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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Better Business

November 22, 2023 Season of Gratitude: Incorporate Thankfulness into the Workplace

While this is considered the season of gratitude, offering gratitude and thanks to employees is always a good idea. The American Psychological Association found that 93% of employees “who reported feeling valued said that they are motivated to do their best at work, and 88% reported feeling engaged.” Additionally, the same study found that only 21% of the respondents who felt valued planned to seek a new job in the next year.

Gratitude may be good for the bottom line and aid in improving employee retention but, most importantly, it’s the right thing to do. No one likes to feel unappreciated or overlooked. And, conversely, most people respond well to some kind of recognition or gratitude.

So, how can you incorporate thankfulness into everyday business practices? Try these 5 approaches?

Make It Personal

Rather than thanking someone for their hard work or all their “time and effort,” it’s better to get specific. When you personalize your feedback, you demonstrate that you’re truly paying attention to that person and their contributions. For example:

“Thank you, Pete, for stepping up last week to help us complete the ABC Project on time. Your efforts may have helped salvage our relationship with that company.”

OR: “Nan, I’ve noticed you helping the new hire and I really appreciate you taking him under your wing. I can already see an improvement in his work.”

Avoid Email

It’s fine to send a note of thanks over email, but it’s better to use a more personal approach. Pull someone aside after a meeting to thank them, give a phone call, or write a handwritten note. The last method is one of my favorites, since it shows a little extra effort and it is something the recipient can hang onto.

Reward and Recognize

Some instances call for a little extra thanks. If an individual or team have gone above and beyond for a project, or have been a top performer(s) for a long time, it probably makes sense to offer recognition in some way. This could be as simple as a shoutout during a team meeting or as formal as an award. You might also consider giving above-and-beyond employees a monetary reward, such as a gift card or a higher bonus (whatever makes sense, given the circumstances and your company’s policies/norms).

Encourage Peer-to-Peer Recognition

Encouraging employees to show gratitude towards their peers creates a positive and supportive work environment. Consider implementing a peer-to-peer recognition program where employees can nominate and acknowledge their colleagues for their outstanding work. This not only boosts morale but also fosters teamwork and camaraderie among employees.

Celebrate Milestones and Achievements

Take the time to celebrate milestones and achievements, both big and small. Whether it’s a project completion, a sales target reached, or an employee’s work anniversary, acknowledge and celebrate these accomplishments. This can be done through a team lunch, a personalized note, or a small gift to show appreciation and recognize their hard work.

Incorporating thankfulness into business practices is never a bad idea. To get started on cultivating a culture of gratitude, start small but keep up the momentum. You never know what kind of impact a sincere gesture of thanks might have on someone.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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October 18, 2023 Success in 40 Hours: Becoming an Efficient Achiever

Self-made millionaire Barbara Corcoran doesn’t believe in the “grind.” Even though tons of entrepreneurs talk about outworking the competition, Corcoran has never adopted a “work before everything else” mentality. She takes breaks and goes on vacation. She pays attention to her family and her personal wellbeing. Her success comes from working smarter and more efficiently, not harder.

It’s hard to argue with this mentality. According to a World Health Organization and the Internal Labor Organization report (summarized in a CNBC article), those who tend to work long hours are more likely to suffer from ischemic heart disease and stroke. Additionally, productivity tends to plunge after working 50 hours per week or longer. These are convincing arguments to slow down a bit, refocus, and figure out how to work “smarter, not harder.”

But how do you achieve this coveted efficiency? How do we achieve success in a 40-hour work week when our careers and personal lives seem to demand SO much of our time? While there’s no golden ticket, you can begin working smarter (not harder) by following any of the following 4 tips:

Set Clear Priorities

If our main priorities are not crystal clear, it’s easy to become distracted by day-to-day “fires” that need your attention. When that happens, it feels like our wheels are turning, but we’re going nowhere. Instead, take the time to clearly define your priorities and develop a plan to achieve them. When you keep your main priorities top-of-mind, it’s easier to say “no” to projects and requests that do not fit within your goals.

Eliminate Time-Wasting Activities

Take a close look at your daily routine and identify any activities that don’t contribute to your productivity. (Corcoran suggests asking yourself, “How could I do even better tomorrow?”) Unproductive activities could include excessive social media scrolling, unnecessary meetings, or spending too much time on unimportant tasks. Some ideas to cut these activities include turning off notifications, closing extra tabs, declining (if appropriate) to attend unnecessary meetings, and finding a quiet space where you can concentrate. By eliminating time-wasting activities, you’ll free up more time to focus on what truly matters.

Delegate and Outsource

Recognize that you can’t do it all on your own. Delegate tasks to others who have the expertise and capacity to handle them. This allows you to focus on your core responsibilities and maximize your efficiency. Additionally, consider outsourcing certain tasks or projects to external professionals or services to further streamline your workload. Another idea is to automate repetitive tasks, taking advantage of technology to save time and increase efficiency.

Take Regular Breaks

In a recent interview, Corcoran said, “I don’t agree that you should work your buns off to get rich.” Contrary to popular belief, taking regular breaks can actually improve productivity. Allow yourself short breaks throughout the day to recharge and refresh your mind and body. This could include going for a short walk, doing a quick exercise routine, or simply taking a few minutes to relax and clear your thoughts. By giving yourself these breaks, you will prevent burnout and maintain focus and energy throughout the day.

Achieving success in a 40-hour work week requires working smarter, not harder. By implementing intentional strategies, you can work more efficiently and achieve success without sacrificing your well-being. Remember, success is not about the grind, but about developing a plan, working more efficiently, and (ultimately) finding balance.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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September 6, 2023 Bringing a Back-to-School Mentality to the Workplace

If you’ve been in the same job for a while, things can start to feel a little routine, or even a little stale. Most of us probably interact with the same people, do the same—or similar—set of tasks, and work the same hours. When we get in a rut like this, our energy levels can drop like a rock. We might feel depleted, unmotivated, or disengaged. We might begin procrastinating because we’re not enthusiastic about the work in front of us.

How can we get out of this rut and re-energize ourselves? How can we overcome the workplace blahs? One approach is bringing a “back-to-school mentality” to the workplace. You know how little kids can be so enthusiastic to start a new school year? They might be excited to see their friends, interact with teachers, or learn something new. THAT is the mentality I’m encouraging you to embrace. Here are 6 ways to do it.

Get Refocused

When we start something new, we’re usually highly engaged with it. At a new job, we spend our early days getting to know the workplace, the people, the expectations, and the job itself. We’re focused on what we’re doing, and we’re more likely to be present.

I know it can be difficult to recapture your spark for your job, but what if you took a week to do any or all of the following?

  • Try to be more present
  • Remember the fun and challenging parts of your job
  • Appreciate the positive aspects of your work
  • Recognize the good in your co-workers

As the year draws to a close, getting refocused is a positive and productive way to enter the fourth quarter (Q4).

Approach work with fresh eyes

As a kid, when you head back to school, you’re faced with a lot of things that are brand new. You probably have new teachers, new subjects to learn, and perhaps new people to meet. All this newness helps kids to be adaptable and open-minded. They’re willing to try new things and approach their studies with fresh eyes.

To bring this mentality to the workplace, try to cultivate a sense of novelty and curiosity. Look for opportunities to learn something new or take on different tasks. Challenge yourself to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.

Set goals and track progress

In school, students often have clear goals to work towards. Whether it’s earning good grades, participating in extracurricular activities, or preparing for college, there’s always something to strive for. These goals give students a sense of direction and purpose.

Similarly, setting goals at work can help bring back that excitement and motivation. Think about what you want to achieve in your job and break it down into smaller, actionable steps. Create a plan and set deadlines for yourself. As you make progress towards your goals, track your achievements and celebrate your successes.

Ask good questions

Just like a good student, it’s helpful to show up to work with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to learn. You don’t know everything, and that’s okay! That’s why it’s important to ask good questions, especially when you’re in meetings. I cover ways to gain more clarity through poignant questions in this blog post (which also includes a video).

Read

In school, we have many opportunities to read (whether textbooks or novels in English class), and many kids tend to read on their own. But as an adult, reading can become a low priority. That’s unfortunate because reading is a great way to expand your knowledge and stimulate your mind. It can also help you stay updated on industry trends and developments.

Consider incorporating reading into your daily routine. Set aside some time each day to read books, articles, or blogs related to your field or other areas of interest. You can also join book clubs or online forums to engage in discussions and share insights with others.

Socialize

One of the best parts of going back to school is reconnecting with friends and classmates after a long break. The social aspect of school can be uplifting and energizing.

To bring this element into your workplace, make an effort to connect with your colleagues. Take the time to have coffee or lunch together, engage in conversation, or collaborate on projects.

By adopting a back-to-school mentality and implementing these strategies, you can infuse new energy and enthusiasm into your work. Don’t be afraid to embrace the excitement of learning, setting goals, asking questions, and exploring new ideas. Keep growing and evolving in your professional journey.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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