Employee Engagement | Varga & Associates

Strategies to engage the socially awkward: parlor game questions to break the ice

by maripat | Jun 20, 2022 | Communication, Effective meetings, Employee Engagement, facilitation, Interpersonal Skills | 0

Small talk is challenging for most of us – and yet, we are faced with times at work and in social...

Do leaders need to show they like their job and us?

by maripat | Apr 10, 2021 | Communication, Employee Engagement, Leadership, Personal Development | 0

When someone attains a leadership position – whether in politics or business – we assume they’ve worked hard to achieve that role and are likely being compensated well. Should we expect them to like the job and us? I say yes.

In his new book An Effort to Understand David Murray’s essay “We deserve leaders who act like they like us” caught my attention. We’ve all had the experience of working with or for individuals who look like, sound like and feel like they’d rather be doing almost anything else than leading. It can show up in any number of ways:

I Miss My Colleagues and the Room Where it Happens

by Varg_Admin | Sep 8, 2020 | Communication, Employee Engagement, Influence, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, organizational culture, Personal Development, Teamwork | 0

Lamenting this past weekend, I took liberties with Aaron Burr’s line in Hamilton and thought, “I...

Communicate to Engage during COVID-19: 9 ways to make lemonade

by Varg_Admin | Mar 30, 2020 | Coaching, Communication, Digital Communication, Employee Engagement, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership | 0

Communication has never been more important than it is now as we navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leaders are now recognizing that keeping their teams engaged and focused during this time period is essential – and for the most part, it must be done remotely. It’s time to make lemonade. Here are 9 strategies.

Lagniappe: 10 ways to say thanks this season

by Varg_Admin | Nov 22, 2017 | Communication, Customer Service, Employee Engagement, Interpersonal Skills | 0

Lagniappe is an inspiring word. Its origins are from Louisiana Creole French and it means “a...

7 Ways to Share the Love on Valentines Day

by Varg_Admin | Feb 14, 2017 | Communication, Employee Engagement, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Teamwork | 0

Valentine’s Day is devoted to expressing love, appreciation and affection for others. Those ‘others’ do not have to be limited to romantic partners. Valentine’s Day can be a fun opportunity to express your appreciation for those...

Teamwork: 3 keys to keep arms locked in battle

by Varg_Admin | Mar 31, 2015 | Employee Engagement, Leadership, Teamwork | 0

As I watch my NCAA men’s basketball brackets fall apart as the tournament winds down (or winds up depending on your team’s good fortune), I have noticed an interesting body language phenomenon. I watch the guys on the bench. In these super competitive games, the players on the huddle together, with arms locked in solidarity as their teammates battle it out on the court. It is such a powerful demonstration of unity and fraternity. It says, ‘We are here, cheering you on. We believe in you.’

March Madness: A model for business management consultants

by Varg_Admin | Mar 3, 2015 | business management consultancy, business strategy, Employee Engagement | 0

College basketball’s March Madness will soon be upon us and basketball fans everywhere look forward to watching the best teams face off as they complete their brackets. Tuning into these super competitive games can be exhilarating.

In business management consultancy, I recommend that my clients keep an eye on March Madness. What makes watching NCAA basketball so exciting – and instructive to management teams – is the level of competitiveness and the “all in” effort these student athletes exude. The love of the game and the fire in the belly are brilliantly on display.

Business Consulting: Vision engagement and why it matters

by Varg_Admin | Nov 26, 2014 | business strategy, Communication, Employee Engagement, Leadership | 0

If your company or organization wants to embark upon or has recently undergone a significant change, it is vital that you know how to make your employees become your best ambassadors and not your worst enemies through the process. Chicago communication consultants will tell you that the success and effectiveness with which you navigate your employees through new waters is crucial to how the business or organization will fare after the changes are implemented.

6 Engagement Practices that Get Results

by Varg_Admin | Sep 30, 2014 | Employee Engagement | 0

The connection and sense of community that can grow between a CxO (referring here to all C-Suite members) and his or her organization’s employees is one of the most overlooked points of leverage that a business can tap into for generating results. Your company’s bottom line depends on the people on your front line – the individuals meeting your customers each and every day, the people creating the products and systems that are the heart of your business. Today, you, as CxO, need to stay close, personal, and relevant to your constituents—your employees. How? By leveraging great communication practices that narrow the chasm between you and your valued employees is the solution. Consistent, timely and relevant communication is critical to engage your team in building the culture and accomplishing the organization’s goals, growing the business, and generating results.

Vision Engagement: Transformative communication that puts everyone on the same page

by Varg_Admin | Jul 15, 2014 | business strategy, Communication, Employee Engagement, Leadership, Vision Engagement | 0

Every organization goes through change that needs to be communicated in a comprehensive, congruent manner. Perhaps yours is

* Emerging from a merger or acquisition
* Recovering from a crisis
* Preparing to enter a new market or re-branding

Whatever the change, it is essential not only to manage the immediate logistics and requirements inherent in that change, but to also bring your employees and the organizational culture along with you.