“Since I met Jeff in 2012 he has helped me develop self-awareness, listening, and leadership skills. He inspires me to continuously learn and improve who I am and how I treat others.”
call Jeff saari at 603-762-4866 for a free consult.
Leadership Coaching for St. Johnsbury, VT area NON-PROFITS AND BUSINESSES
We are helping leaders in St. Johnsbury, VT improve their management style, become better at prioritizing, reduce stress and become more overall emotionally intelligent.
Jeff Saari, CEO of Workplace Culture Solutions and Visionary Coaching LLC, founded his company in 2007. His enthusiastic passion and life purpose is to support leadership and cultural excellence in businesses and organizations. He works with leaders to achieve a maximum level of emotional intelligence to share with their organizations. Jeff teaches communication and meeting facilitation skills, practices one-on-one and group coaching, and leads organizational retreats.
We work to improve your personal management skills on a long term basis!
We specialize in improving the following:
employee performance and commitment,
communication,
being on purpose,
collaboration,
role clarity,
getting the right things done,
self-mastery, and
dealing with fear and frustration.
“My mission is to help create healthy leaders, healthy teams, and healthy businesses through coaching engagements.”
SIGNUP FOR A FREE 30-MINUTE LEADERSHIP TRAINING SESSION.
Never lead a bad MEETING AGAIN, By jeff saari
If you are not leading the meeting but it is being run ineffectively, speak up. It can be a challenge and produce fear if the boss is leading the meeting, but as a participant there is a responsibility to speak up for the sake of the whole – or suffer through more bad meetings. I liken meeting facilitation to learning to ride a bike. At one point in our lives, a caregiver gave us the instruction and patience it took to learn to ride: pedal motion, steering, balance and braking. Unfortunately, this is not so with meeting facilitation skills, although it would have been great if we learned this art early on, it would have saved us a lot of wasted time
Some people do have a knack for people and group process, while others actually did learn this art early on, but for all the rest to whom meeting facilitation does not come naturally, there is hope, even a promise, that good meeting facilitation skills are learnable. But first, back to bad meetings. How you and I would define a bad meeting is probably similar: lack of interest, wasted time, boring, off-topic, negative behaviors (such as an overtalker or the side-converser), no clear purpose – and the list goes on. Conversely, a good meeting has a clear purpose and design, engenders appreciation and safety, has good ground rules and the right people involved, has an agenda and effective process, elicits equal participation, deals effectively with challenging behaviors and gets at desired outcomes. The costs of bad meetings to an organization are legion. Therefore it cannot be overstated that it behooves us to hold a rigor for creating high functioning meetings that get the most bang for the buck.
Now let’s delve into the skills needed to run an effective meeting. Most essential is attitude; attitude is everything. In my facilitation work I show up to a meeting with openness, gratitude and passion. I am excited about meetings. I love meetings because of the power they have to unleash the collective wisdom of the group and solve real organizational problems, as well as create high visions.
For more information check out Never lead a bad meeting again, By Jeff Saari.
serving the St. Johnsbury, VT area
In the vibrant business landscape of St. Johnsbury, VT, success hinges upon accessing the right resources.
Welcome to St. Johnsbury, VT, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, where business innovation meets small-town charm. At Workplace Culture Solutions, we understand the importance of strong leadership and cohesive workplace culture in driving business success. In St. Johnsbury, VT, you'll discover a diverse range of companies contributing to the region's economic vibrancy and community resilience.
Manufacturing and Industrial Enterprises: St. Johnsbury, VT, boasts a robust manufacturing and industrial sector, with companies like Fairbanks Scales, a leading manufacturer of weighing equipment and scales, and NSK Steering Systems America, specializing in automotive steering systems. These companies showcase St. Johnsbury's commitment to manufacturing excellence and technological innovation, driving economic growth and job creation in the region.
Healthcare and Social Services Providers: Prioritizing the well-being of its residents, St. Johnsbury, VT, is home to esteemed healthcare and social services providers. Companies like Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH), a critical access hospital offering comprehensive healthcare services, and Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS), providing mental health and substance abuse treatment, underscore St. Johnsbury's dedication to holistic care and community support.
Education and Cultural Institutions: St. Johnsbury, VT, embraces its rich educational and cultural heritage, with institutions like St. Johnsbury Academy, a renowned independent school offering college-preparatory education, and the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, providing educational programs and exhibits on natural history and science. These institutions contribute to St. Johnsbury's vibrant cultural scene and commitment to lifelong learning.
Immerse yourself in the dynamic business landscape of St. Johnsbury, VT, where innovation thrives, community flourishes, and opportunity abounds. With Workplace Culture Solutions as your trusted partner in leadership development and organizational excellence, navigate the complexities of the business world with confidence and purpose.
Effective Team Building: Strengthening Bonds in Small Business Teams
In the competitive landscape of small businesses, the strength and cohesion of your team can be a significant determinant of your success. Effective team building is essential for fostering a collaborative and motivated workforce, which in turn drives productivity and innovation. Here are some strategies for small business leaders to strengthen team bonds and build a culture of trust and cooperation.
Foster Open Communication
Open and honest communication is the bedrock of effective teamwork. When team members feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, and feedback, it leads to better problem-solving and innovation.
Tips:
Regular Meetings: Hold regular team meetings to discuss ongoing projects, address any concerns, and brainstorm new ideas.
Communication Tools: Utilize tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom to facilitate seamless communication, especially for remote teams.
Active Listening: Encourage active listening by acknowledging contributions and responding thoughtfully to feedback.
Promote Team Collaboration
Encouraging collaboration ensures that team members leverage each other’s strengths and work together towards common goals.
Tips:
Team Projects: Assign projects that require input from multiple team members, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and cooperation.
Collaborative Tools: Use project management tools such as Trello, Asana, or Basecamp to organize tasks and track progress collectively.
Cross-Training: Implement cross-training programs to help team members understand each other’s roles and build versatility within the team.
Organize Team-Building Activities
Team-building activities are a fun and effective way to enhance relationships and build trust among team members.
Tips:
Outdoor Activities: Plan outdoor team-building events like hikes, picnics, or sports days to encourage camaraderie in a relaxed setting.
Workshops and Seminars: Host workshops or seminars focusing on team-building exercises and skills development.
Icebreakers: Start meetings with quick icebreaker activities to help team members get to know each other better.
Recognize and Celebrate Achievements
Recognition and celebration of achievements can significantly boost team morale and motivation.
Tips:
Public Recognition: Acknowledge accomplishments in team meetings or company newsletters.
Rewards Programs: Implement a rewards program to incentivize and recognize outstanding performance.
Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate both small and large milestones with team lunches, events, or awards ceremonies.
Encourage Professional Development
Investing in your team’s professional development demonstrates that you value their growth and contributions.
Tips:
Training Opportunities: Provide access to training programs, workshops, and online courses relevant to their roles.
Career Pathing: Help team members create clear career paths within the organization, showing them opportunities for growth and advancement.
Mentorship Programs: Pair less experienced team members with mentors to support their professional development.
Build Trust and Respect
Trust and respect are fundamental to any successful team. As a leader, it’s essential to model these values in your interactions.
Tips:
Transparency: Be transparent in your decision-making processes and communicate openly about company goals and challenges.
Respectful Dialogue: Foster a culture of respect where diverse opinions are valued and considered.
Accountability: Encourage accountability by setting clear expectations and holding everyone, including yourself, to those standards.
Foster a Positive Work Environment
A positive work environment enhances employee satisfaction and productivity, making it easier to attract and retain top talent.
Tips:
Work-Life Balance: Promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible working hours and respecting personal time.
Inclusive Culture: Create an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and included, regardless of their background or role.
Wellness Programs: Implement wellness programs that support the physical and mental well-being of your team members.
For personalized leadership coaching to help you strengthen your small business team, contact Jeff Saari at Workplace Culture Solutions. We are serving businesses, schools, and non-profits in the following areas:
Exeter, NH
Portsmouth, NH
Dover, NH
Hampton, NH
Rochester, NH
Reach out today to discuss your organization’s needs and discover how effective team building can transform your business.