April 11, 2018 The Wrong Way to Say Thank You
You’re probably aware of the power of appreciation. It can motivate others, elevate moods, and actually improve employee retention rates. Employees who are recognized for their achievements report increased happiness at work and greater satisfaction with their superiors.
But—believe it or not—there IS a wrong way to express appreciation for your employees. How?
- If the recognition seems forced or insincere
- If the recognition is ubiquitous (EVERYONE gets a gold star!)
- If someone is left out (part of a team is recognized for their achievements, while some are not)
- If the recognition is generic or impersonal (a mass email)
- If the recognition does not suit the individual (some people do not like being called out in front of a group, while others thrive on that type of recognition)
The last thing you want to do is come across as phony, insincere, or misinformed when you’re showing appreciation. How, then, do you, as a leader, demonstrate your true appreciation?
- Be observant and aware (know who is performing above the norm and deserves recognition)
- Regularly check in with your team and get to know them (this will help you understand when someone is personally excelling and how best to recognize that individual)
- Pay attention to the little things
- Focus on both work-related and non-work-related activities (if someone helps out a coworker who just had surgery, that deserves recognition too!)
- When you say thank you or write out a thank you card, mean it. Your sincerity will shine through.
- Be specific. Don’t just say “thanks for a job well done.” Point out specific achievements or contributions.
Employee recognition is important, and it’s crucial to go about it in an authentic, personalized way. Build trust with your team by being sincere, specific, and candid when you give praise. Believe me, people will notice and appreciate your authenticity and effort.
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS®DISCOVERY LICENSED PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM
Tags: better thank yous, business coach, career guidance, grateful leader, gratitude and leadership, gratitude at work, sincere thank you, thank you at work, wrong way to say thank you
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Better Business, Communication, Leadership
April 4, 2018 On Taking Risks
Think of an entrepreneur or a historical figure who inspires you. Do you have someone in mind? Maybe you’re thinking of Nelson Mandela or Martha Stewart or Albert Einstein. Maybe you’re thinking of Rosa Parks or Benjamin Franklin or Elon Musk.
What do all of these seemingly different figures have in common?
They were willing to take risks.
It’s easy to stay within your comfort zone and not venture too far outside the lines. But where does that get you? Nowhere extraordinary.
Even if you think you’re adverse to risk-taking, hear me out. Your risk-taking doesn’t have to put your career or wellbeing in jeopardy. You don’t have to throw all your money at an idea in order for your actions to count as “risks.” What you DO need to do is move forward, boldly (and that means something different to everyone).
What does risk-taking mean in YOUR life?
Does it mean finally asking for that well-deserved raise? Does it mean approaching your boss with a fresh, innovative idea? Does it mean reaching out to a co-worker who isn’t terribly popular around the office?
Or, does taking a risk involve something a little more extreme, such as making a career change or standing up to an abusive boss or coworker?
No matter how risks present themselves in your life, they are worth taking. Why? I’ll give you four reasons…
1. Opportunities abound for the person who takes a risk.
An employer is much more impressed by someone who dives into the unknown, and word will spread quickly about your willingness to venture into new territory. This will snowball and provide many more opportunities for you.
2. Failures are temporary, while regrets linger.
“When speaking to people in their forties and beyond, many tell me that if they could do their career over again, they’d have taken more risks, settled less and spoken up more often,” writes Margie Warrell in this Forbes article. It is always better to have tried and faltered than to have never gone for it.
3. You’re probably overestimating the odds against you.
Warrell points out that we tend to magnify the negative consequences in our minds, to the point where we no longer think about positive outcomes, which makes for a warped view of reality.
4. As a rule, you are capable of more than you think you are.
This is probably a result of having been conditioned early on to always be modest. But it’s okay to recognize your strengths and feel confident about them. And you’ll never know your ability until you take risks.
How will you move boldly forward today? How will you embrace opportunities for risk-taking instead of running from them?
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS®DISCOVERY LICENSED PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM
Tags: advice from a life coach, be bold, bold career, margaret smith career coach, risk-taking, strategic risks, take a risk, take smart risks
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- Posted under Changing Your Life, Goals
March 28, 2018 How to get others EXCITED about your business
I’ve talked to plenty of small business owners and solopreneurs who are absolutely, positively convinced that their business is the best thing in town. They can solve problems, make improvements, and deliver cutting edge innovations. And they might be right. Their business may offer valuable products and services.
So why isn’t everyone and their neighbor making a beeline for their door, eager to hire the business?
It might have something to do with how the business is presented.
Oftentimes, businesses do the obvious: they tout what they do. They discuss their products, features, and benefits. Sometimes, that’s enough, but more often than not, this kind of pitch will fall flat.
Any company can talk about what they do, but what really sets companies apart is the emotion behind the delivery. Instead of trying to explain what you do and how you do it, talk about why you do it. What drives your business? What is at its core? Why are you personally excited about your company’s offerings?
It is this kind of emotional connection that helps companies like Apple succeed. Apple has created a loyal following because they are passionate about innovation and design. They’ve built a reputation that says “quality product.”
What your prospective clients want to know is what sets you apart from “the other guy.” How do you differentiate yourself and stand out?
Use emotion-laden language to discuss what you do. Don’t just say, “We design top-quality widgets.” Say, “Our team is passionate about the user-widget experience.” Or: “We are excited to bring you unparalleled innovation in widget technology.”
So, how do you create this kind of language around your product? As Simon Sinek says, “Start with why.” What is the motivator behind your work? Why do you care? Why are you better than the competition? Why should your target audience care?
Take the time to mull over the WHY of your business and then start a dialogue. Talk to co-workers and potential clients. Deliver the “rough draft” of your message and see if it resonates with them. Then, tweak it until you’ve got it right.
I want to see your business succeed (and I know you do too!). It’s time to abandon the “We are Company ABC. We do XYZ” language and center your message around your “why.”
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS®DISCOVERY LICENSED PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM
Tags: entrepreneurship, generate excitement business, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith UXL, marketing for your small business, Promote your small business, Talk about business, women in business
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- Posted under Better Business, Communication, Sales
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