Aligned Communication

11/04/2024

Have you ever heard this before about an organization? “They’re drinking the Kool aid” or “they are like a cult” Or maybe it’s been said about your organization?

Well then, Congratulations! are in order.

Often the “Kool Aid” is a cynical statement. And granted, I am trusting a few things to be true when I say “Congratulations”. So with that in mind, let me explain:

You have created an organization with strong values and your team is alignment with those values.

This takes vision and commitment. Steadfast, even.

You operate your business based on these values and you hire people that align with these values. You communicate these values regularly.

Does this mean that no one disagrees on the team? No. (Sorry, Kool Aid) Just the opposite. I may align with the vision and our values, but I may have a different idea on what it means, or how it defines decision making or even what it might mean to our end user. We know that diversity in thinking is part of the magic sauce of successful teams.

The other part is communication. How we communicate our vision and values and the culture we create around how we communicate conflicting ideas amongst the team.

Communication is always a work in progress. So are we. So are our businesses. It’s never too late to promote strong culture around vision and values. It’s also never too late to welcome more open communication and alternate ideas to the table.

04/04/2024

Thursday Thoughts on leadership. We know it's not a straight road. These are some of the learnings from the past year. Maybe you can relate to some of them?

12/29/2023

It's been a busy year, and the time has flown...some of the items we had hoped to get done were pushed aside for ones more pressing...I suspect many of you can relate.

Wishing you some moments to rest, reflect and celebrate those accomplishments!

2024 is a great time to decide if those undone items still need doing, if they are still in alignment with your vision and goals.

If you need some help, you know where to find us.

Warmest of wishes,

Carolyn

06/15/2023

What makes YOU feel alive?

Sometimes we need to ask ourselves this question, as a pulse check.

Our daily professional and personal lives can be so full that life becomes automated and our interactions transactional even with ourselves.

Call this a friendly reminder to do a pulse check. When did you last feel full of life? Vibrant? Courageous?

10/10/2022

This weekend we have been reflecting on the year so far. We hope that you, too, can look around and appreciate for a moment the relationships you've built and maintained, the food on your table, maybe even the wine in your glass. Wishing you enjoyment of the fruits of your labour.

Thanksgiving

09/26/2022

Recently, I heard a leader in the EDI/DEI space talk about Authenticity. She said, and I am paraphrasing, that Authenticity doesn't mean you have to dye your hair blue. Authenticity doesn't mean you have to show up different. It just means you have to show up as you.

Just show up as you. It doesn't have to mean different. Just you.

Happy Monday!

01/07/2022

I have 3 trees in my backyard.

The one in the middle is significantly smaller than the other two yet they were all planted at the same time.

There must be something wrong with the tree. Right?

Maybe not. Before I assume there is something wrong with the tree, maybe I should ask myself if the soil is fertile and a strong place to grow.

As a leader, have I created an environment where my team can grow? Do I have any "trees" planted in the wrong spot?

Have you looked closely at your "trees" lately?

01/06/2022

2021 was a year full of learning. I suspect I am not alone in this. One of the most valuable things I learned this year was the power of the word "AND."

Not "BUT"
Not "OR"
"AND."

What does that look like? Maybe it's something like:

"I am a strong business person AND an empathetic leader."

or maybe

"I have performance standards AND I can listen to another person's point of view."

or maybe even

"I have done things a certain way for a long time AND I can make room for a change."

what about

"I am a successful leader AND an involved, loving parent."

What is your "AND?"
Where can you replace "BUT" with "AND" in your mindset? In your relationships? In your leadership?

12/22/2021

A question asked to me by one of my team members.

"I hire for the person. Someone who shares our vision and our values. Beyond that, it's our job to make sure they have the tools and resources they need to be successful."

How do you hire?

12/17/2021

There has been a theme to my conversations this week. Even showing up in my granola - a weird kind of wonderful for sure.

Regardless of our education, our experience, our talents, when someone shines a light on what is possible, reminds us what we are capable of, it is simply that - an incredible gift.

As leaders we encourage, challenge and inspire our teams. Sometimes we may not even realize the impact our words have had on a person. That moment we took to shine a light and show them what is possible. Sometimes we may not even remember the moment - but that team member did.

This holiday season, we wish you time to rest, to celebrate and to consider what is possible in 2022.

Warmly,
Carolyn

12/06/2021

But what happens if you don't have that luxury?

What if it needs to happen now? Check in with yourself first. Does it absolutely need to happen now? Maybe its a safety issue or a financial or other crisis scenario that needs to be dealt with immediately?

Or are you simply frustrated or angry? Those are normal feelings, and yet we still want to gain the outcome we seek.

So let's say the conversation needs happening now, emotions are high...how do we get the outcomes we need?

1. Name your emotion to yourself first.
2. Know why this is a hot topic for you.
3. Be prepared to talk it out.
4. Ensure you follow up when things are calmer.

Maybe the conversation sounds something like this:

"Suzy, we have a bit of a situation here. I am a bit [upset] and I'm hoping we can talk it through..."

or, if you choose not to share your emotions

"Suzy, we have a bit of a situation here. I'm hoping we can talk it through."

It's important regardless of our emotional state or skin in game the that we give the other person the chance to speak. And be heard. This is not an emotional dump or rant session.

"Suzy, I'm wondering what happened."

Give them the opportunity to share with you what happened for them. That information will be the most important for any next steps in the conversation and for follow up.

Our own abilities to be aware, present and be open to discussion in high tension scenarios will improve the outcome of the situation, future scenarios and trust and loyalty with our teams.

10/25/2021

What are some of the “golden rules” in your leadership? Or what is something that you learned that is as equally relevant today as it was when you first read it or heard it?

For me, the book that will always have a space on my shelf is Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” first published in 1936.

Read down to the authors’ bios of Net Positive. It shows that even in large, multi national corporations, leaders can be connected to and invested in more that just the bottom line and the shareholders. 👍🏻

These five critical traits are what you need.