Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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direct to your in-box every Monday Morning with tips on what it takes to be a great leader
It’s tempting to think the only way to get to the top is to work all the time. But you can be an effective leader and maintain a healthy work-life balance. It all starts with your mindset. Stop thinking of yourself as someone who’s willing to do whatever the job asks, and start thinking of yourself as someone who does great work and also has a life outside of it….
We all like to consider ourselves smart, but raw intelligence isn’t everything. When we get stuck on a problem, sometimes it’s because we’re overthinking it. Pay attention to when focused thinking isn’t getting you anywhere; perhaps it has turned into obsessing over the same answers or approaches. Consider whether experimenting with a new strategy or talking ideas through with others might be more likely to result in success. Take breaks…
An open office can be a nightmare when it comes to noise — especially when you’re working on something that requires your undivided attention. To get the focus you need, talk to your team to sync up expectations about how you can all work optimally. Develop some ground rules. For example, you all might agree that when one colleague is on the phone, everyone else will only whisper. It’s also…
When you’re chronically busy and stressed, it’s easy to react in ways that make the situation worse rather than better. For example, if you have a million tasks on your to-do list, you may not think you have time to stop and prioritize. But simply barreling through everything that feels urgent isn’t an efficient strategy. Step back and rank your tasks based on urgency and importance. Whatever meets both criteria…
If you’re worried that your employees are eyeing the door, it’s time to start having some important, career-defining conversations. Here are five key questions to ask your direct reports at your next one-on-one to ensure that they feel seen and valued — before it’s too late. How would you like to grow within this organization?Identify the career development opportunities they need — whether that’s coaching, mentoring, increased visibility, or more…
While enjoying your day off, here are some fun facts about President’s Day you might not know. President’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. George Washington’s actual birthday is February 22, 1732. President Gerald Ford was the first to be president and vice president without ever being elected. Franklin D. Roosevelt took the first presidential flight, according to Air and Space. There are three presidents from Tennessee:…
Let’s face it: We all lack motivation at times. To keep yourself on task — and focused on your goals — it can help to build in ways to hold yourself accountable. That way, you’re not depending on willpower alone. Here are some tactics that can help. First, enlist an accountability buddy. Tell them what your goal is, being specific about what you hope to accomplish, then ask them to…
No one has time for a bad meeting. So be sure you’re not wasting people’s time, including your own, by making each meeting purposeful, inclusive (of the people who actually need to be there), and participatory. Start by inviting people to contribute to the agenda beforehand. This will increase everyone’s buy-in. Then, explain why the meeting matters before you dive into the agenda. For example, you might say, “I’d like…
Learning to make good decisions, without hesitation and procrastination, is a skill that can set you apart from your peers. How can you stop vacillating on tricky choices, especially under pressure? Here are the steps to take when faced with making a tough call. Start by considering many different viewpoints. This doesn’t mean you should seek out everyone’s opinion. Instead, identify the right people with the relevant expertise and give…
When a goal seems particularly onerous, or the path toward achieving it feels unclear, it’s easy to just do nothing and push it off to another day. This is a mistake. Here are three strategies to start tackling that goal you’ve been putting off: Hire a coach or look for a mentor. Having someone to support and encourage you can make a big difference. They can be particularly helpful in…
Intuition is frequently dismissed as mystical or unreliable. In reality, it’s one of the most powerful decision-making tools at your disposal. Here are a few ways to learn to go with your gut: Distinguish your gut feeling from fear. Ask yourself: Am I tempted to make this decision to avoid a threat, rejection, or punishment? Or do I feel excited, at ease, and content with the choice at hand? Practice….
Forming a new habit in the best of times can be difficult, let alone trying to make changes when you’re already spent. But just because you’re exhausted, doesn’t mean you can’t build new, healthier habits. The key is to start small. First and foremost, make sleep a priority: go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Most of us go to bed too late to get…