Last week I came home to two voice mails that were a little disconcerting. There was a slow, gravelly voice that said, “My name is Wayne Williams. Call me back.” And he left his number. Since I did not know any Wayne Williams and because the voice did not sound like one of my usual clients, I was a bit reluctant to return the call.

The next day the phone rang, I immediately answered it – and it was Wayne Williams. He told me that he is 99 ½ years old and lives alone in Missouri. Somewhere he had received a copy of my book, “The Simple Truths of Appreciation – How Each of Us Can Choose to Make a Difference.” He said he wanted to order eight copies of the book to give to people…. “so that he could make a difference in the time he had left.”

I was so very touched (and to think I was not going to return his call) that when I sent the package with all the books signed, I included a copy of another of my books titled, “Priceless Gifts- Using What God’s Given You to Bless Others.” I signed it to him and told him it was an early birthday present.

The next week I got a lovely note from him thanking me for the book. This is what his card says: “98 Years Feeling Good and on a Roll May 21, 1920.” (He later told me the card was a year old! 😉

The quote on the bottom reads, “When we depart this world all that really matters is not how much money we have made or the possessions we have. What matters are the lives we have touched, the love we have shown, and the memories we have made. “   Uncle Wayne

Then it lists his email address, his office number, his cell phone, and he even has a YouTube channel!

Oh, my goodness, what an AMAZING role model he is to all of us! In the meantime we have emailed back and forth and shared devotions and articles that are meaningful to us. He shared that his wife died four years ago and they were just 4 days short of being married 72 years! I shared with him that my Dad’s name was Wayne and he died at age 62 when I was just 28 years old, so that name is very dear to me. And my very favorite uncle was also “Uncle Wayne,” so I don’t think this connection was by chance.

Uncle Wayne has already brought so much joy to my life, and he has assured me that any time he is traveling near Florida, I will meet him in person. The dearest thing of all was that he recently wrote:

“I am excited that our paths have crossed.  I told you that in the time I have left, I want to make a difference.  One of the ways is for me to order more of your books and scatter them out to selected people.  The messages I see in your books are life changing and will make a difference.”

Then he went on to tell me that his children are going to have a 100^th birthday party for him, and I AM INVITED! And if at all possible, I WILL be there.

Just yesterday Uncle Wayne called to order eight more books so that he could keep on making a difference. We just never know how our words and our actions can create a ripple of kindness and caring that truly DOES make a difference in this hurting world. I am so grateful for my meeting with Uncle Wayne!

To learn more about Barbara’s work, go to www.barbaraglanz.com

CHRISTMAS LETTER 2018

Merry Christmas! It is hard to believe that the year is almost over. It has been filled with lots of travel, meaningful work, and many wonderful connections with family and friends, old and new. Two thoughts have been deeply on my heart this year: “As much of Heaven is visible as we have eyes to see” and “All change comes bearing gifts.” With all the negativity and divisiveness in our world today, we all especially need to be focused on what is GOOD in our work and lives. I treasure our friendships!

The best news of the year is that Kinsey, my 17 year old granddaughter, finished her last chemo treatment for leukemia November 9. It has been a long hard 2 ½ year journey for her, and it is not through yet as the steroids have so destroyed her bones that they are anticipating having to replace both knees and ankles next year due to the constant pain. We are all so proud of her for her bravery and positive attitude. By taking extra classes and summer school, she will be able to graduate with her class next spring. How grateful we are for all the support and prayers from all over the world!

I spent last Christmas with my sister and brother in Grand Junction, CO, and then had a relatively quiet first of the year. I especially enjoyed Sarasota’s opera season and hearing Renee Fleming. I was asked to be on the Board for Designing Women, a high -end consignment shop whose proceeds go to help the arts and humanities in our city. I continue to be on Guideposts Advisory Board as well as the Lead Like Jesus Board,

My monthly book group, church Home Fellowship group, new clients, and a number of webinars, interviews and podcasts have kept me busy during my non-traveling time. A new business edition of “The Simple Truths of Service” came out in November, and we recently learned that the original book has now sold 400,000 copies. It just shows how everyone desperately needs hope today. Ken Blanchard and I are also planning a book on “Kindness,” a new speaking topic for me and so needed in our world.

I LOVE having visitors! My brother, Brian, from Chiang Mai, Thailand, visited in March along with the Whartons, dear friends from PA. Gretchen, Randy and the boys came from Portland for a week, my brother, Bruce, from CO for a week, and Erin was here for the July 4th week. What fun we all had on the beach!

I have traveled for both work and play to Atlanta, Savannah, Memphis, Philadelphia, Huntington Beach, CA, Copper Mountain & Grand Junction, CO, Dallas for NSA, Chicago to speak for my 21^st year at the Society for Human Resource Management conference, Washington, DC, for the Veterans Speakers retreat, and San Diego twice to see both my precious 95 year old aunt who still does water aerobics and ballroom dancing, and Shannon Johnston, a friend for over 50 years!

Highlights of the year include Frank’s 80^th birthday party when he brought all his family (and me) to the Homestead, a lovely resort in Virginia, for a week. The end of July I took all our family except Gavin, who had to work, to a really fun lake house outside Seattle for a 4-day weekend. We had a wonderful time being all together, playing in the lake with all the toys including Garrett’s jet ski, playing games, and eating and eating!

The other major highlight for me was a most WONDERFUL birthday celebration planned by Gretchen and Erin in Portland in May. They reserved a room at the fanciest hotel in downtown Portland, took me to a lovely restaurant for lunch and then gifted me with a facial. When I returned to the room, they had flowers, champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries. That evening they treated me to dinner at a fancy restaurant and then cocktails on the terrace of the hotel. The next day the little boys joined us for a Bloody Mary brunch and then we all went to the Timbers soccer game. It was one of the nicest weekends of my life!

In August Frank and I took a 7-day cruise to the Western Caribbean where I did my first “helmet dive” – you go down 30 feet and walk on the bottom of the ocean and feed the fish. 😉 A trip to Disney with my sister, Beth, and her daughter, Katie, and 2 year old granddaughter, Riley, from Australia in November was a delight. I will spend Thanksgiving in Seattle at Garret’s and Christmas in Portland with Gretchen and Erin.

Gretchen continues to be Operations Manager for Adorn shops in Portland. OR, and Randy continues his freelance webmaster work. Owen is in 8th grade. His interests are video games, building Legos and anything to do with computers. He’s looking forward to doing computer programming courses in high school and wants to be a video game developer. Simon is in 6th grade. His interests are soccer and video games. His competitive soccer team is having a great season and he is loving playing left mid-field. Even though he’s right-handed, he is left-footed in soccer! They, including Erin, are all huge Timbers soccer fans.

Garrett has taken a new job with Amazon in Seattle and handles marketing for the electronic device Alexa. Ashley and Kinsey spend a lot of time with their horse, Rally. Gavin has graduated and is working two jobs, seven days a week, to help pay for his hot car. He loves anything to do with cars!

Erin is still in the fashion industry as a National Agent for a company called True Collaborative Fashion. She travels around the country to various markets to show her lines. She is the proud mama of two darling kitties, Cricket and Clover, and as Owen, Simon, Gavin and Kinsey would attest – the best aunt ever!

2019 is going to be a huge travel year. I have a trip scheduled to Iceland in March (I have always wanted to see the Northern Lights), Frank and I have rescheduled the Viking River Cruise from Berlin to Prague in late April, and we just booked a trip to Japan in September. How BLESSED I feel to be able to continue to see amazing places in our world! May your holidays be filled with peace, love, and JOY.

Blessings and Love,

I’m so excited to share with you that I am one of 30 leadership experts and bestselling authors that are being interviewed by Shirley Taylor for her FREE online event, the Future Leaders Summit.  NOTE:  Special ends Monday, October 22, so do it NOW!

Here’s the link for your front row seat: https://barbaraglanz.krtra.com/t/BrxKLYtsN89c

At this online Summit, you’ll be able to watch and listen to all these fabulous, never-seen-before video interviews. Some of the things we will be sharing are how to:

• Build a culture that enhances connection and teamwork
• Create virtual power teams to develop your organisation for the future
• Earn a promotion and a payrise
• Lead yourself first: indispensable lessons in business and life
• Change your mindset, change your patterns, change your life
• Create a workplace of passion, purpose and productivity
• Embrace incremental innovation for dynamite results
• Make your biggest mark and lead a bigger life
• Think big, act bold, and get the results you want

These are just a few of the topics being discussed at the Future Leaders Summit.

And here’s the best part – I’ve got you a FREE PASS, so you can learn from all these experts without ever having to leave your home or desk.

So whether you’re looking to learn more about the future of leadership, lead effectively in our virtual world, or create new opportunities for growth and success, don’t miss the Future Leaders Summit.

Here’s the link for your front row seat: https://barbaraglanz.krtra.com/t/BrxKLYtsN89c

Sign up today, and I look forward to seeing you at the Summit!  For more information on Barbara’s work, go to www.barbaraglanz.com.

Here’s Your Free ‘VIP All-Access Pass’ to the New Video Series, “From the Boardroom to Backstage, Women Leaders Who Rock!™”

My friend, Chief Rock Star Kristi Staab – transformational leader, motivator and rocker, is premiering her new online video interview series, “From the Boardroom to Backstage, Women Leaders Who Rock: Your All-Access Pass to 21 Leadership Experts Who Are Powered by Passion, Positivity and Purpose.™” As part of my community, you receive a FREE “VIP All-Access Pass” to the entire Series, and more!

I’m thrilled to be featured as one of the 21 hand-picked daring, dynamic and diverse leadership influencers for this timely, inspirational and empowering event. Each featured guest shares her area of expertise to assist you in living and leading your best life imaginable. Whether your looking to up-level your life and leadership, exert more positive influence, or live and lead – yourself and others – powered by passion, positivity and purpose, you will receive a wide-range of valuable expertise and guidance to put in to immediate action!

PLUS… You’re also going to receive up to 21 free gifts– one from each featured influencer, when you watch her interview and download your free gift each day. That’s a total of 21 free gifts designed to support you and your 21-day “Women Leaders Who Rock™” journey. WOW!

Secure your ‘All-Access Pass’ now: http://womenleaderswhorock.com/BG

28 Creative Low-Cost or No -Cost Ways to Appreciate your Employees (…..and Sometimes Yourself!)

“People get just as excited about receiving a compliment as they do at the prospect of getting money!” ~ Journal Neuron

Barbara Glanz, CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame

As you are thinking about applying some of these ideas in your own organization, first think about the people who have made a difference in your own life. List five teachers or mentors who believed in you and encouraged you, five friends or co-workers who have helped you through a difficult time, five people who have taught you something worthwhile, and five people who have made you feel appreciated and special. If YOU want to be remembered for making a difference in someone else’s life, make them feel appreciated. Remember, appreciation is a FREE gift!

1. When you are forced to sit somewhere for a period of time (commuting, waiting for an appointment, even watching something boring on TV), get in the habit of writing short “thank you” notes. . Carry them in your purse or briefcase so they are easily accessible. Mention two or three specific things that make you glad that person is in your life.
2. Draw an outline of your hand. Put it on the wall of your office, and when you’ve done something great that no one has noticed, walk back and give yourself a little “pat on the back!”
3. Call someone’s parent, spouse or significant other at home to thank them for the good work that employee is doing.
4. Go to the store and look at all the candy names: Skor, Extra, $100,000 Bar, Snickers, Payday, Lifesavers. Plan little surprises with notes tying into that theme to surprise and thank employees.
5. Ask each of your direct reports or colleagues to list the letters of the alphabet and think of something they are thankful for that begins with each letter.
6. Give an employee the day off to work with his or her favorite charity. Ask them to take pictures and write about it for the company newsletter.
7. Give an employee a gift related to their favorite hobby or passion with a personal note. (First, you have to FIND OUT what their hobbies and passions are, however. That, in itself, is a form of recognition!)
8. Take an employee someplace that would personally delight them – attend a baseball game, go for a walk together, go shopping, attend a class together, take time to discuss a good book, attend an event to see one of their children perform.
9. Commit to finding someone doing something right each day and thank them for that on the spot.
10. Send a positive, encouraging voice mail to someone and then send one to YOURSELF!
11.  Make a “Thanksgiving Tree” and keep it in your lobby all year long.
12. Have an “Appreciation Board” posted in your breakroom where employees can publicly thank others who have gone the extra mile for them.
13. Make a “Thanksgiving Tree” and keep it in your lobby all year long. Ask people to write things they are thankful for and hang them on the tree.
14. As a special thank you to the whole team or company, host a half day event where employees pick an expert to come in and teach them a new life skill (photography, cooking, decorating, golf lessons).
15. Learn the American Sign Language sign for “thank you” and teach everyone in your department to use it when things are hectic.
16. Send a gift to the employee’s family to thank them for sharing that person, especially when an employee has been working hard on a project – a restaurant gift certificate with a letter, flowers, or movie tickets for the whole family.
17. Put 5 pennies in your right hand pocket in the morning. Every time you thank someone, move a penny to your left hand pocket and do not go home until all 5 are all on the left side.
18. Prepare a home-cooked meal for your employees. If possible, invite them to your home.  
19. Sponsor a Family Day at work so that family members can share in the mission of the company where their mother or father works. As a special perk, give them a logo gift of some kind.
20. Place five silver dollars in your pocket each week and pass them out to someone who is doing a great job during the week.
21. Give an employee the gift of time – permission to come in an extra hour later or leave an extra hour early or take an extra hour at lunchtime.
22. Have everyone on your team create an AIG folder (Ain’t I Great!) and ask each person to fill it with things that encourage them or bring them joy.
23. For one year, name a hallway, favorite dish in the cafeteria, or special room after an employee. Post their picture with the nameplate.
24. Have your team brainstorm creative ways they would like to be recognized or appreciated.
25. Invite an employee to lunch and ask him or her to share some ideas with you that could make a difference in your workplace. Be sure to take good notes and acknowledge any ideas that you implement.
26. Think of practical needs your employees may have. For example, invite a laundry service to come in once a week to pick up clothes or provide a caterer who will prepare meals to be picked up as the employees leave for the evening.
27. Place a large poster page next to everyone’s office or cubicle door for a week. Ask other employees during the week to stop by and write something they appreciate about that person.
28. Keep a “crazy gift” closet (the Dollar Store is a great place to get them), and when employees have done something exceptional or are just having a bad day, let them choose something fun from the closet.

REMEMBER: It does not have to be something big and the more fun and surprising it is, the better. As Mark Twain said, “I can go two months on one good compliment!”

To learn more about Barbara’s work, go to www.barbaraglanz,com

BARBARA GLANZ BIOGRAPHY

Internationally known speaker, author and a member of the prestigious Speaker Hall of Fame, Barbara Glanz, CSP, CPAE, works with organizations that want to improve morale, retention, and service and with people who want to rediscover the joy in their work and in their lives.  Barbara was voted “best keynote presenter you have heard or used” by Meetings & Conventions Magazine, July 2010.  She is the author of 12 best-selling books, including The Simple Truths of Service Inspired by Johnny the Bagger; The Simple Truths of Appreciation; Handle with CARE—Motivating and Retaining Employees; CARE Packages for the Workplace–Dozens of Little Things You Can Do to Regenerate Spirit at Work; Building Customer Loyalty and CARE Packages for Your Customers.  Using her Master’s degree in Adult Education, Barbara lives and breathes her personal motto:  “Spreading Contagious Enthusiasm™.” She is the first speaker on record to have presented on all seven continents and in all 50 states.  For more information, she can be reached directly at 941- 312-9169;

CHRISTMAS LETTER 2017

What a whirlwind this year has been! I have flown nearly 120,000 miles, explored 6 countries, visited 3 national parks, had the privilege of speaking to many amazing organizations all over the country, and was blessed to share lots of fun experiences with friends and family. How could life be better than this?

We all spent Christmas with Garrett and family in Seattle. January was the quietest month of the year – the most exciting events were the release of a new business edition of “The Simple Truths of Service” and taking a fun painting class (especially thought of my mother who was an artist and art teacher!)

In February Frank took me on a cruise from Port Canaveral to Nassau to celebrate our 4 year “anniversary.” Later that month I was delighted to be asked to serve on the Board of Designing Women, a group that gives hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the Arts in Sarasota.

March was a highlight with a long-desired trip to the Holy Land, visiting both Jordan and Israel. It was led by our pastor who is also an archeologist and does a dig every summer in Israel, so we not only had the historical and political perspectives from our guides, but also the spiritual and archeological focus from Pastor Bill. Highlights were sailing on the Sea of Galilee, getting baptized in the Jordan River, walking through the Valley of the Doves in the exact footsteps of Jesus, floating in the Dead Sea, exploring Petra and Masada, and putting prayers for friends and family in the Wailing Wall. Reading my Bible will never be the same again!

April brought a visit from my brother, Brian, from Thailand whom I had not seen in four years, a fun week here with Gretchen, Randy, Owen and Simon from Portland, a trip to Chicago, and in May to Nashville for Frank’s grand daughter’s graduation. My friend, Nancy, and I had a delightful visit in Ashville, NC, to celebrate the anniversary of dear friends. We did a food tour, a scavenger hunt, and lots of partying – LOVE that part of the country!

In May I was asked to speak for the third time to the city of Durango, CO. MY brother, Bruce, who has been a professor at Mesa State University for 30 years, drove over to meet me. We spent the next day at Mesa Verde where we took a tour to Balcony House, one of the famous cliff dwellings. As a part of the tour, you had to climb a 30 foot wooden ladder on the edge of a cliff to get up to the ruins (one of the scariest things I have ever done!) and then to get out, you had to crawl through a 12 foot tunnel that was only big enough to do on your hands and knees. After we got back to the top, one of the couples on the tour told me that at first they thought Bruce and I were married…….UNTIL when I started to crawl through the tunnel, he took a picture of my rear end! Then they knew that we could not possibly be married – only a little brother would do that…… 😉

Afterwards I went back to Grand Junction with him to share in the installation of a huge sculpture of a preying mantis he had commissioned and donated to the university as his retirement gift (see picture). He named it “Lucille” after our mother. 😉 How she would have loved that! Later that month Frank took me for a fun few days to Amelia Island to celebrate my birthday.

In June I spoke for the national SHRM convention in New Orleans for my twentieth year. I adore that audience! In July Erin came for a week, and I took the whole family to Long Beach, WA, for a long weekend. A special highlight was introducing my dear friend, Jolene Brown, at the National Speakers Association Convention in Orlando as she was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame.

August was another blessed month with a cruise with Frank to Spain, Portugal, and Gibraltar. Unfortunately, Delta lost our luggage for three days after we arrived in Bilbao, but they kindly reimbursed us for all the clothes we had to purchase in the meantime. We stopped at various ports along the coast and ended in Barcelona the day after the massacre. We were deeply touched by all the memorials, yet life already seemed back to normal there. We toured Sagrada Familia, Guell Park, and one of Gaudi’s amazing homes as well as attending a tango show. Barcelona continues to be one of my favorite cities in the world! The month ended with a trip to DC for the Veteran Speaker’s Retreat.

We were evacuated in September due to Hurricane Irma, but luckily, we had no damage. Both September and October were busy speaking months with very special clients as well as a week’s trip to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park with Frank. The other highlight was being a part of “Team Kinsey” for the Leukemia Walk in Portland. She was thrilled that 50+ people donated $5000+ for research in her name. She has bravely fought this disease the past 18 months but still has two more years of chemo once a month. Thankfully, she has been able to go back to school this fall. We all continue to pray for healing.

In November Frank and I are taking the Queen Mary II to London and in December I am meeting three girlfriends for shows in NYC. Then Erin and I will spend Christmas in Colorado with my sister and brother.

Garrett has a new job with Amazon in Seattle focusing on “Alexa.” Ashley and Kinsey are enjoying their horse, Rally, while Gavin is working two jobs to save for a new car. Owen 12 and Simon 10 are busy with soccer, school, video games, and building robots. Gretchen continues as Ops manager for three boutiques in Portland while Randy is doing freelance website work. Erin enjoys her work in fashion, her new house, the Timbers soccer team, and her kitty, Cricket.

I feel so very blessed to have good health and such wonderful family, friends, and clients. May 2018 overflow with faith, peace, love and joy in all your lives.

Blessings,

To learn more about Barbara’s work, go to www.barbaraglanz.com.