ability to lead their teams through constant transitions.

So, what can leaders do when they face formidable challenges in executing transformations?

At the heart of successful transformations is ACTIVATING PEOPLE. Changing mindsets and behaviors matter the most. Co-creating, understanding, and empathizing with employees’ experiences of change is key. For each employee, transformation is personal. It affects their daily work, their sense of purpose, and their engagement with the company.

5 Strategies for Rapid Transformation and Growth

1. Empathy and Understanding: Take the time to understand employees’ perspectives. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can help leaders stay connected with their teams. People want to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. Above all, they want to know that what they do matters and creates impact!

  • According to a 2021 Gallup report, organizations with highly engaged employees experience 41% lower absenteeism and 17% higher productivity. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can significantly boost engagement by demonstrating empathy and understanding.
  • A study by Businessolver found that 96% of employees believe showing empathy is an important way to advance employee retention.
  • A Deloitte survey highlights that organizations focusing on employee experience are 25% more profitable than their peers.

2. Clear Communication: Transparent and consistent communication about the transformation process helps reduce uncertainty and builds trust. Strategically and intentionally including employees across all levels of your organization will create buy-in and personal investment in the outcome of the transformation journey.

  • The Project Management Institute (PMI) reports that ineffective communication is the primary contributor to project failure one-third of the time and has a negative impact on project success more than half the time.
  • A Towers Watson study found that companies with highly effective communication practices enjoy 47% higher total returns to shareholders compared to firms with less effective communication.

3. Training and Development: Invest in upskilling and reskilling programs to address capability and skill gaps. This not only boosts employees’ confidence but also enhances their performance.

4. Recognition and Rewards: Acknowledge and reward employees’ efforts and achievements during the transformation journey. This fosters a positive and motivating work environment.

  • A study by Bersin & Associates found that companies with effective recognition programs have 31% lower voluntary turnover than their peers with ineffective recognition programs.
  • According to a survey by O.C. Tanner, 79% of employees who quit their jobs cited lack of appreciation as a key reason for leaving.

5. Focus on Accelerating Teamwork and Adaptation: Implement Collaborative Tools that facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among team members. Adopt Agile Methods to foster flexibility and responsiveness in teams for quicker adaptation to changes and more efficient project management. Encouraging Cross-Functional Teams to work together on transformation initiatives to promote diverse perspectives and innovative solutions.

  • In the 15th Annual State of Agile Report, 86% of respondents say agile practices helped them manage changing priorities more effectively.
  • A Deloitte Survey found that organizations with high levels of cross-functional teamwork are 4.5 times more likely to be top performers in their industry.
  • According to McKinsey & Company, productivity improves by 20-25% in organizations where employees use collaborative tools.

By focusing on these essential strategies for rapid transformation and growth through People Activation, leaders will overcome the challenges of change, foster a culture of possibility, and drive their organizations toward a prosperous future.

Need help implementing? Learn more about how our coach-sulting solutions will help you unlock success for your workforce in just 90 days!

Are You a Toxic Leader?

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Toxic leaders can devastate a workforce. They may be in charge of the most talented people in the industry, but if they lead in a toxic way, much of that talent will go to waste. A good leader will not only bring out the best in their employees, they will also push them past their limits, allowing them to reach their fullest potential. Learn to identify your toxic leadership traits and you will be able to lead more effectively. You will also reduce your stress and improve overall productivity within your work environment.

Do You Find Yourself Exhausted and Unfilled at the End of the Day?

When you’re stressed, angry, or upset, you don’t function efficiently. You tend to be irritable and often spend more time finding things to complain about than finding solutions to problems. You’re always looking to find fault with others before you look for faults within yourself. This constant and intense expenditure of energy can leave us exhausted at the end of the day. You may feel as if you accomplished nothing and that your entire day was wasted.

Are You Angry or Frustrated All the Time?

If you notice that you’re angry or frustrated most of the time, ask yourself why. The key to being a good leader is knowing your leadership style and finding ways to maximize your own potential. Be creative. Find where your passion lies. Do you enjoy the work you do? If so, then focus on finding your joy in helping others be productive. If not, consider finding a different job. Being angry and frustrated just minimizes your effectiveness as a leader. Take the time to relax and look for ways to enjoy what you do.

Do Your Employees Feel Valued and Appreciated?

A toxic leader rarely recognizes the true value of the people they work with. If you want to become a better leader, take the time to get to know your employees. Find their strengths and weaknesses. Help them identify their talents and then give them the tools and resources they need to make the most of their abilities. Show them how appreciative you are of the effort they put into the work they do. Recognize both individual and team efforts so that everyone can be proud of their efforts.

Do You Find Yourself Taking on the Majority of the Work?

A toxic leader will often take on the majority of the work because they don’t have faith in their employees. This can lead to resentment and may cause employees to not put in the effort they should. If you want to maximize your employees’ potential, encourage them. Delegate duties and then help each employee do a better job. They can only improve if you give them the guidance and support they need to succeed. Instead of stressing over the work, give your employees a chance to learn more and take on more responsibility.

When Was the Last Time You Practiced Self-Care?

The best way to get the most out of your workforce is to lead by example. This includes self-care and encouraging your employees to express themselves. Many employees don’t take time off because they are made to feel as if they aren’t trying hard enough when they do. Speaking their mind can get them in trouble as well. Take a day off when you need it and allow your team to work on their own. Encourage them to speak up when they have a question, concern, or an idea that may be useful. Taking time away and self-expression are great ways to keep the mind clear and more focused on the tasks at hand.

Do You Lack Enthusiasm or Passion?

Another toxic leadership trait is the lack of enthusiasm or passion that many leaders begin to feel when they no longer enjoy what they do. When you get to that point, it’s time to take a short break. Meet with your team and ask them what changes they would like to see in the workplace. Let them be more involved in some of the decision-making steps. Their ideas may be just what you need to find your passion again. Toxic leadership can be the result of depression, anxiety, addiction, or other mental health disorders. Consider talking to a counselor and looking for ways to get back into the swing of things. Becoming a good leader is a learning process. Find your own leadership style and continue to grow with your employees. Working together can bring out the best in both of you.

5 Top Leadership Tips for Next Gen Leaders

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Leaders always want to up their game. They want to become high performance work athletes!  Whether they’re new to their leadership position, switching teams or companies, or just want to level up and be their best, real leaders know they have to put in the work to see the results. Use these 5 simple and proven leadership tips to up your game and create the impact you want to have at work this year. 

Leadership Tip #1: Use Your #1 Communication Tool

What is the #1 communication tool in any leader’s toolkit? Simple – your ears!

Great communicators are great listeners. They listen in order to understand, to make the other person feel heard, and to inquire about solutions with great questions. If you find yourself talking more than you listen, start there. Houston, there is a problem. Challenge yourself to recognize when you are overtalking and really listen to the people around you, your team, your bosses, your customers, family, etc. Then, stop, breathe, and shift to ask one great question that deepens your understanding and insight of your audience. Guaranteed you will be surprised how the simple act of listening changes results for you.

Leadership Tip #2: Let Go of Making it All About You and Needing to Always Be Right

Many leaders are leaders for a reason. They like to be in charge and to take control of situations and solutions. So, one of our most effective leadership tips to simply let go of that need to always be right and replace it with the desire to serve others. Accept and expect that your answer or your idea isn’t always the best one. You need to include diversity of thought. If you create space for others to step up and make their own ideas heard you will win every time. People want to feel that what they do matters, that they are contributing and creating impact. Part of your job as a leader is to simply back off and allow it to happen in the way that makes the most sense at the time.

Leadership Tip #3: Figure Out What People Want

The Platinum Rule has replaced the Golden Rule and it reminds us to treat people how they want to be treated, not how we want to be treated. Start by figuring out what it is your people want! As their boss or manager, figure out what motivates them and their passions, skills, and values. The simplest way to figure that out is to ask them: turn your organization upside down. Having your audiences’ desires firmly in mind will allow you to frame your conversations and interactions accordingly. If you know one team member wants to be a manager, this allows you to tailor your communications and coaching to move them toward that goal. Likewise, if you know someone desires to be home with their family as much as possible, you know you can appeal to them by offering greater flexibility with the time and place of work.

Leadership Tip #4: Improve Your Communication Skills

To step up as a leader who creates real-deal impact, focus on improving your communication skills this year. Learn the art of the question, make a habit of using inquiry to go deeper, listen twice as much as you speak, and use our GPS communication strategy for tough conversations. If you need help and guidance to get you where you want to go, reach out to us about our personalized and on-demand coaching. We ask our client to ask themselves what is in it for the them (WIFThem): the audience.  And then to continue to use inquiry as a tool to solve and bridge any gap. 

Leadership Tip #5: Adopt Simple Systems

On a recent podcast I was asked about my best leadership tip and it is this:

KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid.

The principles of leadership are easy. What’s not easy is the execution. Adopt simple systems to support growth and sustain permanent change. Our launchbox coaching systems focus on actionable and easy to implement 3 – 4 step processes each time. We provide a practical approach not a theoretical one. Our systems meet our clients where they, and their workplace culture, are. It’s been finetuned and tested thousands of times.

Don’t overthink the problem. Tap into something that is proven to work so you can start making big leaps in your career.

Taking the next step in your leadership journey starts with you. Implement our best leadership tips to drive your success and reach out to us to learn more about our leadership coaching for driven and motivated individuals.

Learn to Love Your Performance Review and Up Your Game

Have a performance reviewing coming up? The first step is to take a plain and simple DEEP BREATH: just RELAX. Performance reviews aren’t bad – they are AWESOME. WHY? They are pure, unadulterated opportunities for you to learn and grow. If you really want to crush your goals and up your career game, you have to change your mindset. Here’s how to love them and see them for the true opportunity they are. Use our tips to get the most out of your performance review:

Take a Breath and Receive the Feedback

Instead of getting nervous, wound up, defensive or even angry, take a breath and really set your mindset to engage and listen to what they’re saying. Receive, breathe in and absorb the feedback. If you understand it as one-on-one coaching and training, you can take the BS emotion out of it and really hear what they want you to do to own your success. Even the positive feedback is something you need to really hear and digest. Continuing to double down on your strengths while implementing the ideas your boss has for you to learn and grow is how you will continuously up your game at work. 

Make It About Them

Once you’ve taken that breath, received the feedback, and removed the emotion from it, it’s time to make it about them. What does that mean? It means you need to serve your audience, the reviewer, and cement your relationship. What does your boss really need and want from you? Why is it important that they get it? When you can understand where THEY ARE coming from, you can really see that the feedback they’re giving you is really to help you grow and become better. We call it WIFThem. What is in it for them?  If you understand that, you create greater trust and connection masterfully. If you can do that, they will want to help you even more along the way. That is what you want – more help and support. Which brings me to my next point…

Believe They’ve Got Your Back

Your boss truly does want you to succeed. They’ve got your back. They’ve invested time and money into training you. They want you to be part of their company. They want you to deliver more output, to be happy, to make their job easier, to help them be seamless. If they are smart, they will take it seriously. Serious grooming and training require serious and real feedback that may be hard to digest. Nonetheless, you’re aligned with them. It’s in your interest and theirs for you to be better. By the way, having someone’s back isn’t about blowing smoke up your ____ and telling you how great you are. It’s about supporting you and helping you realize your potential. Having honest, authentic conversations and being transparent about where you can do better. That’s having your back!  If you can understand how to give and take feedback, your game will be better than the rest. So how to make it better? Use this one simple tip…

Ask Great Questions

Now that you’ve accepted and internalized the feedback, you must go deeper and use curiosity to level up. Learn the single best communication tool: how to ask great questions. This is your opportunity to go deep and create trust by showing you understand, respect and value their feedback. Demonstrate that you hear what they’re saying and that you really want to understand so you can implement. So summarize or repeat what you heard and then double down on asking great questions like: what can I do to help you become more successful? Are there any books I could read? Where could I learn additional skills that might help? Can I help with the team? How do I better serve you, etc?  Speaking of serving….

Deliver and Create Impact

This last step happens after the performance review is done, AND it’s one of the most important steps to loving a performance review. After the performance review, it’s time to start delivering and creating impact based on the feedback. Take what you’ve heard and learned and use that to coach yourself to take things to the next level. If you can implement and execute on what you were told would help, you will create massive value for your boss and you will strengthen their trust in you. You will demonstrate that you’re someone who can not only receive feedback but execute. That is why we love performance reviews. Where else do you get to learn, bond and then deliver exactly what they need?

Need some help to up your career game, change your mindset around your upcoming performance review, or help with communication? Or need a little guidance to really implement the feedback you’ve received? Our one-on-one coaching provides you with the personalized, on-demand support you need to quickly level up in your career and life. Click here to reach out to us about getting started. 

 

Three Resilient Career Paths You Should Pursue At The End Of The Pandemic

(Today we’re sharing a guest post from our friends over at Career Karma. With the world starting to open up again, you might be thinking about your next career move. Though no one can predict the future, these three jobs may be among the most resilient choices you can make.)

With vaccines being developed and released for the Covid-19 pandemic, it almost seems as if the end may be in sight. Unfortunately, this virus has certainly done a large amount of damage around the world by putting millions of people out of work and disrupting general trends within the workforce. In fact, American unemployment peaked at a distressing 14.7 percent back in April and has only slowly been recovering.

 If you are a part of the millions who were laid off, rest assured knowing that there are still actions you can take. Not every industry has been completely disrupted due to the pandemic, and there are a number of resilient career paths that anyone can choose to follow and succeed in. Pursuing one of these paths may lead to a long-lasting career, but be sure to choose a path that resonates with your skills and interests.

UX Design

For those who don’t consider themselves to be tech-savvy, pursuing UX design is a fantastic choice. Unlike a more extensive tech profession, becoming a UX designer does not require as many technical skills, such as coding. Becoming a member of this field requires an eye for aesthetics and design thinking, which makes it one of the most accessible tech fields to enter.

As the future comes nearer and nearer, web designers are going to be needed at an increasing rate. Without web designers, the Internet would be full of raw websites that aren’t appealing to the eye. After all, the best way to convince someone to interact with your site is for it to catch their eye.

Contrary to popular belief, a career such as this doesn’t require an extra degree from a traditional institution. Opt instead to attend an accelerated web design bootcamp that can teach you how to become a web designer in a matter of months. Choosing this path and networking to find professionals in your area who you can learn from will help you to set up a successful career in the coming years.

Data Science

Data science is a unique field that not many typically consider. The reason it hasn’t been considered as much in the past is due to its high barrier to entry. Previously, a master’s degree was required to enter this field, but the rise in online education has taken this barrier and shattered it.

 Now, anyone with data analysis skills and an eye for sifting through large amounts of data has the potential to enter this field. InfoWorld has projected that the US alone may have as many as 250,000 job openings for data science by 2024. Clearly, this is a field that has only grown in importance as the number of computers, websites, and subsequent data have increased over the years.

 As mentioned, the barrier to entry that was a master’s degree has been partially removed by new forms of education. New data science bootcamps, as covered on Bootcamp Rankings, have the ability to teach students everything they need to know about the field in a matter of months. With an average length of just over a year, these bootcamps are a great choice for working professionals, or those looking to get back in the workforce.

Coding

Coding as a general skill can help you land many jobs and open new doors that were previously closed to you. The skill became prominent over the last decade and has resulted in a number of jobs being created. Languages such as Python, Java, HTML, and C++ rule the industry, and developing skills in any of these can help you stand out in the future.  

As with data science and web design, there are bootcamp you can attend, completely online of course, that will teach you anything and everything about your chosen coding language. This is a great strategy for anyone who just lost their job, or is simply looking to develop an impactful skill in their free time.

Conclusion

A global pandemic isn’t something anybody could have predicted 2020 would have in store, but we all had to roll with the punches regardless. We are fortunate that it seems the pandemic is coming to an end in the near future, but there are still many pieces to put back together. Don’t be afraid to jump into a new career that will last you for years to come.

8-Step Framework for Success: Execute “The Purposeful Comeback” for Your Organization

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With 2020 officially behind us, it’s time to focus on the opportunity of 2021! The workplace has a good, albeit flexible handle on the fact that we must provide new skills for employees, teams and cultures to meet the demand of the future. Let’s go 2021!

Remote, socially distanced, outside or in lock down, businesses and their leaders are ready to make up for lost time and navigate the future. The theme with which we are all approaching our comeback is a combination of gratitude, caring, people, community and impact for others.

Both individually and organizationally we are craving, wanting, needing, planning and orchestrating “The Purposeful Comeback.” It’s a framework to create next generation leadership that will see our organizations into the future. Mastering “The Purposeful Comeback” roadmap and tools below will help you create real and lasting success, growth, business results, and engagement for your people and workplace culture.

 

1. Winning Mindset and Energy

Companies don’t outperform their leadership and the same is true of teams. Creating a purposeful comeback in 2021 starts first with focusing on leadership using integrated purpose as the path to organizational success. We as individuals must show up every day as our best self. That means putting on your oxygen mask first – you can’t help anyone if you don’t first help yourself.

Mindset:

Your mindset really, really matters. Everyone from Marcus Aurelius to the Buddha to Victor Frankl and lately the best, Mel Robbins, has shown us how important thoughts and beliefs are in creating success for ourselves and others. To stage “The Purposeful Comeback” in 2021 we must cultivate a mindset that is positive, self-aware, growth-minded (see Carol Dweck’s phenomenal book, Mindset), and other-focused. Changing our mindset is about changing that talk track in our head.

Physical Energy:

We know that moving your body daily has a positive effect on the mind. Studies have shown that “exercise improves brain function, structure, and connectivity. These brain improvements are directly linked to improved learning, memory, and cognitive function.” Showing up as a leader in 2021 starts with taking care of the temple and setting aside time for the essentials: exercise and nutrition, adequate sleep, and recharging. We must make them a daily habit.

 

2. The Audience is the Hero of Any Story You Tell…So Make Them One!

Want to become a real purposeful leader? Figure out how to create meaningful followers.   Create meaningful followers through this simple basic tool: learn how to build relationships from the inside out. First, with yourself and then with others.

You know the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have done unto you. But do you know and understand the Platinum Rule?

The Platinum Rule says this: treat others how they want to be treated. It’s other-focused and becoming other-focused is what you need to really succeed in the year ahead. Putting the focus on treating others how they want to be treated will help you build stronger relationships and relationships are the key to success. Make them the hero because they are! Use these two principles to help you:

-Remember WIFTHEM: This is an acronym for “What’s in it for them.” In every interaction, positive or negative, you must consider what the other person wants and how they are looking to benefit.

-Consider the Action: What action do you want your audience to take that can and will benefit them? This action will benefit you, too, of course.

 

3. Know Thyself to Help Others

Impact is created by working from the inside out. If you want to help others you must Know Thyself. If you don’t know or understand yourself, you’re almost guaranteed to get it wrong with others.

So, how do you start? First, just START. We teach the following framework to our clients inside our new on-demand coaching product, Hooga. Knowing yourself comes from really understanding and being able to articulate the following four core concepts about yourself:

  • Strengths
  • Values, Passions, and Skills
  • Brand
  • Story

This is the value you bring to others and the world. Getting really clear on this allows you to demonstrate your value to your peers, team, and clients.

 

4. What’s Your Story?


Humans have always told stories. From huddling around a fire to hieroglyphics to books to the vlogs, blogs, and podcasts of today, we have an innate desire to share our own stories and discover those of others. Storytelling allows you to captivate an audience, shape thoughts, and communicate purpose and value.

What do you do? Why do you do it? What impact do you create? Why does it matter to you, to your client, to the world?

Remember, your story is not a script. It’s not static or boring. It recognizes the audience and what’s important to them, then captivates them through the use of humor, drama, and narrative arcs. Want to learn to create impact? Then become your own best storyteller.

 

5. The New ABC’s “Always Be Connecting”: Bridge the Gap

We all come to the workplace with different life experiences, skills, and values. We come from different generations, cultures, and backgrounds. We are driven by the need for human interaction, to belong, to be part of a community. We are better together, and we know that (more on that in a second), yet technology, socioeconomic disparity, and generational differences easily divide us.

To seize the opportunity of 2021, we have to find a way to bridge the gap between us so we can pull together and connect. COVID-19 and remote work certainly hasn’t made this any easier. It’s also forced us to acknowledge the diversity (or lack thereof) in our workplaces and community. 64% of applicants say that they consider diversity and inclusion when considering a job, yet only 55% of people think their organizations have policies to promote it. Even more troubling, 90% of them say they’re not treated with respect at work, discriminated against, and even harassed.

This means it’s even more important that we make this the year we figure it out once and for all. Learn how to connect pure and simple. There are so many ways. Just one way we devised is our B.R.I.D.G.E. the Gap system, an integrated six-step plan that will help you unleash the potential of your employees and your workplace.

 

We cannot do it alone. You know that and I know that. Yet the greatest dysfunction of teams persists in our workplaces today. For some organizations, getting their teams to work together efficiently and in harmony is one of their greatest challenges.

Solving the team divide starts by focusing on and ensuring these principles are present in your workplace:

6. It’s Better Together: Teams

  • Do your people feel safe enough to share their ideas, true opinions, and feelings?
  • Is your workplace culture one that empowers, connects, and inspires?
  • Are your employees engaged and connected to the purpose and impact of their work?
  • Is everyone on the team working in alignment with the team’s values?
  • Is there a culture of trust in your workplace?
  • Do people communicate with each other effectively, openly, and often.
  • Do you empower accountability? Do you ask great questions?
  • Got a strategic vision or plan and is it shared universally?

 

7. Make Culture Last: Sustainability

In order to drive and sustain “The Purposeful Comeback,” you need to do the work and then create a system. An integrated system to sustain culture and engagement is necessary for our organizations.

Your system will need different parts, so ask yourself what that system would look like in your organization and what it should include. We recommend having systems to create and sustain purpose, to grow the next generation of leaders and develop their skills, to share in a purposeful vision and story and that all employees be able to articulate it and their own value, and to further coach employees to be their best, work from the inside out, and deliver on the organization’s core values.  Start now by devising your system.

 

8. Pay it Forward: Cultivating Disciples

Seizing the opportunity of 2021 and creating “The Purposeful Comeback” is about looking to the future of your organization. What comes next? Who will lead in five years? In ten? How will you continue to evolve and stay relevant in a changing world?

Create those next generation leaders (your disciples) from within. Get clear on your purpose, define it, live it, and then empower your people to buy into that purpose. When you can do that, then you’ll become known to clients, the market, and even potential employees. Look at all the top companies of today. Most were once unknown operations working out of someone’s garage. They got really clear on their purpose, wove it into the fabric of everything they do, and then the world caught on and embraced them.

You can do the same in your organization. You have all the tools you need. Start now with this roadmap to cultivating your Purposeful Comeback in 2021 and if we can help, please reach out. You control what happens to you, your team, and your organization this year. Start now to make it the best year yet and maximize your impact!

The 6 Simple Ways to Pump Up Your Career or Business for Success in 2021

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2021 is here. The time of year where we pledge to take the lessons from the past twelve months to make ourselves better has officially arrived. Even though, between us, making ourselves better is every friggin’ day for types like us.

2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic shit show has changed absolutely everything about our lives forever. From the way we work, to the way we celebrate our holidays, and, most of all our lens for purpose-based behavior. So, looking for ways to reinvent your relevance, to pump up your career or business, and to create the impact and success you were meant to have in 2020?  Let’s go….

Focus on developing your skills with these 6 Simple Ways to Crush It in 2021. Know them, understand them, internalize them, and reach out to us for help implementing. We’ve got your back!

1. Create Good Habits

Good habits for you are foundational. You can’t make a difference or impact anyone else if you don’t take care of yourself first.

Good habits can slide, however, so it’s time to bring them back in the New Year! If your habits were a little lacking in 2020, now is the time to really commit and change your life.

Good habits look different for every person. Do what works for you.

At a minimum, they should include some daily commitment in each of these key areas: health, fitness, relationships, reflection, and growth. Want examples? Here are some keystone habits you might consider adding to your daily routine this year:

–Exercise for 30-60 minutes every day.  Or just move for a set period daily!!!!

– Eat With Awareness: Be cognizant of what you eat and how it makes you feel.

–Meditate Daily.

–Focus on Gratitude.

–Connect With Others Who Lift You Up Daily: face-to-face or on the phone/Zoom with one person every day.

–Learn and Grow: Spend fifteen minutes each day reading or listening to a podcast for self-development.

The list goes on from there. Need more ideas? Reach out to us anytime and we can suggest some micro changes you can make to your daily habits.

2. Know and Understand the Power of Relationships

Good and healthy relationships matter! They are the single most important life/work skill. So, work on them. Follow your ABC’s: Always Be Connecting. The most successful people in the world know, understand, and practice this. However, we generally suck at cultivating new relationships and strengthening our existing ones. COVID-19 and social distancing definitely has not made this any easier.

Great communication is one of the critical components of relationship-building. You can probably think of a few examples from your own life where poor or miscommunication contributed to hurt feelings, anger, and even relationship damage. This is why it’s so important we learn to communicate at a high level. We published a recent blog all about communication – click here to check it out and learn some new tools for success.

If we want to succeed in 2021, we have to put aside our excuses and commit to learning this critical skill. Don’t forget – one of the most important relationships is the one you have with yourself. This year, go deep with others AND yourself to create impact.

3. Understand and Leverage Your Strengths

If you’ve been through our Strengths & Story workshop or coached with us, you know we start by helping you identify your strengths. One of our favorite tools is StrengthsFinder, though that isn’t the only way to get a handle on what you bring to the table. Your friends, family, peers, and bosses can all help you identify the areas where you naturally shine.

Come up with a list of your 3-5 top strengths and then audit your life by asking a series of questions:

– How are you already using your strengths to your advantage?

– What areas of your job or career are a mismatch for your strengths?

– How can you do more of what you’re good at in the future?

To be successful in 2021, lean in to your strengths, what makes you uniquely great, and be able to articulate them. Knowing, understanding and explaining how to really leverage your strengths will help you help others. In turn, this will help get you exactly where you want to go, whether it’s a promotion, new job, or new business.

4.Know Your Values, Passions, and Skills

In our book, Chasing Relevance, we presented a simple equation:

Strengths + (Skills + Passions + Values) = Your Value to Others

Once you’ve identified your strengths, it’s time to focus in on identifying your values, passions, and skills. These four things together constitute the value you can bring to others. When you know and can communicate that value, you can create more impact, more success, and play a bigger game.

Start right here and now by learning the difference between values, passions, and skills and brainstorming a short list for each.

-A Skill is something we have that others would value or that gives value to others. A Skill is something learned, developed, or honed, rather than a natural predisposition.

-Passions are those things that make your heart sing, that light you the hell up. These are usually easier to identify and often found by considering the answer to this question: what would you do if money didn’t matter?

-Values are your real deal principles or standards of behavior. These are NOT the things you value like family, friends, and security. Your Values are your personal code or way of being.

5. Develop a Personal Brand

You might not think of it this way, but you have a personal brand and story. Just like a corporate brand, your personal brand says something about you. When people work with you, speak with you, interact with you, they have certain expectations of what that experience will be like. Just like how we look at the Apple logo and think quality, sophistication, and leading-edge technology, people look at us and form opinions of our brand.

The good news is, just like a corporate brand, you have control over your personal brand and story. You get to choose who you want to be and how you want to be perceived by the world. You just need to then deliver on that promise every single time.

After the rough year we had in 2020, you might be ready to reinvent and refresh your personal brand and image for 2021. We can help! Reach out to us to learn more about our on-demand coaching product, Hooga. It includes a great module all about finding and living your personal brand.

6. Learn How to Tell a Connective Story

In this hard and scary year that disconnected us from our teams, peers, clients, friends, and family, we learned the value of connection. Being able to form connection with others quickly, no matter the medium, is one of the most critical skills for our success in 2021.

At launchbox, we teach our clients how to tell their or their company’s connective story. A connective story is one that communicates your own value to others in a way that demonstrates the impact you can make for them. Think of it as an answer to the age-old interview question, “Why should I hire you?” While we might not be job hunting and going on interviews, every single conversation we have with others is built around versions of that same question. “Why should I listen to you?” “Why should I trust you?” “Why should I continue working with you?” Connective stories answer these unspoken questions. They also allow space for the other person to feel heard. Being able to listen and absorb feedback is as important, if not more important, than what you actually say.

After reading through this list, you might find that you’re doing okay in a few areas while lagging behind in others. Or maybe you’re struggling in all six areas.  That’s fine. Just start!!!!  Start from where you are and make a commitment right now to doing something about it. If you want tomorrow to be different than today, then you need to be different.

We want to help get you there. It is what we do. From personalized coaching, team training, leadership development, to on-demand training with Hooga, we can help you make this your best year yet.

Go ahead, test us. We’ve got your back with these 6 Simple Rules to Coach Yourself to Success.

What Are the Three Big Things Holding You Back from Success in 2021?

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One of our most popular blog articles ever is this one: The 5 Most Common Fears That Are Keeping You from Success. However, fear isn’t the only thing that keeps us from success. Well, what does? After training over 20,000 young employees and their managers, we found they were simply underdeveloped in three key areas critical to personal success.

Dig in and be honest with yourself about where you could use some improvement – growth is essential and worth the work. We can support you so can start creating the impact you want to have on the world. Start now with the most common areas where we see people holding themselves back:

  1. You Don’t Know Your Strengths

We all have our own innate talents and strengths – yes, even you! However, if you’re struggling to see the results you want in your career, it might be because you’re not working from your strengths. This usually happens to people for two reasons:

  • You’re not aware of what your strengths even are so you don’t know how to leverage them in your current role.
  • You’re not aware of your strengths AND you’re currently in a role that’s mismatched for the strengths you actually have. In other words, you’re working outside of your “zone of genius.”

No matter what the reason, the first step to solving is to get clear on your strengths. At launchbox we love the StrengthsFinder test – we actually recommend it inside of our on-demand coaching program, Hooga. Start by taking the test to discover your strengths. Then figure out how to make them work for you. Just being aware of them might be enough to create change, but probably not. Do the work and really think about whether the strengths you have fit the role you’re in. If they don’t match up, you might want to think about changing positions, jobs, or even careers! If they do match up, spend some time thinking about how you can better leverage your strengths for success.

  1. You Don’t Know How to Articulate Your Story

Once you’ve identified your strengths, you need to get clear on your story: who you are, where you’ve been, and what you have to bring to the table (e.g. your strengths!) Your story is your “connection currency” – it’s how you build real deal relationships with other people and form connections. When you have a well-defined story, you can use it at any time to strengthen relationships with people you already know, make new bonds, pitch a client, etc. Humans are hardwired to tell stories – so make sure your story is your competitive advantage! Use these three questions to get you started:

  • Who am I?
  • What is my experience so far?
  • What value do I bring?

Want detailed help? Hit us up for assistance. Our app coaching program, Hooga, walks you through discovering and developing your story.

  1. You Don’t Know How to Communicate Effectively

Communication is a really, really big deal. We spend a lot of time here at launchbox not only talking about why communication is important, but how to do it better. Because quite frankly we suck at it.

Luckily for us though, better communication is a coachable and learnable skill. All of us are already in possession of the #1 most important communication tool we could ever need – our ears! Great communicators are great listeners. They also ask great questions. So, if something’s holding you back in your life and career, take a hard look at how you’re communicating. Are you talking more than you’re listening? Is it all about YOU? Do you ask questions and not really listen to the answers? It’s easy to slip into poor communication habits, but our relationships (especially in this virtual world of work) need us to figure this out. Click here to check out a recent blog we did with 5 more tools you need for great communication.

These are 3 of the most common ways we see people holding themselves back. For a more personalized evaluation and recommendations for improvement, reach out to us about our one-on-one coaching. We’ve helped hundreds of individuals kickstart the next chapter of their story through our high-performance coaching solution – get started today.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy to start improving your life now, check out Hooga. With Hooga you’ll build a strong, sustainable foundation that will allow you to unlock the best version of yourself on your terms. Try it now!

The 5 Tools You Need for Great Communication and Feedback in the Remote Workplace

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We get inquiries all the time from people who are seeking strategies and tools to deliver effective communication and feedback in the workplace. Why? Because we all generally (technical term here) suck at communication and relationships and they really, really matter. Now more than ever in this new era of remote and disconnected work, we must hear each other clearly. With 60-93% of all communication happening nonverbally (depending on which study you’re referencing), there’s not a lot of room for mistakes. We must be able to effectively communicate with others, no matter what the medium, if we want to be successful in the rapidly evolving future world of work.

Below, we’ve compiled 5 of our best tools for the most effective communication and feedback in the “new” workplace:

Listen More Than You Speak

One of the most important tools for effective communication and feedback in the workplace is to practice the art of actually listening to the person you’re speaking to. Too many times we ask questions without bothering to listen to the answer. Your ears are the #1 most important communication tool you have! Yet, we’re often too busy thinking about what we’re going to say next or worrying about something else entirely to really listen to the person who’s speaking. So, make the commitment to listen more than you speak – it will shift your focus from “self” to “others” which is a critical component of relationship building.

Give Feedback 365

The old way of annual performance reviews is dead and has been dead for a long time. The workplace changes too rapidly, especially in this era of forced remote work, for annual reviews to be of practical use to us. Instead, give real-deal feedback in the moment when it’s needed. When you give continuous feedback to employees, peers, clients, and even your bosses, you allow for iterative micro-adjustments. We’re not always going to get everything right or have the correct response for every situation. Feedback allows for those tiny shifts that can add up to massive change to actually happen.

Ask Great Questions

You’ve heard me say this over and over again. Learn how to ask great questions. It is one of the most effective communication tools in your toolbox. Great questions are open-ended, nonjudgmental, supportive, and help you go deeper to mine for the crystals below the surface. The power of the question can move a room, create trust in an instant, create empathy and connection immediately. Questions are a lifeline in communication, and don’t forget to listen to the answer for the follow up of a whopper question. If you’re not sure how to ask great questions, pick up a copy of Chasing Relevance or reach out to us for help.

Communicate Better

If you’re reading this post, you’re probably looking for ways to up your communication game and learn how to better connect with others. One of the most effective ways to do that is to change the way you communicate. Adopt our GPS Communication Strategy and watch how your conversations and relationships change. GPS stands for Gratitude, Permission, and Shared Experience. It’s a framework you can apply to every conversation, but especially the tough ones. Click here to check it out. Let’s practice anytime you need it.

Recognize What is Needed from Your People and Celebrate Success

Finally, we must make a habit of recognizing the good and bad and speaking of them and celebrating all the wins from big to small. Beyond fostering stronger relationships with our team members, recognizing the status, fatigue or challenges and speaking of them creates trust and empathy. People feel heard and part of the tribe. Of course, recognizing the successes throughout and the wins also allows you to give positive feedback in the moment (remember Feedback 365) and reinforces the behaviors you want to continue. Plus, everyone likes to feel like they’re understood and doing a good job, that they’re making a difference, and that what they do has meaning.

When it comes to effective communication and feedback in the workplace, it isn’t something you perfect overnight or that you ever even master. Instead, it’s something that needs constant attention and cultivation if you want to reap the benefits. However, with the right tools, tips, and strategies at your disposal, you can up your game quickly and create success. If you liked the concepts we shared in this article, reach out to learn how we can support you with personalized, on-demand coaching, workshops, and training for yourself and your team. Make sure to ask us about our new coaching product, Hooga!