On a Living Spree
Excited to share some big news: I just signed a book deal with Wiley (a top 10 global publisher!) for my next book, When I Grow Up. Over the next year, I’ll be trying 100 different jobs — barista to billionaire CEO, farmer to mortician, teacher to racecar driver, and everything in between.
I will be speaking at TEDx Temecula on September 28, 2024.
Get your tickets here!
https://www.tedxtemecula.com/
Active listening is more than just hearing the words someone is saying. It's about fully focusing on the person in front of you, setting aside your own agenda and preconceptions, and seeking to understand their perspective. It's about asking open-ended questions, reflecting back what you've heard, and creating a safe space for authentic communication.
When leaders practice active listening, they send a powerful message to their employees: your thoughts, feelings, and experiences matter. They build trust, rapport, and a sense of psychological safety that allows people to bring their full selves to work. They also gain valuable insights into their team members' strengths, challenges, and aspirations, which can inform coaching, development, and career growth opportunities.
But active listening isn't always easy, especially in a world of constant distractions and competing priorities. It requires a conscious effort to slow down, be present, and give your undivided attention to the person in front of you. It means resisting the urge to jump in with advice or solutions, and instead allowing space for the other person to process their own thoughts and feelings.
Think back to a time when you achieved something you once thought was impossible. Maybe it was speaking in front of a large audience, running a marathon, or landing a big promotion at work. Chances are, the journey to that achievement wasn't a smooth or easy one. It likely involved plenty of discomfort, uncertainty, and moments of self-doubt.
But here's the thing: growth and comfort rarely coexist. In order to achieve our biggest goals and dreams, we must be willing to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the discomfort that comes with trying new things, taking risks, and facing our fears.
Have you ever found yourself going through the motions at work, feeling disconnected from the bigger picture and wondering what it's all for? If so, you're not alone. In today's fast-paced, always-on work culture, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and lose sight of the deeper purpose behind what we do.
But here's the thing: having a clear sense of purpose is essential not just for our personal fulfillment and well-being, but for our effectiveness and impact as leaders and team members. When we're connected to a larger mission and vision, we're more motivated, resilient, and inspired to bring our best selves to work every day.
So, how can we clarify our sense of purpose and use it to guide our actions and decisions? One powerful exercise is to create a personal purpose statement. This is a short, concise statement that captures the essence of what drives us, what we stand for, and what impact we want to have in the world.
Employee engagement has become a hot topic in recent years, with countless studies and surveys highlighting the link between engaged employees and better business outcomes. But despite all the attention and investment in engagement initiatives, many organizations still struggle to move the needle. Why?
One often-overlooked factor is the role of belonging in driving engagement and performance. A sense of belonging – feeling accepted, valued, and included in a group – is a fundamental human need. When we feel like we truly belong at work, we're more likely to be motivated, committed, and willing to go above and beyond for our team and organization.
But fostering a sense of belonging is easier said than done, especially in today's diverse and often remote or hybrid work environments. It requires a conscious and ongoing effort to create a culture of inclusion, trust, and psychological safety, where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued for who they are.
When was the last time you had fun at work? I mean, really had fun – the kind of joyful, carefree, lose-track-of-time fun that we associate with childhood? If you're like most adults, it's probably been a while.
Somewhere along the way, we bought into the idea that work and play are mutually exclusive. That fun is a frivolous distraction from the serious business of getting things done. But what if I told you that incorporating more play into your workday could actually make you more productive, creative, and resilient?
Studies have shown that play is essential for our cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. When we engage in activities that are intrinsically enjoyable and challenge us to think in new ways, we stimulate our brains, reduce stress, and boost our problem-solving abilities. We also forge stronger connections with those around us, as laughter and shared experiences break down barriers and foster a sense of belonging.
Invest in Your Employees Dreams, Watch Your Business Grow.
We created this book to provide tools for everyone from small business owners to CEO’s of global brands to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to be their best selves, both personally and professionally – which directly impacts the bottom line.
In our research for the book Experiential Billionaire: Build a Life Rich in Experiences and Die With No Regrets, we asked 20,000 people about the most valuable things in their lives. The majority of participants cited their dreams, goals and experiences as the most important. This illustrates the deep-rooted human desire for purpose and fulfillment, which can often be found in the pursuit of our dreams. On the flip side, the study also revealed that the number one regret people have at the end of their lives is not following their dreams. This highlights the importance of dream pursuit for well-being and overall life satisfaction.
In the context of the workplace, supporting your employees' dreams can have a profound impact. It can drive engagement, productivity, and loyalty, while also enhancing the organization's reputation and its ability to attract top talent. Helping employees follow their dreams is not just a feel-good initiative, but a strategic imperative for any organization that wants to thrive in today's fast-paced, ever-changing world of remote work, AI, and a multi-generational workforce.
By recognizing the importance of dreams, providing the resources and support employees need to pursue them, and creating a culture that celebrates progress and achievement, leaders can unlock the full potential of their people and their organizations.
Have you ever watched a stone being thrown into a still pond? The impact creates ripples that spread out in every direction, each one creating its own mini-wave that influences the water around it. In many ways, the pursuit of our dreams works the same way.
When we take steps towards our goals and aspirations, we set off a chain reaction of positive impact that extends far beyond ourselves. We inspire others to chase their own dreams, we create opportunities for collaboration and connection, and we contribute to a culture of growth and possibility.
Let's be honest: most corporate gifts end up collecting dust on a shelf or getting lost in the back of a desk drawer. While the intention behind these gifts is admirable, the execution often falls flat. After all, how many branded pens or generic gift cards can one person really use?
But what if we approached corporate gifting not as a box to check, but as an opportunity to support our employees' growth and development? What if, instead of giving more stuff, we gave experiences that aligned with our team members' personal goals and aspirations?
Burnout has become an all-too-familiar buzzword in today's workplace. With over half of employees reporting that they've experienced symptoms of burnout, it's clear that this is not just an individual problem, but an organizational one. And while there's no simple solution, there is one often-overlooked antidote: fostering meaningful connections among team members.
Think about a time when you felt truly burned out at work. Chances are, you also felt isolated, unsupported, and disconnected from your colleagues. Now, think about a time when you felt energized and engaged. I bet you can recall a strong sense of camaraderie, collaboration, and shared purpose with your team.
The truth is, we're wired for connection. When we feel a sense of belonging and support at work, we're more resilient in the face of challenges. We're more likely to take risks, speak up with new ideas, and go the extra mile for our colleagues. On the flip side, when we feel lonely and disconnected, our performance and well-being suffer.
So, how can leaders foster more meaningful connections in the workplace? Start by creating opportunities for your team members to get to know each other beyond their job titles. Encourage sharing of personal stories, hobbies, and goals. Implement team-building activities that focus on vulnerability and trust, like "Share Your Defining Moment" or "Gratitude Circles." And don't underestimate the power of simply leading with empathy and compassion, especially during times of stress or uncertainty.
By prioritizing connection, you're not just combating burnout – you're unlocking the full potential of your team. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they bring their best ideas and their most authentic selves to the table. And that's the foundation of a truly thriving organization.
To celebrate the launch of our audiobook!
Here's the link: https://a.co/d/1M1QuMC
Invest in Your Employees Dreams, Watch Your Business Grow.
We created this book to provide tools for everyone from small business owners to CEO’s of global brands to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to be their best selves, both personally and professionally – which directly impacts the bottom line.
