We are committed to continuous improvement. Each of our values needs to make us somehow distinctive, and it needs to include behaviors that we use internally, as well as with clients and partners. This value is so important to us, but it’s easy to neglect. Sometimes we get busy, and when my calendar is full, … Read more
We execute work of the highest quality. Each of our values needs to make us somehow distinctive, and it needs to have behaviors that we use internally, as well as with clients and partners. This is a tough one to put out there. I have procrastinated for months on writing this, because here’s what I … Read more
We exceed service expectations. Each of our values needs to make us somehow distinctive, and it needs to have behaviors that we use internally, as well as with clients and partners. I had an internal debate on this one. It seems that quality customer service is a basic expectation. Making it a core value was … Read more
We obsessively over-communicate. Each of our values needs to make us distinctive, and it needs to have behaviors that we use internally, as well as with clients and partners. Let’s talk about one-word emails. A one-word email to avoid: “Thanks.” In a world of too many emails, this one-word response simply adds to the pile … Read more
We are accountable, responsive, and timely. Each of our values needs to make us somehow distinctive, and it needs to have behaviors that we use internally, as well as with clients and partners. One of my favorite questions to ask workplace teams is, “Around here, what is the expectation for email and voice mail response time?” … Read more
This week we begin a new, seven-part series on core values. In previous blog posts, I’ve written about the importance of core values to guide work internally and externally, but over the past nine years, I’ve held back on sharing the values of Group Dynamic. Now I’m setting them free. This week is an introduction, … Read more
“Yeah, I ran over my time limit for the meeting, but if Susan had been on time, we could have started the meeting on time.” “Oh, sorry about that. Rickie forgot to include her report. She had information I needed, so mine didn’t get done.” “If you weren’t so uptight, we could have more fun … Read more
Bart’s team is stuck in a conflict cycle. It’s been weeks now, and a resolution hasn’t been reached. In fact, sides have been taken and the team is split in three different ways. Janice, Becky, and Rodney think that customer support needs to be completely overhauled—new scripts, new training, new management, a whole new direction. … Read more
What happens when you feel a conflict brewing? Does your heart speed up? Does your brow begin to sweat? Do your hands get clammy? Do you swallow more? These are all physical signs of stress, and they’re connected to your emotional state. When in stress, adrenaline and cortisol increase, triggering the physical responses above. Your brain … Read more
We all know that honesty, transparency, and openness builds trust which thereby builds relationships. And in conflict situations, this is still true. For some, being open and honest about their ideas, thoughts, and opinions comes naturally. For others, it’s like trying to uproot a 100-year-old cedar tree. Openness and honesty makes you vulnerable. It’s in … Read more