purpose@work: Conversations That Matter (Episode 1)

I am excited to introduce this new video blog (vlog) series: purpose@work.  SIGN-UP for my infrequent newsletter to get the latest Conversations That Matter.  The one thing I am focused on with this series, and all my services, is how to increase employee engagement from this very sad 15% globally (according to Gallup).  There is a lot of research that proves, purpose-driven leadership is a key element in having more inspired employees (even higher than engagement).  ASK ME for my white paper: The Playbook for Purpose-Driven Employee Engagement where I've curated the latest research on the current and future state of engagement.

My first guest aligns in a great way with focusing on customer experience AND employee experience/engagement.  Diane M. Magers, is the CEO of the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA).

Diane serves at the CEO and helps support providing value and community for each and every member and partner. She is a firm believer that it "takes a village" to help everyone succeed. She knows our work as CX practitioners are very tough and extremely important. Anyone who knows Diane would say she's very passionate about customer and employee experience and a driven change agent. Diane has over 25 years experience building and transforming organizations around their customers and employees – from the front line to infrastructure - working in and with brands such as Sysco, Invisalign, and AT&T.

Quick facts about Diane

• She started her professional career as a clinical psychologist
• Her first business venture with a friend started in the basement of his house and the company to $3M and 140 employees 4 years later - the entrepreneurial bug was born!
• She was an exchange student to Australia in high school, which launched her passion for travel

She would love you to contact her to learn more about CXPA: Diane@cxpa.org.

Please reach out to me if you know great leaders that are "walking the talk" in practicing intrinsic motivation in all aspects of their company culture: Bobby@BobbyBakshi.com.

3 Choices When Execs Happen

Bet all of us have experienced those “change of plan” moments when an executive asks for something or invites you to a meeting at the last minute, impacting your other commitments. Most of us drop everything and step up to serve our leaders. Execs Happen. The chain of power says you bow to their requests (in many cases—commands).

In the spirit of what I teach and practice, I always attempt to stop and get self critical about what’s my part (one finger pointing out = at least 3 pointing back at me). Here are some choices to consider to be in integrity with yourself:

1. Say “no”—rarely the one most of us choose and certainly an option. I just invite you to consider the what your fears are if this is not a choice.
2. Check Your Power—as there is almost always a power differential, getting aware of this is a starting point. Plus, are you empowered or giving away your power?
3. Say “yes” and keep your power—by speaking your truth. Let the executive know the impact of their choices on other commitments and then give it your best.

Yes there are many more choices. I choose to share just 3 as they are all simple ways to check-in with yourself and make a conscious choice. Most of us do things in “auto-pilot” and build up resentments and disempowering behaviors. When we can stop and discern what’s right for us, and when it doesn’t feel right find a way that works (not a compromise) then we are closer to happiness and freedom.

Feel free to share your experiences.  Sign-up for my infrequent newsletter.

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Getting Naked at Work

Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" is often quoted for what he says about children: “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself..."  Recently I happened to open the book to a part I didn't know existed--about clothes. Here's what Gibran says:

"And the weaver said, "Speak to us of Clothes."  And he (The Prophet) answered: Your clothes conceal much of your beauty, yet they hide not the unbeautiful."

That got me thinking; imagine if we all walked around naked, even in corporate work environments.  After all, our clothes are one way people judge us as the cliché says by the “book cover:” most sales people dress great and look like a million dollars; engineers wear shorts/jeans/t-shirts; executives in some organizations still wear a suit daily, even internally.

You often dress a certain way at work based on the company culture.  Even with jeans, in some cultures the norm is expensive designer jeans and in others those brands are looked down upon. Fill in the blanks with the many stereotypes.

Beyond the literate about clothes at work, Gibran's statement gives us much to ponder.

Our clothes conceal much of our beauty

·       Do your clothes reflect your true self or one that you feel you need to project for others?

·       Are you shining your true beauty regardless of the clothes you wear.

·       Are your words in integrity with your personal values?

·       Are you willing and able to reflect your unique self or tend to conform?

When we can truly first recognize the beauty in each of us, without fixing anything and expecting people to confirm—then we welcome true diversity and open up to taking risks that lead to innovation.  Being vulnerable (yes, even at work) and accepting yourself first, just the way you are, opens you up to stand confidently to contribute to a company.  And when senior leaders, founders, owners model the way—others breath more freely.

Yet they hide not the unbeautiful

·       Ever experienced someone dressed immaculately behaving like a total jerk?

·       Clothes don’t hide actions and how people show up in situations.

·       What’s it like to receive that condescending look, even without words?

So what would the world of work look like if we were more open with each other—willing to get naked and vulnerable with our truth?

1. People say what they mean (and have shorter meetings)
2. Focus on what's most important to each person (instead of dancing around agendas)
3. Laughing with raw joy at being so liberated (and not so politically correct)
4. Truly celebrating differences, beyond diversity “initiatives”
5. Calling out BS of others and owning our own shit
6. Being vulnerable to admit not having all the answers or knowing what to do
7. Expressing and owning our feelings and judgments without needing to be right

If this resonates with you, go take it for a test drive.  Share it with others and sign-up to receive my blog when I’m inspired to write next.  Sign-up for my infrequent newsletter.

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