Give people a fact or an idea and you enlighten their minds; tell them a story and you touch their souls.
~Hasidic proverb
Today’s quote comes to you from Sandbox Wisdom: Growing Business With the Genius of Childhood
Game-Playing for Fun … and Better Results
Looking for a way to encourage collaboration within your team? Like to get employees more involved and committed – and build a more enjoyable working environment? Try playing an occasional game. Yes, we said “game.” And yes, they can be very effective leadership tools. Here’s an example …
OFFICE AIRLINES (10 minutes)
Divide your group into 2-person teams. Give each team a sheet of paper, marking pens, and a paperclip. Instruct participants to work with their teammate to create a paper airplane they feel will travel a long distance. Each team must name their airline and decorate their plane accordingly – using the marking pens. Planes are limited to one piece of paper and may use one paperclip anywhere on the plane if needed. After construction is completed, conduct the flights. The team with the plane traveling the longest distance wins a prize (bag of peanuts and soda, plastic toy pilot wings, etc.).
Consider asking a few de-briefing questions after the game has concluded:
1. How well did you work together in constructing your airplanes?
2. How did teamwork affect your results … and your experience?
3. If you had to identify one piece of key learning from this activity that we can apply to our jobs, what would it be?
Look for opportunities to include periodic games and activities in your regular routine. They can be fun and engaging – and foster learning, as well. They can help ease stressful environments, build greater camaraderie, and make workplaces more enjoyable. What’s wrong with that picture? Absolutely NOTHING!
Effective questions can be the single-most potent tool in any leader’s toolbox. They create a mindset shift away from problem orientation and limitations – and toward solution orientation and possibilities. Here are five examples of effective questions you can ask to encourage your people to work together better. Give them a try …
People rarely succeed unless they are having fun in what they are doing.
~ Dale Carnegie
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Today’s solution is from Office Sportz
By Jeff Rogers |
If there is to be any peace it will come through being, not having.
~Henry Miller
Today’s quote comes to you from Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Every Day of Your Life
The purpose of our lives is to give birth to the best which is within us.
~Marianne Williamson
Today’s quote comes to you from Motivational Quotes
Since, for most of you here in the United States, this is the first day back to work after the Memorial Day holiday, we thought it would be fitting to focus on the chapter out of Every Monday Matters titled “Write a Letter to a US Military Hero.” Highlighting a different activity each week, Every Monday Matters is a book of action. In each of the 52 sections, one for each Monday of the year, you’re given the Facts concerning a particular topic, encouraged to Take Action Today, and reminded that You Matter. I’d like to encourage you to make a difference…make today matter.
 Learn more… |
By Matthew Emerzian & Kelly Bozza Lt. General Hal Moore is one of America’s greatest Generals and military leaders of all time. But, it’s his profound love of humanity that radiates from his soul. In this very special book, General Moore, shares five very special letters to America on the true meaning of leadership. |
Write a Letter to a US Military Hero TAKE ACTION TODAY: YOU MATTER: Our military protects our nation’s freedom, and, regardless of your political affiliation and whether or not you believe in war, these brave men and women need to know that we appreciate their sacrifices and service. With a simple card or letter, you can brighten the day of a soldier who is overseas ensuring your freedom. Your letter might be the only thing that makes a soldier smile that day.
Eric Harvey
Excerpted from Every Monday Matters
FACTS:
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.
~Ben Franklin
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Today’s quote comes to you from May You Be Blessed |
It is only by doing things others have not that one can advance.
–George S. Patton
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Today’s quote comes to you from Great Quotes from Great Leaders |
You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.
–Zig Ziglar
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Today’s quote comes to you from The Simple Truths of Appreciation: How Each of Us Can Choose to Make a Difference |
“Marcia’s right! You have to be able to identify what you really love and what you really want before you can get it”.
– Oprah Winfrey
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Today’s quote comes to you from Dreams are Whispers From the Soul by Marcia Weider We’ve put together an incredible gift for you; 10 easy to read, content rich and extremely valuable e-books…all designed to help you Make Your Dreams Come True. And it’s not going to cost you a penny. Click here to receive all 10 e-books NOW. http://www.dreamcoach.com/gift/ |
Simplify Your Objectives for Better Results
Ever find that your people aren’t in sync with your organization’s objectives and the results they’re intended to produce? It just might be that your team is confused about what those objectives are!
Maybe your goals are too complex, too illogical, or too difficult to comprehend and embrace. Or perhaps your people are confused by a dizzying array of organizational objectives. Ever hear of CADD – “Cor-porate Attention Deficit Disorder”? Here’s how it happens: One month, management’s focus is to increase revenue. The next month, the focus is on reducing costs. Then, the hiring process is the priority. And 30 days later management is focused again on cutting back. Which one do your people choose to be in sync with? How reasonable is it to expect them to move from one objective to another in a heartbeat?
Imagine what would happen if a synchronized swim team’s choreography was too complex … or if their routines were constantly being changed. What would likely result – great performances or chaos?
Here’s one you can take to the bank: If your goals are constantly changing, you can (and should) expect constant chaos. Some people in your organization will ignore the newest, hot-off-the-presses objective because experience has taught them that it will soon change, anyway. Why bother changing course when another “knee-jerk” change is probably just around the corner? Good question!
Certainly, in today’s fast-paced, global marketplace, change has become a way of life. And changing direction isn’t necessarily a bad thing – as long as a crystal-clear mission for the organization has been established and everyone understands how proposed changes will help them accomplish the mission. Without that understanding, what you have is change in a vacuum. And that typically leads to chaos and discontent.
So, do you best to keep your goals and objectives simple and as consistent as possible. And when you need to alter your course, help employees understand how those changes support, and are in sync with, your organization’s mission – the core of your business that NEVER changes.
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Today’s solution is from Leadership Energy
By David Cottrell |
