Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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I recently saw this in a Dear Abby column (yes, I read Dear Abby!) and knew it was too important not to share! The six most important words: “I admit I made a mistake” The five most important words: “You did a good job” The four most important words: “What is your opinion” The three most important words: “If you please” The two most important words: “Thank you” The one…
Last year, in honor of Memorial Day, I shared Paul Harvey’s wonderful message, On the 8th Day God Made a Service Member. Many of you let me know how much you enjoyed it, so I thought it only appropriate that I repeat it again this year, and now it has become a tradition. Thank you to all of those that have sacrificed their lives, may they rest in peace, and to those that are…
Virtual meetings can often feel impersonal, awkward, and isolating, but there are ways to make them feel more intimate. For starters, if you’re the host, arrive a bit early to the video conference so you can greet people as they pop up on your screen and engage in a bit of friendly small talk. Encourage attendees to turn on their video — let them know ahead of time if it’s…
Many organizations have been compiling information to help us get to a “new normal”, as well as helping businesses get their offices, and employees, back to work. I pulled a few from sources listed below to share ones I felt were important and immediate. Workplace Readiness: ¹ Prepare the Building: cleaning plans, pre-return inspections Prepare the Workforce: mitigating anxiety, policies for deciding who returns, employee communications Control Access: protocols for…
When you’re working from home, it can be really hard to transition from work mode to personal mode, but it’s more important than ever to keep the distinction clear. Here’s how to make the switch. First, establish a routine that eases you into work mode. Maybe it’s putting your dishes in the dishwasher, getting a cup of coffee, and then sitting down at your computer. Or maybe it’s doing a…
If your team is working from home for the first time, chances are they might be feeling somewhat disconnected and out of the loop. You can help them by being transparent and making sure that everyone knows what’s going on. Communicate what’s happening at the organizational level around finances, client relationships, and big-picture goals. People may be nervous about revenue goals and other deliverables. Share as much information as you…
During stressful and uncertain times, it’s normal to feel anxious and scared. Chances are, most people around you feel it, too. It’s easy to infect each other with anxiety and fear, but we can take steps to protect ourselves from these emotional contagions. To start, cut down on how often you engage in venues where fear feeds on itself, such as social media, cable news, and frenzied conversations with friends…
As the Coronavirus continues to spread, most people who are used to working in an office environment suddenly face the reality of a new workspace – their own home. Meanwhile, schools across the country have closed their doors meaning that the majority of families are now going to be spending extended periods of time stuck in the house together. Here are some tips to help everyone survive! Don’t Panic! Give…
With many professionals working from home do to the CoronaVirus, I thought it was timely to share some tips on how to stay motivated during this time. Create and follow a schedule – If you work from home every so often, it’s likely that you work similar hours to your colleagues in the office. If you’re self-employed, set yourself working hours and stick to them. You don’t have to work the traditional 9-5,…
When you’re leading a meeting, it’s tempting to hold the floor. After all, you called everyone together, right? But no one wants to go to a meeting where one person talks the whole time, and you’re unlikely to get what you need from the group if you’re delivering a monologue. To keep yourself in check, try three tactics. First, make notes and stick to them. Give yourself a time limit,…
As a coach, I am always working with my clients to make sure their number one priority is themselves, period. If you don’t take care of yourself, you are not in a position to take care of others. That doesn’t just include your family, but your clients as well. If you have traveled by plane, the safety instructions are always, “Put your oxygen mask on yourself first, before assisting others.” …
When difficult conversations at work go wrong, they can rapidly devolve into unproductive arguments. Keep your discussion on track by minding the A-BCDs: Avoid Blame, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling. Blame. Try not to make assumptions about what your colleague is thinking, and don’t make groundless accusations. Keep the conversation focused on facts. Contempt. Acknowledge when you’ve lashed out in exasperation, and do your best to avoid making judgments. Defensiveness. Take…