Elevating Everyone

Work-life balance: a concept we've all been sold. But it’s time to admit—it no longer fits. The old idea of balance was about keeping two parts of life in harmony. But today, with constant connectivity, shifting work environments, and our many diverse roles, perfect balance feels unrealistic. What resonates more is "Work-Life Integration with Purpose." Make intentional choices—sometimes work needs your full focus, and sometimes family or rest takes priority. It's not about achieving an equal split; it's about shifting focus with intention and letting go of the guilt that comes with trying to balance everything perfectly. Integration means embracing flexibility, understanding priorities, and being deliberate with your time. How do you integrate work and life with purpose? What choices have helped you thrive beyond the outdated idea of balance? At Elevating Everyone, we help leaders and teams find meaningful ways to integrate work and life, fostering environments where people thrive. Interested in learning more? Let's chat!

Northern Utah Human Resource Association has invited me to be part of their December lunch meeting and 50th Anniversary Celebration! Please consider joining us as we take a non-traditional look at Ethical Leadership- all with a holiday twist! This one will be fun, informative, and festive- Don't miss this Jolly Journey Through Business Ethics! Veronica Akers Sarah Denson, SHRM-CP

Communication is a skill that requires intention, continuous practice, and the right tools to excel. It's the difference between a group of individuals and a cohesive, high-performing team. Here are 3 ways strong communication makes a difference: Turning Friction into Growth: Miscommunications happen. But what if, instead of avoiding hard conversations, we embraced them as opportunities to grow? The best leaders see friction as a pathway to growth, leaning in with empathy and curiosity. Creating Clarity Amid Complexity: Complex environments require simplicity. Cutting through the noise and articulating what truly matters is how you help teams move forward with confidence. Supporting Psychological Safety: Honest communication builds trust. Trust creates safety. When people feel safe, they contribute fully—their ideas, feedback, and even their disagreements. That level of openness is what helps elevate an entire team. To truly elevate communication, it’s not just about what we say—it’s how we listen, the tools we use, and the spaces we create for others to share. It’s about making every conversation count. Questions to consider: Are we listening to understand, or just waiting for our turn to speak? How can we create opportunities for the quieter voices to be heard? Do we have the systems and skills needed to make communication effective and transparent? We'd love to hear from you: what's the biggest communication hurdle you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it? #communication #elevatingeveryone #teamwork #leadershipdevelopment

Happy Boss's Day to the incredible leaders out there! A great boss inspires, empowers, and elevates. Today, we celebrate you. Being a boss is about guiding and showing up for your team each and every day. Great bosses inspire everyone around them, creating spaces where people can grow, feel supported, and do their best work. We honor the bosses who lead with empathy, courage, and authenticity—the ones who recognize their role is to deliver exceptional business results while elevating the people who make it happen. A big thank you to all the bosses making a difference. Keep elevating everyone around you. Looking to enhance your leadership skills and make an even bigger impact on your team? Reach out today. Let's discuss your situation and craft a personalized plan to achieve your goals. #bossday #leadership #elevatingeveryone

Leadership is a balance of head and heart. We often talk about strategy, performance metrics, and goals—but at the end of the day, it comes down to people. What makes a great leader truly effective? ❤️ Authenticity: Are you showing up as your real self, inviting others to do the same? ❤️ Empathy: Can you step into someone else's shoes and see things from their perspective? ❤️ Vulnerability: Are you willing to admit when you don't have all the answers? ❤️ Trust-Building: Are you creating an environment where people feel they can rely on each other? Great leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. It’s creating a space where people feel understood and supported. Think about the leader who made the biggest impact on your career. Chances are, they led with both intelligence and genuine care. How are you balancing head and heart in your leadership today? Ready to take your leadership to the next level? Reach out to Elevating Everyone for insights and strategies that can help you make a genuine impact. #elevatingeveryone #leadership #authenticity #empathy #trust #genuineleadership

The workplace is changing fast. Hybrid models. AI integration. New generational expectations. The challenges are complex, but there’s a common thread in addressing them: psychological safety. Psychological safety is essential for fostering innovation, driving retention, and ensuring employee well-being. It’s the key to building resilient teams that can adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment. Why It Matters 57% of employees face moderate burnout. Mental health absences are up 33% in the last year Only 67% of workers report positive co-worker interactions (SHRM, 2024) How to Build Psychological Safety Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage dialogue by asking questions that invite diverse perspectives. Instead of yes/no questions, ask, “What are your thoughts on this approach?” or “How can we improve this process?” This practice makes team members feel that their opinions are truly valued. Respond with Appreciation: When someone shares an idea, acknowledge it before judging. Show genuine appreciation, even if the idea isn’t perfect. For example, “Thank you for sharing—this brings an interesting angle.” Appreciation fosters a culture where everyone feels encouraged to contribute, knowing their voice matters. Own Your Mistakes: Demonstrate vulnerability by owning up to your mistakes. Saying, “I got this wrong, and here’s what I learned,” shows that it’s okay to fail and learn. This sets a precedent for a culture of continuous learning rather than fear of failure, encouraging team members to take thoughtful risks. Create Safe Spaces for Tough Conversations: Psychological safety is often tested during difficult conversations. Proactively create spaces where team members feel they can speak up without fear of backlash, even on contentious issues. Let everyone know that disagreements are a healthy part of problem-solving and that all perspectives are welcome. Check In—Beyond Work: Regularly check in with team members beyond their work tasks. Ask questions like, “How are you really doing?” or “Is there anything outside of work impacting you that I can support?” This approach helps build trust and shows employees that you value them as individuals, not just for their output. Psychological safety is a daily practice that defines how we communicate, support, and lead. By fostering an environment where team members feel safe to share, take risks, and be themselves, we build stronger, more resilient organizations ready to meet the challenges of the modern workplace. If you're ready to make a real impact on your team's well-being and performance, reach out for support in building a culture where everyone can thrive.
#worldmentalhealthday #psychologicalsafety #workplacewellbeing #employeeengagement #leadershipdevelopment #inclusiveleadership #employeewellbeing #burnout #culture #elevatingeveryone

Customer Service Week 2024 is here! I sincerely appreciate the organizations I've had the privilege of working with over the past year. It's been filled with collaboration, growth, and many opportunities to elevate the customer & employee experience together. This week, I’m reminded of the power of investing in the people who make customer interactions memorable. Here are a few thought-provoking ideas for lasting impact: Is Appreciation Enough? We all know appreciation matters, but what about empowerment? How can we give our frontline teams more autonomy to make decisions that delight customers? From Transactional to Transformational: Customer service can be more than problem-solving. Are we equipping our teams to create lasting relationships, not just resolve immediate issues? Culture of Elevation: Beyond perks and acknowledgments, how can we instill a culture that continuously elevates our customer service professionals—through growth opportunities, cross-functional exposure, or even involvement in strategic conversations? To all the organizations striving to deliver exceptional service and to the teams who make it possible every day, thank you. Your commitment to customers and the human elements of service truly make a difference. Let's use this week to celebrate and rethink how we elevate our people, our culture, and the customer experience. How are you planning to challenge the status quo this Customer Service Week? I'd love to hear your thoughts. #customerserviceweek #elevatingeveryone #empower #elevate #transform #customerexperience #employeeexperience

Bias in Decision-Making: More Pervasive Than We Think Every day, we make decisions influenced by biases—many of which we’re not even aware of. From confirmation bias to affinity bias, the human brain tends to favor familiar patterns, often at the cost of objectivity. But did you know there are lesser-known biases—like attentional bias or anchoring bias—that shape our thinking too? I’ve broken down the most common and lesser-known biases that impact workplace decisions, and offer strategies to mitigate them. If you’re ready to start recognizing and reducing bias in your organization, now’s the time. Awareness is the first step. If you’d like support or guidance on navigating this process for yourself or your team, feel free to reach out. Let’s elevate together. #leadership #decisionmaking #bias #inclusiveleadership #elevatingeveryone

The Test That Shifted My Leadership Approach Over the years, I’ve taken countless style assessments. One that stands out was an animal-based test—I used to call it the "Lion/Lamb test." Each provided insights, sparking great conversations with teams. But the real game changer? When a new boss introduced The Birkman Method to our team. I was convinced I’d be identified as red—assertive, driven, and results-oriented. So you can imagine my shock when my result was 100% blue. The complete opposite. At first, I refused to accept it. I even asked for a retake. Everything I thought I knew about how I led and how I showed up for my team was wrong. I had to rethink my entire approach. Being “blue” in Birkman terms meant I was more thoughtful, process-oriented, and balanced action with reflection. The adjustment wasn’t easy, but embracing this discovery transformed my leadership style and helped me lead in a more authentic way. In fact, nearly 80% of leaders have at least one blind spot in their leadership, and 40% aren’t fully tapping into their hidden strengths. This stat hit home for me. Since then, I’ve transitioned to the DiSC model, which I now use in consulting with individuals and teams. DiSC has helped me connect more effectively and tailor my leadership style based on each person’s unique approach. It’s incredible to see how this understanding can elevate team dynamics and performance. If you're a leader looking for similar breakthroughs, let’s connect. I’d love to help you unlock deeper connections and more effective leadership within your team. Has a style test ever surprised you?

AI is transforming the customer experience. It’s fast, efficient, and helps predict what customers need. But AI alone can’t get it done. There are critical points in the customer journey that AI just can’t touch. Moments where empathy and human connection make all the difference. Here’s where we see the human touch shine: Seeing the Big Picture: AI spots patterns. We find the reasons. True understanding comes from people. Making it Personal: AI can offer suggestions. But a genuine conversation? That’s where trust is built. Fixing Problems: AI can handle basic fixes. But real resolutions come from someone who truly owns the issue. AI is great, but we’re responsible for making those critical moments meaningful. Need help keeping the human touch in your customer experience journey? Reach out—here to assist. #customerjourney #AI #leadership #customerexperience #ElevatingEveryone