doubt Archives - Dennis E. Gilbert

08
Jun 21
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Skeptical Believer, Are You One Of Them?

Have you factored workplace trust into the success of your organization? Are you a skeptical believer, or just moving about without giving belief much thought?

In workplace circles many people are convinced in what they believe. The right, the wrong, the labels, and the situations. What they see, what they perceive, is truth.

Often driven by expectations belief can be powerful, it can become extreme, and it also can become problematic.

Who do you choose to believe and why?

Skeptical Believer

People often choose to believe those that they trust. When you ask someone why they trust another person what is his or her response?

Do they trust from past experience with the person? Are they stereotyping, making assumptions, or simply giving the benefit of the doubt?

Is this blind belief? Belief based on science?

Much of the belief is suggested to come from a feeling. A trust your gut kind of experience. This trust is often analyzed in your mind based on past experiences.

A bad boss might create some emotional scars. The result, never trust the boss.

A co-worker who sells you out may create an unwillingness to trust team members.

It is often about an organization that looks like this, looks like that, acts that way, has employees who drive the cars or wear the clothes that you connect with a previous good or bad experience.

Risky Trust

Giving the benefit of the doubt in trust scenarios feels risky.

Not giving the benefit of the doubt may be halting progress.

Don’t blindly disregard your instincts, but when you don’t trust ask yourself why.

The absence of evidence may be the perfect reason to give someone the benefit of the doubt.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

21
Dec 20
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Has Workplace Doubt Stalled Your Progress?

Tags : change confidence doubt progress success

Have you experienced workplace doubt? Of course you have, likely even when you don’t recognize it. Is doubt useful?

Do you feel like you have to be certain before the launch? What are the possibilities of success or failure? Will you receive accolades or ridicule?

In most cases there is always a chance. A chance that things won’t go as expected, a chance things will fall apart, blow up, or otherwise just not work. There is also a chance of success.

What odds do you require before you feel comfortable enough to launch?

Input often suggests that the odds increase. One way or another either the doubt increases or the confidence increases?

Many believe that their comfort and confidence will increase over time. Just slow it down a little, see how things develop.

Just as likely though, for some situations, doubt increases.

Is there ever analysis on the cost of the stall? Usually, not so much.

When you consider that doubt will nearly always be present, what can you do about it?

Workplace Doubt

The problem with workplace doubt is that naysayers often find a way to multiply it. It feels like there is less risk in staying the same. Largely, this is a false perception.

Change is always happening. Some change is slower than other change.

Change is often intended to be about progress. Some people aren’t wishful for progress.

Progress means more change. A change in job duties, skills, and systems.

It is easy to multiply the odds for doubt.

Seldom do people apply the same multiplier to the odds of success.

A stall often leads to a stop.

If you are going to put a stop to something, perhaps it should be doubt!

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

12
Jun 19
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Making Personal Changes for a Better Workplace

Tags : commitment doubt future personal change

Many people want to make personal changes for a better workplace. Are you one of them? We often spend a lot of time trying to figure the how. Yet sometimes, we lose sight of the why.

Have you ever questioned, “Am I in the right spot?” You know, are you in the right relationships, hanging with the right people, or actively employed in the right company?

We may even question if we studied the right stuff in school or if we are living in the right city or state. Has this, ever been you?

Everyone’s circumstance is situational. It is like the FAE, our actions and behaviors may best be judged by considering the situation, not labeling the person.

Personal Changes

Making personal changes can be challenging. We often think a lot about the new place we want to be, yet we often skip the concept of what we will give up.

If you want to give up a bad habit, it can be simple. Quit smoking, or quit eating donuts. You know what we have to give up.

What if you just want a better outlook for your future?

Did I marry the right person?

Did I choose the right career path?

Am I working for the right company?

Sometimes the best thing to give up is your doubt.

Instead of continuously questioning where you are at, instead be convinced that you are in the right place, right now, at this time. Commit to your place, give up the doubt.

It changes everything.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

16
Jan 19
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Removing Marketing Doubt Builds Better Brands

Tags : doubt guarantee marketing

Are you creating marketing doubt? Marketing doubt can make or break your brand. Should you remove some of the doubt?

Recently a colleague and I talked about a place to meet for breakfast. The immediate question was, “Is that place open?”

Marketing Doubt

Perhaps not many people walk into a bank these days, but I sometimes I do. One problem is, I’m almost always wondering about days of the week or early morning, or near the end of the day. Then there are the holidays. Are they open?

I’m a motorcycle enthusiast. Many of these shops or dealerships are small family owned and operated establishments. It is common for them to be closed on a Monday or a Wednesday, but which is it?

Pizza shops, same deal. I can count on most of them being open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, Saturdays too. Sundays, though, seems like a uncertain day of the week.

What about the self-serve soda fountains? Is that all you can drink? Do they have free refills? I’m never sure.

What are the hours? What are the rules about all you can eat?

When we don’t know, we may try to look it up, ask Siri, or Google, or we may just do something different.

Removing Doubt

The convenience store that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is a safe bet. We know they’re open.

A full money back guarantee gives the buyer confidence, even though management knows some people will make any excuse to return a perfectly good product.

When people are in doubt, or when the answer to the question is too complex, they’ll go the easier route. They may step a little out of their way for the guaranteed outcome. The tried and true, no questions needed, without doubt.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

18
Dec 18
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Consider How You Will Make Your Next Decision

Tags : choices decision doubt focus narrative

We decide on things every day. What we’ll wear, eat, or do. How we’ll interact, if we’ll smile, and if we’ll take out the garage. Bigger decisions feel more challenging. How will you make your next decision?

It may come down to your list. The list you have floating around in your mind.

Our complex brain power often has us evaluating circumstances and situations through two possible narratives.

Good Narrative

One narrative is optimistic. It is the consideration of things that could go right. We reflect on possibilities, good fortune, and that it may just be our time.

We have faith and believe. In this case, at this time, luck just may be on our side. We’re due. In fact, we’re overdue.

We decide that we’ll focus on our advantages, who we can tap in our network, and we’ll see the inspirational stories flash through our mind.

By choice, we will anchor to the positive.

However, there is another narrative. It is the other side of the coin.

The Other Narrative

Any obstacles or past roadblocks will be strongly present in our vision. We’ll think more about a friend who failed, had bad luck, and the hardship and agony of things that don’t work out.

We’ll be reminded of the criticism that was on our performance review last year. The door that slammed before we could enter, and the goofy slip of the tongue that we believe cost us forward momentum once before.

By choice we’ll see the list of all the lucky people. Only we aren’t on it. We’ll choose to recite and focus that their luck is at the expense of our own.

We’ll recall the time that someone struck out at us, gave us the shaft, and made us feel like less.

Next Decision

We decide on things every day. The choices you make today will be linked to your narrative.

When you feel the big decision, have some doubt, or your instincts are kicking in. You’ll think about it over and over again.

Be aware of your narrative. Make your next decision, a good one.

-DEG

Originally posted on December 18, 2018, last updated on November 5, 2019.

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

17
Aug 17
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Overnight Success, Yes, and Why Your Work Matters

Tags : doubt luck overnight success persistence

You probably know someone who appears to be an overnight success. You might dream of asking for the order and getting an immediate yes. Do these really happen in an instant? Have you ever wondered if your work matters?

People often feel that they watch someone become an overnight success. Suddenly they are getting a job promotion or starting a company. Someone else made a record and it sold many copies or hit number one. Often these people get the honor of being recognized as an overnight success. Just like that, overnight.

The same might be true for the sales process. Suddenly, the right product, at the right time, and it exactly fits the need. A person makes a call, an on-site visit, or the customer enters the store. An offer is made and the response is an immediate, “Yes!” Just like that, without any hesitation.

Is it that simple? Is it just some luck?

Overnight Success

Sure, luck happens, but it often happens to those who are seeking it or work hard for it. Most overnight successes don’t happen overnight and most immediate sales didn’t just happen in the moment.

That job promotion, a new business venture, a record, an album, a book, a rock star, and a new CEO, they are not overnight. That immediate “Yes, I’ll take that offer,” didn’t just happen in the second which it appeared.

Often things appear to happen in a moment, in an instant, immediate, or right now. The truth is they have been building for a long time.

Luck, opportunity, and overnight success, getting to the yes, it is a process. Persistence, determination, and tenacity, they are often the commonality.

Your Work Matters

What if it wasn’t necessary, what if someone, anyone, was just more giving by removing any doubt. What if the years of experience didn’t matter, practice wasn’t necessary, and the ask never had to happen?

Most people don’t give the benefit of the doubt. Respect is earned, and the overnight success took much more time than you realize.

This is exactly why your work matters, even when no one is noticing.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

20
Apr 17
-

confidence and doubt appreciative strategies

The Delicate Balance of Confidence and Doubt

Tags : certainty confidence doubt obstacles

Open a discussion about confidence and you might find that many people are interested to obtain more. When it comes to doubt those same people might suggest that they need fewer of those thoughts. Is there a healthy balance between confidence and doubt?

Nearly 20 years ago one of my favorite motivational zingers was to say, “No doubt!” Any time during a discussion about accomplishments, goals, or what to do next it was game on for this playful banter. It seemed to add a little spice to what otherwise might have been just another conversation.

In fact, looking back, a number of my colleagues often returned the gesture. In some of our workplace circles it was commonplace. It was a saying to close a conversation or make emphasis on a particular point. I’m not sure who started it, but it became a tiny part of our culture.

Confidence and Doubt

Confidence is important and suggesting that you can accomplish something without any doubt might suggest you have plenty of it. Sometimes though, confidence might be confused with absolute certainty your game plan will work.

We know that confidence develops from self-esteem and self-efficacy built across time. We make the attempt, we have success and then we try something a little riskier or bigger. Sure we might not always hit the mark but with successive attempts we learn that our effort and focus can pay off.

Building confidence is important, it helps us to grow, and when we approach the next obstacle without doubt our drive to succeed might be greater. With a lot of confidence we might become certain.

Being Certain

In life, confidence and doubt play a bit of tug-of-war. When we believe that we’ve removed all doubt, we are certain.

This certainty might suggest a lack of fear. Having no fear or little regard for consequences might create a new problem; wearing blinders to what might become a stark reality.

With blinders on you might be certain you are the only vendor with a winning proposal, the perfect person for the job, or that the need for your skill-set will never diminish.

Blinders and certainty might lead to a big surprise.

No doubt.

– DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.

Dennis Gilbert on Google+

Tag Archives: doubt

Jun 21

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Skeptical Believer

Risky Trust

Dec 20

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Workplace Doubt

Jun 19

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Personal Changes

Jan 19

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Marketing Doubt

Removing Doubt

Dec 18

-

Good Narrative

The Other Narrative

Next Decision

Aug 17

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Overnight Success

Your Work Matters

Apr 17

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Confidence and Doubt

Being Certain

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