Yesterday, I had an encounter with the fountain youth.


One of my favorite clients  (a Kansas City medical center) asked me to help their youth group create a name for a new program.  My role was to design interactive activities and facilitate them with my usual finesse.

First let me say, "kudos" to my client for sharing the “power” with the youth community. 

As you know, most adults would simply create the names themselves. Instead, my client invited youth to the decision-making table. In fact, they actually gave them the table!  Here's how: during the process, the adults sat at a table behind the youth circle. Their roles were that of observers. Awesome. 



In addition to the “charge” from my client, I wanted to incorporate youth development principles from the “Advancing Youth Development” curriculum into the entire process. 

Here were my personal goals: 

·   Process should be youth-focused (Responsibility and Autonomy)
· Process must be youth directed (Youth Engagement/Youth Participation)
· The process must be developmental and offer some insight into the world of work (Employability)

The beauty of youth development is that you can build developmental youth outcomes into just about any process. You simply need to know how...or be savvy enough to hire me. :) Either way, you can't lose!

What a smart and dynamic group of young people. I can't wait for phase II!

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If you attended any of my trainings at the NCMI conference, please subscribe here.  Soon, I will post the information from my "Increasing Parent Involvement" workshop and the "Youth Development" training. In the meantime, here is the link to the research document I featured in the PowerPoint: http://rcgd.isr.umich.edu/garp/articles/eccles93e.pdf

I had a blast with you all and I'm wishing you safe journey as you return to your cities, homes, work and communities!

Stay in touch! I'm on Facebook (Teri Worten Brooks)!

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If you attended my recent "Soft Skills" workshop at the college, here is the quiz I referenced.

Remember, the tips I gave you during the training and remember: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!

Click here to download the Soft Skills Inventory.


Soft Skills training in Kansas City (PPT)



In a bit, I am going to post a quiz to help you measure your current Soft Skills.

Don't miss out! Subscribe today!

Teri

Now that Oprah is gone, there aren't very many daytime talk shows I'd like to see in “real life”. The one exception is NBC's The Dr. Oz show.

Dr. Oz gets what many managers, trainers and teachers have yet to grasp--the magical, mystical element of engagement and full-on interaction. During every episode of the show, you can count on the charismatic Dr. Oz pulling studio audience members onto the stage for active, kinesthetic participation. He also uses rich, multi-sensory demonstrations and images to appeal to the visual learners.

That television teams understands the value of engagement. The same concepts actually apply for successful team meetings. Here are a few concepts to remember as you plan your next meeting:

1. Make it fun. Oz uses games, sounds and a variety of learning tools to drive home his points. You can do the same during routine meetings and team events. Put on your creative "hat" or hire TCB Consulting for technical assistance! Go to www.tericbrooks.comhttp://www.tericbrooks.com.

2. Think of everyone. Appeal to the varied learning styles within the group. Remember your visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners as you deliver information and seek feedback. It really makes a difference.

3. Draw from the energy inside the group. Oz pulls people from the audience, right? Well, before your next meeting, draw from your team's energy. Have one person bring their energy to the morning icebreaker or reflection, have another suggest a meeting venue that captures the spirit of your team. Give them a chance to explain their thinking for a fun bonding experience.

The key is to “pull in” your teammates so that your meetings or learning opps are not a one man show.


Any other ideas?

Also check out: http://teamingwithbrooks.blogspot.com/2010/06/yet-another-meeting-planning-effective.html 

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Me doing what I love...TALKING!


Without much thought, my client said, “You're a communication consultant.”

“Hmmmm…” It made sense.
If you have a varied skill base, you can still capitalize on each area. All you need to do is look at the "big picture" of your expertise. Chat with a mentor, friend or simply map our your skills to create a conceptual framework for your business.

Me doing a web layout!

My Conceptual Framework: I train and coach people to effectively exchange ideas and work toward a common goal. My primary method is training and facilitation. The audiences are often youth workers in the field of youth development, teams of  professionals and nonprofits reaching out to parents.

Ta-DAAAA! At last, a heavenly light has beamed down on my professional perplexity.

But, still the attraction to technology and social media beckon this restless soul...

So, in the world of technology, I work with companies and organizations to help them shape and communicate a message about their offerings, services, and products.

I'm a communication consultant! OMG! I almost felt that I should pay that client for his wonderful insight ….but, I didn't. I'm still a consultant, for crying out loud! However, I am eternally appreciative.

I guess it's time for new business cards!

Learn more about my work with teams here: http://www.tericbrooks.com/

Explore my technology "bug" here: http://tcbdesigns.tericbrooks.com/

You know, I really think the folks at the Oscars really should have given me call! No, not for my acting abilities -although I have a flair for the dramatic (hardee har har). Even so, if you caught the Academy Awards the other night, you saw the forced, and sometimes awkward, interactions between the two hosts, James Franco and Anne Hathaway. They confirmed what I have been saying for years: team-building doesn't just happen.


When people are not comfortable with one another, it shows. This is not a problem when project success does not hinge on communication, synergy and trust between co-workers. If you can work in a silo and still meet performance outcomes, go for it. But, when colleagues are interdependent on one another for team and individual success, a lack of rapport can create problems, conflict and even a whole "lotta" drama. Each of these can inhibit peak performance.

Back to the pitiful hosts.

On "paper,” those two should have worked well together and achieved the show's outcomes: higher ratings and a younger demographic.

Didn't happen.

HLN reported ratings were down 10 percent from last year. Was it the hosts' fault? I don't know, but I think their lack of rapport played a role. Again, in some jobs, workplace rapport is everything.

Either way, this was a perfect example of an ill-functioning team. The same happens in the workplace when managers haphazardly throw together a department or group, label it a team and expect professional "magic". I was part of a group like that and it was maddening. Teams are not like Ramen noodles- just add water and stir. So much more is involved to develop a strong team. It requires effort, opportunity and, sometimes, a whole lot of planning.

Certainly, a company handles a team of two completely differently than a team of twenty; but some common themes apply regardless of size.

For instance, new and old teams need:

* (mandatory) time together to mesh and work out team cohesion barriers

* intentional, well-planned experiences to accelerate connectedness and relationship-building

* a platform to discuss needs, peeves and stress points

Each of the above works in tandem. With a little consideration, team performances can be a huge success - both on and off the red carpet.

TCB consulting can help. Call the office today to find out how this Kansas City team-building consultant can help your team via training or online technical assistance.

Watch for information about webinars and a brand new team-building eBook!