Tag Archives: business

I’m CUCKOO for…

17 May

Growing up…I was never one to sit down and watch cartoons. But, when I think back over my life there was one character who really stood out. He was memorable and funny! His name was Sonny. You’ve seen him…the mascot from the Cocoa Puffs cereal commercial. He has the famous catchphrase “I’m CUCKOO for cocoa puffs.”

I love his enthusiasm. Think about how fast he moves over the chocolate cereal. I then started to realize that we all have something that quickly moves us into action. Something that we are super excited about. Something that we are CUCKOO for. At work. At home. A task. A project. An activity.

What can you declare that you are plain old CUCKOO for today? Declare it! Write It! And tell me about it!

If you have funny and inspirational message…I’d love to share it. Write fromtv2odblogger@gmail.com. Thanks and have a wonderful weekened!

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Snap Out Of It: Get Your Happy Back In The Workplace

13 May

Have you been on an extended snooze fest at your job? Lethargic. Restless. Just BORED OUT OF YOUR MIND. Dealing with the same daily routine. The same old mundane tasks. The same old dry humor from your boss. The same eccentric co-worker who manages to get on your last nerve. You’re just tired. And bored. Bored to tears!

We’ve all endured such challenging seasons in the workplace. Boredom. Low motivation. Slumping productivity. Guess what? You CAN change your forecast. With a little work, you can change your perception of things and how you operate on the job. Here are four easy tips to get your happy back on the job.

1. Find a song you love and make it your work anthem. Listen to an inspirational/motivational song all day long if you have to. On the way to work. At your computer. On your lunch break. Music is very therapeutic. And does wonders for your mental, energy and creativity. Trust me! I know.

2. Create a list of things that will make you more vibrant and thrive in the workplace. No one knows you better than you. Determine what brings you joy and fulfillment in the workplace. Identify challenging opportunities and projects that will amplify you on the job and enhance your skill set.

3. Take a photo of yourself for the next 30 days and write inspirational messages on them.  Seeing is indeed believing. Make an effort to smile on each photo every single day and create a motivational theme like “I’m in love with my job” or ”I like my organization” and assess how each day went. You will be surprised at how much your outlook will change by viewing yourself and your situation in this manner. Post them on a bulletin board or social media site!

4. Ask some of your co-workers out on a date. A fun and productive “professional” date that this. Spend quality time with your peers and find out what excites them over lunch. It doesn’t have to be super expensive. You just want to communicate and build healthy relationships with your co-workers. You could help each other cope in the workplace. You spend more time with your co-workers than your own personal family. So, its important that you know these folks.

 

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What The Workplace Needs Is…

18 Apr

Have you ever walked into a business environment and immediately felt chill bumps? Numb? Not because the room temperature was 20 degrees…but the atmosphere was cold and depressing. Instantly you noticed employees walking around like zombies…having little to no cohesion. That’s the energy in the environment…energy that pollutes the air. This type of pollution can have damaging consequences on employees and organizations.

An OD practitioner, I wanted to explore energy and organizational culture from a positive perspective. And really discover all the wonderful benefits of positive energy in organizations. I designed and facilitated a transformative session called Infectious Culture: Spreading Positive Energy in Organizations for a group of OD and HR professionals. The session was created utilizing the Appreciative Inquiry Methodology…an innovative change method developed by David Cooperrider. In essence, the AI method celebrates the best of what’s good in the organization. In this case, we lauded the positive energy that existed within ourselves and our organizations.

We began the session by doing what folks say happens in the workplace all the time. We put our emotions on our sleeves. Knowing that emotions dictate our actions we assessed how those feelings look and impact work climates. The initial question.

“If you could wear emotions on your sleeve what would they be?” 

I saw the curiosity on their faces. Deep introspection as they mulled over the questions. The classroom was filled with a wide array of emotions as they shared thoughts with the group. One participant wore enthusiasm. Another wore the spirit of hope. One professional wrapped herself in hope. Then I heard that four letter word…emotions and energy we all yearn for in some aspects of our lives. L-O-V-E!

I LOVE YOU BOSS! Scratch that! Love isn’t spoken in the workplace. Love is manifested through our actions. Its the empathy that we show our co-worker going through a difficult time in their life. Love is the support we give to an inexperienced employee enduring growing pains. Love is unwavering loyalty that we have for our organizational leaders. Love is putting our conflicting viewpoints aside and uniting for the good of the organization.

The workplace needs LOVE! It purifies organizational cultures. And transforms climates to healthy and vibrant work environments. Love paves the way for clearer communication, better attitudes, enhanced cooperation, and higher morale.

How do you show love in the workplace? Talk to me.

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Start Spreading the News

16 Apr

I send you well wishes and prayers today!

Last week, I facilitated a transformational change session for an “Organizational Development Network” in Maryland. I dubbed the session Infectious Culture: Spreading Positive Energy in Organizations. When planning the session, I endeavored to illustrate the benefits of promoting and sustaining a positive work environment. I also wanted to instruct OD and HR practitioners on how to conduct innovative and inspirational activities for organizations.

The session exceeded my expectations. The participants really caught that vibrant infectious spirit. You could feel the energy in the room. As a facilitator, I was delighted to witness the change unfold before my eyes. I guided the participants along the process as they assessed positive energy, organizational culture, and administered positive treatments to organizations. The group produced amazing recommendations.

Exhilarated best describes how I walked out of the session. I’m still floating on cloud nine! I felt compelled to spread more of that infectious energy to you. This week, I will publish a series of blogs inspired from the session. I hope that you will join me and tap into your positive energy. Start spreading the news about this much needed discussion on positive energy in the workplace. Spread the news in your cubicles and offices! Tell a co-worker. Tell your boss. Catch the spirit! It’s infectious!

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You Made It…So Celebrate!

30 Nov

The work week is over! When you walk out the door…be sure to leave workplace matters in the workplace. The things that did or didn’t happen…leave them behind. Its over. So, don’t allow such matters to spoil your weekend. Commit to doing whatever brings you joy! You made it…so celebrate! And be intentional about it!

Got inspiration? You could be featured in the next kicker! Send an email to fromtv2odblogger@gmail.com.

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Lady Luck! What Tha?

29 Nov

And the winner is…

A few lucky folks in Arizona and Missouri. Those folks have millions of reasons to celebrate…after winning the record 580 million dollar powerball! Meanwhile, you are still scratching your head over those six numbers. 5-16-22-23-29-06. And secretly sulking because you had to go back to work today. Isn’t that the first thing you would have done? Quit your job…tell your boss good riddance!

Losing the powerball isn’t the worst thing in the world. If you have a job in this troubled economy…then friend you are a winner. Right now…there are millions of people feverishly looking for work. Those seeking work are playing the lottery each day. And they are hoping to win BIG with a job! 

Just think…you already hit the jackpot!

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Dreaming of Jeannie…Blink!

27 Nov

Larry Hagman was a phenomenal actor. He’s most widely known for his epic role in the television soap opera Dallas. Fans loved to hate the unscrupulous J.R. Ewing…the oil tycoon who set folks ablaze. I actually prefer to watch Hagman put out fires started by his beloved Jeannie in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. 

The fantasy show starring Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden was amazing! Hagman played Major Anthony Nelson. An astronaut, Nelson discovered a 2,000 year-old genie (Barbara Eden) in a bottle. Jeannie had one mission in life…to grant her “master” his every wish. By bobbing her head and blinking her eyes Jeannie would grant Nelson’s wishes. Most times she granted her own wishes…wishes that would send Nelson in a tail spin. Major Nelson was often times livid, frazzled, bewildered and amused by Jeannie’s works. Her heart was in the right place.

If only I had the powers of Jeannie! The thought of being able to instantly create my desires… I’d be a blinking dream machine! I’m channeling my inner Jeannie. Healthy organizations. BLINK. Transformational change. BLINK. Powerball winner. BLINK. BLINK. BLINK. BLINK.

Still blinking….

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The “Good” Employee

21 Nov

Its that most wonderful time of year when folks make lists check them twice. And find out whose been naughty or nice! Imagine this. Jolly old St. Nick stops by your job bringing gifts, performance awards, and bonuses. Maybe you need a visual. Let’s just say the picture looked something like an episode of Oprah’s Favorite Things. Those folks look like they’ve hit the jackpot! Now back to St. Nick. He wants to reward the “good” employee. Would he have something for you? Would St. Nick dub you an office scrooge or the “good” employee? One who works for the “good” of the organization? Let’s marinate on the makings of the “good” employee.

  • putting your agenda aside.
  • tabling your personal issues.
  • always willing to reduce conflict.
  • checking your ego when you weren’t selected as the number one person on the project.
  • adjusting to new business processes to improve customer service.
  • lending your expertise to the new hire who now occupies the position you applied for.
  • supporting  your manager on a project that you don’t fully agree with 100 percent.
  • cooperating and tolerating a co-worker who finds tons of ways to nettle you.
  • learning new methods to doing work.
  • making decisions and taking actions that benefit the organization.

Folks have their eyes on the “good” employees! Good things come to those who do good! So, be good for goodness sakes!

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How Would You Grade Your Enthusiasm?

16 Nov

How would you grade your enthusiasm? For work? Enthusiasm takes you a long way in organizations.

Earlier this week, two Xfinity cable employees came to my home to install new devices. I was very impressed. They delivered quality customer service at its best. The employees were eager to teach me how to properly use the devices. They were thorough. And willing to answer my questions. Get this. One of the employees offered me information about a product that will roll out by the spring of 2013. I could see the passion that the two shared for their organization. And I wasn’t surprised when one of the employees said ”I love Xfinity” during our dialogue. I knew within minutes of them walking into my home.              

I would give the Xfinity employees an A for enthusiasm. And another A for job knowledge, great teamwork, and commitment to customer service.   

Do you have an inspirational story? Something that will help folks on the job? You could be featured on next week’s kicker! Shoot me an email fromtv2odblogger@gmail.com

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5 Common Myths In The Workplace

15 Nov

The word myth is defined as an unapproved or false collective belief. How many myths are floating around your place of employment? I could only imagine. In the working world…its important to understand fact and fiction. Your success depends on it. Our beliefs dictate how we act and perform on the job. Our performance impacts our growth, relations and organization. Let’s clear some things up and bust five common myths like bad zit!

Myth #1 There are no emotions in the workplace. Where there are people…there are emotions. Organizations are filled with people who make decisions based on their emotions each day. A manager may angrily pull an employee out of a special project over a disagreement. Perhaps, the employee pulled off the special project was the most qualified to lead efforts. The project diminishes in value because of the manager’s decision. Folks are sometimes guided by their emotions in business.

Myth #2 They don’t need me.  The organization does in fact need you. You are more than just a name on an organizational chart. You add value to your organization. Never believe that the organization doesn’t need or benefit from the work you provide. So, be sure to acquire new skills, engage in work processes, show initiative and deliver your best work.

Myth #3 You can’t trust anyone.  It may be hard to believe…but you can trust within your organization. We build trust through deep communication. Just like a first or second date…never get too deep too soon! Trust is built overtime. You need allies and friends in organizations. Support systems are in place to sustain you. And help you remain sane.

Myth #4 The first one to fold is the weakest. You will have conflicting views, values, perspectives and ideas. Its not a sign of weakness when you are the first to compromise, accommodate, or negotitate. It shows that you are a problem solver and want to reduce conflict.   

Myth #5 You shouldn’t tell your boss about your professional goals. You should be transparent about your career goals. Leaders are responsible for training, shaping, nurturing and coaching employees. Informed leaders can properly groom you for bigger opportunities. Leaders won’t advocate for you if they don’t know you…or don’t think you’re ready for advancement.

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