Teamwork and Psychology: Insights From 30+ Years of Business Coaching

What does it take for 800 people to work together on a project with minimum friction? Back in 1983, that's exactly what my partner Lynda-Ross and I aimed to figure out.

When I fist met Lynda-Ross, she was managing a very large multi-year systems development project for a major corporation, and she was searching for tools to help the people working on the project stay motivated, reduce conflict, and perform to the best of their capabilities.

Motivate

Through my years of college and graduate school, I had been fascinated by theories about psychological styles-such as those posited by Carl Jung-but none of the theories I studied fit my personal experience. Beginning with my doctoral dissertation and continuing through 18 years in private practice, I had worked to create a practical, useable psychological styles theory that integrated internal experience with observable behavior.

Lynda-Ross brought me in as a consultant to the project to help the management staff learn tools and techniques to improve teamwork and optimize the talents of the existing staff. The more we observed and worked with people, the more we discovered.

One of the things we learned was that, not only do people who perceive the world similarly get along better, but they also had many of the same skills and abilities. As we thought about it, it made sense to us that people who perceived things similarly would possess similar skills. It was the next logical step to realize that the skill and ability similarities we observed were based on a similar style of perception, and that each of the six Perceptual Styles had an innate set of natural capacities.

Together we developed processes and training that used the Perceptual Styles Theory to help build teams, diffuse unnecessary conflict, and help people to understand that seeing things differently is not wrong, just different.

More than thirty years later, the same things we observed on that first project have held true, and they remain the basis of our work as coaches. Why? Because what it took for that huge team to succeed is what it takes for any team to succeed. Here are the four main components:

1. It takes people with different Perceptual Styles filling different positions on the team. After all, skills and abilities are directly tied to the ways that we perceive the world as individuals. The person who excels at accounting is generally not the same type of person who thrives in customer service.

2. It takes all of those people learning how to communicate effectively with one another, despite the differences in their Perceptual Styles. Simple adjustments in language and message delivery can eliminate 90 percent of all communication conflicts.

3. It takes all of those people feeling motivated, even though the differences in their Perceptual Styles means that they will be motivated in different ways. A range of incentives are required for optimum momentum on a project.

4. It takes leadership based on the team leader's actual skills and abilities. There are many different ways to lead, but the only right way for any given person is the one that fits their innate Perceptual Style.

At every level of development, psychological styles are a huge factor in the success or failure of a business-because no matter what it is or what it does, people are what make your business tick.

Teamwork and Psychology: Insights From 30+ Years of Business Coaching

Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology - Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. He's a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more of what you love, visit http://www.yourtalentadvantage.com.

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Business Gifts - Hints to Make the Business Successful

Giving business gifts is an excellent way to strengthen existing relationships with loyal associates, as well as attract new prospects. There is something fun about receiving a gift, and that makes people feel appreciated and consequently, makes them feel good about the person whom the gift came from. However, one should be careful on choosing business gifts as inappropriate picks can damage or even destroy relationships as quick as a split of second.

To avoid negative results because of giving business gifts, it is important to think of some unique business gift ideas and suggestion. It is also important to keep in mind company policies about giving and receiving gifts. Most big companies have policies when it comes to giving and receiving business gifts. There are even companies that restrict their employees from exchanging gifts in the workplace because it might cause disruption or disharmony among employees. Common policies on receiving business gifts include limitation on value of a present an employee can accept or give to a client. This is to avoid confusions on the part of who gets the present. It is always a big NO to give extravagant gifts because it might give a thought that one is bribing someone or simply there is a hidden motive behind the practice.

Motive

The most popular reasons why giving business gifts should be considered include to thank someone, congratulate a colleague, encourage or attract prospects, cheer up employees or boost their morale, and help or motivate them when it comes to leveling up their productivity.

Thank you gifts are very common in the business industry. They are given to people who have done extra to help other people in the workplace.

On the other hand, recognition awards are given to those who have received promotions or raises. The tokens serve as a way to congratulate those promising employees whose achievement deserves to be recognized and honored.

People who struggle from work need encouragement and support from colleagues. To manage them, one can present something that can cheer them up and boost their morale. Business gifts are not only for those who excel, but also for those who strive hard to improve themselves.

Additionally, the key to make gift-giving successful is to find the right items to give. Choose safe items yet unique. There are so many items to choose from, but not all of them were made equal and perfect for business gift-giving. Here are some business presents that are appropriate to give: promotional souvenirs; corporate gifts with an engraved or printed logo; flowers; electronic gadgets; entertainment tickets or coupons; wines; food; office supplies; and travel accessories.

The Internet has been a huge source of business gifts. Almost everything can be done online, including shopping for client gifts, retirement gifts, employee recognition gift and etc. Do not forget that when attracting prospects, make sure to include your company logo to remind your recipients that you really exist. Show your company image by choosing the right business presents, without spending too much nor bribing someone.

Business Gifts - Hints to Make the Business Successful

Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. If you're looking for executive gifts, visit the website Mybusinessgifts.com and browse their extensive collection. Get also employee gifts for your colleagues online!

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Best Quotes For Business - How To Choose Them?

People are influenced by the words of those who have already achieved success. They give hope and things seem more attainable. By hearing motivational quotes from successful people, we are led in the direction of achieving our own dreams. In the same way, quotes can greatly affect a business. When strategically chosen they can improve and gear a company towards being the best. They can really do wonders.

Every company differs in the way it is managed. Whether you are an employer or employee, there are a lot of simple ways how you can integrate quotes in the workplace. The question is, how can you choose the best quotes that are beneficial for your business?

Motivation

Success is what every person aspires for; therefore choose ones that convey it. They can somehow rub off to employees, making them yearn for it, urging them to work harder and be the all that they can be. Later on, success becomes viral, and collectively it will define the company.

Select quotes that foster camaraderie in the office, they will build a more motivated workforce. Nothing beats teamwork in achieving progress, and quotations shared between individuals can be carried away from the framework of a company into their working attitude. Famous business quotes can actually improve the quality of work.

Another is to choose quotes that symbolize the company, those that reflect what the company stands for. Those can help employees perceive the mission and vision of a company. Bombarded with daily tasks, they will positively affect the outlook of employees towards their work. They can improve employees' perspective on company goals and philosophy, and remind them why their part is important. They will also remind employees how to work and what they're working for.

Also, choose quotes that will promote the business and will create interest in the company. They can be used in a variety of ways to help make a company one of the most desired with regards to employment. The right quote can help job hunters identify with a particular company on a personal level and increase their interest to work for it. It can also show how a company operates and the values it promotes. Through this, anyone interested will easily get a picture of what the company represents and will know if this is the employer they actually want to work for. When it comes to the products or services, they can be used in different ways that will make customers more interested. They convey emotion and you can set an atmosphere where your customers will be more in the mood to buy products or get the services that you offer. Using quotes is a good way to communicate with your customers.

Lastly, select quotes that will encourage people to invest in your company. Companies struggle to get the investment money they need to keep their company running. Efficient marketing skills can help you send your message across to potential investors and make your venture more desirable to them. Aside from presenting expenses, possible profits, a marketing plan and other facts to help investors understand your company, business quotes can be used to show them your passion and what the company is really all about. They can help persuade investors to give the company a chance and convince people to become involved.

Choosing the best quotes could make a big difference for a business. Select the ones that suit your company the most. In choosing, bear in mind the concept of success, teamwork and passion, then you will never go wrong.

Best Quotes For Business - How To Choose Them?

Choosing the best quotes for business and applying them correctly could make a big difference for a company. The best quotes can help your team be more productive and successful.

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