people celebrating winning culture
Podcast

Episode 11: Culture

 

Show Notes:

Individuals each have a unique personality – beyond intelligence, appearance, etc. At Lead. Travel. Pray., we think about culture as the organization’s personality. It’s the collective way of “being” that makes it unique. It’s the “how we do things” layer to  “what we do”.

To better understand a culture during an interview or to diagnose a culture through employee/member focus groups, ask questions like…

  • How does work get done here?
  • How are decisions made? Who has the ultimate say?
  • What behaviors are rewarded?
  • What are characteristics or behaviors of people who do not fit?
  • What 3 words would you use to describe this place to friends and family?

From there you can work on what the employees want the organization to aspire to be and how to close the gaps.

There are also culture assessments that can assist in a more formal diagnosis. Here are some examples:

  1. Denison’s culture survey
  2. Organization Culture Inventory – Human Synergistics

 

Here are a few other resources we find handy for culture:

 

We’d enjoy hearing  what cultural attributes you find most rewarding at work, church, a volunteer organization or hobby group. Please comment below!

Podcast

Episode 10: Island Vacations

 

Show notes:

 

 

    • Molokai
      • Molokai: The Novel by Alan Brennert
      • Kalaupapa tour (Sandy likes the airplane option vs the daredevil donkeys) – historic location where Hansen disease (lepers) patients were relegated in the early 1900s
    • Hawaii Island, also known as the Big Island

manta_ray

 

 

    • Tip: take Toilet paper with you – you can’t rely on it to be available at tourist stops, restaurants or on bus tours
  • Iceland
    • Blue Lagoon hot springs
    • Be prepared to pay a lot for most food; lamb and seafood are the way to go as they are native
  • Indonesia – Lombok
    • Black “Sand” beach

img_7589

  • Australia – Sydney
    • Bondi Beach

 

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

    • Sydney Harbor bridge climb

 

 

  • French Polynesia
    • Bora Bora

 

 

adult private conversation
Podcast

Episode 8: Candor

 

 

Show Notes:

  • Not all cultures have the same challenges with being candid.
  • Kim Scott’s Radical Candor book addresses “caring deeply and challenging directly”.
  • Candor requires courage in the moment – believing it’s worth it to say what needs to be said.
  • Reframing and getting curious about behavior helps us get at the “thing behind the thing” in a more authentic way.
  • Candor is not shooting from the hip – it requires preparation.
  • Some techniques can help us have a candid conversation like using I vs You language.
  • Our candor role models are very interested in what we are thinking but might not be saying and are willing to probe on it when he/she is attuned to the non-verbals.
  • Effective candor requires a person to be good with neutrality and desire to see things another way.
  • It might require some time and space – perhaps postponing the conversation – until you can get to a curiosity mindset before having the conversation.
  • The highest level of listening is listening with the intent of having your mind changed – not trying to think through your rebuttal.
  • Amygdala hijacks can be avoided if you position yourself to avoid the emotional threat response.
  • The DDI STAR and STAR/AR models are great models for sharing specific information for positive and constructive feedback.
  • Book recommendations:
London Eye
MicroBlog

Tip 100: Favorite Tips (part 2)

Thanks for helping us celebrate the last of our #100days100traveltips

Here’s a quick summary of our favorites:

Top booking/reservation tip?
  • Rebecca – when using discount sites, like Priceline, be aware of the cancellation policies as many are non-refundable
  • Michelle – no need to get insurance through rental car companies; your insurance should cover you
  • Sandy – booking directly through the provider (as opposed to a wholesaler) is helpful if reservation changes need to be made later
Top travel technology tip?
  • Rebecca – Hotel electronic keys via your phone are becoming more common and are very convenient
  • Michelle – make sure you have chargers and if you forgot it they have extras at hotels
  • Sandy –  keep a small travel technology bag stocked with extra charging cords, a back up portable charger and earbuds
Top global travel tip?
  • Rebecca – Google translate is amazing, especially for visually translating menus and signs
  • Michelle – Exchange roughly $200 USD and make sure you get some small bills/coins to use right away
  • Sandy – Explore your international calling/data plan options before you travel internationally