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Articles from Regina Barr | Selfgrowth.com
- ***Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World - by Submitted on Mar 15, 2012 from Regina BarrEffective leaders understand that enhancing relationships is critical to their success. Imagine this for a moment. Your life is a smooth-running machine. You have plenty of time to do all of the important things: eat breakfast, take the kids to school, arrive at work on time, prepare for your ...
Views: 1552 - ***Equip yourself to handle difficult conversations well - by Submitted on Mar 15, 2012 from Regina BarrEffective leaders understand that enhancing relationships is critical to their success. In fact, of all the behaviors attributed to career derailment, a problem with relationship building is cited most often – almost 46 percent of the time. Communicating constructively is key to enhancing ...
Views: 1582 - ***Leverage Year-to-Date Results to Establish and Enhance Credibility - by Submitted on Mar 02, 2012 from Regina BarrWhen’s the best time to get some buzz for your accomplishments? If you’re like most people, you probably answered during my annual performance evaluation. But in actuality, that’s the worst time. Why? Because everyone else is trying to do the same thing at the same time, which means your ...
Views: 1453 - ***Your Leadership Legacy - by Submitted on Mar 02, 2012 from Regina BarrThe New Year is upon us and like most smart business people, you are probably taking inventory and making plans for the coming year. Most of these actions focus on external items, like deciding on how many widgets you are going to make and sell, or how many new clients you hope to acquire by the ...
Views: 1269 - ***Your Leadership Legacy - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2012 from Regina BarrThe New Year is upon us and like most smart business people, you are probably taking inventory and making plans for the coming year. Most of these actions focus on external items, like deciding on how many widgets you are going to make and sell, or how many new clients you hope to acquire by the ...
Views: 1392 - ***Working With Passion: How to Incorporate More Magic into Your Work and Life - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2012 from Regina BarrWhen's the last time that you told someone that you are passionate about your work? If you're like most people, you probably don't even associate the word passion with your job. In last month's Red Ladder survey, only 34% of respondents said that they do not wake up easily or feel excited about ...
Views: 1940(1 vote) - ***Value Yourself and Others Will Too - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2012 from Regina BarrDuring the past few months, I have had the opportunity to talk with many women about pricing and valuing - both themselves and their businesses - when delivering two of my popular seminars: profitable pricing and negotiation. The ability to value yourself, coupled with strong negotiation skills, ...
Views: 1471 - ***Three Ways to Cultivate Confidence When the Chips are Down - by Submitted on Feb 10, 2012 from Regina BarrIn many organizations, when times get tough things suddenly begin to contract en mass – budgets, projects, jobs and communication. Suddenly employees are left to wonder who or what is next? Optimism fades and suddenly confidence overall is down perhaps even yours. How can you cultivate ...
Views: 1515 - ***Three Ways to Wow Customers with Outstanding Service When Something Goes Wrong – Even When It’s Not Your Fault! - by Submitted on Feb 10, 2012 from Regina BarrAccording to a survey by Customer Care Alliance (CCA), only 16% of customers felt satisfied by the service received when they had complaints, despite efforts by the company to improve customer relations. Further, 73% were so unhappy with their encounter with a company when they had complaints ...
Views: 1626 - ***Using Assessments to Develop Yourself and Others - by Submitted on Jan 27, 2012 from Regina BarrHave you ever taken a development assessment? Many organizations that I work with are now turning to behavior assessments and other types of personality trait testing for employees or prospective employees. Assessments can: 1. Help individuals better understand their strengths and position ...
Views: 1685 - ***Three Ways to Cultivate Confidence When the Chips are Down - by Submitted on Jan 27, 2012 from Regina BarrIn many organizations, when times get tough things suddenly begin to contract en mass – budgets, projects, jobs and communication. Suddenly employees are left to wonder who or what is next? Optimism fades and suddenly confidence overall is down perhaps even yours. How can you cultivate ...
Views: 952 - ***Three Ways to Wow Customers with Outstanding Service When Something Goes Wrong – Even When It’s Not Your Fault! - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2012 from Regina BarrAccording to a survey by Customer Care Alliance (CCA), only 16% of customers felt satisfied by the service received when they had complaints, despite efforts by the company to improve customer relations. Further, 73% were so unhappy with their encounter with a company when they had complaints ...
Views: 1208 - ***Three Strategies for Putting Balance Back into Your Work Life - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2012 from Regina BarrHas the pendulum swung too far in increasing productivity at the expense of employee work-life balance? In an article titled, Americans of All Stripes Are Sicker Than They Need to Be, Paul Krugman indicated that full-time American workers work, on average, about 46 weeks per year compared with ...
Views: 1227(1 vote) - ***Three Strategies to Accelerate Your Team’s Success - by Submitted on Jan 05, 2012 from Regina BarrMany of you know that I am actively involved on several non-profit boards including past president of an international professional association. After serving, I wrote an article titled Five Key Leadership Lessons I learned from Serving on Non-Profit Boards. The five lessons that were critical ...
Views: 1056 - ***Three Strategies to Accelerate Your Team’s Success - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2011 from Regina BarrMany of you know that I am actively involved on several non-profit boards including past president of an international professional association. After serving, I wrote an article titled Five Key Leadership Lessons I learned from Serving on Non-Profit Boards. The five lessons that were critical ...
Views: 954(1 vote) - ***Three Steps for Managing a Stressful Relationship with Your Boss - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2011 from Regina BarrDid you know that your relationship with your boss can impact your health and well being? It’s true. In fact, people who are unhappy take an extra 15 sick days each year according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. When asked about job satisfaction, whether bosses were authoritative ...
Views: 1122 - ***Three Steps for Staying Positive in a Negative Business Environment - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2011 from Regina BarrUnless you have been living in a closet, you know that fuel costs are soaring, consumer prices are rising, and a fall election is looming ahead of us. On the work front, budgets are being slashed, projects are being put on hold or eliminated, salary increases are non-existent and hiring freezes ...
Views: 1410 - ***Three Lists Everyone Should Use to Increase Productivity - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2011 from Regina BarrFor those of you who may have been coasting this summer, September is a great month to get back on track with your goals. Take time to dust them off and determine what you can reasonably accomplish between now and year-end. Then drill down what tactics will help you accomplish your goals. It’s ...
Views: 1060 - ***The Power of Thinking Big - by Submitted on Dec 01, 2011 from Regina BarrIt has often been said that bigger is not always better. That may be true when considering automobiles and the current price of gas, but it is never true when it comes to new ideas or personal dreams where thinking big is always better. Let me illustrate. Think back to when you were a child. ...
Views: 1255 - ***The Leadership Balance Sheet - by Submitted on Dec 01, 2011 from Regina BarrEvery year, most successful CEOs take inventory and create strategic plans for the coming year, not only for their organizations but also for themselves. As leaders, they know the importance of planning for their own development, which involves both reflection and introspection. They take a ...
Views: 2374 - ***Six Tips for Managing a Vacation Hangover - by Submitted on Dec 01, 2011 from Regina BarrI have been talking to a number of business professionals who are all suffering from what I refer to as "vacation hangover." What's that you say? Let me illustrate for you. You scrambled to get everything done before taking a much needed and deserved vacation. Like most people, you centered ...
Views: 1119 - ***Seven Strategies for Inflating Your Success - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2011 from Regina BarrWhen I ask people to describe characteristics of successful people, they often identify characteristics that they associate with others but not themselves. This never ceases to amaze me. In a recent Red Ladder survey, respondents indicated that the top two drivers for success were 1) having ...
Views: 1216 - ***Self Promotion: How to Promote Yourself Without Looking Like a Self-Serving Idiot - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2011 from Regina BarrWhat is it about the combination of the words "self promotion" that makes most women cringe? And why is it that, in particular, women struggle the most in this arena? Research has shown that there are a number of barriers women must overcome with the concept of ...
Views: 1267 - ***Risk Taking has its Rewards - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2011 from Regina BarrPeople often tell me that they are amazed at how willing I am to take risks. For me, it's less about the risk itself, and more about the opportunity and excitement it generates, which compels me to step out of my comfort zone again and again. So, how do you view risk? Most people I talk to ...
Views: 1092 - ***Riding a Runaway Train: Five Strategies for Developing a Sense of Control in Turbulent Times - by Submitted on Nov 04, 2011 from Regina BarrThink about the last time you rode a train. You likely went to the station, purchased a ticket, waited on the platform for the train to arrive as scheduled, boarded the train and safely arrived at your destination. There was little or no excitement, just another normal day at the station, right? ...
Views: 1103(1 vote) - ***Reframe Your Attitude and Create a More Positive Work Environment - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2011 from Regina BarrI often think about something that my uncle once told me when I asked him if he minded getting older. He said, “Age is a state of mind over matter, if you don’t mind it then it doesn’t matter.” With each passing year (and birthday) I have come to appreciate the wisdom of this statement. I have ...
Views: 1511(1 vote) - ***Reflections and Goals - by Submitted on Oct 13, 2011 from Regina BarrLike most people, you probably took inventory and made plans for the coming year. Some of you probably even took the time to identify one or two New Year's resolutions. Yet, the experts say that 30 percent of the people who make New Year's resolutions have given up by Feb. 1st and over half will ...
Views: 1441 - ***Parachute Over Your Obstacles - by Submitted on Oct 13, 2011 from Regina BarrI recently received an email story, author unknown, titled, Your Parachute. It was about a U.S. Navy jet pilot, Charles Plumb, who was shot down after 76 combat missions and spent 6 years in a Vietnamese prison. He had to overcome numerous obstacles but he survived his ordeal. One day Plumb ...
Views: 1227(1 vote) - ***Nine Nuggets from My Recent Blog Posts and Tweets to Inspire Your Success - by Submitted on Sep 28, 2011 from Regina BarrWhen I attend networking events, participate in seminars, read newsletters and other periodicals, I always feel that my time has been well spent if I take away just one new idea that I can implement immediately or that pushes me to think outside my comfort zone. Maybe you are shaking your head ...
Views: 1215 - ***Networking for Success - by Submitted on Sep 28, 2011 from Regina BarrNetworking is an art form practiced by many, mastered by few. Like anything, practice makes perfect. Owning my own company, I get to practice a lot. My favorite networking example is from the movie, For Love of Money. There is a classic scene where Michael J. Fox, who plays a hotel ...
Views: 1044 - ***Moving the Needle on Employee Engagement and Commitment - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Regina BarrWhen it comes to employee engagement and commitment to an organization, most companies would agree that they ‘have some, want more.’ Why? These companies have come to recognize that their organization’s long-term success relies on employee performance, which is directly impacted by the level of ...
Views: 1238 - ***Manage Small Changes and Builds Your Capacity for Change Management - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2011 from Regina BarrHow often have you heard the statement, the only thing constant is change. No kidding, right? Anyone living on the planet earth can attest to that statement. For most of us, the pace of change seems to have picked up dramatically over the past few years, thanks in part to the increased ...
Views: 1044 - ***Leading When You’re NOT the Boss - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2011 from Regina BarrAs an organizational consultant, the leaders that I find that are most in demand today are those that can motivate and engage employees that are outside of the scope of their functional responsibilities. The same holds true for the non-profit organizations I work with. What make these ...
Views: 1113 - ***Inspect What You Expect: Your Key to Achieving Outrageous Results - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2011 from Regina BarrYour leadership success is the direct result of your ability to motivate and inspire people to get things done – whether they report to you or not. Most of you understand the importance of empowering your team to make decisions. You’ve probably even gotten comfortable delegating tasks. Now you ...
Views: 2636(1 vote) - ***Improve Your Bottom Line through Executive Coaching - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2011 from Regina BarrIf someone were to ask you whether or not you would consider working with an executive coach, would you feel insulted or exhilarated? Your answer will probably depend on a number of factors including what region of the country you live in, the context in which the question is asked, and your ...
Views: 1095 - ***How to Motivate Employees Without Breaking Your Budget - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2011 from Regina BarrIt's January and it's the time of year when most people look to make changes, and that includes changes in their jobs. It is also a time when most companies begin posting new positions. Depending on which side of this scenario you are sitting on will determine if that is good news or bad news ...
Views: 1302 - ***Five Tips for How to Think on Your Feet and Become the MacGyver of Your Workplace - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2011 from Regina BarrThinking on your feet is a critical skill for any business leader when it comes to solving unexpected issues that arise on the job. This is the number one reason my clients state for hiring me. No matter what obstacles come my way, I always find a way to work things out. Do you remember the ...
Views: 1145 - ***How to Motivate Employees Without Breaking Your Budget - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2011 from Regina BarrIt's January and it's the time of year when most people look to make changes, and that includes changes in their jobs. It is also a time when most companies begin posting new positions. Depending on which side of this scenario you are sitting on will determine if that is good news or bad news ...
Views: 1133 - ***Five Tips for How to Think on Your Feet and Become the MacGyver of Your Workplace - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2011 from Regina BarrThinking on your feet is a critical skill for any business leader when it comes to solving unexpected issues that arise on the job. This is the number one reason my clients state for hiring me. No matter what obstacles come my way, I always find a way to work things out. Do you remember the ...
Views: 1540 - ***Five Stress Busters I Learned From Eating Dark Chocolate - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2011 from Regina BarrAs a life-long learner, I am a voracious reader. My husband claims that I will read anything, which is simply not true. I am a serious business professional and am discerning in my choice of reading materials. For example, I would never consider reading the instruction manual for setting up or ...
Views: 1185 - ***Five Steps for Handling Workplace Conflict - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2011 from Regina BarrYou're at work. You've been assigned an exciting, highly visible project. You can't wait to get started. You arrive at your first team meeting ready to rock and roll. You take one look around and you immediately hone in on several scowling faces. Almost immediately, you are confronted and a ...
Views: 2166(1 vote) - ***Five Secrets of Successful Women in Business - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2011 from Regina BarrWe all have those successful women we admire who seem to turn everything they touch into gold. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with a number of women like this during the past month to learn more about why they are so successful. Here are five secrets of success that I have learned from ...
Views: 1898 - ***Five Key Leadership Lessons I learned from Serving on Non-Profit Boards - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2011 from Regina BarrLike many of you, I serve on several non-profit boards in various capacities including chair. And, like many of you, I have had great experiences and frustrating experiences. Here are some of the key leadership lessons I have learned along the way that are critical for success. These lessons can ...
Views: 1443 - ***Everything I Need to Know About Success I Learned Through Networking - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2011 from Regina BarrAs a Consultant, I attend a lot of networking events, industry association programs, and one-on-one meetings for breakfast, coffee or other food-related events. Whenever I network or attend events, I always tell people that it was worth my time and money if I gained just one creative idea or ...
Views: 1507 - ***Empower Your Employees to Make Decisions and Watch Customer And Employee Satisfaction Surge! - by Submitted on May 27, 2011 from Regina BarrLast month I shared with you several lessons critical to sustained leadership success. One of those lessons was to empower your team to make decisions. According to last month’s Red Ladder poll, 33% of respondents indicated that empowering employees to make decisions was the improvement that ...
Views: 1300 - ***Dial-Up Your Success through Dynamic Communication - by Submitted on May 18, 2011 from Regina BarrWhy do 80% of our team issues come from 20% of our team members? And, how do you recognize and eliminate these issues? According to the Carnegie Institute of Technology, only 15% of your success is due to your technical knowledge while 85% of success is attributable to your ability to ...
Views: 1863(1 vote) - ***Barriers to Advancement Facing Women in Business - by Submitted on May 18, 2011 from Regina BarrWomen continue to enter the workforce in record numbers. In fact, almost 47% of the workforce is comprised of women. Yet, despite this fact, very few women hold the top slots. Take one stroll past the executive suite in your organization and there will probably be a noticeable lack of women ...
Views: 2367(1 vote) - ***Three “D’s” Key to Balance - by Submitted on May 06, 2011 from Regina BarrI often chuckle at how hard so many of us seem to be working to find the ever elusive balance that we seek. Some of you are probably personally convinced (and some days I am too!) that balance simply does not really exist. Perhaps you have told yourself that having balance is simply one of those ...
Views: 1320(1 vote) - ***Always Assume Positive Intent - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2011 from Regina BarrI am currently working on a re-branding initiative with an organization. Because we are working with very short timelines with a large amount of work to be completed, a steering committee with decision making authority was put into place to shepherd the process. This group is responsible for ...
Views: 2897(1 vote) - ***7 Reasons We Procrastinate and Strategies to Overcome Them - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2011 from Regina BarrAsk anyone and they will tell you they have been guilty of it at one time or another. Some find it exhilarating while others find it stressful. What is it? It’s procrastination, the formal term for putting off or avoiding a task or work that needs to be completed, usually within a specific ...
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