"Once Upon a Time..."¯ Telling Stories to Help People Remember Do you have to tell some people something five or six times before they finally remember or fully understand what you've said? If so, try incorporating a story or anecdote" it will help your message stick. Human beings have been using stories for ages to get their points across. It's an extremely effective method for capturing and holding your audience's attention. And, you can use stories to talk about anything you want" a new project, a new procedure, the company's vision, etc. You don't have to be Stephen King or J.K. Rowling to tell a good story. When incorporating a story into your speech/message, keep these tips in mind: Give it a human element. No matter what your message is, show how it affects people and you'll have a much better chance of your listeners staying with you. Make it applicable. If it doesn't relate to the rest of what you're going to say, you're better off to leave the story, joke or anecdote out. Don't go overboard. Stories don't have to be dramatic" they just have to strike a chord. Be creative, but believable. If you use a story, make sure to weave in some creative (but believable) elements into your material. Stories about incompetent criminals are a good example. If you're trying to convey the importance of paying attention to detail, you may want to tell the story of the bank robbers who wrote "Fill this bag with money!"¯ on the back of an envelope, but overlooked the fact that the envelope had their name and home address on the other side. This is a creative, but believable story that will get your audience's attention. You can find stories just about anywhere: television, books, newspapers, magazines etc. Also, don't forget your most important source: your own life. Think back on your own life and experiences, and you will undoubtedly stumble on some great material. Lastly, let your stories do your work for you. When you do, people will remember what you had to say. "Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret to success."¯ "Sivinanda Sarasvati Dealing with Difficult Situations Layoffs. Office disputes. Disgruntled employees. You name it, if you're a manager, you've probably had to deal with it. It's not easy, but it's an inevitable part of the job. While there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to dealing with workplace challenges, the manner in which managers respond to crises can help shift employee attitudes from potentially negative to more favorable. Below are some ways managers can reframe negative situations so that it positively impacts employee performance. Get in check with your emotions. During periods of uncertainty and hardship, managers often tend to deny their own feelings of stress. Perhaps this denial is due to their belief that leaders are required to put on a "stoic face" in order to demonstrate that they are in charge. Furthermore, failing to demonstrate caring, understanding behavior toward your employees may send inappropriate messages that have a negative impact. Employees who perceive a "lack of understanding" are likely to share that perception with others in the organization. And such negative communication can lead to an epidemic of bad feelings throughout the organization. Bottom line: managers who demonstrate sincerity and genuine care for the welfare of employees are likely to engender positive responses. Demonstrate some self-control. While it's appropriate to display emotions, one should nevertheless remain in control of them. During stressful times, it's easy to lash out and vent negative feelings around employees. However, such behavior usually proves disastrous. You may find it helpful to put yourself in your employees' place and ask yourself questions such as, "How would I like to be treated in this situation?" "What concerns would I like my manager to address?"¯ Such questions will assist you in dealing more effectively and rationally with your own feelings. Be responsive. If you express empathy and concern, but don't follow up with any type of response or action, your employees will think you're insincere. Such lack of sincerity can exacerbate employees' anxiety and could also generate angry feelings. Being responsive doesn't mean that you have all the answers or can solve the problem. Taking action can be as simple as asking open-ended questions such as, "Tell me about your concerns" and "What can I tell you that would be useful for you to know?" Just remember that your responses should be truthful and don't breech any kind of confidentiality. Persuade and influence. As the old saying goes, "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger."¯ So, tackle hard issues and situations with this frame of mind. Explain to your employees the value of maintaining quality performance even in light of uncertainty and tough times. Remind them that performing well and being proactive can enhance their skill development, and these skills can then be used in the current organization or may be transferred to another position elsewhere. While you can't always prevent difficult situations, you can help prevent any further damage that could result from them. By utilizing the strategies above, you'll be able to take difficult situations and frame them in ways that allow employees to identify positive and productive actions. "We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy."¯ " Joseph Campbell Ready, set" energize! 6 Easy Ways to Get Your Energy Going Have you been feeling drained? Zapped of all life? If so, it's time to re-energize. Re-charging your "batteries"¯ may not be as difficult as you think. You can revitalize your life by making some small, healthy, and balanced changes in your life. Here are some suggestions on how to get your energy going: 1. Twist the temps. When you take your daily shower, contrast the temps. After your regular warm shower, turn the knob to dispense water as cold as you can bear for 30 seconds. Switch it back and forth two or three times. 2. Take a quick walk. A brisk walk around your building, parking lot, etc can do wonders. It's a great way to alleviate stress and get your heart pumping. 3. Eat your Wheaties. Eating a healthy breakfast will help prevent you from overindulging at lunch" and perhaps nothing makes us feel more sluggish and sleepy than an overly full stomach. 4. Stretch your bod. When you're feeling washed out, try some stretching exercises to re-energize. 5. Choose your company wisely. Seek out those who are energetic. Good energy, after all, is contagious. 6. Be spontaneous. Break free of your rut. Let your energy be free and see where it takes you. Go to a new restaurant. Try a new hairstyle. Listen to music you've never heard before. As the tips above indicate, recouping your energy doesn't require drastic measures. By making some simple changes to your routine, you'll be on your way to catching up with that lively bunny. (you know which one!) Decoding Common Resume Phrases There's no doubt about it, when applying for a job or creating a rĆ©sumĆ©, we always try to present ourselves in the best light. We use the most impressive terms we can muster and try to stick to choice words. However, what's on paper, and what's reality can be two entirely different things. Below is a light-hearted look at what these terms can really mean. Enjoy! "Good Communication Skills"¯ Translation: Spends lots of time on the phone "Exceptionally Well Qualified"¯ Translation: Made no major blunders yet "Active Socially"¯ Translation: Drinks a lot "Independent Worker"¯ Translation: Nobody knows what he/she does "Quick Thinking"¯ Translation: Offers plausible excuses "¯Careful Thinker"¯ Translation: Can't make a decision "Aggressive"¯ Translation: Obnoxious "¯Uses Logic On Difficult Jobs"¯ Translation: Gets someone else to do it "¯Meticulous Attention To Detail"¯ Translation: A nitpicker "¯Loyal"¯ Translation: Can't get a job anywhere else |