Actions speak louder than words. Remember, communication is not just what you say, it is also the way you say it. If you say one thing but do another, you are sending a mixed message. It is not only what you are thinking but also what you do that really counts.

Body language conveys what you are thinking either consciously or subconsciously, and probably reflects what you will do after the conversation. Body language doesn’t lie and it gives us cues to what your employees are secretly thinking. When presented with a new idea, your employees may verbally express excitement but their body language may give away their true feelings.

Are they listening? Are they participating? Body language cues us in. Find ways to get them more involved. Get your employees excited! Recognize if they just lean back in their chair, cross their arms or do not participate. Create ways to engage everyone in the new ideas presented.

True participation does take courage. Everyone needs to learn to love change, plan for change and even be a facilitator for change. You will find yourself re-invigorated.

A man on first base, two outs, a short fly ball is hit to right field. But the ball falls between the center and right fielder, neither called for it, whose fault is it? Who gets the error? The correct answer: the second baseman should have caught it or called who should catch it; actually all three players were at fault. Most sports fans, would rather see all three players run into each other and miss the catch, then just let it drop on the field without anyone trying for it.

It’s the same in business. You go for every opportunity, call it if you can catch it, and don’t wait for someone else to tell you it is your responsibility. Don’t you hate it when someone says, “not my job”, “I am waiting for…”, “I don’t know how”, “it isn’t scheduled” or the worst “no one told me to do it”?

How do you change behavior? Involve your people in the change. Give them the tools to learn necessary skills, gain knowledge, and begin to recognize the habit’s trigger and it’s rewards. Encourage them to build better habits using these new skills & knowledge.