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Articles by Liz Cosline

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43 articles by Liz Cosline · showing 43

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By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

Manage or Lead?

In my experience in the supervisory and management world I have found that getting the job done in a consistent day to day way, comes down to the view of the managing person no matter what the actual title the person holds. I have separated these views by using the words manage and lead. There is always talk about how to motivate employees to get the job done in a consistent manner. Often I have seen that people in management take care of tasks.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,890 views3/5 (1)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

*** What Are We Going to Decide to Do?

So as everyone else I continue to hear that things are going bad in the economy. More and more it’s being reported that programs are suffering and budgets are being cut. People are getting stressed, even though they are working, wondering what is around the corner. Who can blame anyone for thinking about this? What happens when there is a lot of negative talk or energy is that the mind picks up on it and mulls it over whether consciously or unconsciously. That’s what brains do.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,190 views4/5 (7)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

*** Individual and Team Awareness

This is the chance like no other for people to give themselves the time and energy that each deserves. There are now life coaches that not only assist people with self but also with business, projects, and home life. Being self aware is the key to having life run smoother. This includes business and anything else a person needs to run or get done. Self-awareness means that a person is in touch with the person inside as well as out. It means that a person knows how he or she will react in a situation, knows how to make a decision, and knows the ways that motivate self.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,565 views3/5 (2)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***“From the Front” – The Heart of Business – Customer Service

This may be the most discussed aspect of business. Why? Because it is extremely important to any company no matter what the industry. Then it would make sense that most of the training given to employees would be about customer service. Yet this is not what I have seen through the years in management.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,594 views

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

*** Employees - The Front Line Deserve Respect

In many companies there are the front line employees doing the work that gets the companies promises completed. The company has said that they will do certain things for the customers and it is these front line employees that fulfill those promises. In most cases the employee comes in to work and engages in the tasks of the day, deals with what comes along, and completes any assignments.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,631 views3.3/5 (4)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Dealing With Work Problems

What is a problem? It is anything that is real or it can be imagined that becomes an obstacle. It is anything that is halting the forward progress to reaching the goals. Take the fear of public speaking and when thought about much of that fear is false. The fear of being judged by the audience when almost always the audience is very supportive. But when a problem occurs, what do you do?

Primary topic: Team Building

1,919 views3/5 (1)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Relating Team Building to Life

Team building is an everyday task. There is practicing, tasks to be completed and checked, time restraints which cause time management, customer service, scheduling, and evaluation to state a few. There is giving the instructions in a way that is understood by the team and by each individual. One of the great attributes of a team is when it becomes consistent in the job that is performed. Something going wrong in a day, even though humans do make mistakes, becomes unusual. Team building is based on being clear and communication well. It about looking out for and assisting each other.

Primary topic: Team Building

2,014 views3.6/5 (7)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Behavior and Discipline

There are two types of discipline happening in business or regarding teams or there should be. The is the job performance discipline which is usually done in a progression to correct a problem. In other words there is some lee-way knowing that people make mistakes. It is a corrective and teaching process. Often the employee will have several chances to correct a problem. This is a good thing and discipline should be used to teach. Behavior is a different story.

Primary topic: Team Building

2,501 views3.5/5 (2)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Empowered - Not really

While many companies claim to empower their employees and even have company policies that say their employees are empowered in decision-making, some may simply give lip service to the concept. Employee empowerment is hardly a new concept. But what is this empowerment thing? Business advisers have long argued that letting employees use their own judgment to resolve customers issues leads to greater customer satisfaction, loyalty and ultimately, stronger revenues. Why because the customer is happy or satisfied and doesn't leave.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,427 views3.3/5 (4)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Human Touch of Business

Motivation of employees has been talked about for many years in the business world along with how to have the most productive teams. There are team building exercises, ways to watch and keep track of employees with paperwork and efficiency standards, performance reviews, along with standards and procedures. This is all acceptable ways of having a business see what going on.

Primary topic: Team Building

3,389 views4/5 (1)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Why Teams Fracture

There are symptoms that teams are beginning to not function well even if they have in the past. These manifest in different ways. The most obvious are that more ansences begin to happen along with people being late. But more will occur that has to do with attitude. Employees will seem to lose energy with everything taking longer or worse a feeling that employees don't care as much. I personally don;t think that employees don't care but instead are upset with a situation.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,709 views3/5 (2)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

Maintenance of a Team

So let's say that everything is being done to build and excellent team, communication is clear, individual skills are recognized and utilized, goals are defined, the jobs are getting done, and most of the time things are running smoothly. Seems like this team doesn't need much attention at all, ...

Primary topic: Team Building

1,133 views

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Team Greatness Indicators

Every business, every company, and sport team wants to have the team that excels in is consistent. In business the employees are the ones and especially the frontline employees, where they are in contact with the customers daily. It is here that the customers will see attitudes, moods, plus whether an employee looks happy at the job or not. This is part of what gives the customer the impression of the company. How does a frontline manager or any manager know that the employees are in a good state of mind and a productive state of mind?

Primary topic: Team Building

1,995 views4.7/5 (3)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Ongoing Maintenance of a Team

Sometimes a team has to be trained or at least some members have to be trained. Then there are times when discipline of a team is necessary. New projects may have to be implemented or a change in a procedure may occur. There may be some problems that have to be solved. When this occurs things need to be resolved in a productive way and as soon as possible. But what about the times that everything is running very smoothly with a team that just gets things done and seems to need very little attention. The tendency is to let the team simply function and feel good about how they are doing.

Primary topic: Team Building

2,427 views3.3/5 (3)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

*** Team Building- Are there More C's?

Yes there are. I have put C's to team building simply as a way to remind me of all the aspects that go into team building. There are many different areas that need attention from time to time if not daily. But that does not mean it takes an incredible amount of time. It is more about checking on tasks and giving bits of attention to the team. They need to know the leader is involved. So more C's? Commitment - There needs to be a commitment to the goals of the team. This comes down to wanting the team to succeed. However this should be defined so each member knows what that means.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,383 views3.5/5 (2)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Things That Hold You Back

Waiting Meet people all along the way. Make contacts and keep in touch. Don't wait till you need to network. You never know will be a great contact some day. What are you looking for? Define your goals. You have to know what you are working towards. Write them down. Be specific. Are they doable? Dressing Down Though it’s great to look sharp there is a balance here. At networking events if you look too dressed up people may not approach you. Forgetting Business Cards This just makes it easier and looks good.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,597 views4/5 (4)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

Keeping Engaged Employees

There has been a lot of talk about employee interaction or employee engagement. Human resources is talking about it because this is so costly not to have engagement. The McKinsey report, Forbes, Harvard Business all know that this costs billions of dollars a year to have employees disengaged. The numbers are staggering when seeing that the Gallup poll estimates it to be about 65% of employees disengaged in the United States alone, let alone the world.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,894 views

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

Can't Get There From Here

“Can’t get there from here” is a New England statement that has to be said with a very thick New England accent. It’s used because, especially way up north, all roads do not connect. And wouldn’t you know it. This idea applies to business too. “Here” is a work environment where employees are disengaged, i.e. distrusting, minimal performing, low energy, etc. “There” is a work environment where employees are energized, contributing, productive. The “road” that leads to the first cannot get you to the second. It takes a different route.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,825 views

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Bottom line - What Do You Want?

This is the question that really cannot be answered lightly or with answers that are temporary. This answer is going to involve taking at very good look inside yourself and figuring out plus take a hold of the things that make you up as a person. The best way to say this is for you to figure out and come to terms with who you are and embrace that. It is also being aware of who you are becoming. Knowing this first is the way to figure out what you want. Many times throughout life we all want different things that we believe will make us happy.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,317 views4/5 (7)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

*** Discipline for Children

Often when discipline is mentioned it seems that the first thing that is thought of is punishment. A child does something that an adult feels is wrong and this needs to be punished so that the child has something bad to relate to whatever the child did. In this way it is believed that the child will not do the wrong again. This is assuming the child understood that this punishment is because of the wrongdoing. If I remember correctly though, the word discipline comes from the word disciple which means teaching.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,481 views2.5/5 (2)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Team Building- What Does the Leader Look Like?

Teams usually not only have a coach or leader they often have a captain or lead person. These people are important to the team. They are not only important for the guiding, teaching, and communication given but also for the way they present themselves to the team. Team members get cues from leadership and this is done in many ways but also body language is key. Leaders need to be aware of the following: - If the leader is in a good mood and positive this comes across in different ways. There are smiles, and terrific tone in the voice with just simple conversation.

Primary topic: Team Building

2,783 views3.9/5 (9)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

What is Success to You?

Success is talked about throughout society and people seem to be working towards being successful with almost every job that is done. It is interesting that people even decide at an early age at times, which profession will be looked at as a successful one. A prestigious job so to speak is one ...

Primary topic: Team Building

1,801 views

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Fight For What?

Everyone wants to get ahead, make progress, do better, learn more, work their way up, get recognized, receive praise, and be of value. It is no different for the front line employees and managers. They wish to take care of themselves and their families, have a comfortable life, have some fun, do a good job, feel secure, and feel it is worth it. People strive to do a good job in most cases because being proud is a good feeling.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,858 views5/5 (2)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Secret of Success

People have tried to be successful in so many definitions that to nail down that definition is something that has been hard to do. Normally when meeting someone the question of what do you do expects a job related answer. Immediately there is a judgement as to whether that is good or not. Depending on the job that is stated there seems to be a decision of whether that gets admiration or not. Nothing else is taken into consideration except the job title.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,290 views3.8/5 (6)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

Conduct of a Leader Tells the Story

There are certainly attributes that a leader must exercise such as listening skills, communication skills, empathy, and caring about the team to name a few. Most of the time when techniques are discussed on how to be a leader it is not discussed how to act. In others words the conduct of a ...

Primary topic: Team Building

1,096 views

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Business Culture Change

First let's have the same definition of business culture. Business culture is the way your organization operates, it's customs, attitudes, protocol, procedures, and etiquette etc. On the web (google) culture is defined as: Etiquette (pronounced [,eti'ket]) is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. The French word, signifying ticket (of admission, etc.) first appeared in English in 1750.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,737 views

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

*** 5 Tips for Building teams

There are many aspects to team building. The more that is applied the better the team will be. Here are five different aspects of team building that allow the team to keep going to the next level. 1. Competence - when a leader puts a team together he or she tries to pick the best people for the job. However the members of the team need to see that this is true and have confidence in each team member. Does everyone feel that everyone else has the knowledge and the skill to complete the tasks of the team or will be instructed or taught what they will need to know and when?

Primary topic: Team Building

1,768 views4/5 (16)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***We Got It Wrong

Here in the U.S. and I suppose other places, people seem to be cynical at times. It seems that faith or trust in feelings is taken away or shied away from at an early age. We seem to be taught to disregard anything we cannot see or touch. You know, seeing is believing. This leaves people to dismiss the unseen and unexplained. Nor do we value the notion that we have energies inside that can actually help us create a better life for ourselves, along with emotions that come into play often when we need them most.

Primary topic: Team Building

2,245 views3.1/5 (7)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Happens All the Time - If Allowed

There is nothing wrong with doing what works for you. In fact that probably a good idea. What is not so beneficial is closing off to new ideas. Personal growth is something that should be strived for daily. It allows listneing to fresh and new concepts, and get the mind into discovery modes. The brain loves that. It's the reason we send children to school to grow as well as learn. Many business people make it a habit to learn new things, go to seminars, and yes be coached. Just like an athlete improvement not not happen by sitting idle.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,706 views3/5 (5)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***What Is Success Really?

Success is talked about throughout society and people seem to be working towards being successful with almost every job that is done. It is interesting that people even decide at an early age at times which profession will be looked at as a successful one. A prestigious job so to speak is one that seems to say successful by just the title. People study and train for the job they believe will make money and also fulfill the definition of success. But this doesn't always make a person successful. There are examples where poor jobs were done by people with impressive titles.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,885 views3/5 (1)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

*** What Stops You?

It doesn't matter if we're talking about business, team building, jumping off a diving board, dieting, playing a sport, in a relationship with others, or a million other endeavors. It isn't about the task or endeavor as long as it isn't harmful to you or someone else. Instead it is about what is inside of you. On each new adventure, and yes each one, the question has to be asked. This question of what stops you? Right out in front so the brain now is put in a solving mode. Only in this way will the obstacles become clear at which point it now becomes finding the way around them.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,315 views3.8/5 (4)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Reasons Teams Fail

Teams often fail because: Teams will look for recognition as a team and also individual recognition. This is a fantastic motivator because people want to know that what they do matters. Often it seems that only recognition from their manager is what counts but that is not true. Praise from their peers is often very rewarding. Teach the team it’s OK and great to recognize each other. Each team member needs to know the role they are expected to do. Don’t assume that each member understands fully but have the members explain their roles.

Primary topic: Team Building

3,281 views4/5 (7)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***How Do You Know It’s Working?

Managers, team builders, leaders, directors or anyone that leads a team works hard to get it on track, keep it on track, and be as productive as possible. But what are the steps that it takes to know that all that hard work is actually working. Take the time to do the following steps making them a habit in your management style. 1. Pay Attention/Notice: Awareness is the first step of anything. 2. Ask Questions – Ask your boss, your peers, people in your facility, and employees: • How things are working? • Is anything in the way of getting the work accomplished?

Primary topic: Team Building

2,960 views4.5/5 (2)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Things That Cause Failure

No Trust Between Team Members When team members don't trust each other or are suspicious of each other, the end result is a team that is not working together. This usually means they are stand offish and not helping each other. It also can be noticed that they do not support each other. Unproductive Meetings

Primary topic: Team Building

2,979 views4.3/5 (7)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Ways to Get to Know Employees

One of the greatest tools a manager has is knowing about the employees that make up the team. This is not meant to seem like a manager should be friends with the employees and buddy around because really a manager should never do that. But it does mean that a manager needs to know what works for each employee.r

Primary topic: Team Building

2,942 views3.8/5 (4)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***To The End

So through the centuries we have wondered what this is all about, why we are here, what is the purpose for the existence of the human race. There have been books, paintings, philosophical discussions, poetry, and pondering through the ages. There have been mistakes and fighting by countries trying to have it be the way seen by only that leader, and there have been many that have died along the way. Still the question persists trying to find the reason why humans inhabit this planet along with having some kind of influence on something. Why?

Primary topic: Team Building

1,772 views3.6/5 (5)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Change is a Friend

Change seems to make many people nervous. I suppose it is the unknown and there is comfort in things being the same. When they are the same everyone knows how to act and what to say or at least that is the perception. Funny thing though, things are changing constantly. This is good because it shows that any situation can be changed. Any time that something is not liked or does not feel right the decision can be made to change it all. On any given day we can that adjustments need to be made. We can learn new things or go a different direction.

Primary topic: Team Building

3,039 views3.8/5 (16)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***When Conflict Happens in Teams

In any group or team sooner or later there will be a conflict that arises. This is not a bad thing at all. People disagree and if presented and handled properly it can be very productive. Great ideas or learning from different perspectives can happen from disagreements. However at times it does cause a little conflict. There are ways to deal with this: 1. Let people verbalize their feelings and have that be known that is fine. Have them address the situation that is causing the emotion.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,584 views3.2/5 (5)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Attendance Discipline

This is probably the most cut and dry aspect of a business. An employee is present or not. Employees are very important and need to be at work. But how is this done fairly when there are full time employees, part time employees, and some places have per diem (as needed) employees. What should the expectations be? The following is an example that can be used or decide what number your company fills comfortable with. For full time employees it is fair to expect that no more than eight days a year will someone miss work. There needs to be no explanation for absences.

Primary topic: Team Building

2,526 views4/5 (2)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Thinking Like a Team Player

1. First have the Coaching clarified - This involves skill and knowledge. It recognizes when a team member is having trouble with a skill and implements things to correct this. However this can be done by the leader or by other team members. The coach recognizes this and starts the correction but often it is useful to have other members of the team go over things because it takes pressure off the correction. It can help take the nervousness out of the situation. At times there is counseling. This cannot be done by another team member.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,452 views3/5 (3)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***A Thank You For a Team Isn’t Enough

One of the most important things a manager can do for the employees is to say thank you. It shows the employees that the manager has noticed that the job is completed or that there is confidence that the job will be completed. It also indicates appreciation for the employee. This is a simple ...

Primary topic: Team Building

2,527 views

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

*** When The Days Begin to Look the Same at Work

Everyone likes to get to the point where going to and being at work is comfortable. People like it when they know what to expect and they know the people they are going to encounter with pretty much the same things happening. It feel grounded and fairly calm or at least secure. Everyone knows their jobs and the day goes along pretty much the way it has gone along before. There are smiles and chatting with not much different than many of the days before. A nice uneventful routine that starts to repeat itself. Running well, right?

Primary topic: Team Building

1,039 views2.7/5 (3)

By Liz CoslineRecently published1 topic

***Employees Think About Companies

First we will get the pay out of the way. Though employees should be paid market value this is simply fair. Pay is not a long term motivator but it certainly can be demotivating. The pay scale should be understood by employees along with market values with the ability to ask for a raise should a job change allowable. It should be noted that employees are conce ed with pay compression as part of this. Though it is normally not allowed to discuss pay in the work place, it does occur. the company needs to be aware of long tern and new hires getting close in pay.

Primary topic: Team Building

1,714 views3.3/5 (3)

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