Seek to Mine for Value is all about pulling out the greatest contribution in each employee.  Teams function at their highest when every members is contributing their greatest talents and utilizing those talents in a way that energized them.

For example, imagine a start-up, were the founder specializes in software development.  Once the company reaches a certain size, using that individuals time for accounting, marketing and sales is not an effective use of their time.  That is why start-ups often bring in specialized talent to make each aspect of the business function.

The same is true for a team.  When members of that team are given tasks that frustrate them, they are less likely to put in the effort required for success.  Open the space to explore each person's strengths and be inquisitive about where they would like to work on a project.  You will be surprised by the success of the team when each person is working on the portion of the project that excites them.  Give it a chance.

1. Maximize the Individual
Empower each employee to become their greatest contribution.  Do not let your fear of another individual becoming more successful or productive than yourself outweigh the obligation to build your employees.
2. Create a Community of People
Our need to belong in a group is one of our strongest innate needs.  Ensuring that individual team members feel a part of a team is essential to buy-in and ownership.
3. Define the Purpose
We need to create a shared purpose; therefore, we need each member's input in the vision.  Each level of leadership should have ownership in the purpose and vision of the group.  

"There is No 'I' in Team" - one of the most common sayings when discussing teamwork and collaboration.  

However, this saying is not completely true.  The premise of the saying is that you have to work together in order to be a team, which is true.  But, there truly is an "I" in Team.  Each member of a team brings their unique talents, skills and strengths to the group.  And in order to be their fullest contribution, they need to be allowed to be themselves.  By bring multiple "I"s to the table and learning to work together despite our differing experiences and opinions, we are able to form exceptional teams.

Remember, "there is no 'I' in team"....."but there is a me"!  Be yourself.  Bring your contribution to the table in all that you do.  It is because of individuals like you that organizations thrive.

Did you know there is an actual connection between our Heart and our Brain?  Research by Judith E. Glaser supports just that idea.  She actually goes as far as to called the Heart part of our "6 Brains" - The Heart Brain.

Research shows that when a puppy and a child come together in a room their heartbeats begin to sync up and they become connected on a deeper level.  The same thing happens in our everyday conversations.  When we come into contact with someone stressed, frustrated or anxious, our heart connected to that raised heart rate and without proper tools, we are likely to take on that increase in heart rate.  Additionally, when we connect with someone with a calm presence, we often take on that relaxed heart rate.

In looking at the Heart as a part of the brain, we start to see the impact that our heart's connection has on our chemistry.  

Are you selfish enough?  Do you label yourself as selfless?  It is common for our team to hear people use the word "selfless" whenever they are talking about the qualities they bring to a team or situation.  And that is when we begin to dig in.  Well, what does it mean to be selfless?

Too often, selfless really means that we are giving too much of ourselves, struggle to say no and are exhausted most days.  The beauty of life is that when we become selfish - choose to spend time on ourselves and recharge our own batteries, we are actually able to be more selfless for others as we can be our fullest contribution with them.

Remember, being selfish to become selfless will allow you to be the best version of yourself as you help others.

Traditionally, relationships have been about quid pro quo, or only doing something for someone else because they will agree to do something in return for me.  When relationship focus on this, we are not living in the "WE" but instead focused on "I".  When we come from the "I", we are in a scarcity mindset.  We do things only because we will receive something in return.

However, there is no place for a scarcity mentality in a WE-Centric culture.  When we give and expect nothing in return, that is what it looks like to have true partnership.  How often do we do something for someone else and not keep track in our head.  It doesn't matter if it is a spouse, friend or colleague, our tendency is to keep track of what we do for others.  An abundance mentality allows us to give of our talents, gifts and time without an expectations.

​Where do you have the opportunity to give without expecting anything in return?

​Rules have become such an ingrained part of our reality.  Rules begin forming throughout childhood and each experience, good or bad, create an imprint within our idea of rules.  Most of our rules are actually invisible to our very eyes.  We are governed by these rules.  They make us blind to others ideas and ways of doing things.

In order to CreateWe, we must foster a true sense of "rule breaking".  This means we need to be willing to let go of our governing rules and become open to new possibilities.  Further, we need to foster the "possibilities" mindset that focuses on growth and learning.  By dismantling our belief systems, we give ourselves the ability to partner with others and create a new shared vision of the future.