to Make Positive Connections With Others on Your Team

Here is an article by Mike Weaver with team building tips that you may find helpful for your call center team. Good Luck!

I’ve heard people say, "I’m not good with just starting up conversations with people. I’m not a people person." I don’t buy it. All of us are people oriented to some degree or another. We’re designed to connect with others. It’s just that some are better at it than others. It is possible for anyone to avoid awkward silence with others and connect with others, anywhere, at any time, especially with your team members. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Slow down - We move so fast through life. We’ve got a million things to do and we say, "people to see." But do we really "see" people around us? Or do we see through people around us as we move from task to task. Slow down, take a deep breath, and appreciate the people around you before you engage in a conversation with them. They’ll appreciate being seen.

2. Develop self confidence - Behind your discomfort around others may be a general lack of confidence in yourself. Listen to your self talk. If you continually tell yourself that you’re boring, ugly, not a people person, or lesser than others, you’ll act that way. Just as you are what you eat, you are what you think. As you strengthen your confidence, you’ll be able to connect with anyone.

3. Check your body language - If you are sitting as you read this, is your weight fully placed on the chair, allowing the chair to do it’s work to support you? How are your feet? Flat on the ground? Leg’s crossed? Your body language says a lot about you. For example, how you cross your legs, either toward others or away from them, communicates how you feel and whether you want to connect. Your body language also reveals your preoccupations, stresses, discomforts, and confidence in yourself. Next time, make eye contact when you talk and listen. Stand still. Put your feet flat on the ground, even when you’re sitting in a seat. Lean in. By being fully present with others, you’ll be amazed how easy it is to connect.

4. Be curious about people - We’ve all got stories to tell. Other people are interesting. It’s just a matter if we’re interested in others. Ever been on the monkey bars on the play ground when you were a kid? It’s as simple as that. Asking questions like, "Really? Why’s that?" is like moving hand to hand across the monkey bars.

Bottom line - By following those four simple secrets, you’ll be able to connect with your team members. As a result, you’ll decrease frustrations and misunderstandings, and enjoy a more meaningful, satisfying workplace.

Mike Weaver, is co-founder and facilitator with The Group Mind, http://thegroupmind.com