Face 2 Face Communications and Training

Issue 108

January 2005

Happy New Year!

Just Stop It!

Just do it! That is the Nike mantra and that is the cliché that fills our heads with notions of New Year resolutions. I'm going to challenge you to start a different kind of resolution this year--Just Stop It!

Now, Nike will probably not adopt my theme line and I doubt if Curves, MacDonald's, or Converse will rush to claim the web domain. But I ask you to entertain the thought of stopping just one or two things to manage your life more effectively.

A friend of mine has been preaching about life balance. It's interesting to me that we try to do more things to become balanced. We think that if we add to the other side of the scale--do more things with our family; or start and exercise program--somehow a miracle will happen and our load will be lighter. NOT! You have to remove something from the scale to lessen the weight.

I challenge you to begin looking for things you can stop doing. Start small--maybe you will stop checking your email 10 times a day; or stop shopping three times a week because you don't have time for one big shopping trip; or stop scrolling the sports channels for the scores that will be in tomorrow's paper; or putting off the telephone call to a friend that might save your sanity; or stop watching TV one night a week so you can get to the gym...

Now, just stopping it sounds a lot easier than it is. So, I offer these guidelines.

Make a list of the things you think you can stop doing.
Share the list with a friend and have them talk you through the list for a reality check.
Gradually stop doing things. Start with one thing for one week, then add a second for two weeks, and so on.

Go on...just try it.

Help, I'm Stuck in Voice Mail

How many of you feel like this? Well, the truth is--we need to get over it. I kept track of 50 calls I placed last week; 38 of them went directly to voice mail. That's 76% and I was still surprised each time I had to leave a message. From now on, I'm committed to be ready when I hear the b-e-e-e-e-p.

(Some of these tips are compliments of a Fast Company blog.)

Assume you will go into voice mail
Have a message ready
Keep your message short (less than 30 seconds)
Always include the essentials: name, phone, when you can be reached, importance (Hi Mel, this is Gail Johnson at Face to Face. I need a headcount for next week's program by noon Friday. Please leave it on my voice mail. The number is 630-554-9301. See you next week.)
One request per voice mail, please. Don't leave a list of things for someone to consider; they will delete it.
Say your phone number slowly. I cannot recall all the times I didn't return a call because someone recited their phone number too quickly to capture (and most people won't listen to the message a second time).
Your message will most likely be heard while the person is doing something else. People check their voicemails at meeting breaks, at airports, in the car, in the bathroom, etc (see What is That, below). With that in mind, remember most people won't take the time to save your voicemail and listen to it later.....b-e-e-e-e-p.

NOW, Discover Your Strengths
by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D.

If you're debating what to put on your 2005 reading list, this is one book (actually it's an experience) that you must include.

The book comes with a code that enables you to take the Gallup Strengthfinder Profile and actually identify and then develop your top five strengths.

Imagine being able to help your staff identify and develop their strengths--you could begin a revolution within your organization! Motivation and productivity would increase and petty conflict would decrease. Just imagine!

CONNECT & GROW is an interactive newsletter for business professionals who believe in commitment and passion in their professional and personal lives.

If you found something of interest in this newsletter, please forward it (in its entirety, please) to a friend or colleague.

The focus of CONNECT & GROW is to provide brief insights into the world of interpersonal business communication. It is edited by Gail Johnson, founder of Face to Face Communications and Training. For more information, a complementary consultation, or initial training assessment email Gail or visit our website.

What is That?

[This section of the newsletter contains stories or quips from you--our readers. Send your submissions to cs@face2facetraining.com]

There they were, three friends shopping for nothing in particular, and suddenly they hear what sounds like a radio on a weird channel. As they look around, they hear the store's sound system still playing music, but this other sound continues to fill the air. "What is that?" they wonder out loud. Suddenly, a woman turns the corner and they know. She is holding her cell phone in hand as she is browsing through the store. The cell phone is in speaker phone mode and her voice mail messages are being broadcast for all to hear.Another day, another time someone is sitting in a reception area and the administrative assistant begins to listing to the voice mail messages left on the office phone--in speaker phone mode.

If you do this...Just Stop It! There is an assumption of privacy when someone leaves voice mail. This assumption may be incorrect. but most of us intend our voice mail messages to be heard only by the person we sent them to. Broadcasting private messages is not only rude and inconsiderate to the person who sent the voice mail, but the people who may indirectly hear the message have been inconvenienced as well. In business, we must continually stop and think about who is being affected by our actions. I never want another person's response to my actions to be: "What is That?"