Whether an individual, team, or organization,
increase your value by developing the voice of a leader.

Liz Trocchio Smith

Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor

Monday Morning Coffee

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Monday Morning Coffee

Teamwork

Monday, March 23, 2016 Good Morning, The power of teamwork wins championships, keeps companies competitive, and raises the effectiveness of a group to more than the sum of its parts. No one said building teamwork was easy, though. Just think about how often we see employees working at cross purposes, draining the strength and cohesiveness of a company. If you lead any kind of team, follow these simple rules to lay the…

The Truth Will Set You Free

Monday, March 9, 2015 Good morning, I came across an article about Alan Mulally, the former CEO of Ford Motor Co, and thought it deserved sharing.   It is a great example of extraordinary leadership. In 2006  Mulally took over a company that was $12.7 billion in the red and contemplating a federal bailout request.  Only four years later, profits had jumped to $6.6 billion, the most in a decade.  By…

Don’t Waste Your Time or Theirs

Monday, February 23, 2015 Good morning, Meetings have long been the butt of jokes in the business world. But they don’t have to be. You can get a lot more done, assuming you follow some basic steps and work with others to get the necessary attention and efforts. Be sure you actually need a meeting.  The biggest problem with meetings is that they have become a default response to many…

Your Reputation, Don’t Mess With It

Monday, February 16, 2016 Good morning, Last week we learned that NBC News chief anchor Brian Williams appears to have been stretching the truth. His employer has confirmed that it is investigating Williams’ statement that he was in a helicopter in Iraq in 2003 that was hit by enemy fire and forced out of the air. It seems that, much like a good fish story, Williams’ story about the helicopter…

How To Inspire Your Employees

Monday, February 9, 2015 Good morning, Where does a winning team get its mojo?  When we think of sports, we often attribute success to wildly inspirational leaders. These are the coaches whose legendary speeches inspire teams to break down doors and win championships. However, while we can all appreciate these high-octane, “this is our moment message, inspirational leadership need not be so over-the-top. In your company, fist pumping and a…

What’s Up With Them?

Monday, February 2, 2015 Good morning, Everybody complains about incompetent bosses or dysfunctional co-workers, but what about irritating direct reports? What should you do if the person you manage drives you crazy? If the behavior is a performance issue, there’s a straightforward way to address what’s irking you — but what do you do when it’s an interpersonal issue? Is it possible to be a fair boss to someone you’d avoid eating…

2015 Workplace Trends

Monday, January 19, 2015 Good morning, Each year, Dan Schawbel, a contributor with Forbes, posts his Top Workplace Trends Predictions.  I thought I would share them with you this year and we can follow him and see how well he does this time next year.  It’s a bit more lengthy than my typical Monday Morning reads, but I think you will find it worth the time.  Read on. 1. Companies hiring Generation Z for internships….

Thank You Notes

Monday, January 5, 2015 Good morning,     When you get ready to sit down and send thank you notes out for all the treasures you received this holiday, how will you send them?    Email or hand written?  I’m a big fan of sending hand written notes for everything I receive.  I feel email is too impersonal, and so do others who are what some  call “old school”.   But I do believe hand…

Out With The Old

Monday, December 29th, 2014 Good morning, As we approach the new year, it’s time to throw out those bad habits and really make some New Year’s Resolutions, but keep them this time, right? past the end of January!  Well, I am here to help you with setting some achievable goals and making sure you stay on track to getting what you want today, tomorrow and through out the year! Remember, you…

Tis The Season!

Monday, December 22, 2014 Good morning, In whatever way you celebrate this holiday season, may it be filled with joy and good tiddings.   For me, I am looking forward to a Christmas spent with family, friends, football and helping those that are less fortunate than me.  Wishing you a safe and blessed holiday!

How To Have A Great Relationship With Your Employees

Monday, December 15, 2014 Good morning, You’ve heard it hundreds of times: It’s the people who make a company successful. Your employees are the ones who interact with customers, and whatever rules you lay down for them, they won’t make customers feel happy and engaged unless they’re happy and engaged themselves. And yet, too few bosses put the needed time and energy into building strong relationships with their employees. That viewpoint…

A Thanksgiving Gift

Monday, November 24, 2014 Good morning, Each year, most of us look forward to a 4 day weekend over the Thanksgiving Holiday, with a gathering of a big feast, friends, family and football.  In all it’s commercialization, we probably don’t take too much time to think about why we celebrate, so today, I will give you a quick history lesson to share around the dinner table while you are giving…