Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
and Trusted Advisor
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I’m taking some time off this week for Spring Break and decided yesterday to catch the movie Hidden Figures that I had not yet seen. This is an amazingly powerful movie and I wanted to share a few things that I took home from the movie. Don’t take no for an answer – when you are really interested in making something happen, you must fight for it. If someone…
If you’re looking to rise through your organization’s ranks, but aren’t sure how, consider creating a personal board of directors. This informal group comprises six to eight people who can help with your professional development. There are three types of people you should include. First, you need fans — people who support you and will deliver tough feedback with kindness and good intent. Second, recruit potential sponsors — senior leaders…
Different work situations call for different leadership styles, and most managers use one of two approaches: dominance or prestige. When you lead through dominance, you influence others by being assertive and leveraging your power and formal authority. This approach works best when your job is to get everyone aligned and moving in the same direction. When there is a clear strategy for a new product launch, for example, and the…
Just because you have a recurring meeting on your calendar doesn’t mean you have to hold it. Only convene the group if everyone (especially you, as the meeting leader) is clear on what the objectives are. Agreed-upon goals will keep the agenda focused and ensure you make the most of the time. Here are a few sample objectives to consider: Share updates and review progress to date, including major milestones…
Does this sound familiar? You find out about an important meeting, one whose outcome affects you and your team, only after it happens. It’s hard not to take that personally. But don’t despair — take action so it doesn’t happen again. Reach out to a colleague who was at the meeting to learn more about the agenda and what happened. Then talk with the meeting leader. Refrain from harping on…
When faced with a hard choice, it’s comforting to think that if you can just get the right information and use the right analytics, you can make the right decision. But serious problems are rarely black-and-white, and tools and techniques alone won’t give you answers. You also need empathy. Put yourself in the shoes of the people who will be affected by the outcome of your decision — employees, customers,…
Moving into a leadership position for the first time can be one of the most stressful moments in your career. To weather the transition, start by shifting your mindset. Focus on what excites you about the switch — not on what scares you. This will help you relax into your role and mitigate self-doubt. Practicing mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and controlled breathing, will develop your ability to stay calm…
The American poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson set a high standard for gift givers during his time. Those of us who pride ourselves on being do-gooders should do the same, both as a giver and a receiver. According to Emerson, “The poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture.” And the do-gooder should bring—however small–his…
Here are some everyday timesavers that anyone can do at anytime! Make a Daily List – Every night, write a to-do list for the following day to help you focus on what has to be accomplished. Identify the priority errands or projects so those get tackled first. Anything after that is gravy. Delegate – Yes, it’s hard to let things go, but it’s necessary. Run down the items on your daily…
Have you ever had a brilliant idea while taking a shower, or knitting, or working out? “Aha” moments tend to pop up when our minds are quiet and our consciousness is at rest. You can nurture these moments by creating an environment of silence and solitude. No matter how busy you are, do your best to take breaks between meetings and find some alone time. Go to an empty conference…
Play this game with me: I have $100 that is owed to both of us. We’re going to split it between us and I get to decide how. You get to decide whether to accept my offer–but you cannot make any adjustments or comment on it. If you accept, we split the money as I suggested. If you decline, no one gets to keep any of the money. My first…