Did you know that 67% of employees agree that meetings are too long? And yet, leaders are doing nothing about it.

The way we once conducted meetings has changed because the way in which we work has changed.

No longer do we collectively gather in a conference room engaging face-to-face. Now, meetings are a collection of online and in-person attendees consuming and deciphering information at lightning speed.

Meetings require engagement and interaction to make an impact. The old cookie-cutter approach to round table discussions is a thing of the past. Today, meetings must be memorable for the right reasons so listeners can act on the information conveyed.

Meeting facilitators must now fight the distractions at home and in the office if they want to be heard above the noise.

Shifting how you think about meetings isn’t as hard as it sounds.

First, ask yourself what communication medium will drive action. Maybe it isn’t a meeting at all. Perhaps it’s a phone call, an email, or a group chat. Don’t host meetings for the sake of meetings, especially when another platform will do.

Second, negate distractions, don’t fight them. Commit to honoring your listeners time and their attention in a way that is beneficial for them.

Lastly, use the right visual aids. Give your attendees the information they need before attending so they aren’t distracted reading through as you speak. Don’t bore them with details that you can easily share in an email.

For meetings to make an impact, you must earn and keep your listener’s attention. Rise above the meeting madness of the past so you can influence your listeners to act Monday to Monday.®

Podcast: The Learning Leader Show

Host: Ryan Hawk

Influence Research

The post Ditch Meeting Madness first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

Why are we so afraid to ask for what we want?

Why do we hesitate to ask our listeners to act?

Too many professionals lack the courage to state their desire in a clear and concise manner. They leave conversations without an obvious next step. I’m not just talking to sales professionals who want to close a deal. I’m talking to every leader who requires their team to swiftly act on the guidance they give.

Your listeners need a clear call to action, otherwise, confusion sets in and other priorities steal focus. In fact, we surveyed over 250 participants and found that prior to our training, only 65% felt confident in communicating what they wanted from their listeners. That number climbed to 91% attending our sessions.

Do you feel confident in your ability to ask for what you want from your listeners? If you want your listeners to leave your conversation knowing exactly what to do, convey your call to action in three practical steps.

1. Explain the ‘Why’

By explaining why the action is important you will help solidify the motivation for your listeners to act.

“Adjusting the performance review process will allow more room for employee development.”

The ‘why’ motivates your listener, providing purpose behind the ask.

2. Set a deadline

To set expectations, clearly express the date by which you need the action completed.

“Prepare two ideas to share with the team by Friday at noon.”

Setting a deadline allows your listener to understand the expected delivery of the ask.

3. Provide benefits

Share the benefits that resonate loudly with your listener.

“Centralizing these ideas reduces the impact to individual workload.”

Pay close attention this week to your conversations by giving your listeners a clear and concise next step and see how much more influential you can be.

Book: A Mind for Sales: Daily Habits and Practical Strategies for Sales Success

By: Mark Hunter, CSP

Influence Research

The post 3 Surefire Steps to Communicate Calls to Action first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

Think back to when you first learned to drive a car. You may have been nervous or uncertain. It felt uncomfortable and maybe even a little scary. You had to think about every control, dial, peddle and movement. In no way were you prepared or skilled enough to accelerate onto the highway. With practice and the discipline to repeat the motions over and over, you learned to drive.

Today when you get into a car, you don’t have to consciously think about where and how to use your brakes. Changing lanes comes second nature and knowing what controls to use while accelerating down an on ramp requires little thought. Communicating with influence is no different.

The momentum you create through deliberate practice is what creates habits. Habits become secondary actions that give us the freedom to move and adjust to our surroundings. Like an overconfident, novice driver, many believe they communicate with influence but lack the skills that provide the freedom to adequately adjust their messaging and delivery.

For example, before attending our sessions, only 67% of our clients felt confident in their ability to lead their virtual teams. Once practicing the skills they learned in our training, 87% felt confident in their abilities.

Like driving, communication skills must be practiced with discipline until they become second nature. Only when they become habit can we learn to master the next skill. With time, communication skills become such a natural part of how we respond that we have the freedom to focus on the message and adjust to our listeners’ needs.

If you desire the freedom that comes with real influence, you must first learn, practice, and maintain the discipline to instill the habits to drive forward to success.

Podcast: The School of Greatness-Episode 1503 “3 Key Secrets to Mastering Negotiation”

Host: Lewis Howes

Influence Research

The post Discipline Creates Freedom first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

How many times have you heard a facilitator start off a meeting by saying “We are here to talk about…”

It’s in that moment the speaker invites listeners to check out. You already know what the purpose of the meeting is, you accepted the invitation, after all!

Nevertheless, we are all guilty of doing it. When we speak with others, we tend to focus more on the ‘what’ than the ‘why’ and then wonder why attendees glance at their smart phone or start checking emails.

When listeners check out, the ‘what’ isn’t the problem, because there is no such thing as a boring topic, only a boring communicator.

The ‘what’ only implies the desired end state or outcome, but it fails to create the motivation needed to get there.

Your message will only gain traction if you let your listeners know the value and benefit they’ll receive.

For example, consider these two statements and then ask yourself which is more likely to influence you to act:

“We are meeting today to discuss how we can save money by cutting 10% from our budget.”

Versus

“Giving our employees a larger raise this year ensures we retain top talent. Let’s brainstorm how we can financially reward our workforce.”

I hope you’re thinking the 2^nd example…because you’re right!

Next time you host a meeting, consider your listener’s ‘why.’

‘Why’ do they care?

‘Why’ is this conversation happening now? Why does this topic or message impact them?

Only then will you accomplish ‘what’ you came to achieve which I’m guessing is to influence action.

Podcast: The CEO School

Host: Suneera Madhani

Influence Research

The post Identify The Why first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

Have you ever known someone who is chronically late? They consistently arrive five, ten, maybe twenty minutes later than they said they would?

No matter how hard they work or how knowledgeable they are, it’s hard to trust their ability to show up on time.

Now you may be asking, Stacey, what does this have to do with me? I’m always on time.

Maybe you are. But do you consistently follow through on everything you commit to?

If you tell a coworker to expect a call from you by a certain time, do you follow through, or let it slide if something else comes up?

Do you ask for an employee to deliver on a specific deadline, then fail to provide timely feedback as their project sits in your inbox for days without review?

Maybe you ask meeting participants to turn off their gadgets and pay attention when you speak but fail to do the same when it’s your turn to listen.

Are you guilty of any of these behaviors?

The only way to know is to ask someone you trust who is going to tell you the truth. Find a coworker, mentor or family member to give you honest feedback. I know, this can be uncomfortable!

Ask any of our clients and they’ll tell you that prior to attending one of our sessions, only 56% knew how to confidently ask for feedback. Afterward, over 90% were not only armed with the skills to ask, but they knew feedback was key to understanding how others perceived them.

How we act has an impact on our ability to influence others, even more than what we say. Words are only as valuable as the actions that back them up. Today, ask someone you trust for constructive feedback. THEN, put into actin the feedback you’re willing to commit to.

Podcast: Stacey Hanke on Influencing Monday To Monday

Host: Anthony Shop

Influence Research

The post Actions Speak Louder Than Words first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

“I want to lose 20 pounds.”

“I want a promotion at work.”

“I want others to act on what I say.”

Do you ever consider how many times we say we want something, and stop short of achieving it? It’s like making a New Year’s Resolution that you know won’t last beyond January.

Eventually, we lose trust in our ability to deliver on promises we’ve made ourselves.

The same holds true with others.

How many times have you said you would deliver on a project by a certain date, or respond to an email by a certain time, only to fall short of following through.

It erodes trust others have in us and weakens our ability to influence people to act.

Accountability is the game changer for growing our influence. It’s that moment where we eliminate all the excuses and commit to following through.

If you want to turn your promises into action, you must:

1. Own your commitment. Just as if you made a promise to show up to your kids’ game or recital, you must show up for yourself and others. No matter the size or significance of your promise, own your words.
2. Reiterate your commitment to others, reminding them you take commitments seriously enough to follow through.
3. Stop “trying,” just do. “Try” is a non-committal word. Ask any kid you know what it means when their parents use the word “try” and they’ll say it won’t happen. If you say you will do something, do it. If you are reluctant to commit, then don’t.

Our clients saw a 30% increased ability to hold themselves accountable after attending our sessions. They acquired the tools and skills to consistently deliver so others could count on them to be leaders of their word.

Stop falling short of achieving the goals you set out for you and your team. Learn the skills required to be accountable so you can influence others to act!

Podcast: This is your Life with Michael Hyatt

Host: Michele Cushatt

Influence Research

The post 3 Ways To Earn Influence and Promote Accountability first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

I recently joined a call of virtual attendees and as the host began speaking, I quickly became distracted.

His blurred background illuminated strange colors making me suspicious of where he was sitting and what he was trying to hide.

The lighting caused his body to look like a digital cut out from a bad science-fiction movie.

His camera was sitting too low, sharing an unpleasant look from an unflattering angle.

The whole time he spoke, I was distracted observing the terrible technical settings he thought helped him look more professional.

Clearly, they didn’t work.

Despite how many professionals work remotely, too many continue to show up online without a clue as to how they are perceived. In fact, before attending our training, less than half of participants felt confident influencing others across multiple mediums. After our training, that number doubled after being shown our tools and techniques.

If you, or your team, work virtually, these three practical and immediate steps will ensure you consistently have influence.

First, eliminate distractions. Working from home should mimic your professional office environment. Unless you work at a veterinarian’s office, meandering cats and barking dogs don’t belong in the workplace.

Second, stop hiding by blurring your background. The only thing this does is cause your listener to wonder what it is you don’t want them to see. Find a spot that is clear of clutter and positively impacts your personal brand.

Lastly, practice before delivering. I get it, new software and technology becomes available daily, but using it before learning it will cause you embarrassment and cost you your influence. If you want to keep the attention on you and not technology, spare your live audience from your learning curve.

Virtual work environments have enough challenges to overcome. Let your listener see and hear you, not your technical gadgets.

Podcast: The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast

Host: Andy Stanley

Influence Research

The post Technical Blunders Costing Your Credibility first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

“Why do so many people look at their phones when I’m talking?”

This is what Tracey, one of my clients said to me after a meeting left her feeling only half-heartedly heard.

She went on to say “One person even left the room to take a call halfway through the meeting and two others quietly chatted amongst each other on the side. Why can’t I keep their attention?”

That’s when I asked her, do you look at your phone when attending meetings? Have you ever carried on a side bar conversation or gotten up to leave a room?

She grinned and said, “yes I have!”

It is like when you were a kid and your parents would say, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Yeah, right. Like that was going to happen.

When your actions speak louder than your words, your listeners start guessing which one is telling the truth. Learning to earn and keep people’s attention when you speak is key. In fact, only 17% participants we surveyed said they felt confident in their ability to engage meeting multitaskers prior to attending our training. After attending our training, over 74% felt confident they had the skills to prevent multi-taskers.

If others fail to pay attention when you speak, there’s likely a simple reason why.

First, seek the truth. It’s easy to assume how others perceive us. Rarely are we right. Ask someone you trust to share how you are seen and heard by others.

Next, create a plan. Ask a peer or mentor to hold you accountable to correct your problem behavior that you’re willing to change.

Lastly, practice until permanent. Every interaction is an opportunity to practice! Deliberatley practice the behaviors you want to change until they become second nature.

People believe what you tell them AND what you show them. Apply these three steps and you can start demonstrating the behaviors you want others to see and to influence action.

We have a new workshop!  Learn more about Interact don’t Distract HERE.

Influence Research

The post Stop Talking and Start Acting first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

Gone are the days when leaders could easily get a project update by simply passing an employee in the hall or by popping into their workspace.

In today’s hybrid world, accountability requires intentionality.

Leaders can no longer rely on face-to-face interactions for accountability. They must pick up the phone, send an email, or jump on a Zoom call.

For many, the extra effort can feel daunting or overwhelming.

Before attending our workshop, only 34% of attendees we surveyed felt confident in their ability to hold others accountable in a hybrid setting, whereas afterward, that number doubled!

Knowing how to be intentional in your outreach will ensure accountability for anyone, within any medium, on anything.

Each morning, host a quick and consistent daily check in with your virtual and hybrid team. Discuss their daily priorities and tasks to ensure everyone is on the same page. Example; the check-in question we ask each other on my team is; “what’s your positive professional and personal focus for the week?”

Second, respond in a timely manner. Don’t leave virtual employees waiting on you to respond to their questions or concerns. The timelier your response, the timelier they will be able to achieve the action steps you’ve asked.

In our world of hybrid work, accountability requires intentionality. As the leader, you can establish three proactive ways to facilitate updates, streamline communication, and maintain influence Monday to Monday.

Podcast: Coaching for Leaders

Influence Research

The post Accountability Requires Intentionality first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

We’ve heard or experienced online dating disasters where the person you meet doesn’t look anything like their profile picture. You are immediately confused upon meeting them. You don’t hear a word they say because you’re distracted thinking to yourself – are they really this out of touch with reality?

Now think about having the same experience with someone you’ve worked with virtually. You get to know them online but are then shocked when you met them in person.

Maybe it was their body language, posture, or hand gestures that threw you off. Maybe it was the way they spoke or interacted with others that felt disconnected.

Influence requires consistency – no matter the medium. Yet, before attending our workshop, only 57% of participants felt confident in their ability to consistently interact in different settings. That means before training, half of those we asked were distracting their listeners by showing up differently in person than online.

In a virtual environment, listeners only see what we show them – which is confined into a small tile on the screen. In person, they see it all – our body language, movement of our eyes, posture and gestures.

If you want people to hear and understand your message rather than be distracted by your inconsistency, consider doing these three actions during your virtual calls:

1. Stand up and step back from your computer. Let your listeners observe your body posture, positioning and hand gestures.

2. Keep the camera position level with your eyes so you aren’t looking up or down when you speak.

3. Dress for the day. How you would prepare for an in-person meeting is how you need to show up for a virtual call.

Consider how you show up next time you meet someone virtually. Will their experience engaging with you be the same as those you meet in-person? O

If you want to influence others, consistency is key.

We have a new workshop!  Learn more about Interact don’t Distract HERE.

Influence Research

The post 3 Action Steps You Can Take Today to Show Up Consistently first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..