Some call it faith or hope or maybe even magic, but ultimately trust is a key factor in the role of the optimistic individual.
Read moreOptimism Requires a bit of Trust
Rainbow after the Storm - Santa Barbara, CA by Zigmund Snorticus (c)
Information Makes Uncertainty a little less Crazy
Lake Constance - Surrounded by Germany, Switzerland, and Austria by Michael Maass (c)
“DUH, Marya. If we had all the information we needed, there wouldn’t be uncertainty.” Ok, ok, that’s true. The more transparent and open with information an organization and leaders can be, the stronger the culture and of course, the stronger the trust among all on the team. If we know this, then why are organizations so protective of information? Why are we not being more transparent in our words, decisions, and actions?
Read moreWhen things are Uncertain, Tap into your Power
Stormy Cancun - Cancun, Mexico - by Julie Furst-Bowe (c)
Change and uncertainty create fear, and when that happens, OOOF, the armor goes up. Trust lessens, self-protection gets stronger, teamwork lessens, culture shifts to a more negative space, and more. Sounds so positive, huh? Ha. This isn’t about being negative. It’s about admitting, shit can be scary.
Read moreUncertainty and Success in Crazy Ass Times
The Galápagos Islands , Ecuador by Tiffany Coggins (c)
When I’m asked to work with teams regarding change, uncertainty, loss of trust, frustration, etc., I find it absolutely necessary to spend time bringing it back to self-reflection. It frustrates the hell out of a lot of people. “How is this going to help us be successful? I already know who I am. I don’t have time for this shit.”
Read more“I Didn’t Realize how much the Human Aspect was so Important.”
Peace, Calm, and Balance in Encinitas, California by Dr. Connie Corley (c)
The end of my 26th semester of teaching (I thought it was 24, whoa) has arrived. The projects, work, reflection, and everything done by my students was some of the most growth-filled learning I’ve seen in a while. The final exam is my favorite, and once again, they knocked it out of the park. There was one theme that emerged the most from all three courses: how much the human aspect is so important to the organization. Oh. Em. Gee!
Read moreThe Shark has Compassion, Too
Missing Santa Barbara by Marya Wilson (c)
I had a great time with the last session of my leadership series: Motivation 2020! A great question about dealing with mediocre and low performers was asked, “How do we bring their performance level up?” Good question, and not one with a black or white answer.
Read moreThe Stories have the Best Data
Sunset in Florida by Linda O’Connell (c)
As I come to the close of my 24th semester of teaching, I am insanely excited about grading one thing…their final exams. Not because it is the last assignment, but because my students share the story of their learning. Every student I teach is required as part of their final exam to answer the question, “What three things did you learn this semester and how will you apply them in your personal and/or professional life?”
Read more“Emotional Waste” is an Awesome Opportunity
Seattle to Bainbridge Island by Paul Anheier (c)
I was engaged in a conversation with a client this week about the toxicity of his workplace. He was describing how he is trying to find his passion again in a place that is so low on trust in leadership that he’s not sure it will ever return.
Read moreThe Channel Matters, A Lot
Split Rock LIghthouse, Lake County, Minnesota by Conner Ahrens (c)
Communication is one of the key elements of building trust. Communication is conveying a message or meaning to whomever the message or meaning is intended (Daft, 2015). How does communication become a key element of trust?
Read more“Communication Sucks!” The Ire of every Organization, Leader, and Trust
Rooney Lake, Wisconsin - Julie Zack (c)
I am pretty sure most consultants, leaders, and pretty much everyone on the planet will agree with me that the number one complaint in any organization is “Communication sucks.”
Read moreThe Stories are Where the Success Starts
The Story - Southern Minnesota by Kathryn “Red” Schaefer West (c)
I told you I’d find inspiration and ideas. It drives me nuts to be frustrated (especially when others are being dorks, ha), but it’s where my best thoughts come to light! I have returned from Southern California where I spent three days in some of the deepest learning and reflective work I have experienced since starting my PhD.
Read moreAgain, Absolutely, Procedures create Trust
Longboat Key, FL by Steve Sheppard (c)
I’m traveling this week to do some intensive training (love deep learning!!). That’s one reason why I’m repeating a post from July. The other is that I am getting close to a crucible moment watching policies and procedures consistently being bypassed, not followed, ignored completely, or “we just make up our own shit.”
Read moreSometimes, You Won’t Get it Right, and that’s a Silver Lining
Together we Go, Lake Tainter in Wisconsin by Jenn Tack (c)
Every week with the work I do, life brings challenges and surprises that are exciting 95% of the time and other times make me want to flip everyone the bird, put my jammies on, and hide out in my fort with a glass of wine (not a bad idea any time now that I think about that, ha). This week had both, most definitely.
Read moreThe Silver Lining of Broken Trust
The Silver Lining in Santa Barbara by Marya Wilson (c)
In our discussion of betrayals we had experienced, I shared my story of organizational exit that started this whole research journey of mine. It was the first time in over 15 years that I felt I had fully let the anger go.
Read moreThe Crucible Moment started with Momentum: Transformative Events that Affect our Trust
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Northern Minnesota by Emmaly Monfort (c)
One of the questions my research partner and I ask our participants is “What ‘crucible’ moment led you to determine that there might be no other choice but to leave?”
Read moreJust between You and Me - and Everyone Else Too - Trust is Built
Sun after the Storm, Lake Superior, Bayfield, WI by Marya Wilson
These leaders weren’t looking for an out on investing in their staff or a quick fix for development, but trying to find a way to build trust when turnover for staff who are not full time is normal, and at times higher than normal.
Read moreWords Really, Truly Do Matter
Cave Point County Park, Door County, WI by Megan Klatt
I’ve had to chuckle. My post this week focuses on the importance of our words. Strangely, and hilariously, I keep seeing articles, posts, and comments on how “words matter…” I’m not a religious person, but I do love the way the Universe responds to things you start thinking or writing about a certain topic; it starts showing up everywhere.
Read moreCompassion, Kindness, and Respect: A Great Formula for Success
Manhattan Beach, CA by Marya Wilson
For Organization’s Sake, We Have Got to Learn to Dream Again!
Lake Tahoe at King’s Beach, NV by Marya Wilson
The elephants of an organization are not its downfall, nor are they always horrible. They become the downfall and toxic mess when we refuse to talk about them or work together to figure out how to calm the elephants down.
Read moreEmotions: An Elephant of Organizational Success
Oceanside, OR by Maureen Cochran
If I asked you to define the word “emotion,” how would you? Responses from people are interesting because they step back and go, “Hmmm, never thought about it before.”
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