by cstrauss | Feb 8, 2023 | Uncategorized
With the big game on Sunday, fans and observers are focused on what the Quarterbacks will do, what the Kelce brothers dynamic may be (this to me is so exciting), how the teams will play, and who wins.
With that in mind, how is your team faring this season?
In football, a coach would never ask the Quarterback to play Fullback, or ask the Kicker to play Tight end. But sometimes in our companies, our team members have to step in and play roles that they may not be best suited for.
In business, that’s ok, and often necessary as physical injury is not generally a risk in business. Also, which is currently the case with many businesses, our team may not be fully staffed. That said, are you asking your team members to spend a majority of their time in positions that are best suited to their skills and natural abilities? And can you know when you are asking your team members to play outside of the zone of genius?
If you have not yet experienced the Working Genius assessment (from Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group), it is the simplest, cleanest and most applicable tool I’ve found to let you and your team members know which positions are most suited to their natural gifts and abilities, and where they can best help your team to win as you move through 2023.
I hope you enjoy the game this Sunday, (if football is your interest), and I invite you to watch the game through the lens of, what is our business goal? What does it look like for us as a company to win? Is my team set up to be optimized? And does every player on our team know what their role is in our success?
Also, I’d love to hear what snacks you’ll be having most of this Sunday…. sweet or salty?? Me… sweet all the way! Enjoy your Super weekend!
by cstrauss | Apr 1, 2022 | Current Events, Uncategorized
It’s Q2 2022…April 1! How fast did that happen? As we enter Q2 let’s take a quick look back at Q1. In talking with some clients, I have heard that it may feel like it’s “too late” to get a started on some projects that “should” be almost done by now.
Well it’s never too late. As Spring begins… now is the time to plant the seeds that will bloom into your reality soon. Plants and projects take the time they take. And for some… rushing does nothing to help.
Here are a few “seeds” you can plant now to see your garden grow soon.
1. Revisit, either by yourself or with your team, your intention and plans for 2022.
2. Assess, how are you and your brand are showing up in the world? Is it congruent with what you set out to be for this year?
3. Explore, look at what’s happening in the realm of your business communications, both internal and external, and make some changes. It’s not too late to change direction.
4. Express Gratitude, before any communication, thank people for what they provide, and then set your agenda for the communication.
5. Learn, Spring is a wonderful time to get some training or coaching for something specific that will take you and your business to the next level.
Spring is definitely here and you have a few months to make sure that what you’re planting now will sustain you and grow into the results you are intending for the rest of the year.
by cstrauss | May 2, 2019 | Business, Comedy, How to, Life
Click here for Another Day Above Ground
As a performer since the age of 5, I get so excited when I get to be “on stage”. As a professional speaker on sales, persuasion and execution, I have spent a lot of time staying true to my “business”. But FUN is so important in business that when the opportunity to collaborate with two comic geniuses showed up in my life, I jumped at the chance.
Please join me with my partners, Dale Irvin, https://daleirvin.com and Tim Slagle https://timslagle.com/ as we explore the life, culture and experiences of the Baby Boomer generation on our audio show (podcast).
The link above is to our show website, and the picture here is from this episode featuring my friend Tim Gard https://timgard.com/. Here is the direct link to this episode: https://anotherday19.podbean.com/e/a-funny-kind-of-show/
Please comment and share our podcast with anyone who needs a laugh today. Cheers, Carolyn
by cstrauss | Sep 13, 2017 | Life, Your Biology
Imagine living in a home and in that home is a guest room. This room has a perfect atmosphere. The temperature is perfect. The circulation is ideal and if someone stayed there they would be well fed, well nourished, well-loved and well cared for. Imagine that room is available for forty years. And every month you clean that room and make it as inviting and hospitable as it was at the very beginning.
And what if one day, you become aware that this room is no longer available? Does the room feel badly? Do you feel badly? Do you experience regret, or beat yourself up for never having used the room?
But, what if the room was never truly empty? What if the room held the space for curiosity, adventure, creativity and alternative possibilities to show up?
What if, in place of regrets, you send the room love, and light and gratitude for the sacred space it gave you to have the unique and extraordinary life you created for yourself?
I am grateful for what the room allowed me to birth into my life, although not the traditional experience, but the experience of creating a life lived on my terms by the choice of my soul.
During this September, my birthday month, I send gratitude, love, light and peace to that part of myself that has always been there for me no matter how I chose to use it… or not.
P.S. To all of the women who’s “guest room” has been occupied at some point in your life. I wonder, have you received and do you continue to receive notes of thanks and acknowledgement from your guests?
by cstrauss | Feb 6, 2017 | Business, Current Events, Sales
Superbowl 51 was historic. It was the first Superbowl in history to go into overtime. And it was one of the biggest “come from behind” stories ever. As I watched the second half of the game through the final minutes, I realized that this game contains lessons we can all use. Here they are… enjoy.
1. It’s not over till it’s over. Never count yourself out even if you think you can’t win. Keep trying by doing what you do.
2. Next, do what you do well. You are there because you earned the right to be there.
3. Don’t take for granted how things are at one moment. Keep playing. No matter what happens. You never know how the tide can turn by one comment or anothers misstep.
4. Trust your experience. If you have a team that knows each other well and knows each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Always play to the strengths. If you have a product that has succeeded for other customers in the past, lean on that experience.
5. Win with dignity and lose graciously because there’s always next year…or the next sale.
6. Finally, take a break in the middle for some glitter, fun, and entertainment. Everyone loves to enjoy themselves, and if you can create some joy in their world, they might just want to do business with you… again.
