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
Planning for a vacation can be exhausting, which is why shorter “minibreaks” are so useful. For example, taking a short trip, two to three days long, to somewhere local can help you relax without requiring a lot of planning or logistics. (A minibreak is also useful if a longer trip just isn’t practical for you right now.) To make the time as refreshing as possible, leave town early on Friday…
As a manager, you probably have to talk a lot. You want people to have the guidance and direction they need, of course, and there are plenty of situations where you need to speak your mind. But at some point, talking a lot can turn into over communicating. You can end up dominating conversations, which means employees’ perspectives aren’t being heard. To make sure you aren’t talking too much, listen…
Every wonder when you would get everyone’s undivided attention? The best time to hold meetings and give presentations are on Tuesdays, around 10:30. Experts say in the midmorning, early birds are still going strong, while night owls are getting into the stride of their day, meaning everyone in the audience should be energized and receptive. Furthermore, Tuesday is the most effective day to show off meeting and presentation skills…
There are benefits to optimism. Some studies have found that feeling optimistic can help fight stress and improve health; others have found that optimists earn and save more money. To build your optimism, try a few things. For one, practice gratitude. When you wake up each morning, think of three things you’re thankful for. It only takes a minute, and it puts a positive spin on the day. (Also, resist…
Well, I know it’s Tuesday that you are receiving your Monday Morning Coffee with Liz, but if you live in or near the Dallas area, you know we had a monstrous storm come through on Sunday. No electricity, which means no internet, so I’m sitting in a Cafe’ writing this. My husband and I were out at the time it hit and what we saw trying to get home was…
This past week, we said goodbye to our two sweet labs, Lily (17) and Abby (14). They were mother and daughter, and in life they were inseparable and went together in death. The love of a dog is so much more than an owner/pet relationship, and I know if you are not a dog person, you won’t understand. But what I share is real. “Our girls”, as I always lovingly…
Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Mother’s Day? I mean, beside the obvious, I’m always interested in the “why” of things. Well here is what I found out. Following her mother’s 1905 death, Anna Jarvis conceived of Mother’s Day as a way of honoring the sacrifices mothers made for their children. … Her persistence paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day….
If your desk (or desktop) is a mess, you might be too. Research shows clutter adds to our stress and anxiety levels, detracts from our ability to focus, and makes us seem less conscientious and agreeable. That’s why you should make a habit of tidying your workspace. Try blocking off a few minutes on your calendar every week to sort through your piles of stuff. Managers may want to establish…
When colleagues or clients give you tough feedback, you might take it in stride. But when the negative voice in your head chimes in, it can be tougher to combat self-doubt. The next time that voice starts criticizing you, don’t ignore it — respond. For example, if the negative voice says, “That talk was terrible,” you can reply, “You know what? No one gets it perfect every time.” The voice…
Meetings aren’t just about delivering results. You also want participants to leave feeling connected, valued, and fulfilled. Give everyone a turn to speak, and be aware of who has and hasn’t spoken and whether someone is dominating the conversation. Think through who needs to be part of the discussion for each topic ahead of time. Ask yourself: Who would be great at starting the conversation? Who is affected by the…
When you have to make a lot of decisions, it’s easy to make them all the same way. But you shouldn’t spend an equal amount of time on each decision — if you do, you’ll shortchange some and waste time on others. To be more efficient, sort decisions into three categories: strategic, significant, and quick. Strategicdecisions are often analytically and organizationally complex and have the potential to impact the long-term…
When you get into a disagreement with a coworker, it’s easy to focus on your own feelings and ignore your counterpart’s. But wallowing in your own frustration won’t get you anywhere. Instead, put yourself in the other person’s shoes. What do they want from the situation? Why are they acting this way? Think about the kind of person you’re dealing with. Are they more of a straight shooter who says…