You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work (and How to Show Up as One!)

USA Today Best Seller, <b><i>You, Me, We </i>has received multiple awards!</b><br><ul> <li>2024 Maincrest Media Book Award, Business &amp; Leadership</li> <li>2023 Bookfest - 1st place, Personal Growth</li> <li>2023 Literary Titan Book Award</li> <li>2023 Global Book Award</li> <li>2023 Axiom Business Book Award - Silver Medal Human Resources and Training</li> <li>2023 The Wishing Shelf Book Award</li> <li>2023 Chanticleer International Book Awards</li> <li>2022 Goody Business Book Award</li> <li>2022 Best Indie Book - Shelf Unbound</li> <li>2022 Firebird Book Award Winner</li></ul>We spend the majority of our waking day, our lives, at work - and we all want to feel like we are adding value, that our opinions matter, and that we belong. <br><br>But it doesn't always feel that way.  We feel stuck on the never ending hamster wheel to success. We feel isolated, and the pandemic hasn't helped matters when the only time our boss or colleagues call us is to check in on what we're doing, not how we're doing. Disengagement and loneliness are increasing.<br><br><b>And, here's why: </b>We've been looking at engagement from the wrong angle. In asking "Do I have a (best) friend at work?" we've disempowered ourselves, allowing us to point fingers and blame the culture, and others, for why we feel alone.<br><br><b>So, what does this mean?: </b>The first step in creating ally relationships, in <i>having</i> a friend at work, is by <i>being</i> a friend at work. The question we should be asking ourselves is "<b>Am I</b> a (best) friend at work?"<br><br><b>Which is where <i>You, Me, We </i>comes in!</b><br>We need to <i>look up</i> and evaluate the health of our professional relationships; be intentional in how we <i>show up</i> within each relationships; and <i>step up</i> by developing and demonstrating the five practices of an Ally Mindset:<br><ol> <li>Abundance and Generosity </li> <li>Connection and Compassion </li> <li>Courage and Vulnerability </li> <li>Candor and Debate</li> <li>Action and Accountability</li></ol>It's not rocket science. It's common sense. We crave connection; it's built deep into our DNA. We're more often better together. <br><br>Relationships are made or broken one conversation at a time. Today you have the opportunity to reach out to someone who needs a human touch. And you can do that starting right now. <ul> <li><b>Look up. </b>What do you want others to <i>feel</i> in your presence? How do you feel in your own presence?</li> <li><b>Show up.</b> Are you <i>intentional</i> about how you show up? Who do you need to connect with?</li> <li><b>Step up. </b>There is no try, only do. Do <i>your</i> <i>best</i>.</li></ul>

Morag Barrett, CEO of SkyeTeam, is an accomplished keynote speaker, leadership development expert, and Dr. Marshall Goldsmith Top 100 Coach who has supported more than 15,000 leaders from 20 countries and on six continents. She held leadership positions in the finance and telecommunications industries before founding boutique leadership development firm SkyeTeam in 2007. The bestselling author of Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships and The Future-Proof Workplace, Morag is a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, CIO.com, and the American Management Association. She has been featured in Inc.com, Business Insider, HR.com and others. Morag is a recognized business coach for the Corporate Coach University and Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the UK. She lives in Broomfield, Colorado.

Eric Spencer, COO for SkyeTeam, has more than 20 years of experience building and shaping human resources organizations, and delivering HR and leadership development programs for organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Prior to joining SkyeTeam, Eric served in leadership capacities at P3 Group, Local Matters, Level 3 Communications, and Target Corporation. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Management from Arizona State University and an MBA with a focus in Organizational Behavior from Virginia Tech. He lives in Arvada, Colorado.

Ruby Vesely, CSO for SkyeTeam, is a sought-out executive coach, and savvy leadership development expert with over 20 years of experience in a variety of industries and organizations. She has an MS in organizational leadership from Regis University and is a certified executive coach. Ruby has served various nonprofits, currently working with her local homeless outreach organization (H.O.P.E.), serving as street outreach team member, board member, and fundraising team leader. She lives in Longmont, Colorado.