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“Creating Successful Leaders”

September 10, 2025 When Inviting Disagreement is a Good Thing

hands gesturing over a wooden table with a laptop and notebook on it that blurs into the distance
Photo by Headway on Unsplash

Leaders are taught to be confident and in charge. These can be great attributes, and it certainly doesn’t serve to be timid or self-conscious, but it’s possible to take these traits to an extreme. When that happens, the leader can inadvertently shut down others, which can stifle innovation and creativity, as well as decrease morale. 

It may seem strange to welcome disagreement as a leader. After all, who likes to argue? But this is really just another way of saying that discussion, input, and alternative perspectives are welcome. A leader might think they’re being strong and efficient by putting forth a single plan and instructing their team on how to follow it. But in truth, they are closing the door on collaboration. 

When teams collaborate to create a solution or come up with a plan, a few things happen. First, more voices are heard right away, which increases the chance of greater innovation and ingenuity. Additionally, when groups can have open discussions, they’re more likely to troubleshoot and catch potential problems before they even occur. And once a plan is agreed on, the team has more buy-in than they would if they simply had been handed a plan by the team leader. 

  • How can you facilitate discussion and encourage productive disagreement? Open the floor by using statements that welcome collaborative planning. 
  • Our annual budget is due next week. I was ready to make the same suggestions as last year, but I’d like your input on this. What haven’t I considered? 
  • The holiday party is coming up. What would your ideal event look like? 
  • We’re trying to tap into new customer markets. Instead of using the same methods, I’d love to hear your perspectives and ideas on what we could be doing. 

Additionally, if you do decide to state your opinion or perspective, make it clear that you’re open to other options. Use phrases like:

  • I welcome your input
  • What do others think?
  • What haven’t I thought of?
  • Is there any aspect of this that doesn’t make sense?
  • What improvements or alternatives would you suggest?

Then, make sure you are truly listening to suggestions and open to other viewpoints and ideas.

Leadership involves a certain amount of confidence, but that doesn’t mean bulldozing your team with set ideas and rigid agendas. The most effective leaders open the floor for discussion and respect all ideas, even allowing room for disagreement. 

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 20, 2025 Summer Slump? Here’s How to Re-energize

Different people respond to the summer months in different ways. They might energize and invigorate you, motivating you in all areas of your life. Or…you might slip into vacation mode and have trouble concentrating on your work or mustering the energy to tackle your to-do list. If you fall into the latter category, I have some ideas to help pull you from your summer slump. 

Limit Distractions

When you’d rather be riding your bike, relaxing at the beach, barbecuing outdoors, or doing anything else besides working, it’s easy to become distracted. Help pull your concentration back to your work by closing all games and social media sites on your laptop, putting your phone in airplane mode, or installing an app that limits your social media or internet browsing time. Cutting distractions will help you be more present and limit the temptation to procrastinate.

Set Timers 

When you’re having trouble getting motivated, try setting a timer and working on one project for 15 or 20 minutes. No stopping, no splitting your attention between multiple projects or screens. Just one project for the designated amount of time. Then, take a break (or keep working if you’re still motivated). After your break, set another timer and keep going. It’s incredible how a definite endpoint can help a task feel much more manageable.

Use Fun to Propel You

There’s no need to deprive yourself of summertime fun. In fact, you can use it to motivate you. Tell yourself, “If I answer X number of emails, I can go get ice cream after work.” OR: “If I finish analyzing the data on this spreadsheet, I’ll reward myself with a trip to the lake this weekend.” There’s nothing wrong with a shameless self-bribe!

Take a Meaningful Break

Sometimes, it’s best to fully remove yourself from work and responsibilities for a time if you want to truly re-energize yourself. Consider planning a getaway for a week or two, and leave your work behind. Give your team plenty of warning, set an email vacation responder, and make it clear that you won’t be answering work emails or phone calls while you’re away. It’s amazing how many “emergencies” can work themselves out. 

If summer has got you feeling less than motivated to go to the office or tackle work projects, I hope you will take the time to try some or all of these strategies. Even with the sunshine and aromas of barbecue beckoning, it is possible to maintain your concentration, get energized, and propel yourself forward. 

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 6, 2025 The Courage to Ask for What You Want

As a career coach, I’ve talked with many people who have expressed disappointment about not getting what they wanted in their professions. They didn’t get the raise, the promotion, or the project they wanted. They were passed over for a team leader role or to organize a committee. But when I inquired about whether they asked for these things, I’m usually met with blank stares or questions. “Ask for a raise? I can do that?” Yes, and you should.

Why Ask

In the business world, many of us are either indirect or we assume it isn’t proper to ask for something like a promotion. I agree that this isn’t something to do lightly, and it should be approached with a certain amount of grace and tact, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Managers, supervisors, and C-suite executives are often busy people. They may be in charge of large teams, and they might not be the best at keeping track of their people’s aspirations and abilities. When you ask for something, that gets the attention of your higher-ups. Suddenly, you’re on their radar, and you are seen as someone with initiative and motivation. Additionally, your manager will know exactly what you’re aiming for; they’ll gain a crystal-clear understanding of your aspirations. Those are all compelling reasons to ask for what you want, but how do you do it in a way that doesn’t come across as aggressive or pushy?

How to Ask Tactfully 

When it comes to putting forth what you want from your career, it’s best to have a strategy. Think about what you will say, how you will say it, and the circumstances in which you will deliver your ask. I suggest aiming for the following: 

Choose a One-on-One Setting 

Private meetings are best for big asks. Asking for a raise or a change in roles in front of a group is awkward and tacky, and it puts your team leader on the spot. Instead, plan to give your ask during a one-on-one meeting. If you do not have one set up, request one. 

Work it in Naturally 

To avoid conversational whiplash, do your best to deliver your ask at a natural moment. If you are talking about a current project, you might say: “I’ve actually been thinking about this project a lot and wondering if my performance and results have been enough to earn me a promotion. Would you be open to talking about that?”

Build Your Case 

Enter the conversation armed with relevant information. If you have performed well in a recent initiative, received a positive review, made a measurable contribution, or did something else of note recently, be prepared to talk about it in specific details. Referring back to the example involving a recent project, you might say something like: “I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to review our team project on X, but I’m happy with the results. On an individual level, I came up with a solution that increased customer purchases of Y product by 18%.”

Practice Your Pitch

It can be awkward asking for what you want. To avoid stumbling over your words, try rehearsing what you’d like to say in the mirror or with a partner. Practice until it feels natural. 

Open the Door for Dialogue

When you make your ask, it’s a good idea to present it as something that warrants further discussion. Make it clear that you do not require an immediate answer (no one likes being put on the spot), but also convey that you’d like to talk about the situation in more depth. After you’ve built your case, you could say something like: “Would you be willing to discuss the possibility of a pay raise?” OR: “Given my evolving skill set, are you open to discussing a shift in my role and daily responsibilities?”

Asking for what you want takes courage, but I suggest taking the leap and doing it. Just make sure you properly prepare and approach the ask with as much grace and strategy as possible. Oftentimes in life, we do not get what we do not ask for.

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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