Pete’s Blog

It Pays to Smile

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

Blog 5Countless studies have proven that the mere act of smiling improves one’s mood and increases their likelihood of being happy. The same power can be said about frowning and its associated negative feelings. These simple uses of facial muscles can dramatically affect your daily experience, no matter what you’re doing. Wouldn’t you rather be more productive, creative, and just happier? Not only will you feel better, it’ll pay off more to turn that frown upside down in the workplace.

Jessica Pryce-Jones, author of Happiness at Work and CEO of iOpener has done a lot of research around this topic. “Happiness at work is closely correlated with greater performance and productivity as well as greater energy, better reviews, faster promotion, higher income, better health and increased happiness with life. So it’s good for organizations and individuals, too.”

Forbes shared some of Pryce-Jones’ research/results, which were compiled from 3,000 respondents in 79 countries. The results were clear, people who were happier at work were more productive. “The happiest employees are 180% more energized than their less content colleagues, 155% happier with their jobs, 150% happier with life, 108% more engaged and 50% more motivated. Most staggeringly, they are 50% more productive too.”

We can all agree that the simple act of smiling helps us be happy, and being happy not only improves our life but dramatically improves our experience at work – so, it’s time to smile more!

Start Smiling

Several years ago, I took a training course with a New York company called Mind Gym. Actor Craig Wroe gave some advice I’ve been passing on ever since: “I’ve got a surefire way…to make [yourself smile]. In your head say these three words, ‘I love you.’ and say it in a Southern accent. See if you can stop yourself from smiling!” Go ahead and try it right now.

I pass on this onto others all the time. I tell people to make sure they don’t say it out loud at the office, or somebody will get human resources involved or something! The simple act of smiling is much more powerful than people realize. A smile attracts people to you – that opens up opportunities. And when you stop and think about it, people truly appreciate a smile. You will make it big in life when you naturally want to be around people with great ideas and great prospects.

Learn more about leveraging improv to improve your career by visiting www.improvisnojoke.com and download a free chapter of my book, Improv is No Joke.

The Difference Between “But” & “And”

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

Blog 4But – conjunction – used to introduce something contrasting with what has already been mentioned.

And – conjunction – used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences that are to be taken jointly.

It’s as simple as that – one stops a thought in its tracks and introduces something else. The other connects an additional idea to be considered jointly.

It’s eye-opening to think about how often we use the phrase “Yes, but…” and the dramatic effect that happens when you replace “but” for “and.” For example, if a colleague suggests an idea, you might say, “Yes, and we could explore that idea and see if we could get it in the budget next year,” rather than “Yes, but there’s just no money to do that.” Even if you don’t ultimately agree on what’s being proposed, you’re at least allowing for the possibility of something and thereby showing respect and support for your associate.

Doing this small, yet significant shift in language promotes an atmosphere of acceptance and possibilities, not one of rejection and defeat. As a result, the workplace culture thrives. It becomes one of inspiration, not deflation. People aren’t thinking, “Why bother suggesting anything, because nobody wants to hear it.” They are thinking, “This is a place where ideas are welcome.”

“Yes, and…” Doesn’t Always Mean Yes.

Being open to ideas doesn’t mean you need to be committed to them. Allowing a continuation of thought keeps conversations going, inspires creativity. Being more inclusive in our conversation helps overcome resistance and fears that lead to a meeting of minds, which can be extremely beneficial during negotiations.

I like to introduce the game, “yes, and…” to illustrate this point. It goes something like this: The first participant announces, “Yes, I’m a walrus.” The next person might say, “Yes, I am a walrus, and I have got some really big whiskers.” The next person says, “Yes, I do have really big whiskers, and I’ve got a big tusk.” Or another scenario: “Yes, I love to play golf on Saturdays.” The next person says, “Oh, I love to play golf on Saturdays. And then I love to come home and sit on the patio.” Yes, I love sitting on the patio and petting my chocolate lab.” “And, I love picking the fleas out of her fur and squishing them.”

And so while playing this game, each participant starts off finding a level of agreement with what the preceding person said, then steers the story down a completely different path through improvisation. The concept of “yes, and…” is about being agreeable. It’s not about agreeing, but it’s about continuing the conversation.

Learn more about how leveraging improv can improve your career by visiting www.improvisnojoke.com where you download a free chapter of my book, Improv is No Joke.

The Importance of Eyes in Listening

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

238HWhen Little Red Riding Hood stood staring at who she thought was her grandma, she started questioning what she saw…

“Grandma…what big eyes you have” she exclaimed!

“All the better to hear you with, my dear!” the wolf replied.

Wait, what?

Ok, so that’s not how the story goes – but your eyes are just as important in the process of listening as your ears are. Perhaps you have had this happen to you at a networking event: someone introduces himself and asks a question, and as soon as you start to answer you can see that his eyes are scoping out who to talk to next. He might be nodding, but you don’t feel any real eye contact; it’s as if he’s looking through you. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and they reveal so much—including a lack of interest. Your eyes will keep you honest – so be sure your eyed and ears are equally tuned to the person who is speaking in front of you.

Improvising Requires Focused Eyes

In improv, you learn about listening with the eyes – it’s an important part of understanding everything happening in your surroundings. Unless you understand your scene, how can you adapt and respond appropriately? You can’t – you need to listen with your ears, to understand, and also listen to your physical environment. By listening with your eyes, you can gain the greater context. What is the body language that other people use? Are they engaged, or are their eyes glazing over? Stephen Covey said, “listen with your eyes for feelings.” Feelings are critical – ultimately they motivate people to make decisions, which from a business perspective is very important. In every interaction you have – from discussions with coworkers to interactions with clients, “listening” to feelings is going to be crucial in helping you respond in a beneficial way.

Connecting with Anyone or Anything

Inc. referenced a study from the journal, Environment and Behavior, conducted by researchers at Cornell University. In this study they changed the cartoon rabbit on Trix cereal boxes to look right at consumers, as opposed to looking away at the bowl of cereal. They found that people were more likely to choose Trix over competing brands if the rabbit because it was looking right at them. Eye contact with a cereal box was that influential. “‘Eye contact with cereal spokes-characters increased feelings of trust and connection to the brand, as well as ultimate choice of the brand over competitors,’ Cornell researchers reported.”

While listening with our ears is incredibly important – using our eyes in the listening process is just as critical in order to adequately understand the person in front of us. Learn more about leveraging improv to improve your career by visiting www.improvisnojoke.com and download a free chapter of my book, Improv is No Joke, while you’re there.

No One likes a Know-it-All: Listen to Understand, Not to Respond

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

Blog 1Ask yourself this question, and try to answer honestly: do you listen to respond, or do you listen to understand? When someone is talking, how often are you not really listening but rather just waiting for your chance to say what you know? How often are you thinking, “hurry up and finish, I’ve got something profound to say.” You’re not alone.

Improv 101

The key to improvisation is listening to understand. When you’re not listening to those around you, how can you respond in a way that truly adds value to the interaction? It’s the same no matter the situation, a client meeting, speaking with your spouse, or meeting someone new – in each of these interactions we have a choice in how we’re going to engage.

A common game used to develop improvisational listening skills is called “Mr. Know-It-All.” It helps people drop their agenda, listen, and focus—to be in the moment. I sometimes introduce this game in my presentations by asking for three volunteers to sit up front and face the audience. “Together, these people are Mr. Know-It-All,” I’ll say, “and can answer any question—but just one word at time.” To demonstrate, I’ll ask something like: “Why is the sky blue?” I’ll turn to the first person, then the next¸ and the next – each providing a word as they attempt to construct a sentence to answer the question.

Inevitably, each volunteer has formed some kind of plan – or agenda – in their mind for how they want to answer. However, when the player before them doesn’t say something that fits their agenda they get flustered and have to scramble for a response.

There’s a strong desire for us to not make ourselves look dumb; you don’t want to be caught unaware. As a result, you come up with a script or an idea before the person in front of you has even finished – or started in some cases! However, contrary to what you may be thinking, when you allow yourself to listen, you’ll naturally respond appropriately.

When the volunteers in the Know-It-All game let go and just listen to what the other person says, and then build off of it to make the sentence as accurate – it always works, and is often pretty funny. They begin to listen to understand, not just to respond. They drop their agendas. They stop trying to control how they want this thing to go.

It’s hard, we all want to be heard, we all have a desire to be important. Listening to understand forces you to put your agenda aside, listen to what the other person is saying, and pause to gather your thoughts or let the other person reflect is listening to understand. And wouldn’t you know…the person you’re talking with feels understood, appreciated and is more likely to engage further.

Learn more about how listening to understand, as well as other improve principles, can improve your career by visiting www.improvisnojoke.com where you can download a free chapter of my book, Improv is No Joke.

Increase Employee Retention Using Improv

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

Blog 6 PhotoIn today’s corporate America, retention rates for millennials aren’t great. Like every generation does, these young professionals are shaping the future. Where their parents would remain with a company for their whole careers, it is now common for talent to change jobs every few years. In response to this phenomenon, companies are looking for unique and effective ways to attract and keep their young staff members. I came across a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about how Goldman Sachs is moving forward with a new plan to retain more of their junior banking staff.

Jeanne Branthover, head of the global financial-services practice at an executive-search firm, commented on millenials saying, “They want and are serious about having a work-life balance. Most are saying `I know this looks good on a résumé, so I’ll do this for two years. But I’m using this to go somewhere else.” That’s it right there. Take it or leave it folks. They make up the majority of the workforce.”

Entry level positions have been known as cross-corporation stepping stones for a long time, but since most of these people have seen their parents get laid off, they have this conception that their employers don’t care about them, so why should they care about them in return. You are left with brilliant minds, motivation and a wealth of creativity, putting in their two years and leaving.

Improv can leverage this generation. Sound confusing? Goldman Sachs is learning the power of listening to what their employees want. And they are respecting them by supporting them. They are becoming more and more adaptable. They aren’t giving them anything they want. It isn’t a rolling over and showing off the belly, it is about innovation. Improv principles foster innovation because when you listen, respect, support, focus, and adapt to those around you, you unlock and encourage their creativity and creativity is the foundation of innovation. And when people feel appreciated they stick around.

To learn more about the power of improvisation, download a free chapter from my new book, Improv is No Joke or email me at Peter@theaccidentalaccountant.com and I will come to you for your next speaking engagement.