Entrepreneurs' Notebook Secrets

What causes tunnel vision?

Thu, 5 Oct 2023 14:36:00 -0700

Credit: Adobe Stock

As an instructor of all ages of children and adults, I have often wondered what causes people to continue in a belief even when evidence appears to refute their point of view.

Here is my opinion of what happens from my observations:

· No one likes to be corrected or made to be wrong. It puts one on the defensive, creates discomfort, especially if the correction is done in a group.

· Holding to an idea is like a security blanket. In order to shift an opinion, one has to feel safe. The internal dialogue may go like this, “If I was wrong about that, what else could I be wrong about?” It creates insecurity.

· A change could create internal conflict, and the person thinks, “I avoid conflict at all costs!” Typically risk averse, non-confrontational behavioral styles can feel like this.

· People can feel manipulated if they changes their mind.

· People who want to control everything may have difficulty with an open mind. The world may begin to close in and create anxiety.

· Wishful thinking enters the idea. Much like children who discover who Santa Claus really is, the wishful thinking aspect can continue the illusion.

· One’s identity is tied into the belief. An example is a retired man who doesn't adapt well to the new retirement routine because they still see themselves in a work mode.

What's an antidote?

What is essential to learning something new or different is to make mistakes. However, our American culture doesn’t allow much room for that—we’re off seeking the “right” answer.

Rather than combat these styles of thinking, it may be helpful to shift our perception and acknowledge that no one needs to be right; we may just need to be different. This line of thinking only works when danger or threats are removed from the situation. Unfortunately, an immediate turn to violence is all some people have been raised to know. Here is where teaching critical thinking in school is important. Also, real debate is essential to understand evidence and facts.

Encourage students to participate in debates based on documentable research from multiple sources. Encourage discussions at the dinner table or among friends. Be sure to lay out ground rules before you begin; for example, no name calling or swearing.

Find out how they reached their conclusion. You will learn a lot about the speaker in this process, and that will improve overall communications.

Delivery of the information is also important. We must remove judgment from the topic and come to a logical conclusion based on the research posed. This is difficult and is a learned behavior. Be patient. Good luck, and let’s all communicate to better understand each other. MC

A take on the correlation between coaching and high performance . . .

Wed, 1 Jun 2022 19:28:00 -0700

A take on the correlation between coaching and high performance . . .

This is a question often asked by people who do not have a coaching experience. As we learn easily from examples, my analogy for the relationship between coaching is with sports figures, Olympians, and fitness gurus. Sure, they can train by themselves. The coach is an assurance policy they will produce the best outcome from an objective perspective. Performance progress is about improvement and advancement from the last episode. The coach is the witness and expert to call out what needs improvement and what is excellent. For example, the coach may demonstrate technique, yet may not be scoring a 10 on their own style. They are experienced and studied to know without being the best athlete themselves.

The role of the coach:

The coach is a witness and sounding board.
A coach encourages and inspires the pupil to keep moving forward.
A coach questions and promotes thought into action.
A coach challenges the pupil beyond self-limiting beliefs.

Years of research and interaction with clients show me the top five issues a coach responds to regarding a client’s performance at work and on a personal level—

Belief
Environment
Fear factor

a. Imposter syndrome Smartest person in room

i. Prove to oneself they are worthy

b. Procrastination

i. Fear-based behavior
ii. Don’t want to make a bad decision

1. Self-Victimization
2. Steeped in criticism

c. FOMO—Fear of Missing Out

i. Too much emphasis on what others think about oneself.
ii. Fear of left behind, abandonment
4. Tolerances

a. Sap energy
b. Distractions
5. Temperament
a. Persistent
b. Optimistic v pessimistic
c. Self-definitions of achievement and success

These manifest in negative or positive self-talk and body language. They can be culprits for self-sabotage.

The coach holds up a mirror to the client so he/she can see themselves for who they really are in a safe space. No criticism only room for improvement and powerful questions that bring issues to the foreground. Course corrections are made with the full commitment of the client; the client knows that coach has his/her best interest always. The trust must be established. The relationship is sacred and promotes growth, understanding, and fulfillment on one’s own terms.

You put your life in his hands. The ultimate trust bond.

How does your work environment, even as a solopreneur, create a high-performance impetus for you to thrive?*

*When you send me an email with a response, you will receive a complimentary 30-minute coaching session for any issue you desire. Eager to serve you to be your best self. Mc

Why is this topic so critical?

This is how we begin to build an award-winning culture in the workplace and at home. That will be our next entry.

Why Is Service Still A Business Issue?

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 14:04:00 -0700

Zoom in on a loving couple sitting silently at the dining table. Each deliberately cutting their meal and chewing slowly. They've been together for years, yet the spark has left the "building!" But, they have their reasons to stay together.

So, What's the point? Love is not enough.

Humans form bonds and need relationships to thrive.

It's a defense mechanism from our early evolution to band together for protection and expediency to share resources.

Recognize this built-in, invisible anchor to start a relationship, no matter how fleeting, and you will be a STAR! People respond to this attention, a.k.a. service! This is the start of repeat business and loyalty!

Service is a human relationship.

To care is a crucial ingredient. Unfortunately, stress and bottom-line thinking dominate many minds. People work at jobs that can be unfulfilling or tedious at best. Unappreciative managers or lackluster leaders don't review employees on how well their values align with the company-given the company has stated values.

10 ways we can imbue our society with platinum service:

Care about our actions as we move through the work day. Empathy is expectation #1.

It's not enough to say, "We value your time . . . " then leave them in a waiting room for three hours!

Use kindness to buoy up someone who may need a boost. This is always remembered.
Address issues with the idea of resolving them, not sending away the customer!
Post value statements in the workplace when possible.

Assert value statements as part of initial training and reinforce them frequently.
Let team members know this is part of their job.

Give team members authority to handle situations. Perhaps, you let them resolve issues under a dollar amount or time frame. This requires trust and respect toward your team. For example, Nordstrom's retailer gives associates a dollar amount to be able to refund customers, no questions asked.
Consider the phone message customers are exposed to. Use that moment to share some date or company special that's important, not that you're helping other people.
Treat people with respect (even if they're a jerk!).

Address customers by name.
Ask for their name first before the insurance card! Medical offices are terrible at this especially when people are vulnerable going to a health provider.

Answer a telephone when you are ready to address the customer's call.
Text messages and anonymity have provided a distance that can feel like one is invisible, so it doesn't matter what happens. FALSE!

A robotic response still produces an effect and lingers that could cost your company money.
Know the person can feel your attitude through the phone. The connection is about feelings!
Try it yourself. Smile while talking with someone and see if the tone of the call changes.

Get rid of a get-what-you-pay-for mentality! Consider every word and action you express is a $50 bill! Let the customer feel special to you.
Provide positive feedback when you do receive platinum service. Write a note or speak to a manager.
Think of service as it relates to the military. We thank people for their service! What does that mean?

Our goal must be to spread the platinum service model. Once experienced, people will get it! It feels good!

If nothing else, please remember and practice this:

—the customer never feels your pain.

The customer doesn't care if your computers don't work or you're on the other line helping others-you're not helping them! They will remember the frustration (how they felt) when they tried to reach you.

Your vocal tone matters. Be concerned, and take their name, the issue, and number (with pencil and paper if needs be!) with a promise to connect with them with a solution. Then, do what you say you will do to establish trust and close the loop.

That response creates satisfaction.

You want their experience to be fantastic. Afterall, that's how we create fans!

Meanwhile . . .

. . . Back to our disconnected couple from the beginning. What else do you think they need to salvage their relationship? Likely, (besides more sex) the qualities you list are what will make you a master service provider!

Feel free to send me your lists. I enjoy your feedback. For every email response, I will personally send you my proprietary What Professionals Do checklist. Thanks. MC

The New Work Space—Move out of the chaos and into THRIVE mode

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 12:20:00 -0800

We can move out of the chaos and into THRIVE mode.

Leave survival behind because the focus is entirely different than the perspective of survival.

The COVID environment encourages us back to the learner’s or beginner’s mindset. We can have a fresh perspective on our business. We can be open to new ideas. How have conditions change? How can we serve our customers and clients differently?

Take stock in your routine processes:

• Training
• Knowledge transfer
• Reward systems
• Leadership development
• Product research and development
• Personal growth
•. Add. your own.

Do this next step, and you will have a valuable compass for the coming year:

Write one way to change what you already do. That’s your new perspective going forward!

Develop a new skill, Pivotal Thinking™ as a process. It is a tool for your new approach.

It’s a method to change the way you think about your work. Its purpose is to create mastery. When we create mastery, we create confidence. When we pursue our lives with confidence, we break through barriers and achieve our highest purposes.

Put aside conventional wisdom for the morning. Open your leadership style to robust and thought-provoking proven methods to advance your people, processes and profitability all founded “on purpose.”

Pivotal Thinking™ rests upon the following foundation:

• Perspective
• Purpose
• Performance
• Communication is an urgent element on your critical path.

Pivotal Thinking™ provides you these opportunities:

• Stimulates strategic thinking to your spheres of influence.
• Creates “why” and “what” people rather than “yes” people.
• Aligns productivity with your leadership style.
• Challenges yourself and others with thought-provoking, innovative ways to “fall forward” while building a viable organization.
• Encourages fact-based thinking throughout the organization. This leads to tighter engagement and therefore results.
• Take away these fresh methods you can apply to your company circumstances instantly.

Send in your list of changes to your processes and earn a complimentary business analysis and coaching call.

Connect at https://www.PositivePotentials.com

THRIVE mode 1/31/22

My Challenge to You . . .

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 15:44:00 -0800

We constantly must "sharpen the saw" as Steven Covey said. That way we are prepared for opportunity when it shows up.

Courtesy of ZORO

Here's a simple and fun challenge for you:

List three words that contribute to your success or you would like to develop.

Your entry will earn a complimentary coaching session when you submit it to coachcubas@gmail.com. (Please put "challenge" in the subject field.)

You will be acknowledged in my upcoming blog post!

You have until March 30 to submit your responses. Best of luck. MC