Becky Robinson's Blog, page 41

The Importance of Responsiveness

Responsiveness: Be ready, willing, and available to help when needed.

When I interviewed with Becky to join the Weaving Influence team, she asked me what each of Weaving Influence’s core values meant to me. At the time, I was transitioning from working live events; so responsiveness, to me, meant being ready to adapt and respond to whatever unknown might pop up – a volunteer who cancelled at the last minute, a microphone that stopped working during an event, a song change the day of the event, a fire in the amp room during a Good Friday service (yes, that actually happened).

Today, responsiveness may not require I deal with a literal fire, but the idea of being ready, willing, and available to help when needed still applies. I need to be flexible enough to respond to current events, technological changes, and client needs. Responsiveness is one of the most important qualities for a communicator or professional in today’s world.

In fact, responsiveness is one of the biggest factors in whether a business succeeds or fails. Weaving Influence author, speaker, and customer service expert Chip Bell suggests that, “Competitive advantage today requires cutting edge innovation, distinctive service and lightning fast responsiveness.” A 2012 Oracle study shows that customers expect responses within 2 hours on Facebook and Twitter. I think it’s safe to say that today’s customers expect an even faster response.

How Can You Improve Your Responsiveness?

Establish communication patterns.

With your teammates and clients, decide what your preferred communication medium is. With hundreds of different communication channels to choose from, no one can stay on top of all of them. We use Basecamp at Weaving Influence for the majority of team communication, and texts for emergency or urgent matters. You may prefer email or phone calls. There isn’t one “right” answer; it’s what works for you, your teammates, and clients. What’s important is to decide on how information should be shared so everyone can stay in touch.

Stay connected.

I’m not suggesting you stay plugged in 24/7. No one should do that. But in order to respond, you need to make yourself available. You can’t respond if you don’t know that there is something to respond to!

Be ready for the unexpected.

No one wants the unexpected to happen, but it is better to be ready when it does. When I worked in live events, we had three backup microphones ready every service in case one microphone dropped out. Weaving Influence has procedures in place for how to respond on social media when a disaster or tragedy strikes. Think through some of the possible problems that could pop up and make a plan for how to respond. You may not be able to prepare for every situation, but the act of thinking through potential crises will help you no matter what does arise.

Above all, responsiveness is an attitude. I’m proud to be a part of a team that is willing to flex to help each other and our clients no matter what comes our way!

What to Do When Your Mojo’s Missing at Work

Remember when you were eager to go to work? When the prospect of learning new things and making things happen got you out of bed in the morning? That kind of inspiration is difficult to sustain, as evidenced by the overwhelming majority who drag through their days. What happened to make so many people so tired of their jobs?

The culprits aren’t just sub-par working environments or uninspiring bosses. In the majority of cases, what drags people down are self-defeating beliefs and thought processes. From fear and disconnectedness, to loss of control and feelings of insignificance, nine recurring “anti-muses” sap our energy and optimism.

The good news is, we can learn to counter the forces that drain inspiration and create conditions where it thrives. Instead of waiting passively, we can proactively unlock reservoirs of inspiration (and energy) that have been buried by circumstance, neglect, and boredom — and dramatically improve our work performance and well-being.

Find the Fire

For many employees, feeling burned out and uninspired is nothing new. But going through the motions impairs more than just work performance–it affects your well-being. Wouldn’t it be better to feel as engaged and energized as you were on day one?

Fortunately, everyone has the ability to rekindle inspiration. The key is to quit waiting for it to happen and take control of the process yourself. Whether you’re wrestling with fear, disconnectedness, boredom, lack of creative outlets, overwhelm, or other issues, Find the Fire helps shake off the malaise and dial up the motivation.

Packed with insights, exercises, inspiring stories, checklists, and more, this potent self-help guide identifies nine forces that drain inspiration and delivers tips and advice for turning things around, including how to:

Start learning and growing again
Reconnect with coworkers and your boss
Stop procrastinating
Empower yourself
Stay in control during tough times
Overcome fear and embrace risk
Produce work you’re proud of
Boost your self-confidence and personal presence
Leave your mark

Instead of asking what inspires you, the deeper question is: how did you lose inspiration in the first place? Learn to find it again — and fuel greater fulfillment and success.

Meet the Author

Scott Mautz is a passionate expert on employee engagement/motivation/inspiration, workplace fulfillment, and others-oriented leadership.

Scott is the CEO of Profound Performance – a keynote, workshop, coaching, and online training company that helps you “Work, Lead, & Live Fulfilled.” He is also a Procter & Gamble veteran who ran several of the company’s largest multi-billion-dollar businesses, including its single largest, a $3 billion-dollar division. At P&G, Scott consistently transformed business results and organizational/cultural health scores along with it.

Scott’s been named a “CEO Thought-leader” by the CEO Executive Guild and a “Top 50 Leadership Innovator” by Inc. Magazine, where he writes a weekly column for the national publication on topics such as employee engagement, others-orientated leadership, meaning in and at work, workplace culture, the how-to’s of motivation/inspiration, success, and entrepreneurship.

Scott also teaches leadership and employee engagement/motivation at Indiana University. He’s appeared in Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, and many other national publications and podcasts.

Scott was born in Central New York, and has an undergraduate degree from Binghamton University (1991) and an MBA from Indiana University (1994). He lives in Cincinnati with his wife and daughter.

Praise for the Book

“Mautz’s writing style is the perfect mix of research and data, actionable tips and tools, and a touch of humor that made the book as informative as a text book but far more fun to read.”

—Marissa Fernandez, 5-star Amazon review

“I really appreciated the author’s wisdom, storytelling and humor. This book isn’t like the dry business books that put you to sleep in 15 mins. I was reading it on a long-haul overseas flight and didn’t want to sleep. I kept telling myself, ‘I’ll take a break after the next chapter.'”

—Jennifer R., 5-star Amazon review

“Find the Fire is far more than a written pep talk; it’s a powerful, poignant, and practical inspiration manual that will teach you how to rekindle passion in your life. Crafted in a style that matches its theme, be prepared for a roller-coaster ride that races you through the full range of your emotions to your rational brain and back again!”

—Chip R. Bell, 5-star Amazon review

“If [your] people are lacking in their energy or efforts, Scott’s book is a fantastic resource for clarifying how inspiration is diminished and providing a clear set of options to address each of them.”

—Sean Glaze, 5-star Amazon review

“This was a great book for learning new things and Mautz has a way of turning what you need to remember into a tag line or slogan that you can’t get out of your head . . . . This is practical, put it to work, information. Don’t miss this book.”

—R. McConaughy, 5-star Amazon review

Learn More

Buy your copy of the book, or share a review of it, on Amazon.
Visit Scott’s website to learn more about the book and its author.
Watch our recent webinar to hear more from the author himself.

Why Responsiveness Matters to Me

In crafting core values for our company, I landed on responsiveness as especially important for the kind of work we do. With so many different communication channels and nearly constant information overload, I wanted to be sure that we focused our attention on staying connected to our clients and each other.

When clients trust us to lead their marketing efforts, they need to know that we’ll be responsive on a number of levels:

They want to know we’ll respond to requests in a timely way, especially to in-the-moment needs. As we respond quickly, we build clients’ confidence that we are available, attentive, and ready to serve them.
They want to know we’ll be responsive to events in the world. Recently, we had the opportunity to make recommendations regarding social media posting in light of the Las Vegas tragedy. Several clients expressed their appreciation to our sensitive approach and fast-action in responding to the crisis.
They want to know we’ll be creative in responding to news stories, to create media attention for their work.
They want to know we’ll be responsive to changes on social media platforms to ensure we’re following best practices on their behalf. Facebook algorithms change, LinkedIn’s functionality changes, and our clients want to know we’ll adjust to those changes in ways that ensure they are optimized to reach people with their messages.

I also knew, in forming a company comprised of both in-person and virtual team members, responsiveness as a core value would help our team stay connected to do our best work.

As a business owner, I want to know that:

I can reach my team in a timely way to request their work on projects.
Team members can count on each other to respond to questions or requests for help.
I can trust my team members to respond to clients quickly.
I can trust my team members to be alert to news stories in progress, changes to social channels, and the need to adjust our work to more effectively serve our clients.

In each of these instances, we have a choice about how responsive we will be AND we are responsible in teaching people, by our actions, how to communicate with us. We also bear responsibility for making requests about how we want people to engage with us.

For example, I’d much rather receive an email than a Facebook message for business-related communication. I’d rather receive a quick text message than a voicemail for an urgent request. If people contact me outside of business hours, even if I see the communication, I will choose when to respond.

I want responsiveness to be part of the core experience of my team and clients in working with Weaving Influence.  At times when we fail to live up to the value of responsiveness, I want us to be open to correcting any missteps to make things right.

Tell me something! What are the most important ways you incorporate responsiveness into your life and business?

Why ‘It All Matters’ for Achieving Your Dreams

There’s a thin line between winning and losing — between achieving goals and seeing dreams fulfilled, and falling short. What determines which side of that line you end up on?

No matter what your background, your limitations, your baggage . . . you are the author of your destiny. You have the ability to control your mindset and your response to life’s circumstances. But sometimes, a shift in perspective can help you respond to those challenges with confidence, clarity, certainty, and creativity, and become the successful person you were meant to be. Today’s book offers such a shift, with an all-encompassing framework for achieving the life of your dreams.

It All Matters

It All Matters presents a framework for the rest of your life. What are those dreams you would only dare to dream if there was no possibility of failure? How can you live a life of real intention and purpose instead of duty and obligation? This book answers these questions and more. Everyone has the capacity to author their own destiny; it’s not our circumstances that shape our lives, it’s our response to those circumstances that either propels us to great heights or keeps us stuck in the mud. Here, author Paul Cummings shares one of the most comprehensive goal setting systems ever put into print. Based on the key U.B.U. process—Understand who you are, Be true to yourself, and always be Unique—this framework gives you the power to transform your life. Through a fast-moving series of engaging stories, you’ll learn how to question yourself to greatness as you begin to think in bigger and more positive terms.

Professionals from across the globe have implemented this framework to achieve what they truly wanted out of life—isn’t it your turn? This enlightening guide teaches you the revolutionary strategies that can help you make big things happen.

Dig deep to find your real dreams, and set a plan to achieve them.
Discover the core principles the form the foundation for success.
Learn the art of self-questioning as a motivational tool.
Implement a comprehensive, proven system for getting what you want.

You are one great question away from everything you ardently desire at all times. Are you ready to take the leap?

Meet the Author

Paul Cummings has been educating business professionals for over thirty-five years and has developed revolutionary techniques in sales, customer service, and leadership development. Filled with the desire to not only teach but to also make a lasting difference, Paul is well-known for teaching his students and clients with unrivaled zeal and unmatched passion as he enthusiastically lives out his business motto, changing lives through dynamic instruction. A thirteen-time winner of the Telly Award and five-time winner of the Communicator Award, Paul’s ultimate desire is to tangibly and exponentially improve both personal and professional performance.

He has continued to revolutionize the way that people and businesses learn and improve by making it simple, affordable, fun, and efficient. In 2009, Paul developed Woople, a web-based learning system that delivers a variety of online training programs, including his very own, Paul Cummings University. PCU is an award winning, cutting-edge sales training program that is used daily by thousands of students.

Through dynamic live events and impactful eLearning videos, Paul has been instructing business professionals, leaders, managers, as well as today’s youth, for over 35 years. His desire is to teach and inspire every student and client to not only increase their personal capacity to learn and grow, but to also make a difference with their lives.

Fueled by his vision for lifelong learning and education, Paul also created TechTown in 2014 to engage the under-served youth in his hometown of Chattanooga in science and technology summer camps and year-round after school programs. He is the proud father of five adult children, who have blessed him with eight wonderful and amazing grandkids. Paul’s personal mission is to always leave it better than he found it because he truly understands and firmly believes that It All Matters.

Praise for the Book

“This book takes you on a journey of self discovery through thought-provoking questions, engaging you to not just read the content but to immediately execute and apply what’s being read throughout the entire book.”

—Joe Cala, 5-star Amazon review

“I’m only half-way through this book and my highlighter already ran out! Paul has a way of writing that makes it feel like a conversation and so much of what he shares feels quote worthy.”

—Michael, 5-star Amazon review

“You don’t read this book – you experience it. You approach this book with a pen, a highlighter and an open mind and heart. Fantastic book for teenagers, young adults and older people alike. Anyone that has a dream inside and a desire to chase….more, should have this book and apply the wealth of knowledge inside.”

—Dawn West, 5-star Amazon review

“With great stories, life lessons, practical exercises, and a touch of poetry Paul Cummings lays out a plan for achieving your goals. So long as you “U”nderstand who you are, “B”e true to yourself, and always stay “U”nique; the U.B.C. process will lead to success . . . . It All Matters is a save-it-on-the-shelf book. You’ll want to go back to it again and again.”

—R. McConaughy, 5-star Amazon review

Learn More

Buy your copy of the book, or share a review of it, on Amazon.
Visit the site to learn more about the book and its author.
Watch our recent webinar to hear more from the author himself.

4 Secrets to Mastering the Art of Responsiveness

I heard screams, expletives and loud banging coming from a neighboring office.

Then, silence.

Then . . . sobbing.

What had happened?

An error in responsiveness. An error that taught me one of my biggest lesson in communicating with others.

Take a breath. Slow down.

In my prior job, I worked in an office that handled public records requests for a large university. Earlier that week, some football players had allegedly robbed a gas station. The paper wanted the police report. A manager felt pressure to respond.

In her haste, she sent the un-redacted files to the journalist, whom she then called and pleaded for understanding. After all, sensitive information about students was revealed, lawsuits loomed, and her job was on the line.

It was a wake-up call for me—a realization that being responsive isn’t just about being fast. It was also about being calm, thoughtful, and smart.

As a former reporter, I’d been conditioned to work quickly. Moving into the public relations world, the feeling of being under the gun stayed with me. I wanted to meet the requests of reporters and serve my clients well. Many times, I responded too quickly, without making sure proper protocol was followed or all t’s were crossed and i’s dotted. Thankfully, I hadn’t made a career-ending mistake—but I could have.

From that experience, and now, from working at Weaving Influence where responsiveness is a core value, I have seen masters in the art of responsiveness.

Four Secrets to Success

Don’t go too fast.

In the world of public and media relations, timing can be everything. Wait too long to respond to a reporter’s request, and they’ve moved on to someone else. But respond too quickly without the best information possible, and you waste a valuable opportunity to put your client’s best face forward. It can be a gamble—but I’ve found that waiting just a little bit can reap rewards—and not just for those in PR.

I mean, who hasn’t stuck their foot in their mouth at some point or another because they responded too quickly to something? Taking a breath, gathering your thoughts, and gathering the right information is crucial.

But don’t go too slow, either.

All this is to say that you don’t want others to think they are being ignored or miss an opportunity.

If you need time to respond to something, tell them. A quick “I got your message and will back with you shortly” works wonders. A general rule of thumb is to try to respond to the sender within 24 hours. Send an update if you need more time than initially stated.

Don’t be reactive.  

Often, I’m on the receiving end of requests in which it’d be easy to do exactly what is asked. But sometimes, I know in my heart that what the client is asking for isn’t the best strategy for them.

This is another reason why I like to incorporate “breathing room” into my responsiveness. It allows me to mull over what’s being asked and consider the best options out there.

For example, a client may have their hearts set on a story in the Wall Street Journal but their business is mostly done locally. Thus, an interview in the local paper may suit their goals better—and give them leverage in obtaining national coverage.

Take a second look.  

The aforementioned breathing room also includes time to review responses to ensure no mistakes are made or points missed.

I’ve worked in newsrooms and PR offices in which stories and press releases were sent out without a second or third pair of eyes—and errors missed propagated throughout the media. Not good.

At Weaving Influence, our work is reviewed—and responses to clients thoughtfully considered as a team when necessary.

We respond with our brains and hearts—not just with our fingers.

 

Meet Team Member Mike Driehorst

One of the fun things about being part of a virtual team is not only the variety of people you get to know, but discovering the connections between them that exist outside the company. For instance, coworkers who attended college together, whose children know each other, or who are related to each other in some way. Today’s team member falls in that last category: he’s married to longstanding team-member Amy Driehorst!

Mike joined us in January, and we’ve all enjoyed getting to know the “other half”‘ of the dynamic Driehorst duo. I especially appreciate his professionalism and out-of-the-box thinking, not just with our clients but also in our daily team interactions. It’s a pleasure working with him, and I’m happy to have him share a bit more about his life “behind the screen.”

Meet Mike Driehorst

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’ve always been fortunate that I, essentially, get paid to ask questions, be curious, and learn new things. From my early days as a newspaper reporter to my move into PR and media relations, and adding social media marketing to my career, I feel I’ve been blessed with daily opportunities to learn.

The core of what I’ve learned is that, it’s not who you work for or what you do, but it’s the opportunity to make an impact, professionally and personally. In your day-to-day interactions, you hardly know what impact you can make so try to be at your best.

What’s the last book you read and really enjoyed?

I tend to read in spurts and sometimes read multiple books at once. One of my favorites of late is Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit. I’ve always been curious about the how-to’s of things (how people got where they are, motivation, etc.) and Duhigg’s exploration of habits, and how valuable they are and can be, really opened my eyes. I know why I do some things and how to try to change by bad habits.

Just for fun: tell us one thing that’s on your bucket list!

I don’t really have a bucket list but, if I had the right combination of time and money, I’d love to take a week-long (or two) vacation on a houseboat, fishing off the side, swimming at leisure, and just floating or slowly putting along.

How did you get connected with Weaving Influence?

I’m fortunate to have known founder/CEO Becky Robinson since before she started Weaving Influence, and have watched it grow and evolve mostly from an outsider’s view. It’s been fun being on the inside since January. In December, Becky contacted me about an opportunity in PR and, since I was looking to move, it was a perfect time and a good mutual fit.

Share a little about your role on the team.

I started Jan. 4, and have worked mostly in PR. However, I have also worked in project management with two to three clients outside of PR. I’ve also been involved in the Corporate Champions program, and other areas, as needed. The authors/trainers client work is new, compared to past client work, but in some ways it’s not. I still have to connect client’s expertise with the needs of relevant media. It’s what makes the day-to-day work challenging and fun.

What’s your favorite aspect of your work?

The variety of clients. Though many are similar, their approach is different enough — and I need to convey that to media.

Could you share one thing you’ve learned from working with the #WITeam so far?

One aspect I’ve been reminded of is that, really, every project is different and deserves a different approach. While there are similarities, clients are not paying us for “templated” work.

How can people connect with you outside of Weaving Influence?

Twitter – @MikeDriehorst
LinkedIn – @mikedriehorst

Thanks Mike! It’s been great getting to know you a little better! 

Got any questions for Mike? Leave them in the comments below!

5 Tips for Social Media During Tragedies and Disasters

Social media becomes a source of both information and support during difficult times such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and right now during the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas. Facebook’s check-in option allows people to quickly notify family and friends that they are safe. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube allow us to get the latest information and video, plus discover a multitude of ways we can help.

However, there’s been some criticism lately that social media allows us to express sympathy but remain all too passive in the face of tragedy and disaster. The “Prayers For…” memes have been roundly criticized for their passivity, yet several different versions are already circulating on social media in relation to the Las Vegas shootings. Is it enough to express grief and shock? Probably not, but it’s a very difficult line that brands, businesses, and thought leaders must walk.

While we are all deeply saddened about the tragic attack, thought leaders and brands can appear as if they are capitalizing on tragedy if their response isn’t carefully measured.

During difficult times in our world, we at Weaving Influence recommend a few common-sense steps to follow on social media.

Consider going dark. During times of great tragedy, if your brand can’t help provide solace or relief, consider just pausing for 24-48 hours. This isn’t the time to worry about reach and engagement numbers, it’s the time to let the news take center stage.
Express sincere sympathy. If you decide to continue social posting, review anything that’s been scheduled to make sure it’s still appropriate. If your brand’s voice is normally funny or sarcastic, tragedies are a time to briefly change the tone. And, don’t express a tired cliché—express sincere emotions, but try not to make it about you or your brand.
Share helpful information. Getting as many people as possible helping victims is beneficial for everyone. Share information about donations, volunteer opportunities, and other ways people can help.
Pause and take your time. In the aftermath of a terrible event, it’s easy to rush in with a quick response; but take your time and carefully think about the message you want to share with your followers. When possible, offer hope and help. You can never go wrong with either.
Don’t go on with business as usual. Most importantly, don’t go on with business as usual. Huge national and international events shake us all, and occupy our hearts and minds for days and weeks to come. Don’t continue trying to sell your product during the first 24-48 hours on social media as though nothing has happened. You need to modify your message and be thoughtful and respectful.

Fred Rogers may have said it best: “To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.”

On social media, we have the choice every day, not just during times of disaster and tragedy, to be a helper or not to help.

We’re choosing to help. We hope you will, too.

How You Can Help

Donate Blood. If you are in the Las Vegas area, emergency blood donation sites have been set up. If you aren’t, you can still donate locally. It truly is the gift of life.

Donate Money. Donate to the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross, or through the GoFundMe page set up by the Clark County Commission Chair from Las Vegas. Other pages are being set up to help victims, too. Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada is providing emotional and mental support for victims and their families. You can click here to help them.

Contact your elected representatives. Let your local and national representatives know how you feel about this act of violence, or disaster recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. If you see things that need to change, contacting your representatives is the first step, no matter your party-affiliations or political beliefs.

 

Self Leadership & the One Minute Manager

As a leader in your organization, you want all your employees to do their best and proactively look for ways to help your organization flourish. When individual contributors aren’t taking initiative or being as effective as they could be, an organization won’t reach its full potential.  Is lack of self leadership derailing your organization’s success?

The nature of leadership is evolving with the focus on each individual and the specific contributions they make to an organization’s growth. If you start by equipping your team with a self leadership mindset, you will create an empowered workforce that is productive, creative and passionate. If you want to succeed, start by creating a workforce of self leaders. They will become the driving force of your organization.

Self Leadership & The One Minute Manager

Just as the iconic bestseller The One Minute Manager gave leaders the three secrets to managing others, so this follow-up book gives people the three tricks for managing themselves. Updated with current and compelling research, this newly revised edition of Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager empowers people at every level of the organization to achieve success.

Through a captivating business parable, Ken Blanchard and coauthors Susan Fowler and Laurence Hawkins show readers how to apply the world-renowned Situational Leadership® II method to their own development. The story centers on Steve, a young advertising executive who is about to lose his job. Through a series of talks with a mentor named Cayla, Steve learns three tricks for effective self leadership. His newfound skills not only empower Steve to keep his job, but also show him how to challenge assumptions, overcome obstacles, and continue growing, learning, and achieving.

In Self Leadership and the One Minute Manager, readers will see how accepting personal responsibility for their own success leads to freedom and autonomy. Readers will learn the three tricks of the Self Leader, and discover how to make immediate use of Points of Power and Proactive Conversations to take initiative when they’re not officially in charge. Most of all, readers will be reminded that accepting personal responsibility for our own success leads to power, freedom, and autonomy.

Meet the Authors

Ken Blanchard is a distinguished speaker and author. Known for his groundbreaking work in the fields of leadership and management, he is the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of the Ken Blanchard Companies, an international management training and consulting firm. He is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The One Minute Manager and has written numerous bestselling books, including Raving Fans, Gung Ho!, and Whale Done! He has received numerous awards for his work and has been inducted into Amazon’s Hall of Fame as one of the top twenty-five bestselling authors of all time.

Susan Fowler has over thirty years of experience as a researcher, consultant, and coach in over thirty countries around the globe in the field of leadership. She is the lead developer of the Ken Blanchard Company’s Optimal Motivation program, which has been implemented worldwide. She is the bestselling author of Leadership and the One Minute Manager with Ken Blanchard and Laurie Hawkins, in addition to Achieve Leadership Genius with Drea Zigarmi and Dick Lyles, and Leading at a Higher Level with Ken Blanchard, among others. She received her bachelor’s degree in anthropology and business from the University of Colorado, and is a professor in the Master of Science for Executive Leadership program at the University of San Diego. She also serves on the board of directors for Angel Faces, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adolescent girls with severe burn/trauma injuries.

Laurence Hawkins is an internationally renowned management consultant, motivational speaker, and — with Ken Blanchard and Susan Fowler — the coauthor of the Situational Self Leadership program. Hawkins received his bachelor’s degree in American history and literature from Williams College, and his master’s and doctoral degrees in leadership and organizational behavior from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Praise for the Book

“Effective leaders know how to lead themselves. In this engaging parable, the secrets of self leadership are revealed. Readers will find tools they can put to work immediately to start making their highest aspirations a reality.”

—Judd Hoekstra, co-author of Leading at a Higher Level and Crunch Time

Learn More

Buy your copy of the book, or share a review of it, on Amazon.
Visit the site to learn more, download a sample chapter, and find shareable content.

7 Ways to be Generous in Business That Don’t Involve Money

When I was in college, I worked as a production assistant on a highly-rated political news program on MSNBC. The host was one of the first to popularize the shouting matches endemic in the media today.

And my time there introduced me to the importance of generosity in business.

The program included a correspondent who offered me invaluable advice on how to get into the business, introduced me to key players (even the head of NBC News!), and offered feedback on my broadcast reel. He was generous.

One day, he invited me into the news meeting in the host’s office. As I awkwardly tried to roll a chair that was too wide for the doorway and too heavy for a gal in heels into the small crowded room, the host glared at me and bellowed, “What do you think you’re doing?! Get out of here!” He was not . . . generous. In any way.

That was the day I realized that generosity in business isn’t just about comping an overdone steak. It’s about helping others grow.

Throughout my career in communications, I’ve experienced many ways people can be generous that don’t involve money. Here are the top 7.

1. Time.

They say time is money, but really, time is invaluable. And even just a little bit goes a long way. Time is really the most important thing you can give someone. The bit of time the MSNBC reporter gave me may have helped chart the trajectory of my whole life. His advice helped me land my first TV gig, which led to my next job, which led me to my husband, and well, the rest is history.

2. Knowledge.

People who have knowledge shouldn’t see it as a competitive advantage. They should see it as a tool to help others grow and embolden teams. At Weaving Influence, we are all about sharing what we know about clients and industry trends so that we can do our jobs better. For example, within our public relations team, we share media contacts. At other places, PR pros keep those relationships close to the vest.

3. Feedback.

It’s really hard to get better at something if you don’t know where you need to improve and how. It’s hard to keep up the good work, for that matter, if no one tells you when you’ve done a job well.

I’ve been lucky enough throughout my career to have people share their wisdom and tell me how I can get better and polish my skills. It takes a bit of investment on their end, but it reaps great rewards–for everyone.

After all, handholding takes a lot more time in the long run. Teach ‘em how to fish.

4. Courtesy.

We live in a world of constant communication, and because of this, the art of communication is suffering. Emails are terse and informal. Salutations are rare.

So when someone sends an email that is properly addressed and even includes a “how are you?” or something of that ilk, it’s really refreshing. In the public relations world, it’s particularly nice when media personnel have the courtesy to respond to a pitch, and even give a reason as to why he or she may not be interested at that time.

The generosity is a win-win. It helps the PR professional understand what the media personnel is looking for, and in turn, the media personnel may get a great source for a future story.

5. Understanding.

There’s a saying I’ve run into a lot these days: “Meet people where they are.” And, basically, it means to have more empathy. It means to be generous in your understanding. Understand that someone may need help finishing a project because they’re overwhelmed or dealing with a sick family member. Or, understand that a new client is brand new to the publicity game and needs extra attention to wrap their arms around the usual ins-and-outs. Being generous in understanding is never a bad thing—in work or in life.

6. Opportunity.

When you talk with Weaving Influence founder Becky Robinson, chances are the word “opportunity” comes up several times. She’s all about creating opportunities for clients and for team members. She’s not afraid to go out on a limb for others and let them try something new. She’ll make sure you have what you need first, and then let you give it go.

Countless times, I’ve seen colleagues and clients grow their skills or brand because of her generosity in giving them chances to broaden their horizons (myself included).

7. Forgiveness.

As someone who has a tough time letting her own mistakes go, it’s important to be generous with forgiveness for others and yourself.

We are all human. We mess up. And it’s important to accept that, learn from it, and move on.

Thankfully, I work in an environment where that’s part of the culture. There is no finger-pointing; instead, there’s discussion around it—and I’m a better professional (and person) for it.

How have you experienced (or shown) generosity at work?

 

Meet Team Member Carrie Koens & Celebrate ‘Help Them Grow’!

Every once in a while, we like to introduce various team members and let you get to know the people behind the screen a little better. (See previous team member interviews here.) Today’s is a fun one for me, since Carrie was the first person I met from the Weaving Influence team, and she was instrumental in bringing me on board! I have learned a lot from her, both in a work capacity as well as through her example of gratitude and perseverance despite some interesting challenges. She is not only a fellow #introvert and coworker, but has become a good friend and prayer partner too.

Today’s interview is made even more special because we’re also celebrating the 5 year anniversary of Julie Winkle Giulioni and Beverly Kaye’s bestseller, Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go — a book that today’s team member helped launch five years ago! I know she’s excited to be working with Julie again, so I’ll let her share more about that. So without further ado . . .

Meet Carrie Koens

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am a work in progress – personally, professionally, and spiritually. As an INTJ, I’m rarely satisfied with the status quo and always looking for new solutions. As a bookworm, I’m constantly learning from those who come at life from a different point of view. As a born-again Christian, I’m continually striving to die to self and life a life that honors my Savior. I adore good food, and thankfully my husband of 17 years loves to cook. I’m a sucker for a good Indian curry, squeal over anything pumpkin, was a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot long before it was hip, and not-so-secretly dream of moving to Paris. After 16 years of being childless by choice, in 2016 we embarked on a wild, God-orchestrated journey of parenthood when we adopted five siblings from Costa Rica (four girls and a boy).

What’s the last book you read and really enjoyed?

Keys to the Deeper Life by A.W. Tozer

Just for fun: tell us one thing that’s on your bucket list!

I’ve lived, worked, and traveled all over the world, but visiting New Zealand is definitely on my bucket list (along with scoring that perfect apartment right by the Eiffel Tower, of course!).

How did you get connected with Weaving Influence?

Almost six years ago, an unhappy English-major-turned-reluctant-pharmacy-tech was talked into acquiring a Twitter account and connecting with a woman named Becky Robinson. About five and a half years ago, Becky asked this unhappy pharmacy tech what her dream job would be, and the tech – taking a chance, since she figured she’d never hear from this Twitter woman again – answered, “reading books and editing from home.” On May 4, 2012, Becky offered that woman a work-from-home job, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Share a little about your role on the team.

I began working with Weaving Influence in May 2012, coming in right before the launch of Dare, Dream, Do by Whitney Johnson. Shortly thereafter I was assigned to work with Julie Winkle Giulioni, whose book (co-authored with Beverly Kaye), Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go, was launching in September 2012. Julie was incredibly patient with me as I learned the ropes, and truly helped ME grow in professional confidence and skill. Over the years I served in a variety of roles, including Book Launch Director, before stepping away in June 2016 to finalize the adoption. In January 2017, Becky invited me back to WI, offering the flexibility needed to fit my new family dynamics. I’m primarily involved in behind-the-scenes oversight, but occasionally fill in on project management, and am currently thrilled to be overseeing the 5 Year Anniversary Celebration for Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go, once again working with the lovely and gracious Julie Winkle Giulioni.

What’s your favorite aspect of your work?

Hands-down the flexibility and the ability to work from home. While I appreciated it before, now that I’m a mom of 5, I cannot imagine trying to juggle five kids and school schedules and sporting events while holding down a traditional 9-5, even if it was just part-time. I am so grateful for the opportunity that Becky creates through Weaving Influence, allowing me to use the OTHER half of my brain and bring in some much needed income for our expanded family.

Could you share one tip about book launches for the rest of us?

One thing that I think people fail to understand is that your friends and family – while super excited for you – are not going buy enough books to put you on the New York Times bestseller list. Your audience needs to be broader than your holiday card list, so put yourself out there and start engaging! Most people – even those who hate social – realize that in 2017 the social element is an important part of any launch, product, or company; but what they fail to realize is that if they create the accounts but never show up, they might as well not have a social presence at all. By all means, HIRE someone to help you run the accounts (like the talented team at WI), but don’t forget to log on yourself – even if it’s just once or twice a week – and engage with your audience. Trust me: people know when it’s YOU, rather than your team. Becky’s been saying it for years . . . the magic happens when YOU show up.

Thanks Carrie! How can people connect with you outside of Weaving Influence?

Confession: I have three, infrequently updated blogs: www.carriesbusynothings.com (personal), 7koens.blogspot.com (adoption), and www.cgkoens.com (professional). Most of my free time is spent on Facebook, and you can follow me at BusyNothings (personal), AndThenThereWere7 (adoption), or CGKoens (professional). Find me on Twitter @cgkoens.

More About ‘Help Them Grow’

It’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since Help Them Grow launched, but this timeless book definitely deserves a celebration! We’ll be celebrating throughout the month of September, culminating in a focused celebratory week on October 2-6. Over the next few weeks, we would love for you to help us flood social media with congratulations. It’s also a great time to buy your own copy, or leave a quick review on Amazon or Goodreads if you’ve already read it. Plus, don’t forget to visit the website to learn more!