Words, Words, Words

Here’s a quick hit for Friday thinking.

If people make these statements, it’s probably not good for your team or your business.

“It’s just one client.” – I just heard this the other day and it made me cringe. It’s most assuredly not one client. That client knows a ton more. And if this person is willing to write one client off now, it’s guaranteed they’ll do it to another, and another.

“No” (All the time) – I’m sure you know these folks. The ones that are resistant to change. The “We’ve always done it this way,” people. A healthy dose of pragmatism is warranted. A constant source of negativity is not.

“Yes” (All the time) – Your title probably dictates how many of the people are in your life. While we all like to hear it, it’s not a sign of a healthy dialogue. No one is right all the time and if someone is telling you that you are – you better check your wallet – they want something from you.

What are some words or phrases that you think lead to issues?

Words I love to hear:

“Thank You” – At times we all get swept up in our head-down daily grind. It’s important to remember to thank the people beside you that are working just as hard and maybe getting paid half as much. A good thank you is always a good idea!

“Figure it out” – This could be a double-edged sword, but in the right environment, you are fostering your team to think creatively and be proactive. Those two traits are highly desirable in anybody!

I bet there are a ton of key words that tip you off to someone’s true intentions. What are some phrases you hear that are inspirational to you and your team?

Manufacturing Inspiration

Slightly NSFW –

I love this episode from “The D” . In their own way, they talk about trying to force inspiration when a deadline is approaching. As Jack says, sometimes the best thing to do is to get out of your traditional thought process. Don’t keep trying to do what your competition is doing (only slightly better). Do something completely out of the ordinary – make them copy you! You  might want to keep at least a towel on while your brainstorming though!