Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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We’ve all had that feeling of being a poser, being unworthy, or being unqualified to do something we’ve been tasked to do. But the fact that everyone occasionally suffers from impostor syndrome (even CEOs) doesn’t make it any easier to handle. Next time you feel like you’re in over your head, try these three things: Recognize the benefits of being a novice. There are positives to being new in your field….
Talking about politics at work can be tricky; however strong your views are, you don’t want to alienate your coworkers. Here are some strategies for having a tactful, diplomatic dialogue. Focus on learning. Chances are, you’re not going to change your coworker’s mind, so frame your conversation as a chance to learn about their viewpoint instead. Ask questions. Be curious and open-minded. Show respect. Validate the content of your colleague’s…
It’s helpful to start a meeting by agreeing on procedural rules, like “start on time and end on time” and “put phones on vibrate.” But ground rules that focus on behavior, not just logistics, can help your meeting be even more successful. These rules describe specific actions that team members should take to act effectively. Here are a few to consider: State views and ask genuine questions. This rule discourages…
Facts: Nineteen men hijacked four fuel-loaded US commercial airplanes bound for west coast destinations. A total of 2,977 people were killed in New York City, Washington, DC and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attack was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The Victims: At the World Trade Center (WTC) site in Lower Manhattan, 2,753 people were killed when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175…
Make it a great day!
Asking for a raise can be anxiety-inducing, but that one conversation can also mean having more money left over at the end of the month. Robin L. Pinkley, co-author of “Get Paid What You’re Worth: The Expert Negotiators’ Guide to Salary and Compensation,” gives us some tips on how to best make the case. Just do it “The most important thing is to just do it,” Pinkley says. You’ll obviously want…
Each year I am honored to be able to attend Camp Oasis in Texas as a camp counselor, a camp for kids ages 6-18 that have Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, sponsored by The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Having grown up with Crohn’s Disease myself, it has always been a great way for me to give back my time and knowledge to those that are suffering with the disease so…
I’ll put it as simply as I can: There are an awful lot of unmotivated employees out there. With a recent national study showing that less than 1 in 4 non- management employees is fully engaged (aka, fully motivated and productive), there is, shall we say, ample room for improvement. And since an employee’s relationship with his or her direct manager is the single most important factor influencing engagement, the responsibility falls…
The summer is a great time to reflect on the goals you put in place at the beginning of the year and where you are with them. Here are some ways to measure your progress. Commit to daily excellence. Look at all the successful people around you — whether a close family member, friend, or a celebrity you admire — and imagine how they think and go about their daily…
Most of us have experienced that sickening moment when you realize you’ve made a serious mistake. The details are different for everybody, but at some point, we’ve all felt that rising tide of dread and panic. Mistakes and pressure are inevitable; the secret to getting past them is to stay calm. New research from the Harvard Business School shows that most of us go about staying calm the wrong way….
I read this article in the Dallas Morning News Sunday Paper, written by Diane Stafford, and wanted to share with my readers. It is great advice for not just young adults entering the work place, but also a great reminder for those that have been in the workplace for awhile. I have shortened it for easy reading. Read on. “It’s summer. Attention spans are short. Vacations beckon. Here are some…
Leaders often lose great talent because there’s no promotion available. It’s terrible to watch your best employees quit after you have invested your time and resources in their professional growth. You may even question why you are investing so much in developing them in the first place. On the other hand, leaders who discover a way to promote their top talent when there’s not a position readily available can retain…