Life is Good

Reflecting on the essence of our lives amidst the hustle of business, work, family, and friendships, a profound question emerges: What is the way life should be for you? When was the last time you paused and thought, "Life is good"?

In the relentless pursuit of success and fulfillment, it's essential to carve out moments for introspection, to identify what truly makes life worth living for each of us. These moments of clarity not only refresh our perspective but also anchor us in gratitude and purpose.

Whether it's the joy found in small daily achievements, the peace of early morning solitude, the laughter shared with loved ones, or the satisfaction derived from making a positive impact—these are the experiences that weave the tapestry of a fulfilling life. Watch this video to see what one of mine was recently.

I encourage everyone in my network to take a moment today to reflect on this: What aspects of your life bring you the most joy and fulfillment? How can you incorporate more of these moments into your everyday life? Let me know in the comments!

Let's share and celebrate the diverse and personal ways we each find meaning and happiness in our lives. Your insights could inspire others to pause and appreciate the beauty of their journeys.

Your statistics need to have heart

When you present your facility and its people to the Board of Directors, your city council, or your state representatives remind yourself that they will remember the feeling you portray, not the content alone. Your statistics need to have heart as well as head in them.

Not only stories about patients but perhaps people telling the story, willing patients and families, doctors and housekeepers, nurses and maintenance. What would it be like to have them present? Interview them, bring the face and feeling of your place to the meeting. This is what they will remember long after the meeting is over. This brings excitement about your place to your audience’s understanding.

Brighten up a room

“There you are!” Ever wondered about the vibe you bring when you enter a room? Your presence has power! Whether it's at work, home, or anywhere else, the energy you carry can truly light up the space. Next time you step into a room, remember, you've got the magic to make it brighter! Watch this video to learn more.

Be the "Boss Whisperer"

Have you ever considered leading your boss? What your boss, maybe every boss, needs is a fellow traveller to notice what they did well, to suggest a next step, to console, and to consider a possible ‘plan B’.

Make sure you don’t tell them you are mentoring them or leading them. Instead take yourself out of your appointed role from time to time and instead of “speaking truth to power” consider your own power to speak to a fellow struggler, a fellow traveller, a fellow person who is doing the best they can at this very particular moment.

They are just like you with all the fears and chaos and worries that you have. They might just need you to be their “boss whisperer”!

Embrace the power of presence

I challenge you to embrace the power of presence. Whether it's a meeting, a conversation, or any moment of connection, bring not just your head, but your heart and all of your energy into it. Truly engage, listen deeply, and fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Let's transform ordinary interactions into meaningful connections. Are you ready to bring your whole self to every moment today?

Help them figure out their unarticulated question

I regularly see posts about 'staying curious' on social media. How often do you find that others are curious about you, or do they instead seem to want you to be curious about them? So let's be curious and help them figure out their unarticulated question.

I wonder if so many of us look to the presenter, homilist, teacher, boss, meeting planner for what we ought find within ourselves. That special question that we could articulate, and even let them know what we want from them instead of wishing and hoping. I write to my priest when his words have really moved me. I think he needs to hear it because Catholics tend to thank him or say nice things about his homilies, but I want him to know WHAT he said that moved me and why. I need to articulate first for myself and secondly for him.

Same with my mentors and teachers and customers and clients…I want to articulate for them what they may not know about themselves…what they did or said that moved me. I do it first for me. Then for them. How about you?

Dessert First

Next time you're presenting, remember: Dessert First! Give your audience what they're craving right from the start. This small shift in presentation strategy could make a big difference in the impact of your message. Watch this video to learn more!

Move WITH and FOR the audience

Let's talk more about the “Unarticulated Question” …those questions our audience members or our prospects have that they don’t ask us! Recently, Richard Rohr quoted the psychiatrist Carl Jung (1875-1961) - one of the founders of modern psychology. Rohr mentioned that Jung believed that much of our suffering comes from our inability to accept “legitimate suffering” simply because we are human! Rudolf Dreikurs recommended that we have “The Courage to be Imperfect”…because we are! Both psychiatrists thought the idea of perfection was a folly…a misguided approach to life. Being ‘useful’ was far more important than being perfect.

How does this coincide with the “Unarticulated Question”? Well, it seems to me that presenters, speakers, and homilists often strive for the 'perfect something'. A turn of the phrase, a PowerPoint that would Wow, an audience response that is just right, even a good, sustained laughter or applause.

In fact, it is the facilitators and the improvs among us that know that the audience is the brilliant piece, not us. This is why stories told early and concisely followed with small group discussion works so much better than ‘giving a great talk’ or “Let’s review the agenda I prepared”.

Rohr, Jung, and Dreikurs remind us of our common humanity and the more we move WITH and FOR the audience and our teams, the more ‘useful’ we will be. What do you think?

And What Else?

Continuing with this series about the “Unarticulated Question” …those questions our audience members or our prospects have but don’t actually ask!

Last week I talked about the first coaching question I learned from the Center for Executive Coaching - “What would make our time great for you today?” - and how, rightly phrased, it gets to the heart of the issue immediately. The follow up to that question I learned from the book “The Advice Trap” by Michael Bungay Stanier. He called it the “AWE” question.

AWE stands for “And What Else?” Another huge “Duh” for me! Ask that question and guess what…people go deeper. Ask again and deeper they go. I’ve used it to the 5th repetition and have realised it is a terrific opener that gets to what is ‘really’ important. And that all happens without giving any advice!

The author has helped convince me that nobody really needs my advice although many smile, take notes, or thank me. When they are guided with simple questions, they get to go inside themselves just a bit more to discover their OWN brilliance.

In fact, this is a question we can even ask ourselves! Now that is brilliant! What do you think?

I never heard it presented that way before

How much jargon has slipped into your day to day work and even your presentations? ADR, JAHCO, NQF, PAYOR MIX, HIPAA, RAPPS, TIPS, CHIRP?

Remember your audience is coming from chaos: emails, children, no breakfast, traffic, a request for a divorce, an elderly parent with another fall. So, consider this: spell it out, say the words, explain in lay terms what the term is and what it means. And mostly what its importance is for this presentation: for THIS presentation.

It is too easy to rely on what we think the audience knows...they don’t often know the most important part of your presentation which is ‘your take’ on the data, the stuff, the topic, the thing that they came to hear about. They all have a number of boxes in their heads and your jargon and your content is ready to go into those boxes with a self-assured “Oh, I know what that means!”

Make sure that your take on things has no prepared box. Be different enough to present what has to roam from box to box so that they cannot dismiss what you say with “Oh I know that!” Instead they have to respond with “Uh, I never heard it presented that way before!”

What would make our time great for you today?

Let's talk a bit more about the “Unarticulated Question” …those questions our audience members or our prospects have that they don’t tell us!

In my coach training with the Center for Executive Coaching I was impressed with a huge “Duh” I had. The first question they taught us was “What would make our time great for you today?” At first, I thought it a bit corny until during practice sessions I was the receiver (the one being coached) and had to respond to that critical first question.

It helped me focus clearly on “What do I actually want during this next 20 minutes?” Somehow it was different from “What do you want to talk about today?” or “How’s it going?” The “make our time great for you today” made me focus very clearly on this time, this place, this coach, this issue. In fact, I was able to “articulate” THE thing that I needed help with right now.

And the next question was even more helpful…more on that next Thursday.

Have you asked or answered “What would make our time great for you today?” How did you find it? Let me know in the comments

Ask First

When we dive into conversations, it's tempting to jump in with our thoughts and solutions. But here's a powerful approach I've been practicing: Ask First!

Before sharing your ideas, take a moment to ask questions. This simple step can transform your interactions. It helps you gather more information, truly understand the other person's perspective, and tailor your response effectively.

Asking questions demonstrates your genuine interest and commitment to understanding their needs or challenges. It creates a space where both parties feel heard and valued, fostering stronger connections and more meaningful conversations.

Next time you’re in a discussion, pause and ask. You might be surprised by how much more insightful and productive your conversations become!

What are some of your favorite questions to ask in a conversation? Share below and let's learn from each other's approaches!

Show up and ask

This series is about the “Unarticulated Question” - the concerns the all audience members or meeting attendees have but don't always tell the presenter about.

In Pharma, Medical Science Liaisons (also called Regional Medical Liaisons) are physicians, pharmacists, and those with advanced scientific degrees working on the medical side of the business. Their job is to call physicians and help explain the science behind the drug their company makes, to answer questions, and to listen to the physician’s concerns. This is a different role than the sales professionals (who are on the commercial side of the business). What I’m going to address can apply to both.

Picture yourself in front of a busy physician who is giving you 5-15 minutes of time, to explain the benefits of the drug you represent. The old model was called “show up and throw up” meaning the rep starts talking and hopefully something will stick! But what if the physician is coming with an “Unarticulated Question” or specific concern and is waiting for the rep to get to it? Flip the old model. Try “show up and ask” instead. Ask what they want to know, ask about a specific patient that troubles them, ask about a vexing issue. Take the time to probe, ask and empathize, even though you have great material to “throw” at them. In my experience physicians are people like you and I…start by asking instead of telling.

Of course this applies to all lines of work; sales, service, wait staff to name a few. Some of you already know my rant about wait staff that begins the evening recommending ‘my favorite’ steak with me listening with vegan ears. One question would do it…one unwanted recommendation and we are off to a poor start.

What do you think about this "show up and ask" approach?

Actions to consider

Jay Colker's new book, 'Aligned Leadership', has given me a brilliant idea for improving workplace communication! At the end of each chapter, the book has a section titled 'Actions to Consider', which I found incredibly useful. It's a simple yet effective way to transform thoughts and ideas into actionable steps.

So here's a tip I'm excited to share: Next time you're sending out an email to your team, try including an 'Actions to Consider' section. This could be the game-changer in taking discussions from mere ideas to impactful actions. It's a great way to ensure clarity and encourage proactive steps among your team members.

Imagine the boost in productivity and understanding when each communication clearly outlines the next steps! It's all about turning great ideas into tangible results.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this approach. Have you tried something similar? How do you ensure your communications lead to action? Let's discuss below!

Introducing the "Unarticulated Question"

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am kicking off 2024 with a series of Thursday LinkedIn posts on some short thoughts about what I'm calling the "Unarticulated Question." These are the concerns our audience members or our prospects have—questions that are critical to them, yet they don't actually come out and tell us!

For example, have you ever sat through a meeting or presentation thinking, "When is this person going to talk about ____?" This kind of thinking and questioning can dominate our involvement (or non-involvement) in what could otherwise be a great experience. On the other hand, imagine how you would feel if you knew the presenter had YOUR question in mind. We, the audience, would be reassured that they would address our question with the answer we are seeking.

So, consider this for your next presentation: As the leader, frame the topic and then immediately (within the first 5 minutes) put the audience into small groups of three. Ask them what question they had for this meeting. This lets them articulate their question, and it only takes 3-5 minutes, which you can then debrief with them using a paper chart…which becomes your new agenda!

When’s the last time a presenter did that for you? Have you ever tried it yourself?

Meaning in movies

This holiday season, as we all enjoy our favorite movies, let's engage in a little deeper reflection. While you're watching, ponder this: How does this movie mirror real life, embody a leadership principle, or reflect the way people shape their personalities?

Every film, whether it's a heartwarming holiday classic or a thrilling adventure, has layers of meaning and insight. Perhaps there's a character whose journey parallels a leadership challenge, or maybe the storyline offers a unique perspective on personal growth and development.

As you watch, ask yourself:

- What real-life situations does this movie remind me of?
- Are there leadership qualities displayed that I can learn from?
- How do the characters’ experiences shape their personalities?

Movies are more than just entertainment; they're a reflection of our lives, challenges, and growth. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let's find inspiration and insights in our favorite holiday films!

Praise vs encouragement

Ever thought about the difference between praise and encouragement? The problem with praise - "You are a great student" or "You are the best at this" - it's often easily brushed off with a simple "I'm not that great."

But what about encouragement? It's about recognizing effort and resilience: "I noticed how hard you worked on that assignment" or "I felt inspired by how the team came together when Shanita was in the hospital." Encouragement speaks to the effort, movement, strength, and faith in the person. It's even impactful in the face of failure. Think about Olympic beach volleyball players - they high five after every play, regardless of the outcome.

Imagine saying to someone after a great presentation: "Nice job, great speech." Now compare that with: "I must tell you how much I liked the way you emphasized the importance of nurses collaborating with physicians in the ICU last week."

See the difference? Encouragement is specific, genuine, and resonates on a deeper level. It's not just about what was achieved but how it was achieved.

Let's shift our focus from general praise to specific encouragement. It can make all the difference in motivating and uplifting those around us. Share your thoughts or experiences with encouragement vs. praise!

Give your job description a power boost

Ever thought about giving your job description a power boost?

It's time to take it off the shelf and add some punch! Look at your current roles and responsibilities, and think: What extra bullet points can I add?

By expanding your job description, you're not just sticking to the script - you're authoring your own career story. This is your chance to showcase that you are MORE than what your original job description outlines.

So, what are you waiting for? Start redefining your role today and breathe new life into your work! Watch this video to learn more!

Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network

Recently, I had the privilege of presenting and facilitating a session with the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network in Itasca, IL. What an incredible experience!

This organization's mission is truly life-changing. They transform the sorrow of loss into a beacon of hope by facilitating vital organ and tissue donations to those in need. Their dedication and compassion in providing a second chance at life to many is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

As I left, the sky above mirrored the beauty of their mission - a brilliant display, much like their welcoming spirit. I'm honored to have worked with such a mission-driven group, making a profound difference in so many lives.

Fostering a two-way conversation

Ever caught yourself sounding like a sports commentator in meetings? You know, those moments when punctuation seems to vanish, and words just keep rolling out non-stop.

It's time for a little self-awareness check! Are you the one doing all the talking in meetings? Here's a pro tip: Try tossing a question into the mix and then... wait for it... actually pause for the answer! It's not just about sharing your thoughts; it's about fostering a two-way conversation.

Let's turn our meetings from monologues into dialogues! Your team will thank you for it.