We have this idea that work is a monotonous, daily drag - a place we must be at Monday through Friday. We sit in a cubicle, typing away while staring at a screen for eight hours a day. We visit the water cooler or break room for a brief 5-minute respite, a chance to relax our eyes and take a deep breath before returning to our dreaded assignments.

It doesn't have to be this way. Organizations are transforming the appearance, ambiance, and atmosphere of their offices. They recognize that engaging colors are more effective than plain white concrete walls, that office temperature plays a role, and that the sound of laughter in the halls doesn't indicate a lack of productivity; it simply means employees are enjoying their time at the office.

Isn't that a good thing?

What sets exceptional companies apart? A shared understanding that developing their workforce is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Leaders with a transactional mindset think, "What happens if we train and invest in our employees and they leave?" Leaders with a transformative mindset think, "What if you don't and they stay?" The transformative leader understands that developing the workforce gives a competitive advantage in the long run.

Today, let's talk about personal development. I want to confront the notion that we're perfect just the way we are. This belief that we are perfect just the way we are might sound comforting, but is it truly empowering? I challenge you to consider this: If we aren't actively working towards becoming better every day, are we inadvertently allowing ourselves to rot?

Embracing imperfection doesn't mean settling for mediocrity. It means acknowledging that growth is a perpetual journey, not a final destination.

What happens when we don't use our muscles? Muscle atrophy sets in and the muscles simply waste away. Take that idea and apply it to your mind, your emotions, your intellectual skills. If you aren't working to consistently improve and develop these skills, you're allowing them to simply waste away.

Does this sound familiar?

You call a team meeting. Your hybrid team of 15 employees consists of 10 in-person employees with 5 working remotely. The 10 in-person employees trickle into the conference room, exchanging greetings and having side conversations. Then, you start the Zoom call, bringing in the remote workers.

The in-person employees bring in one laptop, perhaps with a large TV broadcasting the remote employees, with one camera. There's a whiteboard setup for in-person employees to brainstorm ideas on. You also have one laptop microphone broadcasting the sound to remote workers.

But are your remote employees truly having the same experience as their in-person counterparts?

The 2023 ONE SHRM Georgia State Conference and Expo was an experience like no other. Over 380 attendees pursued the three elements of a Cohesion Culture™: Belonging, Value, and Mutual Commitment.

Attendees received a crash course on Infusing Cohesion to Attract and Retain Top Talent by Cohesion Culture™ Crew: Troy Hall, Ph.D. I-CUDE, Retention Expert, Karmen Zabron, HR Gamification Strategist, and myself, Ben-Jamin Toy , Team Builder.

The participants utilized interactive directives facilitated through gaming tablets to complete tasks. They took part in lighthearted activities, encountering what some considered their inaugural "Un-Scavenger Hunt".

All leaders are readers but all readers are not leaders. That is a key distinct difference that was shared with me early in my professional career.

I was a student who prided myself on not reading the assigned books in high school. I read the SparkNotes, listened to group discussions, and knew enough to get by. The knowledge, themes, and lessons from these stories didn't permeate my mind.

Early in my career a business mentor gave me books that changed my life. Now 500+ reads later, books have played a pivotal role in shaping my leadership journey.

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

It's unclear who coined those words first. Lots of different proverbs say something similar. But to go far and go together requires collaboration.

86% of employees and executives cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication for workplace failures. (Fierce Inc, 2011)

Who plans company events? In our experience, while HR, People Managers, and small business owners certainly plan their fair share of events, the assistant is often the first employee contact. About 10% of our sales calls begin with executive or regular assistants.

When it comes to organizing company events, assistants often find themselves at the forefront of planning, and many times they have no experience in this field of work. While virtual team building and company happy hours have become commonplace, orchestrating a successful company or team offsite is a different ballgame.

In this week's blog, discover the key elements to maximize the value of offsites.