Group Dynamic

I’m traveling this week, and will return to producing original content next Wednesday.

In the meantime, check out these two worthy blog efforts that I am proud to have been a part of last month:

Above the Line America

31 Tips for Des Moines

Check them both out; they are worthy of your attention for different reasons. And even if you’re not from Des Moines, those tips are worthwhile in your community, too.

Here’s a phrase to purge:

…that would be great.

Two reasons why:

1) It’s not specific.  If we know that people are more engaged when presented with frequent, specific, direct feedback, then we need to seek out chances to be specific. If something “would be great,” why? Will it make life easier? Help meet a deadline? Make your motives clear? Establish credibility? Save work down the road?  Nearly every use of “that would be great” can have one of these specific reasons.  Take advantage of the opportunity.

2) Office Space.  The cult classic flick Office Space has a really bad boss in it, and he ends most requests with “That’d be great.” When you use the phrase, you’re emulating one of the ickiest pop-culture bosses ever.

So, if you could avoid this phrase, that’d be great.

So, if you could avoid this phrase, you’ll provide clearer communication and engage people more.

This post will be a part of a local effort from author and change agent Danny Heggen that is worth your attention, but I share it here as an example of how Read the rest of this entry »

The phrase “I don’t care” is often used to give permission. It may be splitting hairs to talk about this phrase, but this blog has often been picky about the words that we use. Words are important.

Three points, in order from Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes people feel disconnected from us because we come off as “too busy.” There are three words that can reverse this dysfunction.

A piece of equipment went missing, and I wasn’t told about it.  I found out Read the rest of this entry »

An earlier post discussed the perils of the use of the word “don’t.”

“Don’t” is negative, and can also be dismissive.  It’s also direct (that’s good) and easy (that’s why it’s frequently used).  There’s a nice alternative, though, that can quickly Read the rest of this entry »

Hannah was a young person volunteering at a community dinner.  She sure seemed like she didn’t want to be there.  She was listening to her iPod and had earbuds in both ears as she served peas to the public.  She was surrounded by about twenty adult volunteers.

At one point, Harold, one of the adult volunteers, finally said something.  He scowled, and Read the rest of this entry »

When I was young teacher, I often found myself in the middle of student disputes. My response was always something along the lines of “you need to learn how to solve your own problems.” I was thinking I was doing them a service by empowering them grow up and solve problems on their own. In reality, I was avoiding drama myself, and being selfish. Leaders of organizations need Read the rest of this entry »

When I read the (rightly) popular Good to Great, I found myself agreeing with nearly everything in principle, but thought that some concepts were a little too idealistic for a small- to mid-sized organization.  Massive businesses, like his examples, have more luxury to move people around, for example.

That’s why I had a touch of a problem with Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone has moments, or even periods, of insecurity.

Situation One:
Once, about 15 years ago, I was struggling to Read the rest of this entry »

This week, five posts that will help you understand the value of great customer service, everyone’s role in it, and some ideas Read the rest of this entry »

It was fun to add the Facebook “like” button to the blog to see if anyone really liked the posts…

So, here are Read the rest of this entry »