Quick and valuable ideas you can watch, listen to, or grab & take with you that can make your day brighter, your work more effective, your job more fun, or your challenges less challenging.
Celebrating one of our own
08.17.21 - 5-minute read
Advantage Client Services Specialist
Terry Speer, Olympic Mom
A look at Joe Ryan's journey to Japan and back through the eyes of his biggest fan
Yep, we're all still celebrating!
Baseball's Team USA: Gold in our hearts
08.10.21 - 2-minute video
Team USA finished the Olympic series with a significant silver medal. Here, Joe Ryan, son of Advantage Client Services Specialist Terry Speer, and teammate Shane Baz reflect on what it means to represent their country.
Related:
- Family matters - Today we’ve got two of our own on our mind as their family members shine on the world stage.
- Team Terry, Team Joe! - As the Olympics get under way, we’re celebrating one of our own and her son.
.@USABaseball begins their quest for gold in Tokyo tomorrow morning with a pair of 2021 Bulls pitchers on the roster.
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) July 30, 2021
Before they left, Shane Baz & Game 1 starter Joe Ryan spoke to us about what it means to represent their country #ForGlory🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0ugkdDnvYh
Listen to the podcast we love and sponsor
08.03.21 - 50-minute podcast episode
Have you listened lately to the Talent Development Hot Seat podcast with Andy Storch? As sponsors, we continue to be amazed by Andy’s enthusiasm, guest list, content, pace, and reach. Please subscribe and share! Here’s a recent favorite episode: Helping our people avoid burnout with Leah Weiss
Related: What we're listening to - If you’ve ever used a pencil to rewind a cassette tape, you might be old enough to appreciate the miracle of having a library of unlimited listening adventures at your fingertips at any time of the day or night.
If not, it may be likely you already have your own podcast or know someone who does. As of April 2021, there were more than 2.1 million podcasts (and a few thousand more are being created every day) featuring more than 48 million episodes. Fully 1 out of every 3 people over the age of 12 is a regular listener .
Today, we celebrate the podcast by sharing with you some of our favorites.
Take your imagination on a vacation
07.27.21 - 15-minute TED Talk
Childhood is surreal. Why shouldn't children's books be? In this whimsical talk, award-winning author Mac Barnett speaks about writing that escapes the page, art as a doorway to wonder -- and what real kids say to a fictional whale.
Related: Highlights from our summer reading list from your friendly marketing team at Advantage
Cheer for the home team - and a great mom
07.20.21 - 1:40 video
The Parents Matter featuring Joe Ryan | Ballplayers Like Us
For the moms and dads behind athletes at every level
This week we couldn’t be happier for one of our own, Advantage Client Services Specialist Terry Speer. Terry is the mother of Joe Ryan, a 25-year-old pitcher and Tampa Bay Rays rising star making his Olympics debut for baseball’s Team USA next week.
As the 2020 Olympics get under way in Tokyo a year late with Friday’s opening ceremonies, we’re celebrating Terry and cheering her on during this special moment in time.
Read more: Team Terry, Team Joe!
Know your numbers
07.13.21 - Financial Formulas Cheat Sheet
This popular resource is from Brent Snow at 10,000 Feet, creators of the popular simulation Interplay, the interactive game-based workshop that's been called a "mini MBA in a Day." It's a handy reference of the key financial ratios all business leaders must know.
Related: The Real ROI of People Development
Personally connect to your noble purpose
07.06.21 - Noble purpose impact mapping tool
To tap deeper into your sense of noble purpose, and feel personally connected to it on a daily basis, you must paint a clear picture of the impact you’re having on the world.
Noble Purpose impact mapping activity - Use this tool to help you articulate how you make a difference in the world, courtesy of our thought leader partner Lisa McLeod, global expert on Noble Purpose in business.
Related:
Unlock the potential of your emerging workforce
06.29.21 - A free (mini) learning journey
Talent development for a new generation - Young professionals crave and need development. Here's how to connect with them and get it right. Take a free (mini) learning journey featuring research and tools from our thought leader partner Christine DiDonato of Career Revolution, a recognized leader in career development.
Create your own success story
06.23.21 - A storytelling tool
As you take a break and reflect this summer (and we hope you can), brush up your skills to create YOUR story for the rest of 2021. Revisit Tapping into the Power of Storytelling with our thought leader partner and influence/communications expert Kelly Dozois.
Get started with our all-In-one interactive PDF, which contains the replay, audio, visuals, and a link to the story tool from Influencing with Story™
06.15.21 - 21 days at sea, 23 research projects, 2 animals sampled, 42 collaborating scientists
Go along on OCEARCH's 40th white shark expedition held a few months ago off the North Atlantic coast, discover fin facts, track sharks, and learn their names.
Get a surprise free gift
06.07.21 - It's a surprise!
Watch the replay of our webinar with special guest facilitator Matt Prostko of TaskHuman on how to rethink wellness in the workplace after all we’ve experienced the past 18 months. We will have a great free gift (good for the next 90 days only) for everyone who attends. Don't miss it!! Meanwhile, enjoy some comic relief with us on Instagram.
Sit, stay, run like the wind.
06.01.21 - 9-minute video
A Dog's Tale - Happy memories of a trail dog’s life well lived.
This 9-minute cinematic marvel especially for dog people will surely tug at your heartstrings.
See squirrels up close & personal
05.25.21 - 19-minute video
Backyard Squirrel Maze 2.0 - The Walnut Heist
Here's a diversion that's just for fun. It may look and sound like a scene from MIssion Impossible, but Phat Gus, Rick, Marty, and Frank exhibit almost human-like problem-solving skills to figure out a complex backyard obstacle course.
Read a great book (or several!)
05.18.21 - Shane Snow's curated book list
Shane Snow is an award-winning entrepreneur, explorer, and journalist—and the bestselling author of 3 books: Dream Teams, Smartcuts, and The Storytelling Edge.
He is also our special guest facilitator for HOW to Think Differently, a complimentary, interactive webinar at Noon Eastern on Thursday, May 20, part of our 2021 series, Together, We Create!
"All books should change the way you think. But some books change you. These are the books that have that honor on my journey so far." - Shane Snow
Listen to a hot podcast
05.11.21 - The Talent Development Hot Seat podcast
For 3 years, we've proudly sponsored the Talent Development Hot Seat podcast with Andy Storch, who interviews leaders in talent development to share their stories, uncover their challenges, celebrate their achievements, and inspire his listeners as they pursue their own careers in talent development. We'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Andy on a job well done and celebrate his achievement!
It was a dark and stormy night ...
05.04.21 - 20-minute video (opening story: 1:20-6:28)
You're driving your brand new Tesla in the pouring rain. Around the bend awaits a test that will challenge how you think.
The answer (and this story) is from the brilliant mind of Shane Snow, the special guest facilitator for our next webinar. We invited Shane to contribute because his work embodies the spirit of our 2021 webinar series, Together, We Create!
In this video, Snow explores what separates groups that simply get by together from those that get better together (and discover the ANSWER to the test!)
Related: Our Talent Development Tuesday email newsletter for 05.04.21. Subscribe and we'll brighten up your inbox.
Just say YES
04.27.21 - 18-minute TED Talk
Shonda Rhimes, the TV titan behind Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder, describes how her journey of incredible transformation started with a single word - YES! We especially like her self-narrated audiobook, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person.
(We know, there are a lot of TED Talks in our collection. We're always looking for ideas. Send your suggestions to the editor.)
Strike a power pose
04.20.21 - 20-minute TED Talk (or here's a 2-minute quick take)
The power pose - The verdict may still be inconclusive according to science, but given the challenges we've faced this year and last, we're going all-in on Amy Cuddy's theory that powerful poses can help people feel more powerful.
We're starting our day with a nod to Wonder Woman, standing tall, hands on hips with a far-off, hopeful gaze. While that might not actually change our hormone levels, it makes us smile. An added bonus: We're one step closer to closing those "stand up" rings on our watch.
Have fun with us on Instagram
04.13.21 - memes for your consideration
We've launched an Instagram account dedicated to helping us all have a good laugh when we need it most. Because great people wanna have fun!
Take the road less traveled
04.06.21 - 7-minute video
At Yahoo! Labs in Barcelona, Daniele Quercia and his colleagues imagine new ways to use online maps to improve our lives and offer not just the shortest routes, but the most enjoyable.
Make your Zoom meetings more fun
03.30.21 - Zoom slides ready for annotation
At our recent webinar on future-back thinking, facilitator Peter Mulford planned to share a slide his colleagues at BTS created that had been popular at one of their virtual events across the world but decided to leave it out due to time constraints. Here's the slide he shared with us (on a scale of cat...). We're dog people, so we felt inspired to create a similar one of our own. Right-click to download and enjoy! Thank you Peter and BTS!
Turn rookies into valuable team players
03.23.21 - 15-minute video
College basketball coaching legend John Beilein describes how he built relationships with rookies to help them become valuable team players. He spoke with Advantage CEO Jon Hodge as part of our recent national sales meeting.
“So many times, our best (college) players, and then our best NBA players, didn't think about the NBA at all or how they were being evaluated," Beilein said. "They just did their best every day."
Recruit and build a great team
03.16.21 - 16-minute video
One of the greatest coaches in the history of college basketball, John Beilein talks about recruitment and team-building with Advantage CEO Jon Hodge as part of our recent national sales meeting.
Related: March Madness: Secrets of recruiting talent to fuel a high-performing team
Connect with your body, mind, and spirit
03.09.21 - A mindfulness practice guide
Take a few minutes from your busy day to reconnect with your inner bliss as Anita Steele, a wellness coach at TaskHuman, guides you through the 5 layers of well-being.
You don’t need to be a yogi or a monk to start reconnecting with bliss. You don’t need to take a long vacation or have hours of free time.
All you need is a few quiet minutes, each day.
Avoid remote work burnout
03.02.21 - 4-minute video
Too much screen time, too many video calls and too few boundaries make working remotely hard for all of us. Podcast host and writer Morra Aarons-Mele shares advice on protecting your energy and your limits.
Become a great leader
02.23.21 - 3-part audio experience
Dr. Linda Hill, author of Being the Boss, explains the 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader via the Giide interactive auditory learning platform. Listen now!
- Part 1: Managing Yourself (13 minutes)
- Part 2: Managing Your Network (16 minutes)
- Part 3: Managing Your Team (24 minutes)
Capture their heart
02.16.21 - infographic
Bringing a new hire up to speed isn't just about performance. Build an emotional connection by helping them understand your organization's values, your purpose, and your culture. Here are 9 ways to get it right.
Be optimistic
02.09.21 - 3-minute video
Optimism: It's your choice
Positive thinking isn't just for making yourself feel better. It's a strategy backed by science that can improve your relationships and your business results. Find out why in this short video by Lori Urban, a partner at Advantage Performance Group and a facilitator for the BlueEQ™ emotional intelligence self-assessment and workshop.
Related: Check out your engagement skills with our BlueEQ mini quiz
Define or renew your values
02.02.21 - 2-minute read
How to stay focused on what really matters, regardless of what comes next
When it feels like almost everything is changing, values are the one standard that we can all count on to remain steady.
Here is a quick exercise you can do to help define or renew your team’s (or your family's) collective values.
Related: A story of friendship
Take our quest
01.26.21 - An oldie but goodie - 3-minute song + a learning adventure
Building a great corporate culture is more important now than ever, especially with the ongoing challenges of remote work and a relentless pandemic. Discover the jewels that build a great culture with the free resources in our Culture Quest.
Pause and reflect
01.19.21 - A poem and 2-minute video
The poet Naomi Shihab Nye reads "Kindness," in a poetry film by Ana Pérez López.
Related: The power of kindness
After an unimaginable loss, one of our own reflects on 'the generosity that resides deep within the human spirit.'
Expand your perspective
01.11.21 - mindfulness exercise
Wellness coach Stephanie Meriaux of TaskHuman shares Sunlight & Shadows, a mindfulness exercise to help you expand your perspective, create rich discussions, or build psychological safety. Use it for yourself, your family, your friends, or your team.
Related: Building resilience
Live in a thousand joys of the present moment
12.29.20 and 01.05.21 - 3-minute video
The power of the present was a poignant message for our recent holiday Zoom party from the actor John O'Hurley in a Cameo we sought out for our event. While we expected humor, we're especially glad he chose to share something more.
Related: Go fish
Talent Development Tuesday post for 12.29.20
Bonus: The Essence of J. Peterman: John O'Hurley on Storytelling, Introspection, and Seinfeld
Spread some Christmas cheer
12.22.20 - 4-minute video
Dr. Elmo, the original performing artist for the iconic Christmas comedy song, Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, sends Advantage Performance Group a special holiday greeting we'd like to share with you courtesy of Shirley Dahl, our client services manager.
If you need some inspiration this holiday season, or if you just want to help spread some Christmas cheer, have another listen to his unforgettable hit tune. We believe Dr. Elmo's story will forever change what it is you really hear.
Related: We believe
Talent Development Tuesday post for 12.22.20
Click the link below to reveal more about Dr. Elmo
Listen to a great story
12.15.20 - 13-minute video
How do you end a story? Host of "Radiolab" Jad Abumrad tells how his search for an answer led him home to the mountains of Tennessee, where he met an unexpected teacher: Dolly Parton.
She rose from poverty to stardom with a great singing voice, beautiful prose, and incredible ambition, but it's her wisdom, sense of humor, and generous heart that will stand the test of time.
Include the introvert
12.08.20 - 18-minute video
Susan Cain, author of the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, is revolutionizing how people think about the virtues and abilities of those who tend to look inward in this classic TED Talk from 2012.
In response to what is no doubt one of 2020's most defining legacies – the call for a more just and inclusive world – leaders are increasing efforts to build more diversity, equity and inclusion into their organizations. Here are 13 ways to begin. (PDF)
Revisit our 12.03.20 webinar on inclusion for more resources.
Make everyone smarter
12.01.20 - Multiple Multipliers resources
Tips from Santa on being a Multiplier (how do you think he inspires the elves to make all those toys?) Get the PDF
Back-pocket questions for leaders - By asking better questions more often, you will spark new creativity, double the intelligence of your team, and make work a whole lot more fun. Get questions!
Takeaways from our July webinar - Liz Wiseman and Shawn Vanderhoven share Multiplier practices for leading in uncertain times. Get all the takeaways.
Give thanks
"It's not happiness that makes us grateful. It's gratefulness that makes us happy."
11.24.20 - 14-minute video
Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk and interfaith scholar, presents a TED Talk about gratitude as the source of happiness.
Since 1953, Brother David has been a monk of Mount Saviour Benedictine monastery in New York, dividing his time between contemplation, writing, and lecturing. He's the cofounder of gratefulness.org, supporting ANG*L (A Network for Grateful Living).
Own Your Career Own Your Life
11.17.20 - Affirmations
With so much going on around us that is out of our control, this is the "missing manual" for 2020 and beyond.
Andy Storch, host of the Talent Development Hot Seat podcast, co-founder of The Talent Development Think Tank, a former partner with Advantage Performance Group, and now a newly minted author, wants you to reach new heights by taking charge of your life. This week's release of Own Your Career Own Your Life: Stop Drifting and Take Control of Your Future is a must-read missing manual for work, life, and the pursuit of happiness.
Get the book - Andy's Daily Affirmations - Other Bonus Resources
Discover your Noble Purpose
11.10.20 - Interactive infographic
At our most recent webinar, author/speaker and thought leader Lisa McLeod shared with us why having a Noble Purpose at the core of your business is more important now than ever because organizations who don't will get left behind.
Discover your purpose: Take an interactive audio journey with Lisa, revisit the webinar, and access a takeaway tool that can help you envision, activate, and articulate your Noble Purpose today. Available In 2 formats: HTML - PDF
Bonus: Watch Lisa's TedX Talk:
Celebrate our shared humanity
11.03.20 - 1:45 listen
Take a lovely moment to listen to Maya Angelou reading her poem Human Family from I Shall Not Be Moved, her fifth collection of poetry pubished in 1990.
Bonus: Check out TaskHuman, a phone app for connecting employees with one-on-one video coaching on more than 800 wellness topics, from fitness to focus, motivation to meditation. We're using it ourselves, and we hope you're making time in this crazy, challenging year to take care of yourself as well! (Tell them Advantage sent you!)
Make some magic
10.27.20 - 5-page PDF
Add a touch of magic to your virtual meetings:
Download the producer checklists from a new training program we created called Backstage Magic, culled from our many hours of experience producing and facilitating training and conducting webinars on the Zoom meeting platform.
Backstage Magic helps people running virtual meetings turn their Zoom sessions into engaging, memorable, and worry-free experiences.
The full program includes two self-directed modules and two 90-minute virtual sessions, experienced over a 2-week period. Through instruction, live practice, and performance challenges, participants build the confidence and skills they need to make their sessions run like magic.
Build trust
10.20.20 - 2-minute video
Find out the 2 critical elements you need to build trust, especially if you're working remotely, from our webinar on 09.14.20 with Dr. Linda A. Hill, Harvard Business School professor, author of the acclaimed management classic Being the Boss, and founding partner, Paradox Strategies.
- More from this webinar - register for the replay, highlights, and takeaways
- An interactive audio learning experience with Dr. Linda Hill
The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader: Part 1
More great things are coming soon!
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