Working with Others

Working with Others

“We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together.”

~ Bill Richardson

Whether you sit behind a desk and have daily meetings or interactions with many different people, we have all come across someone we find difficult to work with. Communicating with difficult people can be a tough task to handle on your own. When a problem is noticeable to a group of people a compromise is much easier to identify and implement. Learning to diplomatically deal with difficult people with professional courage can make your office a happier place.

Learning to work with different kinds of people is a key to success in the ever-changing business world. We might not all agree on the same issues or ideas but problem solving, compromising and listening to other peoples’ opinions with an open mind can help us all.

            Always take a step back and take a look at your reactions, think about your facial responses or verbal and written communications that might have put a wedge between you and this difficult person. Try to narrow down the issue and learn what triggers you to react the way you do. We can all learn lessons from examining our own behaviors. What we can’t do is control others.

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida
better leaders ● decisions ● results

Skills for Current and Future Success

Skills for Current and Future Success

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”

~ Oscar Wilde

When it comes to standing out from the crowd, experience and knowledge of advanced skills can give you a jump start in the world of growing technology. We all want to get ahead and have the tools to make our professional lives more productive but don’t always take the time it takes to be proficient.  Be proactive and take the time to learn and practice new technical skills in the coming year to help keep you at the cutting edge of your team.  

It seems we are made aware almost daily of a new tool or software update promising to help us get through our work day faster and easier. Advancements in online programming and editing are a high priority for large companies looking to promote products and services and the people who are proficient in operating these programs are of high value and importance.

As an example, Adobe Photoshop is a graphic design software that has been around for years and not utilized by many companies because of its difficulty. Having the patience to take the steps to learn this one program could make the difference in adding value to your resume and to your team.

Updating personal and professional skills can be an ongoing goal that can be a lifelong resolution for positive change.  

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida

better leaders ● decisions ● results

Fishing for Top Talent

Fishing for Top Talent

“Talent is like electricity. We don’t understand electricity. We use it.”

~ Maya Angelou

We have all seen or heard about extravagant and over the top parties thrown by large corporations with food, drink and top tier entertainment. Often the aim of these gatherings is to retain top employees and to attract new talent. With the big business world filled with employee perks and incentives costing thousands of dollars per employee how do small businesses compete for some of the best talent out there?

Now more than ever employees are recognizing the importance of intrinsic value and personal rewards for their performance and efforts. Most of us in the end are motivated by a single purpose, appreciation. This simple act has been shown to keep employees and staff interested in staying with smaller companies.

Instead of the food chain approach of larger companies, smaller companies may offer a way for a new hire to feel personally welcomed and included quickly. Most small businesses bring to the table a way to feel embraced and equal without the risks of being lost in the crowd or feeling as though they are under the microscope of big management.  

Small businesses are also a great way to give your employees special attention that big companies can’t compete with. With large companies that employ hundreds or even thousands of people, getting company perks may be more difficult due to competition and access. Whether it’s a discount on a certain affiliated product or a great deal on a service, small businesses may have access to unique and appreciated incentives.  

The good news for small businesses is that you don’t need costly items and high end parties to attract talented staff, with great relationships, intrinsic rewards and the benefit of small company comfort, a small business can really stand out among the crowd. 

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida

better leaders ● decisions ● results

New Year, New You

New Year, New You

“Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

Whether your new year’s resolutions are to lose weight or build better relationships with friends, family or colleagues, most people tend to stray away from those resolutions well into the new year. One of the main reasons we don’t stick to our resolutions is because we are focusing on the wrong way to research those goals, instead of worrying about physical strength, focus on working on your mental strength first. The way we think and process daily interactions with others affects our overall performance in the office. Learn to build your mental strength instead of physical strength this new year.

We have all heard the saying “silence is golden” at one point but in our busy daily routines, silence can be the most beneficial. Letting yourself sit in silence for a few minutes each day relaxes your mind from the constant flow of information and ideas, allowing yourself to reflect on the day and what you could improve on for tomorrow.

Setting future goals for 2017 is essential for starting the new year with a fresh start. We all know what responsibilities we must accomplish each work day, learn to write down weekly goals to give yourself an advantage. Research has shown that we are much more likely to remember and stick to goals that are written down for us to see.

To get the most out of your metal strength each day, teach yourself to look at the good in your life. By recognizing a few good things each day like; a successful career, a healthy family and great friends, you can change the way you think by avoiding negative thoughts.

Simple ideas to grow your mental strength are easy to forget however, take the few steps each day to help yourself with your career. Self-discipline keeps us all in target and ready for the new challenges of a new year. 

Kelly D. Scott
Chairman/CEO
Vistage Florida
better leaders ● decisions ● results