I think we can all agree that the past two weeks have been as far from “business as usual” as we have quite possibly ever seen. Words most used to describe our current state are uncharted, nightmare, challenged, uncertainty, new normal, and others.
As I think back to the days of uncertainty when I managed a team of sellers, one of the things I learned from my mentor(s) was to keep things as normal as possible, lead with a positive attitude, and above all, don’t panic. This applies to both sellers and managers. If we are honest, sometimes this is hard to do when cancellations are coming in, we’re swimming in uncharted waters, the team is scared, and uncertainty rules the day. I think this quote applies in a time like we are experiencing now:
“Being positive in a negative situation is not being naive. It’s Leadership!”
As a manager, one of the key things that you can do now is to continue to train and motivate your teams. Whether you are continuing to work from your office, or you have sellers working from home, it’s imperative that we keep their days as normal as possible and focus on work rather than all the distractions and reasons not to work! Technology allows us to do this (Google Hangout, Zoom, GoToMeeting, YouTube videos, etc.). You might consider starting every morning with a short meeting. They can be brief with an agenda that looks something like this:
1) Good Morning with a positive quote or message
2) Good news from yesterday (positive comments about clients)
3) Challenges that the team has faced
4) Share positive ideas (package or campaign ideas – how to answer objections)
5) Motivational or training videos
Working from home and keeping focused is much more difficult than it is at the office. Making internal excuses to not work becomes natural. As a manager, now more than ever, it’s YOUR job to keep the team on task and to hold them accountable. Leaders Lead! As a media rep, it’s your job to stay focused and continue to do all the things that great media reps do to help your clients prevail. IDEAS will still rule the day!
“We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them with action!” – Dr. Henry Link
Stay Safe – Stay Healthy – Stay Strong!
How are you today?
This is maybe the most common greeting used when meeting someone. How you respond can set the tone to the remainder of that conversation, and, your day.
I’m certain I stole this line from someone many years ago, but when people ask me how I’m doing, my go-to response is “Best day of my life, so far”. I typically get an odd look and a smile with a response of, “Really?”
Life can be hard, and if you have a job with goals to meet, bills to pay, children to care for, and are trying to balance life and career, at times it can drag you down. That’s understandable. But, to get the most out of each day, I encourage you to start your day with something positive and continue your day with positive thoughts and comments.
Try starting your day with this… Look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I am a GREAT person and today is going to be a GREAT day”. It’s a bit silly, and you’ll feel a little awkward watching yourself say this, but it sets the tone for the rest of your day. I’m a huge believer in affirmations and positive thinking. Find an affirmation that fits you and read it every morning. It will take less than 2 to 3 minutes to complete, and it will be the best 3 minutes you spend all day.
Is it true? Is every day the best day of my life, so far? No! I’m human and some days are tougher than others. Some days I fake it. But, putting a smile on my face and saying positive things makes it better than if I had not.
Whether you’re in a leadership role or you are selling, remaining positive and cheerful is your obligation to those you are leading and to your clients. Nobody wants to be around an unhappy person.
Start every day off by saying, “I’m a GREAT person and today is going to be a GREAT day”, and then go out and have… “The Best Day of Your Life, So Far”.