Skip to content

UXL Blog

“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Advice from a Life Coach

February 14, 2012 Do You Know Your Leadership Style?

By Margaret Smith, UXL:
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER

There isn’t a single specific trait that makes you a great leader. Instead, there are many different traits that make a person a good source of guidance, encouragement, and direction—and every leader embodies their own unique combination of strengths.

“Every leader has a particular style of leadership that is innate. However, the behaviors, attitudes, or methods of delivery that are effective for one staff member may in fact be counterproductive for another,” says MSR Communications Account Supervisor Michael Burke.

What Burke is getting at here is embodied in an important question: Are you aware of your own leadership style, and do you make an effort to learn how this style actually comes across to your team?

Before you start to consider the traits of a great leader, make an effort to examine your own special brand of leadership. Below I’ve listed some of the top leadership traits named by leadership professionals—look for traits that currently represent your style, and use these traits as a reminder of what you’re all about at work and in life!

  • Honesty
  • Focus
  • Passion
  • Respect
  • Persuasiveness
  • Confidence
  • Clarity
  • Care
  • Integrity
  • Humility
  • Collaborative
  • Empowering
  • Fearlessness
  • Compassion
  • Shared Visionary
  • Engaging
  • Self-Aware
  • Genuine
  • Flexible
  • Supportive

Need help discovering your leadership brand? Contact me today to learn about how Insights Discovery and Career Coaching can transform your career and your life.

Tags: , , ,

February 8, 2012 Top 10 Words Job Seekers Overuse in Resumes

According to a recent report released by the popular professional social media site LinkedIn, many of us are guilty of using words in our resume that may seem unique or appealing, but are actually overused. The report explained that “while you may think that you’re using words on your resume that will appeal to hiring managers, some words can actually turn them off.”

Make sure that you aren’t unknowingly sabotaging your own job search by perusing the list:

>> Creative

>> Organizational

>> Effective

>> Extensive Experience

>> Track Record

>> Motivated

>> Innovative

>> Problem Solving

>> Communication Skills

>> Dynamic

The article explains that popular word choice varies regionally. It explains that “the word ‘creative’ was overused in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States,” while “‘effective’ was used by too many job hunters in India” and “fantastic” was popular among Italians. It’s all so interesting!

If you’re in the middle of a job hunt, it’s crucial that you present your skills and your experience as uniquely as possible. Make sure that you take the time to scan your resume for these words and work in alternatives that more adequately relay what makes you a great candidate.

Having trouble putting your skills into words? Contact UXL today to learn how I can help to transform your resume and end your job hunt once and for all.

Tags: , ,

February 1, 2012 How to Give Advice

By Margaret Smith, UXL:
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER
As a career coach, friend, and mother of two, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve given a lot of advice in my time. It’s also safe to say that I’ve received a lot of advice that’s helped me on my way. But what good is all of this exchange of information and opinions if the advice you receive or give is unwanted or flippant? In order to make sure that your role as advisor is a positive and helpful one, I’ve pulled together some pointers of advice giving.

How to Give Advice

1. Make sure that the person is actually looking for advice.We’re all guilty of a little therapeutic venting here and there. Make sure the person in question isn’t just seeking an understanding listener with empathy and compassion.

2. Be an attentive listener before doling out the ‘you should’s. Never assume that you know exactly what is going on, or the needs of someone else. Ask important questions before making suggestions.

3. Try to imagine the situation as if it were your own life. It’s so easy to think we know the solution and downgrade a problem when it’s not our own. Give someone else’s issue the weight it deserves.

4. Give your advice a mental test run. What will be the repercussion of taking your advice? Are there any unconsidered results that would reshape your suggestion?

5. Repeat after me: “There is no such thing as ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.” Life is not an exact science, and no situation is as simple as it seems. When you catch yourself seeing in black and white, take a step back and readjust your focus.

6. Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t have an answer or solution. If you’re not comfortable giving advice, or you feel like the issue is beyond your expertise, say so. Remaining honest with the other person builds trust and allows your future input to hold that much more weight.

7. Before offering advice, accept that all that is in your power is to offer the best advice and information that you can. Accept the fact that the decision is not yours to make and that the person comes from a different perspective. Ultimately, the choice belongs to them—always respect this.

As a final note:

Giving advice can be a great way to make a positive energy deposit in someone else, and it allows you to help nurture the life, career, and experiences of another person. Remember to give the power of advice the respect and full consideration it deserves.

Tags: , , ,