...It's How you Say it.

Has anyone ever told you that before? Well, if they haven't they should have because the tone of your voice can evoke much more of a response than to what is actually being said.  It's the inflection, the volume and the emphasis that causes such a reaction from others. I tell my children this all the time, because when I was a kid, that's what I was told.

Think about the individual you know who causes you to wonder whether or not they like you at all. They don't have a lot of friendly facial expressions and their tone of voice doesn't really change. They never give you those verbal and visual indicators that help you determine the meaning behind the words.  Those people make me the most frustrated because I can't read them.

Then there is the individual who answers the phone in a disturbed tone every single time. On the other end of the phone, you just don't have much wiggle room because you called for a reason and need to fulfill that purpose. So, you just ask the next question and move on. It is that initial reaction on your part that makes the whole transaction difficult. All because the person you called had a certain "tone" of voice.

In both cases, the person in question never said anything bad at all. In fact if they change their tone just a little, it wouldn't even phase you.  So the next time you hear someone using a harsh tone of voice unnecessarily, perhaps you will take note for yourself to be aware of your own tone or perhaps you will bring to that person's attention the affect it had on you or even someone else.

Good Morning.

GOOD MORNING!

GOOOOOD Morning :)

You see what I mean?

Don't talk to strangers is what my mother told us when we were kids. When I was old enough to know better, I responded with: " Well, then how do you get to know people?" The ironic thing about this is that she is always talking to strangers and I have been talking to people I don't know since I was a little girl.

Everyone is a stranger until you get to know them right? Now, having three children of my own I understand that you shouldn't always go around talking to strangers, especially if they seem strange. I also know, however, that you can meet the coolest people just by saying hello and engaging them in conversation.

One day, I was walking downtown with one of my kids and in my usual fashion- I would say hello to practically everyone on the street. I would put on a smile, perhaps comment on the weather, or even go out of my way to open a door for someone even if we weren't going in to that store. After a while of this my son asked me: "Do you know any of these people? Why are you talking to every one on the street?" My response was simply that I like people and it is nice to put a smile on others' faces just by saying hello or telling them their outfit is cool.

I am and always have been a social butterfly and it makes me feel good when I can put a smile on someone else's face. It doesn't take much effort really and seems to be a nice way to get people back into engaging on a human level. I get tired of people talking on their cell phones, working on their computers and just ignoring people who are around them. It's just no fun! Talking to strangers is my way of keeping people on their toes and engaged in the real world.

It can be so easy to forget that being a manager is draining. Not only are you trying to keep yourself motivated to do your work and find new and creative solutions to every day problems, but you have to do the same for your staff as well.

In these unstable economic times, keeping a staff looking ahead can be quite a challenge. There are so many reasons for them to focus on all of the things they don't have, can't have or even have to get rid of in order to pay the bills.  As a leader in your organization, you need to offer them reasons to think positively. Now more than ever you must unite your team so that they are working together and supporting one another every day.

Your organization is built on the competence, cooperation and experience of your employees. So, what are you doing to keep these employees on payroll? How are you creating an environment that will help them overcome these tough economic times. Seriously, your employees know that their jobs may be on the line here and they are doing all they can just to put gas in their cars to get to the job.

Now that they got to work, what are they facing when they walk through the door? Are they faced with co-workers huddled up over coffee complaining how tough times are? Are they faced with a manager who, because he/she is in fear of losing a job starts in by barking orders so that work gets done? If the climate at work is dismal, you are creating a recipe for disaster. Your employees need their jobs  and you need them to have a job to come to, but in order to stay afloat everyone must be motivated to do their part.

Consider how a 1 hour motivational workshop on "Attitude Awareness" could benefit your team in these challenging times. After all, attitudes are contagious and positive attitudes lead to creativity, team work and loyalty.

Be aware of how your attitude affects others.

If you are wondering why people treat you in a certain way, perhaps it is time to consider doing an attitude check. Think about it...

• How do you greet people throughout the day?
• Are you sincere when you ask someone how they are doing? Do you listen to the answer?
• Do you allow circumstances to dictate your mood?
• When was the last time you "put a smile on your face" despite feeling overwhelmed with life?