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The Receptivity Pattern: Unlocking Growth with Gratitude

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From the moment I could write, my parents insisted that I send thank-you notes whenever I received gifts. They taught me that it was a way to show gratitude and acknowledge the thoughtfulness of others. I also learned to say thank you whenever someone complimented or recognized something I had done well.

At the time, I didn’t realize how this lesson would prepare me later in life to grow my business. What I discovered is that expressing gratitude completes the Receptivity Pattern—a heart-centered readiness and willingness to receive.
When it comes to expressing gratitude, it’s essential to let the giver know that you appreciate the gift. When you dismiss a compliment or fail to thank the giver, you interrupt or stop this loop.

Gratitude is also a crucial step toward manifesting what you want in life. I often hear business professionals talk about their desire to grow their business, get a promotion, or make more money.

They focus heavily on external strategies, yet one of the first steps to achieving more lies in the inner game. If you’re not genuinely thankful for even the smallest blessings or incremental changes, how can you expect to be ready to receive more? You cut yourself off from receiving.

Over the years, I’ve found that cultivating a consistent gratitude mindset has significantly accelerated positive results. Whether you keep a gratitude journal, take moments for prayer, list things you’re thankful for each night or regularly tell others thank you, these practices anchor your mindset in abundance.

When gratitude becomes an ingrained habit, it fuels a pattern of openness that enhances focus, motivation, and the outcomes you aim to attract and achieve. Thankfulness connects you to the richness of the present and the promise of what’s ahead.
The next time someone sends you a referral, write them a handwritten thank-you note. You’ll likely be among the few who take the time to do so, standing out from the rest. Send notes to people you meet at networking events, for referrals, to your clients, or to someone who treated you to lunch. You may even receive a call or email thanking you for the note—or better yet, another referral!

Start exploring what happens when you embrace gratitude even in the most difficult of circumstances. What are you thankful for or who can you thank today?

PS. Last chance! If you are inspired to identify how best to use your natural talents and level up your leadership, listening, and communication, tomorrow, December 6, 2024, is the last day to register for Wired to Win 101: How Are You Hardwired? being held on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Learn more and register today at: https://www.excellerateassociates.com/wired-to-win-101/

Deepest Gratitude

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A Message from Lisa Mininni, President and Founder:

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared this year. It’s a time to pause, give thanks, and recognize the people who make what we do not only possible but meaningful — our clients.

Your trust, collaboration, and vision inspire everything we strive to accomplish. Whether we’ve worked with you as a Strategic Alliance, in a Master Class or our advanced mentoring and coaching programs, each collaboration has been a testament to the power of working toward a bigger Contribution in the World. Watching your dreams take shape and knowing we’ve played a part in your success is the greatest reward.

This season, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you. Thank you for believing in us, for challenging us to grow, and for allowing us to serve you. Your success is our purpose, and your support means more than words can express.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, may you enjoy time with loved ones, reflect on your blessings, and embrace the opportunities ahead. Here’s to a holiday filled with joy, gratitude, and abundance.

Happy Thanksgiving!

With heartfelt appreciation,

Lisa Mininni

From Resistance to Buy-In: How ‘Why’ Transforms Organizational Change

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As you know, organizational change is necessary for growth, innovation, and sustainability. However, implementing change isn’t simply about deciding what must be done and announcing it to your team.

As a leader, you must go deeper by answering a critical question: Why? Why are you making the change?

Why Understanding “Why” Matters

Human wiring plays a significant role in how individuals respond to change. For people naturally wired toward certainty and information, unexpected changes can provoke resistance, confusion, or even outright refusal. These individuals thrive on understanding the logic and purpose behind actions. When you take the time to explain why change is necessary, you create alignment, clarity, and buy-in.

In my book, Me, Myself, and Why? The Secrets to Navigating Change, I underscore that when you fail to address the “why,” you risk alienating a key segment of your team, leading to poor morale, increased turnover, and ultimately, failed initiatives. Conversely, when you articulate the purpose behind change, you invite collaboration and commitment.

Articulating the Why: Leading with Clarity and Intention

The key to explaining the “why” is to connect it to outcomes that also resonate with the audience. A one-size-fits-all explanation won’t suffice because each team member processes information differently.

In addition to explaining the why, you should:

1. Tailor Your Communication
For analytically wired individuals, use data and logic to support the change.
For relationship-driven team members, focus on the human impact and shared values.

2. Tie the Why to Tangible Outcomes
Highlight the possibilities that the change will lead to—for the organization, the team, and individuals.

3. Repeat and Reinforce the Message
Communicating change is not a one and done. Reinforcement builds certainty. Use multiple channels and formats to ensure clarity.

Examples

Example 1: Implementing New Technology

A manufacturing company wanted to adopt a new project management platform. Initially, the leadership team only announced the what—the new platform—and the how—training schedules. Employees pushed back, questioning why they needed to abandon the familiar tools.
The leadership recalibrated their messaging. They explained why the change was occurring:

• The old system couldn’t scale with company growth.
• The new platform would streamline processes, reduce errors, and save hours of repetitive work.
• By connecting the “why” to benefits for employees—less stress and more efficiency—the leadership turned skeptics into advocates.

Example 2: A Shift in Strategic Direction

A retail chain shifted its focus from brick-and-mortar stores to e-commerce. Employees, particularly those in physical locations, felt threatened and uncertain about their future. The CEO took a transparent approach, hosting town halls to explain the strategy.

Why: Consumer behavior was shifting rapidly toward online shopping, and adapting was necessary to remain competitive.
What it would lead to: Growth opportunities in e-commerce and investments in reskilling employees for digital roles.
This clarity reassured employees and positioned the company as forward-thinking.

The Science of Explaining “Why”

Research supports the effectiveness of explaining the “why” during change. Studies published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior found that when leaders provide a clear rationale for change, employees are more likely to engage positively and exhibit higher levels of trust and motivation.

Final Thoughts on Navigating Change

Navigating change is about more than getting from Point A to Point B; it’s about enrolling others in a way that they are moved and motivated around the change. Leaders who align their strategies with human wiring by focusing on the “why” foster environments where employees feel valued and empowered. When people understand the purpose of change—and see the possibilities of what it leads to—they’re more likely to commit to the journey.

To implement this approach in your own leadership practice, reflect on your audience’s natural wiring, craft a compelling “why,” and ensure it not only aligns with your company values and priorities but that others see something for themselves in their active participation in the change. Because ultimately, the secret to successful change isn’t just explaining the “what” or the “how”—it’s making the “why” resonate.

Invitation

To see how and “why” human wiring can transform your organization, join us on December 13, 2024 for Wired to Win 101: How Are You Hardwired? MORE ABOUT THIS MASTER CLASS HERE.

Designing Meetings for Real Engagement: The Human Wiring Approach

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Whether you’re presenting to potential clients, leading your team, or engaging with a nonprofit board, as a business leader, you have a wide range of audiences. And each of these groups requires an approach that resonates with them. Your role is to make every meeting effective by engaging participants in ways they naturally connect with and process information.

The Common Misstep in Meetings

Many leaders inadvertently design meetings or deliver training that doesn’t account for the diverse ways people learn or process information. Often, meetings focus more on what the leader wants to convey rather than how participants will best absorb it. But here’s the key: a successful meeting or training is not about you—it’s about your audience. Your job is to captivate and engage participants, making your content resonate, no matter how dry or fascinating the topic might be.

The Power of Human Wiring

Your audience is “hardwired” to learn and engage in specific ways, although many won’t be able to articulate this themselves. Some people learn best through verbalizing, others need to put their thumbprint on things, still others prefer detailed explanations or visual aids. Understanding these styles helps you design meetings that connect with each attendee on a personal level, making your content impactful and actionable.

Applying Human Wiring to Meeting Design

Imagine leading a team that learns best through trial and error. If your presentation is a continuous stream of information without room for hands-on engagement, it’s likely to fall flat. Instead, you should create opportunities for participation, where team members can actively try things out or contribute ideas. This approach is particularly effective for learners who thrive through interaction and feedback.

Becoming a Meeting Master

To be an exceptional meeting leader, start with understanding your own human wiring and expand that awareness to your audience’s. Recognizing and aligning with the way people naturally process information is the foundation of all impactful communication. By doing so, you not only elevate the quality of your meetings but also inspire your audience to take meaningful action.

Invitation

If you are inspired to level up your leadership and learn how human wiring can elevate your communication, leadership, and engagement, join us for Wired to Win 101: How Are You Hardwired. Register HERE.

Lost in Translation: The Cost of Assumptions in Communication

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On a chilly winter morning, a wife texts her husband:
“Windows frozen, won’t open.”

He replies:
“Try gently pouring lukewarm water over it, then tap around the edges with a hammer.”

Ten minutes later, she texts back:
“Computer is really messed up now.”

This funny exchange illustrates how easily we can assume we’re on the same page when communicating, only to realize we were working from entirely different information or viewpoints. Assumptions are part of running a business too—like predicting market responses or customer needs—but they can backfire when left unchecked or unexplored.

Miscommunication Costs Companies

According to a Holmes Report, miscommunication costs businesses an estimated $37 billion annually in lost productivity, errors, and project failures.

This figure underscores the financial impact that assumptions and unclear communication can have on organizations, highlighting the importance of investing in clearer, more intentional communication strategies.

The Solutions

In this case, a simple question—like, “You mean the car windows?”—could have transformed the outcome. As you may know, human wiring influences how people process information and how much information they provide. For example, someone with a lower need for certainty/information may provide only partial information, leaving those with a higher need for certainty/information to interpret or fill in the gaps. This can lead to misunderstandings, rework, or customer issues.

The next time you think you understand someone, take a moment to ask a clarifying question or restate what you think they meant. It’s a small step that can prevent big misunderstandings.

Invitation

If you’re ready to take action in leveling up your company’s leadership and communication skills, join us for our Master Class:

Wired to Win 101: How Are You Hardwired? on Friday, December 13, 2024. Early registration happening now at https://www.excellerateassociates.com/wired-to-win-101/

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