Virtual Negativity: How the new work setting can create poor outcomes

by Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA

In today’s virtual business environment, the focus must be on leveraging strengths while minimizing weaknesses. Poor attitudes and negativity seem to be driven by working from home, changed social contact, incomplete communication, and more.

virtualThis virtual setting creates stress, reduces loyalty, and erodes confidence. A positive focus creates strengths, recognizes problems, and addresses solutions.

Whether part of a team, a team lead, or the leader, consider taking the helm to help the group reverse virtual negativity. Here are some reminders:

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STAYING UP IN DOWN TIMES

by Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA

downloadTimes are tough. The economy is down and unemployment is up. Trusting others is down, blaming is up. Optimistic outlooks are down and fear is up.

Staying up in down times requires a blend of energy, spirit, self-confidence, and humor. Perception must change and include a broader knowledge and more comprehensive view. What is your perspective of life and the world? Do your lenses and filters of life and the world include a wide-angle lens or do you use a microscope with a narrowed view?

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Boredom Busters: Time is on your side – if you let it

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Staying at home? Bored? Why?  We wake up every day with a plan.  Here is what we have accomplished and found in the last week or so:

  • Clean closets and donate what you don’t use
  • Move furniture and kill the dust bunny’s
  • Sort the boxes of old pictures
  • Work outside and get your patio ready for summer
  • Call friends and relatives just to check in and say Hi
  • Handwrite a special note, put a stamp on it, and mail it! (no email!)
  • Check in with neighbors and see how they are doing
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4 Tips to Keep Remote Employees Motivated and Engaged

Keep Remote Employees Motivated

by Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, business is experiencing even more of a need to offer this work to their employees. What are you doing differently as a leader?

  1. Have the right equipment and physical setting with quiet privacy and minimize the distractions. Make sure your home office and your employees are equipped with high-quality webcams, monitors, and microphones to eliminate distractions.

Here is an Amazon link to equipment (and my favorite, the Logi Cam) – beware of availability and shipping time. https://www.amazon.com/s?i=aps&k=logi%20computer%20camera&ref=nb_sb_noss_1&url=search-alias%3Daps

  • Camera should be set up eye level
  • Pay attention to the lighting
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HIDE YOUR GOAT – THREE STEPS TO SELF-CONTROL (Especially during the Holidays!)

by Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA

self-controlSome people have been put on this earth to get your goat, to push your buttons, and to make you lose control. Have you developed communication tools that help you maintain self-control? Or do you allow others to pull the strings that light the fuse of anger? Have you learned to hide your goat?  Because they can’t get your goat if you don’t tell them where it’s tied up.

Here are three strategies to self-control:

Step #1 – Take a deep breath
Step #2 – Take a mental timeout
Step #3 – Switch to left brain thinking

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Filler Words and Verbal Tics

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By Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA

The more filler words you use, the more you diminish yourself as a polished professional. You may be extremely capable and confident in what you say, but when too many filler words are used, the attention is deflected away from the message and instead becomes focused on you as the messenger. The audience may think you are unsure of yourself and doubt you and your message. This erodes your professional presence.

Tips:

  1. Become cognizant of your speech pattern. Record your voice during normal conversations. Use your voice record application on your smart phone and record 2 – 3 conversations you make. Be aware of State law as in some states it is illegal to record both sides.
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Step Out and Stand Up

By Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA

keep-calmAre you serious about taking control of your job, getting promoted and making more money? It may be time to change the way you think about what you have accomplished and how you share successes with others. Do you catch yourself with any of the following?

Currently: “I go beyond the call of duty on my job. No one even notices.”

Instead: ”I use my strengths and put myself in situations maximizing them. I confidently share my accomplishments without sounding ego-centric or narcissistic.”

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Hold Your Seat! How to be a great presenter at sit-down meetings

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By Marsha Petrie Sue, MBA

I am often asked what to do differently when it is necessary to sit down and present.  Many of the techniques are the same, but there are some nuances to consider.

Tip #1: Choose Your Seat Wisely

 Where you sit can have a subtle effect on how strongly you come across to your audience. If possible, seat yourself next to a key decision-maker. If there isn’t one or you don’t know who it is, then try to position yourself more on one end of the group than in the middle. It will be easier to see everyone if they are more in front of you than if they’re seated on either side.

This is a preview of Hold Your Seat! How to be a great presenter at sit-down meetings. Read the full post (764 words, 1 image, estimated 3:03 mins reading time)
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