WOW Word-Of-the-Week #351: Flexibility
April 25, 2011 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #351: Flexibility
Flexibility – responsive to change; adaptable.
Are you able to quickly respond to changes in your life? Do you feel you need to be more flexible in order to stay competitive in the workplace? Have you or someone you know experienced a downsizing at work? Or worse yet, are you looking for a job?
This week’s San Diego UT features an interview with Phil Blair who is the co-owner of Manpower, a temp agency. When asked about changes in the marketplace Phil’s response is, “I think we are seeing a trend of companies looking for more flexible workers. One thing that means is that workers have to continually prove themselves – taking on the biggest challenges at work or taking classes so that they can keep moving up the rungs of the ladder. We’re nearing the point where there’s not going to be a worker shortage, but there will be a skill shortage, and employers will look for workers who have the skills they need. You have to know how to develop the right skills for your employer.”
When asked what are the chief qualities employers are looking for beyond specific skill sets Phil replied, “A positive attitude, pleasant demeanor, teamwork approach, energy and ‘business-growing’ skills. You can’t call it ‘sales skills’ or it scares everyone, but everyone’s involved in sales in one way or another. Employers are looking for staff who will help them build their business. After that they look at skills, experience and education.”
He also states, “Many people are looking for jobs on their computer. But a computer doesn’t offer you a job. You’ve got to get out and meet with people. You may have to spend your day knocking on doors like a salesman – because you are a salesman. You’re selling yourself.”
This week focus on flexibility. How adaptable are you? Are you or someone you know (this applies to young adults entering the work force) looking for a job? What specific skills do you bring? How would you use those skills to help your employer build their business?
Reader Responses
“Change in an established organization, like a conservative private club, is often times impossible or as a minimum extremely difficult. People, whether they be members or employees, are grooved into a comfort zone and just simply fight or find ways to avoid change. AS a manager I found that in order to make even the smallest change I almost have to plant a “seed” and wait for it to grow; in others words, my idea becomes their idea and then change happens. Be well.” – Dick
“We are living in the “Survival of the Fittest” era, where we need to be able to do many things well in order to make it in the workplace. Because there are nearly 15 million people out of work, employers can pick and choose whom they want in their jobs. It is a sad statement on the economy, but true nonetheless. In order to survive, we have to learn to adapt, or be flexible, so that we can move onward and upward. Not easy in this day and age. But while employers are in the driver’s seat in terms of getting employees, they have to show some appreciation. What are employers going to do for employees who can bring a lot to the table? Many of them figure that the job situation is so poor that employees will work for reduced pay and few benefits. It is a two-way street, but workers are getting short shrift today from employers who are taking advantage of a poor jobs climate. Hopefully that will turn around. What I am happy to see is that workers are starting to stand up instead of taking it on the chin from those who want to exploit them. Great word, Susan. Keep up the great work. Take care. – “Warrior” Joe
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #350: Attention
April 20, 2011 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #350: Attention
Attention – careful observing or listening.
Have you noticed lately the number of people that put their full attention on their cell phones? Do you see couples in restaurants playing with their phones instead of talking to each other? Are we turning into a texting, non-verbal society? 
This is a follow up to last week’s WOW on communication. Do you know that people who are focused only on themselves, generally have never developed the ability to read others? Good communicators listen 60% to 70% and talk 30% to 40% of the time.
Dr. Lyman Steil says, “Most people listen but they don’t really hear. We need to over compensate and listen more to improve out comprehension.”
Want to create an instant connection with people? All you have to do is let them talk while you listen! And that means to focus, give them your full attention, and become a careful observer.
If you want to be successful you need to really listen to your customers, guests, members, clients (and loved ones) so that you can fulfill their needs. You have to pay attention in order to serve them well, and to handle any problems or challenges that may arise.
This week focus on putting more attention on the people around you instead of yourself. How would it feel to spend more time listening and less time speaking? Do you think you have developed the ability to read others? Carefully observing to see if their face, eyes, voice, and body reinforce their words or detract from them? Have you noticed telltale, nonverbal signs that suggest a conflict between what’s said and what’s meant?
Reader Responses
“Thanks Susan; exactly what I needed today (and every day). – Carole
“Love your thoughtful message. If I may chime in with a lovely observation one wise woman shared: ‘God gave us two eyes and one mouth so we would listen more than speak.’ Have a wonderful day!” – Your fan, Margie
“Thank you for your continued words of wisdom. This subject deffinately hits home. I know for me it boils down to nervous energy. I’m really working on channeling it into “listening power”. Taking that deep breath to let people finish before jumping in with answers.” – Amy
“As I was reading your piece on listening, all I could think of was the old “Hans and Franz” routine from Saturday Night Live, featuring Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon. “Hear me now, and listen to me later.” That is what most people do. Many are so focused on whether their tweets went through or their latest Facebook friend list has been updated instead of actually listening to the person who is standing right in front of them. I was reading a piece in The New York Times not long ago about how young people continue to play with their smartphones or iPods while attempting to have a conversation with someone in front of them. While talking, they continue to move their thumbs on their devices. Most people are not coordinated enough to pay attention to these devices and a conversation at the same time. The Times story went on to quote people who have had to deal with this behavior, which many of them felt was rude. Over the last year I have sat in on meetings where someone was giving a speech and people in the back of the room were involved with their Blackberries, iPods, SmartPhones, etc. Talk about self-involved or self-important. There are times when I have wanted to just go over to those people, take the devices out of their hands and throw them out the window. They are more interested in these devices than in the people they are supposed to be paying attention to during the day. I told my wife the other night that these devices were the worst invention since call-waiting. One of my former bosses was the best listener I have ever seen. Whenever he stopped to talk to me, I had his full attention, including full eye contact. I felt that I had his complete attention as he listened to me without interrupting. I always try to emulate that in my professional and personal lives. I still need to work on it every day. But I am aware of how important it is to give my FULL ATTENTION to another. I am more conscious of it during phone conversations. We are all in a hurry every day. But I do make a point of trying to wait until someone is finished talking before I chime in. It is tempting to finish someone’s sentence or thought during a conversation because we want to get on to the next thing we have to do. It is something I try to work on every single day. I also remind my older daughter to make sure she listens to all the directions before she begins her schoolwork. But she still rushes. A great word. A great lesson. Thanks, Susan. Take care.” – “Warrior” Joe
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #349: Communication
April 12, 2011 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #349: Communication
Communication – putting oneself into close connection or relationship with another person to create complete understanding.
Have you ever had a conversation that was totally misunderstood? You thought you were being very clear and it just wasn’t? Do you ever repeat back what you heard just to make sure you understood it correctly?
I am speaking next week for the Greater Baltimore Club Managers on communication and motivation. I came across this past WOW and felt it was worth a rerun. A quote I use in my programs comes from one of my favorite cartoons, Kathy. She says, “My words came out fine. They were processed incorrectly by your brain!” How many times has that happened to you? You think you are speaking clearly and the other person just doesn’t get it.
We all have different filters and images in our brains. I will never forget the conversation I had with one of my audience members. I said, “When I get a real job, I want to be a cocktail waitress at a pool bar.”
Her reply was, “How could you stand all that smoke?” I’m sure I had a puzzled look on my face and it took me a few seconds to realize that she had an image of a billiard hall. My image was in Maui, or some other exotic place, and I was outside having FUN serving cocktails and food around the pool!
One of the best things you can do when you are serving your guests, customers, members or clients is to always repeat back what they say. (This works for family members too!) And that way there is no misunderstanding. When it comes to taking and filling orders it will save you lots of time and hassle because you will get it right the first time.
This week focus on clear communication. Do you give your full attention to the person communicating with you? Did you know that good communicators listen 60 to 70 percent of the time and only speak 30 to 40 percent of the time? Practice listening and repeating back what you hear.
Reader Responses
“Communication. Ahh, that is the key. It is always interesting between a husband and a wife. My wife will say something, and I will repeat what she said so that she knows why I did not understand her comment. In a number of cases, I will take it to mean something completely different than what Kristen had intended. And I know exactly what you mean about the filters. When Kristen is telling a long-winded story, I will leave the room to do something which will upset her. “You are doing just what my dad does to my mom!” Husbands filter out so much of what wives say, unless it is something we consider important. I think after a number of years, husbands and wives do this. With our daughters, I will be very clear as to what I want. I will say it explicitly so there is no misunderstanding. But I have learned to listen to others better, especially in the workplace. So there is no miscommunication. But it is very easy to have a failure to communicate. We are bombarded with so much information every day, it is hard to filter out all but the most important. So, we have to spend more time picking and choosing. Eventually, we all learn. Have a great weekend, Susan. Take care.” – “Warrior” Joe”
“Most important aspect of life and business!” – Kevin
“I love your WOW Word of the weeks!!! Thanks for sharing!” – Christine
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #348: Ambitious
April 5, 2011 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #348: Ambitious
Ambitious – having a strong desire for success or achievement.
Parade Magazine featured a story on Ashton Kutcher titled, “I’m Still Looking For Trouble” and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by how mature and driven he is. I also loved that he was willing to be so vulnerable in sharing his thoughts.
Ashton & Demi
“The real trick is putting yourself around people you admire,” he says. “That’s why I married my wife. I locked in the brightest light in the room. My wife and I have an agreement in our marriage, and part of that contract is that we are going to shine our lights on each other.”
“I’m ambitious,” he declares with no apologies. “I try to make it look like it’s not work – that’s the biggest key. I’ve got it pretty good. There’s no sense in making life seem like it’s a struggle, because that doesn’t make anybody feel better.”
“If you stop working at a career, it goes away. When things are good, that’s when you have to work harder, because otherwise it will disappear. And if you don’t work toward it, you’re not really appreciating what you’ve got.”
“I’m still disruptive. I’m still doing some things that other people don’t like. I don’t have anything that’s too sacred to make fun of. The truth is that I’m an idiot. I don’t do things by the rules sometimes. I say things that I probably shouldn’t say. I push buttons. I deserve to be made fun of. And I feel like, as soon as you can make fun of something, it instantly removes the fear.”
Can you see why I liked like this article on Ashton? He is ambitious, driven, successful and playful! This week’s focus is on being ambitious. Do you have a strong desire for success or achievement? If so, what is it? When things are going good do you work harder? Do you really appreciate what you’ve got?
Reader Responses
“Ambition comes from something within. Maybe it is a desire to be the best at what we do for a living. Maybe it is to be the best father. And I certainly strive to do that every day. Maybe it is to be a billionaire. I think we all have some ambition that drives us; what is different are the things for which we strive. In addition to being a good husband and father, I have always wanted to do well by others with my natural talents and abilities. Using my talents for the benefit of others is the best use of them. By putting the good out to others, I will receive so many positive things in return in my life I will probably never be able to fathom it. When I was half my present age, I strived for more professional goals. Some of those have changed over the years, but we adapt to the vicissitudes of life and move on. Frankly, our ambition should be to live a happy life. Great word, Susan. Thank you. Have a great weekend.” – “Warrior” Joe