Start with a Goal: Visibility and Growth
Imagine your goal for next year is to increase visibility and grow your business.
It’s Thursday afternoon, and you’ve gathered the team for a brainstorming session to reach your goal. You’ve got flip charts, markers, coffee, and chocolate. Ready, set, go!
Team members shift to the front of their seats in nervous anticipation.
“Um… maybe a… Client Appreciation Day?” is tentatively floated out. You write it on the chart. Tensions ease.
“Finding New Friends – a referral program…” Heads nod as you write it on the chart.
A young team member, clearly excited by creative idea sharing, jumps up, “The Power Up PODCAST!!!”
The BUT Blocker: Stopping Momentum in Its Tracks
A few titters and then…
“BUT we don’t know anything about podcasts.”
Followed quickly by “Cool, BUT how would we record it?”
Overlapped by “BUT that would bust the budget!”
The team member deflates back into their chair with cheeks glowing a slight pink. No one else offers any further ideas.
The room has been blocked by BUT.
Recognizing the Verbal Stop Sign
Recently, while in my small town, a shop owner thanked me for supporting her small business and asked if I also had a local business that she could support.
I said Yes, BUT most of my work takes place in major cities, not here.
The shopkeeper cocked her head, smiled, and kindly pointed out that by me saying BUT, it was like holding up my hand to say, “Don’t even THINK of me for your business needs!”
BUT is a verbal stop sign. It’s a momentum killer and facilitates the habit of poking holes into offerings, new ideas, or process changes.
Change BUT to AND: Unlock the Possibilities
Start to notice BUT blockers in conversations around you – especially when you hear it coming out of your own mouth. Instead, change BUT to AND, and see how that opens up a conversation.
For instance, my exchange with the shop owner would go:
“Yes, I do have a small business that takes me all over the country, AND I’m always extra excited to share my message with clients near home. Would you know of any organizations that need to Live Lighter?”
And that brainstorming idea:
“Podcasting is really popular right now. There are some logistics and budget considerations, AND I’d be very interested to have you explore this. Can you do some research, and we’ll meet again in two weeks?”
Empowering Your Team Through AND
Mentally checking yourself and choosing positive action words like AND is a fast way to motivate. This method acknowledges the person and their idea while also giving them autonomy to further flesh it out without impacting other team members or the business.
Empowering others’ passion projects is a way to deeply engage your employees. Giving them the responsibility of developing and managing the process puts them in the position of leadership, giving them a stake in the growth and development of the business – which was your goal in the first place!
From Blocked to Brilliant
And who knows… with guidance and support, your team member could create a top-rated podcast that gains your business enormous visibility. And that would certainly add a spotlight to your marketing plan!
Final Thoughts
Start replacing BUT with AND in your conversations. Notice the shift in energy, creativity, and momentum as your team becomes more engaged and empowered.
Love and light,
Tami
