Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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When you’re trying to come up with a creative solution to a problem, you might be tempted to buckle down and focus until you solve it. But recent research shows that taking breaks at regular intervals leads to better outcomes. Set a timer for a certain amount of time, say, 30 minutes. When it goes off, switch tasks: Organize your reimbursement receipts, check your email, or clean your desk, and…
It’s important to encourage your employees to take time off. Make it clear to them that this is a business issue — not just a personal one. Use a few minutes in a team meeting to share some of the research on the benefits of vacation, such as higher productivity and less stress. Then keep track of how many vacation days employees have taken, and periodically update the team so…
As a manager, one of your greatest concerns is how to motivate your employees to do their best work. But how often do you think about what makes you excited to come to work every day? Take a moment to check in with how you’re feeling about your job. When do you feel proud of leading your team? What aspects of your role do you enjoy? How can you increase…
Many of us know the benefits of delegation: It helps teams share the workload so that managers focus on the work only they can do. But in reality, you (like most managers) probably hoard tasks and become a bottleneck. To fix that, start with baby steps. Ask yourself regularly, even daily: “What can I, and only I, do?” If a certain task could be done by someone else, maybe it…
Many people let their personal relationships fall by the wayside as they focus on their careers and start a family. Yet research shows that we are more successful in our careers when we’re supported by a foundation of strong, stable friendships. Don’t run the risk of losing touch with your closest social connections. Career and friendships can reinforce each other — friends can share big-picture career insights and even inspire…
We all want to find meaning in what we do. You can foster this inner sense of purpose by asking yourself a few simple questions: What are you good at? What do you take on because you believe you’re the best person to do it? What have you gotten noticed for throughout your career? This will help you identify your strengths. What do you enjoy? In a typical workweek, what…
As a leader, admitting failure is critical. Many people try to shrug off missteps as things that happen to everyone. Although doing so might seem harmless, there are many good reasons why you should admit you’ve messed up. Here are three: To connect with your employees. While it’s true that employees won’t want to discuss their own failures, they are more likely to connect with leaders who admit to theirs….
I have been doing a lot of cleaning lately, actually it is one of my goal’s this year – clean out the clutter in my life. While doing so, I came across this “Simple Formula For Living.” I’m not sure how long I’ve had it, or where I originally got it, but it is worth sharing. Live beneath your means. Return everything you borrow. Stop blaming other people. Admit it…
I discovered that waking up early was the best way to start my day. Apparently, I’m not alone in this realization, as there are many stories about Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, and many others that believe in welcoming the sun. Why? It’s a very productive time with the ability to determine priorities before someone or something dictates them for you. And you can own your day. Everybody needs personal time…
Even if you think annual performance reviews should be abolished, it’s unlikely that you can overhaul your organization’s approach to appraisals. Fortunately, you’re in control of the way you manage the performance of your team. If your organization requires reviews — whether they are annual, semiannual, or quarterly — you should, of course, do them. But take additional steps throughout the review period to ensure that your employees are meeting…
Olympians draw their inspiration from a set of core values that prepare them to do their best as they compete, and to respond gracefully to whatever happens as a result of their best efforts. Each of those Olympic values relates to the timeless values of leadership that we fuel by well being. No matter what type of work you do, you can grow stronger and excel at it by learning…
All too often, managers behave as if relationships are built at the office holiday party and other social events and are hindered by actually working. If the only way you build connections with your employees is by chitchatting, you’ll either spend valuable time not working or overbook your calendar with social obligations. Instead of relying on long lunches or happy-hour drinks, build good relationships with your employees by making sure…