Nursing is one of the most challenging and rewarding careers a person could ever ask for. It is also highly stressful, prone to burnout, and a field in which the adage that nurses “eat their young” is widely known and accepted. In college I had a classmate who was curious…

Getting feedback from customers doesn’t need to be overly complicated. A few months ago I ordered a couple of pizzas for my daughter and her friend. When the pizza arrived, I was surprised to see a bright yellow sticker on one of the boxes. No frills, just a little square, with black text, and a straight forward request. “Email us a picture of the pizza inside this box and we’ll send you a coupon…”

Collaborating with a new colleague? Spending the time to get to know a each other before jumping straight into the work will help set the groundwork for a healthy and productive working relationship. Answer these questions to build a healthy and productive working relationship. Motivation - What motivates you to be your best? And what type of work puts you in the zone? Communication Style - What is your preferred form of communication? And what are your non-negotiables? Never assume that the method you prefer is the best or only way. Pet Peeves - What are some of your work related pet peeves? This is an easy way to embrace a spirit of openness and candor. Feedback - How do you like to receive constructive feedback? It’s common for people to feel defensive when they believe their work is being criticized unfairly.

Change is hard, but being aware of the emotional roller coaster that awaits you will set you up for success. So, let’s take a look at the 5 Emotional Cycles of Change (ECOC) as listed in Brian Moran’s book, “The 12 Week Year.” Uninformed Optimism You start to imagine the benefits…

Make the commitment to send better emails in 2021. Here are three easy ways to level up your email skills. What’s Your Why? Ask yourself… Why am I sending this email and what do I want the person who receives it to do after they read it? What is the main goal of your email? Make it Clear and Easy Make it as easy as possible for your email recipient(s) to understand what’s going on and what they need to do. Break up dense text to reduce eye strain and use bullet points to add clarity.

Understanding the 4 Stages of Group Development. In 1965, a psychologist named Bruce Tuckman identified a 4 stage model of group development. The 4 stages that were identified are: Forming: The first stage is Forming, and the primary focus in this stage is on the people. This includes defining roles, building relationships, creating structure and developing group norms. Storming: As time goes on, conflicts eventually arise and teams transition into the Storming stage. This is when frustration and disagreements about roles, goals, and responsibilities begin to surface.

Q:What can you do to keep the momentum after a meeting? You’ve already taken the time to meet. Don’t waste it by letting the meeting fizzle out at the end. Document key decisions, next steps, and owners Document and confirm key decisions, next steps, and task owners BEFORE you end the meeting. Assuming that everyone is aligned, without confirmation, increases the likelihood you’ll lose momentum after the meeting.

Q: What books should every workshop facilitator read? There are a wealth of resources out there, but I will share 3 of my favorites. 😀 “Whether the facilitator is teaching, or leading or mediating, or simply managing a process, the purpose of the role is to strengthen the effectiveness of…

Q: What can I do to get better at meeting planning? In the boating world frames are used to support the hull and give a boat its shape and strength. In the planning world, framing can be used to strengthen focus, and shape outcomes. And one of the best things you can do to get better at meeting planning is to make time, before the meeting, to assess the current situation and frame the challenge, or problem you want to solve during the meeting.