Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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With the rise of remote work, we’re using email more than ever. So, it’s essential to take the time to make sure your words reflect what you actually want to say — and, crucially, how you want to say it. To do so, ask yourself these four questions before hitting send. Is my email too brief? We’re all moving quickly these days, but make sure you’ve shared any important details…
As your organization faces the twin challenges of strained budgets and burned-out workforces, what can you do to keep your employees engaged? While it may not be as impactful as a promotion or a raise, don’t underestimate the power of symbolic awards, such as private thank-you notes or public displays of recognition. These simple interventions can significantly improve employee motivation, according to research. To maximize their effect, it’s essential to…
Many of us are so focused on doing it all that we forget to carve out time for ourselves. But ensuring your own health and happiness is critical. So give yourself permission to take care of yourself — now. If you put off self-care until work is less busy, your kids are back in school, your house is in order, or some other circumstances are exactly right, you may never…
As we wrap up the Final Four of March Madness, I share with you some leadership knowledge I observed this season. You won’t have a championship team every year. How you deal with loss is everything. Great leaders learn from their mistakes. Not all A-teams are full of A-players. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Lead by example. Make it a great day!
This weekend I had the opportunity to spend 5 days in the Texas Hill Country with some great gal pals playing golf and getting away. Fortunately, I had family I could visit there as well, so after a year long quarantine from the pandemic, I took a break. I didn’t realize how much needed this break was until I was in it. We have all had a difficult year that…
Let’s be honest: Sometimes complaining about a coworker feels good. But although it helps you release pent-up emotions, venting is a sideways move. In other words, we usually complain to a friend or colleague — and we rarely confront the person we’re complaining about. So the next time you want to complain, try taking it to the source of the problem. For example, let’s say a coworker yells in a…
As a manager, your job is to give feedback. But if you want your employees to really hear what you’re saying, you need to listen, too. Research suggests a manager’s attentive, nonjudgmental listening makes an employee more relaxed, more self-aware, and less defensive. The next time you’re coaching someone, listen carefully and thoughtfully to everything they say. Don’t jump to conclusions or interrupt. Give the person space to express themselves,…
If your brain isn’t naturally wired for making order, learning how to plan your time can be a frustrating experience, especially if you are working from home these days. Fortunately, it’s possible to overcome your natural wiring and better organize your time. Begin by reaching out to friends or colleagues who excel at planning or have good organization skills and asking for their advice. They may be able to offer…
It’s not a good idea to go into a tense conversation when you’re full of negative emotions. Before you get into the room, find a trusted colleague or friend who can listen to you complain. Say everything you feel about the situation — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don’t hold back. It’s important to get this out so that you’re not suppressing your emotions, which could…
When you’re a leader facing decisions that have a major impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, it’s easy to feel fear and self-doubt and to start beating yourself up. But self-compassion will serve you much better, and if it doesn’t come naturally, it’s a skill you can practice. Try a brief mindfulness exercise — it could be as short as 20 seconds. Take three deep breaths. On the first breath,…
While the benefits of self-care are well known, some leaders still question whether it’s for them. You might feel like you don’t have the time, or think that you don’t need it, or maybe you consider the whole idea to be a bunch of nonsense. Well, it’s time to reconsider. Self-care is important, and it can look different for everyone. Set aside your resistance, and find a way to make…
We all have those days when it feels like life is kicking you in the teeth, but you still need to get things done. When you’re down, being productive can sometimes help with your mood and resilience. To push through, you could focus on a familiar activity — a task that’s satisfying but not taxing, something you’ve done so many times that muscle memory will kick in. Or you could…