Skip to content

UXL Blog

“Creating Successful Leaders”

Tag Archives: Margaret Smith Minneapolis career coach

June 14, 2023 5 Signs You Could Benefit From an Online Leadership Course

Last week, we talked about the benefits of taking an online, on-demand leadership course. But how do you know if this is the right path for you? Let’s talk about 5 signs that indicate you could benefit from an on-demand virtual leadership course. You might get more out of this type of course than you think!

1. You’re a first-time manager

Being a manager for the first time can be a daunting experience. You may have been a superstar in your previous role, but managing a team is an entirely different ball game. An online leadership course can help you learn the essential leadership skills you need to be an effective manager, from communication to delegation. As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know!” This is especially true for first-time managers since they may not have had many opportunities to practice leadership skills in their prior role.

2. You want to improve your communication skills

Effective communication is essential for any manager, but it’s not always easy to master. An online leadership course can teach you how to communicate more clearly and confidently, whether you’re delivering a presentation or having a one-on-one with a team member. Through a leadership course, you can learn tips for active listening, asking the right questions, and providing constructive feedback. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment.

In my online leadership course, I focus on clarity and confidence as two key factors to aid and improve communication.

3. You want to establish trust with your team

One of the most important foundations of effective leadership is trust. For a team to truly trust you, it’s imperative to demonstrate competence, integrity, and authenticity. An online leadership course can help you learn how to build trust with your team members, from setting clear expectations to following through on commitments. You can also learn how to create a culture of psychological safety that encourages open communication and constructive feedback.

4. You struggle with delegation

As a leader, you can’t do everything yourself (as much as you might try to do so!). It’s essential to delegate tasks to team members so you can focus on the big picture. Delegation can be challenging, especially if you’re a perfectionist. An online leadership course can teach you how to delegate effectively, so you can maximize your team’s productivity.

5. You need help navigating difficult situations

All leaders face difficult or sensitive situations from time to time. You might have to engage in a difficult conversation, deliver bad news, or take disciplinary action. Whatever the case, an online leadership course can equip you with the skills you need to navigate these situations with grace and professionalism. Through the course, you can learn how to handle conflict, manage emotions, and make tough decisions.

An online leadership course can be beneficial for individuals in various leadership roles. Whether you’re a first-time manager looking to build fundamental leadership skills or an experienced leader seeking to improve your communication and delegation abilities, an on-demand virtual course can help you develop and refine your leadership skills. Such a course can also help you create a safe and supportive work environment for your team.

Consider taking an online leadership course, such as the 10-Minute Leadership Challenge, to enhance your leadership skills and take your career to the next level.

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. 

Tags: , , , , ,

April 12, 2023 How to Capitalize on High Energy Moments

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Everyone has a pulse…and I’m not talking about the beating of your heart. Your “second pulse” is the rhythm you experience throughout the day—your ebbs and flows of energy. Some people get a burst of energy in the morning; others experience this in the afternoon or evening. And then there are times when you feel depleted and distracted—stretches of time during the day when you’re not performing at your peak.

In his book When, researcher Daniel Pink calls these daily lulls your “troughs,” but you can also think of them as your valleys or low points. Since it’s difficult to do your best work during a trough, it can be beneficial to focus on relatively simple busy work during these periods. Save the high-engagement, creative, high-stakes work for the times when your energy is high and you’re feeling motivated.

Here are 4 ways to do that:

Pay Attention

For most people, a daily trough occurs in the afternoon. Our concentration begins to slip, we grow tired, and it’s difficult to think on our feet or be terribly creative. But everyone’s different! That’s why it’s important to pay attention and begin to understand when you’re energized, and when you’re simply not.

You may also notice that your energy tends to increase or decrease during certain days of the week (e.g., low-energy Mondays vs. productive Thursdays) or during certain events (e.g., at the beginning of a new project). If you’re feeling energized, take note! And if you’re not, pay attention to that, too.

Block Off High Energy Times

If possible, block off high energy times on your calendar so no one can bother you during your peak moments. This may require setting a few healthy boundaries and saying “no” to some things (that 8 a.m. meeting), but your efforts should quickly pay off. Additionally, if you get into a pattern of consistently blocking off a certain time period for deep, intense work, your brain will start to anticipate and recognize that this is a time for high productivity.

Batch Tasks

If you’re feeling energetic and creative, take advantage of the moment by batching several tasks that can be done in one sitting. Approaching several tasks at once gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the momentum of your high energy moments and finish more in less time. Plus, you don’t have to waste time switching gears and starting up again if you’re feeling tired or disinterested.

Break It Up

If you find that the task in front of you is too daunting or complicated, don’t be afraid to break it into smaller, manageable pieces. Doing so will enable you to take advantage of moments when your energy is high, without feeling overwhelmed. It’s also a great way to ensure that you’re still making forward progress on large tasks even when your energy is low.

It’s important to pay attention to your daily energy flows and use them to your advantage. If you’re feeling energized, embrace it and tackle tough projects. If you’re feeling drained, that’s OK too – use that time to check off items from your to-do list or catch up on emails. By acknowledging the natural rhythms of energy that come with the passing of time, you can make the most of your high energy moments and effectively manage the ones that are lower.

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. 

Tags: , , , , ,

March 29, 2023 Break the rules! (By following them first)

A version of this article was first published on August 28, 2019.

Photo by shawnanggg on Unsplash

“If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.”

Dale Carnegie

I get it. You’re excited about your new position or role, and you want to get in there and shake things up! You see systems that are outdated, processes that don’t make sense, and a million opportunities to improve the current system and make positive change. And that’s great, except…

You may want to pump the brakes.

Why, you ask? Because even though you’re enthusiastic, motivated, and your heart is in the right place, others may not see it that way. Before you start demanding change, you have to prove your mettle. Demonstrate that you can thrive within the system before you go about trying to change it. Show that you have a deep understanding of your company and your role before you bring forward ideas for improving things. Easing into change is as good idea for three reasons:

ONE: It gives you a chance to build your credibility.

People will see that you’re dedicated to your job, perform well, and work well with others. Do your best work, do it on time, and show that you are a trusted partner (instead of combative and subversive).

TWO: It helps you build an alliance.

It’s difficult to make change on your own, and nearly impossible if you don’t have others’ support. As you start thinking about ways to amend the status quo, be sure to make friends, ask for advice, and gather others’ thoughts and opinions. Not only will you be more likely to rally support behind your cause, you will also gain others’ perspectives on the issue, which will help strengthen your plan of action.

THREE: It gives you time to learn about the status quo, what works, and what doesn’t.

While it’s tempting to barge in and overhaul an entire system that seems to be flawed, it’s a good idea to pause and study the system you’re attempting to fix. Are parts actually working? Are certain things going well for certain people? Will there be resistance to change? If so, why? Taking the time to study the current mode of operations will help you understand the greatest flaws and greatest assets of the system, and what should be fixed first. Your thoughtful approach will also demonstrate respect to those who have been working within the current system for years, and have not (for whatever reason) acted to improve it. Change can be a touchy thing, and you certainly don’t want to imply that everyone has been doing things wrong, and you’re the one with all the answers.

In short, don’t kick over the beehive when you begin a new role. Ease into it, learn how things are done, and start gathering information about what works and what doesn’t. Then, test the waters by floating ideas past others. Build your alliance, and then take action. With this methodical approach, you’re bound to gather some honey, rather than a few angry stings!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 

HER NEW EBOOK IS CALLED A QUICK GUIDE TO COURAGE.

Tags: , , , , , ,