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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Tag Archives: Margaret Smith business coach

January 31, 2024 5 Terrible Communication Approaches (and what to do instead)

Photo by Headway on Unsplash

There are some people who are expert communicators. They are inspirational, motivational, and they have a knack for getting people to understand exactly what they want to convey. These individuals inevitably build trust and make people want to confide in them. We should all strive to become such excellent communicators.

Part of becoming a great communicator means knowing what to avoid–the pitfalls that make others close up or respond poorly to you. Let’s talk about five communication approaches that rarely work (and what to do instead).

Steamrolling Ideas

Good leadership means compromise, and sometimes that involves letting go of some or your ideas or letting others have a say. If you’re especially enamored with an idea or solution, it can be tempting to steamroll over others in order to get your way. However, this approach rarely leads to successful communication or collaboration.

Instead: Try to adopt a more open-minded and collaborative mindset. Listen to others’ perspectives and be willing to embrace alternative ideas. This not only shows respect for others’ opinions but also fosters a sense of teamwork and creativity.

Being Indirect

When communicating, being indirect can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Indirectness can also be interpreted as a lack of self-confidence or uncertainty about the topic at hand. Instead of beating around the bush or using vague language, it’s important to be clear and direct in expressing your thoughts and intentions.

Instead: Be straightforward and concise in your communication. Clearly state your message or request, and provide any necessary context or details. This will help to eliminate any ambiguity and ensure that your message is understood correctly.

Interrupting and Dominating Conversations

Interrupting others or consistently dominating conversations can hinder effective communication. No one likes to feel small or unimportant. This communication style can make others feel unheard and disregarded, leading to a breakdown in communication and relationships.

Instead: Practice active listening and give others the space to express themselves. Allow others to finish speaking before responding, and show genuine interest in what they have to say. This promotes healthy dialogue and creates an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Using Jargon and Technical Language

Using excessive jargon and technical language can alienate others who may not be familiar with the terminology. This can lead to confusion and a lack of understanding, defeating the purpose of communication. It’s important to use language that is accessible and easily understood by the intended audience.

Instead: Use clear and simple language that everyone can understand.

Oversharing and Gossiping

Oversharing and gossiping can negatively impact communication and trust within a group. Sharing personal information that is unnecessary or irrelevant to the conversation can make others uncomfortable and can divert the focus from the main topic at hand. Gossiping about others can also create a toxic environment and erode trust among team members.

Instead: Focus on the topic or issue at hand and avoid sharing personal details that are not relevant. Be mindful of what you share and consider the impact it may have on others. Avoid gossiping or spreading rumors, as it can damage relationships and create a negative work or social environment.

To become an excellent communicator, it is important to understand what you need to avoid. Do you let any of these pitfalls slip into your everyday communication? If so, it is important to recognize these missteps and work on correcting them. Few people were born excellent communicators, but many can get there with a little time and intentional effort.

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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November 1, 2023 Resilience Can Be Learned (4 ways)

woman sitting with back to camera looking over mountains

Many people think that resilience, courage, boldness, and other related personal qualities are 100% innate and cannot be learned. But that’s simply not the case. While it’s true that some people may be naturally bold or buoyant, that doesn’t mean there isn’t hope for the rest of us. We can build our resilience or amplify our courage. These are life skills that can be learned (or improved) with practice, intentionality, and repetition.

But how do you go about it? What methods and approaches can you use to improve your resilience? Here are 4 ways to get started:

Create a Resilience Plan

In some situations, you know when hard times are coming and you have the opportunity to plan for them. For example, if you know a busy season is coming up in the workplace, or if you know your family is going to have to face some difficulties (extra expenses for a home remodel, upcoming health treatments, etc.), you can put together a “resilience plan.”

This might involve setting achievement goals and mapping out periods of time when you’ll need to buckle down to get something done. When you make your plan, be sure to consider how you will achieve your goals. For example, how will you make sure your pile of work is completed on time? Will you get up an hour earlier, block all social media, set timers/follow the Pomodoro method, or get help from an accountability partner? When creating your plan, don’t forget to build in rest time or down time. Intentional breaks can help you rejuvenate and improve your focus in the long run.

Take “One More Step”

When you feel like giving up, challenge yourself to “take one more step.” If you’re exercising, try to do just one more pushup or hold your plank for just a few more seconds. If you’re working on a project, set a timer to work for just ten more minutes. If you’re writing a report, challenge yourself to write just one more paragraph (or even one more sentence). When we push ourselves beyond our perceived limits, we are actively building our resilience.

Seek Support

Building resilience can be challenging, and it’s important to seek support from others. Surround yourself with a strong network of friends, family, or mentors who can provide encouragement and guidance. Share your experiences and challenges with them, and allow them to offer their perspectives and advice. Sometimes just having someone to listen to you can make a world of difference. Additionally, consider joining support groups or online communities where you can connect with others who are also working on building resilience. Remember, you don’t have to go through this journey alone.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Having a growth mindset is crucial for building resilience. Embrace the belief that your abilities and qualities can be developed through hard work, dedication, and learning from failures. Instead of viewing setbacks as permanent or personal flaws, see them as opportunities for growth and improvement. Cultivate a positive attitude towards challenges and see them as stepping stones towards success. Adopting a growth mindset allows you to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through difficulties, and continuously strive for personal growth. Remember, resilience is not about never experiencing failure or hardship, but about how you respond and learn from them. Embrace a growth mindset and watch your resilience soar.

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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July 19, 2023 5 Traits of a Highly Effective Leader

If you’ve been lucky enough to work for an excellent leader, you know what a game changer it can be. You feel energized and motivated to come into work. Your role is clear, and you understand how it fits into the bigger picture. If any problems arise, you know you can discuss them candidly without fear of belittlement or retribution. But what traits, specifically, mold someone into a leader like this? And how can you become such a leader?

In my experience as a leadership coach, I’ve identified several traits that make a good leader (I discuss ten of them in my book The Ten-Minute Leadership Challenge and elaborate on these traits in my online course). Though there are many personal attributes that contribute to effective leadership, I’d like to focus on 5 of them in this article.

These 5 traits are essential—a great starting point for anyone who is hoping to up their leadership game. Keep them in mind and work toward embodying each one. Like anything in life, this takes good self-awareness, intention, and practice.

Clarity

An effective leader makes clarity a top priority—clarity in communication, expectations, problem solving, and more. Without clarity, a leader’s team may become confused and frustrated, leading to decreased productivity and morale. A leader who prioritizes clarity takes the time to articulate goals and expectations, communicates regularly and transparently, and provides the necessary resources for their team to succeed.

Authenticity

Have you ever worked alongside someone who tended to exaggerate, or always seemed to be putting on a show, or only told partial truths? Many of us can sense when someone is not being forthcoming or genuine. As a leader, it’s important to be true to yourself and your values. Authenticity means being honest and transparent, admitting when you don’t know something, and daring to be yourself (flaws and all!). When a leader is authentic, team members tend to show greater trust and respect, which can create a culture of openness and collaboration.

Advocacy

A good leader advocates for their team members and makes sure everyone feels respected and included. Inclusivity is vital to a healthy work environment. A leader who advocates for their team actively listens to feedback and concerns, takes them seriously, and acts to address them. They give credit where credit is due and offer constructive criticism and support when needed. If a project fails or produces a less-than-perfect outcome, an excellent leader does not throw their team under the bus, but instead shoulders the responsibility and reframes the failure as an opportunity to improve and learn from mistakes.

Reliability

If you expect your team to be reliable, you have to lead by example. That means following through on commitments, meeting deadlines, and doing what you say you will do. A reliable leader establishes trust by consistently delivering high-quality work and keeping their promises. They are dependable and consistent, which generates a sense of stability and confidence among team members.

Courageousness

Effective leaders do the right thing, even when they know it will be difficult. That might mean having the courage to admit when you’re wrong, changing directions when a project isn’t working, or standing up for your team. It’s important to note that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it. A good leader takes calculated risks and doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations or decisions. They are willing to face criticism or pushback if it means doing what’s best for their team or organization.

These 5 traits are not the only ones that make a great leader, but they are certainly crucial. By focusing on clarity, authenticity, advocacy, reliability, and courageousness, you can build a strong foundation for your leadership brand. Keep in mind, these traits are not innate qualities that some people simply possess and others do not; they can be developed and strengthened over time with practice and self-awareness. With dedication and effort, you can become the kind of leader that inspires and motivates others to be their best selves.

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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