LEAN IN THE SAME DIRECTION

The first company I owned in my twenties resulted in having to lead thirty staff members.  With little training on management, I had to trust in my own innate abilities.  I had to forge ahead and learn the best way to keep my team engaged and excited in what our collective mission was.

The responsibility of leading others can certainly be daunting and overwhelming at times. It is also a privilege.  Learning to communicate and clearly articulate what you want from them and being able to define outcomes takes skill and practice.

I learned early on that the best way to create a sustainable culture of engagement is to work on having your team lean in the same direction. When you lean into something you are poised and ready,  focused and present.  In an age where there is a myriad of distractions being able to have your team "lean in" together is a worthwhile achievement.

You can read as many books as you want but the fastest way to get others to lean is for you to lead the way and model the same behaviour that you want from them. 

Check out my other blogs at speakerpaulamorand.blogspot.ca

NO ONE EVER SAID

"Happy Dance".   Just saying those two words conjures up positivity and light heartedness. In fact I am not sure you can even be in a bad mood in saying "happy dance". Which leads me to thinking that who needs music to dance?   Really you just need to move, be silly and just release some energy for a moment and it is amazing how much better you feel.

Years ago in my office we used to have a moment to be silly in our weekly team meeting and it really lightened the tone of the office and of our team.  We all have fond memories even today of moments we when could laugh together.  We all know the work we have to do and deadlines in which we need to do them in. Most teams today have very little time to connect with one another let alone notice one another even if they work in the same office as their workloads are so heavy.  It is not hard to find time to stay positive as it will make an impact, even if you don't think.

So go ahead and do your own happy dance and do it often!   You might just inspire someone else to do the same. And who knows.... you might just start a flash mob with your enthusiasm!

Have a dance filled day!

A GOOD LAUGH GOES A LONG WAY!

Did you know that laughter is good for your health and well being?
Maybe it just takes having a little humour in your life to lift you up and those around you.

Here are some cool facts about the benefits of laughter.

1.  Laughing releases endorphins and that brings about a sense of well being.  
Endorphins are your body's natural pain killer, and when released through laughter, it is like a natural drug to help you feel so much better.

2.  Laughing gives you a workout!   If you laugh 100 times a day it equals a 15 minute cardio workout!  Laughter lowers your blood pressure and it also works your abdominal area diaphragm, facial, leg, back and respiratory muscles.

3.  Laugh your way to better health.  When you laugh, your immune system is activated thus helping to fight off any unwanted intruders in your body.

4. Laughter builds great team and boosts creativity! There are many team building benefits with laughter. Whether is at work with family or with friends, those that take time to laugh together, feel better about who they spend time with are more apt to problem solve and find ways to do things better.