KEYS FOR SUCCESS

A Free Monthly Newsletter, highlighting strategies from our popular programs,

to Expand Your Personal and Professional Growth and Happiness by

KINZA

Presentations & Consulting Group

www.kinza.net* (800) 575-6817 * (262) 567-6317 / Kinza@kinza.

 Act as if you are, and you will become such.

                                                                                                                                     Leo Tolstoy

May 2008

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SUBSCRIBERS!

CONTENTS

·         A Show of Confidence Anyone?

·         Be a Gossip Terminator

·         The Rebirth of Professionalism

·         Adding Workplace Fun

·         FYI Corner

·         Leadership 101

·         Today’s Chuckle

A SHOW OF CONFIDENCE ANYONE?

Think of your body as a message center.  What message is your body sending?  We know that body language is the primary force that can influence others to buy what we are selling.  They are either turned off by different signals that we send, or they see someone who is confident and sincere.    People trust those whose body language is congruent with their words.   For example:  

      Hands: Wringing of hands, picking at fingers and hiding your thumbs, all denote a lack of confidence. If you want to appear more confident at your meetings, use the steeple gesture — place hands together with palms separated slightly, fingers up and touching at the tip. Other tips:  When talking, open palm gestures show you have nothing to hide.  Guys especially beware:  Clenching fists or putting your hands in your pockets when you speak are usually a sign of deceit or insecurity.

      Head: Women are notorious for tilting of the head (as if to say, “Oh, really?”). In our society a head tilt is perceived as a submissive gesture. When doing business, be sure to hold your head straight. Another tip:  If you want to be taken more serious by others be sure to look up at the other person’s eyes and eyebrows when you talk to them, it commands their attention; having a lower focus at their eyes and nose can actually make you look more submissive, flirtatious or less credible. 

“Your body language is screaming so loud I can’t hear what you are saying.”

BE A GOSSIP TERMINATOR

We know a certain amount of gossip is normal and even healthy. It is the everyday chatter of news, tidbits and “did you knows” that can actually bond a group closer together.   Normally, however, when we refer to gossip we think of the negative comments, the mean innuendoes, and snide remarks.  This type of gossip is mean and often said to intentionally hurt or degrade someone.  A great solution for you the next time you feel the conversation is headed for troubled waters….or the next time you get slapped with a snide remark… take the high road.  Simply respond by saying “Let’s not go there.” And, then change the subject. 

Download the poem: “Nobody’s Friend” from our site at: www.kinza.net/freestuff.html

THE REBIRTH OF PROFESSIONALISM

We are living in a society where standards are being lowered in everything from service, product quality, and the extras we have come to expect. Research shows that unprofessional behavior rarely is caused by demographics or economy. In recent years, it is more the byproduct of relaxed standards of excellence seen across the board and our willingness to accept it.   

We’ve lost a lot over the past decade and somewhere along the way, we also lost our professionalism. With 2008 pocket books leaner and job markets tighter, employees cannot afford to be thought of as career slackers.   Years ago, professionalism was “a given” and this is how they did it:

—         Arriving at work early so they would begin actually working by starting time;

—         Admitting mistakes without becoming defensive ,

—         Being polite,

—         Paying attention to details,

—         Refraining from vulgarities and profanities;  

—         Being focused on company goals;

—         Helping others, and

—         Being sure they were dressed in appropriate and neat attire —starching their shirts and polishing their shoes.

Interestingly, workplaces today can no longer assume that people know how to be professional.  Research shows 60%  of people dress for career failure, add to that  attitude challenges,and people skills issues, the backlash to companies is one businesses can no longer afford.   Hence, the reason many organizations today do more than give mandates, they  teach  professionalism.    It helps the employee understand why it's important to him personally and gives him the tools to be successful.   Think of it, what is one way in which you could be more professional today?

                                                                                            “Professionalism is more than a paycheck, it’s a way of life.”

ADDING WORKPLACE FUN

-Sponsor a Friday Karaoke contest.  Upper management goes first!

-Have a sauntering contest, reward accordingly. 

-At an employee meeting, tape gift certificates under the chairs in the first 3 rows.

“If you want to thrive and remain competitive in work that is changing radically and

relentlessly, you need the fluidity and flexibility of humor.”            C.W. Metcalf

THE "FYI" CORNER

THANK YOU to ALL who attended our Administrative Professional’s Day!  It was our pleasure meeting each of you and thank you for your kind words used on Evaluations to describe the day:  Enjoyed it all; It was too short; Very good; Time went quickly; It was excellent; Fun; This Seminar made a great Professional Administrative Week gift!  Big kudos to Sentry Equipment who sent ten of their employees!!

HAVING A BUSINESS LUNCH? Find a table that allows you to sit at right angles to each other.  It might just help you make that sale.    Research shows that people are more interactive when they sit at right angles to each other, as opposed to opposite one another.

A GREAT GIFT FOR FATHER’S DAY.  "Big Slick Daddy: Poker Strategies for Parenting Success",, authored by Mark Borowski, gives parenting skills like they’ve never been taught before.  Using Poker terminology and strategies, this Book is one he won’t be able to put down. Read it and reap.  Available at: www.bigslickdaddy.com

REDUCE CONFLICT: Life is too short to be unhappy in a relationship. Whether it is at work or in your personal life, learn the reasons you respond the way you do and why the heck that other person is so hard for you to connect with.  Build your Professional network.  Order your DiSC Profile today and start creating your own better tomorrows. For workplace presentations, call our office for date availability at (800) 575-6817.

WE WOULD LIKE YOUR COMMENT!  Bookmark and visit our blog postings at:. www.theperformancepro.blogspot.com  Share your opinions with us!

FORWARD THIS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES

You may also use any part of KEYS FOR SUCCESS in your organizational newsletters with proper credit given to: D. Kinza Christenson, Kinza Presentations & Consulting Group, Keynotes & Training, (800) 575-6817.

TOASTS: LEADERSHIP 101 –

 -- Welcome to all of you:

      Here’s to our Veteran’s & Boomers; May your wisdom be contagious & may we all catch it.

      Here’s to our Gen-Xers: With mortgages to pay; and kids to raise; may your paychecks prosper;

      Here’s to our Gen-Yers” Welcome aboard, be patient with us and remember: Success is

         achieved one step at a time.  

--   A toast to Golf:

      The one sport that no matter how bad one plays, it’s always possible to get worse.

.

KINZA – The Performance Pro & Motivational Humorist

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