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
Attending conferences and scheduling meetups are great ways to network, but they aren’t the only way. An often overlooked approach is organizing a gathering yourself, which lets you be strategic about who you get to know. Think carefully about how many people you’ll invite and who they should be. It’s good to keep the event small, which makes it more intimate. One strategy is to bring people together who have…
Your first few months in a job have a major impact on whether you succeed. Many people have trouble deciding where to focus their energy early on, so use three questions to guide you. “How will I create value?” Know what is expected of you, by when, and how your progress will be assessed. Consider the interests of all stakeholders (not just your boss), and keep in mind that the…
For working parents with school-age children, this time of year is especially chaotic. But it is possible to manage the (often overwhelming) demands of back-to-school activities while still delivering at work. Start by thinking about what’s realistic for you. Even with a flexible job, it’s unlikely that you can make it to every bake sale, library fundraiser, and field trip. To do your fair share, try to do it all…
When our jobs are at their most hectic, our approach to work can shift from “How do I get everything done?” to “How do I survive this?” To cope with intense times, try a few strategies. One is to reward yourself for finishing a tough task (like writing a report) by completing an easy task (like running an errand). This will help you pace yourself and ensure your brain gets…
Most people have far more work than they can possibly get to. That’s why it’s so important to say no to things that aren’t a great use of your time. But turning people down can be uncomfortable. To get better at it, practice saying no politely and gracefully. For example, if a colleague asks you to do something that isn’t your job, you might say: “That isn’t my area of…
It doesn’t take much for work stress to bleed into your home life, isolating you from the people you care about most. To disengage and recharge, be deliberate about refocusing your attention at the end of the day. Create a little ritual to help you make the mental transition from work to home. Whatever it is, the ritual should be a tangible reminder that you’re setting aside the day’s stress…
As a manager, it’s your job to support your team through intense work periods. The first step to take care of yourself: Eat nutritious food, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and find a friend to vent to when you need it. These things aren’t luxuries — a healthy mind and body will help you lead well. When you turn your attention to your team, think about how you can be…
On this federal holiday, also known as Independence Day, marking the Colonies’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which declared independence from the Great Britain and its king, we thought it would be appropriate to share some fun facts about this historic day. We are already familiar with the fireworks, parades , barbeque and festivities like picnics, fairs, concerts and parties that take place on this…
Crafting a standout resume isn’t always about what you put in—equally important is what you leave out. Here are four key pitfalls to steer clear of. Including irrelevant experience. Focus on what’s pertinent. If you’re applying for a marketing role, skip the unrelated jobs and highlight relevant experiences. Expand on your contributions and use metrics to show impact. Keep the other experiences in your back pocket—they may be useful to…
Ok, folks. So your children are all now out of the house. You’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. But wait, it doesn’t feel like you thought it would! It’s common for parents to feel grief and instability when their kids leave the house. If you’re an empty nester (or will be soon), here are some strategies to help you reshape your life and find meaning—both…
Good morning. Starting this 3rd Monday in June we are going to try something a little different to enhance your Monday Morning Coffee with Liz experience. You will still receive the same inbox email, but you will also have the ability to listen to MMC as well as view the video. If how you are receiving MMC works for you, keep doing it, but if you’d like to change it…
Email can be a black hole that swallows productivity, but a few changes to your inbox habits can help you take back your time. First, don’t let yourself check email more often than once per hour, and turn off any notifications that tempt you to. Most people don’t expect you to respond immediately, and doing so keeps you from concentrating on other tasks. Second, move emails out of your inbox…