Communication
Sarah Shuel
Change: Alter, Transform and Switch; To Become ...

: to make different in some particular : ALTER

: to make radically different : TRANSFORM

: to make a shift from one to another : SWITCH

: to become different

Ahh yes: “Alter, transform and switch, to become different’’.....these words resonate a lot in FIG’s evolution, we’re excited about a little bit of change (and a little apprehensive if we’re being honest!).

Change: Alter, Transform and Switch; To Become Different
Communication
Sarah Shuel
Technology Addiction: Yes, It's a Thing...

In her Wall Street Journal article: Digital Addictions Are Drowning Us in Dopamine, Dr, Lembke, a Stamford University professor and psychiatrist, talks about the scientific biological effects of addictions to our devices. It’s real folks. This is not FIG banging the drum of putting down our phones or any other technological apparatus and talking or connecting with our fellow human beings. No. This is concrete, physiological, measurable, science based fact that continuously interacting with our high-tech electronic leashes, gaming apparatuses and social media actually, physically, alters our brains to crave more of it, thereby de-incentivising us to engage with others on a human level.

Gasp, shock and awe!

Technology Addiction: Yes, It's a Thing...
Communication
Sarah Shuel
Mistakes: Perfectly Human

Mistakes. We all make them, we’re human beings and by definition 99.9% imperfect (with apologies to those of you who think otherwise), which results in, guess what? Mistakes (we make them hourly at FIG)! That gaffes, miscalculations and oversights are a part of our collective experience on this earth. Why (on earth!) is it so hard to admit to making mistakes, take responsibility for these human aberrations and move on after making a miscalculation or error? Hmmmm?

Mistakes: Perfectly Human
Communication
Sarah Shuel
Habits: The Good, The Bad, and the Intangible

We all have habits - some serve us well and some get in our way…...Google states: “A habit is a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” Establishing a habit usually takes about two weeks to become routine and is subsequently supported and reinforced by practicing it daily.

Habits: The Good, The Bad, and the Intangible
Communication
Sarah Shuel
Life Happens

Ever had a “Monday” on any day of the week? Ever had your day perfectly planned, scheduled and organized only to have all your intended “to-do’s”: meetings, calls, oh yeah, actual “work,” utterly blown up by an unexpected interruption, complication, interference? Ever had someone insert themselves into your day with their drama, troubles or lack of planning (real or self-inflicted), requiring you to shelve your carefully laid out day(s) and requiring you to stop whatever you’re doing for their fire drill?

Yeah, us too.

Life Happens

Relationship Building

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Back in the Day... Perspectives from Gen X, Baby Boomers, and Traditionalists

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Back in the Day... Perspectives from Gen X, Baby Boomers, and Traditionalists

We thought it would be interesting to mix things up a bit and talk about the experiences of the Traditionalists, the Boomers and Generation X. A lot of time is spent dissecting the methods, communication styles and habits of Millennials and Generation Z, so we thought a trip down memory lane would serve us well and might even be interesting to the younger among us. Now, we certainly don’t want to be “that guy” - you know the one we’re talking about: the old guy, rocking back on his heels, thumbs in suspenders harkening back to ‘the good ole days,’

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Just Pick Up the Phone!

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Just Pick Up the Phone!

The irony is clear: the most smartphone-dependent generations - Millennials and Gen Z - are also the least likely to pick up the phone instead of texting or emailing. It is generally recognized, with some exceptions, that young professionals have been conditioned to defer to non-verbal communication like text or email. These are the first generations never to have known life without them. Picking up the phone to have an actual conversation is anathema and counterintuitive to these 180 million young professionals; why talk when you can text or email?

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What We’re Missing: The 30 Second Walk-By Meeting

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What We’re Missing: The 30 Second Walk-By Meeting

With the Covid-19 Crisis in full swing, many offices and workplaces made the mass shift to remote work. Working from home has many benefits (including the remoteness from others in a time of contagious virus), but takes practice, and lacks many of the productive subtleties of the in-person workplace. Many didn’t realize they’d miss these small moments and perks of being in a formal office setting until they had to cope with no longer having them. One of those is the 30 second walk-by meeting.

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Behind the Mask: Replacing Essential Facial Body Language

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Behind the Mask: Replacing Essential Facial Body Language

During the COVID-19 Crisis, masks and mask-wearing have become one of the most talked about and sometimes-controversial topics in the news. Many businesses require you to wear a mask upon entry, and many people are making the choice to wear one any time they leave the house. Wearing a mask can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it also blocks one’s nose and mouth, a surprising handicap to communicating with facial expressions.

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New Year; New You: 4 Quick Changes to Make 2020 Your Best Professional Year Yet

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New Year; New You: 4 Quick Changes to Make 2020 Your Best Professional Year Yet

Happy New Year! 2020 is here, and it isn’t slowing down. Have you thought about your professional goals for the next 365 days? Do you know how you’re going to achieve them? To get you started, we’ve made a list of 4 quick changes you can make now to kick your year off right - and have your best professional year yet.

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FIG Role Model Spotlight – Simon Sinek

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FIG Role Model Spotlight – Simon Sinek

Chances are good that you’ve heard of Simon Sinek. Sinek is an accomplished author, trained ethnographer, sought-after motivational speaker, and visionary thinker. He’s done TED Talks, has an astronomically popular YouTube channel, and has written multiple bestselling books including Start with Why and Leaders Eat Last. Sinek is also one of the accepted leaders on inter-generational relations, especially working with Millennials and young professionals.

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5 Generations in the Workplace: Who Are They?

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5 Generations in the Workplace: Who Are They?

For the first time ever, there are now 5 unique generations in the workplace. This comes with a vast array of challenges, especially when it comes to communication. These 5 generations are: