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I was six weeks into my new job when the HR Director came to my desk and told me, “You need to join the union. They’ll be taking 1% of your salary.”
What union, I wondered? And why am I hearing about this now?
I explained reasonably that if this were necessary, then I would need a 1% increase in pay. After all, I was never told about this while negotiating for the position.
Long story short: there would be no 1% increase and if I wanted to stay employed, I would need to sign and pay. I was angry.
After venting about the issue privately, I was able to initiate a calm conversation with my boss. I offered creative options and by the end of our talk, I felt 100% better.
How was it done? By using a technique I call O-A-C-A:
Observation
Affect
Compassion
AskO-A-C-A is a template for saying what needs to be said in a way that honors both people.
Want to learn more? This week I completed a free interactive class where I describe it in detail. You are invited to enjoy it and share it by clicking on the picture below. I’d love to hear what you think.
Click the photo above to start the interactive video.
That’s your note for this month!
Jean Keeping-a-Cool-Head Franzblau
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Here’s a tip to help you maintain good energy throughout your business day.
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If you receive an email that you are angry about – get your hands off the keyboard! Responding to an email while angry can be career limiting.
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In this world of high tech sometimes high touch – warmth, friendliness and human connection – can get lost. How can we have both? One way is to bring back the thank you note.
There are other ways to balance high tech with high touch. Every so often, instead of a tweet, pick up the phone and call the person. Once in a while, instead of an email, walk down the hall and chat with your collegue.
How are you bringing friendliness to our high tech world? I’d love to hear your suggestions and comments.
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Telephone customers – like all of us – have three key needs. This video focuses on one of them: to feel welcome.
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The BEST format helps you think through and phrase your goals in the most empowering way possible. BEST stands for:
Believable
Energizing
Specific
Timed
In today’s blog, we’ll focus on the S. Specific. Let’s say this is your goal: I don’t want to get stressed out at work anymore. That goal is a good start. It states clearly what isn’t wanted. The first step in making your goal specific is to phrase it so that it focuses on what you do want.
“I want to be more relaxed at work.”
Better! Now, what actions will help you be more relaxed? Deep breathing? Taking a few more breaks? Remembering to eat lunch? Revise your goal around a clear action:
“I will take five deep breaths before I eat my lunch each day.”
Wallah! This goal is really specific.
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Did you know that according to one study, if you write a goal down, you’re 60% more apt to achieve it? You did if you read last week’s blog. Here’s the recap:
Writing goals can be a powerful way to create the life and career you want. The BEST format helps you think through and phrase your goals in the most empowering way possible. BEST stands for:
Believable
Energizing
Specific
Timed
In today’s blog, we’ll focus on the E. Energizing.
When you think about achieving your stated goal, are you excited? Do you feel energized by it? If so, your goal has passed the Energizing Test.
Some people write goals for themselves that they don’t really want to achieve. Writing a goal and not being excited about it is usually the result of trying to want something that someone else wants you to want. It’s trying to be someone your not. Or in the simplest terms: people pleasing.
Let’s face it, goal setting usually means changing habits and trying new behaviors. It can be challenging so it better be worth it to you. That’s why it’s key to make sure your goals are energizing.
Next week, we’ll discuss the “S” in BEST. Are you psyched?
Happiness is achieving a meaningful goal.
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Did you know that according to one study, if you write a goal down, you’re 60% more apt to achieve it? Writing goals can be a powerful way to create the life and career you want.
The BEST format helps you think through and phrase your goal in the most empowering way possible. BEST stands for:
Believable
Energizing
Specific
Timed
In today’s blog, we’ll focus on the B. Believable.
There’s only one person who gets to decide if your goal is believable: you. We all have greatness within us, and sometimes that greatness hasn’t yet had a chance to blossom.
Does your goal come from a quiet inner place inside that Knows (with a capital “K”) what you’re truly capable of? If so, then you go ahead and write that goal down. Though it might seem silly or “out there” or impossible to others, it’s yours to claim.
I remember it well. I was driving with a successful friend at a time in my life when I felt very UN-successful. I wasn’t earning a lot and was doing very unglamorous work. Even so, I knew that I was an inspirational keynote speaker. “I’m a keynote speaker,” I said to her in a small voice. It sounded ridiculous coming out of my mouth given my life circumstances.
Let’s fast forward to the life I’m living today where keynote speaking seems obvious. I’m sitting in a lovely hotel tapping away on my laptop waiting to meet with a colleague to discuss our keynote marketing materials. It’s happening!
What do you know that no one’s judgment or criticism can shake? Write that goal down and if you would indulge me – tell me what it is!
You set the direction.
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I’m a Lady Gaga fan. Every heard of her? For those of you who like me can be slow on the uptake, she’s a very popular American singer, songwriter and musician. I had already seen video eyefulls of her costumes, choreography and wildness. I thought, “No wonder this woman’s getting a lot of press; she puts on quite a show.”
But I call myself a fan because of her interviews. There she is on Barbara Walters dressed in a crazy blonde wig. There she is on the Ellen Show with an eye mask of silver sparkles. And in both cases, she is completely respectful, honest, authentic…and twenty three years old.
I learned that in high school, she “felt like a freak” and she doesn’t want others to suffer that way. Her message to her fans is, “be yourself – even if being yourself seems weird to others.”
If you have a chance to watch a Lady Gaga video, yes, there’s fascinating eye candy to enjoy or be appalled by. But don’t get stuck on that part. Consider her unbridled creativity to be a question and an invitation.
Question: Is there something I’d like to do in my life that I’m not doing?
Invitation: Can I take a moment right now to do it, schedule it or research it?
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I am committed to sharing with you what works – even if it sounds unusual. That’s why I’m blogging today about Feng Shui. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics. My friend, Katie, has studied it for years and is a consultant. A few months ago, I gave myself a birthday gift of a Katie consultation.
In preparation, I had to send Katie a floor plan and detail for her my life and business goals. She came in and cheerfully suggested tons of ideas how I could bring in more “chi” or positive energy. Some of her ideas I implemented right away.
A week later, I noticed an up-tic in business. I was musing happily to myself that my marketing efforts must really be having an impact. Then I remembered my work with Katie. Was there a connection? My gut tells me Yes.
Have you ever tried Feng Shui? How did it go for you?
