Posted in Blog, Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast, Leadership Inspiration, Podcasts

Exploring How To Keep Your Team Engaged as a Manager and Supervisor

Click to listen to Episode 15 – Exploring How To Keep Your Team Engaged as a Manager and Supervisor

Today I will explore how to keep your team focused and engaged as a Manager and Supervisor. 

Employees make decisions and actions daily that can affect workplace morale, customers, the organization, and profits.

How are you and your team engaging in work?

Is there good engagement between you and your employees?

Do you enjoy the workplace atmosphere? Do they?

What is the key to keeping employees focused and engaged in their work?

  • Start with talking to your employees, getting to know them, and showing interest in them. Ask them how they are doing. Let them speak and listen to them. Provide some open dialogue throughout the conversation. Look at them while they are talking. Be present instead of thinking about other things.
  • Spend time learning about your employees. What are their backgrounds, interests, and values?
  • Provide on-the-job training to help them to succeed. Find their learning style, such as visual, hearing, reading a manual or procedures, hands-on learning, etc.
  • Give employees opportunities to grow in personal development. Employees who develop their work skills and a creative mindset will more likely stay and promote within the company.
  • Give employees special projects and assignments outside their regular duties when they have asked for something else. Employees who are satisfied and learning new things are much more engaged and focused at work.
  • Coach employees with encouragement and act on their suggestions if possible.
  • Encourage employees to network within the company.
  • Have employees participate in the hiring process and have the whole team meet potential candidates. Is this candidate someone who will work well with the team? Get their feedback and perspective. They have to work with this person just as much as you do.
  • Provide some recognition to the hard-working employees and the ones who complete their projects within the target timeframes. And show your appreciation for their accomplishments. Say “thank you” and give them praise for their excellent work.
  • Encourage employees to take breaks to help them get refocused and inspired. Stepping away for a few minutes rejuvenates people.
  • Set clear expectations and make sure your employees understand what expectations. Be clear and direct about workplace goals and objectives. Put the expectation in writing and follow up with the employee on their progress. They may struggle and need guidance to find another way to complete the task. Break down tasks into small achievable steps. This way, they will feel safe and start working on things.

Employees stay with leaders who show interest in them. They are more engaged and focused when they feel appreciated, making a difference and giving credit for their contributions. When a manager and supervisor reflect gratitude towards their employees, everyone will want to come to work each day and give their all!

Today’s podcast Affirmation

I am engaged and focused in my work and team!

Did you find this helpful? If so, please share this podcast with others!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

Until next time when we meet again!

#managers #supervisors #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #anchorpodcast #managementpodcast #leadershippodcast #management #employeeengagement #exploringlifeandwork

Posted in Blog, Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast

Exploring How To Say No When Overcommitted From Chaos To Calm

Click to listen to Episode 12 How to Say No When Overcommitted From Chaos To Calm

Hi, Managers and Supervisors. How’s it going?

How do we truly have a balanced life? 

Between running a business or having a demanding career, family time, alone time with spouse, volunteering, hobbies, taking a vacation and all other promised commitments. 

We get pulled in many different directions, sometimes bringing us to our breaking point. Being overwhelmed can create the appearance that someone wants you to do something for them, and you feel obligated to do it, and you are already overbooked and can’t do one more thing.

What are the signs it is time to say no?

  • feel stress, anxiety, and panic.
  • You don’t want to do it.
  • It is not something you enjoy
  • You’re the go-to person.
  • You can’t get what you already promised completed
  • by the deadline dates.
  • You feel if you say no to that person, they won’t like you,
  • or worse, your boss will be disappointed and punish you somehow.

Do any of these statements describe your situation? 

If yes, are you ready to start saying no?

Action Steps:

  • Make a list of all your obligations.
  • Checkmark the ones you enjoy doing.
  • Circle the ones you don’t.
  • The commitments you don’t want, slowly start
  • removing them from your life.

Take one step at a time and say no to things you don’t have time for or don’t want to do. When you start saying no, it will feel uncomfortable at the start; however, you will be set free to enjoy being you.

Today’s Podcast Affirmation:

I say “NO” easily!

Did you find this helpful? If so, please share this podcast with others! 

Until next we meet again!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

#managers #supervisors #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #anchorpodcast #howtosaynowhenovercommitted #leadershippodcast 

Posted in Blog, Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast

Exploring Good Boundaries In The Workplace as a Manager and Supervisor From Chaos to Calm

Click to listen to podcast Episode 10 – Exploring Good Boundaries In The Workplace as a Manager and Supervisor From Chaos to Calm.

Hi, Managers and Supervisors. How’s it going?

In today’s podcast, we explore having good boundaries in the workplace.

Have you ever worked with someone who has no sense of boundaries?

What do I mean? 

Heres’ an example:

Someone who asks you personal things or wants you to do something for them is entirely out of line, sarcastic, embarrassing, and takes advantage? They have no filter or common sense that it is not appropriate.

It could be your boss, a co-worker, or an employee. 

How do you handle these situations without feeling rude, resentful, or used?

Here’s an example of setting boundaries with a person with no filter or asking things that are none of their business

I’ve worked with people who would say what they were thinking without stopping and pausing before speaking. There was no holding back if the words were unkind, insensitive, rude, pushy, harsh, gossip, or nosy. 

I remember working with a person that loved to gossip about everyone at work. She would come into my office and start talking about others or trying to get information out of me. I would say I am swamped right now or change the subject or stand up and tell her I have to go. Finally, she stopped coming into my office to gossip.

What if someone is harsh, unkind, rude, and pushy to you? Ask them – how you are doing or what’s going on. You would be surprised how that can change the conversation from hostile to civil. Stating what’s going on gives them a chance to explain how they feel about their situation or problem.

Here’s an example of someone that takes advantage – the Doer and Slacker 

The doer personality will sometimes take on your people’s work without recognizing that the slacker is pawning it off. Especially when a project is close to a deadline in a team environment, the Doer will step in to finish the project on time.  

How does a Doer get the slacker to complete their part of the project? By not rescuing them. Let the project deadline go over, and don’t protect the slacker, the uncompleted task assigned to the slacker, and everyone knows it. If the slacker is accountable for their actions, they will have to start stepping up to complete their part when everyone doesn’t let them get away with it. Keeping up with the boundary of not doing the slacker work is necessary to change the behavior and for the boss to become aware. Remember, it is not your responsibility for that person’s lack of completion. You are responsible for yourself and you alone; this is a complex concept for the Doer, but setting the boundary of not covering and doing all the work will stop being taken advantage of and give you more time to do the things you enjoy. 

As a manager or supervisor, there are times when employees push the boundaries, asking you things you can’t discuss and communicating to them that you can’t comment on this.

What are some boundary techniques you use at work?

Today’s podcast Affirmation

I have good boundaries at work!

Did you find this helpful? If so, please share this podcast with others! 

Until next we meet again!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

#managers #supervisors #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #anchorpodcast #managementpodcast #leadershippodcast #management #boundaries #boundariesatwork #exploringlifeandwork #managementcoaching #supervisorscoaching

Posted in Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast

Exploring Journaling For Managers and Supervisors From Chaos to Calm

Click to listen to Episode 9 – Exploring Journaling For Managers and Supervisors From Chaos To Calm.

Hi, Managers and Supervisors, How’s it going?

In today’s podcast episode, we will be exploring the technique of journaling in the workplace as a manager and supervisor and how it may help keep you in the proper perspective during challenging situations.

Journaling may work out specific problems, generate ideas, and brainstorm. Writing down thoughts, ideas, and emotions can help release tension and encourage creative thinking. This writing can help develop new ideas for products and services and improve customer service techniques. Focusing on the concept, process, or development through journaling may challenge you to discover creative solutions.

Journaling Questions:

  1. What happens if you react right now or at this moment?
  2. What will happen if you decide not to respond?
  3. What are the benefits of walking away and taking time to reflect before handling the situation?
  4. How can you handle this situation calmly?
  5. How will you overcome obstacles in the way?
  6. After you have time to reflect, how will you respond?
  7. What are your action steps now?

Did you find this helpful? If so, please share this podcast with others!

Today’s podcast Affirmation:
I journal to make good decisions!

To purchase Work-Life Balance Affirmation Cards 
https://coachingforinspirationwithpatti.com/worklife-balance-affirmations-cards/

Until next we meet again!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

#managers #supervisors #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #anchorpodcast #managementpodcast #leadershippodcast #management #journaling #journalformanagers #journalingforsupervisors

Posted in Blog

Exploring Building Self-Confidence in a Work Environment that Tears You Down From Chaos to Calm

Click to listen to Episode 8 – Exploring Building Self-Confidence in a Work Environment that Tears You Down From Chaos to Calm.

Hi, Managers and Supervisors. How’s it going?

In this podcast, I talk about the real things that most people are afraid to talk about as a manager and supervisor.

Why is that? Fear. 

If not discussed, how will change happen?

As good managers and supervisors, our job is to lift employees’ to their highest potential, encourage them, build their self-confidence and help them succeed in what they do at work. 

What if the work culture doesn’t support this type of leadership philosophy?

Do it anyway. You and your employees need and want to be encouraged to flourish.  

But who inspires and uplifts the manager and supervisor?

(Yourself) and sometimes your staff will inspire you on difficult days.  

The area you manage will prosper compared to the work culture that tears others down around you.

How do you build self-confidence when others tear you down in the workplace?

  • Recite Affirmations throughout the day.
  • Take a break and get away from the office for a few minutes.
  • Take a walk to clear your mind.
  • Listen to some calming music.

Remember that people unhappy with themselves will tear down others, thinking they look good. But, instead, they don’t look good at all. When someone is verbally mean to you, step back and remember this. What is driving them to act unkind or controlling? 

Some people think that tearing down others makes them look better than others. But unfortunately, they are too busy clawing their way to the top to care about how they make others feel.

Say your boss gives you a project, and they take it back because you aren’t doing it the way they would. Again, it is their control issues that are surfacing. I understand this can hurt, primarily if you work very hard on the project. Reflect on what you can do in the future, so this doesn’t happen again? Ask questions on their thought process of what they want from this project. Occasionally update them on the project and how it is going. If you are silent and not updating, they may assume you are not as far ahead as you are. 

You are in a management meeting and asked for your opinion. A coworker disagrees with you wanting to show they are better than you to your boss while trying to provoke you to get upset react unprofessionally towards them. Before responding, reflect on this person who wants you to respond unfavorably. Breathe. If a response is expected, calmly say why this is your opinion and why it will work without lashing out at the coworker.

Make a difference in your workplace by being compassionate, empathic, a good mentor, honest, straightforward, and kind. The workplace needs more of this kind of leadership than destroying each other’s self-confidence and reputation; creating a cohesive workplace and lifting people will help change the workplace from chaos to calm.  

Today’s podcast Affirmation

I am confident! 

Did you find this helpful? If so, please share this podcast with others! 

Until next we meet again!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

#managers #supervisors #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #anchorpodcast #managementpodcast #leadershippodcast #management 

Posted in Blog, Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast, Leadership Inspiration, Podcasts

Exploring The Management Philosophy – You’ve Got A Pulse, You’ve Got A Job From Chaos to Calm

The Management Philosophy – You’ve Got A Pulse – You Got The Job! Not A Good Leadership Practice.

To listen to the podcast episode click here.

Hi, Managers and Supervisors. How’s it going?

In this podcast episode, I will be discussing hiring staff and why it is not a good idea to hire someone with the Management Philosophy – If You’ve Got A Pulse – You’ve Got The Job!

I was at an appointment almost a year ago, and the doctor told me that they were desperate to hire someone quickly. She said if they got a pulse, they got the job. We both laughed. She said we need another body in here as soon as possible. I responded, Sometimes, that doesn’t always work out because they may not be the right fit or have a good work ethic. The funny thing is my husband was talking to me a couple of months before that and suggested that I should write a blog post for “You’ve Got A Pulse, You Got the Job!” 

I guess God and the universe were telling me it was time to discuss this topic. So I did write a blog post about this topic back then, and I wanted to share it on the podcast because, as a manager or supervisor, I feel this is not a good leadership practice.

Filling a chair or position to have a body in it is not a very good idea. When hiring managers don’t spend the time to make sure the candidate is someone qualified and will connect well with staff and customers in the long run, it will cause more anguish for everyone involved.  Why is that? 

One person’s bad attitude, incompetency, or lack of motivation can destroy the work environment. 

Yes, I understand that some companies are understaffed and need people immediately because of high turnover, high caseload, or staffing ratio to the patients, or security and safety reasons and with the Great Resignation happening. However, look at the time and expense of training someone; you will eventually have to let go, or worse, keep someone that is incompetent or a kick-starter to the other employees and customers and causes complete chaos in the workplace.

Lowering the hiring standards is not the answer!

Take some time in the hiring process to get to know the candidate. Then, review the resume and job application. 

Does this person change jobs every few months? If so, why? Are they promoting or some other reason listed? If not listed, ask the candidate. 

What kind of positions have they done in the past? Is it equal to the job qualifications? 

Have specific questions about the job in the interview for the candidate to answer. Were the answers clear and concise, and right?

After the interview, call the candidate’s references. Have specific questions about attendance, team player, customer service, and work performance.

If references check out with positive recommendations to the questions answered, ask the candidate to come back and meet your staff if this is allowable in your company. 

Have the candidate engage with the team and see what the job duties entail. 

Remember, the employees have a vested interest because they have to work with this person. If you have an open, honest relationship with your employees, they will give you their opinion. Ultimately you have the final answer on who to hire and who not to hire.

Spending a little time checking out the candidate may save you, your staff, and customers frustration and protect the company’s bottom-line on training and hiring the wrong person.

Here are some Self Reflection Questions to Ponder or Journal about:

What have been my hiring experiences in the past?  

What worked well and what didn’t?

What suggestions from this podcast will I incorporate into my hiring process?

Today’s podcast Affirmation

I make good hiring decisions!

Did you find this helpful?  If so, please share this podcast with others! 

Until next we meet again!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

#podcast #careercoaching #leadership #leadershipcoaching #hiringprocess

Posted in Blog, Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast, Leadership Inspiration, Podcasts

Exploring How To Respond To Unprofessionalism From Chaos to Calm

Hi, Managers and Supervisors. How’s it going?

In this podcast episode, Patti discusses interaction with unprofessional people.

Sometimes in our careers, we have all worked with someone unprofessional. They may come across like they don’t care, don’t even know how to behave in a professional setting, or even realize their behavior is unprofessional. 

How do most people usually respond? Avoidance!  They would rather avoid the situation instead of addressing the unprofessionalism. 

Why? 

Because it is uncomfortable. Whether new or experienced, many managers and supervisors shy away from confrontation, thinking that the behavior will go away or disappear. However, in most cases, the behavior gets worse when it’s not dealt with and continues.Is there a way to help or mentor them?

Yes, of course, there is, by addressing the behavior. However, people can’t change if they don’t know their behavior is displeasing.

Calmly explain to the unprofessional person how to be treated with respect. Give some examples of what is respectful and courteous.

Here are some Self Reflections to Ponder or Journal about:

1. What were some of your experiences dealing with unprofessionalism?

2. What did you learn from these experiences?

Today’s podcast Affirmation

I recognize the beauty around me, even when I am in the presence of unprofessionalism.

Did you find this helpful?  If so, please share this podcast with others!

Until we meet again!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

#managers #supervisors #podcast #managementdevelopment #leadershipcoaching #anchorpodcast #thanks #leadership #leadershippodcast

Posted in Blog, Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast, Podcasts

Exploring Self-Talk and Emotions of the Manager and Supervisor From Chaos to Calm

How’s it going, Managers and Supervisors!

Today, we will explore self-talk and emotions as a manager or supervisor when everything seems not to be going right in the workday, from employees to yourself, and how to change the chaos to calm.

Click to listen to this podcast episode.

Have you ever felt so underappreciated at work? You try so hard, and it just doesn’t seem to go as you planned. Others don’t seem to get the big picture no matter how many times you think you communicated it. You feel like everyone doesn’t seem to care. So why don’t they get it?

It can be chaotic to a Manager or Supervisor; heightened emotions and frustration levels escalate towards others.  

I felt this way many times. Thinking I was communicating clearly and later realizing that was not the case. How does the communication style change from chaotic to calm?

Here are some possible questions that may be going through your mind during these times of frustration:

  • Did I communicate what I wanted correctly?
  • I feel I didn’t handle my disappointment and frustration very well?
  • How, as a supervisor, do I handle this situation in a calm manner?
  • What happened to people’s passion for their work or careers?
  • Have people lost their sense of purpose?
  • Why are so many people just going through the motions towards their jobs?
  • Is there no sense of pride anymore?
  • What happened?

Stop, take a deep breath, and pause.

What positive affirmations can you recite to shift your perspective towards yourself and others to communicate better? 

How about reciting these affirmations to get you started and through the day? 

I am a good communicator!

I am a confident leader!

When you believe you can make a shift, you usually do! 

Being a manager or supervisor, you may have encounter situations throughout your day and get very frustrated. However, I believe most people are not doing what they want to be doing. They may have outgrown the job and may not be pursuing their true calling or career path in life. So they dread getting up every day to a job that brings no satisfaction or purpose in life. If so, they would love to get up every morning and be excited to go to work every day instead of hitting that snooze button numerous times and dragging themselves out of bed with no purpose or passion.

Getting to know the person you are talking to, their learning style, and personality traits is a good start in connecting and communicating better.

How can you help bring some spark back in the workplace and assist your employees in igniting some passion for their job?  

  • Ask the employee is there a project, task, or something they would like to learn within your department. Could you give, teach or mentor them on a particular project? Some employees don’t want to learn anything new; they want to do their job and go home. That’s okay by asking the employee you know if they do or don’t want to learn something new.
  • Talk with them about what aspects they like about their job, and this will give you some ideas for future tasks or assignments to give them in the future. 
  • Listen to them talk about their aspirations in life.
  • Help them set attainable work goals.
  • Schedule training classes with them for self-development or new skills they would like to learn.
  • Delegate different job assignments to them. Get their feedback on what they liked and what they didn’t like about the work.
  • Give them some variety in their job duties, so they don’t become complacent and unhappy.

By trying these techniques, you will find more job satisfaction in the workplace. In addition, employees will have something to look forward to accomplishing and may even stop hitting the snooze button each morning.  

When employees are satisfied and happy at work, it spills out towards the customers, clients, each other, then towards you and company goals and increasing profitability.  

This podcast episode self-reflection question to ponder or journal about:

What keeps me motivated and encouraged to get through my workday as a manager and supervisor?

Today’s podcast episode affirmations:

I am a good communicator!

I am a confident leader!

Until next time!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

#managers #supervisor #podcast #anchorpodcast #emotions #self-talk #leadershipcoaching #leadershipdevelopment

Posted in Blog, Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast, Podcasts

Exploring How to Stop Ignoring The Hard Stuff and Go From Chaos to Calm

Episode 1 Exploring Life and Work with Patti (Podcast)

In this podcast episode, I will discuss – How to Stop Ignoring the Hard Stuff and Go from Chaos to Calm.

Click to listen to Episode 1 – How to Stop Ignoring the Hard Stuff and Go from Chaos to Calm

Have you ever had something to do at work, and you didn’t want to do it?

There are things as a manager or supervisor you don’t want to do, but it is an essential part of the job. You know what I mean, and not addressing it can cause more havoc in the workplace.

Let me give you some examples:

  • Not having crucial conversations with an employee about poor performance
  • Prolonging a discussion with the team about not making goals
  • An email you are told to write by your boss
  • Calling back an angry customer or client
  • Not participating or wanting to go to mandatory leadership meetings
  • Delivering bad news, for example, no bonus, no raises, or possible layoffs within the company

I am sure all of us at one time or another has put something off that might be uncomfortable or didn’t want to do but was loading us down with it continually there, whether in worry, thought, or others depending on it.  

Wouldn’t it make life and work more enjoyable if it was no longer in front of us but completed?

Getting it completed takes off a heavy burden, and then you can focus on the other things you want to do.

One of the ways to tackle the hard stuff is to do it first thing in the morning and get it out of the way. If it is a massive project, break it down into tasks. Then, as you complete a portion of the project, you will feel like you are moving forward on getting it done. Checking that section off your to-do list, spreadsheet, or Trello board feels like an achievement and inspiration. 

Putting off the hard stuff or undesirable tasks doesn’t contribute to becoming successful. However, once finished, you can move on to more enjoyable tasks and have a great sense of accomplishment.

How to Break Free of Ignoring the Hard Stuff:

  • Identify it is happening and
  • Recognize it and decide to
  • Focus on the task until completed
  • Celebrate when finished

Take control of all distractions such as responding immediately to email notifications, incoming voice mail messages, texts, instant messages, social media notifications. Set specific times and limits for these activities. Block off your calendar for the task. Concentrate by tuning out or turning off all distractions and commit to that particular task. 

If working in the office, let others know you are working on something with a deadline or need to finish with no distractions if they could wait on questions. By blocking the time on your digital calendar can help with limiting distractions.  

Halt any negative self-talk and replace these thoughts with positive Affirmations. An example – I get things done! By telling yourself, I can do this, and pray for strength to continue and remove all obstacles in the way; it will inspire you to keep going. There were many times I would be sitting at my desk and thinking I can’t do this, and I would pray, journal, and recite positive affirmations to get me through the task, situation, or sh*t storm happening around me.

Envision how you will feel after completing the project. Then, celebrate; it doesn’t have to be something big or expensive. It could be getting a cup of your favorite coffee or taking a break to read a good book, something special to you that feels like a reward. 

Sometimes getting started is the hardest, but the rewards are endless. Setting your goal, coming up with a plan of action, and the most important thing is putting the plan into action. Getting started and motivated to take action steps is crucial to change the habit of ignoring the hard stuff. However, it doesn’t help you attain your goal or dream until you get it done. To get what you want, you have to pursue it, and it starts with motivation to want to get things done.

Here are some Self Reflections to ponder:

What are some key factors which are enabling you to put off the hard stuff?

What have you been putting off?

How will it change your circumstances by getting them completed?

Today’s podcast Affirmation is I get things done!

Until next time!

Coffee with Patti – is a beautiful way to express your appreciation and support.

If you would like to work with me for coaching services, click the “Schedule Now” button below.

#worklifebalance #balancedlife #managers #supervisors #leadershipcoaching #lifecoaching #careercoaching #worklifebalancecoach #worklifebalancecoaching #leadership #worklife

Posted in Blog, Exploring Life and Work with Patti Podcast, Podcasts

Exploring Life and Work with Patti (Podcast)

I have a new podcast Exploring Life and Work with Patti – From Chaos to Calm.

Welcome to Exploring Life and Work with Patti – From Chaos to Calm. Join me as we explore the good, the bad, and the chaotic in the life of a manager or supervisor.

This podcast is for you if you are a manager or supervisor who feels burnt out, stressed out, or overworked from your demanding job. Now, you’re looking to find some calm and balance in life, both inside and outside of work.

These monthly mini-podcast episodes inspire life and work strategies to maintain sanity within your busy day from chaos to calm.

I am your host Patti Oskvarek, a Leadership and Work-Life Balance Coach.

Follow “Exploring Life and Work with Patti” on all your favorite podcast listening platforms to get all the latest podcast episodes.

Let the adventure begin.