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“Creating Successful Leaders”

September 6, 2023 Bringing a Back-to-School Mentality to the Workplace

If you’ve been in the same job for a while, things can start to feel a little routine, or even a little stale. Most of us probably interact with the same people, do the same—or similar—set of tasks, and work the same hours. When we get in a rut like this, our energy levels can drop like a rock. We might feel depleted, unmotivated, or disengaged. We might begin procrastinating because we’re not enthusiastic about the work in front of us.

How can we get out of this rut and re-energize ourselves? How can we overcome the workplace blahs? One approach is bringing a “back-to-school mentality” to the workplace. You know how little kids can be so enthusiastic to start a new school year? They might be excited to see their friends, interact with teachers, or learn something new. THAT is the mentality I’m encouraging you to embrace. Here are 6 ways to do it.

Get Refocused

When we start something new, we’re usually highly engaged with it. At a new job, we spend our early days getting to know the workplace, the people, the expectations, and the job itself. We’re focused on what we’re doing, and we’re more likely to be present.

I know it can be difficult to recapture your spark for your job, but what if you took a week to do any or all of the following?

  • Try to be more present
  • Remember the fun and challenging parts of your job
  • Appreciate the positive aspects of your work
  • Recognize the good in your co-workers

As the year draws to a close, getting refocused is a positive and productive way to enter the fourth quarter (Q4).

Approach work with fresh eyes

As a kid, when you head back to school, you’re faced with a lot of things that are brand new. You probably have new teachers, new subjects to learn, and perhaps new people to meet. All this newness helps kids to be adaptable and open-minded. They’re willing to try new things and approach their studies with fresh eyes.

To bring this mentality to the workplace, try to cultivate a sense of novelty and curiosity. Look for opportunities to learn something new or take on different tasks. Challenge yourself to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.

Set goals and track progress

In school, students often have clear goals to work towards. Whether it’s earning good grades, participating in extracurricular activities, or preparing for college, there’s always something to strive for. These goals give students a sense of direction and purpose.

Similarly, setting goals at work can help bring back that excitement and motivation. Think about what you want to achieve in your job and break it down into smaller, actionable steps. Create a plan and set deadlines for yourself. As you make progress towards your goals, track your achievements and celebrate your successes.

Ask good questions

Just like a good student, it’s helpful to show up to work with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to learn. You don’t know everything, and that’s okay! That’s why it’s important to ask good questions, especially when you’re in meetings. I cover ways to gain more clarity through poignant questions in this blog post (which also includes a video).

Read

In school, we have many opportunities to read (whether textbooks or novels in English class), and many kids tend to read on their own. But as an adult, reading can become a low priority. That’s unfortunate because reading is a great way to expand your knowledge and stimulate your mind. It can also help you stay updated on industry trends and developments.

Consider incorporating reading into your daily routine. Set aside some time each day to read books, articles, or blogs related to your field or other areas of interest. You can also join book clubs or online forums to engage in discussions and share insights with others.

Socialize

One of the best parts of going back to school is reconnecting with friends and classmates after a long break. The social aspect of school can be uplifting and energizing.

To bring this element into your workplace, make an effort to connect with your colleagues. Take the time to have coffee or lunch together, engage in conversation, or collaborate on projects.

By adopting a back-to-school mentality and implementing these strategies, you can infuse new energy and enthusiasm into your work. Don’t be afraid to embrace the excitement of learning, setting goals, asking questions, and exploring new ideas. Keep growing and evolving in your professional journey.

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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August 30, 2023 Compassionate Leadership: Balancing Empathy with Accountability

When it comes to leadership, don’t mistake kindness for weakness. It is still possible (and often more effective) to lead with your heart, as well as your head. Compassionate leadership is NOT about giving in to everyone’s whims, going easy on deadlines, or letting subpar work slide. It’s not about letting people slack off whenever they please. Rather, it’s about empathizing with your team, communicating openly, and building a mutual understanding and a plan that works for everyone.

You can practice compassionate leadership while setting firm standards and boundaries. We’re not talking about soft leadership; we’re talking about heart-led leadership. There’s a huge difference.

How do you achieve compassionate leadership while still maintaining a strong leadership presence? How can you balance heart-led decisions with practical, data- and strategy-driven decisions? It may seem like a tricky balancing act, but there are several steps you can take to start practicing compassionate, yet strong, leadership. Let’s talk about 4 ways to get started…

Get to Know Your Team

You may think you know your team members, but how well do you really know them? Do you know if someone is caring for a sick parent or raising young kids? Is someone struggling with chronic health issues? Or mental health afflictions? Is someone going through a divorce? Or facing biases or microaggressions in the workplace?

Once you know what a person is going through, you can be more empathetic with their situation and begin offering them the appropriate resources. Maybe they would benefit from a more flexible schedule, or talking with a mental health professional, or joining an Employee Resource Group (ERG). Whatever the case, you can help be a conduit for their success.

Establish Trust

It is difficult to get to know your team members on a deeper level if you do not take the time to establish trust. In my experience, one of the best ways to do this is by engaging in regular one-on-one conversations with each team member. Use this time to listen to their ideas, provide feedback, and offer support where needed. By doing this consistently, you can build rapport with your team and show them that you are invested in their success. Additionally, be transparent about your decisions and why you are making them. This will help your team understand your thought processes and trust that you have their best interests at heart.

Communicate Effectively

Communication is key in any type of leadership, but it’s especially important when practicing compassionate leadership. Make sure you are communicating frequently and clearly with your team. This includes not only giving feedback and direction, but also actively listening to your team members. When they feel heard and understood, they are more likely to feel valued and motivated to work towards common goals. Additionally, consider using different communication methods to reach team members with different preferences or needs. For example, some team members may prefer in-person meetings while others may prefer email or instant messaging.

Effective communication also entails setting clear expectations. Make sure your team knows exactly what is expected of them and what success looks like. Set regular check-ins to ensure everyone is on the same page and that progress is being made. If expectations are not being met, have an open conversation about why that is, then work together to identify ways to improve.

Lead by Example

Compassionate leadership starts at the top. As a leader, you have the responsibility to model the behaviors and values you want to see in your team. This means demonstrating empathy, kindness, and respect in all your interactions with team members and colleagues. It also means being accountable for your actions and decisions, and admitting when you make mistakes. When you lead by example, you set the tone for the entire team and create a culture of compassion and trust. Remember that your team is paying attention to your actions, so make sure you are modeling the behaviors you want to see in them.

Compassionate leadership is about balancing empathy and kindness with setting clear expectations and maintaining accountability. Too often, we show up for work, do whatever tasks need to be done, and sign off for the day without pausing to think about the people around us. Take the time to get to know them, practice some empathy, and focus on clear communications. Your leadership actions can create a culture of positivity and accountability that will benefit everyone on your team, including yourself.

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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August 23, 2023 The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback: Tips for Managers and Employees

Effective feedback is a two-way street. If you’re providing critiques, it’s important to do so in a way that doesn’t sound accusatory or ends up being demoralizing, but it’s usually not enough to say, “Good work! Keeping doing what you’re doing.” On the other hand, if you’re receiving feedback, it doesn’t pay to put up walls and be overly defensive. BUT it’s also not a good idea to passively take criticism if you A) disagree with it or B) do not completely understand it.

All this is to say, giving and receiving feedback effectively is a balancing act. And it’s easy to tip into negative territory.

How can you keep things positive and aim for improvement? First, let’s talk about giving effective feedback, and then we’ll discuss a few pointers for effectively receiving feedback.

Giving Effective Feedback

Good feedback is sincere, illustrative, and clear. It also provides a clear path or action plan for the recipient to use after the meeting. To achieve this type of feedback, I often turn to the D4 model, designed by Insights® Discovery, which I’ve discussed in detail in a past blog post.

Essentially, the D4 feedback model is a four-step process that encourages specificity while also maintaining a positive tone. Here are the basics:

Data: Start by presenting the facts of the situation or behavior. Avoid generalizations or assumptions, and keep your tone neutral.

Depth of Feeling: Start to explore why you might be feeling a certain way about the data you’ve presented. This step helps to uncover deeper issues that may be contributing to the situation.

Dramatic Interpretation: How are you interpreting the situation? What meaning have you given it?

Do: End with a clear path forward. What would you like to see happen moving forward, and what steps can be taken to get there?

By following these steps, you’ll be able to give feedback that is clear, actionable, and helps the recipient understand how to improve. It’s also important to remember to give positive feedback as well – acknowledging what the recipient is doing well can motivate them to keep up the good work.

Receiving Feedback Effectively

Receiving feedback can be challenging, especially if it’s critical or unexpected. However, it’s important to approach feedback with an open mind and a willingness to learn. To do this, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Listen actively and ask clarifying questions.
  • Avoid becoming defensive or argumentative.
  • If you do not agree with the feedback, politely ask for clarification/elaboration. You may also want to seek additional feedback from others to corroborate the feedback.
  • Identify specific actions you can take to improve. Make sure to go over these action steps with the person providing feedback.
  • Ask for next steps (a follow-up meeting, sending a progress update, etc.).
  • Acknowledge and thank the person for their feedback.
  • Follow through! After the meeting, begin strategizing how you will stay committed to the action steps discussed during the feedback session. This may involve setting goals, seeking additional support or resources, or simply dedicating time and energy to improving your performance.

Remember, feedback is an opportunity for growth and development. By approaching it with an open mind and a positive attitude, you can turn constructive criticism into a valuable tool for personal and professional improvement.

Whether you’re giving or receiving feedback, it’s important to approach it with care and intention. Giving effective feedback involves being specific, sincere, and clear, while also providing a path forward. The D4 feedback model is a useful tool for achieving this balance. On the receiving end, it’s important to actively listen, avoid defensiveness, and identify specific actions to take. Remember, feedback is an opportunity for growth, so approach it with a willingness to learn and modify how you’re currently doing things. The give and take of feedback doesn’t have to be painful or stressful! With effective communication and positive intentions, both parties can walk away satisfied.

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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