Minisode 21: Gift-Giving for Your Team Without Spending a Dime: How to Wrap Your Time, Energy, and Intentionality as a Leader with Cristy Mercier
Itโs time to Gift-Give for real!
Interrupting regular scheduled programming to bring you an ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐! ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ that has your name on it.
Weโre thinking ofโฏa neat cursive handwriting labeling a gift underneath the tree or perhaps on a decorative card in front of the place setting of your dreams. The choice is all yours. ๐๐ฝ๏ธ
We hear you, improve it! peeps. Inflation is real, budgeting around the holidays is stressful, and figuring out the right gift for your team can be quite the tricky pursuit.
Join us in putting all of that aside for the time being and stepping into this conversation with Erin & our very own Director of Talent, Cristy Mercier.
This episode will bring you tangible ideas for what you can give to your team all year long - positivity, words of affirmation, unscheduled meeting time just to catch up, specific feedback on what they did (and are doing!) well, and more!
Press play and give the gift of time to YOU today!
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Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief โYes, Andโ officer of improve it! and host of the improve it! Podcast. Sheโs a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, โget comfortable with the uncomfortable.โ Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.
This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.
When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight-pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.
You can follow the failed it! podcast on Instagram @learntoimproveit and facebook, and you can follow Erin personally on Instagram @keepinitrealdiehl here. You can also check out improve it! and how we can help your organization at www.learntoimproveit.com. We canโt wait to connect with you online!
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Minisode 21 Transcription
Erin (00:00):
Welcome to the Improve It Podcast. Here she is! Hey, welcome to the improve it! Podcast!
Cristy (00:20):
<Laugh>. Hello.
Erin (00:22):
Hello, hello. My favorite thing is when I'm <laugh> recording with somebody else, if I'm on their show, and I'm not, and everyone is amazing. The world is amazing, but like, we'll be having a sidebar conversation before we hit record. I'll be like, Hey, aid. And we're laughing, cutting up and somebody's like, hi.
Cristy (00:42):
<Laugh>.
Erin (00:44):
So anyway, I like, I just did that. But welcome the show and I, you're, you've been on here before, if you're a new listener. Mm-Hmm. <Affirmative>, we'll, first time
Cristy (00:55):
Caller time listener.
Erin (00:56):
First time caller, first time listener. We'll, we'll, some links to other episodes that you've been on on the Improvement Pod. But quick for the people who d know you, who are you, what do you do at improve it?
Cristy (01:08):
I'm Cristy Mercier. I'm head of finance. <Laugh>. No, I'm kidding. Director of talent lead facilitator. I do video editing, sometimes a little bit of that stuff. And just all around you know, giggle director, <laugh>
Erin (01:29):
<Laugh>, director of giggles, director of Giggles. And that's true. And, and so you also lead our team of amazing improvisers and train them and make sure that they're ready to go. And then you staff them and also get all the logistics together for our workshops for them. So we could not, would not do it without you.
Cristy (01:53):
I'm definitely gonna doing that my job. Cause you've just you to know <laugh>. I'm
Erin (01:57):
Just Yeah, I would. And I, that's what that was like actually me wanting you to do that part of it. <Laugh>, <laugh>, that was a, that was like a manifesto. <Laugh>.
Cristy (02:07):
Interesting. Interesting. I should start doing that
Erin (02:09):
Part. Did you do that causes, that was your job description? No. And how long have you been at improvement, Christie? I call you Crystal.
Cristy (02:17):
Oh I have been eight years almost, almost nine. Which is insane. And if we're pushing it, it's soon to be 10 in another year. So <laugh> <laugh>.
Erin (02:30):
So glad this, you know what, this was also a show for us to really talk about time <laugh> Time and calendar <laugh>. It's, if you're listening to this a year from now, she might, she might have been at her 10 years a year from now, if you're, this is actually podcasts. Podcasts for the Longie, you know, so people could be listening to this while you're in 10 years. So we're not only because everyone loves you, but because we're gonna talk about gift giving. It's the holidays and
Cristy (03:07):
Holidays
Erin (03:08):
Yes. Hos. And it's just a crazy time of year. And I know people, leaders, especially sometimes get really stressed out when it comes to thinking about all that they have to do, not only as a leader for year end, but also the gifts and the things that they need to do to wrap up the year for their team. So I wanna start by asking this, what's the best gift you've ever received? Just in general? From anybody? Just
Cristy (03:34):
In general. Well this is, you know, I have, I've been very blessed. I have gotten some amazing, amazing gifts in my lifetime. A phy like a physical gift. Can I, can I just say most recent, cuz it's like top of mind. I, I don't know. I've been really giving some amazing gifts like App Peloton. I bought myself a Jeep Wrangler last year, and, you know, so like a gift to myself, like happy birthday and me. But this year the physical gift I got was a hot tub, which I'm just like, that's great. Right? Like
Erin (04:15):
Ticket items, slow ticket items.
Cristy (04:17):
They're low ticket. Okay.
Erin (04:21):
I'm kidding. I'm kidding. <Laugh>, I'm saying they're, I,
Cristy (04:24):
They're expensive.
Erin (04:25):
<Laugh>, they're very expensive gifts, but I, these are amazing. They're and fitness, they're taking care of yourself. You a gift. What's, what is best physical gifts. So something that's, yeah. Ok. Not like you can't hold it or like sit in it.
Cristy (04:46):
So I'm, I'm like a person. Well, while naming those physical gifts are great, right? Like, I'm like, thank you so much. They're amazing. But like, if you want, if like for me, if I wanna feel like love, I want quality time. So like, the best gift anyone has ever given me is an experience that we do together. So for instance some of the best, when I think about like my favorite birthday gift, it was when my dad said, surprise, I'm taking you to London for your birthday, my 10th birthday. And he surprised me with a trip to London. And it's something that I've had my entire life that I've always thought about. What's my best birthday? It was when my dad surprised me for a trip to London and we had a week together where we just like explored London together. So
Erin (05:31):
It's like at 10, at 10
Cristy (05:34):
At 10. How do you top that? You don't, it's very hard to, and so the expectations have never been met ever since then.
Erin (05:40):
Walter Walter way to come out of the gates just swing it. You gotta ease that. That's like a 40th birthday gift, Walter.
Cristy (05:47):
It's a 40th birthday, but you know, it's been, it's been like that. So, and the people that anytime someone does an experience for me, honestly, that's my favorite. So if I were to, to put it all into one box, quality time is just incredible to me.
Erin (06:01):
I love that. Besides me who is a leader, I know you were gonna say me, so I'm just go ahead and say it's can't be
Cristy (06:09):
You're, that's
Erin (06:10):
<Laugh>. It's iss it besides me. Like it. And maybe this isn't somebody who you've been led by, but who is somebody who you just greatly respect in your life.
Cristy (06:22):
Oh my gosh, Erin, I dunno. You were the one who
Erin (06:27):
Not there. No, that's why I had her on the show. I wanted her to say me. No, I'm just kidding. I, but lemme ask you this. So for somebody listening today who is a leader of a team, which is a lot of, we got a lot of the improves who are laid in thes, what is, cause I love that you said the gift of time's gift of the experience. It's, you and I have talked about this so much and I travel together all the time. And so we get into these long, you know, phy long conversations about life, all the things that you talk about on the road. But I know the love languages is a, is a quiz that we've both taken. And that's one of your top love languages. This gift of time or Right. Or just
Cristy (07:10):
Yeah. And quality, time and action. Mm-Hmm.
Erin (07:13):
<Affirmative>. So for a leader listening today, if they don't wanna go out and spend a ton of money on physical gifts Yeah. What are some experiences or gifts of time that they could give to their team?
Cristy (07:29):
Honestly, for, like, for me, if I mean, it was amazing the time that you just like, sent me a million dollar check that was top Not when you did that for me. <Laugh>.
Erin (07:40):
Yes, I know. And that, that went to all team members. That wasn't just Christie. They got million, got a
Cristy (07:46):
Solid mill. And that really meant, it's meant so much to me. But as far as I would say as a leader, you know, I'll stick with that time element. Like could you, could you offer up your time over the, before the holidays start like a sit down where you talk about future, you talk about what you've, you know, give them some positive things that you've really appreciated that they did this year. I, I don't think it takes much for someone to feel appreciated. I know that you don't want me to say you as my favorite leader, but I think you give me the gift of like, listening and setting goals and what I see for the future. And I think just having that time together, like uninterrupted time where we don't have to share space with anyone else and we can just focus in on our conversation together, that's a truly amazing gift to give. I don't know. I would say that where you have time, where you, there's uninterrupted time to set goals, set positive feedback that things that you've appreciated that they've done for the year.
Erin (08:50):
Yeah. Oh, I love that. That's a good one. Cause if you think about it, think about somebody, somebody like one of my friends has five children, and I'm like, how, how do you give to each one of them? And what more than any of one of those five kids wants more than like a train or like whatever they want their, they want that quality time. They want that, that one on one experience. So as a leader listening here today, you know, that is really energy. You're giving energy, you're giving yourself, you're giving uninterrupted momentum. So what are some easy ways that leaders can give energy as a gift to their team?
Cristy (09:32):
Yeah, I think it's, you know, either it's sit down time or it's creating space where you know, I'm a big believer in self care and taking care. So like giving, maybe it's a leader saying, Hey, I want you to take this Friday and take it as a half a day and go do something that you love, that you would, that you, that you feel like you need personally or for the remainder of this time that we have together for the remainder of the year, I want everybody for the full week you know, take 15 minutes, go for a walk or take a meditation time. Like something like that. Give the gift of where, you know, give the gift of time back to your employees or to your you know, showing them that you do care and respect that their personal time matters, like matters.
Cristy (10:19):
And so that's one way I would say the other way is maybe creating connections between you know, fellow employees. I think we, we tend to, you know, like for Erin and myself here, we, we, we connect a lot, right? But like create, you've created that space for the end of the year when all of us are getting together and we're gonna get to talk and, and I get to, you know, have have time with other employees and other people working for the company where not necessarily I do have that times, but you're creating that space for me. And I think that's important to build the culture and to show that you care about the culture of the company. So I think setting that space for that
Erin (10:56):
So individual time. And I love what you said there too. I'll never forget, and I think you're probably on this laugh break. We had one of our favorite clients, Kelly bur where there's no favorites, but we love Kelly. And she was doing a laugh break with her team. And I'll never forget, we ended, this was like 15 minutes of her typical one hour call. And the call ended, or the laugh break ended. And she said, right, so you have 45 minutes team, get out your desk, get up, go take a walk, go around the, everyone works remote and gives yourself this. And I, that's just so important to me. That was the thing I've ever seen a leader do on a call. And I creating that space too, for everyone to connect and give that gift of time to each other. Because it's one thing to see each other at work and to see each other when you're doing the things that you're brought together to do. But there's so much that goes into just quality time spent with people that you work with. It just really deepens that trust and really creates good energy with the group. And I think that goes into this concept of paying attention to intentions of your team. So why do you think that's important? Why is Tention paying attention to the intention of this quality time so important as a leader?
Cristy (12:19):
Yeah, I think well if we're talking about setting intentions and setting why, you know, I think setting an attention out there that as a leader this matters that, that's important. And then like, setting an attention for the conversations. Like, I think a lot of times we go into conversations and it leads to maybe somewhere different or it's just all business. And I think setting an intention of, you know, if we're talking about giving the gift of time, like setting an attention that this time that we have together is not business related. I would love to just to get to know you more. What are you, what are you doing for the holidays? What is something that you're looking forward to in the new year? What is a goal that you have in mind outside of work? Like setting intentions are important so that you can set the guidelines for which what you hope for in the conversation and show that you maybe have a, you know, vulnerability and empathy in your, in your leadership qualities.
Erin (13:08):
Mm-Hmm. <Affirmative>. Okay. And finally, if there's an improve it, people listening today, who could give mm-hmm. <Affirmative> their team one gift. Just one gift this holiday season, would it be the gift of time or what would it be?
Cristy (13:26):
What For our improvement team
Erin (13:29):
Or No, if somebody listening today is like, what's, what is one thing I could give my team, what would it be? Yeah. Would it be this gift of time?
Cristy (13:37):
Yeah. No, I've been looking on Amazon for a couple ideas,
Erin (13:41):
Questions. <Laugh>, <laugh>, everybody's getting a million check with a puppy.
Cristy (13:51):
Honestly, you know, at the end of the day, I think, yes, the gift of time, but also I think just positivity is where we're at right now. Like what, what could you give that's positive? Words, written words mean a lot to me personally. So when someone takes some time to write a letter and write down exactly how they've been feeling or been saying, you know, like, you did an amazing job this year. It really has meant a lot when you did this name like a couple things that they did this year that you're proud of. Just having that actual piece of paper and this note that that just is something, a momentum that I can hold onto. And just shows me how much I'm appreciative, appreciated. I think that's, that's one way without spending a lot of money, that you can show that you've noticed that you took the time and that you're giving something that they can hold onto and that they can share with their friends and family saying, you know, look, you know, this is what I did and isn't this so amazing that my boss noticed?
Erin (14:47):
I love this, this, the whole reason that this mini so exists is for you to just give me ideas to get for you and the team this holiday season.
Cristy (14:54):
<Laugh>. And yeah, the other thing is like the, like I really want a walking treadmill. Cause I think it would be helpful for <laugh> <laugh>.
Erin (15:11):
Oh God. All right, well we'll look into that. We'll, p we'll, Peloton, <laugh>, what else they can,
Cristy (15:17):
Yeah, it's pounds.
Erin (15:19):
My God, God, no deal. No big deal. It's with the dollar check. Everyone is also getting this year. Yes, but no wanted come on the, I wanted improve it pees just here, the amazingness, that is Cristy Mercier. And to get some ideas flowing for your own team. So if you're stuck with a low budget or you don't have a budget, or if you just want to be thoughtful and creative in a different way, I think we've nailed it. The gift of time, handwritten notes, cards, and telling people, sharing that abundance with them is so important. And also, if you have a million dollars that you wanna send them, go right ahead. But also, yeah. But these things, these things really do matter and they really do make a difference. So, Christy, per thanks for coming on the show.
Cristy (16:09):
Thank you for having me.
Erin (16:11):
And everyone else keep failing, keep improving. The world needs that special itch that only you can bring. Oh, I just looked at Christy directly in the when I said that, see next. Hey friend, did you enjoy today's show? If so, head on over to iTunes to rate and subscribe. So you never miss an episode. Now, did I mention that when you leave a five star review of the Improvement podcast, an actual team of humans does a happy dance? Mm-Hmm. <affirmative>. That's right. So leave a review for us on iTunes, screenshot it and send me an email at info learn to improve it.com. I'll send you a personalized video back as a thank you. Thanks so much for listening. Improve It Peeps. I'll see you next Wednesday.