How Appreciation Opens New Worlds to You

HI Everyone,

Imagine my surprise! A new experience!

After over 25 years of working with appreciation, I met someone who gave the highest level of appreciation of anyone I have known. He saw and appreciated me at a level beyond what anyone else had ever seen and verbalized.

And this is only one of two people I have met who are so appreciative without my training them! They came into my life this way! Astonishing!

Usually I have to coach and train to get people to give me appreciation. Hey, the expert needs some too!

So, what do you think happened?

I found that being seen and appreciated so thoroughly, so deeply, opened up new possibilities
in my work, my thinking, and my vision for myself and my work. Of course, I am used to
doing this for clients. But no one had ever done that for me.

It made me wonder: How had I survived all these years without this level of appreciation? What could I have achieved had I had this? What was I tolerating that had to go? Within
a few weeks I realized I would even have to move to a different city!

Ask yourself these questions!!

Do you have anyone in your life who sees you for your highest and best and consistenltly appreciates you from that place? If not, why not?

And how well do you do that for your nearest and dearest, at work and at home?

So, if you are feeling like your lifespace is not big enough for your spirit, find someone
who is strong enough and cares enough to see and appreciate your best. And someone
you want to do this for.

Believe me, your life will change. Keep a journal to track the changes.

Warning: do not do this if you want the same life you have now.

But then again, no appreciation, no glory!!

For help with the how-to's, the do's and don'ts, visit us at whatyousayiswhatyouget.com, which we are renovating. New appreciation books are on the way!!

Wishing you an appreciated and appreciative life!!

Dr. Linne

"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer, positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Amazon Bestseller, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages,
2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Leaders!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

What You Don't Say Is What You Don't Get

Hi Everyone,

Recently I was startled and upset to be on the receiving end of silence when I needed to be informed. We all know that silence can wreak havoc. No news is not good news!

This was silence of two types, and each type had a profound effect.

One type was about schedules and upcoming meetings. Without that I could not plan my schedule or my assistants' schedules most effectively. When the meeting time was moved back weeks at the last minute, it was tough. You know about that. We have all been there. I needed more notice.

But wait, there's more. (Ok, I know, but I couldn't resist.)

The second type of silence was the lack of opportunity to be included in the process,
to give support, to understand, to be a part of what was happening, to make it easier
for both of us, perhaps to create a backup plan.

Had I known the issues and concerns underneath the last minute delay,
I would not have been upset. Furthermore, when I heard the reason for the silence,
I was amazed. Never would have guessed it! When I knew, I could clear it up
immediately and clearly.

Lessons to the wise:

1. Plan communications so you avoid costly upsetting silences. An ounce of prevention....
2. Find out the reason underneath the silence.
3. Talk it over in a positive way, making sure you ask for the positives you need.
4. Don't complain about what you did not get. State what happened and describe the impact on you and your business.
5. Appreciate the other person's views and good will efforts to do the right things.
6. Use this opportunity to learn how to better support the other person, ask what you can do better as well ask asking for what you need. Make it a 2-way street for improving communications.
7. Appreciate the other person for being willing to communicate about the issue.

Bottom Line
It's the information age. Remember information about the process is important to be shared as well as the business information. A more open process gives you better results.
What You Say Is What You Get(R)!

Wishing you a more enjoyable communication process and great results!

Dr. Linne

"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Amazon Bestseller, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages,
2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Leaders! and a new book
on the Future of Leadership Power!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Visit our positive new blog:
http://drlinnebourget.blogspot.com

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

The Negative Positive Group??? How can this be?

Hi Everyone - Can you believe this positive group shock story?

This week I experienced something that hauled me back to basics with a shock, to the very start of my career.

There I was, sitting in a group that teaches only positive principles. But for reasons completely beyond me, several group members showed outright hostility and condemnation! My solar plexus was in pain! I tried to speak but was cut off three times as everyone started to interrupt. It took hours to get this upset out of my body!

When I asked my intuition what to do, it told me to say nothing and wait! Since I teach intuition to executives, I know to listen! Arrgghh! Tough for me as Dr. Positive Leadership who wants to make things better and easier.

But as the drama unfolded, it turned out that the underlying cause was lack of appreciation! The most hostile-seeming person was very upset about trying to do something new, saying I, Dr. Linne, was the only one who had given any appreciation, but no one else. (Obviously, this is not a group I lead.)

As I watched the negativity ricochet around the room in this usually calm group,
I was thunderstruck to see the effects of no strengths-based positive feedback! This was right out of my dissertation on appreciation - over 25 years ago!!

It made me wonder:

• What new roles or projects are not started due to lack of appreciation?
• If you could measure that as a leader, in your company, what is it really costing your company?
• How many employees and teams give up before profitability due to lack of appreciation?
• What does that cost your company!

OK, then, time to go back to basics. Remember to give positive feedback early and often, so to speak, and know what you are doing. This takes good skills!

If you need to develop your skills, visit us at whatyousayiswhatyouget.com and check out my positive leadership book.
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results, Wheel 2 has all the info on positive feedback,
and What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire

The website is being re-done and upgraded but the products are right there on the front page for your convenience, per our client requests.

You can make a powerful positive difference, if you know what you are doing!

Make it a great day!
Dr. Linne


Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

The Real Power of the Positive is Power

HI, Everyone,

A conversation with a client working on developing more power sparked this message.

Let's face it. What is really underneath the power of a positive leadership language system?
Simple. It's power. Positive power. And it is huge, perhaps the greatest force in the
Universe. We talk about influence. We talk about manifesting positive outcomes.

Now everyone is talking about The Secret, which captures the power of positive thinking and feeling. It's all about power. We all have a huge amount of it available, whether we feel like that or not at any moment in time.

Power is like money or energy. It's not negative, it's just what we do with it that makes it positive or negative. Time to re-own this word, this concept, and use it fully rather than backing away from the idea of power and seeing it with skepticism.

Power is a gift and a responsibility. It is a cousin to free will and the responsibility for
choices. It is also a huge gift which each of us can use for good.

Did you know that every word you say literally has an energy signature? How positive is the energy you are sending out with your words?

How high is your Positive Quotient(PQ)R?
How high is your Appreciative Quotient(AQ)R?

Spring is a time of new life and new beginnings. Make a commitment to yourself
to use more positive words at work and at home. Then watch the positive results.
And enjoy!

See below for resources with a strong track record, tried and true for you.

Wishing you all the best words and lives
Dr. Linne Bourget
"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Amazon Bestseller, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages, 2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Leaders!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote


Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

How Well do you Give Appreciation, Positive Feedback, a Leadership Key?

To Build on the Best in your business, realize that positive leadership is not just about being nice.

Powerful positive feedback does not just make people feel good, but just as important, it teaches them their strengths. Since we have an appreciation-starved culture, few of us have a clue about our strengths, and we can only learn that from each other with highly skilled specific positive feedback. The less we know our strengths, the less we use them, and then the less successful we are. The Leader's job is to teach people their strengths!

Remember:

The deepest craving in human nature is to be appreciated.” William James

February means Valentine’s Day -

You know to tell your loved ones that you love them. This year, add something special to make your “I love you” even more powerful: Tell them specifically one thing you deeply appreciate about them. And this specific appreciation you can also give to your esteemed colleagues and clients, to help teach them their strengths. And while you are at it, what are your strengths? How many can you write down? Do this, and appreciate yourself out loud for each one. A positive caring challenge!

Remember to enjoy the process. This can strengthen your spirit and results!

Wishing you the best of success!
Dr. Linne Bourget

From the positive leadership book, What You Say Is What You Get™: The Secret Language of Great Business Results, by Dr. Linne Bourget, endorsed by Mark Victor Hansen Co-creator, #1 New York Times best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul^® and Co-author, The One Minute Millionaire and Dr. Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business, University of Southern California, author/co-author of 27 leadership books, including On Becoming a Leader, Organizing Genius and Geeks and Geezers, consultant to four U.S. Presidents, the United Nations and Fortune 500 CEOs.

You can buy this very user-friendly, fast to read, practical powerful book, based on 20+ years of client feedback, at http://www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

What Do You Really Want for 2007?

Set your goals, set your goals! It comes at you from every direction! But stop and think.

Do your goals really reflect what you want or just what you think you should want because everyone around you does?

Go over your list of goals and stop at every one. In your heart of hearts, is this what
you really want? Why do you want this?

Sit down and have a meeting with yourself. You deserve to start the year on a great track!

Set your goals from your heart, not just your head! You will have a lot more fun
reaching your goals and they will mean so much more to you when you get there!

Enjoy!

Wishing you the best of joy and success!

Dr. Linne Bourget

Author, What You Say Is What You Get™: The Secret Language of Great Business Results, by Dr. Linne Bourget, endorsed by Mark Victor Hansen Co-creator, #1 New York Times best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul^® and Co-author, The One Minute Millionaire and Dr. Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business, University of Southern California, author/co-author of 27 leadership books, including On Becoming a Leader, Organizing Genius and Geeks and Geezers, consultant to four U.S. Presidents, the United Nations and Fortune 500 CEOs. You can buy this very user-friendly, fast to read, practical powerful book, based on 20+ years of client feedback, at http://www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com

New at whatyousayiswhatyouget.com

What You Say Is What You Get™: Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages, 2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book to strengthen your family, endorsed by Pat Williams, Sr. Vice President, Orlando Magic Basketball Team, father of 19 children (14 adopted), and Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator, Chicken Soup for the Soul Series®!

Coming Soon: What You Say Is What You Get™: Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Your Marriage; tried and true Master Intuition System for Business Success, training manual w/ 25 years of examples from clients’ and my businesses. AND, new book on the future of leadership power, an eye-opener!

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Don't Even Think of Setting 2007 Goals Until You Read This

Dear Friends,

Ok, I admit it. I do believe in goal setting. Yes, like all the experts say, it is incredibly powerful in focusing us and keeping us on track. All of that is true.

Yet at the same time, the end of the year can easily bring disappointment if you have not achieved your goals. You just don't feel like what you have done is enough. This means you carry into the next year less joy and confidence when setting your new goals, and are thus less likely to keep moving forward when the going gets tough. Still,

"When the going gets tough, the tough get growing."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

How do you need to grow to have a more positive relationship with yourself to better reach your goals?

There is One Simple Thing - Be Your Own Positive Leader. At the end of each year, or day, or month, stand back and FIRST appreciate yourself for all that you did accomplish, including all those things not on the goal list. Give yourself credit! You earned it!

Then you will feel more confidence as you set goals for the new year.

Enjoy and Happiest of Holidays to you,
Dr. Linne
Dr. Linne Bourget
whatyousayiswhatyouget.com

PS Received a strong intuition to finish my little book on Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for
Wives and Husbands - it is almost done and will be available for Valentine's. The audio book for parents and kids is finished. From Dr. Linne as a Corporate Futurist: New book coming in 07 on the future of leadership power and the home study system for the Master Intuition System for Outrageous Business Success.
We welcome your visit at whatyousayiswhatyouget.com Sign up for our free monthly short
positive leadership newsletter and find out about leading edge insights about the future of business!!

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

The Gift of Appreciation at Thanksgiving

Dear IC Family,
Thirty years ago, I started a tradition. After dinner and before Thanksgiving dessert, when we definitely needed a break, I asked my guests, about 25 or so, to go around the table and say what they were grateful for. This was based on my Ph.D. dissertation work on appreciation, the first in the field. There was not a dry eye in the house by the end of the sharing.

For dinner with your family and friends, take the next step and add specific appreciations for each person, what you appreciate about them, who they are and what they do. The results will amaze you. After all these years, they still amaze me. You might need tissues. Enjoy!

Love and blessings for Thanksgiving,
Dr. Linne
aka Dr. Appreciation

We have a 2 hour audio book What You Say Is What You Get: Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children, endorsed by Pat Williams, Sr. VP of Orlando Magic Basketball and father of 19 children, 14 are adopted!! Create a stronger bond with your children, increase their self esteem and help protect them from the risks they face daily!
Visit whatyousayiswhatyouget.com


Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Using vision and values for positive protection

Dear friends,

What do you do when your company has a crisis?

It is tempting to focus on what's wrong but only doing so creates a negative wave.

Repeating your vision and values reminds everyone of your positive purpose, balancing the negative and uplifting everyone.

The next time you have a crisis, include your positive vision and values in every message.

Notice the difference. Email me with the results. I want to know.

Peace and prosperity to you all,
Dr. Linne Bourget

drlinne@whatyousayiswhatyouget.com

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Would you believe the power of this particular type of phrase?

Dear Friends,

Would you believe the power of this particular type of phrase to make or break your business results?

In any company, more trust and less fear make for greater profits, productivity and progress.

Most leaders and employees know this. Yet sometimes small habits that are just part of the

woodwork can create roadblocks to your company’s and your success. In an amazing

intuitive journey 20 years ago, I found that eliminating violent language reduced fear,

created much more trust, and more work got done faster! My clients and I had not even

realized the fear and difficulty we were causing by using violent words and images. It was just habit. The insight to look at this was purely intuitive, and it turned out to have very powerful positive results for my clients.

Who knew?

This week I heard several very violent phrases from very positive aware businesspeople. They did not mean to create fear and block results. Since 9/11 more people are becoming aware of taking the violence out of their language, but these business people simply were not aware of the power of these phrases:

“Beat you down”, “Beat me down.”, “Better than a sharp stick in the eye”. I was horrified.

Then I realized that they just did not know. But now you know better! Please remove violent phrases from your language and notice what happens in your conversations at work. Then at home. Then tell people what you are doing and ask them to join you. Track what changes in those relationships.

Please email me and let me know the results. I want to hear!

Wishing you the best of prosperity and peace.

Apprciatvely,

Dr. Linne Bourget

"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Bestselling book, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the new positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages,
2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Success!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Balancing Negative With Positive Factors

Dear Friends,

This week, thankfully another heinous terrorist attack was thwarted. Truly scary! As the negative factors in the world seem to take up more and more space in our lives, how can we stay positive and lead positive peacful prosperous lives?

Sound like a tough question? Well, in a way it is, and in a way it isn't. Psycholoically it is a very tough and complicated question. So, let's move to another field to find an easier answer. Let's do the math. Math? For this issue? You bet!

Every time you find a negative factor coming into your life, stop and think how high you rate it on a 1-10 scale. With 1 = low and 10 = high. Let's say your example is a solid 7 negative factor. Your project didn't go very well at work this week and you are worried about finishing it on time.

How does math figure in here? What can you do for yourself or bring into your life that is positive enough to rank as a 7 on the 1-10 scale, to balance the problem ranked 7? Even better, what positive factor can you bring in that would be an 8 or a 9, so you come out ahead? Maybe it's having a wonderful time with your spouse, or a great weekend roadtrip to some place new. Or a wonderful positive movie. Whatever creates a high positive number for you is what works.

So the next time a negative factor drops in on you, don't let it overwhelm you, just balance it with a great positive factor as soon as possible and keep on with your positive journey.

Email me at drlinne@whatyousayiswhatyouget.com with your creative positive balancing stories. I would love to hear them.

Wishing you the best life has to offer.

Dr. Linne Bourget
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

July 4th - Beyond Independence

Dear Friends,

I spent the Fourth of July weekend dancing with friends at a huge dance convention. On Saturday night when the Air Force color guard members presented the flag and two ladies sang the national anthem, I was again reminded that what we have is far more than independence. We have freedom.

One of the MCs, usually a real cut up became uncharacteristically serious and aske for a moment of silence to support our present and past troops who ensure that we have the freedom to dance or picnick or golf as we choose.

I also gave thanks for our interdependence based on our freedom of assembly which helps us realize daily that we depend on each other for the good things in our lives. The global marketplace is carrying us on swift wings from independence to interdependence. No one and no one country is isolated any more.

More challanges? You bet! At the same time, we have more opportunities for growth, for excellence, for becoming better.

"Freedom is not a liscence to be our worst, but a call to be our best."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

What are the good things you have in your life that come from freedom and interdependence? Make a list of these and be appreciative for having them.

Make it a peacful and prosperous month.

Dr. Linne Bourget

"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Bestselling book, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the new positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages,
2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Success!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

The Rudeness Revolution - Too Expensive!

It seems that everyday a new study comes across my screen about rudeness in the workplace, and how employees lose huge amounts of worktime and consider leaving their jobs because co-workers are rude to them. Have you thought about this in your company?

If we put a dollar amount on how much money is lost by companies due to negative behavior, we would be shocked! Yet, most leaders have little idea of what employees deal with on a day to day basis from other employees, and they allow employees to be negative to each other because they do not realize how often it happens or how much it cost them in suffering and lost productivity.

For leaders, the lesson is:

"What you allow is what you get"
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

For employees, the lesson is:

"Without the positive, you have only half the truth - the worst half"
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Bottom line: Work should be fun and can be fun, not a place of suffering. It takes everyone pulling together to create a positive environment. Leaders should insist on and model positive communications and employees should support that with their behavior.

The costs of the negative and the benefits of the positive are dramatically illustrated in the stories in my book, What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results, to give you practical tools for creating and sustaining a positive culture for a better life at work. Remember, What You Say Is What You Get(R).

Appreciatively,

Dr. Linne

"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Bestselling book, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the new positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages,
2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Success!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Questions, Questions and More Questions - But How Well Do Yours Work?

In your meetings, what kinds of questions does everyone ask? Are the questions focused on problems, on what's wrong and needs to be fixed? What does this do to morale? The traditional management problem-solving method, taught in every business school and used in every company for decades, starts with analyzing what's wrong. Picking solutions and implementing them comes next.

The problem with this approach to change is that no one wants to be the what's wrong. This sets up blame, conflict, avoiding problems and blocking needed change. Just imagine what this costs your company in lost revenue, higher costs and needless suffering! Yet this painful costly tradition runs rampant through our companies every day!

But take heart. There is an alternative. In the 1980s I developed a planning approach to change which focuses on what is right, on the best strengths of each team or company. Imagine asking questions to focus on what is right! That is the basis of the planning system. The most powerful question of all of those positive questions is this:

What would it look like if it were completely successful? This question enters in at the earliest point in the discussion, not at the end!

Every team who worked with this system and answered this question got excited about planning and problem-solving instead of avoiding them. They saw that they had a positive basis and vision, and it guided them safely through the choppy waters of planning and implementing change. Problems were less threatening, so there was a lot less duck and cover behavior.

Try using this question once in every meeting this week and see what happens. Email me at drlinne@whatyousayiswhatyouget.com and let me know what changes when you ask this powerful question. And enjoy the results!

This section is adapted from my fast, easy-to-read positive change leadership book, What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results, available at whatyousayiswhatyouget.com on the top of the home page.

Enjoy this positive powerful tool to make your business life easier your results better!
Wishing you the best of success.

Dr. Linne
"Building Success on Your Best"Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLCInstitute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Bestselling book, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the positive leadership book, What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results, What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire, What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire, What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages, 2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation

"Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Success!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Visit our positive new blog:http://drlinnebourget.blogspot.com

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Protecting the Positive - It's Not Automatic

Many business people over the years have said to me how important it is to have a positive attitude, that if you have a positive attitude, everything else will be fine. In working with positive leadership strategies for 25 years, I have discovered from clients that having a positive culture in your business takes a whole lot more than a positive attitude. In other words, a positive attitude is necessary but not sufficient.

In my book, What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results, I present the Engine and Four Wheels model of positive leadership. The Enging is a positive attitude or leadership philosophy. However, without the Four Wheels, your car goes no where, regardless of how powerful the Engine is. Wheels 1, 2, and 3 desribe the positive leadership system needed to keep your business on track.

Wheel 4 describes the negative things you must stop your eomployees from doing, and prevent them from doing again, in order to protect the positive culture you have so carefully constructed. One of those is negative gossip. This is so damaging that it can un-do all of your good work immediately by bringing in an insedious negative element into your positive culture.

One time, when I began work on a project for a troubled team, the first thing I did was to request that they stop gossiping outside their team about how bad it was. Fortunately, they agreed and within a few months, we created a dramatic positive turnaround. As long as they gossiped, they continued to upset themselves, reinforce how terrible things were, and worsen their image with others outside of the team. Had they not stopped gossiping, their successful turnaround would have been blocked.

Benefits of no negative gossip: This team discovered that when they stopped gossiping, their morale, communication, results, and image were free to improve dramatically.

How often do you hear negative gossip in your organization?
What steps do you take to prevent or stop it?

If you allow gossip, you are sending the message that it is okay to gossip in your company. Remember, what you allow is what you get. Your company deserves the best. Take a stand for it!

Appreciatively,

Dr. Linne Bourget

"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Bestselling book, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the new positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages, 2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Success!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Visit our positive new blog:
http://drlinnebourget.blogspot.com

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

The Power of Appreciating Differences

Hi!

Just got back from a week in Kona with Mark Victor Hansen's (Chicken Soup Books) and Robert G. Allen's (No Money Down author) Inner Circle meeting. This was my first junket to Hawaii and the culture was different from anything I had seen. The landscape, the food, the language, the energy, the climate - everything was different. I realized when I heard other people instantly critisize something different from what they were used to, that my first response is neutral or positive.

I noticed the stark black volcanic land all around us, but my first response was to be interested rather than to judge. I deeply appreciate my parents, who taught us, as we traveled often and lived in other countries, to respect and appreciate different cultures. This has served me well in my business as I gravitate towards clients who have unusual or unique characteritics and corporate cultures and they enjoy being appreciated.

Differences keep my spirit alive. As the world gets smaller and smaller, cultural differences become a larger part of our every day lives. The more we celebrate and appreciate them, the more succesful we will be.

Today, seek out differences and appreciate them. With practice, you can develop this as a mindset and business skill.

Enjoy!

Dr. Linne Bourget

www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Research Catches Up with Reality

Twenty-five years ago, when I began my work on positive leadership communications, skeptics challenged me on my assertion that for every negative statement there should be at least four positive statements, the usual 80/20 rule. In truth, since there was no research at this at the time and my Ph.D dissertation on positive feedback was the first of its kind, I adopted the 80/20 rule simply because it was a formula my clients already knew. Where were the researchers when I needed them?

As they were not accustomed to giving or receiving and positive feedback at all, they considered my 80/20 request radical indeed, another instance in which I was too early, a natural futurist. Now, a quarter-century later, researchers at the University of Michigan have found that companies with 50/50 ratio of positive to negative statement have negative performance and have found that it takes a ratio of 90/10 positive statements in order to receive excellent results! At last, I have support from the researchers. I was too conservative! Now I can tell my clients about the 90% rule and actually have research to back me up.

In my field, the academics are usually behind the practitioners and when the researchers catch up to us. How excellent is your company in its positive communication habits? In every meeting you attend, what percentage of the statements are positive versus negative? What percentage of your statements are positive versus negative? How close are you to the 90% excellence line? For one week, count your positive versus negative statements. How are you doing?

If you need help and want the input of a professional expert whose passion this has been for 25 years, consult the book, What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results, email us at: www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com, or call us for assistance at 480-767-1717.

Wishing you every success and happy counting! Remember, What You Say Is What You Get(R).

"Build Your Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Bestselling book, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the new positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages,
2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Success!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

The Missing Piece, The Secret Key To Our New Years Goals and Resolutions

For the first weeks of a new year it seems like every email, workshop and teleclass is focusing on setting your goals. Everyone has a list of the five or seven or ten things you must do in order to achieve your goals.

I have a high regard for goals, and they have a central place in my life. But why do our goals fade away from us so soon after we set them? Why do they dissapear under the mountain of everyday tasks and pressures?

The one thing, central to all of my work that I do not hear from all those goals experts is the most important foundation for setting, working toward, and achieving goals. That is giving yourself profound respect and appreciation for what you have achieved in the previous year.

No this is not a quick pat on the back. This is sitting down in a meeting with yourself and writting down your achievements for the last year, all of them. Large and small. Then go down the list and appreaciate yourself out loud using your name for achieving all of those. Then make a list of the strengths you used in achieving those goals.

Now you have a foundation for setting new goals. Without giving yourself respect and appreciation, a set of goals just becomes another "should" rather than a source of joy and inspiration. You deserve better.

One of my students read his strengths list every morning and every evening for one week. The next week he came back so excitied he could hardly sit still in his chair, bursting at the seams to tell the entire class. He had gotten twice as much done that week as usual and made much more money. Plus he was having a blast.

Create your appreciation foundation. It gives you a solid platform, the sense of your own strengths from which you can step up happily to more success from your new goals.

I wish you a peaceful profitable new year!

Dr. Linne Bourget

"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Bestselling book, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the new positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R) The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages,
2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"
Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Leaders! What You Say Is What You Get(R): Powerful Intuition for Positive Leaders
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

What Is Your End of Year Greatness Review?

Dear Friends,

This time of the year everyone starts setting goals for the New Year, which is always a worthy endeavor. Yet a crucial step in that process is usally ignored or omitted. How can we have any energy for our new goals if we have not given ourselves any credit for what we have achieved this year?

I challenge you to take responsibility for your own greatness and to make a list of what you have accomplished this year. What are you most proud of? This could be:

Relationships
Finances
Health
Vacations
Professional Achievments
Helping Others
Charitable Work
Spiritual Progress
Or any aspect of your life important to you.

Here's the important thing: Appreciate yourself and give yourself full credit for what you have achieved this year, before rushing headlong into the new year. Standing on this appreciation platform will give you far greater strength to tackle what is before you in the new year. Enjoy!

Best wishes and blessings for the happiest of holidays!

"Building Success on Your Best"
Linne Bourget M.A. M.B.A. Ph. D
www.whatyousayiswhatyouget.com
National pioneer in positive leadership & change
Founder/CEO ITLC
Institute for Transformation Leaders, Coaches and Consultants
Co-author, Bestselling book, Wake Up, Live the Life You Love - Finding Personal Freedom
Author of the new positive leadership book,
What You Say Is What You Get(R): The Secret Language of Great Business Results
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Positive Quotient PQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Your Appreciative Quotient AQ (TM) Questionnaire
What You Say Is What You Get(R): Secrets of Powerful Appreciation for Parents and Children of All Ages, 2 Hour 2 CD Audio Book by "Dr. Appreciation"

Coming soon!! Dr. Linne's Power Course on Intuition for Business Success!
"The greatest challenge is taking complete responsibility for your own greatness."
Dr. Linne's Positive Power Quote

Visit our positive new blog:
http://drlinnebourget.blogspot.com

Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.

Create An Appreciative Thanksgiving - The Deepest Craving

Every year my favorite part of Thanksgiving is to go around the table after dinner and before dessert, when everyone needs a breather, and have everyone appreciate each other, out loud, in words! I started this 25 years ago when I was doing my Ph.D dissertation on appreciation. Although the academics thought I was nuts, "real people" were inspired by my work.

This Thanksgiving appreciation time transforms groups instantly by touching their hearts, saying and hearing words of appreciation. Take every opportunity to tell people you appreciate them, for we never know how long they will be with us.

Recently, a younger dear friend and colleague passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. As I grieve his loss, I have enormous sorrow but no guilt as I had told him all along what I appreciate about him. Be appreciation-wise, keep current by saying the appreciation in your heart at the time. Don't wait.

Appreciate everything good in your life this holiday season. Whatever you appreciate expands.

Appreciatively,

Dr. Linne


Copyright 2005-2008. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Linne Bourget, M.A., M.B.A., Ph.D.