Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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With each column I write, I carefully consider the point I want to make. I draft the column, reflect on it, tweak it, and review it before I post it. Unfortunately, that type of careful thought and reflection doesn’t always happen in the business environment. Today’s technology and social-media platforms enable us to express top-of-mind, unfiltered thoughts to the world–often to disastrous results. Remember, just because we can say something…
We all feel it at some point in our lives. Some more often than others. Your brain is stuck. Tired and in need of some major help! You need inspiration for a new creative project, or a way to solve a management problem, or a strategy for increasing sales, but you keep coming up short? You may be able to get things flowing again with a few daily activities proven…
Marshall Goldsmith is a world famous leadership coach. He has a 30 day challenge that I think is worthy of sharing. For the next 30 days, ask yourself the following questions at the end of everyday. 1. Did I begin my day with purpose? 2. Did I make any progress toward that purpose? 3. Did I find joy in my day? 4. Did I work to build and/or…
As the leader of a company, you are responsible for everyone from the receptionist to the executive team. Most times you are working on a daily basis with the executive team and don’t slow down long enough to thank the people you pass in the halls every morning on the way to your office. The best way to keep them happy and retain them are not always measured in dollars….
I have recently been shopping for a new service and have been impressed by one vendor on the incredible customer service I have encountered and equally disappointed by the lack of customer service from the other. Being in the service business myself, I thought maybe I was over critical, but I decided it was not rocket science on how to treat people that you want a business relationship with, or…
Ray Dalio, founder of the investment firm Bridgewater Associates and billionaire hedge fund manager, shares his top 20 Management Principles. They are a quick and easy read, and principles that will make a difference in your business. On Culture 1. Place the utmost importance on truth. “Create an environment in which everyone has the right to understand what makes sense and no one has the right to hold a critical…
With Father’s Day being yesterday, a friend sent me the following that was worthy of sharing for all you fathers out there. A Father’s 10 Lessons By Bruce Feiler “What’s the one piece of advice you would give as a father?” I reached out to six close friends from all parts of my life recently and asked them to form a “Council of Dads” to be present in the lives of…
There’s that one person on your team — the bad apple who has nothing positive to say, riles up other team members, and makes work life miserable. If you can’t fire them, how do you respond to their behavior? What feedback do you give? How do you mitigate the damage they inflict? There’s a difference between a difficult employee and a toxic one, when they are toxic not only do they cause…
In honor of this Memorial Day, I thought it was appropriate to share Paul Harvey’s wonderful message. Thank you to all those that have sacrificed their lives, may they rest in peace, and to those that are currently serving our country and the sacrifices they are making. We truly appreciate what you do so that we can live in a free country! Enjoy, pass on, and God Bless America! Make it a great…
When you are in the company of great leaders, you want to be able to add value and be one of the group. Don’t feel like you don’t deserve to be there, or that you are out of your league. Pick up a few lessons and you will fit right in. Assemble the best team. Surround yourself with people that can compliment your strengths and help you with your weaknesses. Remember the most successful teams are…
Staying healthy and taking care of yourself should be your first priority as a leader. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others. Here are a few tips on taking care of you! Exercise: Happy leaders know they need to take care of their bodies so they have the stamina to make it through the demands of leadership. The more active you are, the better the…
There are some things you simply never want to say at work. These phrases carry special power: they have an uncanny ability to make you look bad even when the words are true. Worst of all, there’s no taking them back once they slip out. I’m not talking about shocking slips of the tongue, off-color jokes, or politically incorrect faux pas. These aren’t the only ways to make yourself look…