Search Video Library for: Personal Performance

Adapt to Encourage Growth - A Quick Conversation

Adapt to Encourage Growth - A Quick Conversation

Whales possess the ability to adapt what they hear and then make it their own. Adaptive communication is a skill that is also critical to organizational growth. Keeping something the same just “because this is the way we have always done it” hinders an organization from innovating and progressing.

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

Adversity Creates Inspiration - A Quick Conversation

Adversity Creates Inspiration - A Quick Conversation

When diverse teams come together, there can be conflict if there is a lack of understanding and trust among team members. When there is a lack of trust, the team is fighting its differences instead of embracing them. When teams embrace the challenges that come with differences, the differences can be leveraged for inspiration and growth.

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

Build a Foundation for Growth - A Quick Conversation

Build a Foundation for Growth - A Quick Conversation

Navel oranges are neither native to Florida nor a natural tree. Navels are a graft of two citrus trees, the root stock and the bud wood. Both these parts contribute different, but essential resources that are necessary in order to produce sweet oranges. Oftentimes, behind the scenes tasks are overlooked as being nonessential; however, they are a vital component to the health and productivity of the team.

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

Build On The Collective Effort - A Quick Conversation

Build On The Collective Effort - A Quick Conversation

The survival of a hive of honeybees is dependent upon the collaborative and collective efforts of every bee. The work of the hive is divided into specific tasks, each with designated worker bees. Only when every bee is doing its work can the hive stockpile the honey needed to survive the cold winter. A company is like a beehive that depends upon the collective effort of all of its employees. It is critical that each employee understands their role and how it contributes to the success and of the company.

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

Challenge What Needs To Be Changed - A Quick Conversation

Challenge What Needs To Be Changed - A Quick Conversation

There are times when faced with the choice of following the rules or fighting for a principal such as equality, that a fight against the rules is the right action to take. When working in a diverse environment, pay attention for opportunities to fight for the principal of inclusion instead of following the unspoken rule of “that is the way it has always been done.”

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

Craft Your Message With Purpose - A Quick Conversation

Craft Your Message With Purpose - A Quick Conversation

An enduring whimsical tradition that many people are familiar with is the act of placing a written message in a bottle and tossing it into the sea. The composer of the message has no idea who is going to receive the message or when they might get it -or if anyone will at all. Not knowing the end recipient of the message limits the ability to communicate with intention. Communication across differences is often done in a similar fashion.

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

Create Your Own Opportunities - A Quick Conversation

Create Your Own Opportunities - A Quick Conversation

When working on diverse teams, sometimes you have to create your own opportunities by putting forth new ideas, proposing collaborations, and building networks that will help accomplish your goals.

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

Cultural Quick Tips - A Quick Conversation

Cultural Quick Tips - A Quick Conversation

Work forces around the world are diversifying daily. Understanding the implications of a diversified workplace or marketplace is critical for any organization. A company that lacks the ability to attract and retain diverse employees risks dulling its competitive edge. Being proactive about assessing and understanding demographic trends allows an employer to prepare for change rather than react to a trend after the fact.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Inclusion / Equity / Belonging, Collaboration, Communication, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Differences Create Insights - A Quick Conversation

Differences Create Insights - A Quick Conversation

When working on teams, having a different point of view can provide powerful insight, if people feel respected enough to share that idea. If the team lacks respect for individuals then great ideas won’t be shared. Being respectful of others’ points of view is the first step to developing powerful teams.

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

Explore Unchartered Territories - A Quick Conversation

Explore Unchartered Territories - A Quick Conversation

America’s best-known Colorado River explorer was John Powell, who lost his right arm in the Civil War at the Battle of Shiloh. In 1869, he started with 10 men to explore the length of the Colorado River. Three months later, six would complete their journey after some harrowing experiences. Powell returned in 1871, to map the river and to conduct geological studies. Powell inspired courage and belief in the men that he led and he never put any limitations on his abilities. While not battling white water rapids, working on diverse teams with divergent points of view, creates opportunities for a different kind of courage.

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

Find the Missing Ingredient - A Quick Conversation

Find the Missing Ingredient - A Quick Conversation

On the surface, a desert appears sparse and desolate. The harsh conditions do not seem conducive to growth. Yet, on the rare occasions that rain soaks the desert, it becomes a plethora of color and life - often overnight. Sometimes team projects seem like a desert, as if all of the efforts are providing little visible signs of growth. And yet, when the right ingredient arrives, the program flourishes and ‘flowers’ on cue.

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

Gauge Opportunities - A Quick Conversation

Gauge Opportunities - A Quick Conversation

Like the surfer selecting the right wave, people encounter endless opportunities for growth and must decide whether the opportunity is worth the inherent risks involved. Some opportunities may involve moving to a new country, working with colleagues with different backgrounds, or taking on a new role.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Coaching & Mentoring, Collaboration, Communication, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Invest Your Time for Others - A Quick Conversation

Invest Your Time for Others - A Quick Conversation

On teams, it is important to be willing to invest time into the lives of other team members. We do this by learning about what they need and what obstacles they face and by then offering our assistance. This investment pays off in greater team cohesion, inclusion, and trust, as well as the removal of obstacles that stand in the way.

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

Link Different Points of View - A Quick Conversation

Link Different Points of View - A Quick Conversation

The U.S. railroad was started in 1862 during the Civil War. President Lincoln and Congress understood both the symbolism of connecting the country and also the need to think long term, even while the country fought within itself. The railroad removed geographic barriers, spread ideas, and introduced a new way of life – a fresh start that was badly needed. Building a railroad symbolically within a team can mean bridging together two divergent points of view, bringing new insight into a situation.

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

Move From Conflict to Growth - A Quick Conversation

Move From Conflict to Growth - A Quick Conversation

Unlike other pine trees that shed their pine cones and seeds annually, the pine cones of the jack pine will hold on to their seeds indefinitely until exposed to intense heat. In the charred wake of a forest fire, jack pine seedlings take root and begin the forest’s rebirth. Like a fire, a conflict between colleagues with different work styles and backgrounds can cause short pain and intense emotions.

Activities Leadership, Personal Performance Conflict Resolution, Collaboration, Discussion Trigger, Teamwork

Overcome Obstacles - A Quick Conversation

Overcome Obstacles - A Quick Conversation

Tree limbs grow so that the leaves can absorb sunlight, the energy needed to sustain and create growth. Obstacles never stop a tree from finding the sunshine. Limbs bend around buildings, grow over street signs, and through abandoned structures. In the same way that trees need to be flexible and persistent in their quest to find sunlight, diversity projects need to grow under, through, or around any obstacles that block their path moving forward.

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

Pay Attention To Nonverbal Communication - A Quick Conversation

Pay Attention To Nonverbal Communication - A Quick Conversation

While your colleagues in the workplace communicate both verbally and non-verbally, understanding how to interpret their nonverbal communication can be a great advantage. Keep in mind that the meaning behind body language and facial expressions may vary from culture to culture, so it is always good to check for understanding.

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

See Potential Contributions, Not Limitations - A Quick Conversation

See Potential Contributions, Not Limitations - A Quick Conversation

When working on teams, it is important not to look at limitations but instead at the potential contribution that each person can make – regardless of what kind of package that contribution comes in. This will allow you to maximize the skills and abilities of all team members.

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

Teamwork Through Innovation - A Quick Conversation

Teamwork Through Innovation - A Quick Conversation

In the sport of barrel racing, when a horse and rider are working well together, the horse will intuitively move under the rider if it feels the rider start to fall. This automatic response is only possible due to the bond and unspoken communication that develops between a horse and a rider through the many hours of practicing together. When you devote time and effort to communicating with a colleague, especially one from a background different than your own, you can improve the fluency of your communication and eventually be able to detect minute changes in these communications.

Activities Personal Performance Teamwork, Collaboration, Communication, Discussion Trigger

Tell Stories to Build a Strong Community - A Quick Conversation

Tell Stories to Build a Strong Community - A Quick Conversation

Across the globe, cave drawings thousands of years old have preserved the remnants of ancient civilizations. While the drawings may be scattered over great distances and originate from different cultures, they all have one aspect in common: they tell stories. The drawings recount stories about successes, hunts, trials, and daily life. Storytelling is at the heart of what makes us human and is a universal tool used by groups of people to explain who they are and the experiences that shaped their history. While we might not use cave drawings anymore, we still use storytelling to capture collective histories and lessons learned.

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