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December 27, 2023 Holiday Reflection

We’ve done it, friends. We’ve reached the end of another holidays season and another year, and we’re marching forward into the next year. If you’re like many people I know, this year has been filled with ups and downs, peaks and valleys. You’ve learned some tough life lessons, but you have also had moments of joy, satisfaction, and victory. The trick is, clinging to those “peak” moments and letting the valley moments slide away.

You might call this “selective reflection.” Make an effort to sit down (perhaps with a favorite warm beverage!) and spend some time quietly thinking about your accomplishments and positive moments. You could also choose to do this with a journal, jotting down your thoughts about the year. If you go the journaling route, remember this is just for YOU, so there’s no need for perfect grammar or even full sentences. Just write whatever comes to mind.

For me, this last year has had its challenges, but it has also contained several bright and shining moments. I welcomed a little grandson into the world this year, I had a chance to spend quality time with loved ones, I traveled to Iceland with friends, I spent time with family on both the east and west coasts. The list goes on.

When I focus on all the positive, uplifting, and joyful events that occurred this past year, the bad “stuff” seems to melt away. And that’s powerful. When you choose to concentrate on blessings, the difficult moments seem bearable (even if you’re grappling with difficulties right now).

I challenge you to set a positive tone for the New Year. Infuse yourself with positivity and gratitude, and march boldly forward. Don’t forget, you probably had plenty of support and love this past year, and it is always a good idea to reach out to your loved ones and thank them for their positive presence. Demonstrate your gratitude through a phone call, a hand-written card, a meaningful gift—however you see fit to recognize the special individuals in your life.

What will the New Year bring for you? What changes—large or small—do you anticipate in the year ahead? I would love to hear from you.

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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December 20, 2023 The Power of Delegation (During the Holidays)

If you’re like many people I know, you tend to get bogged down and busy during the holiday season. You take on an array of tasks—planning holiday gatherings, meal prep, gift shopping, arranging to get yourself and your family to all those holiday activities. With so much on your plate (and I’m not just talking about the turkey!), it can seem difficult to slow down, catch your breath, and re-strategize. But that’s exactly what I encourage you to do.

One of the most powerful ways to lighten your workload is to delegate. Delegation does not mean you’re lazy or ineffective—far from it. Instead, it is a sign of competent leadership, and it shows you are self-aware enough to know when you’ve just about hit your limit.

Even though many of us know delegation is a good idea, we tend to put up barriers. We make up excuses, such as:

“No one else has the skills to do what I need. I have to do it myself.”

“Everyone else is busy, too. It wouldn’t be fair to delegate.”

“What if someone else takes a different approach than I would? I don’t think I’d like that.”

“Delegating doesn’t save all that much time. I would have to explain the entire process/task/etc. to someone else before they could do it.”

…And on and on.

Though these excuses may sound convincing, they are usually quite flimsy. Usually, someone else will have some free time to take on part of your to-do list. And even if a task is difficult and/or the other person does not have the same skills you do, you should be able to train them in (and once you do, they can continue to help in the future).

A lot of these excuses boil down to one key concept: Letting go. For those who like to be in control, it may be difficult to hand over a project to another person. But does it really matter if that person approaches it exactly how you would have? Does it matter if they use different resources or skills to get the job done? As long as the end result is what you were looking for, it shouldn’t matter at all. Besides, you may learn something by observing how someone else approaches a familiar task or project. These can be learning moments, if you let them.

If you’re currently stretched too thin, I challenge you to practice some delegation. Just make sure the delegation is appropriate (not all work tasks can or should be delegated) and that the other person has the time and necessary experience to do the job.

Keep in mind, delegation can be effective in your personal life, as well as your work life. Planning a holiday gathering? Ask someone else to make the pie or to pop by the store to buy paper plates and napkins. Running your kids around to after-school activities? See if you can partner with another parent for drop off/pick up.

All great leaders delegate, and you can embrace this attribute as well. When approached with tact and a little strategy, delegation can work out well for all parties involved.

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 22, 2023 Season of Gratitude: Incorporate Thankfulness into the Workplace

While this is considered the season of gratitude, offering gratitude and thanks to employees is always a good idea. The American Psychological Association found that 93% of employees “who reported feeling valued said that they are motivated to do their best at work, and 88% reported feeling engaged.” Additionally, the same study found that only 21% of the respondents who felt valued planned to seek a new job in the next year.

Gratitude may be good for the bottom line and aid in improving employee retention but, most importantly, it’s the right thing to do. No one likes to feel unappreciated or overlooked. And, conversely, most people respond well to some kind of recognition or gratitude.

So, how can you incorporate thankfulness into everyday business practices? Try these 5 approaches?

Make It Personal

Rather than thanking someone for their hard work or all their “time and effort,” it’s better to get specific. When you personalize your feedback, you demonstrate that you’re truly paying attention to that person and their contributions. For example:

“Thank you, Pete, for stepping up last week to help us complete the ABC Project on time. Your efforts may have helped salvage our relationship with that company.”

OR: “Nan, I’ve noticed you helping the new hire and I really appreciate you taking him under your wing. I can already see an improvement in his work.”

Avoid Email

It’s fine to send a note of thanks over email, but it’s better to use a more personal approach. Pull someone aside after a meeting to thank them, give a phone call, or write a handwritten note. The last method is one of my favorites, since it shows a little extra effort and it is something the recipient can hang onto.

Reward and Recognize

Some instances call for a little extra thanks. If an individual or team have gone above and beyond for a project, or have been a top performer(s) for a long time, it probably makes sense to offer recognition in some way. This could be as simple as a shoutout during a team meeting or as formal as an award. You might also consider giving above-and-beyond employees a monetary reward, such as a gift card or a higher bonus (whatever makes sense, given the circumstances and your company’s policies/norms).

Encourage Peer-to-Peer Recognition

Encouraging employees to show gratitude towards their peers creates a positive and supportive work environment. Consider implementing a peer-to-peer recognition program where employees can nominate and acknowledge their colleagues for their outstanding work. This not only boosts morale but also fosters teamwork and camaraderie among employees.

Celebrate Milestones and Achievements

Take the time to celebrate milestones and achievements, both big and small. Whether it’s a project completion, a sales target reached, or an employee’s work anniversary, acknowledge and celebrate these accomplishments. This can be done through a team lunch, a personalized note, or a small gift to show appreciation and recognize their hard work.

Incorporating thankfulness into business practices is never a bad idea. To get started on cultivating a culture of gratitude, start small but keep up the momentum. You never know what kind of impact a sincere gesture of thanks might have on someone.

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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