This year, we have had so many high energy, high value moments - leading us to believe that we are emerging from the darkness of the recession. Just like all of life, we have training failures. In the moment, it can quite devastating. We know what is possible and we want it all of the time. What makes those times different? We speculate and seek counsel from others. In the end, what seemed so abysmal is our opportunity to learn and learning is what gives us passion. The more we can be honest with ourselves, acknowledge our own imperfections, the more we can accept those imperfections of others. That is when we begin to understand empathy, sympathy, and compassion. We begin to understand that humility does not mean thinking less of oneself, but rather to understand our limitations, appreciate our strengths, and acknowledge the value that each of us brings to the World.

Staying open to see the possibilities is important to our happiness, health and general well-being. What helps me is to spend time reflecting on what gave me joy during the day, and equally fulfilling is giving others joy. Be open to the moments when someone helps you - like the cashier at the grocery store, the receptionist at the Department of Motor Vehicles or the secretary at your child's school - and show them your appreciation. Ask them, "What was the best thing that happened today?" or "What excites you most about your job?" You may hear something like "no one has ever asked me that question before". Be genuine in your interest, listen with your heart and you may discover that this exercise is the most joyful moment of your day.

We invite each of you to join in the high energy and well-being that gratitude, compassion, and generosity brings to each of us. As always, we thank each of you for sharing your stories of success - seeking the high points to learn, adapt, and thrive - your stories always bring such light into our office and to our work. Please keep sending us your personal stories of success via email, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

~ Yours friends at the Company of Experts

Company of Experts is pleased to introduce its newest Certified Appreciative Inquiry Facilitators (CAIF) to its growing AI family. 

The individual(s) listed below participated in our 4-day Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) program and submitted a practicum demonstrating their knowledge and application of Appreciative Inquiry. In reading their practicums, we are able to celebrate in their achievements and observe how Appreciative Inquiry has positively influenced their lives - personally and professionally.

• Tim Atkinson, "here for more practicums. 
  

Payment Plan Program is now available for ALL of our workshops!

Company of Experts, Inc. is pleased to offer a Payment Plan Program as a manageable alternative to paying your workshop registration in a lump-sum payment. Our Payment Plan Program allows you to pay your workshop registration over a number of weeks/months, interest free.

Enrollment in our free Payment Plan Program will reserve your seat(s) in the training of your choice. Your reserved seat(s) permit you to receive all the benefits of registered participants, such as access to any pre-workshop readings, materials and activities.  Learn More>>  

I hope you derive satisfaction and reward from your work, but research shows that's not the norm. Let's walk you through some of the current research on the typical American workplace and employee dissatisfaction, and then look at how we can improve.

Employees in 2013: Checked Out 

A recent Gallup study of the American workplace found that among the 100 million people in this country who hold full-time jobs, about 70 percent either hate going to work or have mentally checked out to the point they cost their companies money. The same study also concludes that "7 in 10 American workers are 'not engaged' or 'actively disengaged' in their work, meaning they are emotionally disconnected from their workplaces and less likely to be productive". Read Full Article>> 

Remember the film  Inception? A riveting, mind-bending movie that raised fascinating questions about the potential of our dreams and the nature of our unconscious and subconscious worlds. The film's concept of "Inception" explores the idea of entering into another person's subconscious mind (via their dreams) to implant an idea - a seed that takes hold and becomes a belief.  From this seed grow thoughts, feelings and actions.  The seed must be deeply planted, infused with emotion for the dreamer to live out their beliefs on a conscious level.

While the premise of the film is intriguing, the point of this article is not to examine the state of dream sharing technology - but to look at the underlying truth that beliefs are powerful motivating forces in our lives. Read Full Article>> 

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life.  Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." 

Did you know that happier workers help their colleagues 33% more often than unhappy ones? Happy employees also achieve their goals 31% more often, and are 36% more motivated in their work. This is according to joint research from the Wall Street Journal and iOpener Institute.

Employee happiness has become an important and growing business concern over the past few years, as more and more companies recognize the benefits of having not just satisfied and engaged employees-but also employees who are happy and in good moods. Health, safety, productivity, absenteeism, customer service, profitability-it seems there is not a business metric out there that is not impacted by how happy your people are. Here are 5 things to consider as you try to build a happier workforce in your organization... Read Full Article>> 

"If you can't relate to people and have quality conversations with them, then you are not going to lead anyone anywhere." ~ Paul Aitken

Why is it so difficult to successfully implement change? Leading change on a daily basis is essential for any leader. Our political, business and community environments continue to change faster than ever. Rapid change is the new normal. All leaders must get ahead of new trends that affect both their industries, businesses and political environments. The ability to anticipate and actively lead change will depend largely on our ability to change ourselves.

To successfully navigate change, you must also, as a leader, understand your own personal reactions to its transitions and adaptations. Your own actions are viewed as the values you embrace as a leader and inspire action in others.

When change is needed, often times we seek to find change in others before we seek the change in ourselves. Leadership requires us to break old habits, change behaviors, and adjust attitudes within ourselves. Successful transformational leaders can only achieve change by their inner leadership.Read Full Article>> 

Emotions and actions are powerfully contagious. When we see someone laugh, cry, show disgust and experience pain, in some sense we share those feelings. When we see a great actor, musician or athletic perform at the peak of their abilities, it can feel like we are experiencing something of what they feel.

In the 1990's when a research team at the University of Parma, lead by neurophysiologist Giacomo Rizzolatti, made the serendipitous discovery of "mirror neurons," a new revolution in our understanding of humans as social beings began. Since that time, neuroscience findings have helped us to appreciate the implications of the powerful sharing of experience.

Most people still equate intelligence to academia, the power your brain has to process and remember information and your ability to draw conclusions from fact and data. But it is painfully obvious that there is much more to intelligence than just raw IQ.

How many people do you know who are academically brilliant and have degrees from the best schools, but have not managed to become successful in their professional or personal lives, despite having had many opportunities handed to them? How many times have you come across an employee who is brilliant and excels at the skill set required, but is so incapable of communicating or listening that he thwarts his own growth? How many times have you thought: "How did this idiot become so successful?" Often, the answer is linked to emotional intelligence. Read Full Article>>.

Encouraging teamwork among staff members will help heighten efficiency and productivity.  

How do you know if your company is doing well? Do you look at how much cash is coming in, or how many projects you've finished or how many deals you've closed? If your business is out of the red, does that mean your company is healthy?

Positive cash flow, liquidity, and a first-rate clientele - having all these are important and visible signs that a business is in good condition. Even so, things that are not so obvious matter too. In the workplace, for instance, what kind of environment do you foster? Are team members given opportunities to move through the ranks? Is the employee turnover high? Do workers have time to socialize, or is their job consuming their lives? Read Full Article>> 

Words Create Worlds � is out! http://paper.li/Center_for_AI/1346347769 ...▸ Top stories today via @Center_For_AI 

6 Unconventional, But Scientific, Ways To Be The Happiest Person On Earth http://fb.me/WfP0DTMe  

Enjoy -- AI Practicum: "Discovering You at Your Best Using #AppreciativeInquiry." #Coaching #AIFT http://fb.me/1JDi38Smf 

Your #happiness type matters - CNN. #positivepsychology #neuroscience #emotions http://fb.me/2LFTkDxFG  

Whole Systems Healing - Interview with Diana Whitney  

Description: An interview with Diana Whitney about Whole Systems Healing and Appreciative Inquiry.

Appreciative Inquiry in the Working Place 

Description: Prof. John Hayes discusses Appreciative Inquiry and its use in the workplace.  

The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Description: An interesting look at what motivates us as told through a short animated drawing.

Brene Brown on Joy and Gratitude

Description: Brene Brown talks about the relationship between joy & gratitude & offers tips on how to cultivate more joy in your life.  

We invite you to join our LinkedIn Group called "Discovering Appreciative Inquiry". It is an open group that allows participants to ask questions and share stories in regards to AI. All are welcome!

To view a list of our webinar recordings, please click here.