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The Benefits of Starting the New Year with Gratitude
PersonalLindsay Yaciuk from Grassroots Public Affairs shares the importance of “embracing an attitude of gratitude” in 2023.
At the end of 2022, I had an unexpected health setback, and while I waited for my diagnosis, I didn’t know if everything was going to be ok.
It was an unsettling time, and I became acutely aware of how grateful I am, to be alive.
Just that. Alive.
None of us is promised a long and healthy life.
That sentence didn’t mean much to me when I was younger. But now, as I look at life through a mid-life lens, I’ve learned there’s nothing quite like a health scare to quickly generate a “bright side” perspective.
Positive thoughts of gratitude, for the simplest of things, became my focus. Grateful to walk with my dog through the woods…grateful to listen to the soothing sounds of rain fall…grateful for the strong, hot cup of coffee that I look so forward to every morning.
Turns out, everything is going to be ok. But I’ve learned a valuable lesson in gratitude that I intend to hold on to.
As the New Year dawns, with its inevitable ups and downs, try thinking about what you are thankful for, instead of what may be lacking in your life. The internet abounds with information about how a grateful outlook improves your health, strengthens relationships, attracts success, and increases overall life satisfaction.
In positive psychology research, many studies have found that practicing gratitude strongly and consistently reduces stress and anxiety and increases feelings of happiness and joy. An ‘attitude of gratitude’ has been linked to better sleep, lower blood pressure, and improved immune function. In terms of overall health benefits – what’s not to love?
And who knew that practicing gratitude could strengthen our relationships? Indeed, when we express gratitude toward others it can build trust and deepen connections. Showing appreciation for things that others do for us can strengthen our bonds and improve communication. Furthermore, the concept of gratitude allows us to be more understanding and forgiving, which may help deal with adverse events and conflict resolution.
Living a grateful life can attract success. When we focus on what we are grateful for, we are more likely to be positive and hopeful about the future. And a positive outlook can help us set and achieve goals. You’re hired! An ‘attitude of gratitude’ makes us generally more attractive to others. Positive people are more likely to be viewed as likeable and trustworthy, which helps build successful relationships in both personal and professional capacities.
Lastly, living a grateful life can increase your general satisfaction with, well, everything. When we focus on the positive and express gratitude, we are more likely to feel content and satisfied. In contrast, when we focus on the negative, we are more likely to feel unhappy and dissatisfied. For me, this one is the real game-changer; the correlation between the content quality of my thoughts and the overall quality of my life is, frankly, undeniable. When I’m busy being grateful for the little things, there’s no time to stress over the big things, that I can’t control anyways.
Living a life in 2023 is complex. The antidote might be as simple as embracing a grateful outlook. No matter how challenging life may be at times, we all have things to be grateful for.
Wishing you, dear reader, all the benefits of embracing an ‘attitude of gratitude’. May you enjoy robust health, an appreciation for simple pleasures, and many joyful moments as you ring in the New Year!
Lindsay Yaciuk
Communications
Lindsay has 23 years corporate communications and leadership experience in the insurance sector, with specialties in Mergers & Acquisitions, Human Resources, and Strategic Planning. An accomplished writer and speaker, Lindsay is dedicated to accurate yet impassioned depictions of campaign goals. Her diplomatic and collaborative approach yields consistent communication and advocacy results. Lindsay holds an Honours BA in English Literature from Nipissing University.
Fall Economic Statement 2022
FederalNovember 3rd, 2022
This afternoon Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presented the 2022 Fall Economic Statement. The Fall Economic Statement foresees the federal deficit at $36.4 billion in 2022-23, down from the $52.8 billion projected in the April 2022 federal budget. The latest news also forecasts a balanced budget by 2027-28. However, taking into consideration the global economic climate and the threat of a recession on the horizon, the fall economic statement does warn that Canada could enter “a mild recession in the first quarter of 2023.”
Throne Speech Highlights/Promises:
Areas of Focus
Opposition Reaction
Looking Forward
In the longer run, the federal government is forecasting a budget surplus of $4.5 billion during the 2027-28 fiscal year. This signifies the first time the Liberals have foreseen a balanced budget since coming into power in 2015.
Link to fall economic statement 2022.
Post-Covid Advocacy Series 4/4: Purpose – Mission – Vision.
Advocacy, Personal#1 was Territorial Markers, #2 WIIFM, and #3 Grassroots’ 3C’s. This last article will put a bow around post COVID advocacy principles as our way of encouraging all groups seeking government support to address the big-picture issues of Purpose – Mission – Vision.
“Start With Why” authored by Simon Sinek, has quickly established itself amongst the most influential writings of our time. By studying leaders who have had the greatest influence on the world, Sinek discovered that they all think, act, and communicate in exactly the same way. And he recognized their approach as the complete opposite of what everyone else does.
He describes what he calls “The Golden Circle” which works, and works well, in big business and small business, in the world of non-profit, and, critical for this article, it works in the world of politics and advocacy.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs and the Wright Brothers may seem to have little in common, but they all started with WHY which provided each of them a framework for massive success and to leave magnificent legacies.
Every organization knows and can articulate WHAT they do, the outer circle. Some can explain HOW they do it, the second circle. Few, very few, can clearly articulate WHY they do it, the centre circle. And when you communicate from the inside out great organizations can be built, movements led, causes championed, people inspired, and remarkable things achieved.
When you are lobbying government for something, start with the why. If you can articulate the why, clearly, and consistently, government officials and staff will collaborate with you, support you, because they want in, and they will be drawn to you and your cause much more readily than if you only tell them what you do and how you do it.
Start with why and you will inspire staff and teams do their very best work, not because they have to, but because they want to. You inspire members of your board to fully buy-in. You never need to manipulate – ever. You gain greater loyalty from customers and greater respect from competitors and suppliers.
WHY is never money. Money is the result, not the WHY.
“Start With Why.” Get the book, read it, study it in depth, and become magnificent at living it.
Find Simon Sinek TED talks. Watch his videos on YouTube.
Purpose = WHY? Mission = HOW? Vision = WHAT?
If you are unclear about these critical messages, it will be challenging, highly challenging, to convince government to support you.
Grassroots can help your organization clearly establish your unique ‘Golden Circle’, your Purpose, Mission, Vision. Please get in touch and together let’s discover why, how, and what our Grassroots team needs to do, to earn your trust and partner with you throughout the process.
Only you can do it – you don’t have to do it alone.
To your success!
Ray Pons
Sr. Communications Specialist
Ray is an expert on leadership development, impactful communication and strategic coaching. In addition to his years as a serial entrepreneur, Ray’s experience includes life insurance, reinsurance, being a faculty member trainer at Rockhurst University Continuing Education Center, Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach to businesses small and large. He has a straightforward, no-nonsense style heavily influenced by Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit. Ray brings an experienced, yet innovative approach to performance improvement, team-building and change management.
Post-Covid Advocacy Series 3/4: The 3C’s Clarity – Consistency – Collaboration.
Advocacy, PersonalIn articles 1 & 2 we addressed Territorial Markers and WIIFM. In this article, we address our trademark approach to effective advocacy which was developed based on the foundational principle that the very best people to speak FOR an industry are the people working IN the industry.
This model was developed, and has been fine-tuned, using practical, real world business experience and effective communication strategies. The 3C’s model has been proven to help clients develop increased skills, along with improved confidence, and have their message listened to and acted upon by government.
CLARITY: it is much more than important, it is vital, to gain crystal-clear clarity on your core message. Fuzzy messaging gets, at best, fuzzy support. At worst, a message lacking clarity is dismissed and gets no support whatsoever. The Grassroots team provides key insights for key message development when in meetings with Ministers, MP’s and Staffers. You know your issues, concerns and key priorities. You cannot presume that they do. Communicate clearly, crisply and concisely.
CONSISTENCY: the next core concept, one to avoid like the plague, is mixed messaging. Each spokesperson must broadly present the exact same message as that being articulated by other stakeholders of your industry. Yes, there may well be certain style differences in delivery, but if your core content, your core message, lacks consistency with the content and core message delivered by others, there will be confusion. Confusion makes saying NO a far safer option, and cooperation becomes highly unlikely. Put aside any self-interest bias and agree on the bigger issues, the main purpose, in advance of any meeting you attend.
COLLABORATION: this was described in some detail in the WIIFM article and deserves repeating here. Avoid any tendency to ‘compete for victory’ – ‘I Win You Lose’ – and focus instead on collaboration: ‘Win-Win.’ Instead of pitching to the government take the stance of being a partner with the government.
Another collaboration element involves gaining leverage using a collaborative coalition. Your issues can often easily connect to identical issues, or remarkably similar issues, of other businesses. We have directly experienced improved success for one client, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, by aligning with another client, Spirits Canada, which depends on the OFA for manufacturing supply. The more alliances in the coalition the greater the leverage. Simple idea, solid impact.
The principles behind Clarity – Consistency – Collaboration are key to communication effectiveness and will surely result, immediately or eventually, in more successful advocacy.
Next time, we will put a big bow around this series addressing Purpose, Mission, Vision.
Ray Pons
Sr. Communications Specialist
Ray is an expert on leadership development, impactful communication and strategic coaching. In addition to his years as a serial entrepreneur, Ray’s experience includes life insurance, reinsurance, being a faculty member trainer at Rockhurst University Continuing Education Center, Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach to businesses small and large. He has a straightforward, no-nonsense style heavily influenced by Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit. Ray brings an experienced, yet innovative approach to performance improvement, team-building and change management.
Post-Covid Advocacy Series 2/4: Asking For What You Want.
Advocacy, PersonalLast week Ray Pons addressed Territorial Markers, which are all about non-verbal communication. This article focusses on what you say, the words, and delivery of the words, when asking for what you are seeking from members of government and their staff.
Over the years, a mistake we have seen made far too frequently by intelligent, talented, and passionate business leaders, is pitching too soon. Beginning your ‘pitch’ too early in a meeting, too hard, and with too much emphasis on the support you are seeking, can result in your organization getting negatively lumped in with other groups just looking for a handout.
‘Let’s cut to the chase’ is a strong attribute of many business leaders but may not be as effective a strategy when engaged in advocacy. We applaud proactive ‘taking initiative’ because, let’s face it, timid leadership doesn’t get very far.
That said, the tactic of ‘telling and selling too soon’, ‘asking too early’, for what you and your industry are seeking, can be counterproductive and backfire more often than it succeeds.
We suggest you consider an approach of exerting greater self-control, and make more solid progress, through an approach of finesse. The principle behind our suggestion is WIIFM – the acronym for What’s In It For Me.
Your personal and professional WIIFM is driven by the severity of consequences if your issue is neglected or ignored, as well as the positive impact which can be achieved if it gets supported.
It is critical that industry spokespeople learn the advocacy skill of channeling their passions, as well as moderating their well-justified fears, worries, concerns – your ‘emotional attachments’ – and strive to ‘see’ the issue from the perspective of the other person.
Focus on the WIIFM of the Minister, MP, or Government staff member, know what’s in it for them to support what you are seeking. Help them get what they want, and they become much more disposed to even things up, and help you get what you want.
During an advocacy meeting, instead of immediately cutting to the chase, slow down a bit, and discover, or validate, their WIIFM.
Use strategic, open-ended probing questions, and create a conversation with them, rather than pitching to them. Don’t ‘tell and sell’ until you successfully ‘enquire and confirm’.
Test the finesse in the following example meeting, that might take place between stakeholders in the agri-food sector and government:
“This is a severe obstacle to food security. It will lead to major problems for farmers, higher prices for consumers, potential poor-quality food from foreign sources, and threaten our ability to safely keep consumers affordably fed.”
Not bad, not bad at all, exactly, but it will likely fall just a wee bit short because it doesn’t reference enough the audience, in this case the government, to which the group is pitching.
Reinforce the above script by adding some WIIFM:
“This government prides itself on supporting Canadian farmers and Canadian food suppliers. Agriculture accounts for a $135 billion contribution to GDP, a huge economic contributor, and you will be seen as a strong, honest MP of integrity, walking your talk, willing to make tough, as well as right decisions, which must surely help your personal reputation in the next election and bring the government a solid edge in the next campaign.”
Practice finesse. Gain your slight-edge advantage.
In article #3 we will address another core principle that distinguishes Grassroots from other GR & PR firms, our 3 C’s of effective communication: Clarity – Consistency – Collaboration.
Until next time, use #1 non-verbal Territorial Markers, articulate and gain leverage from the perspective of #2 WIIFM, and return soon for 3 more communication strategies, 3 C’s, which will further strengthen your advocacy efforts.
Build your reputation, deepen your skills, and raise your confidence. Elevate your leadership abilities by taking strategic action. Giddy up!
Ray Pons
Sr. Communications Specialist
Ray is an expert on leadership development, impactful communication and strategic coaching. In addition to his years as a serial entrepreneur, Ray’s experience includes life insurance, reinsurance, being a faculty member trainer at Rockhurst University Continuing Education Center, Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach to businesses small and large. He has a straightforward, no-nonsense style heavily influenced by Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit. Ray brings an experienced, yet innovative approach to performance improvement, team-building and change management.
Post-COVID Advocacy Series 1/4: Territorial Markers.
AdvocacySr. Communications Specialist, Ray Pons presents the first of four articles designed to help you communicate better and communicate much more by design, rather than by default [your usual, comfort-zone style of self-expression].
Advocacy, highly effective advocacy, is all about highly effective communication. Communication is, for the most part, all about ‘keeping it simple’. It is critical, however, that you never confuse simple with easy. Simple it is – principles-centered tips, tools, tactics & strategies – easy it is not. With study, discipline, and preparation you can more often and more easily break through the noise encountered each and every day by MP’s, Ministers, Elected Officials and Government Staff.
We at Grassroots believe that the best people to speak for an industry, a business sector, or a ‘cause’, are not outside consultants, often referred to as ‘lobbyists’. We hold that the best advocates are those folks who each day work IN the industry or business sector, and have the insight, first-hand knowledge and experience. They also have the most to gain, or lose, if their priorities do, or do not, get the support they are seeking.
This is the first of 4 articles designed to help you communicate better and communicate much more by design, rather than by default [your usual, comfort-zone style of self-expression].
You know your business. We know communication and how best to deliver your advocacy message. Together we can make powerful advocacy partners.
In this article, we address important non-verbal aspects of communication – territorial markers – when meeting in-person with a group of decision makers.
The next time you are in a group setting, be conscious of visually expanding and take up space! This is a power move, called ‘claiming your territory’.
Using territorial markers can help make a stronger impression with others. Here are 3 specific tips to illustrate the methodology:
1) A glass of water. But not just any old glass of H2O; distinguish your water, your glass, with a slice of lemon on the rim. Non-verbally this suggests, this shows, that you are health-focused, earth-conscious, and you belong. It also delivers a pop of yellow, a colour experts say triggers memory, and being in their memory will surely give you a slight edge over other advocacy individuals on that day’s roster.
2) Bring a notebook. But not just any old notebook. A notebook clearly labelled MEETINGS. This shows you are here to do business, to get something done, and agree on an action. If you can, leave electronics off the table. No cellphone, laptop, or other gadget distractions to take focus away from you. Effective advocacy is not an electronic connection but remains a person-to-person contact sport.
3) Wear a professional business jacket. This you can throw over the back of the chair and solidly express without saying a thing, that you belong.
Non-verbal communication accounts for more than half of any information exchange. No kidding! Be fully aware, and implement these 3 territorial markers, and claim your meeting territory! And look around to see who else is ‘marking their territory’ on the other side. Send your non-verbal messages carefully targeted to them and be consciously aware of those messages they are sending you.
When you master the art of appealing to the influencers, the power players on the opposite side of the table, they will become more likely to engage with you, and potentially become more receptive to support your point of view. Leverage.
Simple. Not easy. But you can do it! And Grassroots can help.
Ray Pons
Sr. Communications Specialist
Ray is an expert on leadership development, impactful communication and strategic coaching. In addition to his years as a serial entrepreneur, Ray’s experience includes life insurance, reinsurance, being a faculty member trainer at Rockhurst University Continuing Education Center, Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach to businesses small and large. He has a straightforward, no-nonsense style heavily influenced by Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit. Ray brings an experienced, yet innovative approach to performance improvement, team-building and change management.