Embracing the Spirit of Summer at Work
Remember the excitement as a child when the summer months rolled around? When that last school bell rang, a sense of adventure and freedom was upon us as we looked forward to warm, sunny days. As adults, this desire is still within us – but our adult responsibilities get in the way. Sitting at our desks, attending countless meetings, all while gazing outside at blue skies can be a bit depressing. Therefore, it is not surprising that during the summer, employee motivation, job satisfaction, and productivity drop.
How can we combat this decline? Is it possible to balance the freedom of summer with the demands of work? The answer is…YES! Here are a few ideas…
Encourage Time Off
Do you have an employee who is not taking time off during the summer? If so, encourage them to do so – even if it is just a day or two. According to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , 50% of American workers do not use the paid vacation time they are given. Taking time off helps us reduce stress, clear our minds, and return ready to take on the world (or at least that big client project!).
Promote Work Flexibility
Adding a little flexibility into how work gets done is a great way to embrace the summer spirit. 74% of employers offer some type of telecommuting arrangement, which is a great way to promote work flexibility.
Host Family Events
Consider a companywide picnic, field day, or trip to the local baseball game. Showing that you value family time positions the organization in a positive light for the significant others – which comes in handy when you ask employees to work late nights!
Today’s employees value organizations that embrace a work environment that supports employee well-being. Having a culture that promotes work-life balance and flexibility can result in a happy and healthy workforce – and a solid bottom line. Get out there and enjoy the sunshine with your employees…the child inside all of them will love you for it!
Reach out to us at https://www.successfulculture.com/contact/ to discover how we can help you design a balanced work-life culture, the supports the whole employee. Our SCALE Academy is the perfect place to start! Building cultures where everyone feels valued is what we do best.
6 Steps to Creating a Warrior Mindset in Life-Changing Situations
Difficulty doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter if you have a net worth of $50 million or $50,000.
It doesn’t matter if you’re running a multi-million dollar company, or working for someone else.
You’re going to encounter situations that draw a before-and-after line in the sand, where things change in a moment’s notice.
If you are a business owner, you face more risk than others because you have so much more on the line. Therefore, the ability to recover is absolutely essential.
Recently, several friends have encountered what I call “before-and-after moments.” Most recently, a friend received news that her 9-year old daughter has Type-1 diabetes and will be on insulin the rest of her life.
In my own life, I’ve beaten melanoma, had a breast cancer scare, overcame two business bankruptcy possibilities, lost people I love, and recovered from a fairly devastating betrayal by someone I thought was a true friend.
I recently provided some experiential wisdom to my friend whose daughter was diagnosed with diabetes.
I’m sharing my 6 strategies for creating what I call a Warrior Mindset.
1: Block out the sky-is-falling supporters. When we receive bad news, or go through something traumatic, our natural response is to reach out to others for support. While the outreach is important, what is even more important is who we are seeking for support.
We are at our most vulnerable state when we are facing a difficult situation. We require support from those who can lift us higher and move us forward. We need support from those who are stronger than we are.
2: Move out of the “why-me” response as soon as possible. It’s natural to feel a loss of control, and to feel victimized by our circumstances. When circumstances drastically change, they often require a mourning process to eventually accept the new reality. This may include denial, anger, grief, and finally acceptance.
3: Get a grip on your fear. Fear is also a natural response to life-changing news and situations. We must remember that it is just an emotion. Nothing else. However, if we empower it – if we go to that place of, “What happens if….” then we will be paralyzed. There’s no time for inertia or inaction.
4: Seek out your new “tribe.” Diabetes has profoundly impacted our family; we have lost young people we love to the disease. I advised my friend to quickly connect with others that have already walked her path. I recommended the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as well as Facebook support groups and meetups.
When the rules & parameters of our daily living change, we must create a tribe so that we know we are not alone, and so that we can make informed decisions based on knowledge & facts, rather than emotion. We need people like us.
Our other tribes may not understand, or even approve. That’s not your concern. Your healing & progress depends on getting the right support.
5: Seize control over the situation. This may not be the situation you would have chosen, but it is YOUR situation. Choose control over it. We either control our circumstances (even the poor ones) or they control us.
6: Remember that your circumstance does not define you. Your situation is one piece of a tapestry that is your life. I had cancer. I am not cancer. Several friends struggle with depression. They are not depression. Several friends have experienced business failure or divorce. They are more than their business situation or marital situation.
We decide how well we-co-exist with our new reality… how much it defines us.
Life delivers us a blend of the good and the bad. How it all shows up for us largely depends on our outlook and our mindset. We are not our struggles. They are only a part of the amazing people we are.
Good luck!
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About Successful Culture
We work with business owners, CEOs, and leadership teams that want to achieve their greatest personal & organizational potential. Through coaching, strategic consulting, retreat facilitation, and workshops, we equip leaders & emerging leaders with the mindset, tools, strategies, and processes they need to excel.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter.
Please check out my Inc. Magazine columns on my Author Page too.
Learn about the 12 Habits of Horrible Leaders, and How to Break Them.
Wishing you joy and success on your journey!
In gratitude,
Marissa Levin
CEO, Successful Culture
“Taking Leaders from Triage to Transformation.”
[email protected]
10 Cardinal Rules for Working with Friends
Ask any business owner if they’ve ever worked with friends, and you will likely get a yes. How they answer you (with a scowl or with a smile), will determine if it turned out well.
One of my clients is WAKA, an 18-year old company that has put kickball and social sports for young professionals on the map. The three owners have been friends for more than two decades. They have mastered the art of “working with friends.” This doesn’t mean they haven’t experienced turmoil or conflict. In fact, one of my key roles in working with them was to help them move through some inertia that was stalling their continued growth. They have aggressive growth goals over the next 3-5 years, and decision-by-consensus was slowing momentum.
Nevertheless, these three life-long friends have managed to maintain and strengthen their brotherly bonds as they’ve built their business. So how have they done it? They’ve followed what I have identified as the 10 cardinal rules for working with friends.
1: Alignment of core values regarding life and business. It would seem natural that our friends would share our values, but this isn’t always the case. If we’re going into business with anyone, there must be alignment of values. If you are a high-value service provider but your friend is focused on being a low-cost service provider, you’re not driven by the same outcomes. If you are a workaholic, but your friend is focused on work-life balance, you are misaligned regarding focus. Misalignment of values is a non-starter.
2: Clearly defined roles & responsibilities. What is expected of each person? You would never hire a stranger without clearly defined roles & responsibilities. Clearly spell out what you expect of anyone you work with, and what they can expect of you.
3:No exceptions to any rules: All restrictions/processes apply. When I started my first company Information Experts 20 years ago, I hired a friend as a sub-contractor. She was required to sign a non-compete and a non-disclosure agreement, like all of my subcontractors. If I showed favoritism, this would have set a precedent that rules only apply to certain people in my company. Sadly, she violated both documents. She stole my content, and solicited work directly from my client. Again, I had to set a precedent with this situation. Our attorney issued a cease-and-desist letter, demanding that she cease solicitation. My client broke ties with her, I fired her, and that was the end of the friendship. This goes back to Rule #1: Alignment of core values. She valued money more than our friendship.
4: Respect of financial arrangements. The mixing of money and friendships, especially in business, is a potential landmine. Should you decide to work with a friend, do whatever is necessary to minimize financial friction. Stay away from loans and promisory notes. Pay your friend on time, in accordance with the agreed upon terms. Working with a friend is not permission to take financial advantage.
5: Respect of the value and worth of each party. This past week, I had conversations with two good friends that own businesses, who are experts in their fields, that feel disrespected, devalued, and taken for granted by friends they’ve worked with. They both chose to charge their friends significantly discounted rates for their services. This is a terrible idea, and almost always backfires. A true friend would not expect another friend to decrease her market rate, which is essentially communicating, “I don’t think you are worth what you are charging others.” Conversely, the friend that discounts her rate ends up feeling as if she’s giving away her services. “I felt bad” or “I felt guilty” is almost always the outcome.
6: Establishment of a way out of the business arrangement. Every business arrangement requires an “out” clause, and this situation is no different. Discuss ahead of time the possibility that one may want to terminate the arrangement. Should that occur, exit gracefully and graciously. Don’t make it personal, and don’t take it personally.
7: Respect of confidentiality. As with any business relationship, do not discuss your business with others. Don’t share proprietary company information, don’t discuss the relationship challenges, don’t gossip. Treat the business part of your relationship with utmost respect and confidentiality.
8: Ability to have difficult conversations. Difficult conversations are stressful. Especially when we blend our personal & professional lives, there is a lot at stake if a difficult conversation goes wrong. However, not having the conversation is even worse. Trust that you can have a respectful, constructive dialogue, and make it happen to move past any feelings of resentment or anger that may be building.
9: Care and feeding of your friendship outside of the business. To preserve the friendship, set aside time to just be friends. Grab lunch, go to a movie or a museum, or text/email/call with no business agenda – just to say hello.
10: Finally, Remember Rule #6 from my last column. Don’t take yourself so seriously. It’s just business. Businesses come and go, but our most important friendships endure.
A Note about mentorship, service donations, and trades
We all have much to contribute to others! Mentorship and pro-bono or discounted services are wonderful ways to help others move forward, especially when we can help socially impactful organizations fulfill their missions. When we agree to mentor someone, or donate our services to a non-profit, we still must spell out the terms so that both parties know what to expect. The only thing missing is the exchange of money.
I have done many successful trades for service as well. Again, spell out all terms & conditions so that there are no surprises. These arrangements are still business relationships.
In Other SC News….
Sign up here to receive Successful Culture’s leadership blog every Friday. All posts contain actionable content to make you the best leader you can be, to help you develop your people to their greatest potential, and to help you build your best organization.
Successful Culture accepts applications for its TransformU coaching program on a rolling basis. All one-on-one coaching spots are currently filled, however, we will open more spots in 2nd quarter. The TransformU coaching program is only for CEOs and leaders seeking a high level of accountability, who are ready to build the right foundation, and move to the next level of growth. All engagements follow a customized road map to move the client from current state to desired state. A mandatory skype interview and online assessment will determine if the TransformU program is a fit. You can learn more about the TransformU program on the Successful Culture website here. Please email me at [email protected] with any questions.
The Annual SC Customer Appreciation Luncheon Was Amazing!
I recently honored about 40 SC clients at our annual Customer Appreciation Luncheon. I spoke about the gifts that each client brings to the world every day in their own business accomplishments, and expressed my gratitude for their trust in my leadership to move them forward to the next levels of growth. Everyone made important connections too! I can’t wait for our Spring community gathering. Will you be engaging Successful Culture to help with your growth, and joining us too?
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Sign up here to receive Successful Culture’s leadership blog every Friday. All posts contain actionable content to make you the best leader you can be, to help you develop your people to their greatest potential, and to help you build your best organization.
About Successful Culture
We work with business owners, CEOs, and leadership teams that want to achieve their greatest personal & organizational potential. Through coaching, strategic consulting, retreat facilitation, and workshops, we equip leaders & emerging leaders with the mindset, tools, strategies, and processes they need to excel.
Ready to move forward? Email us today at [email protected]
Connect with me on Instragram, Facebook, and Twitter. Engage with me during my morning Periscope sessions as well (@marissalevin).
Please check out my Inc. Magazine columns on my Author Page too.
– In my latest Inc, article, I share The Essential Guide to Avoiding Workplace Text, Email, & Social Media Disasters.
– Learn about the 9 Leadership Behaviors that Lose Employee Trust & Respect here.
~Marissa Levin
CEO, Successful Culture
“Taking Leaders from Triage to Transformation.”
A 9/11 Tribute: May The Healing Continue
I remember the sky was the most beautiful & vivid blue. The temperature was warm, but with a feeling of Fall. Like every Tuesday, I buckled in our 4-year old and 1-year old to take our oldest son Jared to pre-school at our synagogue down the street. My plan was to drop off Jared and head to the mall to run some errands.
I never made it to the mall. At approximately 9:00 AM, we learned that the World Trade Center had been hit, at 8:46 AM. The plane crashed into floors 93-99 of the North Tower, killing everyone on board, and hundreds inside. I remember thinking in disbelief, “What a horrible accident!!” Initial thoughts, when the first plane hit weren’t really about terrorism. The idea that a group of people would hijack a plane to use it as a weapon was unfathomable for the average citizen.
When the second plane hit at 9:03 AM, it became clear this was an intentional attack on the United States. At this moment, hijackers crashed into floors 75-85 of the South Tower, killing everyone on board, and hundreds inside.
Like every parent at the pre-school, I raced back to pick up Jared. Our entire sense of security was erased. All of the families… we didn’t know what to do. We didn’t know where to go. Shortly thereafter around 10:00, we learned that the Pentagon had been hit, at 9:37! Hijackers crashed a plane into the western section, killing 59 aboard and 125 military and civilian personnel inside. Our own city was also under attack! We heard that the White House and the Capitol were also targets. I immediately thought of my brother, who works in DC, and prayed for his safety. I thought of everyone I knew that could have potentially been impacted.
9:57: The South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses. It literally disappears.
10:07: The 4th hijacked plane crashes into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, killing all 40 aboard.
10:28: The World Trade Center’s North Tower collapses… disintegrates into dust.
These two hours changed everything. For everyone.
I remember I needed to go to NY for a business trip a few months later. I took the train from DC’s Union Station to Penn Station. I had an important meeting scheduled with a new customer. When I came up the escalator from the platform to the main level of the station, I was completely unprepared for what I was about to encounter. I froze.
I was overcome with the wall-to-wall photos of those that perished. There were thousands and thousands of pictures, of such beautiful people. I couldn’t move. There was a montage, from floor to ceiling. It contained messages of love, pictures, and agonizing pleas for help. They were stapled and taped together… one on top of another. So much pain and desperation in that montage. So many hopes and dreams that were never realized. So many souls frozen in time. Men, women, and children of every age, across every culture… piece-mealed together in a tapestry of pain, staring back at those that passed by. I spent two hours looking at those pictures through tears that would not subside.
Today, it is another beautiful 9/11 day in the DC region. America continues to heal. We continue to pursue our dreams, and the promises of life, liberty, and happiness.
May you all find the strength to continue your own healing, and may everyone continue to experience peace and closure. And may those that we lost on that beautiful day 14 years ago rest in peace.
Sign up here to receive Successful Culture’s leadership blog every Friday. All posts contain actionable content to make you the best leader you can be, to help you develop your people to their greatest potential, and to help you build your best organization.
About Successful Culture
We work with business owners, CEOs, and leadership teams that want to achieve their greatest personal & organizational potential. Through coaching, strategic consulting, retreat facilitation, and workshops, we equip leaders & emerging leaders with the mindset, tools, strategies, and processes they need to excel.
Ready to move forward? Email us today at [email protected]
Connect with me on Instragram, Facebook, and Twitter. Engage with me during my morning Periscope sessions as well (@marissalevin).
Please check out my Inc. Magazine columns on my Author Page too.
– In my latest Inc, article, I share The Essential Guide to Avoiding Workplace Text, Email, & Social Media Disasters.
– Learn about the 9 Leadership Behaviors that Lose Employee Trust & Respect here.
~Marissa Levin
CEO, Successful Culture
“Taking Leaders from Triage to Transformation.”
How to Restore and Refresh for Greater Leadership Results
I’m writing this column from Bethany Beach, Delaware, which has been our family escape for 17 years. As we were packing, I checked quite a few times to make sure we had our chargers, my laptop, and my iPad which I loaded with several business books to read.
Fast forward six days… I didn’t read one business book, and I responded to less than 20 emails. Instead, I picked up a great beach read that chronicled how the lives of three very different women interconnected.
Eight Lessons for Success (And Some Other Insights) by Barbara Corcoran
I had the privilege of speaking at the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC – www.nwboc.org) conference last week in Palm Beach, Florida. One of the highlights of the conference (where 200 women business owners came together to learn, share, and connect) was keynote Barbara Corcoran. Barbara is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. She took a $1,000 loan to start her real estate company, The Corcoran Group, which she grew into a $5 billion business. She sold the firm for $66 million in 2001.
Barbara is also a host and investor on ABC’s Shark Tank. During the last three seasons, she has bought 11 new businesses. She is also the author of three best-selling books, and is a regular small business and real estate contributor on all of the major networks.
Like all great entrepreneurs, Barbara’s journey to success has been filled with wonderful lessons. I have summarized them here for you.
When Your Bedroom Becomes Your Boardroom: (Happily) Working With Your Spouse
Spouses that choose to work together embark on a very unique journey. This arrangement is not a conventional marriage. Two of the hardest things a person can attempt is to build a successful business and a successful marriage. 90 percent of all businesses fail within the first 5 years. The divorce rate (in the U.S.) is now higher than 50 percent. Combine these two endeavors, and you face a lot of risk. There is a lot at stake at home and at work if things get rocky. The levels of expectations for one another are much higher than in a typical business partnership or typical marriage. Consideration must extend much further than, “I have this great business idea, can you help me?”
As a follow up to my January 10, 2013 segment on Washington Business Report (http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/02/washington-business-report-feb-10-2013-85006.html) on working with your spouse, I’ve interviewed several other business owners who have braved this model to learn what makes it work, and how to avoid trouble in paradise. Rather than giving a simple bulleted list of strategies such as “schedule a date night” or “agree not to talk about marriage at home,” I’m sharing a more detailed behind-the-scenes glimpse of the complexities of this arrangement. If you are currently working with your spouse, or thinking about it, this is an important column for you.
My Eight Wishes For You In 2013, And a Final Wish of Healing, Happiness, and Peace
Public and private events of 2012 have challenged many of us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. As we transition into 2013, I wish you….
Feeding Your 4 Food Groups in 2013: Mind, Body, Heart/Soul, Spirit
Forget the USDA Food Pyramid (at least for the next few minutes). The four food groups that truly nourish us are our Mind, Body, Heart/Soul, and Spirit. When we feed these every day, the rest of life takes care of itself.
Here are specific ways you can feed these four food groups in 2013.
As an Entrepreneur, 11 Things For Which I am Thankful
It’s always the right time to live life from a place of gratitude. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, today I reflect on what it means to be thankful as an entrepreneur.
