In the New World of Business All That Counts is Authenticity

I just returned from giving a presentation to business owners about building their businesses upon their individual Core Values. I spoke at length about the need for their business to be authentic... let's face it, what's more "real" than Core Values.

Then I read Michele Miller's awesome Blog, Wonder Branding on marketing to women where she repeatedly discusses the necessity to express your buisness authentically.

Today she had a quick post with a link to her "girl power" associate, Holly Buchanan.  I absolutely love Holly's Blog post about Dodge and thier macho branding image. Its worth reading in its entirety, just so that you can laugh you ass off to her comparison of mens fragile ego and seemingly primal need to "dangle their balls". 

The entire post references a Dodge commercial that appearantly offers viewes a gay bashing perspective, but Holly's comments hit home with me on Dodges in-ability to stay true to their Core Beliefs.

Their in-ability to back up thier commercial with the same "make no excuses for my desires" mentality, illustrates the very incongruity I was speaking to business owners about earlier today.  This is a great read and awesome post... Thanks Michele/Holly.

Unconscious Needs Are Powerful

Unconscious Needs are deeply rooted emotional needs that remain out of our awareness and serve to fuel our habitual behaviors (Functional / Dysfunctional).

Within your team, unconscious needs are constantly present… …in every member of your staff…the leaders, the followers, the motivated and the troublesome. Understanding the power that Unconscious Needs have at directing the behavior of your staff, greatly improves your ability to steer business by design and to accomplish business goals more rapidly.

A Process That Matters… Deeply

To wrap you mind around the concept of Unconscious Needs.  Start first by identifying your management team.  On a sheet of paper, make four columns.

In the first column,

·      list each individual separately by name

In the next column,

·      write down their annual pay

In the third column, write the answer to this powerful question,

·      Why does (name) work here?

In the final column, write the answer to this powerful question,

·      What Unconscious Need of (name’s) does working here meet?

I hope you took the time necessary to really execute this exercise because it will give you new and amazing insight into the authentic motivation of your employees.  If you did not do this, you are robbing yourself of the basic foundation of what Ritual Builders is based upon.

As you identify each individual on your team and start to become mindful of their Unconscious Needs it is very easy to label money as the raw source behind a need.  Very seldom is this the case.

Employees are working at your company in search of something much more important than the yearly pay you are granting them.

Even the most money motivated, hungry, hard-ass has an Unconscious Need that is directing them.  Ask the questions, what does having/making a lot of money give this person?  The answer will be very insightful to both of you.

One of the most perplexing things about Unconscious Needs is that they operate at a level below consciousness, thus the name. This can create a series of challenges for anyone in their life and career because one is often pursuing an Unconscious Need with the belief that obtaining THE GOAL will meet the need.  Identifying a lofty goal that motivates us is actually quite simple, but when the Unconscious Need behind the goal remains out of awareness, we often find we have been pursuing something that will never reward our internal sense of fulfillment.

For example, how many high powered executives have given up their family lives, their health, and their soul to achieve greatness in their chosen field?  Countless. Yet many, if not most, find themselves at the pinnacle of their careers with a host of accolades, a series of impressive accomplishments, a bundle of wealth, but void of any sense of authentic meaning to their life and career.  While the pursued goals where sharply identified and the discipline to achieve them executed, the Unconscious Needs have been at work, driving the individual… … ..and still out of awareness.

Take a moment to identify your own Unconscious Needs.  What will accomplishing the goals you’ve set our for your business do for you? Why is that important?  Twenty years from now, what will you have accomplished with your business and what will those accomplishments have given you that truly matter… ...deep inside?

One can find it truly fascinating, how all of us are moved and motivated by deeply hidden drives and powerful emotions.  In a later post we more thoroughly examine the phenomenon of Unconscious Needs and will show you how to meet the single most powerful need of the human experience.

High Performance Ritual #2- Identity Rituals (Part 3 of 4)

Who am I is the age long question… and will remain a part of your personality throughout the ebbs and flows of your life.

Who am I? Why am I here? What is my life for?

These questions are part of a life long developmental loop that circles our experience… fueling our innate need to develop and grow.   

Existential crisis are seldom discussed but are actually quite powerful at directing the experience and behavior of your staff.  Existentialism is a philosophical/psychological set of theories where fundamentally our existence is a struggle of self-perception… Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world - and defines himself afterwards.  In order for us to “distinguish self” within our own minds, we must first have an experience that gives us a mental construct of self.  This is a life long process and why building a corporate culture can be so dramatic in creating a behavior change in your labor force.

Culture is the “container” or mental construct upon which we build our perception of self, our sense of identity. To glimpse inside how our identity is influenced, let’s look at the teams (sub-cultures) in our lives that direct our beliefs and values and ultimately our identity.

           WHAT ARE THE TEAMS OF YOUR LIFE?

 

Advanced marketing techniques, are designed to not only create an identity for the company, but to use very powerful hypnotic, subliminal and persuasive techniques that inspire others to adopt your company’s identity as part of their own.  “I’m a pepper, he’s a pepper, she’s a pepper… wouldn’t you like to be a pepper too. Be a pepper, drink Dr. pepper”

Logo Tee Shirts and Hats that people wear illustrate a sociological playground where millions shout their individuality by communicating their identity; Nike, Harley Davidson, Coke, Miller Beer. Ritual Builders, etc.

People communicate their identity in this way because they are constantly searching to further define who they are… inside.  You or I or some dude down the street has an experience with some type of organization (team) and says inside their mind… this is me.  They then take this persona out into the world and look for the reactions of others to either further integrate this identity or to slip out of it like a snake does its old skin.

Identity Rituals are a simple yet extremely powerful way for you to take advantage of this social phenomenon.  Your current labor force is starved for constructs that will help them develop their identity and if they are not finding it in your team… they are searching for it else where.

With Identity Rituals, you can easily provide your labor force with a sense of who you are and how you give them a sense of identity by being “included in your culture”.

Examples of Identity Rituals

·       Any verbal variation of your company/department name said in unison; “sales rocks”, “nike”

·       Any shared movement, song, chant, or affirmation said or executed in unison

In working with organizations, I find the most meaningful and beneficial Identity Rituals occur when one doesn’t explain in-depth what you want a group to do.  People naturally want to create a sense of identity within moments of forming a group. Simply asking your Executive Team to create an Identity Ritual with their individual department will result in instant corporate change.  Not only are Identity Rituals useful, they are fun and infuse real energy throughout your organization. This is  a topic worthy of this entire blog website so realize that building rituals requires significant design work in advance.

Like anything with real power, there is also the possibility of self-distruction. Identity Rituals require street cred w/ your staff, or you could very easily be seen as "off your rocker".  Identity Rituals must be authentic, not contrived or they will simply not be adopted by anyone as the identity level of personality.  But hey... if TV and radio commercials can do... so can you!

High Performance Ritual #1-Celebration Rituals(Part 2 of 4)

Seldom in life do we find anything that carries the energy of success.  Celebration rituals allow us an opportunity to powerfully embrace this energy and use it to direct meaning and performance.  Because of the “time deprivation” of business and life, the other side of this coin is unfortunately the case for a large percentage of organizations.  They are so busy achieving, that successes, big and small go relatively or even completely unacknowledged. Fueled by the socialized belief that achieving market share projections and other mandates are more important than taking the time and energy to celebrate, organizations are depleting the energy levels of their players… leaving them empty of everything valuable… especially creative energy.

As a performance consultant, the best piece of advance I can offer any person or organization is to focus on your strengths, talents, and successes… no matter how small or insignificant they might seem.  I have worked with several organizations that are so focused on fixing what is wrong, that they forget to acknowledge, much less celebrate what is right.

Simple celebration rituals inspirationally force your entire team to rally around behavior and momentum that move you in the direction of accomplishment. 

Examples of Celebration Rituals:

• Sales Reps ring a bell with each signed contract; team members respond with “Good job”, “You Rock”, “Way to go”, etc.

• Executive Team Meetings are ended with each department taking 20 seconds to communicate what their team has accomplished in the past week and then everyone making their way around the room with high 5s and supportive rhetoric.

• Formal acknowledgment of individuals to include: work term anniversaries, high performance, industry certifications and/or credentials, marriage anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, etc.

• Yearly ceremonies, 90 day initiation ceremonies, and formal acknowledgement of company, location, department, and division accomplishments or milestones

• A series of forearm bashes from team mates signifying appreciation for the generation of results

High Performance Teams Consistently Celebrate Even the Smallest Successes.

Right now many of you are saying, “I do that”… and deep down you know I am talking about a deeper process than one of simply acknowledging success.  I am talking about a specific behavior set, of celebration protocol that is precisely and consistently executed to create a sustainable system.

This means on-going training, orientation and consistent attention that teaches and reinforces your staff on a “system” of celebration and why it is an important element of your company culture.

If your executive team personally and consistently engages in Celebration Rituals, you will have a dynamic labor force that feels recognized, involved and appreciated.  You will have the beginnings of a High Performance Culture.

Ego Identification... & the Secret to Fulfillment

Since the ego cannot take our power, it must convince us to lend it. Because it cannot keep our power, the ego must continually persuade us. It does this by constantly sending us messages on the wings of desire, each of which solicits us to empower its belief in lack.

Process of change

The real goal is to distinguish the underlying beliefs in separation and limitation that we have empowered. Once we bring these beliefs to consciousness and see their effects in our lives, we

start to become aware of the choices we make to empower them.

Empower a reality where you don't NEED
something that is "missing" from you

Defining a sense of being

The needs and desires that we used to feel are thus replaced by experiences of HAVING and BEING what we used to "need." Having these things, we no longer feel desire for them; they are now simply a part of us. Thus, where once there was the feeling of a lack of love, and a desire for love, now there is simply the presence of love, as a part of one's being.

The Victim Chooses To Empower The Reality

That He Is Powerless To Choose

What Reality He Empowers

Someone who is not a victim might have the same thought, but say, "I may FEEL powerless, but I know that it is always my choice as to which thoughts I will agree with and empower, and which ones I will ignore, and I know that to FEEL powerless is different that BEING powerless."

When the voice of desire speaks to you, do not hear the voice of your ego telling you what you do not have and cannot be; hear instead the voice of your Greater Self, reminding you of what you have forgotten you always have, and always are.

Let the voice of desire remind you of the separation you have chosen to empower, and let it remind you to choose consciously what you would create now.

Let it remind you that you seek to understand what you have created, so that you may release it and free yourself to create anew, to create consciously.

The Authenticity Of A Core Values Business Model

Rituals are powerful. The epitome of communication in action... and like any communication, must stem from foundational intentions that are real. When this process is adopted and integrated, you are engaging in systems that not only attract and retain customers, but inspire and illuminate employees.

Like never before, consumers are surveying the horizon with the ability to ignore sizzle & hype. They look out across the plains of experience, searching for something they know is within their reach... but they have grown immune to outlandish promises and attention grabbing slight of hand communication techniques. Sizzle & hype is so ingrained in our psyche that most business leaders struggle with leaving it behind while in their own lives join the millions who continue to abhor (and ignore) the very techniques they use.

Structuring your business with systems and models that attract customers is not only an indication of intelligence it is also an indication of your desire to stand tall among giants. The business giants of tomorrow aren’t those with billion dollar payrolls but those who will deliver extraordinary value to customers while remaining socially responsible. They will radiate an authenticity that maximizes customer involvement and attracts the talented and insightful as potential employees.

Building Your Business Upon Core Values

One must first build the foundation of your business (and rituals) upon Core Values. I designed the Core Values Business Model™ for those business leaders who yearn to make a difference in the lives of their employees & customers. This model takes us out of the habit of imitating and into an entirely new direction of radiating.

All persuasive and meaningful communication stems from its foundational intentions. Even persuasion experts like Dave Lakhani and Kenrick Cleveland will tell you that the difference between persuasion and manipulation lies in a communicator’s intentions. Meaningful communication that stirs the emotions must come from a foundation of real... and since our businesses communicate on multiple layers through our products, services, personnel, etc. we must build these systems on an authentic foundation. Most consultants and business leaders intuitively attempt this through their “Vision Statement” but without an understanding or commitment to the use of Rituals to reinforce these values, usually don’t see meaningful results. 

This is a small business model, designed for organizations that have one person who makes the decisions. And for those of you who desire the emotional and financial rewards of becoming a Ritual Builder first need to decide on your Core Values as an individual.

These are the values that I will spend the rest of my life integrating into my Grainger Leadership Institute LLC, D/b/a All About Teamwork business systems. These are the values that will attract those that will most value the solutions and services that I provide. There will be many who will not feel these values resonate within... and there will be many who do. I want customers who are predisposed to value my services... who share my core values.

When I work with clients on this business model, they often find themselves in the crux of a spiritual conflict... unsure of their Core Values. This can take several weeks to fully define... but the process in itself makes you a more authentic person who communicates from a foundation of your real beliefs. Not only does this make you a better leader and more persuasive communicator... but it creates around you a bright light that radiates across the horizon as someone who stands for something real. And that will forever remain the most attractive component of the human experience.

People Can See Your Values & Beliefs

What is your morning ritual?  Does it involve exercise, meditation, prayer, affirmations, goal setting, lifestyle planning…?   Or is it more reactive… hit the snooze button 3 times, get up late, cut yourself shaving, grab coffee on the way out the door, and speed through morning rush hour to arrive at work one or two minutes late.

How about your bedtime ritual?  Do you stretch, pray, prepare tomorrow’s clothes, prioritize your day, say a heartfelt goodnight to the family and read. Or are you more geared to a brush of the teeth, a quick pee, and take your clothes off bedside with the TV remote in hand?

I’m not advocating one style over another… what I am saying is that your morning and  bedtime rituals proudly illustrate your beliefs and priorities.

So what are rituals… communication at its finest and purest form.  Rituals are a natural occurring phenomenon within every previous and existing culture that communicates to the individuals within that culture, “this is who we are, this is what we believe in, and this is how you fit in as one of us.

Unit of Communication

All rituals are a unit of communication that involve the following three components

1. movement

2. sound

3. symbolic meaning

The most powerful aspect of rituals is their innate ability to help you communicate with yourself.

I have had the privilege of being exposed to every “hot topic” seminar or leaning modality on communication and change that good money can buy.  Whether you are a Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a Certified Hypno-therapist, an Energy Healer, or dynamic leader, effectiveness in any arena is directly associated with ones ability to communicate with their own internal self and manage their emotional states. 

Some of us are lucky enough to have modeled very effective self-communication patterns; others have modeled very destructive ones.  Remember, if we don’t establish our own success rituals (self-communication habits), our unconscious communication patterns will often establish ineffective one’s for us.  Deep inside, our own minds and hearts live in a world of rituals.  Culture Is Cool Tribal Blog reminds you to be mindful and purposeful in the rituals you choose to engage your energy in… its self-communication at its finest and purest form and has been for thousands of years