Quick Hits

What makes you feel connected to other humans?

How do you know if the feeling is mutual?

This conversation went very differently than I expected (that is the fun of Quick Hits, I never know where we will go). 

Abigail McCloskey, CFP®,CLU® started us off with how connection is created in a business setting; talking about things we have in common, asking personal questions. 

Brandon Mahoney added that trust and recognizing when trust goes both ways is an important piece of connect.

Simon Coles commented that some people may go through their lives never authentically connecting with other people and asked if it is ever appropriate to be emotionally connected to someone at work.

And that was just the first two minutes of the conversation!

What is connection for you? How do you know if it is mutual? Does it matter?
 
Connect to the panelists:
Abby McCloskey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-mccloskey-cfp%C2%AE-clu%C2%AE-b8233a5/ 
Brandon Mahoney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandoncmahoney/ 
Simon Coles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjcoles/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com  

#connections #trustbasedleadership

What causes employee disengagement and what can be done about it?

Recently there was a video on social media asking people to share something they learned on the job that they will never forget. 

I was shocked how many people responded with something like, "never do more than your job or you will be taken advantage of."

I get where they are coming from. I had that issue when I worked in corporate. 

I understand academically why employees disengage and I've been involved in plenty of organizational development projects (from both sides) to know the problem is more than just ping pong tables and free lunch (none of that matters with work-from-home anyway).

Kelly Stewart, Rick Alcantara, M.A. and Jonathan Gaev MSE, PMP were kind enough to spend some time with me talking about their experience, what they have seen and how they think the problem might be addressed. 

It's a conversation that deserves way more than ten minutes and I hope every organization and business is having these discussions with their employees and leaders.

Connect with the panelists:Rick Alcantara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickalcantara/    Jonathan Gaev: www.powerofproject.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathangaev/  Kelly Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellystewart2/Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

What do you think is the cause of employee disengagement? 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

#EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeEngagementActivity

What could you change about your past that would make your life better today?

This is such an interesting thought experiment. If you change one thing, does it change everything?

If you like where you are now does that make the past, no matter how bad it was, worth it?

Somethings are lessons; others might be regrets.

Karen Loomis, Stewart Wiggins, Annette Richmond and I had fun thinking about the different options.

It's an esoteric topic. We can't change the past. But wouldn't it be fun if there was a life simulation machine where you could see how things would have worked out if you tweaked just one thing?

Is there something you would change if you could? How would it make things different today?

Connect with the panelists:
Karen Loomis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kloomis/
Annette Richmond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetterichmond/
Stewart Wiggins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-wiggins/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#change #past

What is the difference between being bored and being calm?

Can one become the other? 

Being calm in a crisis is a good thing. Being bored in a crisis would be... odd (I was going to say weird but that seems judgmental). 

Could being bored actually be unrecognized calm?

Why is sitting on the beach watching the waves lap at the shoreline calming but doing it all day every day would become boring?

This idea has been kicking around in my head for a while so I decided to ask a few of my smart friends (I'm lucky that I have lots of them). 

Kelly Stewart, Rick Alcantara, M.A. and Jonathan Gaev MSE, PMP were kind enough to jump into the topic with me and what fun we had! 

What do you think about calmness and boredom? 

Connect with the panelists:
Rick Alcantara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickalcantara/   
Jonathan Gaev: www.powerofproject.com 
Kelly Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellystewart2/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#calm #boredom

Why is it so hard to say, that hurt my feelings?

As a child the adults in my life would often tell me I was too sensitive. That I shouldn't take "jokes" so personally. 

As an adult I have learned to say, "It is not my responsibility to be so thick skinned that you can cut me and laugh while I bleed."

I was conditioned to believe that saying, "That hurt my feelings" was showing weakness.

I wondered how other people viewed it and Emily Rentas, LMHC, Eric James Smith and Keji Moses were kind enough to join me in creating this interesting conversation.

Are you the type of person who will tell someone if they hurt your feelings? How might you respond if someone says it to you?

Connect with the panelists:
Eric James Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsmith302/ 
Emily Rentas, LMHC: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyrentas/
Keji Moses CMgr FCMI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keji-moses-mcmi-61aaa6180/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com #feelings #emotionalintelligence

How did you learn to be good at communication?

Communication - everyone thinks they are good at but most people really aren't. Asking this question about how we learned this skill, created some great self-reflection.

Are we actually good at communication? Simon Coles, Tom Briggs, Doug Crowe and I wrestled with this question. 

As Doug pointed out, just asking the question presupposes that I'm a good communicator. 

Sometimes even the best of us doesn’t do a good job.

What caused you to realize communication is important and what did you do to get better at it?

Connect with the panelists:
Simon Coles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjcoles/ 
Doug Crowe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedougcrowe/ 
Tom Briggs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbriggs/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com #communication #podcast

How do you keep teams from compromising to the mediocre middle?

Compromise is a good thing, right? 

It's not if the best ideas get left on the cutting room floor in order to reach consensus. Not only is it bad for business, your highest performers will become annoyed and burned out.

Everything you ever hated about group projects in school is still true. The stakes are just higher and the players have more to lose.

I asked John Mollison, George Rotsch and Dr. Bob Choat for their insights into how to help groups of individuals trying to perform as a team keep the very best ideas, even if they weren't the most popular. 

Have you ever been on a team (other than sport) that was able create and maintain a high level of performance? What was the secret?

Connect with the panelists:
John Mollison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmollison/ 
George Rotsch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgerotsch/ 
Dr. Bob Choat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobchoat/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com #teamdevelopment #teambuilding #teameffectiveness

When someone doesn’t give you all the information you need to make a decision.

Maybe it was an honest oversight. Maybe it was a lie of omission. Maybe it was a power grab by withholding knowledge (the saying "knowledge is power” is ancient wisdom for a reason). Maybe you've created a culture where no one wants to give you bad news (that is a you problem).

Regardless of the motive, if you aren't getting all of the available information, you need to address it.

I asked Stewart Wiggins, Jim Tam and Dr. Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman for their insights.

Of course, creating a psychologically safe environment where collaboration to create the best outcome is the goal is always a great foundation. 

Do you agree with us? Do you have any go-to solutions that have worked for you? 

Connect with the panelists:
Jim Tam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimtam/ 
Dr. Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rhonda-bompensa-zimmerman-138aa3b/
Stewart Wiggins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-wiggins/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

#leadership #decisionmaking

How do you respond when someone says, ”I’m sorry you feel that way” as an apology?

The ever-popular non-apology brush-off. What is the best way to respond? Is there anything useful you can say in that moment to move the conversation forward?

I got to ask Christina Kelley, Sarah Martin, James H. Lee and Simon Coles how they handle such situations. 

The short answer we came up with - it depends how much the relationship matters to you. 

I have been snarky and replied, "I don't think you are." But I'm not sure that's the most helpful thing to say.

What does it mean to you when someone says they are sorry you feel that way? Do you have a response that has worked for you?

Connect with the panelists:
Simon Coles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjcoles/ 
Christina Kelley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-kelley-3a098514/ 
James Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jleeadvisor/ 
Sarah Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epicsarah/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com #apology #sorrynotsorry

Where is the line between filling your own cup and being selfish?

This is a complicated question. Taking care of ourselves is critical to taking care of others. Those who only take for themselves are greedy and selfish.

There must be a balance somewhere. Where is it? How do you know if you've found it? How do you stay there?

Racquelle Pakutz, Shellie Berry, and Simon Coles were kind enough to share their insights and ideas with me.

I think if you are self-aware enough to ask this question, you are on the path to finding the sweet spot.

How do you know when to give and when to take care of yourself? How do you keep from giving too much and burning out?

Connect with the panelists:
Shellie Berry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellie-berry/ 
Racquelle Pakutz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/racquelle-pakutz/ 
Simon Coles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjcoles/ 
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

Want a summary of the five Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/ 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com 

#selfcare #giving #charity