Strengthen Connections & Build Thriving Teams – November 2024 #1

Mastering Positive Connections: The Power of Active Constructive Response

Think about the last time someone shared good news with you—a personal win, an accomplishment, or even just a small success in their day. How did you respond? Our reactions in these moments may seem small, but they can have a huge impact on relationships, trust, and morale. That’s where Active Constructive Response comes into play—a skill that can transform everyday interactions into powerful connections that uplift and energize those around us.

Four Types of Responses—and Their Impact

When someone opens up to us about a success or positive experience, our response can fall into one of four categories, each with its own impact on the relationship. Let’s take a look at the “Mastering Positive Connections” model, which highlights four distinct response styles:

The Igniter (Active Constructive) You’re fully engaged, enthusiastic, and genuinely excited for the other person. You ask questions, dive into the details, and help them relive the experience.

As “The Igniter,” you bring full energy and engagement to the moment. You show genuine interest, ask thoughtful questions, and celebrate with the other person, helping them savor their success. Imagine a student sharing a hard-earned academic achievement or a colleague finishing a challenging project. Responding as The Igniter means amplifying their excitement, reinforcing that their effort matters, and encouraging them to keep going. It’s a response that says, “I see you, and I’m here to celebrate with you.”

The Minimalist (Passive Constructive) You’re technically supportive but without much enthusiasm or involvement. You may say something positive, but your engagement is minimal.

“The Minimalist” offers a lukewarm response. This response may acknowledge the accomplishment with a “Nice job” or a simple nod, but it lacks real energy or interest. While technically supportive, it falls short of creating a meaningful connection. For the person sharing their news, The Minimalist can feel like a missed opportunity—a moment where they hoped to be seen and celebrated but instead felt brushed aside. The result? They may think twice before sharing their successes with you again.

The Assassin (Active Destructive) Instead of celebrating, you point out potential problems or downplay their excitement. You focus on the negatives, even if you don’t mean to rain on their parade.

As “The Assassin,” you unintentionally deflate the excitement. Rather than celebrating, you might point out possible pitfalls, challenges, or downsides. Imagine responding to a student’s success by saying, “Are you sure this will last?” or to a colleague’s idea with, “That sounds complicated.” While you may think you’re being practical, these responses can crush the joy in the moment. Over time, responding as The Assassin can discourage people from sharing their accomplishments, creating a climate of caution and disengagement.

The Hijacker (Passive Destructive) You ignore or change the subject, sometimes even redirecting the conversation to yourself. This response shuts down their excitement altogether.

“The Hijacker” takes it a step further by completely derailing the moment, often redirecting the focus elsewhere—or worse, back to themselves. When someone shares an exciting accomplishment and the response is, “That reminds me of when I…” or “Oh, I have something even better,” it’s a conversation shutdown. The person who shared their moment of pride is left feeling dismissed and undervalued. Over time, The Hijacker response can damage trust and prevent others from wanting to open up at all.

This Month’s Challenge: Be The Igniter

This month, take the challenge to actively be The Igniter in your interactions. When someone shares a success, lean in with genuine interest. Ask follow-up questions, celebrate with them, and make them feel that their accomplishment truly matters. These simple, enthusiastic responses can go a long way in creating an environment where people feel appreciated, seen, and motivated to keep sharing and striving.

The Emotional Culture Index (ECI): A Foundation for Thriving Teams

What if you could pinpoint exactly how your team feels about their work environment, giving you insights that spark real change? That’s the magic of the Emotional Culture Index (ECI) survey. This isn’t your typical engagement survey; the ECI digs deeper, capturing not only how staff currently feel but also their ideal emotional state and what they realistically expect. By exploring these three dimensions, the ECI reveals what’s driving—or draining—team morale and engagement.

But here’s where the value of the ECI really shines: organizations I've worked with that take this step toward understanding their emotional culture often see more than a 20% increase in staff well-being after implementing an action plan based on survey insights. It’s not just a snapshot—it’s the start of a transformation.

What’s more, the ECI is designed with ease in mind. It’s straightforward to implement, and the data it delivers helps leaders make informed decisions that go beyond assumptions. By addressing real issues identified in the survey, leaders can create an environment where well-being, retention, and performance grow together.

As someone who has guided organizations through this process—from survey distribution to results analysis and action plan design—I’d love to connect if you’re ready to take a data-driven approach to elevate your team’s experience. Let’s uncover the insights waiting in your culture and put a plan into motion.

Client Testimonials

"With Duane’s guidance, we aspire to become a model for best-practice on workplace communication and environment while looking to continue our commitment of fan experience excellence. He is positive, outgoing, and proactive while looking to uncover solutions to help model leadership and create a positive culture in our workplace.”

--Jeff Munneke, Vice President of Fan Experience, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx

“Duane’s information was vital in attacking new challenges, so we could keep our front-line staff top-of-mind; their success is our main key to success with our guests. We look forward to continuing our work together.”

--Steve Sawyer, Director of Event Services and Hospitality, Target Center

"Mr. Duane Jourdeans has provided excellent professional learning to hundreds of Nevada educators. He is informative, knowledgeable, kind and exciting. Everyone in attendance at Duane's workshops and sessions are actively engaged because of his energy and expertise."?

--Dr. Jeffrey Geihs, Executive Director, Nevada Association of School Administrators

"The 180 assessment was the best I have been a part of. The results were real and had actual actionable items--that is a huge change of pace. It was a really valuable experience."

--Derek Miller, Strategic Account Manager, United Rentals

If you're looking to increase retention, enhance leadership, and elevate employee engagement—or if you're simply curious about the power of emotional intelligence—let's connect! Feel free to DM me, visit my website, or reach out on my cell via call or text: 715-220-7810.

– Duane Jourdeans