“Hear the birds? Sometimes I like to pretend that I’m deaf
and try to imagine what it’s like to not be able to hear them.
It’s not that bad.” – Larry David

We are all human.

When we come across differences that are unfamiliar to us, it causes us to pause and react. Behavior might be a choice, but it certainly takes practice. Meeting a deaf person in the workplace can be rare and, thus, interacting with them may take some getting used to. The first step to learning how to interact with the deaf and hard of hearing is to understand their behaviors and why they have them.

Let’s begin with some key terms:

• Hard of Hearing: an individual with mild to moderate hearing loss
• deaf: (lowercase D) the medical term used to describe profound/severe hearing loss
• Deaf: (uppercase D) the cultural identification used by deaf individuals who typically use Sign Language and interact closely with other Deaf people

The deaf and hard of hearing create an incredibly diverse spectrum, with each individual having different accommodation and communications needs, and varying attachments to Deaf Culture.

Wait… culture? 

Yes – Deaf Culture is vibrant, lively, and full of talent in all shapes and colors. Despite living in all corners of the globe, they are a tightly knit community that interacts now more than ever (especially online). It is important to understand that Deaf Culture operates with the core belief that they can live life to the fullest without sound; that they do not need to be “fixed” to thrive. Their language and cultural norms lead to some noticeable behaviors:

Behavior: They are more likely to be direct communicators who get straight to the point, and prefer not to “sugarcoat.” This can be interpreted as abrasiveness, especially in the workplace.

Why: They work harder to “hear.” Concentration fatigue sets in much faster for the deaf than their hearing counterparts, especially for those who read lips. Your ability to understand information includes all of your senses, including hearing. When the ability to hear is affected your ability to receive information takes a bit more effort.

Behavior: They are more expressive with their body language and facial expressions. Even when they are not using Sign Language, they may display more exaggerated gestures and expressions compared to their hearing peers.

Why: Their native language and culture value these traits. Sign Language incorporates facial expressions and body language to emphasize and provide subtext to what they are saying, as inflection does in a verbal conversation. This naturally flows into how they communicate with the world.

Behavior: They may look at different areas of your face throughout a conversation (i.e. your mouth, forehead, etc.)

Why: To “see” the tone of your voice. The deaf cannot hear inflections or emphasis in words, so they look for visual clues. These cues are apparent in movements of the mouth, eyebrows, and posture. People who have a more flat expression are much harder for the deaf to read and may lead to misinterpretation.

Deaf behaviors are simply a reflection of their cultural beliefs, and allows them to provide a completely unique world-view. When we welcome their perspective, we are striving for innovation and growth while prioritizing diversity and inclusion; a new pair of eyes that can see through background-noise and reveal core issues, and resolve them. Consider what Deaf behaviors could help your company grow and how including them in the workplace can be invaluable.

Interested in sharing information and tools like these with your organization? Coeus Creative Group has you covered with trainings, coaching, strategic planning, and more! Contact us today to learn more about our offerings.

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It’s no secret that gender bias and inequality still exist in 2021. While the world has made some great strides in fighting the status quo (i.e. our first ever female, African American and South Asian American Vice President), there is still a large gap between how men and women are viewed and treated.

In 2021, we are taking the International Women’s Day pledge and #choosetochallenge and call out gender bias and inequality. Whether it’s in the workplace or in your everyday life, Coeus Creative Group is sharing a few tips on how to go about doing so in a behaviorally intelligent way.

Understand that Bias Runs Deep

We are all subject to our own individual biases, but in order to overcome them, we have to understand that bias runs deep. There are a variety of demographics that shape our personal biases including geographical location, beliefs and morals, our ethnicity- the list goes on and on. However, this doesn’t mean our biases are unchangeable. It means we have to put the work in to disrupt bias in ourselves and others. When we’re speaking out against gender inequality, take a moment to open the floor for a deeper conversation; why does this person think the way they do? Understanding this person’s bias will help you better explain to them why their words or actions are harmful.

Give Women a Voice

Coming together is the only way to successfully fight inequality. Gender inequality is not a women’s problem, it’s everyone’s problem. Women are less likely to be given speaking time and are penalized socially and professionally for speaking about their personal experiences when they do. It’s important that when possible, you should give women the platform the speak out on their experiences and injustices. Give them the support they need to feel comfortable in taking the stage to speak out.

Recognize and Celebrate Women’s Accomplishments

A common way women experience inequality is through their accomplishments. We chastise them for self-promotion, when instead, we should be highlighting their credentials and accomplishments. Not only that, we are selective on what we see as accomplishments. Having a baby is not celebrated the same way as receiving a promotion. Make a point to celebrate ALL the wins for women, no matter how big or small.

Gender inclusivity takes more than just speaking out against inequality, it’s about changing our behaviors. When we start to recognize our behaviors and make a positive change, we are one step closer to a more inclusive world.

Celebrate International Women’s Day with Coeus Creative Group on Monday, March 8^th! Tag us in your IWD photos holding up a hand showing that you #choosetochallenge.

By Madison Bennett and Michelle McGrann

The post #ChooseToChallenge – Challenging Gender Bias and Inequality appeared first on Coeus Creative Group, LLC.

Working from home seems pretty great— you can put in a load of laundry in between tasks, or while on a call, make your favorite cup of coffee, and even wear joggers! However, as nice as it might seem, the long-term effects of working in a digital world can take a mental toll.

Do you dread having to put on a “happy face” for yet another zoom meeting or virtual happy hour? Do you get to the end of the workday and feel like you didn’t actually get anything done? Does there seem to be an expectation to work or respond after hours or on the weekend?

If you said yes to any of those questions, you are probably experiencing mental fatigue and the signs of burnout. You are not alone in this and we have four ways to prevent and combat mental fatigue.

     1) Log Off

I know it seems counterintuitive, especially now that the main way of socializing and working is all online, but you have to log off.

Your focus is constantly being pulled in 100 directions if you don’t log out of your email, Slack, and/or social media. Although the little ping of a notification may take only a minute to respond to, you still have the mental hit of your focus being redirected back to work issues and away from resting and disconnecting.

A lot of people justify being online 24/7 because it is part of the job. Having a job in social media or digital work can feel like we need to be online all the time to do our work, when in reality we are just scrolling endlessly. Unplugging gives your brain a chance to rest, be more creative, and productive.

     2) Boundaries

Sorry was I on mute? Let me say it a little louder for the people in the back — BOUNDARIES! Remote work has obliterated any normal separation of work and home. We now take video calls from our living rooms, bedrooms, or work side by side with our spouse. Some have to watch their children and make sure the dog doesn’t eat out of the trashcan, all while trying to get their own work done.

Boundaries are a way of protecting yourself and giving others the chance to respect what you need. If you do not communicate your boundaries, people may not know they are causing you undue stress and burden. Be honest and inform people what you can and cannot do.

Use out of office replies when you need to let people know when you are not immediately available. Tell your team what your workday hours are and don’t feel obligated to work past or on the weekend, even if others are working non-standard hours. Set boundaries with your audience as well — have an automatic response set on your social media that says they will receive a response during workday hours.

Setting boundaries allows you to work better, not necessarily “less.”

     3) Take a Break

Don’t fall into the trap that because your work and home life are blended that you are obligated to work nonstop. Endless work does not necessarily mean good or effective work.

Reframe how you view rest: I shouldn’t work to rest; I rest so that I can work. Your car can’t run on an empty tank and neither can you. This means stepping away, taking a walk, working out, reading a book, calling a friend, doing something that brings you joy. If you work a computer-based job like me, simply stretching or getting my body moving makes me feel 1000 times better.

Schedule breaks into your day. A lot of people swear by the Pomodoro Technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work without any distractions on one task — no social media, bouncing tasks, just focus. At the end of 25 minutes, you take a 5-minute break. It can be whatever you like: get up and walk around, check your phone, get a cup of tea. Repeat this four times and then take a longer break, 15–30 minutes.

I know what you are thinking…how can I take that many breaks in a day? But notice how much time is wasted in task switching and checking on every notification. Using a technique that keeps you in a state of deep work will actually produce better and more focused work. Find a method that works for you and stick to it!

     4) It is OK to Not be OK

We are all going through a lot this year. It is perfectly normal to not feel 100% every day. Acknowledge that your feelings are valid. You don’t have to fake positivity. Do what you need to take care of yourself and find what kind of self-care works for you. Take a mental health hour, day, or weekend when needed. Talk to people about what you are going through and keep your network and loved ones around you.

Forgive yourself for the things you can’t do at the end of the day. Allow yourself to prioritize what really matters and don’t suffer in silence. If therapy could be beneficial, seek out a therapist you can trust.

We are in this together. Please let us know if any of these strategies help you navigate digital work and share any of the strategies you love to use on a daily basis. As always you can connect with us @coeuscg on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

The post 4 Ways to Combat Mental Fatigue in the World of Digital Work appeared first on Coeus Creative Group, LLC.

As we approach the holiday season, businesses are trying to better understand consumer buying decisions. This year has brought a lot of uncertainty and the landscape of consumer behavior has changed in response to the situation in 2020. The retail sector this year alone has encountered challenges from tariffs, an approaching recession, government-mandated closures, supply chain issues, to a growing shift of reliance on e-commerce or retail delivery due partially to the pandemic. If you include the fact that the largest growing group of consumers is Generation Z and their preference for e-commerce, in addition to socially conscious shopping, the retail industry has really needed to be agile this year.

We believe that the key to better understanding consumer behavior is to recognize that consumers are people. To many economists, consumers are just data points on spreadsheets and analytic reports. While data can be an important tool, understanding the why behind the data can help businesses and individuals make better decisions this season. At Coeus Creative Group, people and their behavior are our specialties. We use several behavioral science areas such as psychology, neuroscience, emotions, cultural and social factors, and others to help understand and predict how consumers behave.

6 Consumer behaviors to be aware of and strategies to take:

1. Purpose-Driven Shoppers

Research shows that people are increasingly using their buying power for the greater good. This is partly being driven by Millennial and Generation Z shoppers, who prefer socially conscious shopping. Businesses can stand out by drawing attention to things such as minority-owned, women-led, cause-focused, or charitable giving initiatives. Now is the time to showcase the meaningful products that you sell; feature items that are made from recycled products, sustainably sourced materials, organically made, or simply one of a kind locally made items.

2. Early Shopping

Typically, people wait for Thanksgiving to put up their holiday decorations. This year, we are seeing people exhibiting this behavior immediately following Halloween. Most likely, people are going to actively engage in holiday purchasing in the same fashion. The pandemic is causing shoppers to rethink traditions and regular shopping plans. Many people are planning to start their holiday shopping early to avoid the big crowds. Budgets are tight everywhere right now, so consumers are becoming more competitive shoppers resulting in 87% of consumers comparing product prices across various sellers.

3. Available Near Me

Global searches for “available near me” grow more than 100% each year. Most people are doing their product research online in advance before even stepping foot into a store. While consumers might do their product research at big box store websites, they likely support their local business when purchasing. Make sure your product listings and inventories are up to date on your website. This will allow the item customers they are seeking to come up in an “available near me” search, leading them to your site. Given the continuing uncertainty, have processes in place for easy online ordering, pick up in-store, or car-side delivery; make your customers feel safe and secure if they choose to shop with you.

4. Virtual Storefront

As we talked about above, people are taking the time to do their research. In fact, more than 50% of shoppers research products before buying them, meaning details matter. It is critical to have your products listed on your virtual storefront with solid descriptions, while also focusing on their attributes, options, and listing any kind of promotions. Consumers want to make sure that they know as much as possible about the products before purchasing them and will be attracted to those with the most information available.

5. Something New or Different

Influencers exist for a reason, as social proof is becoming stronger and stronger. Consumers do not want to buy products just to later find out it is junk. They know websites are only going to say good things about their products or services, so they are looking to see what other consumers are saying. This doesn’t just apply to e-commerce, as 67% of shoppers look up product information and reviews while shopping in-store. Strong product ratings and authentic reviews will positively impact the buyer’s choice.

6. Digital Newbies

The pandemic this year has caused a massive shift in consumer behavior, forcing many people to start moving to online shopping. These new consumers have been “stuck at home” for nearly nine months now with limited ability to do traditional browsing in physical stores. They are looking to make their homes more unique, as thousands of people are ordered to work and go to school from home. Now is the time to promote your products that are perfect to spruce up the home office or unique items for stress relief, relaxation, and comfort.

It’s important to keep in mind that consumers this holiday season are managing more personal stress, financial strain, and anxiety about future uncertainties than usual. They want smooth processes, friendly and helpful service, and to know that in-person facilities are safe. Much like most people’s usual holiday traditions and plans have changed, so have their buying habits.

If retail sector holiday planning (or shopping) has you stressed out, consider listening to our guided meditation here to help you relax and center yourself.

*All stats are from the 2020 Consumer Buying Behavior Report and the 2020 Shopping Research Study by Google*

The post The New Reality of Retail appeared first on Coeus Creative Group, LLC.

We all deal with toxic people who we consider difficult. But, there are specific types of humans, those who are unbearable, miserable, and just leave a bad taste in your mouth; we like to define them as toxic. While dealing with difficult people is challenging, it’s definitely doable, as they tend to have less of an impact on your life.

As we discussed in How Can I Handle Someone Who is REALLY Toxic? Part 1, there are numerous strategies that you can use to deal with toxic people. Today we are going to cover additional strategies to attempt if those listed in Part 1 just weren’t enough to deal with your difficult people situation.

Trial and Error

I have had the privilege to work and study across a variety of industries and organizations (e.g. politics, education, corporate, nonprofit, etc.). Across these different worlds, I have encountered some of the most toxic people imaginable, particularly in the field of politics. I learned quickly to manage ego’s, identify the people who needed to feel in control, and others who would ultimately stab you in the back, no matter how kind you were to them. Each separate personality required a different strategy. Sometimes, one would work, and sometimes it would not.

The reality for surviving in this environment is being able to apply the right tactic in the right situation with the right person. How can you determine this? Sometimes it’s trial and error. Why keep trying? Because if you have to remain in the situation you find yourself in, taking action to attempt to reduce the personal impact of stressors stemming from difficult people and behaviors is an act of mercy for yourself, and ultimately you are worth it.

Sometimes, People Suck

I will readily admit, some people just suck. I do my best to limit my exposure to those people and focus on controlling my reactions and own stress when I am forced to face them. In the event that it is a boss or anyone who is in a position of power, it is important to recognize the moments where we must actively create barriers, boundaries, and set expectations. If they are violated, this requires a reaction. The reaction may be to revert to leave the situation. It may also be to actively and directly correct the behavior.

The most important thing to remember here is to PLAN the response. Reacting without a plan or strategy is a surefire way to allow the limbic system to drive our behavior. Preparation and planning on how to address these breaches of our behavioral standards are essential. It allows us to plan the right tactic for the right situation, with the right amount of controlled emotion.

“It’s your heart attack.”

I often revert back to this saying. In the most extreme cases where people are completely toxic and unmanageable, it may be the best strategy to remove yourself from the situation. If someone is experiencing prolonged anxiety, stress, or a lack of psychological safety, the impacts of this outweigh the potential security of employment or staying in that environment. I know, easier said than done sometimes, but in certain cases, this is the only viable option.

I said it before and I will say it again – the only behavior that you can control is your own. As such, we need to practice Behavioral Intelligence and learn to better manage our interactions with other people. If you need additional help, feel free to reach out for individual coaching or group training options to assist you in dealing with difficult people.

The post How Can I Handle Someone Who is REALLY Toxic? Part 2 appeared first on Coeus Creative Group, LLC.

We all deal with people who we consider difficult. These are those individuals who we seemingly are just always on a different page from. While dealing with difficult people is challenging, it’s definitely doable, as they tend to have less of an impact on your life.

But, there are specific types of humans, those who are unbearable, miserable, and just leave a bad taste in your mouth; we like to define them as toxic. How do we handle those individuals? I get this question quite a lot, particularly when I’m doing a longer version of our Dealing with Difficult People training in the corporate world.

There are numerous strategies that you can use to deal with toxic people. Many depend on the individual exhibiting toxic traits, the behaviors they are displaying, and the context in which these interactions are taking place. Since the answers can be complex, we have split this article into two parts. In Part 1, we will discuss ways you can shift your mindset. In Part 2, we will look at active strategies. 

Labels

One key detriment to us being able to move beyond these challenges is our propensity to label. We often revert to the labeling of someone as a sociopath, psychopath, narcissist, etc. without an actual clinical understanding of these disorders.

Yes, people with these certifiable conditions are more challenging, however, they are a lot fewer and farther between than contemporary thought or media would have us comprehend. Selfishness, jealousy, etc. are all natural, emotional states and in some cases are necessary for evolutionary survival. These traits do not necessarily imply the “dark triad” or psychopathy. Even labels like a jerk, asshole, etc. oversimplify the situation in many cases.

If we can separate the behavior from the person, we can often identify at least one or two redeeming qualities of difficult people. Additionally, even people with these clinical conditions are human, meaning that human wiring exists. It is hard to conceptualize, but even looking at the most evil people in history, there are examples of them exhibiting pro-social behaviors. Once a behavior is separated from the person, we can examine and identify the reason the behavior exists; it changes things.

For example, most people reject bullying and would not see themselves sympathizing with a bully. However, if they learn the person who is exhibiting bullying behavior has been mistreated and abused at home, it may change the perspective. While the behavior of bullying is still reprehensible, it explains why the behavior exists and opens space for compassion to the person exhibiting the bad behavior. If we label, we negate this possibility. The person “IS” a bully and there is no space for the person to not be this way. However, when we separate and can explain where the behaviors come from, it can open the door to empathy, even with people who exhibit terrible behaviors.

Us vs. Them

Humans often have assumptions and biases that prevent them from seeing the possibility of changing the situation with someone they dislike. However, I tend to point back to one of the most compelling stories of World War 2 when the Germans and British agreed to a short truce around Christmas time in order to retrieve and bury their dead. As each side was collecting their fallen comrades, first they started to help each other bring the bodies back to each other’s side; then they started helping each other bury their dead in the frozen ground; then they started sharing a Christmas meal, exchanging gifts, etc. They agreed to shoot over each other’s heads if forced into combat and they made plans to visit each other when the war had ended.

The truce that was supposed to last for a few hours ended up lasting a few days. It only ended when commanding officers arrived and demanded they go back to killing each other or be shot for treason. It took only a few hours for trained soldiers to completely shift their mindset about people (us vs. them) who had been firing at them days before. There are a number of stories that can be shared around this neuropsychological phenomenon that demonstrates the human capacity to change their outlook on “them” in a short (and sometimes long) period of time. 

It is important to remember, the only behavior that you can control is your own. You can influence other people’s behavior, but we cannot control them. As such, we need to practice Behavioral Intelligence and learn to better manage our place in the behavioral ecosystems we live within. When you find a toxic element in your ecosystem, I am hopeful that these insights will give you a different perspective and approach to better manage them, but more importantly yourself.

Check back for Part 2 where we look at even more strategies to help you handle toxic people.

The post How Can I Handle Someone Who is REALLY Toxic? Part 1 appeared first on Coeus Creative Group, LLC.

For anyone who participates in training with us, works with our marketing division, or simply has a conversation with one of our team members, you will hear the term Behavioral Intelligence. It’s the foundation of our company and it guides everything we do. With that said, you might be wondering what it exactly means. Through years of research, more than a decade of application, and collaboration with professionals in psychology, neuroscience, and communication disciplines, Coeus Creative Group has redefined this space.

Behavioral Intelligence is the application of skills and abilities to accurately explain existing behaviors, predict future behaviors, influence other people’s behaviors, and control your own behavior. Four easy-to-remember categories we describe as “EPIC,” but there is a lot to unpack here.

A Brief History

Behavioral Intelligence made its debut in military strategy. Its application to discern the root causes of intentions and actions of enemy combatants. This type of intel was invaluable for special ops and strategy planning. There were a number of technologies developed to track and analyze behavioral data points to support these military efforts. Like most technologies, these later became commercialized for use in tracking consumer behaviors across digital landscapes.

It wasn’t long after that researchers and talent development practitioners started toying with Behavioral Intelligence as a means for understanding self and others. Some of the work was good, some not so much. Much of it was academic and had no real application value. Mostly, it relied on psychology as its main driver. However, it was not easily accessible to those without advanced knowledge or experience. Unlike Emotional Intelligence, it did not generate mainstream interest nor widespread adoption as a tool for understanding self or others. Behavioral Intelligence remained in the shadows of Emotional Intelligence, which was made popular by Daniel Goleman.

We’ll Take It From Here…

In 2014, Coeus began developing a model that was more inclusive, more robust, and easier to access for the general population. We used the foundational discipline of psychology, but also included the disciplines of applied communication and neuroscience to round out a more holistic interpretation of Behavioral Intelligence. While a small handful of organizations began using the term, it remained mostly unheard of and unpopular until our TEDx talk in 2018 brought it to the attention of nearly 2 million people worldwide.

From that point forward, Behavioral Intelligence was no longer to be the long-lost ugly cousin that no one wanted to invite to the party. Now, there are a number of articles such as one in Forbes titled, “Why Behavioral Intelligence is the New Black for Marketers.” It’s a great article if you have not seen it although it has a narrow focus on digital technologies. Our team especially liked the idea of it being the “new trend” given we have been using our model to help our marketing clients for the past five years with exceptional success. So, what is it about our model that drives marketing results and human performance? Let me break it down.

A Deeper Dive into The Coeus Creative Group Behavioral Intelligence Model

Our 4 easy to remember categories (Explain, Predict, Influence, and Control) establish an internal and external awareness of behavioral meaning, coupled with a framework for internal and external behavioral modification strategies. Let’s take a look at each of the categories and how they interact to establish Behavioral Intelligence as a means for growth and development.

Explain –

This category is the base level and supports all of the other categories. The ability to accurately explain behavior is complex. There are a number of factors that drive behavior, such as emotions (which is why Behavioral Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence are related), brain functions, genetics, culture, environment, and motivational drivers to name a few.

Awareness of these and other factors offer a framework for understanding, but we still have to collect information to apply the knowledge. This is where observation of particular body language cues, listening to speech patterns, analyzing behavioral data for digital sources, and other mining tools come into play. Through these human and technological means, we can discern a variety of different behaviors and use these to predict future behaviors, influence other people’s behaviors, and control our own behaviors.

Predict –

This category relies on patterns of behaviors, habit formation, and applying the base level explanations to a deductive process that gives insight into future actions. Through these applied skills and abilities, future behaviors are often easily predictable. In fact, humans have a built-in capacity to make these deductions naturally. With the help of Behavioral Intelligence, it gets scary how accurate we can be in our prediction models.

For example, if you know that your work colleague suffers from low self-esteem and lashes out when his ego is under attack, you can anticipate his reaction when the new hire begins to threaten his standing with the company. Now that you can predict what will happen, you can insert an influence mechanism to mitigate the harmful effects of his response. Predictions such as these are useful in business in forecasting the impact of organizational changes, hiring results, leadership potential, and consumer behavior.

One thing to note; sometimes humans can act outside of their behavioral norms and be completely unpredictable. In these cases, we “autopsy” a failed prediction to see newly visible markers or an alternative behavioral factor that was previously unrecognized. This helps to refine future predictions and models.

Influence –

This is where we become masters of persuasion, sales, negotiations, and marketing. By understanding the genesis of people’s behaviors and being able to explain what drives them, we can employ an influence tactic that truly gets to the inner fibers of their very being. Matching a well-structured communication message to the intrinsic drive of another person is incredibly effective at delivering positive results.

Using the foundations of rhetorical communication theories, influence tools (as made popular by Robert Cialdini’s groundbreaking research), and practical applications of a myriad of persuasion methodologies, we can see how Behavioral Intelligence sets the stage for influence to not only be more effective, but faster in its application.

With influence strategies, we are particularly sensitive to the ethical application of persuasion. As the friendly neighborhood Spiderman once said, “with great power comes great responsibility.” These tools are not to be taken lightly and should only be employed with an ethical approach. Influence can quickly become manipulation in the wrong hands, use its power wisely.

Control –

This is the real power of Behavioral Intelligence. The ability to manage your behaviors – despite intrinsic motivations (or lack thereof), despite emotional urges, despite nurtured habits – is the epitome of success and failure. Behavior is a choice. How we choose to act and react to internal and external stimuli has consequences. Some of these consequences are positive in nature, while some are harmful or negative in nature.

Utilizing methods such as limbic reaction management strategies, meditation, self-awareness of behavioral triggers and cues, we can become the master of our own destinies. If we can explain why we engage in certain behaviors, predict how we will react to certain stimuli, then we can adapt and transform our behaviors. This is growing our Behavioral Intelligence, and that is the core of what we do at Coeus Creative Group.

Coeus Creative Group’s Application of Behavioral Intelligence

Our vision is to be the leader in Behavioral Intelligence globally, and we are well on our way. We have delivered keynotes, trainings, workshops, and lectures in more than 30 countries; consulted organizations on the development of a Behaviorally Intelligent performance culture stretching from Main street to Wall Street; executed hundreds of marketing campaigns that have driven significant results to our clients across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors; empowered thousands of leaders to improve their Behavioral Intelligence, giving them the tools to empower their followers and constituents; and we have even developed a proprietary assessment that helps people to understand their own behavioral preferences.

You can take our free, Quick Behavioral Elements Assessment and learn your primary behavioral preference. Interested in going deeper? We offer a full assessment at the lowest price on the market for a growth and performance tool of this type. The investment is $30 USD and you receive a detailed 15-page report with your personal rankings in each elemental preference. If you are curious about all of your behavioral preferences, take the Behavioral Elements – Full Assessment.

Our Behavioral Elements Program also has a number of products and tools, such as our Behavioral Planner System, designed to help people transform their behaviors. We continue to innovate new solutions and services in our effort to lead a behavioral revolution.

Why? Because we believe that helping people understand their behaviors is a means to a better world. Less conflict, better relationships, more innovation, enhanced leadership…It is all possible with the application of Behavioral Intelligence. The Coeus Team is proud of the work we do. We would love the opportunity to help you improve your own Behavioral Intelligence. Behavior is a choice and how we choose to behave impacts our success and failure. Behave intelligently, friends.

The post What is Behavioral Intelligence? appeared first on Coeus Creative Group, LLC.

Whether you believe that your behavior is the result of when you were born, or you believe that it’s just a silly coincidence, there is no denying the popularity of Astrology. Astrology dates back to Babylon, but in recent years, has become more popular, especially amongst millennials. Zodiac related media is all over the internet, where you can find lists that focus on the personality traits of each sign and even entire social media accounts dedicated to astrology.

In total, there are 12 astrological signs, which are widely known as zodiac signs. What makes them so interesting is that each one is believed to have different qualities, strengths, and weaknesses.

So, in true millennial fashion, we decided to have a bit of fun and pair up each of the star signs up with a Coeus Creative Group Training that can help them to Behave Intelligently!

Not sure what your star sign is? Signs are determined according to your birth date, which you can view below:

• Capricorn: December 22 – January 20
• Aquarius: January 21 – February 18
• Pisces: February 19 – March 20
• Aries: March 21 – April 20
• Taurus: April 21 – May 21
• Gemini: May 22 – June 21
• Cancer: June 22 – July 22
• Leo: July 23 – August 23
• Virgo: August 24 – September 22
• Scorpio: October 24 – November 22
• Sagittarius: November 23 – December 21

Aries – Breaking Bad Habits

Aries can sometimes be selfish, quick-tempered, and impatient, all traits that can lend themselves to bad habits, such as lashing out and putting themselves before others, to name a few. This is why we think Breaking Bad Habits would be the perfect training for an Aries looking to improve their behaviors.

Taurus – Difficult Conversations

Taurus can be seen as inflexible, materialistic, and greedy, which is why our Difficult Conversations training will help them have those tough discussions about possessions and spending.

Gemini – Building Personal Trust

Gemini, the most controversial sign of the mix, may seem superficial and inconsistent to others. Our Building Personal Trust training will help them regain trust from those around them and change those misconceptions.

Cancer – Emotional Intelligence

Cancer is seen as the emotional one of the bunch and typically come off as moody, overemotional, and touchy. Participating in our Emotional Intelligence training will help them understand their feelings and rein them in.

Leo – Dynamic Listening Skills

While Leo is a natural leader, they can also be seen as pompous, patronizing, and bossy. Our Dynamic Listening Skills training will help this sign increase those skills, which is key to being a great leader.

Virgo – Communication Styles

Virgo struggles with communication, and this can cause them to come off as overcritical and harsh. By participating in our Communication Styles training, Virgo can learn to communicate in a more effective way.

Libra – Decision Making

Libra can be indecisive, gullible, and easily influenced, making our Decision Making training perfect for them. This training will give them the tools to be more confident when making decisions.

Scorpio – Dealing with Difficult People

Right behind Gemini, Scorpio takes the second spot for controversial signs. Often seen as jealous, resentful, compulsive, and obsessive, many people might categorize them as difficult people. Our Dealing with Difficult People training will help them understand how others might see them.

Sagittarius – Time Management

Sagittarius tend to be irresponsible and careless, which typically can lead to being late and missing important deadlines. Our Time Management training can provide them with the skills to get them on track.

Capricorn – Tools for Innovation

This sign is known for being pessimistic, miserly, and fatalistic. Participating in our Tools for Innovation training will help inspire them to see things differently and change their outlook.

Aquarius – Personal Branding

Aquarius is notorious for coming off as unemotional and detached to most people they come in contact with. Our Personal Branding training can help them enhance their personal brand and change others perception of them.

Pisces – Persuasion + Influence

Pisces are prone to being weak-willed and easily led, which is why our Persuasion + Influence training will take them from being led to being a leader.

Gemini or a Scorpio, Capricorn or Aries, no matter your sign, our training options can help you to “Behave Intelligently.” Contact us today to schedule any of our trainings in-person or virtually!

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What is Behavioral Intelligence?

Let’s start by defining our model. Behavioral Intelligence is the skills and abilities to accurately explain existing behavior, predict future behaviors, influence other people’s behavior, and control your own behavior. Behavior is the root of all success and failure in life. Thankfully, our behavior is a choice. We may not be able to control our feelings and emotions, but we can choose how we respond to situations and how we react to these internal impulses. With this in mind, let’s explore some strategies for dealing with difficult people.

This is NOT the Hill I Want to Die On.

First and foremost remember, “It’s your heart attack.” When you are dealing with difficult people, your limbic system ignites, dumping cortisol and adrenaline into your body. These stress hormones can be toxic if prolonged. This is why we need to use the “control” aspect of Behavioral Intelligence. Ask yourself, “Is this the hill I want to die on?” Most of the time, the answer should probably be no. Why? Because someone else’s terrible behavior should not be the cause of your heart attack.

Avoid Labels When Dealing with Difficult People

Separate the “person” from the behavior. We have a tendency to apply labels, which denote a sense of permanency. Bill is a jerk. Shauna is greedy. Note the word, “is.” This pre-supposes that Bill and Shauna are naturally this way and cannot change. They just “are” that way. While it may be convenient to think so, it is an explanation that ignores the fact that behaviors are learned, and that they can be unlearned.

Instead of applying labels, try to approach this by calling out the behavior specifically. “Bill yells at the employees when he is stressed.” “Shauna takes more than her rightful share of office supplies.” Removing the label re-introduces the fact that Bill and Shauna are choosing to behave in ways that are antisocial. By that rationale, they can also choose not to engage in those behaviors. Now we can work to influence their behavior to be less difficult.

Have a Difficult Conversation with Difficult People

One method to influence behavior is to address it directly. Terrifying, right? While this may result in a difficult conversation it’s worth it because remember, it’s your heart attack. Think of the cost of not addressing the behavior; stress, anxiety, frustration, and anger take a heavy toll on your mental and emotional well being. Directly addressing the issue is one method to resolve the conflict. You can check out our blog on body language and relationship building for tactics to help you navigate the encounter.

Employ Cognitive Empathy

Another method to influence behavior is to employ a cognitive empathy approach. This includes utilizing tools such as acknowledgment, flattery, and calibrating questions.

Acknowledgment helps to disarm the defense mechanisms of the difficult person. For example, “I can understand why you yell when your frustrated, if I had those feelings, I might want to yell too.” This helps the difficult person to feel understood. If they feel that you understand them, they are more likely to be influenced by you.

By flattery, I am not suggesting saying something like, “your ass looks great in those jeans. See our articles on sexual harassment. I am more speaking of employing strategies such as the Benjamin Franklin Effect. Not only will you enjoy the benefits of flattering someone by showing an interest in their interest, but also create a cognitive dissonance that will further give you the opportunity to influence.

Calibrated questions allow for the difficult person to solve the problem. These questions begin with “how” and “what.” For example, “How might we look to reducing your frustrations in the future?” “What would it take to feel more secure in the resources that are provided?” These evoke rational thinking and eliminate the possibility of short “yes” or “no” answers.

Find your Zen When Dealing with Difficult People

We cannot control other people; we can only control our own behaviors. To do so requires an ability to stay calm and focused even in the midst of conflict. Here are two strategies that we learned in kindergarten that are shown by neuroscience to be effective in reducing our limbic threat response. Take a deep breath and count to ten.

Taking a deep breath floods our blood with oxygen and tells our limbic to relax. After all, you would not be taking calming deep breaths if you were running from a lion, would you? This active approach signals to your system that the perceived threat is not a cause for survival concerned responses.

Counting to 10 gives you a small break from the situation, which then allows your rational thinking to override the limbic response. This can be executed by taking a short break if in conflict. Both strategies can help us manage our own threat response system, think more clearly, and often can stop us from saying something we will regret.

Conclusion

These strategies are just a few that encompass a Behavioral Intelligence approach to dealing with difficult people. In the most extreme cases where people are completely toxic and seemingly unmanageable, it may be the best strategy to remove yourself from the situation. A future blog post will cover dealing with toxic people, but for now, I hope this helps you to deal with that pesky colleague that drives you nuts. Remember, it’s your heart attack. Using a Behavioral Intelligence-based approach will help you control your own reactions to these difficult people. You are worth it.

You can learn more about dealing with difficult people by watching my TEDx talk on the subject below. Interested in an exhilarating keynote, coaching, or training in dealing with difficult people?

Contact us today for a free quote!

Written by Jay Johnson, CEO at Coeus Creative Group. Connect with Jay on LinkedIn

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So there you are, sitting and working diligently, crushing your “to-do-list” and feeling uber-productive. Then it happens. An email comes through with an expert level click-bait subject line, promising the world or more, and you click it…Down the rabbit hole, you go.

3 hours later, you find yourself amidst cat videos on YouTube or watching endless hours of Generation X getting their groove on via Tik Tok. You ask yourself, “How did I get here?” and “Where did my day go?”

Don’t worry friend, it happens to the best of us.

Productivity killers such as the scenario described above are perpetual in today’s endless supply of mind-numbing content. We find ourselves with seemingly no ability to stay focused – leaving behind the essential work we have to do or even the tasks that we truly desire to complete. We get down on ourselves for doing so. We then go back to watching cat videos. Brush, rinse, repeat.

Here are a few ways to get past the temptation for distraction:

1. Recognize WHY you chose to break from your work: Have you been at it for hours? Was your body telling you that you need a break? Here is the science – You will be at your most productive in 45-minute intervals. Your brain needs a break. It needs stimulation. It craves dopamine. That distraction is just what the brain ordered. Instead of going down the rabbit hole, plan for a short intermission. Set a timer. Give yourself permission to be unproductive, but do so with an end game in mind. The act of planning for these events will allow you to dabble, not indulge. It becomes a reward for a job well done, not a binge-watching episodic break from reality.
2. Schedule a time for reading click-bait style emails: I get them too. Promises of business success if I only click here, interesting articles from my favorite subscriptions, new promotions…I read them all… on Friday. Whenever I get these tantalizing emails, I use Slack or a special Gmail folder to save them. Once or twice a week, I quickly look through them when it is on my terms. Refusing to let “Interrupting Johnny” get in the way of what is important not only feels good but allows me to stay focused and not succumb to the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Guess what? I have never once missed out on a promotion because I delayed it on my own terms.
3. Consciously (and audibly) ask yourself, “Is this worth it? Can it wait?”: This is a habit recipe for me. Whenever I get the craving to look at something that is not mission-critical, I ask myself these questions. Simply asking these questions brings my behavioral choices to the forefront of my consciousness. No more “impulse buying” of content that can wait. If you have ever put something into your shopping cart, walked around the store for an hour, and then decided not to buy it because you realized you don’t actually need it, you have already exhibited this behavior. Now, operationalize it to your advantage and put the click-bait back on the shelf. There is a time and place, but not when your shopping for the staples.

Behavior is a choice. When we find ourselves at the end of a YouTube or Tik Tok binge, we can look back and see what choices we made that got us there. If you can incorporate the hacks noted above, we can stop the madness before it even starts. Your productivity will thank you for it.

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