Improve Communication

Are you struggling with a procrastinator?

4:18 pm

Patient communicators … can struggle with procrastination.

In strength, this steady gentle style is one that is warm, welcoming, all about relationship and somewhat more reserved than the playful or powerful styles.  However, they can really struggle with procrastination, they like to change at their pace, if at all.

What makes a Patient Communicator Difficult?  Well it is their avoidance of change or conflict.  Particularly if you need to get something done and they put up their walls….. this can be very frustrating. However becoming frustrated or aggressive will not result in an outcome, they will just burrow deeper.  One of the most common misconceptions about the Patient Communicator is that they are a push over.  Far from it, they have a backbone of steel!  They may agree with words but they will not follow through so pushing is not the answer.

These guys are all about consistency, predictability and people.  There is no doubt you would have someone with this style in your life, as this is the most common communication style (around 35% of the population).

Patient communicators are described as the glue that holds us all together.  While the Powerful style is trying to control things and make decisions the Playful style is all about fun, the Perfectionist is all about things being right, the Patient style is consistent, caring and loyal.

The Patient style craves predictability, they love processes if someone else sets them up, they will follow the right leader to the very end, and they are committed to their cause.  They will work quietly without the bells and whistles to get the job done.

Don’t expect noise and fan fare.  They are reliable and work to a slower and steadier pace.  They will not cause an uproar and are not likely to speak out against things.  These guys will avoid conflict like the plague, are slower to speak up and want everyone to get along.

I am surrounded by this gentle style, as it is the complete opposite to my powerful and perfectionistic traits.  This style is calm, serene, and peaceful.  They don’t get easily flustered and have the best poker face around (they rarely show their emotions on the outside).

When this style is understood they are a loyal team member; they promote calm and stability and will work tirelessly for a cause.  When misunderstood they can seem quiet, uninvolved, avoidant even passive aggressive.

Change is a really big issue for this communicator, they crave consistency even if it is destructive.  They are quite like the ostrich putting their head in the sand thinking the issue will just go away.  As you may imagine, facing an issue and trying to work through with this style, can be extremely difficult.  The harder you push the more they shut down.

 

However, as it is with all of the styles each of us brings our own unique strengths to the table.  The patient and stable style brings about much needed calm and consistency, without them it would feel like utter madness.

The key, if you relate to this, is to realise that procrastination can be a real problem.  It stems from your dislike of change.  If you struggle with the idea of change a good place to start is firstly to know this, then to look at change in a few different ways, including the positive side of it.

So if you are struggling for outcomes with one of these communicators here are some tips;

To help them deal with change the key is gentle support, they do not respond to harsh, blunt or pushy communication.  They want to be spoken to in a helpful supportive manner.  They also need time to process ideas.  They are not as quick to do things as the Powerful or Playful Communicators.  So you may say something like “I have noticed the blah project is falling behind, can we sit down together and go through some ways we can work together to get it back on track?  I have time on Wednesday or Friday can you let me know when will work for you?”  The give them time to respond.  All of this must be done with open supportive and calm body language and a warm tone.

The most important thing for these guys is to be supported, to have a friendly response and for you to keep your tone warm and your face smiling.  Don’t be mean or speak down to them, this will force them to shut down and will not aid a better connection.

Do not keep avoiding a problem if you have one; that is not the answer.  The first step may be to understand yourself a little more and to do that you can uncover your Communication strengths, style and struggles with our online course.  It costs as much a takeaway pizza, so it is well worth it!  You can find out more here.

 

Until next time, Care, Connect and be a Conscious Communicator.

Let’s change our world for the better one conversation at a time

Feeling stressed in Your Business?

10:44 am

As a Business owner I am sure you can relate to the idea of Stress.  Stress can come from many places, working long hours, poor cash flow, staff issues, too much work, feeling like you are doing everything yourself, tension in your personal life, feeling like there is not enough of you to go around.

Unfortunately, stress is one of those things that you simply cannot afford to ignore.  Stress simply does not go away through ignoring it; in fact it grows!

We have spoken many times about the cost of poor communication.  It has been shown in research to cost up to 32% of profit.  For a business making $500K pa, this is $160K, that’s not small change.

So you have a business and there are issues, perhaps management is not perceived as approachable, perhaps there is relational tension as different staff clash with each other, perhaps staff don’t feel valued or understood.

Gallup found that 95% of staff will leave a job due to problems with either their boss or co workers.  This is that relational stuff they feel just can’t be solved.

The sad thing is that many times they either haven’t tried, because they believe it won’t change anything, or they don’t have the skills to have these hard conversations.  We have all been there, it just feels too hard and we believe that the grass is greener on the other side.

Now it may be, but what happens when you come up against the same issues in a new workplace?  Isn’t it better to have the skills to deal with it when it happens again? It is not that difficult, I promise.

So, Poor communication costs the Business owner in many ways;

  • Low productivity
  • Poor engagement
  • Bad Customer service
  • Low Morale
  • Wasted time
  • Stress
  • A Leadership gap
  • Poor retention
  • The costs of new hire

I am surprised that the cost to business is not higher than 32%.  When you look at the list above it may surprise you too.  However, every business is different and will face a combination of the issues listed above.

Over coming posts we will tease out these issues and go deeper into how they may be affecting your business and what you can do about it.

The real cost of poor communication is hard to measure as many businesses don’t have measures in place to capture this.  From my perspective the most important thing is to understand the foundation cause of the issue.  For example if it is productivity, is it because staff don’t feel motivated, are not supported, are confused, are working without the resources they need, do not know what to do.  There are many layers and it is critical to understand what is going on so you can address it and fix the problem.

You go into business to kick goals, have some freedom, create a legacy, do what you love and make a difference so let’s make it happen!

We are here to resource you so that you can create the business of your dreams, kick those goals, create a highly productive team and future-proof your business.

If you have questions you can get in contact via our website or our Facebook page.   Don’t keep struggling alone, there are answers, there is support.  You can create a team that is productive and engaged and create a business that is profitable.  If you would like support to grow your business with a Communication Strategy unique to your needs you can get in touch or check out our online courses.

Until next time Care, Connect and be a Courageous Communicator.

Let’s grow your business one conversation at a time.

3 Communication Hacks to Take your Communication to the Next Level

7:00 am

Next level communication is all about knowing where you are at and improving an aspect of your communication.  You may be a great listener, and need to speak up.  Perhaps you are great at telling people what you need but need to be better at asking and bringing people alongside you.

All of us can benefit from better communication.  Right?  When was the last time you can remember feeling misunderstood in conversation?  If you are like me it used to feel like most days….

Poor Communication can costs business big time, up to 32% of profit.  It can ruin relationships. Understand the keys to better communication and you can unlock a hidden profit centre in your business.

Learning to understand yourself and then others as Communicators and you will be well one your way to improving your Communication and productivity.  It starts with understanidng your needs as a Communicator, or your Communication DNA

So, how can you understand your Communication DNA?  If Communication DNA is a new term for you, check out this video specifically about this concept, it will explain it fully for you.   If you are interested in taking the DNA test then get in contact with us.

 

In 2015 Forbes magazine released research that detailed how we can see leadership based on 3 basic communication skills.  These skills are how to Ask, Listen and Tell.

Leaders that have all 3 skills are seen by 88% of staff to be exceptional, whereas, Leaders with any one of these communication skills are seen by only 3% of staff as exceptional.

To become a Next Level Communicator you can master each of these skills.  Let’s take a closer look at these 3 skills.

Firstly the ability to Ask.  To ask is to communicate your needs and to clarify the needs of others.  Asking means you are not guessing but gaining clarity.  Basically it is speaking to gain more information.

To be a Next Level Communicator you need to stop assuming and simply ask.  Assumption is very dangerous and will quickly take you down a dangerous road.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more reserved styles of the Perfectionist and the Patient Communicators are more natural askers.  However, they can still struggle.  In coming articles I will outline this more.

Next let’s look at the skill of Listening.  This is such a crucial Next Level communication skill.

To listen is to stop speaking, be present and take in information both verbal and non-verbal that is coming from the person you are communicating with.  In communication Listening is a lost art form.  Particularly in our very fast paced and busy worlds.

Listening is a rare skill, many people speak rather than listening.  The best Communicators around the world are excellent listeners.  Listening is crucial to your communication.  It allows you to understand where someone else is at; you gain understanding and clarity.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more reserved styles of the Perfectionist and the Patient Communicators are more natural listeners.  However, they can still struggle.  In coming articles I will outline this more.

Finally, lets look at the skill of Telling.  To tell is to share your idea, share with people your needs, or direct people.  Many people do not feel comfortable to “tell” as they feel it is too direct and confrontational.  However, this is all in the delivery.

Many people fear telling as it is seen as confrontational.  The opposite is not telling and making people guess your needs.  This is as dangerous as assuming.

Next Level Communication requires you to be able to Tell when necessary.  When you can master Telling people your needs in a way that is seen as informative rather than confrontational you are well on the way to taking your Communication to the next level.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more outgoing styles of the Powerful and the Playful Communicators are more natural tellers.  However, they can still struggle.  In coming articles I will also outline this more.

These three skills are essential to you becoming a more confident Communicator and taking your communication to the next level.

 

If you would like to understand yourself as a Communicator and learn your strengths then perhaps you may like to read The Enlightened Communicator, available for you to review at your own pace.

If you would like to know more about how to learn what your Communication DNA we can work with you to assist you to understand exactly what it is that makes you tick.  We can also help you understand what makes others tick and how to get the best out of your relationships.  Interested? You can get more information here.

You can also get in touch via our website, and Facebook so please join the conversation, we would love to hear from you!

If you are part of a team that struggles with these skills then reach out and see how we can tailor a solution for your unique situation.

 

Until next time, Care Connect and be a Conscious Communicator

Let’s change the world we live in one conversation at a time.

3 Communication Hacks for Better Connection in your Personal Relationships

7:00 am

Would any of you in relationship (either friends or romantic) benefit from better communication?  When was the last time you can remember feeling misunderstood by your partner?  Frustrating isn’t it?

Communication is the oxygen to our relationships.  Poor Communication causes up to 68% of relational breakdown.  That is a scary statistic and can so easily be remedied.  Understand the keys to better communication and you can ensure that your relationship will be more connected, resilient and happier.  Regardless of what is happening in your world you can communicate effectively stay strong and stay connected.  How great does that sound?

However, your relationship will only benefit from you both learning to understand themselves and then others as Communicators and you will be well one your way to improving your Communication and productivity.

The best Communicators know what makes them tick, they know their Communication DNA, what makes them who they are, what makes them tick.

So, how can you understand you Communication DNA?  If Communication DNA is a new term for you, check out this video specifically about this concept, it will explain it fully for you.

In 2015 Forbes magazine released research that detailed how we can see leadership based on 3 basic communication skills.  These skills are how to Ask, Listen and Tell.

Leaders that have all 3 skills are seen by 88% of staff to be exceptional, whereas, Leaders with any one of these communication skills are seen by only 3% of staff as exceptional.

Now you might say you are not a leader however, anyone who wants to influence others positively is certainly a leader.

Let’s take a closer look at these 3 skills.  Firstly, the ability to Ask.  To ask is to communicate your needs and to clarify the needs of others.  Asking means you are not guessing but gaining clarity.  Basically it is speaking to gain more information.

Many relationships are based on assumption rather than asking.  Assumption is very dangerous and will quickly take you down a dangerous road.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more reserved styles of the Perfectionist and the Patient Communicators are more natural askers.  However, they can still struggle.  In coming articles I will outline this more.

Next let’s look at the skill of Listening.  To listen is to stop speaking, be present and take in information both verbal and non-verbal that is coming from your friend or partner.  In communication Listening is a lost art form.  Particularly in our very fast paced and busy worlds.

Listening is a rare skill, many people speak rather than listening.  Listening is crucial to your communication.  It allows you to understand where someone else is at; you gain understanding and clarity.  Also, if you are a good listener people automatically think you are an awesome communicator.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more reserved styles of the Perfectionist and the Patient Communicators are more natural listeners.  However, they can still struggle.  In coming articles I will outline this more.

Finally, lets look at the skill of Telling.  To tell is to share your idea, share with people your needs, your feelings or to direct someone.  Many people do not feel comfortable to “tell” as they feel it is too direct and confrontational.  However, this is all in the delivery.

The opposite is not telling and making people guess your needs.  This is as dangerous as assuming.  When you can master Telling people your needs in a way that is seen as informative rather than confrontational you are well on the way to becoming an exceptional communicator.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more outgoing styles of the Powerful and the Playful Communicators are more natural tellers.  However, they can still struggle.  In coming articles I will also outline this more.

These three skills are essential to you becoming a more confident Communicator and taking your communication and your relationship to the next level.

If you would like to understand yourself as a Communicator and learn your strengths then perhaps you may like to read The Enlightened Communicator, available for you to review at your own pace.

If you would like to know more about how to learn what your Communication DNA we can work with you to assist you to understand exactly what it is that makes you tick.  We can also help you understand what makes others tick and how to get the best out of your relationships.  Interested? You can get more information here.

You can also get in touch via our website, and Facebook so please join the conversation, we would love to hear from you!

Until next time, Care Connect and be a Conscious Communicator

Let’s change the world we live in one conversation at a time.

3 Communication Hacks in Your Workplace – The Checklist

7:00 am

All of us who hang out in workplaces would benefit from better communication.  Right?  When was the last time you can remember feeling misunderstood in conversation?  If you are like me it used to feel like most days….

Poor Communication can costs business big time, up to 32% of profit.  That is a lot of money down the drain.  Understand the keys to better communication and you can unlock a hidden profit centre in your business.

However, your workplace your business, will only benefit from your staff and team members learning to understand themselves and then others as Communicators and you will be well one your way to improving your Communication and productivity.

 

Here is your checklist to Better Workplace Communication!  It all starts with understanding self, your Communication DNA.  The you can begin to understand others…..

So, how can you understand your Communication DNA?  If Communication DNA is a new term for you, check out this video specifically about this concept, it will explain it fully for you.

If you are interested in taking the DNA test then get in contact with us.

 

In 2015 Forbes magazine released research that detailed how we can see leadership based on 3 basic communication skills.  These skills are how to Ask, Listen and Tell.

Leaders that have all 3 skills are seen by 88% of staff to be exceptional, whereas, Leaders with any one of these communication skills are seen by only 3% of staff as exceptional.

Here is your checklist to mastering these 3 communication hacks that will ensure you become a Master at Communication.

o Develop the ability to Ask.

To ask is to communicate your needs and to clarify the needs of others.  Asking means you are not guessing but gaining clarity.  Basically it is speaking to gain more information.

Many workplaces are filled with people that assume rather than ask.  Assumption is very dangerous and will quickly take you down a dangerous road.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more reserved styles of the Perfectionist and the Patient Communicators are more natural askers.

 

o Learn the skill of Listening

To listen is to stop speaking, be present and take in information both verbal and non-verbal that is coming from the person you are communicating with.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more reserved styles of the Perfectionist and the Patient Communicators are more natural listeners.

Listening is a rare skill, many people speak rather than listening.  Listening is crucial to your communication.  It allows you to understand where someone else is at; you gain understanding and clarity.

o Become great at Telling.

To tell is to share your idea, share with people your needs, or direct people.  Many people do not feel comfortable to “tell” as they feel it is too direct and confrontational.  However, this is all in the delivery.

Many people fear Telling as it is seen as confrontational.  The opposite is not telling and making people guess your needs.  This is as dangerous as assuming.  When you can master Telling people your needs in a way that is seen as informative rather than confrontational you are well on the way to becoming an exceptional communicator.

Each of the four communication styles copes with this skill differently.  The more outgoing styles of the Powerful and the Playful Communicators are more natural tellers.

These three skills are essential to you becoming a more confident Communicator and taking your communication to the next level.

 

If you would like to understand yourself as a Communicator and learn your strengths then perhaps you may like to read The Enlightened Communicator, available for you to review at your own pace.

If you would like to know more about how to learn what your Communication DNA we can work with you to assist you to understand exactly what it is that makes you tick.  We can also help you understand what makes others tick and how to get the best out of your relationships.  Interested? You can get more information here.

You can also get in touch via our website, and Facebook so please join the conversation, we would love to hear from you!

 

If you are part of a team that struggles with these skills then reach out and see how we can tailor a solution for your unique situation.

Until next time, Care Connect and be a Conscious Communicator

Let’s change the world we live in one conversation at a time.

Your DNA as a Leader

7:00 am

So by now you may know your Communication DNA and even that of those people in your world that are important to you, or that you need to deal with.  If you are in a position of Leadership, which I believe all of you are in one form or another then understanding your strengths in Leadership is critical.

If you missed the information about Communication DNA check out this video specifically about this concept, it will explain it fully for you.

If you are interested in taking the DNA test then get in contact with us.

You might ask why is understanding Communication important in Leadership?  It’s because great Communication in Leadership is all about ensuring you are heard and understood.  It is about ensuring your message is heard, that you are able to influence positive behaviour and change.

Each style has the capacity to be a great leader, there is no one style that is better.  The key to great leadership is self awareness, understanding that others have different needs and motivators and being able to adapt your style so that you are understood by people even if they are very different to you.

The Powerful Communicator may be drawn to leadership because they love control and to make decisions.  They love to solve issues and attack problems but need to be aware of the body count they can create with their bulldog like ways.  They do not necessarily make the best leaders unless they are self aware and can adapt to the needs of others.

The Playful Communicator is magnetic, popular and charismatic however they also need to be able to harness their strengths and mitigate their challenges.  Being overly Optimistic can be a challenge as well as following through.  Again self awareness is key as well as being able adapt to the needs of others.

The Patient Communicator is gentle, approachable, an amazing listener, able to bring much needed calm to the storm.  However, they also need to be able to communicate confidently, speak up when required and deal with issues as they arise.

The Perfectionist Communicator is great at details process and ensuring that things are done right. In leadership they need to be able to step back and look at the big picture, realise that people will never be perfect and that this is ok.

With self awareness and the right support each of the styles can be an amazing Leader.  The key is knowing and using your strengths to maximize your relationships.  It is also being able to recognise and bring out the strengths in others.  Differences should unite not separate, together we can all achieve more.

If you would like to know more about your communication DNA then get in touch.  We have many options to begin this journey of self discovery including face to face coaching, online coaching and training.

We have coaching programs that can teach you all you need to know about your Communication DNA and how to take your Communication to the next level.

Becoming a more self aware Leader, taking your communication  to the next level will make such a positive impact on your ability to lead and influence others.   If you would like to understand yourself as a Communicator and learn your strengths then perhaps you may like to read The Enlightened Communicator, available for you to review at your own pace.

You can also get in touch via our website, and Facebook so please join the conversation, we would love to hear from you!

Until next time, Care Connect and be a Conscious Communicator

Let’s change the world we live in one conversation at a time.

How To Use Your Strengths To Adapt Your Communication

7:00 am

So by now you may know your Communication DNA and even that of those people in your world that are important to you, or that you need to deal with.  You are ready for the next crucial step, being able to adapt your style to someone else’s Communication DNA.

Why you may ask?  It’s because great Communication is all about ensuring you are heard and understood.  Therefore you need to ensure that your message is received in the intended way by the receiver.

May people I have trained or coached over the years have initially had it confused thinking that what they need to say is all that matters.  “I’ll say what I need, and they will hear it.”  If that were true I’d be out of a career.

We all hear through our filters and we each have preferences for how we like to hear the messages given to us.

You need to know the needs of others so you can adapt your message appropriately.

So what are these needs?

The Powerful Communicator needs Results.  They like short sharp bullet points, Do not waffle and do not get too personal, they are task focused.  If you know them well then this may differ.

The Playful Communicator needs Recognition.  They like stories, a friendly message that is personal.  Don’t go straight into business.

The Patient Communicator needs Relationship, they like to feel understood and supported.  Do not force them to make a quick decision.  Do not force an answer, especially if there is no trust built yet.  They will say “Yes” to your face, but will not mean it.

The Perfectionist Communicator needs to be Right, they crave details and planning.  Do not go to them without the information and evidence for it.  Be neat and ordered.  Do not be too personal as they are reserved and appear standoffish.

Where you will likely struggle the most is when you are dealing with someone opposite to you; for example as a Powerful Communicator my largest challenge is adapting to meet the needs of the Patient Communicator my opposite DNA style.

I need to slow down, warm up my tone, be more personable, ask gentle question not just bark bullet points and force for my result.  I need to watch my body language, no hand son hips, but a more open gentle posture.  I need to ask questions, not tell (telling comes more naturally to me).

The opposite occurs if the Patient Communicator is speaking to me.  They need to be more direct, stay on point, don’t waffle, have strong eye contact, be confident.

The best way to adapt your style is to look at the needs of the Communicator you are dealing with and ensure you communicate in this way.  It is a matter of bridging the gap.  For example to you need to use more words, listen more, be friendly, be detailed.  This is critical while you are building trust and getting to know someone.  Once you are in a position of knowing and more understanding this is less of a requirement.

The it comes down to being aware and reading body language to ensure you are being understood, asking questions to clarify you are on the same page – this is just good communication practise.

For example, if you are a Powerful Communicator, you are naturally direct, decisive and confident.  You are the exact opposite of the Patient Communicator who is more quiet, appears less confident and seeks harmony.  The Patent Communicator may sacrifice their needs to avoid conflict.

To bridge this gap until you get to know each other the Powerful Communicator needs to be less direct, ask more questions, really listen, be friendly and gentle.  This will create an environment where the Patient Communicator will feel safer enough to open up and Communicate with you.

Having a difficult conversation, giving feedback, dealing with a strong or highly emotional issue, it is best to ensure you adapt to the needs of your listener.

If you would like some help with this process then get in touch.  You and your relationships are worth it, end the confusion now, you will not regret it.

We have coaching programs that can teach you all you need to know about your Communication DNA and how to take your Communication to the next level.

 

If Communication DNA is a new term for you, check out this video specifically about this concept, it will explain it fully for you.

If you are interested in taking the DNA test then get in contact with us.

For more information check out the article on Communication DNA

We have coaching programs that can teach you all you need to know about your Communication DNA and how to take your Communication to the next level.

You can also get in touch via our website, and Facebook so please join the conversation, we would love to hear from you!

 

Until next time, Care Connect and be a Conscious Communicator

Let’s change the world we live in one conversation at a time.

The real cost of losing staff due to poor communication

7:00 am

What is the real cost of losing staff due to poor communication? 

So we have spoken many times about the cost of poor communication.  It has been shown in research to cost up to 32% of profit.  For a business making $500K pa, this is $160K, that’s not small change.

So you have a business and there are issues, perhaps management is not perceived as approachable, perhaps there is relational tension as different staff clash with each other, perhaps staff don’t feel valued or understood.

Gallup found that 95% of staff leave jobs due to problems with either their boss or co workers.  This is that relational stuff they feel just can’t be solved.

The sad thing is that many times they either haven’t tired, because they believe it wont change anything, or they don’t have the skills to have these hard conversations.  We have all been there, it just feels too hard and we believe that the grass is greener on the other side.

Now it may be, but what happens when you come up against the same issues in a new workplace?  Isn’t it better to have the skills to deal with it when it happens again? It is not that difficult, I promise.

One of the many costs is the costs of new hire.  Let’s look at this a little closer.  Perhaps you have the staff member who had all of that procedural knowledge that is not necessarily written down, all of that experience that cannot be quantified.  What happens if they leave?  All of that knowledge will be lost.  What price can you place on that?

Research estimates that on paper, the costs of losing a staff member can be between 16 and 20% of the salary of the person being replaced for low to medium positions.  For senior executive roles it can be as high as 213% (Zane Benefits, Small Business and HR)

 

Deloitte, found in some recent research that the true cost is much more when you consider;

 

  • The cost of hiring a new employee including the advertising, interviewing, screening, and hiring.  Not only this but the time it takes to find the right person.
  • Cost of on-boarding a new person including training and management time.
  • Lost productivity… it may take a new employee as much as 1-2 years to reach the productivity of an existing person.
  • Lost engagement… other employees who see high turnover tend to disengage and lose productivity.  As well as the rick you take when hiring, will the new person fit in.  Is the culture you have healthy?  It may not be.
  • Customer service and errors, for example new employees take longer and are often less able to solve problems.
  • If the new team member is entering a toxic workplace then stress levels will surely add to mistakes and communication issues
  • Training cost. For example, over 2-3 years a business likely invests 10-20% of an employee’s salary or more in training.  You don’t want to be in that position of just training them and then they leave…..
  • Cultural impact… Whenever someone leaves others take time to ask “why?”

The real cost of losing staff is hard to measure as many workplaces don’t have measures in place to capture this.  From my perspective the most important thing is to understand why the staff member left and to address any communication, staff or systemic issues that contributed to them leaving.

Until next time Care, Connect and be a Courageous Communicator.

Let’s grow your business one conversation at a time. 

How to deal with a negative culture that is harming your business

7:00 am

Congratulations you are in Business, well done, it takes courage and determination to step up and take on a Business.  If you are familiar with my work you will know that I am passionate about helping Business owners use their Communication strengths to succeed in business.

We have spoken many times about the cost of poor communication.  It shows up in many ways but the bottom line is it costs.  It has been shown in research to cost up to 32% of profit.  For a business making $500K pa, this is $160K, that’s not small change.

One of the issues can be a negative culture.  This is where your team are not on the same page, perhaps there is negativity and stress.  Perhaps there is relationship tension between the team (people not getting on), there may be gossip, backstabbing and tearing each other down.

I spoke with a team recently and the CEO was all about their culture “ we have your back”.  No matter what, as long as the team member was following the agreed process the rest of the team had their back.  So if mistakes were made, first thought, we have your back.  They were creating a culture of excellence and honesty where issues were raised quickly and respectfully.  This will create a very positive team culture.

The opposite of this is where no one takes responsibility, a team member may see a mistake being made and turn a blind eye “that’s not my job”.  Perhaps there is nitpicking and backstabbing.  Perhaps there are negative team members.  Perhaps management are not providing the leadership and support the team needs.

The bottom line is if a team is not performing the responsibility of addressing it lands on the Leader.  In most small businesses this is the owner.

It has got to start with us.  If our team is confused, struggling, poorly performing we need to ensure that the right environment for success has been provided.  We need to ensure that the team knows what is expected of them and are given the tools to do their job well.

Once this has been provided if people continue to underperform this needs to be addressed again.  If it is a skill issue then skill can be developed.  If it is an attitude issue then the team member may need to find a better fit for them.  Regardless something has to be done and it falls on the leader / owner of the business.

As Business owners we must take complete responsibility for whatever is happening in our business good bad or ugly.

As you can see, it starts with us as the Leader.  We are essential to our business running well and we need to understand the effect we have first on the business.  A great way to understand your strengths as a Leader is to understand what makes you tick, what do you bring to the table, what is your Communication DNA?

Once we understand this we can then begin to look deeper into understand your team in the same way.  For years I have been helping business understand their Communication DNA so they can see what makes each member of the team tick, what strengths they have, how they work best and how to bring out their strengths.

If you would like to know more you can learn more about Communication DNA here.

If you would like to learn what your Communication DNA is you can do so here

If you know you need more support to unravel what is happening in your business we offer Coaching and Training services as well as our very popular online Master Communication in Your Business.

We are here to resource you so that you can create the business of your dreams, kick those goals, create a highly productive team and future-proof your business.

Until next time Care, Connect and be a Courageous Communicator.

Lets grow your business one conversation at a time.

Help! How Do I Recognise Someone Else’s Communication DNA?

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So by now you may know your Communication DNA but what about those people in your world that are important to you, or that you need to deal with?  You are ready for the next crucial step, being able to recognise someone else’s Communication DNA.

If you have you ever experienced poor communication, ever felt misunderstood, ever tried to speak to someone and it just feels too hard, you are in the right place.

Communication is a skill that is essential to all of your relationships.  It is a skill we all take for granted yet, many of us do not know how to use our skills as a Communicator to make the most out of our relationships.

One of the foundation problems is that most people do not know their needs as a Communicator, if you don’t know what you need how on earth can you ask for it?

The best Communicators know what makes them tick, they know their Communication DNA, what makes them who they are, what makes them tick.

The first step is learning your own DNA.

If Communication DNA is a new term for you, check out this video specifically about this concept, it will explain it fully for you.

If you are interested in taking the DNA test then get in contact with us.

The next step may be that you need to be able to understand someone else…… So, How can you understand some one else’s Communication DNA?

You can do this by asking yourself these questions;

Is this person outgoing or reserved?

An outgoing person appears confident, is louder, speaks faster and is comfortable around people.

A reserved person is quieter, is not so quick to speak, speaks slower, and may appear less confident, may prefer less people.

Next you need to find ask, are they people focused or task focused?

People focused are always talking or listening, are genuinely interested in people and relationships and appear friendly.

Task focused may seem colder, more aloof, more interested in business or getting a list of tasks done.

For example, I am outgoing and task focused. My husband is outgoing and people focused.  When we go to the supermarket together, I am focused, fast and looking to grab the items on my list and get out to of the supermarket asap, I have things to do.

My husband is looking around, smiling, chatting making jokes, looking for old friends and new friends.  He is smiling, talking to strangers and having a great time.  We are very different.

Once you know where someone is at based on these markers you can begin to see what their Communication DNA may be.

This is a great start.  Then you become great at the art of asking questions and listening to see what makes this person tick.  An important note, this should be a framework to understand someone better.  You should not use this to try and Tell someone what their DNA may be, it is for them to work out.  However, this can make it easier to understand what makes someone else tick.

Are they motivated by Results? Recognition? Relationship or being Right?  For more information check out the article on Communication DNA

If you would like some help with this process then get in touch.  You and your relationships are worth it, end the confusion now, you will not regret it.

We have coaching programs that can teach you all you need to know about your Communication DNA and how to take your Communication to the next level.

You can also get in touch via our website, and Facebook so please join the conversation, we would love to hear from you!

Until next time, Care Connect and be a Conscious Communicator

Let’s change the world we live in one conversation at a time.