If you believe you do not have verbal abusers or bullies in your work place, take this test. As you read each scenario consider how your workplace could be at risk of a lawsuit if you do not provide training.
Scenario A: Verbal Abuse kills teamwork
Team members pose for a picture and team member L says,
“Wow we are standing in size order”
Seems innocent unless you are the biggest person in the picture and you have been the subject of constant sarcasm, lack of emotional intelligence and put-downs. In this case the comments have caused team members to avoid the team member who showed lack of respect. Lack of productivity in the team is not the only risk, lawsuits and complaints put the company at risk.
If no training has been given on Respectful Communication, Body Language and Emotional Intelligence there is no plan for creating a culture of success and respect. Without training team member L, who cause the problem can say, “In this company we always kid around and people say stuff to me all the time”
If training had taken place there would be guidelines. Learn from the NFL case where a senior player bullied the Rookie. The senior player who was accused of bullying told the lawyers, “That Rookie loves me, I have mentored him and we give the rookies a hard time”
No training on communication means any words and behavior are acceptable
Scenario B: No Boundaries kills the brand
Team member B consistently demeans and makes fun of some younger team members, senior level team members tend to let it go. Example: Whenever the targeted team members friends come to a public company event team member B brands them with a name that is unflattering.
Team member B is also disrespectful to all younger staff member’s family and friends to the point that when a charity event is held if younger staff member’s family and friends bring food to help out at the event, Team member B says, “We already have enough”
The younger staff and their friends and family quickly feel like outsiders and the company brand and culture are now in question. When leadership does nothing and blames this behavior on just one person they forget that others will learn that behavior and keep it growing. As long as the behavior, actions and words are allowed to continue some team members see this as a way to survive and to fit in.
Training on Team Charters and Respectful Communication showcase a GPS that can be a protection against lawsuits and lack of productivity. In this scenario we worked with a team and everyone in the company was present so we created a plan that everyone contributed to and no one was called out for past behavior, instead the team all focused on the new behaviors, words and actions that will build brand, team and revenue.
Fun fact:. Our training had been a parable for Team member B, without sharing who was causing problems, Team member B could see their behavior and could respond when ready. This is an example of transformation. As a college instructor I learned that no matter how many times I reminded a student to do something the only way to transform behavior is for a person to discover it in the way they need to learn it.
Scenario C: Lack of emotional intelligence kills revenue
Team member A always complaining about a process or someone on the team. Team member A could be called a know it all but is truly very insecure. Trying to be cool and fit in, Team member A, often pushes boundaries, makes fun of leadership and acts superior to others. It seems you can find a Team member A in every company and most of them get away with this behavior because they maybe a top performer.
Sadly, team member A usually has anger and it comes out just like the put downs come out when team member A feels insecure. Emotional intelligence coaching and training has helped all of the people like team member A. Our Trainers usually spot these people right away because they often verbal abuse or laugh at something our trainer says or does. We have found that our interactive approach engages the entire team and team member A gets to fit in and participate in the training. You maybe wondering does a person like Team Member A really transform? Our answer: Most of the time yes, but when Team Member A has convinced themselves they are better than the entire team our clients have hired us to do one on one coaching.
Need a speaker, trainer or keynote? Miracle Resources has 53 trainers who cover every state so we can find the perfect person for your event.
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For you free needs assessment to determine your teams training needs email Katherine miracle at [email protected]
Katherine Miracle has dedicated her life’s work to helping people and teams use branding and communication to build strong brands & teams that increase revenue. Katherine Miracle, MBA is the CEO and Founder of Miracle Resources, an award-winning full-service marketing, public relations and training firm that helps clients increase revenue and awareness.
Katherine is the founder of Brand+ Team =Revenue a national program with 53 trainers that cover America to build brands, team and revenue through interactive training and unique team building experiences!
The national program has 28 workshops and engages teams through interactive sessions that get to the core of the real problem the team faces and engages the team in a fun team building experience that often benefits a charity or cause.
Katherine is an author and national speaker/trainer who has helped over 100 companies and 15,000 professionals. Katherine and her team have helped fortune 50 companies, start up’s, colleges, the hospitality industry and hospitals.
As a college instructor at The University of Akron & Kent State University Katherine helps students build their brand through communication and she can often be found traveling to college campuses speaking on “Results, Relationships & Respect” This workshop for college students focuses on Katherine’s book “Discovering Your Dawn”which is based on a real story of tragedy that turned to a tribute and helps people overcome the obstacles they face and unlock their potential.
Katherine is a strategic personal branding expert and the author of “Your Strategic Personal Brand” Please connect with her via email or Twitter.
