College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
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Positive People Triumph
Stuff happens but how we respond determines whether an environment is negative or positive. If you believe that only good things will happen, then you’re naïve. Positivity doesn’t mean you’re immune to bad things happening. What if means is that if you are a positive person-you will triumph.
Please share an example where, as a leader, you have triumphed when stuff happens.
From: Ades, E. (2013). The positivity handbook
1. Assume people are hungry for information.
2. Abandon management-speak.
3. Do a 360 degree stroll around your messages before delivering them.
4. Watch your creative language.
5. Know when to speak in specifics and when in generalities (p. 86-88).
What are some tips you use to improve communication?
What is the best communication advice you have ever received?
From: Geisler, J. (2012). Work happy: what great bosses know. New York: Center Street.
Kings, heads of government, and corporate executives have control over thousands of people, and endless resources, but often do not have mastery over themselves. From a distance, larger-than-life leaders may look firmly in control of their businesses and their personal behavior. What about up close? Personal mastery is a difficult thing. For example, can you think of any politicians in recent years whose personal behavior was revealed as opposite to their espoused values? Or consider Fortune magazine's article a few years ago about why CEO's fail. The records of thirty-eight ineffecti
“For the most part, many of us encounter visions whilst working for some corporation or government organization. And for the most part, visions are boring, bear little relation to the reality of wider organizations and become nothing more than a plaque behind the reception wall. But we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss how powerful a vision can be at creating real excitement and momentum and become a driver for change!
Adversity is one of the most potent forces in life, one that can bring out your best or your worse. Ultimately, it's up to you. How will you handle obstacles? Will they be roadblocks or springboards?
A Conversation for Connection is the first step in building a relationship that leads to working together to accomplish meaningful results. It enables people to understand one another’s preferred communication style. While it may sound initially like small talk, this conversation is in fact very important in helping us get to know each other. We can observe how others pace themselves, gesture, ask questions, listen, enunciate, and maintain eye contact. This gives us clues to their preferred communication style. We can listen for the types of things the other person wants to talk about,
Always Think of Consensus as Win-Win, Not Compromise. In a decision-making situation, win-win indicates the development of a solution that does not dilute any strong convictions or essential needs of individual group members.
Determine in Advance the Fallback Decision Option if Consensus Cannot Be Reached. Most decisions must be made by a deadline, and generating consensus does take time. Therefore, do not impose unrealistic time limits that doom the consensus effort before it begins.
Maintain a Positive Attitude
Solution oriented. Action oriented. People oriented. Your enthusiasm begets success.
Embrace Change.
Change is certain. Followers tend to resist change. It is the mark of a leader to embrace change and take advantage of the opportunity it presents.
Deploy Courage.
•My problems are not unique to me, so there is no reason to be embarrassed or to dwell on where I am.
•Long-term success is not the result of one defining change,. It comes from developing the habit of embracing several small, simple truths of success.
•I begin growing when I accept the truth about my situation.
•No Matter What means that regardless of what is going on around me, I will accept responsibility and take control. There is always something that can be done and something that I can do.
•I have power over where I focus...that is a choice I make.
