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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Goals

May 22, 2024 4 Steps To Find Your Perfect Mentor

With any job, we all rely on guidance from our supervisors and peers to learn the ropes and develop new strategies for accomplishing tasks. If you’re starting at a new company, taking on a new role, or endeavoring to learn new skills, a mentor can be an incredibly valuable asset.

A mentor (or coach, or guide) can stretch your abilities, introduce you to new people, or connect you with relevant resources. Their experience and expertise are resources as valuable as any skill in your personal toolbox. But finding the right person for the role can be challenging. As you begin your search, you may find a few of these strategies useful:

1. Identify your process and values

As we grow, we try out and exchange work habits and strategies to make ourselves more effective. Finding a mentor who speaks to you starts with understanding yourself and how you work. What are the values that drive you? How do they translate to the type of work you do and which projects or responsibilities you’d like to take on?  What are the pain points and blind spots of your working style that others may need to accommodate for or address? These questions are important to ask and reflect upon when seeking a mentor. Knowing their answers to some degree will help when approaching others for help.

2. Look across disciplines

Everybody brings a unique mix of experience and ability to the table in an organization. A person’s job description doesn’t always tell you everything about the perspective they bring or their ability to teach. If you are worried or intimidated by reaching out to folks in your own department, making connections outside your usual circle and observing how people attack problems may shed a learning light you never considered before.

3. Establish rapport

Mentors are not always our closest friends, but a good mentor will be someone who respects your goals and spends time to observe and understand your learning process. Get to know folks who’ve joined the team before you and communicate your respect for their role and the work they’ve done. If you’re not familiar with these details, friendly chats over lunch or coffee can provide a way to accrue insight casually and over an extended period of time.

4. Develop yourself and network

Professional associations often offer conferences and seminars to learn the ropes of new skills or discuss innovations within a given industry. If you feel like your office lacks the means to provide the guidance you seek, attend trainings and make connections – either with fellow learners or the speakers. Handing out business cards and picking someone’s brain for 15 minutes may be all it takes to find a new teacher.

Finding a mentor isn’t always easy, but the returns for your efforts can be transformative. Keep an open mind, and be honest with yourself if you aren’t getting what you need on the first attempt. If you keep at it, often the right guidance is never too far away . Stay positive and start your search. There’s no time like the present!

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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April 24, 2024 How to Stand Out (in a good way!)

In my experience, promotions, raises, and accolades are given to those who stand out in a good way. There are plenty of ways to stand out that are not necessarily positive or helpful to the company. And then there’s the opposite phenomenon: blending in. Those who are forgettable or who do the bare minimum are rarely first in line for promotions or pay raises. In short, it’s a balancing act.

How do you stand out in the right ways? How can you catch the attention of your company’s decision-makers and leaders? Here are 6 potential approaches:

Ask Good Questions

In my experience, asking good questions does not show weakness or a lack of knowledge. Rather, it demonstrates engagement and a sense of curiosity. You might ask questions to clarify something (e.g., a follow-up question at a meeting), to involve others in the conversation (“What if we had Teresa take a look?”), and as a way to spark an engaged group discussion. Those who are engaged (and who lead discussions) get noticed.

Seek Self Improvement

If you’re aiming for a promotion, consider pursuing projects that challenge you and expand your abilities. Seek out mentorship opportunities, online courses, or workshops to enhance your knowledge base and grow as a professional. By consistently striving for self-improvement and demonstrating a commitment to your own development, you’ll not only stand out in the eyes of decision-makers within your organization but also position yourself as a valuable asset for future advancement opportunities.

Create Waves…Without Capsizing the Boat

There are tactful ways to make positive changes in an organization, and get noticed in the process. Before endeavoring to make a major change, it is wise to be thoughtful and considerate of others’ viewpoints. Seek feedback from colleagues and stakeholders to refine your ideas before jumping in with both feet. Remember, the key is to create waves that propel the organization forward without causing disruption that may negatively impact team dynamics or overall performance.

Seek Advocates and Sponsors

While a mentor can help you grow and develop your skills, an advocate or sponsor can help you land your next promotion. These are people who can actively vouch for your abilities and support your career advancement by recommending you for opportunities within the organization. Building strong relationships with advocates and sponsors can significantly boost your visibility and credibility, making you more likely to be considered for key projects or roles. Seek out individuals who believe in your potential and are willing to champion your growth within the company. Networking and fostering these connections can be instrumental in your professional journey.

Communicate Tactfully

Your communication habits matter. In general, company leadership appreciates those who tactfully relay their ideas, opinions, or grievances. Conversely, no one likes a gossiper or a complainer. Understand the effect or impact it can have on your professional image. Whether sharing ideas, offering feedback, or addressing concerns, remember to do so tactfully and professionally.

Innovate and Get Creative

When you bring innovation and creativity to your work, you set yourself apart from the crowd. Whether it’s proposing new ideas, finding more efficient processes, or introducing unique solutions to challenges, being a creative thinker can capture the attention of decision-makers. Embrace opportunities to think outside the box, experiment with new approaches, and showcase your ability to generate fresh insights. Being an innovator not only establishes your skills but also demonstrates your potential for driving positive change within the organization.

Taking intentional steps to stand out in a positive light can significantly impact your career trajectory. By taking a few meaningful and strategic steps, you can position yourself as a valuable asset within your organization. Remember, standing out for the right reasons requires a balance of skill, strategy, and genuine commitment to professional growth.

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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April 3, 2024 How to Spring Clean Your Personal Brand

With spring in the air, the time is right for a little refresh. For many people, that means deep cleaning your house, getting rid of rarely used items, or reorganizing the cupboards…but what about spring cleaning your personal brand?

A personal brand is a reflection of who you are professionally, how you present yourself online and offline, and how you are perceived by others. It’s about ensuring your values, skills, and personality shine through consistently in all your interactions.

However, a personal brand can go stale. You might change your goals, perspectives, or outlooks, which necessitates a change in personal brand. But it may be a challenge to get people to stop seeing the old you and start seeing the present version of yourself. How do you overhaul your personal brand and start putting forward the new you?

Here are 6 suggestions for spring cleaning your personal brand:

Clarify Your Goals

To begin reworking your personal brand, it is essential to have a good understanding of your goals and aspirations. Where do you want to go? What do you want to achieve? A personal brand can help get you there by aligning your values, skills, and personality with your objectives. By clarifying your goals, you can tailor your personal brand to reflect who you are now and where you want to be in the future, ensuring consistency and authenticity across all interactions.

Be Your Best Authentic Self

Revamping your personal brand does not mean you’re inauthentic or flighty. Rather, it is simply a way to step into a different version of yourself—a version that reflects your growth, goals, and values at this moment. Embrace your authenticity and let it shine through in your personal brand.

Update Your Profiles

Ensuring that your online presence aligns with your current personal brand is crucial. Make sure to update your profiles (LinkedIn and other professional networking platforms) and website with fresh content, new achievements, and any changes to reflect your updated goals and values. This will help reinforce your professional image and showcase the most current version of yourself. Regularly reviewing and revising your online presence is a key step in maintaining a relevant and consistent personal brand.

Update Your Responsibilities

If certain aspects of your work match your goals better than others, it’s prudent to ask for responsibilities or projects that align more closely with your objectives. By taking on new tasks that better reflect your current goals and values, you can strengthen your personal brand and demonstrate your commitment to growth and development.

Communicate

You do not have to undergo your brand revamp in secret. In fact, it’s a good idea to talk with your boss, mentor/sponsor, or even your co-workers (if appropriate) about the changes you’d like to make to support and reinforce the vision for your new personal brand. Remember to be tactful when asking for new responsibilities or aligning your roles to better match your evolving personal brand. By communicating openly with your colleagues and superiors about your goals and desired changes, you can foster understanding and support for your professional growth.

Own It

Although it may not come naturally at first, it is crucial that you “own” your new personal brand and be confident in its representation. Stand tall in your values, skills, and personality, and let them shine through in your day-to-day interactions. Consistency and authenticity in your personal brand will help others see and recognize the new you. Embrace the growth, the change, and the evolution that come with refreshing your personal brand.

Remember, your personal brand is a powerful tool that showcases your unique strengths and qualities. It’s about being true to yourself while also adapting and evolving as needed. Allow your personal brand to be a dynamic representation of who you are today, constantly aligning with your current aspirations and values.

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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