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Be Genuine at Work

Be Genuine at Work

Be Genuine at Work

We’ve all had bad days that have affected our work and attitude in the office. During these days, it feels impossible to do the everyday tasks your job asks of you. Positivity in the workplace has a direct impact on pervasive sectors of the workforce such as customer service and sales. How can you have a more positive outlook on the day even if it’s been a tough start to the day?

Surface Acting and Deep Acting

We’re all guilty of going from yelling and cursing in a road rage-induced furry then five-minutes later giving a fake smile to your co-workers when you walk into the office. This is called surface acting. This is when you feel one emotion and attempt to express another.

Meanwhile, deep active involves changing how you feel internally with the hope that your emotions will actually change. Instead of diving into said road-rage induced furry, reappraise what’s good about your day and what you enjoy about your work. This will help you put on a genuine smile.

Research has shown that those who practice deep acting over surface acting reaped greater benefits than those who practice surface acting. Part of this has to do with the fact that you interact with your coworkers every day, so surface acting would require a lot of acting.

Why Is Smiling Important?

Why do we try to act happy and positive around our co-workers? Is it something that actually has a positive impact on our work? We do seem to operate under the impression that our positive outlook will have a positive impact on our careers.

Those who practice deep acting say they were trying to be positive because they like their coworkers and value the relationships they have with them. Those who practice a mixture of the two say they were trying to be positive to avoid looking back or trying to get ahead at work. Studies have found that those who practice deep acting had colleagues who were more willing to offer help and support.

Based on research, it’s clear that positivity in the workplace does have an impact on our work lives. Those who practice deep acting rather than surface acting are more likely to actually feel better about themselves and their work. Try to remember what’s good about your life, your job, and your workplace next time you’re having a bad day.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

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How Leaders Can Navigate These 7 Leadership Styles

How Leaders Can Navigate These 7 Leadership Styles

A growing school of thought in the business leadership circle is that leaders should abandon the old school style of leadership in favor of a new school approach. In today’s environment, most executives and leaders need to be good at both styles to succeed. These combating styles will create tensions leaders will need to navigate to become as good a leader as possible.

  1. The Expert vs. the Learner

Typically, leaders become leaders in their field because they’re an expert in their line of work. In today’s day in age, leaders must accept that their area of expertise is limited and can always grow by further learning. Failing to recognize this need for continuous learning can lead to poor decision making.

  1. The Constant vs. the Adaptor

The old school approach to leadership subscribes to the idea that leaders should stick to their guns and focus on consistency. Meanwhile, the new school approach says that leaders should always be adapting to these fast-changing environments. Leaders should have an understanding of when to be consistent and when to adapt.

  1. The tactician vs. the Visionary

Old school leaders follow well-defined plans and rarely venture from the path they know works. Meanwhile, new school leaders have a clear vision of where they want to end up without following a traditional path. Without balancing these, leaders run the risk of not having a clear set of goals or having unrealistic or intangible goals.

  1. The Teller vs. the Listener

Old school leaders would rather tell others how to do things and when to do it. New school leaders listen to those around them and weigh everyone’s opinions before making decisions. Leaders should be able to balance providing leadership and asserting themselves, and taking advice from others.

  1. The Power Holder vs. the Power Sharer

Old school leaders lead from the top and make executive decisions based on what they believe is best. New school leaders empower those below them to make choices to help achieve goals. If not balanced, leaders can undermine their own authority by not being too assertive or alienating those below them by not sharing.

  1. The Intuitionist vs. the Analyst

Old school leaders value their gut to make decisions by using their experience as a point of reference. New school leaders make decisions based on data and numbers. Leaders should be able to balance making decisions using their experience and basing decisions on data and numbers.

  1. The Perfectionist vs. the Accelerator

Old school leaders believe in taking their time and making sure everything is perfect. Meanwhile, new school leaders believe that sometimes it’s best to do something quickly and fail fast than take too long. Balancing these allows you to still reach deadlines and launch dates while not compromising quality.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

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How Your Company Can Communicate During The Coronavirus Outbreak

How Your Company Can Communicate During The Coronavirus Outbreak

How Your Company Can Communicate During The Coronavirus Outbreak

COVID-19 has forced businesses and organizations around the world into dealing with unprecedented circumstances. While there may be no tried and true roadmap available to help guide companies through these trying times, there are a few basics companies should continue to practice. Proper planning, communication, and transparency can help you make sure your business sees the other side of this pandemic.

Create a COVID-19 Task Force

First and foremost, you should be assessing how your company is being affected by COVID-19. Form a team from different functions of your company to assess your needs and risks. This team should include representatives from the key functions of your business including supply chain, human resources, communications, sales, legal, and more.

Determine who in the task force will make decisions and who will have ultimate authority. Make certain that it is understood throughout the company that employees should only listen to the task force for company updates regarding the virus. Agree internally about what will be communicated before making any announcements to avoid confusion.

Communicate

The most important part of this pandemic for your company will be how your company communicates not only with the customers but with the employees as well. Review the needs of your audience and determine who needs what information and who needs it first.

Your communication plan should be centered around the measures you’re taking to ensure your employees and customers are safe during this pandemic. Regularly pass on information and news to your employees. Don’t let them find out information about the company second-hand. Be sure they are in the know at all times to avoid confusion and a spread of misinformation.

Media Inquiries

This pandemic should change the way your company moves in regards to media inquiries. Consider pushing back any announcements you had planned for the foreseeable future. Journalists, news outlets, and media consumers are focused on COVID-19.

It’s recommended that companies only release statements informing the public on any policy changes during the pandemic. Do not release any information on how the business is being affected by the pandemic.

During these uncertain times, it can be easy to lose yourself in panic when thinking about the future of your company. However, with proper planning and communication, your company can make it out of this pandemic.

Stay Safe!

Want to learn more? Contact us today!

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.