Yellow Hat Consulting

03/25/2021

https://www.yellowhatconsulting.com/post/the-meaning-of-yellow-hat

When I decided to rebrand my company, I needed a new name and logo that reflected the growth and focused direction we were heading as a brand. The meaning of Yellow Hat – Creativity, positivity, and energy are qualities of yellow. Yellow stimulates the brain’s left side, thus helping us think lo...

03/24/2021

https://www.yellowhatconsulting.com/post/ways-to-combat-burnout

Working from home has great benefits, but it also carries some disadvantages along with it. The lines between work and family are very blurry, and burnout and stress are a byproduct of this new reality. A Monster.com study reveals over 51% of workers are experiencing burnout related to working at ho...

03/23/2021

https://www.yellowhatconsulting.com/post/tips-for-presenting-decks-over-video-conferencing

Making an effective presentation deck is already challenging. Add in having to present the deck over video conferencing adds an even more complex challenge. The number one guideline is: SHOW, DON’T TELL. Whenever possible, show the viewer what you are discussing instead of using words to “tell.....

03/18/2021

Tapping into creativity
Creativity makes us better at our jobs can enrich our personal lives. Most importantly, creativity is a key to being successful.
https://www.yellowhatconsulting.com/post/one-key-to-being-more-creative

We all have creativity within us, and you don’t have to be a musician, artist, or writer. Creativity makes us better at our jobs can enrich our personal lives. Most importantly, creativity is a key to being successful. The myth of creativity that only certain people have that ability, but the trut...

03/17/2021

Stressed Out!?
Our lives were already busy and sometimes very stressful. Add in the pandemic and economic uncertainty, and stress can exponentially weigh on our mental health. Here are a few helpful ways to manage stress.
https://www.yellowhatconsulting.com/post/reduce-stress

Our lives were already busy and sometimes very stressful. Add in the pandemic and economic uncertainty, and stress can exponentially weigh on our mental health. The good news is there are many ways to help relieve the pressure before it builds up and becomes more challenging to manage. 1. Laughter i...

03/16/2021

The Camera Is Your Friend
Tips on improving your video presentations
https://www.yellowhatconsulting.com/post/the-camera-is-your-friend

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR VIDEO PRESENTATIONS Video conferencing is most likely here to stay in a more significant way than before. It is now acceptable to opt for a video conference instead of in-person meetings. The issue is what you may have done in person most likely won’t be as compelling online, ...

03/11/2021

What is Yellow Hatting?
Yellow Hatting is a term we use when creativity and productivity synchromesh, meaning these ideas come together in perfect harmony yielding an ideal workflow.

Some call this “in the zone.” You know the feeling, you start your task, things are coming easy and smooth, and you’re finished before you know it, wondering how quickly the time went by and you’ve achieved your goals or outcome. That’s Yellow Hatting or flow.

Let’s define flow – Flow occurs in a sweet spot where skill levels match the challenge. Tremendous flow is a happy state of mind; it’s challenging but energizing, not draining. Working at the edge of your capabilities with a little stretch helps you grow without being defeated.

From our experience with clients, here are a few tips to getting into a flow state of mind:

• Establish clear goals – what does the final result look like when you’re finished?

• Visualize – as high-performing athletes do, visualize how you will accomplish the task and see yourself achieving the desired outcome.

• Realistic timeline – set a realistic timeline on when you need to finish. Timeline setting is an art that can be refined over time.

• Immerse yourself – Get your head in the game by Minimizing distractions and interruptions so that you can focus and be fully present .Athletes describe how when they are focused the crowd noise goes away. They are able to fully concentrate on the task at hand and block out all distractions.

• Build in breaks – our minds can only concentrate for so long, so build in breaks to keep you refreshed and at top performance for the task’s duration.

Happy Yellow Hatting on your next project.

03/10/2021

Video Conference Tips: Let’s get this meeting started.
What is the best way to get a video conferencing meeting started? Do you jump right in, allow small talk giving people a chance to catch up with each other, or are there better ways?

Many of us have experienced online meetings that are low energy and boring, with several video screens off. Staying focused and engaged is the biggest challenge for people because of all the “home” distractions, and no one can see what’s around you.

Ice breakers work virtually
When using an ice breaker to start a virtual professional training session, we have found that it is just as effective as in-person because it requires engagement and attention but still entertaining and raises the energy level. It does require some creativity to adapt to a different medium.

The critical point is to leverage the strengths of a video platform. One of the simplest, most effective ways to do this is to have a slide with icons and a question and have participants reply verbally or in chat. Here are a few of the strengths to think about:

• Video Sharing – Creating ice breakers where participants show a photo or video by sharing their screen

• Tagging/Chat Box – Gamify the session where people earn points like a game show by being tagged or using the chatbox

• Different Environments – Incorporate the environment people are in, such as having “special” special guests like family members, pets, or a favorite item introduced or share the “background of the day.”

For a copy of some of the most popular ice breaker ideas we use, go to our website: YellowHatConsulting.com and fill out a quick form, and we’ll email the deck to you.

03/09/2021

Video Conference Fatigue: Why am I so exhausted?
Ever wonder why you are so worn out after a video conference meeting? Researchers from Stanford have been studying the psychological effects of long-term video conferencing, and a few of their finds are enlighting:

• Videoconferencing forces users to make extended eye contact
• Nonverbal signals like nodding require more effort
• The little box where users see themselves is unnatural
• Users are forced to sit in one place

Why does conference fatigue, or “zoom fatigue,” happen, and can you do anything to minimize its effect?

According to Jeremy Bailenson, founding director of Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab, “The biggest contributor to Zoom fatigue is the little box during a videoconference that allows users to see themselves. Lots of research has looked at what happens when people see themselves in the mirror and suggests that constant self-evaluation leads to negative emotions.”

Also, a video conferencing platform can display a face so large it feels like the person is only a foot away from you, violating your personal space. This feeling triggers deep-seated instincts.

Though research is still finding new things, there are some easy, practical fixes you can employ now:

• Hide Self-View – many platforms give you the ability to hide the camera view to yourself

• Reduce the window size – this trick will make the people smaller and not so in-your-face, giving you psychological breathing room

• Pre setup – take 20-30 minutes to set up your environment so you feel comfortable, like setting your laptop on a few books to raise the camera view, getting your chair in a comfortable position, and check the lighting. Hence, it’s easier on your eyes.

• Turn off your camera – in long meetings, it’s not rude to turn your camera off for 5 minutes to give yourself a break and move around. If you’re the presenter, set a cultural norm that it’s OK to turn off the camera from time to time.

Video conferencing is here to stay with the new normal becoming a blend of in-office and remote working. Understanding how this affects you is a great way to preserve your energy and reduce its effects.