outcomes Archives - Dennis E. Gilbert

10
Sep 21
-

Start a Different Habit to Change Your Outcome

Tags : change discipline goals habit outcomes

Maybe you simply need a different habit? Is that the pathway for change?

If you are hungry and grab a candy bar what is the lasting effect? What if when you want that candy bar you grab a piece of fruit or some carrots instead?

No rocket science here, right? In fact, it all sounds kind of boring.

Imagine though, what if you started to change some of your basic ways of doing things?

What if you took a walk instead of responding to something nasty on social media?

What if you called a friend to ask them about their day instead of complaining about your own?

Imagine if you could find a way to trade anger for delight.

Replace one thing, with something different. Conceptually it isn’t really that hard.

Why aren’t you doing it?

Different Habit

In general, most people tend to follow the path of least resistance. When they tire, and want to slow down, they want it easy, not hard.

It’s easier to flop down on the couch instead of taking out the garbage.

Why walk six blocks when you can drive a car there instead?

Don’t park at the empty spots way furthest away from the store, fight for a spot as close as possible.

Easier, requiring less energy and less effort.

Even in social skills. It is easier to not listen than it is to concentrate on what someone is saying.

Having the discipline to make a difference starts with personal choice.

It is how different outcomes magically appear.

-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.

24
Aug 21
-

Positive Language is a Different Story

Tags : language motivation outcomes positive self-talk

Are you choosing positive language? If so, has it made a difference? Have you had to change your language to change your outcomes? Did that work?

When you don’t know what else to say, what do you bring up?

Of course, the answer is easy. You bring up the weather.

I’m sick of this rain.

It’s too hot, too humid, and I can’t stand it.

It’s so cold, I can’t wait until spring.

These might all be stories. Perhaps they aren’t made up and perhaps they are only moderately dramatized.

Either way, it is something that you’re telling yourself and probably others.

The language affects mindset and mindset affects what happens next.

Talk at Work

What happens at work?

There is pressure to perform. Pressure from the boss, your colleagues, and perhaps the customer.

Often the concept is, do more, be more efficient, and never ever sacrifice quality.

There are two choices.

The first is, you can tell yourself a story that will signal some relief.

I need to finish this project and get it out of the way.

If I give this to the boss at the end of day, I won’t have to make more changes until tomorrow.

If the customer doesn’t use this feature, they won’t notice.

The other choice is to hunker down. Be resilient, committed, and give yourself feedback (self-talk) that applies more commitment to the future outcomes.

I’m not rushing through this project, it’s too important.

My best work happens when I look at my work with fresh eyes, I’m going to re-read this in the morning before giving it to the boss.

Getting this last feature just right makes it more valuable even though not every customer requires it.

The difference is in the story you tell yourself.

Is your language positive?

Positive Language

What you look for is what you get. The story that you are telling yourself right now is that story that you’ll seek to see unfold.

When there is pressure to perform you can find your way through or grind your way through. Either might work to energize you.

One way may relieve stress, the other may create it. One way or the other, you’ll find the way to get to the next step.

Anger or embarrassment springs one person into action. For others it is an energy zapping confidence reducer.

You see the story in the way you choose to believe, or for the outcome that you want to create.

Using language that connects you with the desired (positive) outcome is good, but it always depends on how the story is told.

Even when you’re telling it to yourself.

-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.

08
Jul 21
-

Decisions Are Stackable, Like It or Not

Tags : choices decisions outcomes stackable strategy

Are you making good decisions? Is every decision, every choice, a good one?

People often blame outcomes on a decision. A choice to move forward, step back, or perhaps go side to side.

Most fortunate, or unfortunate circumstances are not the result of only one good or one bad decision.

That’s because decisions are stackable.

You may be familiar with a decision tree. Perhaps a flow chart, or a graphic that helps illustrate the steps between the first and the last. Steps are stackable.

When you make a decision to enter the ice cream shop, your next decision is likely going to involve calories and sugar.

Sign up for a gym membership, and you’re probably in for buying some related footwear and clothing, then supplements.

Buy a camera and you’re going to need lenses, filters, and software to improve your images.

All of these choices and decisions are stackable.

Stackable Decisions

In the workplace or for your business, department, or team, decisions are also stackable.

It may come in the form of a good hire, or a bad one. It may be about the choice of a logo, a physical location, or the market segment you’ll focus on.

With a different twist, it could also be because you haven’t selected a logo, decided on a location, or because you’ve positioned your market approach too wide.

In some cases, you may be able to identify a single decisions that started a chain reaction. In others, it may be difficult to identify just one single choice as the culprit.

Lucky decisions or unlucky decisions are also often evaluated. The truth is, what happens next will have the most impact. Good or bad. The reason is, decisions are stackable.

You may be quick to blame a decision, yet often it is the continuous actions, behaviors, and choices that result in what you might call, the final outcome.

-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.

14
Jun 21
-

The Hard Part, How Does It Impact Your Project?

Tags : focus hard part outcomes project

Have you been thinking about the hard part? Do you tackle the hard part first or do you get the easy stuff out of the way?

A better question to ask might be, “What is it about the hard part that makes it so difficult?”

Results are results. The outcome that you seek, or that the project commands is typically predetermined. Contrary to some scattered opinions, most projects have an end in mind.

Is the challenge about the time commitment or is it a skills gap? Does it require extra resources or financial support or is it just viewed as not so easy?

Have you considered what changes would make it better?

Hard Part

Sometimes the hard part feels like the scary part. It is the part that you have been procrastinating about. It might be avoided, put off, or granted the wish of disappearance.

Disappearance seldom occurs.

Perhaps breaking it down, creating smaller pieces would provide more focus and keep things moving. Would that make it better, easier?

One of the hardest things about the hard part is maintaining your commitment.

Doing the work is part of it, yet, having the skills and resources may also be a sticking point.

Making your work better will always have an impact on the project outcomes. When the toughest parts get easier the return on investment improves.

It seems that the magic of the project is always assessed by the difficulty encountered.

Making the toughest stuff easier is likely the pathway you seek.

Avoidance and delays always require more resources.

Don’t add to the difficulty.

-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
Apr 21
-

Head or Heart, Which One For Business Decisions

Tags : critical thinking decision making head or heart outcomes

Head or heart has been something of consideration for centuries, what should you follow? Critical thinking and decision making is often not to be taken lightly. Does the path you choose depend on the circumstances?

No two circumstances or situations are exactly alike. The intricacies of scenarios can leave plenty of room for doubt.

The character of Dicky Fox had something to say about head and heart in the movie Jerry Maguire (1996).

The subject of feelings sometimes makes business people a little squirmy. It is often closely followed by a reference to holding hands and singing Kumbaya.

There is a certain importance to feelings. Relationships and trust are deeply rooted in feelings and effective leadership requires trusted relationships.

Many business situations contain emotions. The last I checked; passion is closely connected to your emotions. For starters, a passion for the work, the product, and delighting customers comes to mind.

There may be times when decisions may require setting aside some of the emotions. There may be times when what is good for many may mean that it cannot be good for every one.

Sometimes people believe multiple choice is a nice option and suggest bringing your options to the meeting.

Which one will you follow, head or heart?

Head or Heart

What you are passionate about will condition most of your decisions. Emotion’s guide many buying decisions.

Do you buy a nice car or something that gets you from point A to point B? The same may be true for your home, your clothing, or the tools you buy.

Decisions are often made with feelings of comfort, control, or passion. Sometimes they are made for health reasons, such as the food you eat or exercise.

Business decisions require critical thinking. Critical thinking isn’t necessarily about gut feel or having the most experience. Both matter, but it is the critical side that is often the deal breaker.

People often bring the concept of luck into the equation. Good luck or bad, how you manage your luck will have plenty to do with the final outcomes.

Don’t be fooled about head or heart.

The best leaders are including some of both.

-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.

08
Apr 21
-

Tough Assignments Aren’t Always As They Appear

Tags : difficult assignments dirty jobs hard jobs outcomes workflow

Are you working through some tough assignments? Does your boss or your job function ensure that you get critical work with high levels of urgency? What would you describe as this type of work?

Is every day a tough assignment? If so, how or why?

Boredom is a key indicator of performance decline. It is also an indicator of a lapse in safety or a lack of care for the customer. Boredom is one of the leading causes of workplace disengagement.

Tough assignments are typically good motivators. When it is something new, something different, and something that peaks interest.

Even new has challenges. New often means change and in many business sectors the culture has decided that their output has neared perfection. When the ship is going the right direction never deviate the course.

It is often a prescription from Six Sigma training, a rule that should never be broken. The RX says to make adjustments until perfect and then never change.

It doesn’t formally prescribe that, but often, that is what the culture begins to believe is the right move. Never deviate.

Are you clear about what is truly a tough assignment?

Tough Assignments

It may not be the emotional labor. It may not be the change that you disagree with. The toughest assignment may be figuring out what is the work that no one wants to tackle?

If you could make one change, a change that would leapfrog the team to a higher level, increase revenue, and gain more customers what would that be?

What is the work or assignment that will truly make a difference for tomorrow?

The next time you’re about to describe a tough assignment be sure to set aside the daily grind, the emotional labor, or the things you simply dislike. A tough assignment doesn’t get its designation because it bores you.

Tough assignments are the ones that will have the biggest impact.

Which is exactly why you should do more of them.

-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.

01
Apr 21
-

Workplace Scarcity Causes More People To Act

Tags : choices decision making outcomes psychology of work scarcity

“It was important because it seemed like it was our last chance.” Sound familiar? Workplace scarcity often drives people to action. Is that a good thing?

It seems like the U.S. economy is thriving on the concept of scarcity. Everything from home appliances, to building materials, to canning jars. Nearly every day someone has a story to share about something that they wanted to buy only to find little or no supply. I think it all started about a year ago with toilet tissue.

Fear compels people to do irrational things. It encourages quick decisions that are sometimes thoughtless and reckless.

When it comes to sales, the principle of scarcity is not a stranger. Sales teams often thrive on the principle of scarcity.

You can even observe it in television shows such as American Pickers and Pawn Stars. These shows often illustrate that the price increases when there is a belief that the item in question is scarce.

Does it affect behaviors and decisions in your workplace?

Workplace Scarcity

Almost everything is a rush. There is a race against time to produce faster, newer, fresher, and always be the first to ship. It doesn’t matter if it is services or products, it is a race.

The pace of business today often results in a lack of patience for decisions. Patience is not the same as procrastination, and a lack of patience is often created when there is a feeling of scarcity.

We need to hire someone fast.

Stock up, there is going to be a shortage coming soon.

Rumors are that the only supplier on the east coast may go out of business.

Through advertising we often see things implying scarcity.

Hurry, last one.

Limited collector’s edition.

This item won’t last long.

Is scarcity working for you or against you? Are there issues connected to trust when it comes to scarcity?

Have employees been scared into hasty decisions so many times that they are immune to the thought? Does it create a failure to act when action is required?

Acting fast is often important. Acting right now, may imply a different spin.

Scarcity can be both a sword and a shield. It can be the difference between saving a situation or costing you dearly.

Awareness of how scarcity springs people to action is important. It is as important as trust.

Leaders are role models for behaviors. How you communicate, advertise, and make decisions will become part of your culture.

If you’re thriving on selling with scarcity tactics you can expect the same with your team as they make decisions and choices for what happens next.

One thing often follows scarcity.

Buyers remorse.

-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
Mar 21
-

Outcome Commitment, Do You Have It?

Tags : commitment discipline learning metrics outcomes

Each tick of the clock or the change in the small series of figure eight shaped LED bars means time is in motion. Many people see their work as a race against time. Do you have outcome commitment or are you just running through the motions?

At the start of a shift, people are either looking to roll up their sleeves and get dirty, or they’ve thrown the switch, and the count down to the end of the shift has just begun.

Going through the motions is a terrible waste. It means that there really isn’t progress and that the outcome of yesterday is all that remains as a guide for today.

Things are different now. A switch was thrown in early 2020 with the Worldwide pandemic.

The switch meant that moving forward was going to require change. While some progress was hindered and government agencies forced closed doors and shutdowns, others were on the move.

There was change, a shift, and a pivot.

Outside of government forced closures, those with great commitment had to trudge on.

Outcome Commitment

Workforce sectors were forced to learn and grow all the while education is reportedly in shambles. Young people in traditional K-12 education systems are reportedly struggling, while in the adult world those who choose to make learning a priority have grown.

The difference might be a reflection of the commitment.

There is a chance that something better is on the other side. It’s on the other side of disappointment, despair, and devastation. The opportunity is there for those who are committed.

When you know where you are going and you can describe it, there is a much better chance you’ll get there.

-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.

23
Nov 20
-

Workplace Stall Is Often Where It Begins

Tags : delays outcomes roadblocks stall workplace

What does it take to keep moving? Does forward motion carry too much risk or is it really just a workplace stall?

There are always risks associated with action. There are also risks associated with inaction. Which one creates change?

The easy answer is, both.

A better question is, which one costs more?

Delay or Stall?

Waiting on the proper weather pattern before launching the SpaceX rocket isn’t really a stall. It is a necessary action in order to create success.

The same is true for a cake baking in the oven, a watermelon growing in the field, or the traffic light that is glowing red. Likely, none of these represent a stall.

Stalling is more of a form of procrastination.

Maybe it would be better to wait until tomorrow.

Next week I start my diet.

There is still a lot of time to finish the project.

Are you guilty of the workplace stall?

Workplace Stall

Workplace stalling is more than a waste of precious time. It often allows other inferior work to continue to occur in the meantime. In many cases, the opportunity window may close.

Managers often stall when faced with employees needing performance improvement guidance. They stall because of the fear of conflict or because they are unsure of future outcomes.

Advertising teams often stall because they claim that they want to get the creative right. Someone needs to write copy, direct the photo shoot, or double check with the client.

People stall with continuing education, they stall with committing to a new car purchase, or they just can’t seem to find the time to schedule the dentist appointment.

Sometimes the invented roadblocks that create the stall are really about to cause something to begin.

It may be the beginning of the end.

There is a cost of both action and inaction.

Stalling often costs more.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer. 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.

04
Nov 20
-

Focus Matters and Changes the Outcomes

Tags : change long-term outcomes pivot results

What are you focused on today? Do you believe that focus matters? Will it change the outcomes?

When your work is very scattered it is hard to know where things start, stop, and how to measure progress. Time and effort are always wasted in the act of engagement, disengagement, and reengagement.

Focus Matters

When there is a problem or a crisis on the job, it becomes an all hands-on deck situation. Everyone jumps in to fight the metaphorical fire. They’re focused and it makes a difference.

Focus is often connected with a timeline. It is notable in many of life’s events. On graduation day, everyone is focused on the ceremony, the totality of the grind that brought graduates to the moment. It is also true for major surgery, a wedding, and an election.

When all the stakeholders are rounded up and focused, everything else stops until the event is over.

The long-term outcomes may be more significant. What will the graduate do now? Will the heart surgery prolong life and what will that look like? Weddings are in the spirit of a lifetime and election results last for years.

Resulting Outcomes

The focus is often short-lived when compared with the outcomes. The culmination of the process leading up to the event and what follows are the outcomes of a lasting endeavor.

Never taking the moments necessary to focus, without interruption, in order to create what happens next is often the problem of a failed action.

The real-life firefighter doesn’t put down the hose to browse his or her cell phone, have a snack, or chit-chat about neighborhood drama.

Perhaps what everyone needs is a little more focus and a little less procrastination or interruptions.

Focus is efficient and effective. It matters.

-DEG

Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSP^TM), and corporate trainer. 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.

Tag Archives: outcomes

Sep 21

-

Different Habit

Aug 21

-

Talk at Work

Positive Language

Jul 21

-

Stackable Decisions

Jun 21

-

Hard Part

Apr 21

-

Head or Heart

Apr 21

-

Tough Assignments

Apr 21

-

Workplace Scarcity

Mar 21

-

Outcome Commitment

Nov 20

-

Delay or Stall?

Workplace Stall

Nov 20

-

Focus Matters

Resulting Outcomes

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