“Colleen’s work is positive and uplifting with great tips for living life with intention and purpose!”
“Adopting Joy”, new upcoming book!
By Colleen Seward Ryan
Adopting Joy, my second book, is a true story about what happens when we look for the lesson in every situation. I’ve found that personal and professional success is about attitude and adapting to change. It’s about learning to look for the light in every dark situation. In school, we’re given the lesson first, and then the test. In life, we’re given the test first, and the lesson later. Turning obstacles into opportunities and conquering your past can be the passageway to your purpose.
What I didn’t realize was that almost one year to the day after a devastating loss, a rescue puppy, already named Joy, entered my life and “furever” transformed it. She was my first dog ever and certainly lived up to her name. I’m not sure who rescued who! Are you a cat or dog lover? Both? Then this book is for you. If you believe in “signs,” supernatural synchronicities, miracles, and that there are NO coincidences then this book is for you.
Whatever you have gone through, this book will bring hope, happiness and healing into your life. It will help you to get motivated and stay motivated even when you don’t feel like doing something. Are you dealing with difficult people? Adopting Joy shows you the importance of being the “bigger person” and becoming better, not bitter.
Here are some of the key takeaways in my book, Adopting Joy:
- Stop worrying about what people think. You will never please everyone.
- With chronically difficult people, it is not about you; it is about THEM.
- You can reach out to others and do everything you can to make it work, and with some people you never will. You may never get that person’s approval.
- Know your triggers. Know what behaviors, tone or “looks” bother you about someone else. Plan ahead. This way you can react proactively not reactively.
- Your worst role models will serve as your greatest teachers.
“Hands down Colleen is the single best guest we’ve had on the air this year!”
TD Mischke, CBS Radio Minneapolis
Communication Leadership Skills
“The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.” ~Tony Robbins
During my seminars on Communication Leadership Skills, I am often told that communicating effectively with certain employees can be challenging. The manager’s message — even when given in a clear, concise and straightforward manner — can sometimes be misconstrued. Great managers and leaders need their message to be understood the first time. Achieving this type of clarity takes specific communication leadership skills that need to be developed and refined. While one style of communication will not fit everyone, these basic principles will provide a solid foundation for communication leadership skills that are needed to achieve ultimate success!
Listen Before You Communicate
Listening and communicating can perfectly complement each other if both skills are respected. Your message will be lost if all you do is talk at someone versus listening first to how they process information. If someone needs details in order to understand your message then share more information with them. If they are more of a bottom line type of person then edit yourself. If you are speaking to a large group then implement a medium tactic. Your employees will tend to listen more to you if you first listen to how they receive your information. By tailoring your approach you have a better chance of the information being retained versus misunderstood.
Show Empathy to Endear Your Listeners
Communication leadership skills cannot be effective without empathy. If you communicate your message that demonstrates you want to achieve understanding for a better workplace, your employees will appreciate your efforts. For example, if your employees are having a difficult time implementing a new process offer them your guidance and experience instead of mandates. While deadlines are important, you’ll have a better chance of meeting your goals if you empower your employees to find viable solutions. Communication leadership skills means taking the time to discuss the issues, finding the best solutions and working together toward successful results.
Take Out the Guesswork When You Communicate
Both managers and employees feel better when they know exactly what is being communicated. Having good communication leadership skills means you are saying precisely what you mean and it cannot be interpreted differently than the way you initially intended. This is achieved by giving clear work instructions when you delegate projects and not expecting your employees to read your mind. Realize that when you don’t include crucial information your vision can be compromised. Write out key points and give everyone the same information. That way you’ll have a quick reference in case a team member gets off track in the middle of your project.
Show Appreciation When Your Message is Heard
When employees really listen to the nuances of your message that’s when you’ll know that your communication leadership skills have worked. Big ideas and key messages are easier to grasp, but the details can sometimes be lost, and the employees that pay attention to the entire message should be appreciated for their efforts. For example, if you tell your employees that you want to research a particular client and would like to know more about their recent mergers, some staff might see that as an opportunity to go beyond what is expected and give you a detailed report. When these occasions occur, make sure to point out this extra effort to the rest of the team by publicly thanking them. Not only will this encourage those employees to repeat their success, but also encourage others to strive for the same type of success as well.
Listening before you communicate, showing empathy, taking out communication guesswork and appreciating your employees who fully implement your message will always make your communication leadership skills shine!
About Colleen Seward Ryan, Leadership Expert, Keynote Speaker, Coach, Podcaster.
An internationally recognized award-winning speaker, Colleen Seward Ryan is the author of the book, Secrets Your Boss Isn’t Telling You, as well as 10 unique audio programs, Her second book, Adopting Joy, is due out in spring 2020, available at www.BounceBackHigher.com
As an Aiken, South Carolina-based keynote speaker, Colleen has delivered more than 1,100 fun and entertaining programs before thousands in 48 states and six countries. She has served as a keynote speaker for conferences, corporate meetings, associations, Native-American tribes, and non-profits. Colleen is available for keynotes, breakout sessions, and seminars by calling (971)212-0479.
What Do Bosses Want? Begin Work on Time
Yesterday, I conducted a leadership seminar in Aiken, South Carolina, and the subject of “what do bosses want” came up. Not surprisingly, showing up on time was at the top of the list. Certainly, this depends on what type of job you perform. For example, salespeople and managers are frequently out in the field. Yet, for the person expected to report for work at a specific time, it can affect the morale of everyone if they’re late.
Let’s say that you have an upcoming meeting. Showing up on time needs to be your number one priority if you want to be considered a good employee–even if you’re in sales, work from home, and go out on sales calls. Based on my in-depth conversations with managers, supervisors, human resources personnel, and others in leadership positions over the years, attendance ranks number one when bosses consider whether an employee is a good worker. Many young workers right out of school think they should be judged by the work they do, not by what time they show up for work and leave at the end of the day. However, most managers consider attendance and punctuality to be major success factors.
Attendance also tops the list of criteria when bosses have to fire one employee or another. Included in this first ranking is a factor you might not realize. Do you actually start working on time? Believe me, your boss as well as co-workers notice if you walk in, go to the bathroom or break room, make coffee, chat up a storm, and then finally start working much later. Even if you’re productive, a lot of supervisors worry about starting your work late because of how it affects the morale of others. Some bosses believe if they make allowances for you in this area, they’ll have to make allowances for others. And they don’t want to do that.
What do bosses want? Make sure you show up on time. Like it or not, others are watching you!
About Colleen Seward Ryan, Leadership Expert, Keynote Speaker, Coach, Podcaster.
CREDENTIALS: Colleen Seward Ryan is an international workplace and leadership expert, award-winning corporate trainer, and keynote speaker. A media veteran, she has appeared on numerous radio shows around the country and has written more than 40 popular articles on diverse workplace issues. Colleen has delivered more than 1,100 fun and entertaining programs in 48 states and six countries. She is the author of 10 published audio programs and the book SECRETS YOUR BOSS ISN’T TELLING YOU.
As an Aiken, South Carolina-based keynote speaker, Colleen Seward Ryan is available for keynotes, breakout sessions, and seminars by calling (971)212-0479, or visiting www.BounceBackHigher.com
