Teamwork and Leadership Bloggings

3 Fun Teamwork Videos - Enjoy!

Fun Teamwork Videos to Watch

Feel free to share these three teamwork videos and this post to build a stronger team.  What can you learn as a team from each of them?

Teamwork Video #1

You will want to watch this teamwork video in its entirety. I am amazed at the effort and coordination this must have taken.

On teams, everyone has a role to play, and the better they are able to focus on that role, the better the entire team is as this video demonstrates.

Teamwork Video #2

This next teamwork video shows what people who care can do as a team in coming to the aid of another. They show great courage.

Team members must be willing to sacrifice their own cares for that of others in order to be successful as you will see here.

Teamwork Video #3

I am glad there are people who are willing to spend months and months practicing for a seven minute performance. This large Korean team makes very few mistakes.

Team building takes time and a focused dedicated effort by every member to reach the teams greatest potential.

For more great Teamwork Videos click on the links below:

Do your team projects sometimes mirror the work of this team? Video - Very funny Teamwork Video.

Amazing Teamwork Video. Battle at Kruger.

Kindergarteners Outperform Most Adults on Team Building Task - Great Video

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Share these videos to build a stronger team.


Mike

Impactful Time Management Story - What is important?

Story about Time Management - "What is important?" he asked.

Part of the Leadership Stories Series

I love the story I heard once of a seasoned and wise teacher who wanted to change the lives of his young and eager class of students.

Putting a big glass jar on the table in front of him, he started placing large rocks in it until they had filled the top of the jar. He then asked the class, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class shouted, "Yes!"

The teacher replied, "Really?" He then grabbed from under the table some gravel and proceeded to dump it into the jar and then shaking it until all of the gravel had filled the spaces of the big rocks. He then asked again, "Is the jar full?"

Some nodded their head yes. But most didn't say a word.

"Okay... let's see." the teacher said. He reached under the table again, this time pulling out a bucket of sand. He took the bucket and dumped all of the sand in and once more asked the question, "Is it full now?"

By this time the only response he got was from a mumble in the back that said, "Probably not."

He said, "Good." He then grabbed a pitcher of water near by and dumped it into the jar until it was filled to the brim.

Then the wise teach asked, "Would I have ever gotten these big rocks in if I had started with the water, then the sand and then the gravel?" The class all shook their head, "No."

He then taught something this youthful class would never forget. He asked, "What are the big rocks in your life that must come first? What is important?" The class was silent. He said, "They are things like the time you spend with those you love, your faith, your education, your service to others...they are the things that matter most." He then said, "Make sure to put the big rocks in first or you will never get them all in."

What are your big rocks? What are your priorities? The reality is that the only thing you will care about when it is all said and done are the big rocks. The little rocks won't matter much then.

What are some of the little rocks that get in our way day to day? We all have them, what can we do differently? Any tips? I am looking forward to your comments below.

Other Time Management Posts You Will Like:

Three Important Tips for Wasting Lots of Time at Work - Time Management

How many IQ points do you drop when multi-tasking? Time Management

Eat a Frog as Mark Twain Suggested - Perfect Time Management Tip

Is procrastination always a bad thing for leaders? 3 reasons why you should procrastinate.

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Post by Mike Rogers of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike is an author, trainer and speaker and a grateful husband and father of eight children. He is passionate about seeing people succeed.

Want to Shape Employees Behavior? Positive Leadership

Be a Positive Leader and Shape Employees Behavior

Several months ago after returning from a week long and grueling business trip I came home to the following sticky note from my eight year old son placed carefully square smack in the center of my monitor. "Dad is the best. From Jacob." I left it there for several months. Why? Because it made me feel great! Am I the best? Well, maybe not always, but in his eyes I was. His note really made me want to be.

We can shape employee behavior so much quicker by being positive than we can by being negative. It is a special thing to feel appreciated as a dad, as an employee, as a leader! Feeling that someone values us and really thinks we are kind of neat lifts us up - it is inspiring. One simple positive kind comment, one plain sticky note with an encouraging comment or one thoughtful voice-mail can make someones entire day, maybe even week! It is amazing the affect we can have on others lives by just being a little more caring, a little more considerate, and a little more attentive.

I challenge each of us positive leaders this year to lift others up. Make it a habit!

I would love to hear any stories of someone in your life that lifts you and why. What can we learn from others and their example? Please comment below. Thanks.

Other posts that you might enjoy:

Positive video that every leader in business, the home, church or wherever must watch.

Leaders can learn to be positive from this little girl... Video

5 Practical Suggestions for Being More Kind as a Leader

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Post by Mike Rogers of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike is an author, trainer and speaker and a grateful husband and father of eight children. He is passionate about seeing people succeed.

Inspirational Teamwork Video - 3 Lessons

Inspirational Teamwork Comes to the Rescue

I just ran across this inspiring video that highlights a caring side to teamwork. Though you may not initially define the crowd in this video as a team, they quickly become one as they come to the aid of this disabled man. This inspirational teamwork video teaches us three things:

1. There are times on teams that others need our help. The crowd came to the rescue of this disabled man in the video turning what could have been an embarrassing moment into a treasured moment.

2. Not everyone on the team is perfect. It is the diversity of team members that makes teams great and creates the magic. In this inspirational teamwork video the crowd overlooks this man's mistakes and makes the decision instead to appreciate his diverse efforts by singing with him and applauding. Notice that once they join in, his nervousness goes away and he is able to finish his performance. 

3. Teamwork is inspirational! Even when the purpose initially isn't to work as a team, when people are willing to work together they can accomplish inspiring things.

What other things in this video can you think of that help us understand teamwork better? Please comment below. Thanks!

Other Great Teamwork Videos That you Might Like

Kindergartners Outperform Most Adults on Team Building Task - Great Video

I Love Being Human! How about you?

Entertaining Teamwork Video

More Great Teamwork Videos in our category "Teamwork Videos"

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Post by Mike Rogers of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike is an author, trainer and speaker and a grateful husband and father of eight children. He is passionate about seeing people succeed.

How to have More Leadership Courage - 3 Tips

Leadership and Courage - Lead with Courage!

Mark Twain once said: Let's face it, being a leader is not easy. Some times it requires great courage in a very personal way.

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.
~ CS Lewis

Examples of where leaders are tested on their courage in the workplace are plentiful. As a leader you might have to give an employee difficult feedback. Or maybe people are questioning your vision in times of difficulty. In each situation the leader has to be confident and courageous. I will be the first to admit it isn't easy having been tested many times in my life as a leader.

Here are three things you can do now to ensure you have the courage necessary to lead.

1. Be true to your values. It is much easier to be courageous when you have something you are sticking to based on what you believe is the right thing to do. Whether you are making a difficult decision, giving tough feedback or leading your team through complex change; coming from a place of doing what is right will give you the leadership courage you need to succeed.

2. Don't listen. Don't listen to the negative comments of others or the negative thoughts in your own head. You control your thoughts and what you believe about who you are as a leader, so chose to believe in everything positive about you. Change every negative thought into a positive one and make it a habit for life. For a great example read "A Powerful Story that Could Change a Leader's and Others Life..."

3. Care. As simple as it sounds, this is probably the single most important thing you can do as a leader to increase your ability to lead with courage. Leaders who care are more concerned about others than their own fears. Click on the following link of video based on a true and touching story that demonstrates this - "The Best Leaders Care - Amazing Video Based on a True Story."

How do you find the courage to lead? Please share your own stories by commenting below. Thank you. 

Other leadership posts on courage you might enjoy.

Do you struggle providing employees difficult feedback? It may be due to selfishness on your part.

Leadership Story - Some leaders think they are tough and effective, but...

What is Leadership?

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Post by Mike Rogers of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike is an author, trainer and speaker and a grateful husband and father of eight children. He is passionate about seeing people succeed.

The Best Leaders Care - Amazing Video Based on a True Story

Great Leaders Care

I am a grateful father of eight children. Yes, that's right - eight! I have also been blessed to  have been married 25 years today to a wonderful, more beautiful every year and very strong woman. Why do I tell you this? Because in those 25 years I have learned a lot about leadership; right here in my own home. While I have had the opportunity to work in many leadership capacities both in business and as a volunteer, I would have to say that the greatest and most touching experiences of leadership have come from my experience as a father.  

I am happy to share with you a video based on a very personal and true story of two of  my  children that taught me a great deal about the most important factor in leadership - caring. I hope you find it of value.

To purchase this video and use at your next meeting, presentation and/or training, click here. Facilitator's guide included.

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Post by Mike Rogers of Teamwork and Leadership
Mike is an author, trainer and speaker and a grateful husband and father of eight children. He is passionate about seeing people succeed.

How Leaders Can Develop an Attitude of Gratitude and Sleep Better Too!

3 Specific Ways to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude for Leaders

Gratitude truly is an attitude. In this posting, as promised in our last posting "The Benefits of Gratitude - 3 Reasons Leaders Can't Afford Not to Be", we provide three specific tips on how leaders can cultivate gratitude in their life. There are big benefits to being grateful, so this is the time to start working on it right away!

1. Instead of counting sheep at bedtime, count blessings. It cured my occasional insomnia! Instead of worrying about everything you didn't get done and worrying about everything you have to get done, try focusing just on those things that you are grateful for. All of the negative thoughts disappear. It really works and you will wake up happier too!

2. Focus on giving to those you lead. One of the most powerful things I have learned is that the more I give of myself, the more I care about others. The more I care, the more grateful I become. You can give a genuine compliment, give a gift, give of your time or give of your compassion. The point is to give, give and give and you will be happier and more grateful for it.

3. Focus on the positives of those you lead. It is so easy to focus on the negative. Be grateful for the positive contributions of your organization, team, children or anyone else you have the opportunity to be a leader to. The more you focus on the good things people do, the more grateful you become for them.

Any other ideas or comments. I would absolutely love to hear from you. Please comment below.

Check out these other popular posts related to gratitude.

3 Steps to Becoming a More Grateful Leader - Cultivate the Attitude of Gratitude

Is saying thank you that important for leaders?

What Leader or Leaders Are You Thankful For?

Post by Mike Rogers
Mike is an author, trainer and speaker and a grateful husband and father of eight children. He is passionate about seeing people succeed.

The Benefits of Gratitude - 3 Reasons Leaders Can't Afford Not to Be

Create a greater attitude of gratitude leaders!

If you have followed this blog for any time (we are three years old in March!) you know I love talking about how leaders ought to be kind, smile more, care and be positive. Well... leaders ought to be grateful as well. The last couple of weeks I have done a lot of reflecting on the benefits of gratitude in my life. People that are grateful seem to be more successful and seem to be a lot happier. A happy person could give you a list of 10 or more things he or she is grateful for without hesitation, and each of them would be given with great sincerity.

Why must leaders be grateful? Here are three benefits of gratitude:

1. Improves health. Research shows that people who are more grateful have stronger immune systems, are bothered less by aches and pains, sleep longer and are more refreshed waking up and have higher levels of positive emotions (see "Why Grattitude is Good"). With greater energy and focus and better able to deal with stress; healthier leaders are more effective.

2. Improves relationships. As I already stated, grateful people are happier people. Most people prefer to be around and establish relationships with people that are happier. Relationship building is at the heart of good leadership.

3. Improves productivity. Leaders who are grateful tend to be more passionate and deeply committed to those that they lead and think more often about rewards and recognition. They give more credit, praise and faith in those they lead. People are inspired by leaders that they know care.

What are some of the benefits you have seen of being grateful? We would love to hear from you in the comments below.

Watch for our next posting on how to become a more grateful leader.

Other postings you might like:

Is saying thank you that important for leaders?

5 Suggestion for Being More Kind as a Leader

What Leader or Leaders Are You Thankful For?

 

Mike Rogers

Positive Leaders Live Longer and 4 other Benefits...

Be a Positive Leader!

Perhaps you have heard the brief and very old story of the two salesman who faced the same situation, but with a very different perspective.

Years ago the two were sent by a shoe manufacturer in Britain to Africa to assess and report back on the potential market. The first salesman reported back, "There is no potential here - nobody is wearing shoes!" The second salesman reported back, "There is huge potential here - nobody is wearing shoes!"

It is my opinion that great leaders see the "huge potential." If they don't, how can they possibly inspire and uplift others? One of the most important characteristics of a great leader, is a positive one. Positive leaders bring great energy to an organization. There are huge benefits to being a positive leader. Here are five.

1. Positive leaders live longer. There is a lot of research that comes to the conclusion that positive people in general live happier and longer lives.

2. Positive leaders inspire and motivate people. Have you ever had a leader truly believe in you? There is great power in knowing someone believes in you. It inspires you to meet that persons expectations.

3. Positive leaders make better and quicker decisions. Negative people place road blocks to effective decision making; positive people on the other hand are more balanced. I love this quote:

"Too often, the opportunity knocks, but by the time you push back the chain, push back the bolt, unhook the two locks and shut off the burglar alarm, it's too late." ~Rita Coolidge

4. Positive leaders don't fear. Fear prevents leaders from doing things they should do. Whether it is a difficult conversation with an employee or a difficult conversation with a boss; if fear is involved that leader will not be as successful. Fear is a result of negative thinking.

5. Positive leaders are more likely to succeed. Positive people draw positive to things to them. Aren't you more drawn towards positive people rather than negative?

Do you agree? What other benefits come to positive leaders?

Other post you might like:

Positive video that every leader in business, the home, church, or wherever must watch.

Attitude is Everything - Great Video! Smile Leaders : )

Quick Positive and Optimistic Story for Leaders

Does Smiling Make You a Better Leader? Top Four Reasons You Should Smile More

Why leaders must smile and smile big... Three Researched Reasons.

 

Mike Rogers

3 Ways to Deal with Whiny and Complaining Employees

Want to stop Complaining Employees?

Ugh! You know them, you don't like them and it's hard not to do the very thing you hate about them - whine about them. If you are like me you have had your share of whiny, negative and complaining employees. The type that roll their eyes every time a change comes. The kind that have wrinkles around their mouth that show years of continual frowns. The person who has exhibited amazing creativity around finding the negative in everything. Ugh!

Well, here are my top 3 ways to put the whining to a halt for once. One of these should work for you. But remember, it does take time to put it to rest since it has been a life long habit for some.

1. Ask questions. Put it back on them. Ask, "What are you going to about it?" Simple question, but effective. Instead of allowing them to complain and whine, this question shifts the responsibility back on the employee. It's also one I have used as a parent with great success. 

2. Help the employee see the bigger picture. For example the employee might say: "I am so tired of dealing with so and so. "Your response might be: I agree it can be difficult, but have you taken a moment to put yourself in so and so shoes to see where they are coming from? or "Yep that can be tough, but isn't it nice to have a customer like so and so that helps us pay our bills?" 

3. Create team do's and don'ts. For me this has been one of the most effective ways to deal with whining on a team. Every team ought to have a list of do's and don'ts that they agree to abide by. No whining can be at the top of the list. You can have fun with this as well. You could create a "No Whining Jar," and any time an employee is caught whining they have to contribute a quarter to it. Some will find that they are cleaning their pockets and purses of change very quick initially, but they will learn. As a result you might be able to do a few team lunches with the change or donate it to an agreed upon charity.

How do you deal with whining? I would love hear your personal stories and tips. Please take the time to comment below.

Other posts you might enjoy:

Is crying at the office a bad thing? According to this "Video Guru" it is.

What does gossip at work have to do with a toothbrush and teamwork?

 

Mike Rogers

What does gossip at work have to do with a toothbrush and teamwork?