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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Tag Archives: UXL

November 26, 2014 Happy Thanksgiving (And a Quiz!)

Today, I would like to express my thanks to all of you–friends, loyal readers, acquaintances, fellow career coaches, aspiring leaders, and all the positive influences in my life. I thank you for your support, your business, and your encouraging words.

What are you grateful for? Take a few moments every day this week to count your blessings and be thankful. Being grateful for what you have helps elevate your sense of fulfillment and provides you with an extra dose of motivation. Also, as I wrote about in my November newsletter, being grateful is the number one most magnetic personality trait. Others are drawn to those who are humble, caring, and genuinely thankful.

Even though Thanksgiving comes but once a year, we should all try to occasionally pause and acknowledge all the goodness around us. Let the feeling of the season sustain you throughout the year to come.

Happy Thanksgiving and please enjoy the following quiz. How much do you actually know about the holiday? This quiz will test your (and your guests’) knowledge of Thanksgiving. It’s a fun way to keep the conversation flowing after everyone’s had their fill of turkey and stuffing. Enjoy!

Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Thanksgiving?

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November 12, 2014 How to Befriend Your Boss (Or at least get noticed!)

Let’s face it, the key to achieving many of your career goals (that promotion, that next raise, etc.) is to pass through the office gatekeeper: your boss. Befriending your boss can be a tricky endeavor. You don’t want to seem like a brown-noser or disingenuous. What’s more, your boss might seem distant or guarded, reluctant to make new acquaintances with people from the lower ranks. If that’s the case, you might want to set your sights on making an impression on your boss, rather than a friendship. But, no matter the situation, there are certain steps you can take to become more visible in a positive way in your boss’ eyes.

The key is to approach your boss in a natural, authentic way and treat her like any other human being. The goal is to develop an authentic relationship with another person, not to feel intimidated or uneasy with a superior. Try getting to know your boss like any other person at the office:

  • Say hello
  • Ask about his or her family (and remember family member names when they come up in conversation)
  • Ask about their weekend plans or ask about what they did this past weekend
  • Attend company events and make small talk with your boss
  • Discuss shared interests (but do NOT pretend to like something your boss does just to fit in)

Notice that this list does not include things like “buy him small gifts” or “call her to have coffee.” Those kind of activities tend to cross the boss-employee line (unless, of course, you actually are close friends with your boss OR your boss is the kind of person who enjoys regularly going out for coffee with her employees).

The other way to gain positive attention from your boss is to make your achievements known. Stand out from the crowd by speaking up at meetings, volunteering for extra projects (and delivering excellent results), and involving yourself in extracurricular work events. Make yourself a positive presence—someone who is friendly and inclusive, rather than closed off and self-centered—and you will be noticed. Even if you do not quite reach friendship level with your boss, you can at least make yourself visible and visibility goes a long way toward reaching your career goals.

Are you having trouble with your boss? Not connecting with office leadership? Contact me and we can discuss some potential solutions.

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October 22, 2014 Satisfy Your Creative Side

I recently read an alarming statistic in Entrepreneur Magazine: 55% of employed U.S. adults would leave their traditional jobs to be self-employed if they could be sure of their financial stability. Why? What is the overwhelming reason people give for their dissatisfaction? The answer: Lack of creativity.

A full 36% of employed adults want to leave their current position in order to seek a more creative line of work.  Realistically, it would be difficult to sustain such a large creative-heavy workforce and most people realize it is very difficult to make it as an artist (or chef or photographer), while paying the bills. So, what can the creatively-stifled workforce do?  Here are some ideas:

1. Pursue Creative Hobbies (and apply them to work)

Even if your work itself is a bit of a drag, you can still foster your creative side by pursuing stimulating hobbies. Look for classes at your local community center or offers on sites like Groupon or Living Social Deals who offer discounts on things like “painting and wine night” or photography classes. If you have a creative passion, keep at it! And don’t be afraid to share it with your office mates. For instance, if you like writing, volunteer to write the quarterly newsletter or, if you enjoy cooking, make a point of making a dish for the next lunch meeting (I’m sure everyone would appreciate it!).

2. Keep a Journal (or doodle)

One great way to keep the creative juices flowing (no matter if you’re a writer or not) is to keep a journal. That way, when an out-of-the box idea strikes, you can jot it down quickly. Write down everything—don’t discriminate! Sometimes a whim can turn into a great idea. Your notes can be work-related or not—either way, it’s healthy to write things down so you don’t stew about them or become frustrated if you forget your brilliant idea. Alternatively, if you prefer doodling, go for it! Doodling can be a great creative outlet and allows some people to de-stress.  Also, for visual folks, doodling is a great way to map out ideas.

3. Take Breaks

A tired mind has trouble getting anything done. If you find your productivity slipping at work, seek a little creativity to jolt you back to life. You could knit, sketch, play with a yo-yo, read, or even photoshop a picture of your dog for a while!  Anything to get your mind back in gear to tackle the next project.

4. Join a Meetup Group

Sometimes, creativity needs encouragement. If you’re truly interested in honing a passion of yours (writing, photography, calligraphy), find a local Meetup Group. Meetup is a website dedicated to bringing people together with similar hobbies and interests. It’s free to join and the possibilities are endless! If you’re interested in dream interpretation or French or Salsa dancing, there’s a group out there for you!

Don’t stifle your creative side! Let it flow. And if these suggestions just aren’t enough, then maybe a creative career is up your alley. If you’re thinking about making a major career change, UXL would be happy to offer some guidance and support.

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