Skip to content

UXL Blog

“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Better Business

July 12, 2023 Unlocking the Power of Visual Communication (4 Ways)

There’s a reason blockbuster action movies make your pulse quicken, or Pixar animations can make you teary-eyed. Images can have an impact, and visual storytelling can be powerful. In the movie Wall-E, the main character is a robot who doesn’t really speak (aside from chirps and whistles), and yet we feel empathy for this machine.

Fortunately, you don’t have to work in an animation studio to communicate effectively in a visual medium. Here are four ways to make your work more visual (and powerful!):

Cut Words from Your PowerPoints

If a PowerPoint presentation is too text-heavy people either A) get bored or B) focus so much on reading the slides that they don’t pay attention to what you’re saying. One way to avoid this is to cut down on the words in your slides. Instead, use images, graphs, and videos to convey your message. This will help your audience stay engaged and make your presentation more memorable.

Use Infographics

Infographics are a great way to present data in a visually appealing way and can be used to show data trends, compare statistics, or explain complex ideas. Instead of just giving your audience a list of numbers, turn that data into a graphic that tells a story. This can help your audience better understand the information and make it more impactful. There are many online tools (such as Canva) that make it easy to create your own infographics, even if you don’t have a design background.

Tell a Story

Humans have been using stories to communicate for thousands of years, and for good reason. A good story can capture an audience’s attention and keep them engaged. Try to incorporate storytelling into your presentations or reports. This can be done by using anecdotes, case studies, or personal experiences to illustrate your point. Not only will your audience be more interested, but they will also be more likely to remember the information you’re presenting.

Use Color

Color can evoke emotions and influence our moods. Use this to your advantage by incorporating color into your visual content. Choose colors that are appropriate for the message you’re trying to convey. For example, blue can be calming and trustworthy, while red can be energetic and passionate. Colors are also a great way to present a concept—I rely on the colors of the Insights® Discovery color wheel to talk about individuals’ and teams’ communication preferences, ways of processing information, dynamics, and more.

Just make sure to choose colors that are visually appealing, are not too distracting, and make sense with whatever you’re presenting.

Communicating effectively is crucial in today’s world, and using visual storytelling is a powerful way to do so. By following the tips mentioned above, you can create visually appealing content that captures your audience’s attention, conveys your message clearly, and stays with them long after the presentation or report is over. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different visual elements and techniques to find what works best for you and your audience. With practice and persistence, you too can harness the power of visual storytelling to communicate your ideas effectively.

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. 

Tags: , , , , ,

June 28, 2023 Managing Remote Teams: 7 Practices for Leaders

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

The work landscape has permanently changed, and it’s imperative for leaders to recognize that. Many people have found working from home to be convenient, time-saving, and less stressful than going into an office—even if this remote work occurs a couple days each week. What’s more, remote teams can provide a lot of benefits to an organization, from cost savings to increased productivity.

The problem, however, is in managing a remote team, especially for leaders who are used to managing teams in a traditional office environment. How do you keep your team’s attention? How should you conduct meetings and other communications? How can you keep everyone cohesive and happy?

Here are seven tips and best practices for leaders who manage teams that work remotely (either occasionally of full-time):

1. Set clear expectations

Setting clear expectations is crucial when managing a remote team. This includes expectations around communication, deadlines, and availability. Make sure to communicate the expectations clearly and consistently, so that everyone is on the same page. I’m a big advocate of clarity, and this becomes even more crucial when managing remotely.

2. Use the right tools

Using the right tools can help remote teams stay connected and productive. Some popular tools include video conferencing software, project management software, and instant messaging tools. Make sure to choose tools that are easy to use and accessible to everyone on the team.

3. Establish regular check-ins

Regular check-ins can help keep remote teams on track and ensure that everyone is on the same page. These check-ins can take the form of video calls, phone calls, or emails. Make sure to establish a regular schedule so everyone knows when to expect the check-ins. NOTE: Be careful not to over schedule, though! If a meeting really isn’t needed, don’t force it (or have a quicker than expected check-in).

4. Encourage collaboration

Collaboration is important for remote teams, just as it is for traditional teams. Encourage collaboration by creating opportunities for team members to work together, such as through shared projects or brainstorming sessions. Use tools that enable real-time collaboration, such as Google Docs or Slack.

5. Foster a positive team culture

Fostering a positive team culture is important for any team, but it can be especially challenging for remote teams. Make an effort to create a positive team culture by recognizing team members’ achievements, celebrating milestones, and promoting a supportive work environment.

6. Provide feedback and recognition

Providing feedback and recognition is important for remote teams, just as it is for traditional teams. Make sure to provide regular feedback and recognition to remote team members, even if it is just a quick email or message. This can help remote team members feel valued and connected to the team. Don’t underestimate the power of a thank you!

7. Establish healthy boundaries

Because our work and personal lives are overlapping more than ever, it is easy to overstep boundaries by emailing or texting after normal working hours. Your team should never be expected to respond to queries outside of the normal payday. To encourage healthy boundaries, don’t contact employees or send emails after hours (many email services allow you to schedule emails to send at a later time—opt to schedule emails during regular work hours). And if someone has scheduled a personal day, don’t interfere! It’s important to establish a firm barrier between our work and personal lives.

Managing remote teams can be challenging, but it is also rewarding. By following some simple tips and best practices, leaders can help their remote teams stay connected, productive, and engaged. Remote work is the future, and leaders need to adapt. You can still be just as effective, engaging, and communicative with a remote team, but you may need to adjust your approach. This could take extra work and strategy at first, but your efforts will be well worth it.

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. 

Tags: , , , , , ,

June 21, 2023 6 Tips to Boost Your Delegation Skills as a Leader

Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

If you’re like many leaders, you earned your position through hard work, resilience, and effectiveness. You know you have what it takes to get things done and forge ahead. These are great qualities, BUT they may make you reluctant to trust others with jobs that you could just do yourself. Here’s the reality: you cannot, and should not, do everything yourself. Doing so will make your leadership less effective, will convey that you do not trust your team, and will obligate you to continue working on detailed tasks when you should be looking at the bigger picture. So, delegate!

To become a more effective delegator, try these 6 tips:

1. Extend Trust

It can be challenging to let go and trust others to do a job as well as you could. However, it’s essential to extend trust to your team members. You hired them for their expertise, so let them use their skills to shine. When you trust your team, you’re not only empowering them, but you’re also freeing up your time to focus on tasks that require your attention and specialized skills.

2. Clearly Communicate Expectations

One of the primary reasons delegation fails is due to unclear or unrealistic expectations. It’s crucial to communicate what you want done, how you want it done, and by when. Be sure to provide context and instructions that detail the scope of work to minimize confusion. To learn more about clarity in communication, check out my video on the subject.

3. Provide Resources

To ensure your team can deliver on your expectations, provide them with the essential resources needed to complete the job. These could include financial support, equipment, tools, or software. Providing these resources ensures your team can effectively do their job and prevents them from feeling like they’ve been set up for failure. Remember: you can also be a resource! Be sure to emphasize to your team that they can approach you with any question, roadblock, or concern.

4. Allow for Different Approaches to a Problem

People have different styles and, therefore, different approaches to solving problems. As a leader, it’s essential to recognize and value these differences. Encourage your team to tackle problems in their own way, and you may find that they come up with innovative solutions you hadn’t even thought of. When I was a leader at 3M, I periodically let my team brainstorm solutions without me, and if they missed the mark, I gave them a little guidance and had them try again. I was always amazed at the creativity and innovation that bubbled up during those sessions!

5. Don’t Micromanage

Related to allowing for difference approaches, it’s also essential to not micromanage your team. Micromanaging sends the message that you don’t trust others to do the work. It’s also a waste of time and energy. Once you’ve given clear instructions, trust your team to execute the job in their way. Be available to offer guidance or answers to questions but avoid constantly checking in to see how things are progressing.

6. Provide Feedback

It’s easy to forget that delegating is a two-way street. Just as you expect your team to deliver on their expectations, they expect feedback on their performance. Provide constructive feedback that acknowledges their achievements and points out areas that could be improved upon. This will empower them to grow and take on more significant responsibilities in the future.

Delegation may seem challenging at first, but by implementing these six tips, you can become a better delegator, free up your time, and empower your team members. Remember, delegation is a leadership skill that you can develop and perfect over time. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks and responsibilities, as this will not only help you achieve your goals but also provide growth opportunities for your team members. So, start delegating today and see the positive impact it has on your team’s productivity and success!

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. 

Tags: , , , , ,