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Have Fun and Stay Connected While Working From Home

November 30, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog/by Kevin Guest

For many of us, working from home is our new daily routine. And, if you’re like me, it’s definitely a different experience. Fortunately, I’m still surrounded — albeit, mostly virtually — by talented colleagues and friends.

Dan Macuga, USANA chief communications and marketing officer

Recently, Dan Macuga, USANA’s chief communications and marketing officer, explained to USANA employees how he’s staying connected and having fun while working from home.

As I’ve done previously, I’d like to share with you key points from his article in hopes that you can implement the strategies in your own life.

Get to Know Your Peers

Being happy, Macuga says, is critical to staying connected and having fun. It’s something he’s learned in his 14 years at USANA.

“USANA has to be experienced,” says Macuga, a self-described people person. “I consider myself very fortunate to be here at USANA and with each day that feeling strengthens — even with tough days like you and I have every once in a while.”

Daily interactions with employees allow for the opportunity to learn about new ideas, among other things. And those interactions shouldn’t vanish simply because we’re not all working in the same building.

“Basically, if you listen to people around you, and you are truly interested in their opinions and feedback, you gain insight into the business you would never know otherwise,” he explains.

In other words, if you listen you will learn. Plus, you’ll be able to offer your own perspective on an idea or an initiative. This is how innovation starts — it’s a groundswell of ideas that culminate in change.

In the process, learning and interacting can be fun. It will help you build relationships and set a foundation for future collaboration opportunities.

“We are people first, employees second. Learning about people, their families, and their hobbies is not only fun, it’s truly engaging to hear what other people are up to. Perhaps you will even find similar likes that bring your friendship to a new level.”

— Dan Macuga, USANA Chief Communications & Marketing Officer

Make Sure You’re Having Fun

Our new work environment can feel isolating at times. It gives me even more appreciation for our USANA Associates and what they accomplish. But no matter where we work, it’s important that we stay connected with our colleagues.

Macuga tackles it in two parts: Disconnect and Connect.

“Stress can impact your health, your personal life, your work life, basically everything,” he says. “So, my advice is this, when you feel pressure, find an outlet to just disconnect and let go. Find a way to take a break, step away, let your mind roam, do something you enjoy, just get away for a bit.”

It could be a walk around the block, a 15-minute meditation, or reading a chapter or two in a book. Essentially, find an activity that lets you stop, forget, and get your mind back into a good spot.

For Macuga, his go-to activity to decompress is slightly unusual.

“I mow my lawn!” he says. “Seriously, I go out back, fire up the mower, and work on getting the lines in my lawn perfectly straight.”

When you’re ready to go back and connect, consider doing so in a way that involves some sort of teambuilding. Departments at USANA hold smaller Zoom meetings regularly. Others conduct virtual lunches or get together to play board games or meet to discuss a book, movie, or TV show.

The bottom line: Find ways to stay connected with your co-workers.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Listen and Learn

I’ve said it before, but the USANA culture is special. And that culture doesn’t disappear just because we’re working from home.

“I have worked for a number of large global companies here in the U.S. and I can assure you that not one of them has the unique culture that has been created and maintained at USANA,” Macuga says. “To keep that culture alive and well in these unique times, we need to stay focused on our personal health and stay connected with those around us.”

Remember:

Find a way to disconnect in times of stress. Look for opportunities to get away even for just a few minutes to let your mind go and reset yourself.
Find ways to stay connected. Get to know your fellow employees better on a personal level and find ways to spend time together doing something fun.

And finally, Macuga believes the more you listen, the more you learn.

“Take the time to get to know people around you, hear their ideas, and listen to their concerns,” he says.

It will give you insight into making your work environment even better than it already is.

To view additional articles in this series, please click here.

Kevin Guest Shares Tips to Increase Value in Post-Pandemic Job Market

November 20, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog, Media Placements/by Kevin Guest

Below are some thoughts on what bosses and employees can do now to increase their value in a post-pandemic job market. A version of this article originally appeared as part of a news release.

“I learned long ago that treating others with the utmost respect and kindness is a key to success and makes life more harmonious for everyone.”

— Kevin Guest

With coronavirus vaccinations imminent, many U.S. workers suffering from pandemic anxiety want to better secure their employment when the pandemic ends. However, studies show job security and financial concerns are the significant predictors associated with anxiety and depression.

To confront anxiety, answers lie in what bosses and employees can do now.

Bosses have a profound effect on the morale and calm environment for employees. Recent studies show a boss’ servant leadership style makes it easier for employees to deal with anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology concluded employees work better if bosses acknowledge employees’ emotional suffering, work to empower employees, and emphasize serving in the community.

3 Tips Post-Pandemic

Here are three things I believe workers — and bosses — can do now for a better post-pandemic future:

Build on the power of relationships
Prepare now to improve valuable skills
Never give up in striving to achieve your goal

No. 1: Build on Relationships

Wherever I speak, people have said the Dorothy Principle I cite in my book, All the Right Reasons, has made an instant impact on their lives because it illustrates that knowing others’ names, such as a cleaning lady named Dorothy, can lift self-esteem. I learned long ago that treating others with the utmost respect and kindness is a key to success and makes life more harmonious for everyone.

No. 2: Improve Valuable Skills

Improving work skills is perhaps never more important than now. Many years ago, Styx’s Tommy Shaw inspired me, who sang and played guitar anywhere he could — even in bowling alleys and nightclubs.

When Tommy Shaw was playing in an Alabama bowling alley bar, the band Styx was frantically searching for a lead vocalist. Someone influential with Styx had heard Tommy sing in Chicago and thought he might be a good fit. They listened to his demo tape and were impressed with his vocal range. They changed Tommy’s life forever when they invited him to join Styx, a global powerhouse in the music world.

What if Tommy hadn’t been ready when Styx called? That level of preparation is what we all must do now to make ourselves more valuable to our employers and future employers.

No. 3: Never Give Up

A 22-year-old Rwandan woman hunted by killers illustrates my third recommendation.

After Rwanda’s genocide in 1994, Hutu fighters hunted Immaculee Ilibagiza, who fled for protection. However, even with killers outside her window calling her name, she stayed positive. Ultimately, she was rescued, traveled to Rwanda’s capital, and applied for a United Nations job for weeks with no luck.

Convincing herself she could master English, which would increase employment opportunities, Immaculee hand-drew a computer keyboard on cardboard and spent hours learning how to type. With determination to learn English, countless attempts to get the U.N. job, and positive self-talk, she was eventually hired.

It’s that level of persistence and positive self-talk that can carry us to higher ground. These traits can help us plow through any obstacle — even this pandemic. Not once did Immaculee tell herself she couldn’t do it, even though everything she learned was new and difficult.

These patterns of behavior can make us all better prepared to endure to the end of the current pandemic. They can also prepare ourselves for a solid future post-pandemic with higher levels of harmony.

All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals. A version of this article originally appeared as part of a news release.

Building a Foundation of Trust

November 16, 2020/0 Comments/in Blog/by Kevin Guest

When Doug Hekking, USANA’s Chief Financial Officer, writes about trust and integrity, we all should listen. Doug and I have worked closely together for many years, and I’m grateful for his leadership.

Recently, Doug offered several thoughts on these important topics in an article for USANA employees. I’d like to share key points from his article here in hopes that they might resonate with you.

The foundational building block of establishing trust with others is to, first and foremost, seek to become trustworthy yourself.

Doug Hekking, USANA Chief Financial Officer

“Our expectation of others and our willingness to trust others is often a manifestation of how we view ourselves,” Hekking writes.

Certain characteristics and competencies are inherently linked to trust and integrity:

Honesty
Do what you say you’ll do
Humility
Speak up

If you embrace these character-building values, you are creating a solid base that will be apparent to both yourself and those around you.

Building Trust: What Are Your Intentions?

I’m humbled to share the following advice. It’s something Hekking says he learned from me following one of our interactions. Over the years, we’ve disagreed at times on certain issues. While our conversations sometimes became heated, they were never vitriolic.

“After one of these conversations, it was weighing on my mind how I spoke to Kevin,” Hekking writes. “I reached out to apologize for how I communicated and his response proved to be one of those learning moments in my life that has never left me.”

Thinking back, I remember explaining that I understood Hekking’s intentions were pure and his motivations were in the best interest of USANA. Therefore, I didn’t take offense and appreciated his passion.

Demonstrating positive intent/motivation provides a real opportunity to improve and enhance our communication with each other.

“We are in times where there is a great deal of change,” Hekking writes. “As you demonstrate your capabilities, follow through, and deliver results, you will fortify others’ belief and trust in you.”

The Basics of Trust

Hekking continues to highlight ways in which employees and managers within an organization can create trusting relationships. Besides being honest with yourself, you build trust through:

Honest, candid dialogue
Mutual respect
Transparency
Owning mistakes, learning, and moving on

Actions speak louder than words. There needs to be alignment between what we say and do.

At USANA, we do this well. When we make mistakes, we acknowledge them and set things right. Our actions show we advocate for our customers as key stakeholders.

You’ve heard me say it before, but I’m proud that we hold true to our core values.

Build a Safe Zone of Communication

Finally, communication is so important as we work to build and maintain trust. It’s critical that you welcome open and honest dialogue. To do this, listening is key.

Whether you’re an employee or a manager, create a safe environment to have open and honest dialogue.

“If someone is talking to you, be present and listen—really listen,” Hekking writes. “Don’t placate with hollow conversation.”

Interact in a transparent way. Welcome differences of opinion. And recognize employees are the experts at what they do.

As organizations grow, one person can’t be the expert in all things. Encourage an open dialogue where people are respectful, but they also feel free to disagree and offer a diverse perspective.

“In my experience, when the right employee is given responsibility and accountability, that person steps up and shines,” Hekking says. “Such growth encourages those of us in leadership roles to be confident to delegate and empower our teams. When employees take advantage of opportunities and deliver on them, they add to the building blocks of trust and confidence.”

Building trust takes practice and commitment. My sincere thanks to Doug Hekking for sharing such strong advice on this topic.

As he concludes, “Trust is a multidirectional, daily exercise, with responsibility on both sides. And it all starts with each of us.”