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Understand How To Use Your Skills - A Quick Conversation

Understand How To Use Your Skills - A Quick Conversation

A guitar in the hands of a novice is simply an object to hold. In the hands of a master, that same guitar becomes an instrument that makes beautiful music. The guitar itself does not change; it just requires well-developed skills to unlock its musical potential. With effective instructions, open communication, and management support, employees are able to unlock and cultivate their natural talents and interests into skills that add to the strength of their team.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Teamwork, Collaboration, Communication, Discussion Trigger

Understand Preconceived Notions - A Quick Conversation

Understand Preconceived Notions - A Quick Conversation

Hear the word flour and what comes to mind is probably baking, bread, and pizza crust. The preconceived notion that flour is only found in baked goods can lead to surprise when it is discovered that it can also be an ingredient in: pasta sauce, hot dogs, salad dressing, soup, taco sauce, and even dog food. Having preconceived notions about other people is like assuming that you know all of the ingredients of an item of food just by looking at it.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Diversity Dynamics, Collaboration, Communication, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Understand Your Significance - A Quick Conversation

Understand Your Significance - A Quick Conversation

Both captains and lighthouse keepers have roles that, although different, are important to the navigation of ships. Likewise, each position within a company plays an important role in helping the company to navigate the global marketplace. When employees understand how their role contributes to team success, they are able to take pride in doing their job well and in contributing to the overall progress of the company.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Communication, Collaboration, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Understanding Context - A Quick Conversation

Understanding Context - A Quick Conversation

When a rubber band is stretched taut it has potential energy. This potential energy is only important if the rubber band is released and the band moves towards a target. A diverse team can also have incredible intrinsic potential. However, if team members do not feel comfortable contributing their unique ideas, they will not release their great potential energy towards the target of innovation.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Diversity Dynamics, Collaboration, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Understanding From Experience - A Quick Conversation

Understanding From Experience - A Quick Conversation

A documentary about life in the sea will provide knowledge about ocean life. However, that knowledge is enhanced when it is combined with the experience of scuba diving. The combined knowledge and experience deepens your understanding of the sea exponentially. Scuba diving augments book knowledge with a visceral experience. The act of learning about people with different cultural backgrounds can be viewed in a similar way. Learning about a culture by reading a book or talking to people from that culture gives you a base of knowledge.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Communication, Collaboration, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Understanding Hidden Beauty - A Quick Conversation

Understanding Hidden Beauty - A Quick Conversation

The majority of the time, a male peacock looks ordinary and small. However, when given an opportunity to showcase himself, he becomes a world-renown beauty. While he has the beauty every day, it is only when he feels duty-bound to be his best, that it is displayed and appreciated. People can be like peacocks. When they are not given opportunities to shine, they don’t let their true beauty show.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Teamwork, Collaboration, Communication, Discussion Trigger

Understanding Impact - A Quick Conversation

Understanding Impact - A Quick Conversation

A single drop of water splashing against a rock may not seem to have an erosive impact. However, there is power in water drops, for over time water has the strength to wear down stone. The Colorado River, which began millions of years ago as a drop of water, carved the Grand Canyon. Positive every day actions are like water drops. While each act may not seem to have much impact, over time, the cumulative impact of many drops of water can wear down fear, negativity, and resistance to help forge a new path ahead.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Communication, Collaboration, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Understanding Passion - A Quick Conversation

Understanding Passion - A Quick Conversation

The energy of a “match on the pitch” comes from a group of people sharing in their common passion. Being in the midst of your passion is an energizing experience. It is obvious when people are in their passion: their eyes light up, excitement fills their voice, and they are “in the zone.” Inquiring about a co-worker’s passion is a great way to gain insight into a person that you work with. Demonstrating a desire to understand a co-worker’s passion enables you to build connections and begin to create common ground.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Communication, Collaboration, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Understanding Perceived Value - A Quick Conversation

Understanding Perceived Value - A Quick Conversation

During the Revolutionary War, lobster was considered such inferior food that it was used to feed the British prisoners, and even they revolted against it. With the advent of railroads, trains brought lobster to the Midwesterners, who had no cultural bias, and found it to be a delicacy. Gradually, New Englanders came to the same conclusion. Often it takes an outside perspective to realize the inherent value that is already on your team and within your company.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Communication, Collaboration, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Understanding the Fear - A Quick Conversation

Understanding the Fear - A Quick Conversation

Jumping out of an airplane might seem insane to some people, while to others it is an exhilarating and often repeated experience. What makes one person deeply afraid may not be at all scary to another person. Much of what causes people to react with fear to a situation are perceptions and assumptions about what that situation will be like. After facing their fears, people often realize that the perception of the experience created more fear than the experience itself.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Personal Improvement, Collaboration, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Discussion Card: After the Conversation

Discussion Card: After the Conversation

So you've had a difficult discussion with an employee, direct report, staff member... what's next? Things like action items, open issues, follow-up and more! These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (A.F.T.E.R.) along with thought-provoking questions on effective ways to follow-up with a tough discussions with grace and respect. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Personal Performance Communication, Conflict Resolution, Discussion Trigger, Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Professionalism, Respect / Respectfulness

Discussion Card: Before the Conversation

Discussion Card: Before the Conversation

Having a difficult discussion is hard. Though it must be done to get to resolution, you must be prepared. That includes understanding ground rules and preparing yourself mentally (working through a checklist). These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (B.E.F.O.R.E.) along with thought-provoking questions on effective ways to tackle the tough discussions with grace and respect. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Personal Performance Communication, Conflict Resolution, Discussion Trigger, Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Professionalism, Respect / Respectfulness

Discussion Card: Conversations Across the Race Divide

Discussion Card: Conversations Across the Race Divide

Discussing race and racial inequities in the workplace can be tough... but it's a conversation that needs to take place. Shying away from key workplace topics/issues don't make those problems disappear. These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (D.I.V.I.D.E.) along with thought-provoking questions on effective ways to tackle the tough discussions with grace and respect. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Racial Equity, Communication & Influencing, Conflict Resolution, Discussion Trigger, Respect / Respectfulness

Discussion Card: Creating a Civil Workplace

Being civil means interacting and responding courteously and respectfully. These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (C.I.V.I.L.) along with thought-provoking questions on being polite towards others. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Leadership, Personal Performance Workplace Civility, Discussion Trigger, Diversity Dynamics, Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Effective Leadership, Learning Reinforcement, Management, Respect / Respectfulness

Discussion Card: During the Conversation

Discussion Card: During the Conversation

We all know that having a difficult discussion can be hard. It's important to watch out for key indicators during that conversation. This includes ground rules, verbal and non-verbal cues, and so much more! These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (D.U.R.I.N.G.) along with thought-provoking questions on effective ways to tackle the tough discussions with grace and respect. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Personal Performance Communication, Conflict Resolution, Discussion Trigger, Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Professionalism, Respect / Respectfulness

Discussion Card: Having Brave Conversations

Discussion Card: Having Brave Conversations

With a diverse workplace can come unique and interesting tension. When that tension grows into real issues, it's time to have a brave conversation. These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (B.R.A.V.E.) along with thought-provoking questions on effective ways to tackle the tough discussions with grace and respect. These cards are great for a quick training reminder, reinforcement or as a conversation generator.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Conflict Resolution, Communication & Influencing, Discussion Trigger, Inclusion / Equity / Belonging

Discussion Card: Inclusive Workplaces

These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (I.N.C.L.U.D.E.) along with thought-provoking questions on creating inclusiveness in the workplace. These cards are great for a quick training reminder or conversation starter.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Leadership Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Culture Commitment, Discussion Trigger, Diversity Dynamics, Effective Leadership, Learning Reinforcement, Management, Professionalism, Respect / Respectfulness, Team Builder or Retention Aid, Training Support

Discussion Card: Micro-Affirmations

These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (I.N.V.O.L.V.E.) along with thought-provoking questions on small actions that include people. These cards are great for a quick training reminder or conversation starter.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Leadership Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Culture Commitment, Discussion Trigger, Diversity Dynamics, Effective Leadership, Learning Reinforcement, Management, Team Builder, Training Support

Discussion Card: Micro-inequities

These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (I.G.N.O.R.E.) along with thought-provoking questions on small actions that tend to exclude people. These cards are great for a quick training reminder or conversation starter.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Leadership Micro-Inequities/Micro-Aggressions, Culture Commitment, Discussion Trigger, Diversity Dynamics, Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Effective Leadership, Learning Reinforcement, Management, Team Builder or Retention Aid, Training Support

Discussion Card: Multicultural Interactions

These easy-to-use cards provide a model (C.U.L.T.U.R.E.) and questions to address common issues in the multicultural workplace. These cards are great for a quick training reminder or conversation starter.

Discussion Cards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, Leadership Diversity Dynamics, Culture Commitment, Discussion Trigger, Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Effective Leadership, Learning Reinforcement, Management, Respect / Respectfulness, Team Builder, Training Support