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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Thrive at Work

November 11, 2015 Your Robot Co-Worker: What you have that it doesn’t

I’ve been reading a lot about robots lately. From drones to vacuum cleaners, more and more robotics are being used to take over “people jobs.” While some people have expressed concern about this, I have faith that people will figure out how to continue to live and work side-by-side with robots. After all, we’ve been doing it for years! Certain factories, customer service telephone lines, and banking services have all been automated for a while. And new jobs have cropped up that we never predicted a couple decades ago (app developer, social media marketer, pet stylist). Not to mention, there’s a whole movement of people who relish the “old ways” and seek out hand-crafted furniture, family farms, hand-sewn clothing, etc.

Anyway, back to the robots.

Even though robots are beginning to take over more and more jobs, there are still several skills that YOU have that THEY don’t. According to a BBC report, “So far, humans are vastly superior at any work that relies on creativity, entrepreneurialism, interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Jobs that fall into these categories – including clergymen, nurses, motivational speakers, caretakers, trainers, entertainers and more – will probably fare well in a more automated world.”

Capitalize on those skills! Brush up on your networking and interpersonal communication. Keep your mind nimble and creative. You can take classes, attend networking events, join volunteer organizations, find a meet-up group, or any number of things to keep your uniquely human skills sharp.

Above all, don’t panic! Humans are endlessly innovative and I’m sure we’ll figure out a way to work alongside the increasing number of robots. Who knows what new jobs might be invented because of the rise in robotics. Robot maintenance station, anyone?

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, LICENSED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM

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November 4, 2015 The Power of Laughter

the power of laughter

The power of laughter, demonstrated in a photo booth. Photo Credit: Bubble Gum Photo Booths

Combat stress! We live in a stressful world. Recent research from the American Psychological Association shows that the majority of Americans experience significant amounts of stress. In a 2014 survey, 67% of those surveyed reported experiencing emotional symptoms of stress and 72% reported experiencing physical symptoms of stress.

One great way to fight your stress is through the power of laughter.

I attended a Brave New Workshop (BNW) class several months ago and one of the subjects they addressed was laughter. BNW is an improvisation group that works with people to boost confidence, connectivity, mental agility, and attitudes. Throughout their classes, you’ll often hear groups roaring with laughter. This isn’t an accident.

According to a publication put out by BNW, “Laughter is a powerful tool in helping individuals move away from fear and into discovery.” In a recent study, researchers from Loma University showed that laughter reduces cortisol, thus reducing stress. Other researchers have shown similar results of the stress-decreasing quality of laughter and have paired it with improved immune system response.

So, watch a funny movie, go to a humorous play, play an interactive board or card game with friends, or take an improv class. Begin to see the funny side of life 🙂

 

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, LICENSED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM

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October 21, 2015 The Authentic Leader

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” -Oscar Wilde

I sometimes get the question: “Margaret, what is the most important attribute of a good leader?”

This question is a tough one. There are a lot of factors that make up an excellent leader: trust, self-confidence, good communication skills. In fact, I talk about my top ten attributes in my book, the Ten Minute Leadership Challenge. But the one thing at the heart of it all is AUTHENTICITY.

You have to be an authentic leader before anything else. You need to know yourself, your values, how you work, and who you are before you can even consider leading others. Authenticity means having a deep understanding of your inner self and not compromising your deeply held values. Sure, you can adapt to different situations and show different sides of yourself at different times (i.e. a more casual side at home, a more professional side at work), but your core should remain the same.

How would anyone trust you if you act like one person sometimes and a completely different person at other times? What would people think if you always agreed with whomever you were speaking, even if their assertions were way off base from what you believe?

Being authentic should be part of your personal brand. Show up, be yourself, and take a genuine interest in those around you.

I’ve been evaluating and interviewing Millennials lately for my forthcoming book, and I’ve found that authenticity is just as important as ever in the workplace. Millennials look for candid, authentic leadership that they can trust.

Furthermore, with the popularity of social media, your comments and photos are everywhere. Yes, you should be your authentic self on the web, but you should be your BEST authentic self. Let your funny or intellectual or caring side shine!

You’ll find that being your best authentic self is a heck of a lot easier than significantly modifying your behavior and beliefs whenever you’re with a different group of people. When people say, “your reputation proceeds you,” you should know that is a good thing.

Tune in next week for the UXL Authentic Leader Model.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, LICENSED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM

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