Issue 210 January 2007 publisher: Gail Johnson

Happy New Year  Looking Back and Looking Forward                  "If you don't like something, change it.             If you can't change it, change your attitude.                 Don't complain."           --Maya Angelou   Change...it's something I've lauded for years. I taught classes on change, presented sessions at conferences on change, guided a few of your organizations through substantial change, and (as my life partner will tell you) changed a bit myself through the years. Well, now it's my turn, again. Face to Face Communications and Training is taking our own advice and changing to stay relevant, current, and hopefully ahead of the training and development curve. 2006 saw many changes and in this January newsletter, we'd like to share some of those with you.   The biggest change was the addition of a new consultant. Pam Parr joined our staff and lends considerable management experience to Face to Face. Please feel free to read more about Pam on our website http://www.face2facetraining.com/about.htm. Pam is not only an excellent one-on-one performance improvement and enhancement coach, she is also a great presenter.   That brings us to the second biggest change. Many of our programs are now designed and presented with two presenters--Pam and myself. This new format not only appeals to wider and more diverse audiences, but Pam adds a lighter side to my more conservative style.   Third, we have developed a dynamic, amusing, and informative keynote address. This is different from workshops in that it is strictly info-tainment. Designed to kick-off a conference, amuse guests at a lunch or dinner function, or entertain at a company outing. Dysfunction Junction© is sure to set an exciting, challenging, and humorous tone for organizational events and conferences. (Personally, this was the most challenging for me...Dysfunction Junction took me way out of my comfort zone and taught me a lot about myself as well as others.)   Fourth, we have been able to expand the facilitation arm of Face to Face. I have been able to facilitate more strategic planning and team building at the leadership level with more organizations than before. This is some of the most rewarding work I do; helping others grow and develop is a lifelong goal.   I am looking forward to more changes in 2007; changes that will bring different services, new programs, and greater opportunities for you--our business partners.Happy New Year!   Speaking of Trust... Reading The Speed of Trust (see article to the right) late last year led to some interesting discoveries about the organizations in which I've had the chance to do some in-depth work.   Each year I have the privilege of working with several organizations at the leadership level. This alone takes a great deal of trust--on your part. To reveal strengths and weaknesses to an "outsider" and then rely on that person to provide insights and counsel to your staff and your organization requires a great deal of trust. To those of you who have given me that vote of confidence--I thank you and I also commend you. You have taken difficult steps and created healthier, stronger, and more adaptive organizations.   But this small blurb is not for those of you already engaging a facilitator to assist you in becoming "all that you can be." This is for those of you still hesitating to let an "outsider" in. In the article above, I outlined some of the changes at Face to Face this year. These changes did not happen in a vacuum. They happened with the advice and counsel of trusted "outsiders"--people who bring a perspective--other than that held by the "insiders"--to the table.   Once we become entrenched in our own cultures, philosophies, and patterns we begin to have difficulty seeing different organizational cultures, philosophies, and patterns that may bring wonderful opportunities our way. The cultures that we created--that we thought were unconventional, have created their own new conventions that often become as entrenched as those we struggled against in the first place.   Facilitators--good facilitators--bring together the best of what is in your organization, with whatcan be, and give you the tools to weave them together to create opportunities, success, and profitability. If you have considered using a facilitator for planning, team building, or development make this year you take the step to actually do it. I would be glad to talk to you, indepth, about your needs--whether you chose me or not...it's that important.

The Speed of Trust; The One Thing That Changes Everything by  Stephen M. R. Covey   Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Our distrust is very expensive;" Covey points out how true this is.   This Covey is the son of the "Seven (or is it eight or nine, now) Habits" Covey and is the CEO of CoveyLink Worldwide.   The subtitle of this book: The One Thing That Changes Everything:" is something I, personally, know to be true. "...if developed and leveraged, that one thing (trust) has the potential to create unparalleled success and prosperity in every dimension of life. Yet, it is the least understood, most neglected, and most underestimated possibility of our time."   There are 13 behaviors highlighted in this book that will ring familiar to leaders everywhere. Yet, somehow we still value deception and shading truth over being candid and demonstrating respect by presenting realities.   If you are a leader, or aspire to be, this is a book you cannot afford to skim. Read it, apply it, and change the way you lead in your professional and personal life. CONNECT & GROW is an interactive newsletter for business professionals who value 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