Leaders Secret Weapon – Failure

Leaders Secret Weapon – Failure

Ella has been shaking up the learning world for over 20 years. Known for delivering high-energy, impactful experiences, she specializes in soft skills including: leadership journeys, communication skills, and conference talks that leave audiences inspired and ready to act. From aircraft hangars to cruise ships, union halls to Fortune 500 boardrooms, she’s ignited change across every environment. As a Business School College Professor, Ella bridges the gap between theory and action, empowering teams to transform knowledge into tangible skills. Get ready for a fresh, bold approach to workplace learning! Read more www.ellabates.com


Magdalena Goledzinowska Management & Organizational Development

We call her our TONY ROBBINS!

Ella has a gift to enthuse, to inspire and to kick people into action.  She will make you feel the power of the individual to create change and will give you the tools for your team to enable greatness.  Ella is your coach, your engine, your agent and catalyst!

A Few of Our Clients

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What do you not know, they know

What do you not know, they know

Recently, one of my participants declaring they spoke 4 languages and the client being surprised.  This got me to thinking, what do you not know about your staff that they know?  

The past experiences and skills of your team are the foundation to success, but the ability to identify and embrace these transferable skills is the catalyst for high growth.  

Every single person who walks through your office doors brings with them a unique blend of skills and experiences that make them a valuable asset, you need to be able to tap into this goldmine of potential, so how?  The answer lies in understanding and leveraging the concept of transferable skills.

Identifying Transferable Skills: The Key to Unleashing Potential

Not all skills are created equal, and not every skill a team member possesses might directly align with your business. However, the art lies in recognizing those hidden gems within seemingly unrelated experiences. Imagine a team member with a culinary background from their food truck days. While it might not be directly applicable to your finance business, dig deeper and you might uncover event planning expertise, social media prowess, or even creative design capabilities. These transferable skills can be a treasure trove waiting to be unlocked.

Consider making the identification of these transferable skills a part of your recruitment process. Pose questions that explore the unique strengths and interests of candidates. 

Listening: The Gateway to Uncovering Hidden Talents

Regular interactions, be it during meeting breaks, weekly catch-ups, or performance reviews, provide an opportunity to delve deeper into their aspirations. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to share their feelings about their current roles, future interests, and personal career goals. By truly listening, you not only make them feel valued but also gain insights into their untapped capabilities.

Leveraging Their Skillset: Nurturing Growth and Innovation

Identification is merely the first step. The true magic happens when you transform this knowledge into action. Tailoring tasks and responsibilities to align with individual strengths can lead to a happier and more productive team. This might mean reorganizing teams or introducing new projects that resonate with their skills and passions. But it also offers an avenue to venture into uncharted territory. Empowering an events enthusiast to host virtual events or enlisting tech-savvy members to elevate your online presence can lead to novel opportunities and a vibrant workplace culture.

Investing in Development: Cultivating Excellence  A culture of continuous learning can be a powerful catalyst for individual and organizational growth. Research shows that training and development opportunities directly impact employee satisfaction.

By customizing training to align with their interests, you demonstrate that their growth matters. From in-house projects to external courses, virtual classes, workshops, and professional qualifications, investing in their development pays dividends in employee retention and overall productivity.Ella Bates is your Employee Learning Specialist, specializing in Leadership Skills, Communication and Productivity, see more here

Vacation Burnout

Vacation Burnout

As the temperature rises and the days got longer, your staff easily anticipated the summer break for relaxation, vacations, and a chance to recharge.

However, the concept of summer burnout among employees is a real phenomenon, read why it happens and how you can support your teams.

Understanding Summer Burnout

While summer is all fun and leisure, it can also bring its share of stress and exhaustion. So many reasons for this:  

Workload Management: Pressure to complete tasks/frenzied working leaves them drained.

Unrealistic Expectations: Some employees might struggle with balancing work commitments and personal plans, leading to feelings of overwhelm.

Team Dynamics: Staffing shortages, shouldering extra responsibilities.  

Fear of Falling Behind: Many employees fear missing out or falling behind during their absence. This can drive them to stay connected even during their time off, disrupting the benefits of vacation.

FOMO:  Social media can contribute to feelings of inadequacy as employees see peers sharing their seemingly perfect vacations. 

So how do you support them in the transition to this new season?

As leaders, you have the power to create a work environment that acknowledges and addresses summer burnout. Here are five actionable strategies to support your team:

  1. Set Realistic Expectations for their next vacation: Communicate clearly about work expectations during the summer months. Allow your team members to plan their workload effectively and avoid overloading them before their vacations. Encourage open discussions about priorities.
  2. Encourage Disconnecting the rest of the year: Vacations are NOT just for summer!  Lead by example and emphasize the importance of unplugging during vacations. Remind your team that taking a break is not only acceptable but also essential for maintaining their well-being and long-term productivity.
  3. Recognize and Celebrate Accomplishments: Highlight your team's achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can boost morale and help combat feelings of inadequacy. Create a culture where employees feel valued for their efforts.
  4. Plan Team-Building Activities: Engage your team with an outing or event planned.  Foster a sense of community and give employees something to look forward to outside of their daily tasks.
  5. Boost their Skills: Plan a  motivational skills building workshop. Engaging with external training providers like us will boost their skills, deepen motivation and give them a chance to grow.  

Summer burnout is a reality that must be addressed to make sure your staff's well being is being nurtured and productivity is sustained.  Create an environment where there is always a time for relaxation, growth, and re invigoration. As the temperature rises, let your leadership shine brighter by providing the guidance and empathy your team needs to thrive during the summer months and beyond, we are ready to help you within this transition.

Ella Bates is your Workplace Learning Trainer, specializing in high impact learning experiences from cruise ships to aircraft hangers from fortune 500 companies to manufacturing plants and unions.  You are promised a dynamic experience!  Sign up for tips (no spam just tips) for how to engage your staff and keep them growing here.

Are you really ready to be a Manager?

Are you really ready to be a Manager?

Ready for some scary statistics? In one study of 7,272 U.S. adults, Gallup found that 50 percent of employees left their job "to get away from their manager to improve their overall life at some point in their career."

In another study:  The Workplace Research Foundation found that employees who are engaged are 38% more likely to have above-average productivity.

And we all know that a GOOD manager can make or break employee productivity and engagement.

So being ready for management should have more thought into it than just "They have worked here a long time or they are a subject matter expert"

Yes, you want to recognize someones hard work and dedicated, but you need to make sure they arrive as a manager with the right tool box! So lets consider:

Do they have the qualities of a Leader?  Knowledge and Skills are great, HOW are they implementing it?  Can they motivate, inspire, communicate with impact, make difficult decisions, deal with conflict?

Have they demonstrated those skills?  

If not, do they have the motivation to develop those skills?  You want to be checking in with some training companies, because Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance, (Cheesy but true!) NOW is the time to bridge the gap, not when you meet the first hurdle.  

You MUST set them up for success.

How are the RELATIONSHIPS within the team already, their colleagues, other departments, customers and stakeholders?  An enormous amount of a Managers positions success is dependent on their ability to communicate like a champ, what do I mean by that?

They should be able to:

  1. Actively Listen
  2. Empathy
  3. Understand others
  4. Provide and Receive Feedback
  5. Emotionally Intelligent

How do they make decisions?

Are they able to make informed decisions based on available data, prioritize tasks, and manage resources effectively. They should be able to analyze problems, evaluate options, and take decisive actions. The super staff member you are considering promoting should have demonstrated good decision-making skills in their current role, such as identifying opportunities, managing risks, and achieving results. If the employee lacks decision-making time to check in with corporate training!

And here is the KEY, you want to check in with their willingness and ability to learn. A high-impact manager must be able to adapt to changing circumstances, learn new skills, and stay up-to-date with industry trends. They should be able to seek feedback, reflect on their performance, and continuously improve, have a growth mindset, be open to feedback, and have a willingness to learn. What opportunities are there to provide professional development, mentorship, and coaching to support their growth?  

Do they have the skills, are they willing, are they ready for the jump into people management?  Then they are ready for promotion!!

Need to bridge the gap?  We can help!  Check out our Corporate Training offerings to develop upcoming, new and existing managers!  

Ella Bates - Skills Trainer

The one who knows, no-one deserves a bad work day.  We help organizations from Fortune 500 companies to Manufacturing plants bringing high-impact learning experiences that create more joy and better results at work.  Connect with us

Time to Manage the Boss

Time to Manage the Boss

Managing your boss may sound like a daunting task, but it's a skill that can take your career to new heights! Knowing how to manage upwards means being able to communicate effectively, anticipate your boss's needs, and align your work with their goals. It's all about building a strong relationship with your boss and ensuring mutual success. So, don't underestimate the power of managing upwards - it could be the key to unlocking your full potential in the workplace.

Our TOP 5 Ways to Manage Upwards Effectively

  • Communicate really well with each other Communication is key to any successful relationship, and this is especially true when managing upwards. Make sure you are communicating clearly and regularly with your boss. Keep them updated on your projects and progress, and ask for feedback and guidance when necessary.
  • Understand their mission: What are your boss's goals, what are they prioritizing?  Align YOUR work with what they are prioritizing.  
  • Get proactive: Are you sat waiting to be delegated to?  I invite you to take initiative and identify projects/opportunities that align and WORK ON THEM proactively.
  • Have your Solution Hat On:  Focus on solutions when challenges arise, take ownership of finding a solution and suggestions/ideas.  
  • Build relationships with key players: There are politics in organizations, its time to build relationships with people such as other departments, senior leaders.  Things get done a whole lot quicker!

Make it your mission to manage upwards and you will see significant impact in your career growth and success. By building a strong, productive relationship with your boss based on trust, communication, and mutual respect, you can better understand their expectations, provide value, build trust, navigate organizational politics, and ultimately, achieve greater success which brings more joy at work!  

Ella Bates - Skills Trainer

The one who knows, no-one deserves a bad work day.  We help organizations from Fortune 500 companies to Manufacturing plants bringing high-impact learning experiences that create more joy and better results at work.  Connect with us

Why cant you just tell people what to do?

Why cant you just tell people what to do?

Thankfully we aren't in an autocratic society, nor is it 1965, but it would be easier if we could just tell our staff what to do.  We know 100% that this doesn't

  • maintain motivation
  • inspire hard work
  • retain staff
  • create an enjoyable workspace

So we can you do instead?  

As a manager, there are many ways to help your team members grow and develop their skills. Teaching and telling is certainly one approach, coaching can be a more effective way to support your employees in achieving their goals and improving their performance. Here are a few reasons why you might consider this for you as a leader:

More PERSON Focused We often assume everyone learns the same way, coaching is more personalized to be able to identify together their strengths and weaknesses and make any task/goal/plan individualized.  

It builds RELATIONSHIPS Coaching is more collaborative: Teaching can often feel like a one-way transfer of knowledge, with the manager being the expert and the employee being the student.  When you ask great question in a collaborative way, you work together which creates more commitment and accountability.  

Its hugely empowering, if you give someone the answers they need to take action/solve a problem, it creates dependence on you!  Help your employees develop their own problem-solving skills so they can grow and improve on their own.  

If you are ready to use this powerful tool  and be a leader that coaches (you can learn how here)  you can support your teams to achieve the goals and improve their own performance with simple questions.  Download your FREE guide to asking great questions here.  

Ella Bates - Skills Trainer

The one who knows, no-one deserves a bad work day.  We help organizations from Fortune 500 companies to Manufacturing plants bringing high-impact learning experiences that create more joy and better results at work.  Connect with us below!

Future Proof Soft Skills for 2023

Future Proof Soft Skills for 2023

Its more important than ever before in that we help our employees build their skills set, grow their career and push your organization forward! there are 5 critical soft skills that organizations like yours are looking for.

How can you close the gaps as quickly and efficiently as possible?

Read our recommendation on books, videos, and micro-learning experiences that can take you there.

#1 Creativity

What does it mean for your teams to be creative?  Are they delivering really useful, original solutions to the problems your organization is facing whether on a higher level or micro level with the processes they are currently following?

My recommendations are

Book The business of creativity by Moeran, Brian  A great book showing how creativity emerges from collaborative engagements among people, genres, institutions, materials and technologies

Learning Experience™  Being able to empower your employees, require a leader who can coach and guide them to achievement is critical with Coaching for Success

Video  A great Ted Talk:  Your Elusive Creative Genius  Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius.

#2 ABILITY TO PERSUADE

The art of Persuasion is truly influencing thoughts and actions of someone to do something a different way.  I agree with LinkedIN, that this one of the most powerful communication skills that all employees need in their skill-set PLUS a CRITICAL skill for Leadership. 

My recommendations are:

Book Influence & Persuasion by Harvard Business Review this book presents both comprehensive frameworks for developing an influence and small, simple tactics that you can use to convince others every day.

Learning Experience™ As leaders, you don’t have time not to manage. Career trajectory has meant that the key core skills of leadership have been lost in translation. Building Strong Teams

Video  What he learnt from 100 days of rejection by Jia Jiang

#3 COLLABORATION

Working with others to achieve the same goal, effectively and efficiently. Collaboration is everything, as they say "success is NOT a single sport"!

My recommendations are:

Book Ken Blanchard always gets to the point with getting out of Silohs with his book Collaboration begins with you

Learning Experience™Leading Like a Tribe Establish a proven technique of shifting culture mindset of the relationships formed inside a highly effective Team

Video  There is a rhythmic beauty in collaboration as demonstrated by dancers in this video from Shadé Zahrai

#4 AGILITY & RESILIENCE

We know that change is constant.  We are hearing words like Agility and Adaptability all over our news-feeds right now in current trends of our employees.  We want employees who thrive in an environment that is dynamic and get back on their feet in the face of a challenge.

My recommendations are:

Book Adaptability:  The Art of Winning in the Age of Uncertainty This book harnesses the essence of human survival – the ability to adapt – to help people succeed in business and all other aspects of life.

Learning Experience In times of conflicting priorities and ever changing days, you can explore various time management, organizational tools and techniques to build a customized productivity plan for you Productivity Bootcamp

Video   This video shares three ways to measure your "adaptability quotient" -- and shows why your ability to respond to change really matters.

#4 EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

While it may be new on this list, it certainly isn’t new with my clients requests from us!  IQ is important, yet low on the totem pole of recruiting for leadership and skill-sets of our teams.  A great Emotional intelligence is when you are able to respond to your own emotions and the emotions of others.  Using this emotional information to guide thinking and behavior and managing those emotions to adapt to environments.

My recommendations are:

Book E.Q Applied teaches you how to channel your strongest feelings in a way that helps, not harms you—or others—enabling you to break down barriers and improve the quality of your relationships

Learning Experience™ This bite sized learning Embracing The E.I Factor Be a great influence by discovering what Emotional Intelligence is and why more and more successful people are raising the EI bar to stand out from the crowd.

Video Daniel Goldman, author of “Emotional Intelligence” talks about why we should be more compassionate.

Enjoy the experience of up-skilling/re-skilling and helping you and your teams boost their careers and create more joy and results at work.  Because everyone deserves a great work day, every single day.  For more skills, contact us, we would LOVE to be your choice for Soft Skills Training in your organization.  

Skills Trainer Ella Bates

Ella Bates Skills Training to create a Great Work Day, more joy and better results in the workplace for over a decade.  From Aircraft Hangers to Cruiseliners (its a great story!)  We are ready to support you and your organization.  We would love to hear from you.  Reach out CLICK HERE

Want to feel more Engaged at Work?

Want to feel more Engaged at Work?

Employee engagement is a major factor in business success, so it’s obvious why your boss hopes you’re passionate about your work. Still, you have a lot at stake too.

If you’re like the average professional, you spend about one-third of your life at the office. That’s almost 90,000 hours. Feeling committed and connected is important for your health and happiness.

The only way to be concise in your Emails

The only way to be concise in your Emails

How many emails do you get a day? According to research the average person gets a sends around 121 business emails per day (see where I found this crazy statistic here). Time being the most precious resource in this world, it is more than ever more important that we get concise with what we have to say.

Top 5 CRITICAL Workplace Soft Skills

Top 5 CRITICAL Workplace Soft Skills

Its more important than ever before in that we help our employees build their skills set, grow their career and push your organization forward! there are 5 critical soft skills that organizations like yours are looking for.

How can you close the gaps as quickly and efficiently as possible? Read our recommendation on books, videos, and micro-learning experiences that can take you there.

#1

What does it mean for your teams to be creative?  Are they delivering really useful, original solutions to the problems your organization is facing whether on a higher level or micro level with the processes they are currently following?

My recommendations are

📚 Book The business of creativity by Moeran, Brian  A great book showing how creativity emerges from collaborative engagements among people, genres, institutions, materials and technologies

💡 Learning Experience™  Being able to empower your employees, require a leader who can coach and guide them to achievement is critical with Coaching for Success

📹 Video  A great Ted Talk:  Your Elusive Creative Genius  Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius

#2

The art of Persuasion is truly influencing thoughts and actions of someone to do something a different way.  I agree with LinkedIN, that this one of the most powerful communication skills that all employees need in their skill-set PLUS a CRITICAL skill for Leadership. 

My recommendations are

📚 Book Influence & Persuasion by Harvard Business Review this book presents both comprehensive frameworks for developing an influence and small, simple tactics that you can use to convince others every day.

💡 Learning Experience™ As leaders, you don’t have time not to manage. Career trajectory has meant that the key core skills of leadership have been lost in translation. Building Strong Teams

Video  What he learnt from 100 days of rejection by Jia Jiang

#3

Working with others to achieve the same goal, effectively and efficiently. 

📚 Book Ken Blanchard always gets to the point with getting out of Silohs with his book Collaboration begins with you

💡 Learning Experience™ Leading Like a Tribe Establish a proven technique of shifting culture mindset of the relationships formed inside a highly effective Team

📹 Video  There is a rhythmic beauty in collaboration as demonstrated by dancers in this video from Shadé Zahrai

#4

We know that change is constant.  We are hearing words like Agility and Adaptability all over our news-feeds right now in current trends of our employees.  We want employees who thrive in an environment that is dynamic and get back on their feet in the face of a challenge.

My recommendations are:

📚 Book Adaptability:  The Art of Winning in the Age of Uncertainty This book harnesses the essence of human survival – the ability to adapt – to help people succeed in business and all other aspects of life.

💡 Learning Experience In times of conflicting priorities and ever changing days, you can explore various time management, organizational tools and techniques to build a customized productivity plan for you Productivity Bootcamp

📹 Video   This video shares three ways to measure your “adaptability quotient” — and shows why your ability to respond to change really matters.

#5

While it may be new on this list, it certainly isn’t new with my clients requests from us!  IQ is important, yet low on the totem pole of recruiting for leadership and skill-sets of our teams.  A great Emotional intelligence is when you are able to respond to your own emotions and the emotions of others.  Using this emotional information to guide thinking and behavior and managing those emotions to adapt to environments. 

My recommendations are:

📚 Book E.Q Applied teaches you how to channel your strongest feelings in a way that helps, not harms you—or others—enabling you to break down barriers and improve the quality of your relationships

💡 Learning Experience™ This bite sized learning Embracing The E.I Factor Be a great influence by discovering what Emotional Intelligence is and why more and more successful people are raising the EI bar to stand out from the crowd.

📹 Video Daniel Goldman, author of “Emotional Intelligence” talks about why we should be more compassionate.

Learning Expert, Master Trainer & Growth Coach

Ella Bates Helping busy people since 1998, create the best day possible with our high impact learning experiences at ebacademyonline and creating the best day at work at ellabates.com. Contact us CLICK HERE