Horizon Point Consulting

Author: Taylor Simmons

  • Leaders, Does Your Attitude Speak Gratitude?

    Leaders, Does Your Attitude Speak Gratitude?

    If you missed my “Authenticity, Gratitude and Leadership” blog, check it out here.

    Forbes published an article titled:  Great Leaders have an Attitude of Gratitude – Do You?

    Here is an exert that resonates with our theme:

    Gratitude Practice

    Close your eyes. Focus on a blessing in your life… something you are thankful for. See an image of this blessing in your mind’s eye. Offer a silent “thank you” to the person or object of your blessing.

    Relax into the feeling of gratitude. Take a deep breath. Feel more gratitude.

    The latest brain research shows that six doses of feeling 30 seconds of gratitude daily (a whopping three minutes!) will enable your neurons to fire together and wire together around gratitude within a mere two weeks.

    This means you’ll more easily and frequently access the feeling of gratitude.

    Heck, we’re grateful for that!

    Doing Good Feels Good

    When leaders engage in this practice on a regular basis, they are able to generate gratitude from within, which allows them to show gratitude to others. This practice also reinforces a feeling of gratitude as second nature because it reinforces myelination. All of these amazing results occur in under 60-seconds. We all have 60-seconds per day to devote to gratitude.

     

    Check out the full article here.

    Are you showing gratitude as a leader?

    #authenticity

  • Authenticity, Gratitude and Leadership

    Authenticity, Gratitude and Leadership

    As I facilitated coaching sessions with several individuals the past couple of weeks, one question I asked each person was their opinion of what makes a great leader. The answers varied. However, I noticed one theme – leaders should “lead by example.”

    We have been talking about “authenticity” on the blog. With that in mind and reflecting on the sessions I mentioned, what is the connection between authenticity and being a great leader?

    In my previous blog, I focused on gratitude in relation to authenticity. So, what does that look like for leaders? These things come to mind:

    • Leaders lead by example – They never ask the team to do something they wouldn’t do themselves.
    • Leaders show gratitude by thanking their team. (Remember “praise in public, correct in private”).
    • Leaders know their team. (What are their likes and dislikes? When is their birthday?)

    So how can leaders display gratitude? Here are a few ideas:

    • Pitch in! Following the “lead by example” idea, when your team is working on a project, offer your help.
    • Recognize them for their accomplishments. The key here is to find out what they enjoy and make the reward customized. If your budget doesn’t allow for an actual “reward” (gift card, etc.), recognize them in a company email or begin a “employee of the month (or week)” program.
    • Find out each team members’ birthday and celebrate! If you have a large group, do a monthly birthday celebration with a cake.

    Find out more about authenticity by checking out related articles on The Point Blog.

  • Take time for the little things…

    Take time for the little things…

    As we continue to focus on authenticity and specifically “gratitude” in relation to living authentically, I thinks this quote says it all.

    What are you grateful for?

    Want to know how gratitude can change your life? Here is a great post for you to check out.

    Here are more posts on living in gratitude, part of our Year of Authenticity series, you may enjoy:

    Living in Gratitude

    Living Life Gratefully is Living Life Authentically

    2018 Is the Year of Authenticity

  • Living in Gratitude

    Living in Gratitude

    Continuing with our Year of Authenticity theme, today I’m thinking about and working towards the idea of living in gratitude.

    Living in Gratitude –  For out of a place of gratitude comes the ability to see all things for what they are.

    If you missed the blog post regarding our theme, check it out here: 2018 Is the Year of Authenticity.

    Our lives are busy. One way to work towards living authentically is to be grateful for what we have, including a busy schedule. After a weekend out of town, I worked on my fourth load of laundry. Although I wanted to grumble about everything I needed to do to catch up, I reminded myself to be grateful for clothes to wash, healthy children to clothe and for a washing machine.

    How else can we live in gratitude? Here are a few ideas:

    1. Start each day with a mental list of what you can be grateful for. (For me personally, this is prayer time.)
    2. Take time to say, “thank you”. Whether it is to text a sweet aunt for your birthday card or to simply thank a stranger for letting you go ahead of them in the grocery line, take time to show that you appreciate the thoughtfulness of others.
    3. Give. This year, one of my “people first” goals is to work towards doing at least one small act of kindness each week. It doesn’t have to cost a thing. A quick text or call to encourage someone else who may be having a tough week is a great way to live in gratitude.

    One of my favorite authors, Richard Paul Evans, has “GratiTuesday” each week on his Facebook page. What a great way to find out what others are grateful for! Check it his page here: https://www.facebook.com/RPEfans/.

  • Networking During the Holiday Season

    Networking During the Holiday Season

    For job seekers, the holidays can put a hold on the job search. So, what should you do while everyone is enjoying time off from work? Since more than 50% of jobs are filled through networking, use this down time to network, network, network!

    Networking can be intimidating. The best way to overcome the fear is to develop an elevator speech, practice, and network every chance you get.

    The University of Denver offers these guidelines for developing an elevator speech:

    • Keep your commercial simple and brief, and always include who you are, what you want to do and why it matters (or what the employer/client will get out of it).
    • Use a story or example to demonstrate your best qualities.
    • Use strong, action-packed words and speak in a confident, personable tone.
    • Be relevant. List the accomplishments (paid, unpaid, work, education or life experiences) that are relevant and compelling to your audience.
    • If job searching, be clear about the job title, function and industry you are interested in.
    • Practice your commercial, but don’t memorize; you want to sound natural!
    • Make a connection between yourself and your new acquaintance. End with a question to draw the contact into the conversation.

    Source: https://www.du.edu/career/networkingandevents/networkingtips/elevator.html

    Here is a list of networking opportunities to get you started (note the opportunistic ones!):

    • Personal Relationships (family, close friends, social groups)
    • Professional Relationships (colleagues, professional associations)
    • Associations (alumni, community, licensing, etc.)
    • Opportunistic (a woman you meet on the bus, a man next to you at the gym, online networks, etc.)