Team Member Engagement

Competition is tougher than ever today. Companies with engaged employees outperform others by 47% to 202% (Source: Watson-Wyatt Research). Creating an environment of teamwork builds alignment and engagement, raises productivity, and leads to lower turnover rates. Here are some articles and tips to help you handle team-related issues and raise the level of engagement at YOUR workplace.

 How to Communicate with Diplomacy and Tact

We have all been awed by a Manager or a Team Member who always seems to know what to say and how to say it in any situation. These people know how to communicate with diplomacy, tact and confidence.

 The way in which we communicate can elicit positive or negative emotions.

If we communicate aggressively, without respect or sensitivity, defensive or angry emotions can prevent others from hearing the message we are trying to convey. Communicating with diplomacy and tact is an approach that combines strength and sensitivity and keeps negative emotions at bay.

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 Controlling Team Members’ Emotions

Strong emotions are both a cause and result of conflict. People in conflict have a variety of strong and often negative emotions. These emotions often conceal the issue in dispute. The emotions are real though and must be addressed for the conflict to be resolved comfortably for everyone involved.

 Maintaining emotional control when we deal with relationship conflicts is probably the most important step, and the most difficult. People can reduce escalation of negative attitudes by learning methods to process anger, create healthy alternatives to destructive responses, and create dialogue to discuss the issue while maintaining control. Here are some actions to take when trying to maintain control.

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Establishing an Effective Team

Effective teams are built on establishing a common vision, creating building blocks for communication and collaboration, identifying and planning for roadblocks, and establishing accountability.

Rarely are great business accomplishments the work of just one individual.

The problems you face in your organizations are usually too complex to be solved by any one person or discipline. When it comes down to it, the ultimate goal of any team is to solve problems and get things done, whether you are in a project team, a vertical team, or a cross functional team.

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WEDU Recognizes the Child Abuse Council

WEDU hosted its 6th Annual Be More Awards and the Child Abuse Council was recognized in two different categories!  The Child Abuse Councils Top Chef of the Year Tampa Bay event took home the “Be More Entertaining” special events award and the agency won the People’s Choice “Be More Humble” award.

Leadership Hillsborough Board Member, Maria Lewis, accepted the award for the Be More Entertaining and Paul D’Agostino accepted for the Be More Humble award.

Get more information about the Child Abuse Council at cachillsborough.com

Jack (l) and Lissette (r) with Maria Lewis, Development Director of the Child Abuse Council, winner of the “Be More Entertaining” award.

Board Member Highlight: Donna Chen

Donna Chen, Chair, Leadership Hillsborough

Donna Chen, Chair, Leadership Hillsborough

Donna is the Community Relations Manager for Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART).  Prior to that position she served for four years as the Business Development Specialist at HART.

Most Memorable LH Moment

A graduate of the class of 2006-2007, Donna has been a member of Leadership Hillsborough for four years, serving on the Board of Directors, holding several different positions for the past three years. A memory that stands out in her mind as being one of the most notable moments was attending the Change of Command Ceremony for fellow class member, Major Grant Izzi at MacDill Air Force Base.  It was a very moving experience.

Professional Experience

Before moving to Tampa Donna worked for Downtown Oak Park, a Chicago area downtown association that managed and marketed the historic, central business district.  In her role as the executive director she honed her skills in marketing and nonprofit management. As a community leader, she discovered her strengths in developing strategic partnerships and consensus building.

Leadership Tips

Significant achievement is seldom a solo act.  We asked Donna about key relationships that helped her professionally.  Donna responded, “I believe you can learn from everyone around you by keeping an open mind.  My family, friends and co-workers have been instrumental in my career and personal growth.  I also have benefitted from personal coaches and interestingly, a self hypnosis instructor.  But my most valued mentor is my husband, Mike, who recognizes my strengths and encourages me to be my best.”

Leadership Hillsborough is dedicated to the development of leaders.  We asked Donna for any coaching tips she may have for aspiring managers.   “The Leadership Hillsborough program is a great way to develop your leadership skills while learning about Hillsborough County. Also, continue to work with your support network and mentors throughout your career.  Never stop learning.”

Donna offers this final leadership tip: “Know and leverage your strengths and the strengths of others.  Become an expert listener and keep people engaged.”

Personal Tidbits

As the old adage goes, all work and no play… Donna was trained classically in music, and also played guitar with a Chicago blues band.  She likes to read old Russian authors, spends time watching movies with her husband, and is proud of her two grown children who are in the television production industry in Los Angeles.

Leadership Hillsborough is thankful to have Donna as the current Chair.

Education Day Seminar

The Education Seminar proved to be another great experience for the class of 2011. The day started off at Wimauma Elementary School, located in Southern Hillsborough Country. A unique school ranking one of the poorest in the County but for the past five years, consistently receiving an “A” rating. This was evident from the first step inside the school. The Teachers and employees gave the class a warm welcome and shared their unique style of teaching K-5 students. The class was broken into 4 groups and given private tours of the classrooms. There were ample smiles and engaged students excited to learn and be part of Wimauma Elementary School.

Next, the class was off to the South Shore campus of Hillsborough Community College. The campus is located a mile from the I-75 interstate. This location was chosen because it’s “Leed” certification. LEED certification is a recognition that a construction project or building can attain by utilizing environmentally friendly building practices during construction or remodeling receiving a Green rating for building construction. The President of the campus offered a video presentation with a tour of the college.

Social Services Seminar

Social service organizations play a major role in Hillsborough County, helping to address unmet needs among individuals and families, as well as accounting for billions of dollars in our local economy.  Recognizing the significant role these agencies play in our community, the Leadership Hillsborough Class of 2011 attended its Social Services seminar on October 28.

The class met at the Child Abuse Council in South Tampa to hear from local nonprofit agencies about programs that are addressing unmet community needs.  Presenters included Brian McEwen (Associate Director, Child Abuse Council), Leroy Moore (Sr. VP and Chief Operating Officer, Tampa Housing Authority), Diana Baker (President & CEO, United Way of Tampa Bay), Mary Lynn Ulrey (CEO, Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office), and Erik Graser (Advisory Board Chair, Kids & Canines), as well as special presenter, Kaylee, a service dog trained to assist the disabled.

The speakers addressed social issues prevalent in our community, including the prevention of child abuse, treatment of substance abuse, affordable housing, help for the disabled, the increasing needs of individuals and families who may have never required services in the past, and priority community issues.

The presentations were followed by a tour of the Child Abuse Councils’ Baby Bungalow and a class discussion on selecting a community service project. With Social Services fresh in their minds, we look forward to seeing how the Class of 2011 chooses to make an impact in Hillsborough County!

City of Tampa – upcoming events!

The City of Tampa has a couple of exciting events happening that we wanted to share.

Tampa Fire Rescue is currently in first place for the national fire safety quiz. Please go on line at www.tampafirefighters.com and take a quick 10 questions fire safety quiz to help Tampa Fire Rescue get $10,000 for the city’s fire safety program. When you get to the quiz page, please indicate that you are looking for Florida, then Tampa, then BE SURE TO CLICK ON TAMPA Fire Rescue so that we can get credit for it!

Upcoming events: we have the 16th Annual Police Memorial Run this Saturday, October 9th. For more information and to register, please visit http://tampapolicememorial.org/?page_id=81. You can either run or walk the 5k/1 mile starting in downtown Tampa and out on Bayshore. It is a wonderful event and a great opportunity to support our first responders and local heroes.

On October 30th, the Mayor’s African American Advisory Council (MAAAC) is hosting the Third Annual Small and Minority Business Symposium. For more information and to register, please visit http://www.tampagov.net/dept_mayors_african_american_advisory_council/. Great job Carla Jackson and MAAAC members organizing this great event!

And last, it is that time of year to grab your blankets, picnic baskets and head on down to the beautiful River Tower Park in Sulphur Springs for the FREE Pops in the Park on Friday, October 15th at 7 pm. This event is brought to you by the Florida Orchestra and the Parks and Recreation Department along with additional sponsors. River Tower Park is located at 401 E. Bird Street.

Leadership Hillsborough’s Opening Retreat 2010

The opening retreat was held at The Inn and Resort at Little Harbor, in Ruskin. A great location on the water, this venue provided the optimal meeting place to kick-off the start of the 2010-2011 class. Greetings were made by the President, Donna Chen and attending board members. Ice breaker activities and class introductions started off the day. Speaker Carol Price presented in the morning and afternoon. A plated dinner was provided and a Presidents reception followed until 10:00 pm. This gave the class many opportunities to meet one another and build new relationships.

The second day proved to be just a great as the first. Following a delicious buffet style breakfast, Kari Goetz began her improvisational style presentation. A first for Leadership Hillsborough, Kari had the class up and moving right away. She armed the class with new ways to learn names, increase awareness of their surroundings, techniques on working together and how to say YES to opportunities. All of her great ideas pushed the class just outside of their comfort zone allowing them to work together and gel as a class members.

The surviving straw towers from the team builder by Carol Price.

Ricky and Lou discuss the previous day of the retreat.

Patty Marci and Sabrina getting ready for the second day of the retreat

Patty Marci and Sabrina getting ready for the second day of the retreat

Opening Retreat – Class of 2009-2010

The class of 2009-2010 had a fantastic kick-off and opening retreat!  A huge thank you to Mosaic for the use of their facilities.  We had special presentations on generational differences and managing our stress and our conflicts.  Below are some photos from the event.

A team builder: constructing something while blindfolded and led with verbal instructions from a team member

Board Reacts to Economic Slow-down

The board of Leadership Hillsborough met for their annual retreat on Saturday, July 11th to address an unprecidented challenge; how to react to the probability that many organizations may not be able to afford to send employees to our program.  Over twenty board members traveled to the Sirianni family cattle ranch in Northern Pasco County for the annual meeting to select seminar and committee participants and to discuss the upcoming class year.

The economic crisis was addressed earlier in the year by the curriculum committee, chaired by Rachel Roman.  She presented a proposal at the June board meeting that would significantly alter the traditional LH format by providing half-day seminars and cutting the registration fee by more than $500.  The proposal was approved and the board decided to ask incoming seminar chairs to manage the new guidelines with their committees.

Following a brief meeting that included the introduction of several new board members, the seminar and board committee chair and co-chair selection process was conducted.  The group then participated in a brain-storm session to document the experiences associated with each seminar during the previous year.  Incoming Chairperson Michelle Van Dyke facilitated the session and will summarize and communicate the results so that seminar committees can benefit from the feedback that was generated.

A barbecue lunch and social time were the rewards for the hard work that took place in the morning.  Thanks to past chairperson Drew Sirianni for once again providing the luxurious, relaxing facility for the retreat.  New board member Patsy Madrazo experienced one of the unique aspects of driving through a cattle ranch when she encountered a cow blocking the drive on her way in.  “I honked, but the cow didn’t move!” announced a shaken Madrazo.  Veteran board member Mitzi Minor, who appeared to have already consumed a portion of the lunch that she was delivering when she arrived, advised Patsy to inch toward the cattle when such events take place.  “If your foot slips off the brake, it just means that Drew’s kids eat steak for a month.”

Images from Board Retreat:

The “Best Class Ever” Graduates!

The Leadership Hillsborough Class of 2008-09 completed their schedule of activities by attending the annual graduation ceremony, held on June 11, 2009 at the Tampa Club.  Following a keynote address from Michael Kilgore, Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experiences at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, qualifying class members were presented framed diplomas by LH Chairperson, Sharon Hastings.  Class members with perfect attendance for the year were recognized with specially-colored ribbons on their diplomas.

“The Tampa Club continues to be one of the premier sites in Tampa to hold this event and is a wonderful setting to honor the success of such an acclaimed group of community leaders” exclaimed Drew Sirianni, past Chairperson, who remarked that he was attending his sixth LH graduation.

Incoming Chairperson, Michelle Van Dyke, presented Sharon Hastings a framed photograph that had been signed by members of the 2008-09 Board of Directors in appreciation for her service as Chairperson.  “Sharon represents all of the good things that Leadership Hillsborough stands for and we have all benefited from her leadership” remarked Van Dyke during the stirring presentation that was followed by a lengthy standing ovation.