NOVEMBER 2018

Business Tips:

DIALOGUE OVER DISCUSSION

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but there are limits to how far team members can take their opinions.  All too often, they forget to encourage a healthy dialogue and turn the conversation into a debate of one idea versus another.  Taken to the extreme,  they can dominate the discussion, hoping to gain support from the majority.

Dialogue helps teams to open closed subjects, remove blocks to communication and heal rifts.  To build a climate that supports dialogue, try:

·       Asking Questions.  Clarify what others are saying and ask others if they understand what you are saying.

·       Making Suggestions.  Build on your team mates’ ideas.  Acknowledge their contributions and integrate their ideas into your suggestions.

·       Encouraging Others.  Not only have the courage to express your ideas, but have the consideration to listen to others.  Make it a point to encourage others to contribute at least one new idea.

·       Asking for Feedback.  Ask others what they think of your ideas and give constructive feedback on other people’s ideas.

·       Looking for Common Ground.  As people share and build on their ideas, look beyond the positions to the deeper issues.  Identify areas of agreement or “common ground” to serve as a foundation for positive discussion.

Great articles as reference: http://www.soapboxorations.com/ddigest/senge.htm;

https://www.extraordinaryteam.com/dialogue_discussion/; https://www.slideshare.net/alladichandrasekharnaidu/dialogue-and-discussion

http://www.thecompellededucator.com/2015/05/dialogue-vs-discussion-new-tool-for.html  

Personal Tips:

GIFT OF GRATITUDE

“I have always found it ironic that the people in this world who have the most to be thankful for are often the least thankful, and somehow the people who have virtually nothing, many times live lives full of gratitude.”

Through recognizing one’s own pride and arrogance, they begin to develop humility from which comes the gift of gratitude, being thankful for gifts.

“The only way you can truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away.”
“In those times when we yearn to have more in our lives, we should dwell on the things we already have. In doing so, we will often find that our lives are already full to overflowing.” ― Jim Stovall

The Golden List:

Every morning before getting up visualize a golden tablet on which is written ten things in your life you are especially thankful for.

Life Skills:

Faith, Family, Fitness, Finances, Friends, Fun, Following, Freedom; we call these the 8F’s in life.

Many of these categories can tell one where their priorities are in life by measuring the time one would spend in one of the above categories. I know we don’t have it all figured out, but we have a lot of great sources that speak into these items and we welcome your comments. Please feel free to drop us a line concerning any of them.

The Five Core Needs of Life- The FOURTH need is PURPOSE—Why am I alive? 

Purpose is possible when it is found in:

·       hope in our circumstance and in our tomorrows, 

·       people to serve because we were created to leave the world a better place and that's most effectively done by investing in others, and 

·       direction so we can determine how we can uniquely serve successfully. 

When we know we're alive to positively influence the world, we'll want to develop relationships that matter. We'll also be motivated to develop skills, attitudes, and beliefs relevant to the ways we want to leave the world a better place. A healthy purpose is very related to motivation, perseverance, resiliency, and personal growth.

What does this mean?

As you can see these 5 core needs of life are building on one another. You cannot get to the next one without also holding on to the ones before it. Purpose is what gets you up each morning and it is also what can keep you awake at night. Purpose is a powerful motor in your life that you want to have running for you.

First is security – Who can I trust?; Second, identity—Who am I? ; The third, belonging—Who wants me? ; The fourth is for purpose—Why am I alive? ; and the fifth, competence—What do I do well? 

Authentic Hope and Wholeness: 5 Questions That Will Change Your Life – Dr. Kathy Koch

Notable quotes: They are italicized above.

Something I want you to know:

You were made on purpose and your life therefore has purpose. 

Stay hungry for it!