Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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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…
When an email from a client or customer comes in, it’s easy to put aside whatever you’re working on to respond right away. But although being responsive to customers is important, constantly checking and sending emails can hurt your productivity. Try replying to emails once every four hours or at the end of the business day. If you’re worried that your clients will feel ignored, put up an auto-response to…
It’s not always easy to get the most from your employees. If you’re struggling to inspire the people on your team, look to your past. Think about your own experience and what motivated you when you were in the lower levels of a company. Who was the best boss you ever had? What did that person do to make you want to perform at your best? Reflect on what made…
Research has shown that reflection boosts productivity. Yet few of us make time to reflect. Why? For one, figuring out where to begin can be difficult. Start by identifying a few important questions that you want to address. Here are some possibilities: “What am I avoiding?” “How am I helping my colleagues achieve their goals?” “How am I not helping, or even hindering, their progress?” Then choose a reflection process…
Pressure and stress are not the same thing. But the former is converted into the latter when you add one ingredient: rumination, the tendency to keep thinking about past or future events in a negative way. When you start ruminating (you’ll notice that your attention gets caught in an unproductive loop, like a hamster on a wheel), redirect yourself toward areas in which you can take useful action. Try this…
It’s natural to like some colleagues more than others. But when you’re the boss, treating direct reports differently — and especially playing favorites — is unwise and unfair. To make sure you don’t give anyone special treatment, divvy up choice assignments in a fair and equitable way. Keep a record of whom you brought to the last high-level presentation and who took the lead on the last big project. Simple…
If your team is constantly bringing issues to you rather than addressing them on their own, you aren’t doing your job as a manager. So only let problems get escalated to you thoughtfully and occasionally. To make sure you’re not stepping in when you shouldn’t, ask yourself several questions. For example, don’t ask “How do we solve the problem?” until you’ve paused and considered “Who should own this problem?” Balance…
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” – Ernest Hemingway Listening is the foundation of any good relationship. Great leaders listen to what their customers and prospects want and need, and they listen to the challenges those customers face. They listen to colleagues and are open to new ideas. They listen to their employees – everyone from the receptionist to the shareholders and investors. Leaders listen to what…