Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
Get “Monday Morning Coffee with Liz”
direct to your in-box every Monday Morning with tips on what it takes to be a great leader
Negotiations can get emotional, to say the least. Whether you’re asking for a raise, more resources for your team, or to restructure your position, you might feel anxious, reluctant, or worried. But you won’t be successful if you’re worked up, so take steps to handle your emotions. Before the negotiation, ask yourself how your counterpart might respond — and why. Doing so will help you identify potential setbacks and gather…
You don’t need grand gestures to show your employees you appreciate them. Sometimes, it’s the little, everyday things that matter most. Start by checking in with each of your employees regularly. Give them the space to share what they’re doing or working on. You should also give balanced feedback. Praise is meaningful, but employees also want to know where they can improve. Just don’t give both types of feedback at…
When you feel overwhelmed, the way you react can actually make things worse. Here are five common, self-sabotaging mistakes to watch out for — and how to avoid them: You think you don’t have time for actions that might help you. Stop waiting for an ideal moment, and do something to help yourself immediately, such as taking a day off to rest, or calling up a friend. You don’t use…
Memorial Day is in remembrance of the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces and protecting our country. As we celebrate this day, let’s not forget to stop and give thanks to those who served, and died, so that we can live in this country and enjoy the freedom we have. I give thanks and remember those men and women who died while serving and protecting…
Between work, family, and our personal lives, it’s no surprise that many of us feel overwhelmed a lot of the time. If your to-do list never seems to get shorter, step back and try a new approach. For example, consider whether certain tasks are stressing you out more than others. If so, focus on those first: Finish a big project as soon as possible, or break down a complicated goal…
When we’re stressed, we talk about it. (“Ugh, I have so much to do!”) But sharing our anxieties, which makes us feel better in the moment, makes the people around us feel worse. Like a contagion, stress can spread. To manage yours better, and to spare your coworkers from catching it, change how you talk when you’re frazzled. Don’t just tell your coworkers you’re stressed — tell them what you’re…
We’ve all been there: You email someone asking for a conversation, information, input, or an introduction … and you get no response. It’s frustrating, but you shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that you’re being ghosted. We’re all juggling a lot these days, so here’s how to reach out with a gentle nudge. Start with a compelling subject line. Avoid generic phrases like “Following up” or “Checking in” that are not…
When bringing self-care into your day feels impossible, finding a better workout routine or downloading yet another sleep app isn’t the solution. Ultimately, you need to change your mindset. By challenging your assumptions about what self-care is, you’ll be better equipped to find an approach that works for you. Here are three tips that can help. Define self-care on your own terms. Self-care can look different for different people. It…
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!