Inspire & Transform Consulting

08/28/2024

Building trust with your team is possible when communication is consistent.

When I've worked with teams who desired greater trust and connection, often I've found that a lack of communication was a contributing roadblock.

Communication covers a lot of ground, but below are ideas to keep in mind when you're considering how to connect with your team:

- Share clear expectations and talk with them about how this is demonstrated in the day-to-day.
- Schedule recurring 1:1s, team huddles / meetings. Ask for and share feedback, ideas, brainstorm on how to reach goals, and celebrate the wins.
- Be transparent. Share with them what's happening in the business, the why / how / when during times of change.
- Be authentic and vulnerable. If you're wrong, admit that. Share your experiences. Doing so will make you relatable and cultivate trust.
- Pay attention to the verbal and non-verbal cues. If something feels off, ask them as soon as you can. This will show you care and are paying attention to them.

Regular communication, whether that is in person, over the phone, in an email, and / or via a video call, contributes significantly to building trust with your team, demonstrating that you are really in this together.

You'll cultivate meaningful conversations, learn from one another, and foster loyalty, which your team will appreciate more than you realize.

How will you increase communication with your team?

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If you're looking for more tips and practical approaches that foster connection, trust, and an engaged culture, DM me and I'll add you to my weekly blog!

08/22/2024

Do you shy away from giving feedback because you don't want to discourage your team member?

Or maybe, you just don't know what to say or how to say it?

I completely get it...I've been there too.

Sharing feedback with our team, and others, is a crucial part of our role as leaders, yet, it can be one of the most challenging.

If you're looking for practical and proven approaches to help you:

✅share feedback in ways that foster a meaningful conversation
✅translate support for your team member, and
✅build confidence ...

I have a great resource for you.

Click the link below (or in my bio) to get your copy of my FREE guide on The Top 5 Mistakes Leaders Make When Giving Feedback (And How to Avoid Them).

I'll walk you through the most common challenges leaders face, along with a step-by-step guide on how to share feedback with confidence, and from a place of care and commitment to your team members' success.

https://inspire-transform-consulting.ck.page/6b43961a24

08/21/2024

Follow-through has such big dividends as a leader.

When you tell a team member that you're going to take action on an email, or reach out to a peer team to get them the support they need, it's critical that you take action timely.

I've heard from employees too often how their leader doesn't take action (or maybe they just didn't update them), and how this diminishes their trust and belief in them.

Connecting back with your team member to let them know what you did, and the results, demonstrates your commitment to supporting them, that you're a person of integrity and can be trusted.

It sounds so simple, right?

But the truth is that there are times when we make commitments quickly in a conversation and then we're off to the next thing on our to-do list. Time goes by, and you realize you haven't done what you said.

As leaders, part of our scope is to influence and cultivate desired behaviors within our team.

We want them to care for our customers, be responsive, act with urgency, collaborate well with others, think critically, and solve problems.

Yet, if we don't first demonstrate these same behaviors, we'll find it harder to cultivate something different within our team.

Do what you say and lead by example.

Trust, connection, loyalty, and team unity all result when you model the way.

08/20/2024

One of the biggest concerns for leaders today is that their team members lack a sense of purpose.

How can you help them find their mission?

Below are a few tips:

1 - Engage with them daily. This will provide insight on your team members' strengths and what motivates them.

2 - Talk to them about your business goals & how their daily work impacts the team's success.

3 - Give them feedback about their performance, & how their actions make a difference.

When you know their strengths and what they love to do, you're better equipped to align them to meaningful activities or projects.

When you connect the dots for them about how what they do on a daily basis impacts the overall success of the business, you'll help them understand how their contribution matters.

These actions facilitate your team members finding their mission in the daily work.

There is power in knowing you have a purpose, you make a difference, and you are valued by your leaders. You feel energized, hopeful, and excited about the work ahead of you.

And as a leader, when you're clear about your purpose and that of your team, living out the above will inspire others to take action.

How will you support your team in finding their mission?

08/15/2024

Do you experience moments of discouragement?

A simple remedy … do something good for another person.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe said "A single act of love makes the soul return to life."

There is such truth in this statement.

When we step away from whatever we're going through to love another, our soul is awakened.

We are encouraged, and our spirit is lifted.

If you need an infusion of hope, seek out ways to serve another.

- Respond to that email on behalf of your team member.
- Take that document on the printer to the person who needs it.
- Smile at those you meet, & ask how their day is going.
- Offer to join that call on behalf of your peers, giving them time back in their day.
- Pray for someone who is having a tough day.

When we focus on caring for others, our perspective changes.

And while this doesn't mean we no longer have to experience whatever it is that is discouraging us, perhaps by loving others, we'll have a fresh mindset with which to approach the situation.

How will you serve another today?

08/13/2024

Simon Sinek once said, "There is a difference between listening and waiting for your turn to speak."

There is such power in these words.

How often are we in conversations and our mind is already racing to what we believe the other person will say, or we're rehearsing what we want to say?

Being a good leader to your people is giving them a seat at the table.

Providing a platform for them to share their ideas, thoughts, desires, etc.

It's so important to seek to understand before seeking to be understood.

I want to share an experience I had, as I started a role in a new organization.

Spending a lot of time with my direct reports, as well as the members of their team, the first few months was a key focus. I was actively seeking to learn about the business, what was working, what needed improvement, but more than that, I wanted to get to know my people.

The time I spent in both 1:1s and roundtables yielded so many positives.

I walked away with a good foundation to our relationship, in addition to quick wins and future goals of how to help my team…based on their needs and feedback.

There were several team members who told me that this was the first time they had ever had a 1:1 with a Director.

One of my direct reports said "you really listened, you didn't come in here trying to make all kinds of changes."

Leaders, take time to connect with your team and listen. Even stopping by to say hello, asking how things are going and what support they need, just being present to them shows you desire to understand how to make a difference from their perspective. 🙂

08/12/2024

As we spend so much of our lives at work, it’s important that we're surrounded by people and experiences that positively influence and shape our lives.

But with the additional stress of being short-staffed, constant change, and an incredibly fast paced work environment, the result can be less than positive.

So how can you make changes that will impact those around you in a positive way?

□ Choose to say something positive when others want to gossip.

□ Be present with your team in 1:1s (don't multitask).

□ Thank someone for their help, patience, encouragement, time.

□ Be a mentor to someone who is learning.

□ Don't respond (verbally or in writing) when you are frustrated.

□ Assume positive intent.

□ Take action when you see a need (i.e. helping a peer when they are out of the office).

□ Show up to work…be present, committed, give it your all.

□ Surprise someone with a coffee or special treat.

□ Take ownership and admit when you're wrong.

The above actions don't take a lot of time, but what a positive influence they'll have on those around you.

07/31/2024

Quick tip …

Want to know how to show your team you're paying attention?

Ask them what they like. What's their favorite candy, food, hobby, etc.?

I know this sounds really simple, but I find that many times, it's the simple things that make all the difference :).

I once had a team member who loved Nestle Crunch candy bars. It was their favorite.

Sometimes, if I noticed they were having a tough day, or if I thought they needed a 'pick-me-up', I would leave a Nestle Crunch bar on their desk with a sticky note attached. The note might only include a smiley face, but they knew it was from me and it accomplished the goal…it made them smile.

But even more than the smile, this simple action showed them that I paid attention to something they liked, and I saw them. I noticed that they needed a little encouragement to help them feel positive again.

Leaders, showing your team members you care about them doesn't have to be complicated.

Taking time to get to know them, observing them in the day-to-day, and interacting with them will reveal so much about how you can support and care for them.

Little moments like giving them a favorite candy bar or leaving a note of encouragement is impactful to your team's morale and their trust in you.

07/30/2024

Myth - We talk about our goals all the time so my team members should understand what they need to do.

Truth - Consistent connection and communication is required to help your team realize how their contributions influence your organization's success.

As leaders, we have to help our team members understand how their actions on a daily basis impact the business goals, and how their behaviors emulate the company's core values.

Just because you say the goals are X, or that your core values are Y, doesn't mean that every member of your team has this engrained in their mind…that they 'know' what these mean and how what they're doing makes an impact.

It can be as simple as saying something like the below to a team member if you have a Quality goal for your team:

- Your quick response to our customer's emails and requests is so impactful to your high Quality score. Your attention and care for their needs makes a difference, and this shows up with your positive customer surveys.

Core values can be discussed like the below:

- I love how you never hesitate to jump in to help a peer who needs support. You demonstrate that every person matters.

Speaking with your team in practical terms will help them understand and retain these important contributing factors of your organization's success.

And the key to remember is that these are not one-time conversations. Consistency makes the difference.

If you're looking for ways to help your team members connect the dots on their impact, DM me and let's talk!

07/25/2024

07/24/2024

Want to know how to let your people know you 'see' them?

👉 As you're having conversations, make mention of something they did or said.

Sharing something you've observed them do or say has power.

Perhaps it's how they are always smiling and creating a positive vibe in the office.

You saw them helping a teammate, who you know needed support that day.

They stayed later than usual to be available in case a peer, who was stuck on a long call, needed help.

There's so much good happening all around you. Take time to take notice.

Something as simple as sharing with your team member that you love how they're always so positive, or how they're engaging with peers across the office, let's them know you see and value them.

Realizing you're seen and known has a long-lasting effect on people.

What have you noticed that you can share with a team member or peer today?

07/23/2024

Want to know a way to show your team you've got their back?

Ask for their feedback and then take action.

When you take time to ask your team members where they need support, they'll have suggestions for you.

By asking for feedback, you can receive insight on what might be driving a particular behavior, and also gain wisdom on how to improve daily activities / processes.

I've always believed that the people at the frontlines of the work know how to solve many of the challenges we as businesses face.

Don't miss the opportunity to drive positive change, and build trust and connection with your team.

👉When you ask for your teams' feedback, you're giving them a seat at the table.

👉You're giving them an opportunity to contribute.

👉You're including them in the improvements.

When you get the answer that your team member has been waiting for from a peer team, or jump in to help take some of the work off their plate, you're showing them that you have their back.

Good leaders ask for ways to make their teams' experience better.

Good leaders don't hesitate to jump in to help their team.

Good leaders take action.

How will you take action for your team today?