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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Leadership

January 10, 2024 The Power of Collaboration

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

If you’re like many people I know, you take on a lot by yourself. Whether work projects or home projects, you tend to put your head down and plow forward with your work. But that may not be the best approach, and it may not be sustainable for your mental and physical health. Sometimes, it’s better to collaborate.

Collaboration might seem like a lot of extra work when you can simply do something yourself.

However, there are many reasons to collaborate. It can…

  • Foster creativity and innovation
  • Help you get out of a rut
  • Distribute the workload more evenly
  • Aid you in thinking outside the box
  • Energize and motivate yourself (and others)
  • Help capitalize on individuals’ strengths

The list goes on. Alternatively, when you choose to do everything yourself, you may end up heading down the wrong path (or a path that might have been better if you had asked for input), or things might end up taking longer because you do not have sufficient expertise or experience (but someone else might). Besides, collaboration can be fun!

Though it’s easy for extroverts such as myself to promote collaboration (I definitely embrace “sunshine yellow” in the Insights Discovery program), it can work well for everyone. The key is to be open to collaborating. Go into it with the understanding that others may approach a problem or task differently than you, and that’s okay. It’s important to let go some of your control and see what happens when others take the wheel. This is how big ideas and innovations happen–when everyone feels free to put forth their ideas.

How can you set up a successful collaboration?

  • Invite several people to the table (everyone who makes sense to invite)
  • Make the goal clear (and address any questions)
  • Establish the parameters (Is this a brainstorming session? Is anything off limits? What time frame do you have? Etc.)
  • Establish an open line of communication
  • Make sure everyone has a role and is clear on their responsibilities
  • Check in regularly
  • Listen and be open to ideas, and encourage others to do the same
  • Make sure all voices are heard

We can walk farther when we walk together. Even if collaboration does not necessarily come naturally to you, I encourage you to give it a try. Engage others, establish your parameters, and take off! You may be surprised by the possibilities that open up and the results you achieve.

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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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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