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“Creating Successful Leaders”

January 19, 2012 Are You Practicing Faux Flexibility?

By Margaret Smith, UXL
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER

“If you ask most people, ‘Are you flexible or rigid?’ they’ll tell you they’re flexible,” says Howard Gardner, Harvard cognitive psychologist (as quoted in O Magazine, May 2005).

Most of us will claim to be open to change in our lives and opinions, but would you say that most people you meet are actually flexible? Probably not. This is because most of us practice what Gardner refers to as “fundamentalism” Although the term is most commonly used in reference to religion, it can also be used to describe our preference not to change our minds. “There’s fundamentalism—a commitment not to alter our opinions—in every sphere,” he explains.

Certainly, my own interactions with others (especially as a life coach) can attest to this notion!

So how do we open up our own minds and the minds of others to new ideas and ways of thinking?

The acclaimed psychologist offers some innovative suggestions for challenging our mindset and freshening up our convictions:

1. Subscribe to publications that cut across the political and scientific spectrum.

2. Seek out balanced arguments, instead of indulging in arguments that feed your preexisting beliefs.

3. Talk to people from different backgrounds to challenge your orthodoxy—travel!

4. Understand the resistance of others. Gardner suggests you do this by attempting to “draw the other person out” and “listen charismatically”.

5. Stop the attack and pursue insight instead by taking on the perspective of the other person.

6. Choose an agreeable point of entry. Gardner offers two less-direct strategies:
a) Find links between your case and individual points of appeal
b) demonstrate your willingness to be flexible by picking something you’ve been resisting and trying it (Gardner calls this
“embodiment”).

7. Mix up the meeting place. A change of context can help to break patterns of thought.

8. Think like a teenager (You’re probably thinking God help us!). Before you panic, understand that by this, Gardner means asking the question “What are the possibilities?” because the question opens “a wider panorama” of possibilities.

Hopefully you will be able to successfully rethink your own convictions and encourage those around you to do the same with these interesting and useful tactics for changing your mindset!

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January 9, 2012 Small Changes that Lead to Better Living

By Margaret Smith, UXL
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER

Sometimes all it takes is a small change to our daily lives to shake things up a bit and rearrange the way we live. Whether you’re interested in revamping your career or your social life, these simple tips will add a little freshness to your typical day.

Stop Dreaming about It and Ask for It!

“Ask and you shall receive” and “the squeaky wheel gets the oil” are popular idioms because they’re both true. Instead of dreaming about that interesting project or wishing that you could work for your dream company, actually go for it! Whether it’s being persistent about a job opening or pushing for more opportunities at work, don’t hesitate to ask for what you want.

Get Involved

Join a network or attend a program that will keep you motivated, informed, and engaged. Nothing is better for motivation than surrounding yourself with other driven and inspirational people. Even if it’s as simple as setting aside time to meet with your friends to discuss your career or current local issues, gathering with the goal of sharing and supporting is always good for exchanging new ideas and propelling change.

Expand Your Mind

It’s never too late to learn a new skill or try something new. Taking that Thai cooking class or attending a seminar on technology may be just the thing you need to rediscover creative energy, make new connections, and reshape your life.

Do Something Differently

We often cling to our habits and routines because they’re comfortable and safe. But what if mixing up your route to work made your day a little more relaxed? How about skipping the typical perfectionist attitude about your morning routine? You may just discover a better way of living.

Mix the Professional and Personal

Stop attempting to separate your human connections into categories such as “professional” and “personal”. If you begin to deconstruct this division, you’ll find that the people you interact with through work are a great addition to your social existence, and that your personal connections can also offer fantastic insight and benefits into your career. After all, you do often spend more time during the week with your coworkers than your family—why not enjoy it?!

Do you have questions about developing your career, landing the job of your dreams, or finding more joy and contentment in life? Contact UXL Today to transform the future of your business or career through guided professional coaching.

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January 5, 2012 Women and Money: How to Take Control of Your Finances

By Margaret Smith, UXL:
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER
It’s a commonly-known fact that women make less money on average than men. Woman also still routinely adopt the role of caretaker for aging family members and children. Gone are the days when a woman can think about her future and her finances in terms of reliance on a husband—and thank GOD! However, although women now work in a world that is founded on their financial independence, many women have not fully asserted themselves.

According to an article in Minnesota Monthly, women are often less growth-oriented about their money and tend to focus on maintenance. The article explains that “31.8 percent of women labeled themselves conservative investors, compared to 21.7 percent of men.” This penchant for a more supportive approach means that women are practicing a day-to-day, reactive style of financial planning instead of creating larger, future-oriented strategies.

How to Improve your Financial Future in 7 Steps

1. Think Long-Term: Take the time to set long-term financial goals instead of practicing routine money maintenance. Have you established savings goals for the year, the next five years, the decade?

2. Play a Role: Even if you’re in a committed relationship, make sure that you play a role in every aspect of your household finances. Although it’s an unpleasant reality, all marriages end eventually, whether through death or divorce.

3. Consider Retirement: If you have not begun to stock a retirement fund, do so asap!

4. Invest in Education: If you haven’t already chosen to earn your degree, do so now. People with degrees make significantly more money on average.

5. Expect the Unexpected: Create an emergency fund worth 3-6 months of your living expenses. Financial emergencies are a fact of life, and job loss (as the downturn has illustrated) is a very real possibility.

6. Up Your Financial Literacy: Meet with a professional advisor, seek advice and expertise from the people you trust, or take a course in financial planning or investing.

7. Request What You’re Worth: Womankind’s key to defeating the earning gap lies in our ability to relay our worth and ask for what we deserve. Know what financial compensation your skills deserve and learn to ask for it.

If you act on even one of these pointers you’ll improve your financial future.

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