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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Better Business

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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August 16, 2023 6 Tips for Leading Multi-Generational Workers

Do Boomers and Millennials tend to bicker with each other? Are Gen Zers unmotivated? Did Gen X check out a while ago? These stereotypes about different generations (among many, many others) are harmful and unproductive. Of course Boomers and Millennials can get along. Gen Z and Gen X can be highly motivated and productive. Employees can thrive no matter which generation they belong to, as long as they have the proper guidance, resources, and leadership. 

As a leader, you have the capability to empower your team and set them up for success…or you can favor people from certain generations over others. You can endeavor to build bridges between team members…or you can divide your team into age-defined groups. I challenge you to be a leader that unifies and supports people from all generations.

Why?

For one thing, when people of various ages effectively collaborate, that can be a boon to your company’s bottom line. Research has shown that multi-generational teams have a competitive advantage because they bring a wider array of perspectives and experiences to the table, which can lead to better insights, creativity, and innovations.

Furthermore, if you endeavor to guide, support, and empower all people on your team, that demonstrates you’re a fair-minded and equitable leader. No one wants to work for a leader who picks favorites or only sets up certain people for success!

To improve your cross-generational leadership, try the following tips:

Aim for Understanding

It’s easy to stereotype people due to their age. Not only is this unproductive, it can further harmful biases or place false limitations on a person’s abilities. Instead, get to know your team members on an individual level. Ask meaningful questions, do not focus on their age, and seek to understand their personal goals and motivators. This will help you build stronger connections and foster a more inclusive work environment.

Find Common Ground

It can be easy to notice and focus on the differences that exist between us, but it is essential to find common ground within your team. Seeing the commonalities that exist between you (the leader) and your team is just as important as finding commonalities between team members. This helps to humanize other people and allows for more natural and harmonious collaborations. After all, how effectively can you work with someone who you don’t really know or trust?

Foster Collaboration

Encourage teamwork and collaboration, regardless of age or experience level. Provide opportunities for employees to work together on projects or assignments, and consider creating cross-functional teams that include members from different generations. This can help break down silos and promote a sense of unity within your organization. Not only that, teams with mixed age groups are more apt to come up with innovative and creative solutions due to their diverse viewpoints and experiences.

Offer Flexibility

Different generations may have different preferences when it comes to work hours, work styles, and communication methods. Offer flexibility to accommodate these differing needs, such as flexible work arrangements, remote work options, or alternative communication methods. This can help increase employee satisfaction and productivity, as well as reduce turnover.

Provide Mentoring Opportunities

While all employees can benefit from mentoring, it can be especially valuable for multi-generational teams. Older employees can share their knowledge and experience with younger workers, while younger workers can provide fresh perspectives and new ideas. Encourage mentoring relationships to form organically, but also consider formal mentorship programs to facilitate these connections.

Give Recognition Equally

Recognize and reward all employees for their hard work and achievements, regardless of their age or generation. This shows your team that you value their contributions and efforts, and it can help build morale and motivation. Avoid playing favorites or showing biases towards certain team members, as this can lead to resentment and disengagement.

Remember that effective leadership involves acknowledging and appreciating the strengths and potential of all employees, regardless of their age or generation. It’s easy to stereotype or silo employees, and far more difficult to get to know them on an individual level and encourage cross-generational collaborations. But the effort is worth it. Be a leader that unifies and supports people from all generations, and watch your team thrive as a result!

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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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. 

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