Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
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Research shows that telling jokes at work can make you seem more confident and competent. Of course, it can be risky, too — you don’t know how your audience will react. Will they laugh? Will they be offended? Even if they laugh, will they really think the joke was funny? But you shouldn’t be afraid of a flop. In a study, participants who told a failed joke were not perceived…
Most advice about giving feedback focuses on what to say, but our nonverbal communication is just as important as the words we use. If you convey discomfort or aggression with your body language, it could make the recipient feel unsafe, and therefore prevent them from listening to or acting on your input. So do your best to have a positive, open, and supportive tone. Make and maintain eye contact to…
Some women have really got it going on. Their approach to life and work seems effortless, their blithe demeanor belies their deep wisdom—and when faced with adversity, they’re unflappable. Beyond their class and clout, they’ve got a core that’s rock solid. So, what’s her secret? None actually—she’s just unapologetically herself. But here are a few things she does exceptionally well: She’s in competition with no one. The ancient Chinese philosopher…
Getting many people to think about a complex problem is often the best way to come up with a solution. But you have to take steps to make the collaboration efficient. When you invite others to contribute to a project, respect their time and show up prepared. Bring together the people who are closest to the problem. Be clear about who is coming and why, and spend time considering how…
You’ve made it through a tough conversation. Perhaps you asked your boss for a raise or gave tough feedback to a coworker. Now what? You may just be happy to have the conversation over with. But before you move on, take time to think through how it went. Ask yourself: Do you feel proud of how you managed the conversation? Or do you feel embarrassed or let down? Did you…
Leaders are lauded for being able to make decisions quickly. But you don’t want thinking quickly to turn into acting rashly. One way to prevent this from happening is to create a short space between an event and your response to it. Putting off your reaction by even one second (though it may not sound like a lot) can save you from making an impulsive, irrational decision. But you won’t…
We’ve all got weaknesses. Fortunately, those weaknesses usually are not due to lack of ability; more often, they’re the result of bad habits. When you’re sitting in your office with a daunting presentation to prepare, and you keep checking your inbox and returning calls instead, it isn’t necessarily because you’re bad at prioritizing. It might be that you’re playing out a deeply habitual, practiced response to anxiety, inadequacy, or fear….
The best leaders are able to execute the core of their business while remaining open to trends in the market and adapting to meet them. Being strategic in this way requires that you balance two traits. The first is consistency: Work hard and show up on time. Set goals for yourself and your employees, and then achieve them. You also need the second trait, agility: Be intellectually curious, ready to…
No one wants to feel pressured to do something they don’t agree with. But what should you do if the incentives at your company seem to be rewarding behavior that you believe is bad for your customers or clients, or maybe even illegal? If you find yourself in this precarious situation, take a step back and make sure you really understand the situation. Ask yourself: Is this a practice that’s…
Being promoted over your coworkers is a tricky situation. It’s important to get off on the right foot with your former peers and to make the transition as smooth as possible. Ideally, the team will learn about your promotion from someone else. But if you have to make the announcement yourself, be modest with the wording. This isn’t the time to toot your own horn. Don’t let people make assumptions…
There never seems to be enough time to properly plan for a meeting. But the solution isn’t to shortchange your meeting prep; it’s to let others lead your meetings. Delegating this responsibility to someone on your team will both free up your time and develop your staff. It’s especially helpful to give someone else the opportunity to practice managing conversations with you in the room. This will give them the…
No one wants to come across as lazy, uncommitted, or not a team player, but when you feel snowed under, you really should let your manager know. Have a candid conversation. Start by stating the organization’s shared objectives to ensure you’re both on the same page. Next, explain what’s getting in the way of you accomplishing those goals. Be as specific as possible. You might say: “This assignment requires a…