Liz Trocchio Smith
Certified Executive Business Coach
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It’s easy to think that your work is done when you walk out of a meeting. But the decisions made in the room will only be effective if you carefully follow up. Start by writing a succinct summary note, describing what was discussed and clear action steps. Attach any notes from the meeting. Draft this in a way that allows others to forward your message to anyone who missed the…
Effective leadership requires one to have a clear vision for the future and to be able to motivate and inspire people to be part of the vision. Most people believe that leaders are born, but leadership requires continuous learning and practicing how to be an effective leader. It requires one to practice from time to time to be more productive and successful. There are many ways one can become an…
Most research shows that helping others makes us feel happy and energized. But the reality is that lending a hand to coworkers can often be exhausting, draining our cognitive and emotional resources and leaving us too tired and depleted to perform subsequent tasks. So how can you help colleagues while protecting your productivity? First, it’s important to recognize that, in addition to its positive effects, helping has negative effects that…
When we see a coworker at their limit, we want to help. But even when our intentions are good, we can make things worse. This is a time when it pays to be careful with your words and know what not to say. Avoid talking about yourself and past situations when you dealt with stress. When someone is at their wit’s end, they don’t want to hear about your trials;…
If you work at an organization where constant reshufflings are the norm, you may find yourself with a new boss every few months. Here are some coping strategies. Introduce yourself. Each time a new manager is appointed, you need to schedule a one-on-one meeting with them and bring a copy of your résumé. Talk about your working style, your strengths, and your goals. Be accommodating. Ask your boss how they…
When you give a presentation, you’re trying to change your audience’s beliefs about something. So it’s crucial to consider what assumptions your audience holds about your topic — and how you want those to change. For example, let’s say you’re delivering a presentation to potential university donors. You want to move them from being skeptical that the school will make good use of the money to feeling excited about the…
We’re genetically wired to belong; it’s how we survive and thrive in life — and at work. This is especially important for minorities who often don’t feel included at the office. New research shows that fostering a sense of belonging helps reduce stress levels, and consequently improves physical health, emotional well-being, and performance. Here are a few ways you can create a culture where everyone feels they belong: Make introductions….
If you missed our segment on Confidence Builders, click below and watch it at your leisure!
Negotiate Every Time (Well, almost every time!) You want to negotiate the terms of almost any offer. That said, there is one workplace situation in which I advise against negotiating. “If you’re offered a salary that’s higher than the market value or average salary for that position, take it. There aren’t many situations where you don’t want to negotiate, but this is one of them.” Understand What the Other Side Can Give…