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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Tag Archives: Margaret Smith licensed Insights practitioner

June 12, 2024 The Power of Persistence

It is said that a river can cut through a mountain not because of its power, but because of its persistence. Little by little, year after year, the water will eat away at the rock until it carves a path. One has only to look at the Grand Canyon to see how something as ordinary as water can dramatically alter the landscape over time.

There is a lesson in this persistence.

In our modern world, we often want instant gratification or immediate results. We order a package, we get it the next day (or even the same day)! We want a question answered, we pull out our phones and find what we’re looking for. While modern technology can, of course, be a good thing, it has also eroded our patience and persistence. We are not as practiced at having to wait for results, and we may forget the value of persistence when things come too easily. True progress often requires time, effort, and unwavering dedication.

Fortunately, persistence is a skill that can be learned and developed. To start building your own perseverance, I suggest taking some of the following steps:

Set Clear Goals

When you keep your sights set on the end goal, it is easier to stick with the task at hand, no matter how long or tedious. By keeping your goals in mind, you have a constant reminder of why you are persisting. This clarity can help you stay focused and motivated, especially during challenging times.

Break Down Tasks

Sometimes, looking at a large goal can feel overwhelming and lead to procrastination. Breaking it down into smaller, manageable tasks can make the journey seem more achievable.

Celebrate Milestones

Every step forward deserves your acknowledgement and celebration. By taking a brief pause to recognize what you’ve accomplished and how far you’ve come, you give yourself the fuel to keep going, keep persisting. These little celebrations serve as reminders of your progress and keep you motivated along the way.

Seek Support

Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you. Having a strong support system can provide the encouragement and motivation needed to continue pushing forward. Whether it’s family, friends, co-workers, or mentors, their support can make a significant difference in your journey to success.

Like a river slowly shaping the land, our consistent actions can lead to significant changes in our lives. Embracing the power of persistence allows us to overcome obstacles, achieve our goals, and ultimately create a lasting impact. Let us remember the wisdom of the river and persist in our pursuits with determination and resilience.

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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May 15, 2024 No One Listening? 5 Techniques to Be More Persuasive

A version of this blog post was first published in November, 2019.

Do you have trouble getting what you want? Are you often overlooked or not listened to? Do you know a change needs to be made, but you’re having trouble framing your argument?

It sounds like you need to tap into the power of persuasion!

Being persuasive doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being sneaky or underhanded. If you use persuasion in an honest way, it means articulating something so others can see your point of view. Sometimes, you have to be persuasive to make positive changes or advance your career.

How do you become persuasive? Try a few of the following techniques:

1. Prepare

No matter if you’re leading a meeting, having a one-on-one with your boss, or proposing a new idea around the water cooler, it’s necessary to come prepared.

Do your homework, research the ins and outs of your proposal, AND anticipate potential problems or questions others may ask. If you know your stuff, you’ll automatically be more persuasive.

2. Be Confident

When you’re speaking, don’t use words like “I believe” or “I suppose.” Be confident when making a claim. Say it boldly, and people will listen.

Research shows people are more likely to listen to someone who is confident than someone who is an actual expert. Of course, you don’t want to spread false information, but when you do have something to say, say it with confidence!

3. Frame Your Words Carefully

Consider these two sentences, and tell me which is more effective:

“I’d like to be considered for the management position because I’m interested in furthering my career.”

“I’d like to be considered for the management position because I’m interested in new opportunities and challenges.”

The second one, right? These sentences both convey that someone is wishing to be considered for a promotion. Yet the second sentence focuses on personal growth and a desire to learn, while the first seems to say that the person, at the end of the day, is really only in it for themselves.

Before going into a meeting, practice your phrasing in front of a mirror until you feel comfortable delivering it.

4. Utilize Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful technique for persuasion. People are naturally drawn to stories—by sharing anecdotes or personal experiences, you can make your points more relatable and memorable. Crafting a compelling narrative can help you connect with your audience on an emotional level, making your message more impactful and resonant. Consider weaving storytelling into your communication to effectively engage and persuade others.

5. Know Your Audience

Pay attention and start noticing what matters to people in your office. Do certain topics of conversation keep coming up? Are people interested in family, football, pets, or local music? What values do they seem to have?

Getting to know the people around you is invaluable for building rapport and gaining trust. Ultimately, if others find you easy to talk to and pleasant to be around, you won’t even have to think about being persuasive—people will want to listen to what you have to say.

If you want to make a change, put forth an idea, or simply be heard, it’s a good idea to hone your personal power of persuasion. It may not come easily at first, but with practice, you’ll be a pro!

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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March 13, 2024 5 Ways to Facilitate an Inclusive Brainstorming Session

Have you noticed that some members of your team tend to dominate the brainstorming sessions or the meetings that call for creative input? A few voices are usually the ones that rise to the top—the ones that deliver their feedback, opinions, and ideas. In the meantime, others are usually quiet, maybe only occasionally contributing, or not speaking up at all. This does not necessarily mean these individuals don’t have anything to contribute; rather, they might be shy or soft-spoken, or they may prefer to analyze the situation in more depth before contributing their thoughts (see my post on communication and Insights® Discovery).

How can you make sure everyone on the team is heard? How can you foster an environment that welcomes all perspectives and people? Let’s discuss five ways to facilitate an inclusive brainstorming session:

1. Set Some Parameters

Before the brainstorming session begins, you may want to encourage participation by setting some ground rules. You could, perhaps, give everyone five minutes to voice their thoughts, and then go around the table (or video conferencing screen), so everyone has an equal chance to “hold the floor.” This helps to give your quieter team members uninterrupted time to voice their thoughts.

2. Intentionally Involve Team Members

If appropriate, try asking a specific team member for their perspective. If a certain subject applies to a team member, or if someone looks like they want to say something, help them along by asking them a pointed question. For example, you might say, “Diedre, I know you have been working on a project related to what we’re discussing. Do you have any thoughts?” Or: “Marcus, it looks like you wanted to add something. What’s your perspective on this?”

3. Help Your Team Understand Communication Styles

One way to help equalize brainstorming sessions is to help your team members understand each other’s communication styles and preferences. I recommend utilizing a science-based assessment program, such as Insights® Discovery. I’m a Licensed Practitioner of Insights®, and I can attest to its effectiveness! This type of program can help people understand the root of others’ behaviors—why some people are more reserved, for example, or why some people thrive in brainstorming or creative sessions, while others prefer different ways of idea generating. Additionally, once people have a common language to voice thoughts, they can communicate more effectively. When using Insights, you might say something like, “I don’t have much of an opinion right now, but that’s probably my ‘Blue energy’ coming through and telling me I need to analyze all the options in more depth.” (If you’d like to know what I’m talking about, check out this past blog post!)

4. Meet One-On-One

In some situations, it is best to meet individually with team members to get their perspectives on certain projects, initiatives, and ideas. Not everyone feels comfortable sharing openly in a group, so these one-on-one meetings can provide a chance for quieter team members to voice their thoughts. Be sure to create a safe space where your people feel comfortable sharing openly and honestly.

5. Provide Other Communication Channels

When holding a brainstorming session, it’s a good idea to establish up front that this is a no-pressure situation, and there will be room for additional thoughts, ideas, and opinions after the meeting. Then, let your team members know how, exactly, they can put forth those opinions. Ideas include emailing you (or the team leader) directly, meeting with the team leader one-on-one, filling out an anonymous survey, or starting an online spreadsheet that shows the various ideas and potential directions.

The important thing is to remember that not everyone communicates or participates in the same way. To truly facilitate a welcoming and inclusive brainstorming session, it is essential to consider your team members and their communication preferences. When you put in an honest effort to ensure everyone’s voice is heard, you usually end up with more innovative, creative, and thoughtful ideas to propel your team 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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