HOW TO DO THIS STUDY

If You’re Doing This Study Alone As A Manager

• Good for you for wanting to learn, grow, and be more introspective as a manager. We believe that you will find this content truly rewarding and will be anxious to share it with others.
• Be careful that when sharing what you learned from this study that you focus on what you as a manager learned about showing more personal care for employees, not about how they should show you more respect.
• Though there may be no one to join you at this time, please consider inviting others to join you to complete the study together at a later date. A group study always allows for lots of extra insight from others that perhaps one may not pick up on when alone. And the more people in your place of business who are intentionally trying to show respect and personal care to their employees and employers, the more pleasant work environment you will find yourself in.

If You’re Doing This Study As An Employee 

• Good for you for wanting to learn, grow, and be more introspective as an employee. We believe that you will find this content truly rewarding and will be anxious to share it with others.
• Be careful that when sharing what you learned from this study that you focus on what you as an employee learned about showing more respect for your manager, not about how your manager needs to show you more personal care.
• Though there may be no one to join you at this time, please consider inviting others to join you to complete the study together at a later date. A group study always allows for lots of extra insight from others that perhaps one may not pick up on when alone. And the more people in your place of business who are intentionally trying to show respect and personal care to their employees and employers, the more pleasant work environment you will find yourself in.

If You’re Doing This Study With A Group of Other Managers

• You should be commended for caring enough to create a more pleasant work environment for your employees and wanting to learn how showing them more personal care is better on both personal and business levels. Consider purchasing the study for your employees to go through together at a later time so that the full benefits of respect and personal care in the workplace are exhibited.
• We would appreciate each person in your group purchasing and downloading their own copy of the study.
• You could make copies and distribute them to others and we might never know since we operate on an honor code, but we believe there’s incredible value in ownership when each person makes a small investment. When we invest a little, we engage and participate. When we pay, we pay attention. We value the study.
• Please review and abide by the Participant’s Guidelines, which are mutually beneficial for all group members.

If You’re Doing This Study With A Group of Other Employees

• Don’t worry about why there are only employees in the current study and no managers. Trust in the goodwill of your managers and that they are concerned with showing you more personal care. After all, whether your manager has gone through the study or not, you can only be concerned with what you can control, and that is showing respect to your manager.
• Please verify that each employee has their own individually purchased and downloaded copy of the study.
• Please review and abide by the Participant’s Guidelines (see page 5), which are mutually beneficial for all group members.

If You’re Doing This Study With A Group of Manager(s) and Employee(s) Combined

• Kudos to your organization for caring so much about your work environment that you have chosen to take time out of your workday to go through this study together as managers and employees. We have no doubt you will not be disappointed in this time.
• We would appreciate each person in your group purchasing and downloading their own copy of the study.
• You could make copies and distribute them to others and we might never know since we operate on an honor code, but we believe there’s incredible value in ownership when each person makes a small investment. When we invest a little, we engage and participate. When we pay, we pay attention. We value the study.
• Please review and abide by the Participant’s Guidelines (see page 5), which are mutually beneficial for all group members.

PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES

Small groups can have an enormous impact as you build friendships, gain support, and encourage each other in a close group of people who hold you accountable in your workplace relationships. The guidelines below will help you and the other group members benefit from the time together.

Confidentiality

Remember that everything shared in your small group is to be considered confidential, especially if you’re in a group of only managers or only employees. This protects your group as a supportive, accepting place for its members. Unless you’ve been given permission, do not share anything from your discussion outside the group.

Openness

Do your best to be open and honest during discussions. Your transparency will encourage others to do the same.

Respect For Group Members

Remember that each person has the right to their own opinion. All questions are encouraged and respected. Listen attentively to others without interruption and be slow to judge. Be careful about sentences that start with “You should...” or “You ought...” and do not give advice that isn’t specifically solicited.

Respect Your Co-workers’ Privacy

During your group discussions, be careful to guard your co-workers’ privacy and feelings, whether they are here or not. Use the discussions to work on yourself and your relationship with your manager or employees. If a sensitive issue involves another co-worker, and discussing it would embarrass or devalue them in the eyes of the group, save that topic for a private discussion at a later time.

Priority

Prioritize the small group meeting in your schedule. If you’re unable to attend or are running late, notify your group leader or co-workers.

Support

Actively support the mission and values of the study and follow the directions given by your leader. Refrain from gossip and criticism; if you have concerns or questions about another’s views or statements, communicate directly with that person.

Commitment

As with anything worthwhile in life, what you receive from this study will be directly related to the time, energy, and effort you put into it. Commit to showing up for each session, and being open to what you may need to learn from this study. We believe your commitment to your workplace will be honored as you exhibit how important a better work environment is for you.

SMALL GROUP LEADER’S GUIDE

Thank you! We are grateful to those of you who are willing to seek a more pleasant work environment and lead others through this digital study. Our hope is that you and your work relationships will be strengthened and blessed in ways beyond your hopes and expectations. As you prepare to facilitate, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Be Caring and Sensitive

Some in your group might see a lot of humor in certain topics and questions. Others may be hurting and unhappy, not seeing the humor at all. As you go through the study, be aware of those who may need a little more guidance and encouragement than others. Some may even want to talk privately with you outside the group. If you feel their issues are more than you are qualified to handle, don’t hesitate to admit as such and help them figure out who in your work would be the right person to speak with. Don’t worry if you don’t always have an answer to a question. Your group will appreciate your honesty!

Be Accepting and Non-Threatening

For example, if someone comes up with an opinion that is totally counter to what Emerson sometimes refers to as “typical” or “generally speaking,” do not be defensive or argumentative. Let everyone give opinions, then sum up by saying, “According to Emerson’s extensive experience and research, this is what he finds to be the norm or what is typical of managers and employees. He knows there are exceptions to any general rule, but he has also found that regardless of how people think or act, they all need respect and personal care in the workplace.”

Be an Encourager

Encourage group members to attend every session, engage fully in the discussion, and complete any assignments that have been agreed upon. Help them to see in the study what may be especially applicable for their situations. As you lead, be sensitive to personality types (i.e., introvert and extrovert). Gently draw out the quieter members by asking non-threatening questions such as, “What do you think about this?” Encourage talkative members to fully share but not dominate the discussion. Never allow unsolicited advice.

Prepare for Your Meeting Ahead of Time

Be sure you are familiar with the material, reading and/or watching ahead as appropriate and being aware of any specific instructions that come with your product.

Session Timing

Do your best to honor the time frame you have planned for each week. Keep the discussion focused on the topic and on the specific questions the group is addressing. Let people share, give opinions, and even disagree a bit, but don’t be afraid to sum things up and move to the next question or topic. If the conversation strays to other topics, gently redirect the group back to the study guide questions and suggest that alternate discussions continue during the social time after the study.

Abide by and Enforce Participant Guidelines

As the leader, you are the role model for your group. This doesn’t mean you are perfect, but abiding by the Participant’s Guidelines in the beginning of this book is expected. Thank you again for serving as a small group leader. Your willingness and commitment to dedicate your time, effort, and energy is a priceless gift. You are the ones making a difference in continuing the quest to provide the best work environment possible. May God bless you and your business. We would love to hear from you! If you are willing to share your feedback on this study, please e-mail us at story@loveandrespect.com.