Leadership summer2013

LEADERSHIP Summer 2013

Staying Motivated on a Budget Check out tips for non-monetary motivators pg. 9

Prevent Misunderstanding

Make sure you’re coming through crystal-clear pg. 6

ess our Busin Insuring Y ssertive Staying A ork Out at W g in rk o W

leadership Summer 2013

A word from your Account Management Team...

In this summer issue of Leadership, we aim to help you acheive more, worry less, and make the best of these next few months; insuring your home business, keeping fit even while working, and staying under your perfectionist boss’s radar are just a few topics to help give you peace of mind this summer.

If you’re still finding yourself stressed and having work-related or personal issues, give your EAP a call anytime. Our Management Consultations can be of great help to you if and when issues may arise.

– The MINES Team

MINES & Associates 10367 West Centennial Road Littleton, Colorado 80127 800.873.7138 www.MINESandAssociates.com

. . . . . . . . C redi t s . . . . . . .

Business.usa.gov ©2013 Business Insurance pp. 4-5 Life Advantages - Author Delvina Mirtemadi ©2013 How to Be Assertive In the Workplace pg. 5 Prevent Misunderstanding on Your Team pg. 6 How to Cope with Difficult Personalities pg. 7 Using Non-Monetary Methods to Motivate Employees pg. 9 Author Krames Staywell ©2013 How to Work with a Perfectionist Boss pg. 8 Working Out a Workout at Work pg. 10

WebMD Quiz: Pain and Disability at Work pg. 11

ChooseWell

2

Perspectives on Organizational Wellness

From Wellness to Wellbeing

Tune in to discuss what other organizations are doing to improve their members’ health.

Physical Wellness

Occupatio

Stress Reduction?

nal Welln ess

Emotional Wellness

Team Building

Eating Right

Fitness and You

Our 2013 webinar series is focused on how you can create a wellness-driven workforce. This year, our BizPsych team will be hosting four panel-discussion webinars regarding different aspects of wellness. We are inviting our clients, partners, and key stake-holders to share their experiences, perspectives, and highlight how their program sets them apart from other wellness programs.

To receive updates visit: MINESandAssociates.com/webinar

Broadcast 1: Physical Wellness April 17th 10am - 11am MST

This discussion encompasses nutrition, physical fitness, stress, and how to avoid unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and drugs.

Broadcast 2: Occupational Wellness July 17th 10am - 11am MST

Explore the importance and impact of having a culture that promotes having a positive attitude in the workplace. Discover strategies to build a culture that embraces meaningful recognition, practices the art of appreciation and offers ways to support and enrich career development.

Broadcast 3: Emotional Wellness September 18th 10am - 11am MST

How good are you at being aware of your emotions, accepting your feelings or managing your emotions?

Relationships, stress, self-esteem, and life outlook are all factors that play a role in managing our relationship with ourselves and with others in our personal and professional lives. In this session, we will explore ways to enhance your emotional well being.

Broadcast 4: From Wellness to Wellbeing November 20th 10am - 11am MST

How does wellbeing differ from wellness? We’ll explore a few new trends in wellness. You may even be able to create a huge shift in the overall health of your organization after this! Come learn how to take a pulse on your organization’s current level of wellness and develop a plan to move it to optimal levels of wellbeing.

Think you have something to contribute to one of these webinars? We’d love to hear from you.

Shoot us an email at communications@minesandassociates.com and let us know what you’d like to share.

www.MINESandAssociates.com | 800.873.7138

Business Insurance Buying business insurance is among the best ways to prepare for the unexpected. Without proper protection, misfortunes such as the death of a partner or key employee, embezzlement, a lawsuit, or a natural disaster could spell the end of a thriving operation.

Ranging from indispensable worker’s compensation insurance to the relatively obscure executive kidnapping coverage, insurance is available for nearly any business risk. Considering the multitude of available options, business owners must carefully weigh whether the cost of certain premiums will justify the coverage for a given risk.

General Liability Many business owners buy general liability or umbrella liability insurance to cover legal hassles due to claims of negligence.

These help protect against payments as the result of bodily injury or property damage, medical expenses, the cost of defending lawsuits, and settlement bonds or judgments required during an appeal procedure.

Product Liability Every product is capable of personal injury or property damage. Companies that manufacture, wholesale, distribute, and retail a product may be liable for its safety. Additionally, every service rendered may be capable of personal injury or property damage. Businesses are considered liable for negligence, breach of an express or implied warranty, defective products, and defective warnings or instructions.

Home-Based Business Insurance Contrary to popular belief, homeowners’ insurance policies do not generally cover home-based business losses. Commonly needed insurance areas for home-based businesses include business property, professional liability, personal and advertising injury, loss of business data, crime and theft, and disability.

Internet Business Insurance Web-based businesses may wish to look into specialized insurance that covers liability for damage done by hackers and viruses. In addition, e-insurance often covers specialized online activities, including lawsuits resulting from meta tag abuse, banner advertising, or electronic copyright infringement.

Worker’s Compensation Required in every state except Texas, worker’s compensation insurance pays for employees’ medical expenses and missed wages if injured while working. The amount of insurance employers must carry, rate of payment, and what types of employees must be carried varies depending on the state . In most cases, business owners, independent contractors, domestic employees in private homes, farm workers, and unpaid volunteers are exempt.

Criminal Insurance No matter how tight security is in your workplace, theft and malicious damage are always possibilities. While the dangers associated with hacking, vandalism, and general theft are obvious, employee embezzlement is more common than most business owners think. Criminal insurance and employee bonds can provide protection against losses in most criminal areas.

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Business Interruption Insurance Some businesses may wish to acquire insurance that covers losses during natural disasters, fires, and other catastrophes that may cause the operation to shut down for a significant amount of time.

Key Person Insurance In addition to a business continuation plan that outlines how the company will maintain operations if a key person dies, falls ill, or leaves, some companies may wish to buy key person insurance. This type of coverage is usually life insurance that names the corporation as a beneficiary if an essential person dies or is disabled.

Malpractice Insurance Some licensed professionals need protection against payments as the result of bodily injury or property damage, medical expenses, the cost of defending lawsuits, investigations and settlements, and bonds or judgments required during an appeal procedure. M

How to Be Assertive in the Workplace

Being assertive involves a healthy balance between being aggressive and being passive. It can help others know what you want while still respecting their needs. Though this approach may not always get you what you want, you will feel good about vocalizing what you feel without dominating a situation unfairly. Below are some tips and techniques that can help you learn how being assertive can positively impact your work/life balance:

Be Vocal About What You Need

Let employers and supervisors know what you need in order to fulfill your job duties and expectations. For example, if you are expected to take on additional job duties, let the employer know the resources you’ll need to succeed.

Talk about trainings, materials, extended deadlines, or what coworkers and supervisors could do to help; don’t keep quiet and risk becoming burnt-out or overworked.

Give a Choice

If someone puts you in a difficult situation, ask him or her to make a choice.

For instance, if you’re already saddled up with a few demanding projects, and the team leader suggests you take on a new project, ask him or her which one of the projects you should delay to make room for the new one.

Trade

When you find yourself in the position of taking on or helping with additional duties, it may be appropriate to ask for a trade. Suggest something reasonable, or ask the person what he or she thinks is a fair trade.

Repeat Your Concern

If a person hasn’t resolved a situation you’ve asked them about, ask until you get a solution. For example, if a coworker hasn’t gotten back to you about a needed memo, keep asking, “When can I expect that memo?” until you get the result. M

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Prevent Misunderstanding in Your Team When working with others, you’re likely to encounter people from different backgrounds with various levels of experience and education. In addition, each person also brings his or her own unique personality to a group. When joining all these differences together, you need to learn how to handle the inevitable misunderstandings and miscommunication that can come from people’s diversity. Follow the tips below to learn how you can enhance your communication skills.

Pay Attention

When speaking with another person, don’t focus on paperwork, the telephone, the objects on your desk, or what you are going to say next.

Try not to have preconceived notions about what a person is going to say to you. You may suspect that a person is coming to you for a certain reason, but don’t let that rule your mind. If you don’t give close attention to the person and what is being said in the present moment, you could miss something very important.

Take nonverbal cues into account. Body language, tone of voice, nervous giggling, or smiles may give you insight into what the person is really trying to say.

Checking for Understanding

Notice if someone looks puzzled when you are talking. He or she may not be following what you are saying. You can help by asking questions that require feedback on what you said and how well you said it.

Ask questions like: Did that make sense?

Can you repeat back to me your interpretation of what I said? I want to see if I missed anything.

Did I describe that adequately?

Use Facts

Try to use facts, rather than opinions, when demonstrating a point. If coworkers come to you with a disagreement, ask for the facts, and try to help using those facts.

Give Your Time

Some people are quick to catch on to a procedure, while others take a little longer. By spending enough time to ensure understanding among every staff member, you’ll know that everyone is on the same page. Have patience when working with each person and you will notice improved work and attitudes throughout the whole team.

Make sure to communicate with your workers at various times, not just when you have criticism. This will help create more positive relationships with workers, and they may be more willing to talk to you when they need assistance or guidance. Be supportive by following these three tips: • Be polite and cordial with everyone.

• Share good news about accomplishments and achievements.

• Talk about concerns and giving feedback.

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How to Cope with Difficult Personalities There is no way to completely avoid crossing paths with irritating or frustrating people. Your best strategy is to learn how to deal with them without losing your cool.

Follow the tips below so you can gain the necessary skills to handle difficult personality types.

Difficult Personality Types

Be aware of some of the common difficult personalities:

The Bully: Bullies are typically hostile to others, sometimes badgering people to get their way. They may put people down in order to bring themselves up and throw tantrums or belittle others to get what they want.

The Griper: Gripers will whine and complain about situations they do not like but do not try to change the situation.

The Silent Type: Silent types won’t have much to contribute, no matter how much you try to bring them out of their shell.They seem to have little or no opinion on various topics.

The Very Nice Type: Very nice types agree to situations to make people feel good. However, they usually don’t follow through when they say they will and may not stay true to their word.

The “Just Say No” Type: “Just say no” types respond negatively to suggestions and usually don’t suggest any better alternatives. Instead of helping the situation and making constructive comments, they make comments like, “That won’t work,” and then offer no further help.

The “I Know Better” Type: “I know better” types act like they know everything and downplay others’ suggestions. They lead by monopolizing conversations, meetings, and projects and putting through their ideas first.

The Staller: Stallers put things off until someone else does the work.

How to Cope

Now that you are aware of the common difficult personalities, the next step is learning how to handle them. You won’t be able to control the difficult person, but you will be able to control yourself and help the situation by following these techniques: For bullies, be assertive. Don’t try to fight them but make your point firm and clear. Use phrases like “I believe” or “I feel” and don’t be scared to state your point.

For gripers, let them know that you have heard and understood their concerns and ask them what can be done about it. Try to suggest ways that they could cope or even improve the situation.

For silent types, ask questions that require a more thorough answer than “yes” or “no.” Ask them about something you know that they are interested in to help get them going and lead the conversation into what really needs to be discussed.

Very nice people want to be liked. Compliment them and then ask them how they really feel about certain topics. They may be more likely to open up once they know you like them.

Arguing with a “just say no” type won’t help. When they respond negatively, respond constructively. Lead by example.

When meeting with an “I know better” person, have all your facts and research done ahead of time. Before you meet with them, take notes about potential problems. Try to encourage the “I know better” person to work with you as a team, instead of on his or her own.

Find out why a staller stalls. There may be a deeper problem and it might be resolved if the person is doing something he or she likes to do. M

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How to Work With a Perfectionist Boss Is your boss always pointing out that your work isn’t quite right? Does he or she expect you to work yourself to the bone? Do you go home every night exhausted and at your wit’s end?

Sit down, take a deep breath and relax as you learn some strategies that will help you win the trust of your perfectionist boss.

“It’s important to seek to understand perfectionist bosses and why they’re so focused on perfection,” says Janelle Brittain, M.B.A., C.S.P., president of Dynamic Performance Institute in Chicago and author of “Star Team Dynamics: 12 Lessons Learned From Experienced Team Builders.” “It’s often because they fear they’ll lose something if perfection isn’t achieved. They may be afraid of losing their prestige, sense of worth or even their jobs.”

Communicate

Develop trust

When receiving an assignment or project from a perfectionist, take a moment to clarify the expectations. If your boss wants things done a certain way, write down the plan step by step.

Make sure you keep asking questions until you’re clear about your boss’s expectations.

“Never cover up a mistake to avoid criticism, even though it may be tempting, as you’ll immediately lose the trust of your perfectionist boss,” warns Ms. Brittain.

Pay attention to details Be precise. Give your boss neat, orderly, spell-checked work. Nothing stands out more to a perfectionist than typos, sloppiness, and inaccurate information. Keep track of deadlines and get your work done on time.

Be prepared Never come unprepared to a meeting. If you have a project to report on, come to the meeting with a complete progress report. If the meeting is about a new topic, do your premeeting research about the subject.

No surprises Perfectionists don’t like surprises. Keep your boss informed as to how a project is going as the work progresses.

“If you see the possibility of a problem on the horizon, give your boss a heads up. Perhaps offer an idea for solving or preventing it,” says Ms. Brittain.

Any possible solutions should be well thought out, logical and workable.

Have a can-do attitude “Even though it may be tough, keep a positive attitude when the perfectionist is demanding,” says Ms. Brittain.

“If you’re feeling overwhelmed, make a logical case for getting assistance with your work. This way, you’re saying you can do it if you get help.”

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Show you care “Because perfectionists often are harder to like, they don’t receive many messages that others care about them and their welfare,” says Ms. Brittain. “If you see your boss is a nervous wreck trying to push everyone to perfection, say something like, ‘I’m worried about you. You look exhausted.

Why don’t you take a few moments of peace and quiet in your office, and I’ll cover for you.’”

A small gesture of caring will often help your boss be more understanding of your struggle.

Be proactive “Instead of reacting negatively to the perfectionist boss’s demands, seek to understand them and create a strategy for working with them,” Ms. Brittain says. “This way, when you go home at night, you can let go of your work worries because you know you’ve got a plan.” M

Using Non-Monetary Methods to Motivate Employees Money isn’t always the best tool to use as a motivator, nor is it commonly accessible for the employer to use as he or she pleases. An alternative is for a supervisor or employer to figure out new ways to inspire employees. Through motivating without money, you can even make a job more enjoyable to an employee, making his or her life better in the process.

You can create motivation through:

Content Challenges are a great way to energize the workplace and inspire healthy competition. Consider ways that you can challenge your employees that allow them to excel and feel good about themselves. Challenges can also help individuals build new skills and learn to work better as a team.

Collaboration When possible, invite individuals to work as a team. This can generate healthy communication within the work place, and make a worker feel like an essential part of the company. It also decreases isolation and helps staff get to know each other better, which can create a more comfortable and supportive work environment.

Choice Allow an employee the flexibility to make decisions about his or her projects. Encouraging your employees to make decisions will in turn motivate them about projects. Giving your employee a sense of autonomy can help generate more confidence in the individual and lead to greater productivity. M

Summer 2013 Leadership 9

Working Out a Workout at Work Move, stretch, take breaks – does that sound like a workout? Does it sound like work? The office may seem like an odd place to work out, but you spend most of your day there. Exercise can keep you healthy, make you more productive, and head off workplace injuries. Even short bursts of movement count.

“I almost don’t use the word ‘exercise’ anymore because so many people throw up mental road blocks that keep them from getting there,” says Gale Begeman, a University of Arizona strength and conditioning coach. “I call it body movement or physical activity, and then people start to think it’s more attainable.”

Keep on movin’ At work, your best fitness option is brisk walking that raises your heart rate. A 30-minute walk can be part of a lunch hour, but there are other ways to add steps: • To and from work: Walk to work, or walk to the car, train, or bus.

Biking is also an option.

• During work: Take the stairs. Don’t phone -- walk to a coworker’s office and talk face-to-face. Use a fax machine or copier at the far end of the office or on a different floor.

• At lunch: If you can’t exercise, at least you can walk to your favorite eating spot.

Take breaks at least once an hour, even if just for a few minutes.

Stand and stretch your arms over your head.

Cubicle calisthenics

Why employers are helping

Depending how comfortable you are around your coworkers, you can do simple strength training exercises at your desk: • Do a basic crunch in your chair. Pull your belly button in and up; pull your chest down.

• Grasp your chair’s armrest and lift yourself up, using your arms to work the triceps.

• Do pushups without using the floor. Place your hands on the edge of your desk and your body at a 45-degree angle to the ground.

• Work your thighs by squatting as if you were about to sit in your chair and standing before you touch the seat. Keep your back straight.

• At the copier, lift one foot and then the other behind you to work your hamstrings. Standing on your tiptoes engages the calves.

Ms. Garrity says exercise breaks shouldn’t be seen as distractions.

“You will actually be more productive if you get away for a couple of minutes and get some oxygen to the brain.”

Don’t be desk-bound

In a car stopped at a light: Place the back of your head against the headrest. Pull your chin in toward your throat. Lower your shoulder blades and bring them together. Contract your abdominal muscles.

This stretches your neck and upper back.

It’s not natural to sit at a desk for hours at a time. Add poor posture -- shoulders rolled forward, neck muscles pinched, arms at an awkward angle -- and it can be hazardous.

The leading work-related injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lower back and neck injuries, often result from working without a break and holding the body in poor positions.

“The human body was meant to be upright with the postural muscles [abdomen, back, shoulders, and neck] holding us up,’” says Lisa Garrity, a San Diego trainer who specializes in corporate fitness programs.

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To correct your posture as you work, raise your body awareness, says Diana Fairechild, author of “Office Yoga: At-Your-Desk Exercises.”

“While you are working, you can continuously do self-corrections.

Or if you are downloading something on your computer, take those 10 seconds to do an exercise. No one’s boss is going to complain about a 10-second break.”

Companies large and small are starting to agree. Investments in employee fitness range from subsidizing memberships at local health clubs to building full-sized fitness centers on site. “It reduces health care costs in the long run, and healthy employees are going to be more efficient on the job,” says Richard Little, who manages corporate fitness sites for the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas.

Stretch to fix poor posture

At your desk: Clasp your hands and place them behind your head.

Lift your chin so it’s parallel to the floor. Open your elbows like wings. This stretches your chest and shoulders. M

Quiz: Disability and Pain at Work Should you consider applying for disability?

1. Does your pain prevent you from doing the work required for your job?

Disability is more common than many people realize. According to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old worker has a three in 10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. If you think you are disabled and want to apply for Social Security benefits, the question is: have you had to stop working or do you earn less than the current allowable amount because of your pain and medical condition? To be considered for workers’ compensation, you must have been injured at work or acquired an occupational disease.

2. Can you do any type of work?

If you can’t do your current job, ask yourself whether you can work at a different job, perhaps one that’s less physically taxing or doesn’t require you to use the part of your body that causes pain. For example, a person with carpal tunnel syndrome might make a successful receptionist or call center employee. To determine if you can still work, the Social Security Administration will look at your age, education, past work experience, and other skills you have. Disability insurance pays an income as long as you cannot perform the duties of your own occupation. In some cases, you can still collect disability payments even if you take a temporary position.

3. Are you being treated by a doctor for your pain and medical condition?

Your doctor will help disability officials decide if you cannot perform your work duties. Your doctor can share information about your condition, such as when it began, what tests have been done, your treatment, and your prognosis. It’s not up to your doctor to decide if you should go on disability, but the information your doctor provides helps disability officials make a decision on eligibility.

4. Is your condition expected to last at least 12 months?

Social Security pays disability benefits if your doctor expects your medical condition to last at least one year, or if your condition is terminal, as with some cancers. If your condition might not last a full year, you can look into other programs for short-term help, such as workers’ compensation or your own disability insurance. The time period that a person is eligible for benefits differs among various types of policies; it can range from a few months to a lifetime.

5. How long have you been employed and paid into the Social Security system?

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you must have worked for:

•1.5 years if you are younger than age 28

• 4 years if you are age 38

• 6.5 years if you are age 48

• 9 years if you are age 58

• 9.5 years if you are age 60

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A note to Supervisors...

From time to time, situations arise when a supervisor is not sure how to respond to a particular behavior.

The Employee Assistance Program is available on a 24/7 basis for consultation on issues such as: referring an employee to the EAP, how best to respond to and manage difficult behavior in the workplace, and whether training or some other form of group intervention (such as an organizational intervention or a conflict resolution) may be helpful for a particular situation. The EAP can serve as an ally to anyone who is working with a troubled employee.

• 24/7 supervisor consultation regarding problems in the workplace

• Assessment of behavioral risk on the job • Return-to-Duty conferences

• Advisory services in writing, revising, and implementing policies

• Supervisor and Manager training

• Unlimited formal Work Performance Referrals

• Coaching for management and leadership skills

• Conflict resolution for supervisor-employee problems

MINES believes that employees are an organization’s most valuable resource.

Your EAP is always available to provide you and your employees with support.

The MINES Team

Questions? Reach us at 800.873.7138 | www.MINESandAssociates.com