The Success Talk Show

 

Thanks for joining me for another episode of The Success Talk Show. On this episode, I'm continuing my series on the topic of emotional intelligence skills for leaders and today we are going to focus on decision-making skills. Decision-making skills can truly make or break your career as a leader - in fact, there are 3 particular skills that I'm going to cover before his episode is finished that you absolutely must master if you are going to excel in your role of leadership. Be sure to listen as I walk you through reality testing, problem-solving, and impulse control.

Become skilled at reality testing and you'll stand out from the crowd.

An important part of decision making is having all the facts you need in order to make truly good decisions. That only comes from reality testing. Reality testing is the process of making sure you're looking at a situation objectively so that you know exactly what's happening. It's considered an emotional intelligence skill because it's helpful when it comes to cutting through the emotion that surrounds a particular issue. On this episode, I describe some emotionally charged situations in a work context to show you how you can use reality testing to diffuse the emotion with the facts of what's really going on.

Great leaders can find solutions to problems and situations where emotions are involved.

Emotionally charged situations in the workplace are common because everyone involved in a project usually feels passionate about what they believe and what they've contributed. That's natural, and it's a good thing. But often, the emotion is what clouds the situation, making it difficult to see the facts and make the right call when decisions need to be made. Great leaders stand out in those situations because they possess the skill of considering the emotion involved and the people who are expressing it, while still finding solutions that are based on the facts available. On this episode I give you some tips on how to improve your ability to apply good decision-making skills in the midst of emotionally laden situations, so be sure you listen.

When you'll be part of an emotionally charged meeting, plan ahead of time.

One of the areas where everyone - not just leaders - needs to be mature is in what we refer to as "impulse control." Impulse control is the ability to control yourself in situations with other people, like meetings or brainstorming sessions, in a way that enables the entire group to be productive and effective in what it's assembled to do. If you're unable to do that, you could come across as a "hothead" or someone who doesn't "look before you leap", and neither of those is good for your career. Find out why you want to avoid being perceived in those ways and how you can learn to exercise better impulse control, on this episode.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:04] How you can find the first episodes in this emotional intelligence series.
• [2:27] The concept of reality testing and how it can help you with decision making.
• [9:16] Three tips to build your reality testing muscle.
• [14:14] What is problem-solving and how does it work?
• [15:34] Tips to help you develop a better approach to problem-solving.
• [22:15] Impulse control as an emotional intelligence skill.
• [25:07] A couple of tips on how to improve your impulse control.

Resources & People Mentioned

• www.SuccessCompassStrategies.com/Emotional-Intelligence - get the PDF download

 

You've likely heard the term "emotional intelligence," but do you know what it is? There are actually 15 emotional intelligence skills and this episode is my continuation of a series covering those 15 skills and why every leader needs to be able to implement effectively. This episode includes 3 more of the 15 skills - interpersonal relationships, empathy, and social responsibility. I'm going to give you some very practical tips for how you can assess your strengths and weaknesses in each of these 3 areas and also make suggestions about what you can do to improve. You'll find this very helpful, no matter what level of leadership you are currently serving in.

You can't be a strong leader without the ability to build interpersonal relationships.

Leadership is not only about determining a destination and leading the charge to get there. It's about relationships. You can't be a strong leader without the ability to build interpersonal relationships. The ability to foster interpersonal relationships is actually an emotional intelligence skill that you can learn - and the results you'll see from any improvements you make are amazing. Listen to this episode to find out how you can learn to relate to people better - from networking or industry events all the way to leading your team, you'll find help in building and applying your emotional intelligence skills.

Empathy can make a huge difference in your ability to lead others well.

On this episode, I tell the story of how one leader I was working with failed to express sufficient empathy to me after the passing of my father. Upon my return to work, Instead of asking how I was doing and discovering whether he could help me in any way, he immediately jumped to ensuring that I'd logged my time off accurately. As you might imagine, that experience made for an awkward relationship going forward. In fact, I wound up only working at that company for 6 months. It's an example of the detrimental impact a lack of empathy can have - and for that reason, I wanted to teach you what you can do to ensure that it never happens in your organization. Find out more on this episode.

Recognition is powerful for building positive interpersonal relationships.

Everybody likes to be told that they've done well in their tasks and roles. It's part of the way we are wired as human beings. But not everyone likes to be recognized in the same way. That's where a leader needs to be emotionally intelligent. Then he/she will be able to discover what type of recognition each team member appreciates and is most impacted by - and foster a better interpersonal relationship with them as a result of appreciating them appropriately. You can learn how to increase your level of leadership empathy through recognition, on this episode of The Success Talk Show.

How to strengthen your leadership through social responsibility.

Social responsibility is a big word that may bring up all kinds of images in your mind, but simply put it's about contributing to your community (whatever size it may be) in a way that doesn't directly benefit you. It's showing care for the larger whole of which you are a part - and it builds your leadership credibility and prominence like few things do. On this episode, you will hear my quick tips for using social responsibility to improve and enhance your leadership, so I hope you'll make the time to listen.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:20] How and why you should find the previous episodes in this series.
• [2:26] Why you can't be a strong leader without the ability to build relationships.
• [4:15] An example of using simple questions to start a conversation.
• [7:39] Tips for building mutually satisfying relationships.
• [18:59] Empathy is a great way to enhance your effectiveness in relationships.
• [26:47] Tips for improving your ability to be empathetic with colleagues.
• [30:05] Social responsibility as an emotional intelligence skill: What is it?

Resources & People Mentioned

• www.SuccessCompassStrategies.com/emotional-intelligence - get your download.
• BOOK: The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People

 

Being an assertive leader is important for many reasons, but if you don't know what it looks like to be assertive in healthy ways you could wind up damaging your leadership instead of strengthening it. On this episode, I'm continuing my discussion of the 15 skills of emotional intelligence by highlighting assertiveness and independence for leaders. We'll unpack what it looks like to be assertive in ways that foster discussion and collaboration and also cover how independence relates to assertiveness. I wrap up by sharing 4 levels of decision-making leaders can use to both be assertive and independent and empower their teams at the same time.

What it means to be an assertive leader.

Being assertive is not about pushing your ideas on other people or getting your way. Assertiveness is speaking confidently about your beliefs or desires in a situation, but in ways that respect the opinions and perspectives of others involved. As you can see, there's a skill to doing both of those things at the same time and the tips I share on this episode of The Success Talk Show are aimed at helping you understand and develop those skills so you can be the leader you truly want to be. I hope you'll take the time to listen.

Tips for introverts who know they need to be more assertive.

Being assertive is difficult for many people for a variety of reasons, but it can be especially hard for people who consider themselves to be introverts. Even though being assertive is difficult for introverts, there are emotional intelligence skills they can develop that will help them engage in the conversations happening around them and truly contribute to their teams in valuable ways. On this episode, I provide some practical, empowering steps introverts can take to add more value to their workplace and team through being more assertive. If you consider yourself to be an introvert, be sure you take the time to listen.

How independent, assertive leaders can unintentionally alienate their teams.

There is great value that comes from leaders possessing a healthy sense of independence and assertiveness, and in many ways, those two emotional intelligence skills go hand in hand. But both can be misunderstood by teammates if they are not applied wisely and well. On this episode of The Success Talk Show, I teach you what it looks like to be independent and assertive as a leader, yet sensitive to your team in a way that gets buy-in and enthusiasm at the same time. It's a nuanced skill that every leader needs to develop and you can learn the first steps on this episode.

The 4 levels of decision-making leaders must master.

Making decisions is not simply a matter of being decisive and assertive, especially when leading a team. Focusing only on those things can create the impression that the leader is a "know it all" who doesn't value the ideas and contributions of others. No leader wants to be perceived that way. So what can be done to make clear decisions but also include the team in a way that fosters collaboration and support? I've discovered there are 4 levels of decision making, and each has its own unique approach to including team members in the decision-making process. When these 4 approaches are used wisely and appropriately for each situation, the team grows to trust its leadership and feels empowered and included at the same time. Find out how these 4 levels of decision-making work, on this episode.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:38] What do we mean when we speak of being assertive?
• [5:20] Advice for introverts when it comes to learning to be assertive.
• [7:33] Reasons you should strive to increase your assertiveness.
• [11:04] The importance of self-awareness when seeking to be more assertive.
• [18:44] 4 different levels of decision making.

Resources & People Mentioned

• www.SuccessCompassStrategies.com/emotional-intelligence - get your summary of the 15 Emotional Intelligence Skills

 

This is the third episode in my series about emotional intelligence and today I'm going to share why it's vital that as a leader, you make sure that you do what you love. Given the responsibilities of leadership I understand if that sounds too good to be true, but if you take the time to listen to this episode of The Success Talk Radio Show you'll see why it's actually something you can't do without. Doing what you love will enable you to become a better leader and experience more fulfillment and purpose in your life.

The #1 reason many people ask for the help of a coach.

Through the years I have served many clients as their Leadership Success Coach, so I've had the opportunity to walk alongside many professionals who are ready to reach the pinnacle of success in their field. And that's EXACTLY why they come to me. They want to achieve their full potential. They are ambitious to do well and to do good. Perhaps most of all, they want their lives to be filled with purpose and meaning. I guide them to do that by helping them recognize that their role, whatever it is, needs to enable them to do what they love. On this episode, I'm going to define what that means, give you some quick tips to start applying it immediately, and help you understand why it's so vital that you do so - as a person and as a leader.

What IS self-actualization?

When I say, "Do what you love" I'm referring to one of the emotional intelligence skills referred to as self-actualization. It's a scientific-sounding word that means nothing more than learning how to find purpose and enjoyment in your role. It's about persistently trying to improve yourself and about performing to your full potential. When you're able to do those things, you are doing what you love and find yourself satisfied with the contribution you make in your company and with your life. As you listen to this episode you'll learn how you can enthusiastically commit to short and long-term goals to make self-actualization a skill set in your leadership toolkit.

What happens when a leader is doing what they love?

Every leadership role contains some tasks or aspects that are not enjoyable. It's part of the way things work. So when you hear me say, "Do what you love," it may sound like an impossibility. But it's not. You can learn how to orient your role around the things you love so that what you contribute to your organization is powerfully impacting because it comes from your areas of strength. When you do this you'll be setting an example for those you lead, setting the tone for the organization and leading others on your team to reach their full potential as well. Find out how you can make this subtle but powerful shift in your role as a leader, on this episode.

How can you incorporate more of what you love to do in your role?

Do what you love. I mean it. No matter what your role is you've got the ability to make it into something you enjoy doing. For example, if you enjoy equipping and teaching others, find a way to make your role into a mentoring or coaching role, at least part of the time. That will enable you to infuse your daily work with things that are meaningful and fulfilling to you - which will spark even more creativity and passion for your work. You'll find yourself and your organization blossoming, even though your title or actual role didn't change. Find out more ways you can inject what you love into what you do, on this episode of The Success Talk Show.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:46] Why this subject resonates so much with my personal purpose.

• [3:50] What IS self-actualization and why is it important?
• [8:03] Self-actualization tip #1: How satisfied are you with the quality of time you're contributing at work, with family, with friends, and alone time?
• [9:18] Self-actualization tip #2: Identify 1 or 2 short-term and long-term goals in each of those 4 areas.
• [10:34] Self-actualization tip #3: Identify your top passions and discover how to integrate them into your role.
• [14:49] Self-actualization tip #4: Find a new challenge that is meaningful to you.
• [20:46] A call to action to help you

Resources & People Mentioned

• www.SuccessCompassStrategies.com/emotional-intelligence
• YouTube video: Discover and Leverage Your Passions

 

 

To be a successful leader in a technology company you have to have approaches to problems, teams, and clients that fit both the makeup of your team and the industry you are in. On this episode, I am happy to feature a conversation I had with Christine Pecina, Vice President of Software at Affirmed Networks, a tech company named to the Forbes' second annual list of next billion dollar start ups. Christine has over 25 years of experience in engineering and now serves in a senior leadership role at Affirmed Networks. She has so many great insights to share about what it takes to become a successful leader, leadership skills, and working in a fast paced environment like technology. You'll benefit greatly from her insights, so set aside some time to listen.

Successful leaders in tech have to know their stuff.

When it comes to being successful in a technology company, Christine Pecina says that every leader has to really know their material. They need to become a technical expert in whatever area they were hired to oversee. That's because becoming a leader is about gaining the respect of your peers, and the number one way to do that in the tech field is to know your area of specialization. You can hear how Christina suggests you go about gaining that kind of expertise and how it will enable you to move toward leadership positions in the technology field, on this episode of The Success Talk Show.

If you're going to lead in a technology company, you need to be fiercely competitive.

Every technology company is working to build software or hardware solutions that bring value to their clients or customers. But it's another level of achievement to be at the top of your industry. Christine Pecina says that leaders in the technology space need to have a mindset that drives them to crush their competition. It's what enables them to drive toward success personally and as a team. Christine has a good deal of expertise leading teams to the kind of excellence that crushes the competition, so be sure you listen to this episode to hear what she has to share.

Written communication skills are vital for every successful leader.

When I asked Christine Pecina what she felt were the top 3 skills leaders in technology need to have in order to succeed, her final suggestion was that leaders need to be effective in written communication. In her experience it's vital that written communications skills are part of the leader's skill set because what you say verbally will be forgotten but what you write will endure and serve as a resource for a long time. It doesn't have to be creative, brilliant writing, just clear, comprehensive instructions about the technology you work with and its proper use. Customers will need it. Your team will need it. So it's beneficial for you to develop the skill. Find out more on this episode of The Success Talk Show.

Leaders can encourage innovation by eliminating fear.

How can leaders in technology companies foster an innovative company culture? Christine Pecina says that the primary way to build an innovative culture is to remove the fear that keeps it from happening. That means making it OK to make mistakes because when people believe it's OK to make mistakes or look dumb, they are more willing to take risks. As a leader you need to encourage the people on your teams to put themselves out there, to try something new. Innovation will be the natural fruit of doing so. If you want to hear from someone who has done it well, you need to hear this conversation with Christine.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] Get to know Christine Pecina, technology leader in one of the most promising startups out there.
• [1:47] The top 3 leadership skills for those leading in technology these days.
• [15:50] The importance of understanding world cultures and team culture.
• [20:44] Advice for those who need to gain confidence to climb to a senior leadership roles in tech.
• [24:04] Lessons Christine wishes she had known earlier in her career.
• [27:46] How you can connect with Christine.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Affirm Networks
• Christine_Pecina(at)affirmednetworks(dot)com

Emotional Intelligence a set of skills that are vital to good leadership. On this episode, part two of a series on emotional intelligence, I want to provide an understanding of two of the 15 emotional intelligence skills that I believe are most important for leaders. These two are emotional self-awareness and emotional expression. But rather than jumping right into definitions and tips I'm going to begin by telling you a story from my own career - the situation that made me aware of my own need for growth in the area of emotional awareness and expression. It illustrates the negative consequences of being emotionally unaware and also illustrates the good news - all of us can grow in these vital skills.

Emotional intelligence enables you to rightly handle situations in your everyday career.

Every successful business is successful in part because of the way the relationships within the business function, and those healthy relationship dynamics begin with the leader. It is vital that leaders have the emotional intelligence skills that enable them to lead teams, enable collaboration, and build consensus and enthusiasm. I've had to learn some of those skills the hard way myself. That's why I feel strongly about the topics I'm covering on this episode. You'll hear why leaders who are skilled in emotional self-awareness and emotional expression have a distinct advantage and are more likely to build relationships and companies that thrive. In addition, you'll learn some practical ways you can increase your skill in both those areas. Please, take the time to listen.

If you want to be seen as a respected leader you have to be aware of how you come across.

Every leader desires to be respected because of what they bring to the table. But it doesn't happen automatically. The way you interact with people is the main thing that determines the level of respect team members, vendors, and clients have for you. Those interactions happen on an emotional level, and it's your job as a leader to become aware of how you come across in those interactions. What are you communicating through your tone of voice and body language? Studies show those things matter more than what you actually say. Making deliberate, wise adjustments in those areas will help you gain the respect you seek. You can hear my tips for how to grow in your ability to lead well on an emotional level, on this episode of The Success Talk Show.

Emotional self-awareness and emotional expression form the basis of your reputation.

The way people see you, the way people talk about you in the marketplace is directly related to the way YOU interact with the people you come in contact with daily. Are you gruff and demanding? Do you really listen or are you distracted by other things? Are you open to suggestions and eager to hear and support the ideas of others? These are a few examples of how people might perceive you - and what determines their perception is how you emotionally express yourself in your daily interactions. On this episode, I'm sharing what I've learned about the importance of emotional self-awareness and the role it plays in how you express what you feel as a leader. The things you learn could change the trajectory of your career.

The first step to emotional self-awareness is admitting where you struggle.

In order to grow in emotional self-awareness, you need to make a conscious effort to observe yourself. How do you feel during intense situations? How do you feel as people deliver the unsettling or unexpected news? The things you notice may be uncomfortable to admit, but admitting them is exactly what you must do. Once you see and admit the struggles you have in the area of emotional intelligence, you'll be able to build a plan to effectively address them. I've got 5 very practical tips for you about how you can do that on this episode, so I hope you'll listen.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] Introduction: Improve your self-awareness to increase your leadership success.
• [1:56] Why emotional awareness is vital to your leadership.
• [2:34] A turning point in my own career where emotional awareness made the difference.
• [6:11] Work scenarios where emotional awareness can be of benefit.
• [8:26] 3 simple tips to increase your emotional self-awareness.
• [12:23] The surprising truth about how emotional expression impacts communication.

Resources & People Mentioned

• www.SuccessCompassStrategies.com/emotional-intelligence

There's a lot that's been written and said in recent years about emotional intelligence, and for good reason. There is a lot of great new research showing that emotional intelligence is not only a real thing but that it's something that is very important when it comes to healthy relationships and working environments. The past few years I've been doing a lot of my own research into the issue and wish someone had taught me the importance of emotional intelligence long ago. This episode is the first of a group of episodes that I'm going to produce to teach you about emotional intelligence for leaders. Today we'll get a wide view of the subject and dive into what I consider to be one of the most important qualities of an emotionally intelligent leader - self-regard.

What is emotional intelligence and why is it important?

When you think of emotional intelligence it may be helpful to simply think of it as a gauge that indicates how adept or skilled you are at dealing with issues that involve emotional assessments or responses. Naturally, as with any skillset, each of us will fall onto the assessment scale at different places. But research is showing that leaders especially need to be on the highly skilled end of the scale - and that makes sense. Leaders are dealing with a number of people on an emotional level, regularly. If they are going to lead well they've got to be good at those relationships. On this episode, I want to show you how important emotional intelligence is for leaders by telling you a story from my work history - and challenging you to do a quick exercise to assess the impact leaders have had on you.

Emotional intelligence matters more the higher you climb in your career.

Put yourself in this scenario: You're a middle-level employee who's just been promoted to a management role. Your first one. Suddenly you are responsible for the morale, productivity, and teamwork of 10 people. What kind of emotional intuition and flexibility do you think you'll need to do your new job well? Now imagine that you move up one more leadership level in the organization. Then one more. How do those steps upward impact your need to be emotionally intelligent in the way you interact with and lead those underneath you? It's pretty obvious, isn't it? You've got to be quite intelligent in an emotional capacity when you are responsible for more people. On this episode, I'm going to start you on that growth journey. Are you ready?

Here's a fun exercise to help you notice the importance of emotional intelligence.

Think back over your working life. Can you remember a boss or manager who you did NOT enjoy working for? Can you pinpoint the things about their style, approach, or personal skills that cause you to feel that way? Now do the same thing again, but remember a boss you DID enjoy working for. What did they do (or not do) that caused you to have those feelings? As you can see, emotional intelligence is vital for those who are going to lead others. It's one of the make or break things for good leaders. Find out more about how to grow in your capacity to deal with your subordinates in an emotionally intelligent way, on this episode.

Are there things you can do to increase your level of emotional intelligence?

We all have a basic level of emotional intelligence that is built on many foundations - the way we were raised, interpersonal skills we've developed throughout life, the way we've learned to communicate, and many, many more. And whether you feel you are good with people or not, the good news is that you can grow in your capacity to deal with people well. In other words, your emotional intelligence can grow over time as you devote yourself to growing it. On this episode I'm going to outline the very first step I address with most of my clients when it comes to growing their emotional intelligence.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] Why learning about emotional intelligence is such a passion for me.
• [1:35] Stats and research regarding emotional intelligence.
• [3:40] What is emotional intelligence?
• [6:32] The 5 categories and 15 skills of E.I.
• [8:45] A fun exercise to help you assess the importance of Emotional Intelligence.
• [14:00] How your team takes its cues from you, the leader.
• [15:13] Focusing in on the quality of self regard.
• [19:20] How you can begin to improve your own self regard.
• [22:12] How to reinforce the positive of what you're doing.

Resources & People Mentioned

• BOOK: The Millionaire Mind
• www.SuccessCompassStrategies.com/emotional-intelligence
• StrengthsFinder

 

Every startup CEO has to learn the hard way in one regard or another. When you are able to get tips about working for a startup from a CEO who's already gone ahead of you, you'd be smart to take the time to listen. On this episode of The Success Talk Show, I'm chatting with Frederik Rasmussen, CEO of innRoad, a management software for independent hotels. He's learned lots of the hard lessons I mentioned and freely shares some of the best tips he has for those who are working to make their startup a success. It's a great conversation with actionable tips you can apply now.

Does it take unique skills to work in a startup?

When I asked Frederick about the skills it takes to work in a startup environment he said that the basic skill set is pretty much the same as what is needed in any other type of business. What he said has to be different is the mindset and approach to the business that every team member has to have. If you're going to work successfully in a startup you need to understand upfront that things will change, adjust, and be modified all along the way. There is no such thing as stability in the average startup - at least not for some time. Team members who thrive in a startup are able to flex, adapt, and grow as the journey produces new challenges every day. Learn how Frederik has seen that attitude benefit himself and his team, on this episode.

A business startup tip for team members: How can you approach the CEO with your ideas?

If you are working in a startup and would like to get a seat at the table when it comes to new ideas and direction, you have to go about it wisely. Frederik Rasmussen, CEO of innRoad says that team members who want to advance should work to come up with possible solutions to the problems they see in the company or its systems. That way they are able to approach their CEO or managers with the appearance of being a problem solver, not just a problem revealer. Frederik has great insights to share, so be sure you listen.

How to be the best startup team member you can be.

When I asked Frederik Rasmussen of innRoad what it takes to be a great team member in a startup he said that it's vital to take ownership of the outcomes, not the tasks that reach those outcomes. Why? Because the tasks may be changed or modified at any time. The approach you take to solve problems is just as much on the table for tweaking as the product or service itself. What you need to focus on is creating solutions to the problems that arise. He calls it "taking ownership of the results." You can hear Frederik describe it himself, on this episode of The Success Talk Show.

The importance of learning to deal with the gray areas.

When you're working on a business, and especially a startup, your tendency is to try to pin things down, to figure out exactly what it takes to get a particular task done. That's a great skill to have but it's not always possible. There are so many gray areas when it comes to refining and distributing a new product or service - so it's great advice to learn how to deal with those gray areas - the things you can't pin down along the way. You can get more great advice and business startup tips, on this episode.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:20] What are the unique skills needed to work in a startup environment?
• [4:09] Why startup members need to own the results, not the tasks.
• [7:13] How Frederik is leading his team to become the best in the industry.
• [10:05] How up and coming leaders can prepare themselves for a bigger role.
• [16:45] Lessons Frederik has learned building a company and moving it forward.
• [22:20] How you can reach out to Frederik.

Resources & People Mentioned

• InnRoad Hotel Management Software
• Connect with Frederik on LinkedIn

 

Every one of us has some sort of time management activities that we try to follow in order to be as productive as we feel we should be. But the rub comes when we realize that what we're doing isn't working but we don't know what to change in order to fix the problem. My guest today is Sarah Reiff-Hekking, a life and business coach who is an expert at time management and productivity. The things she shares on this episode to help you get your life and productivity on track are absolute gold. You'll hear her talk about dealing with overwhelm, how to make time for strategic planning and writing, choosing the right time management system, and so much more. You're going to love this conversation.

When you feel overwhelmed here's how to identify the source of the overwhelm.

Nobody likes feeling overwhelmed, but for most of us, it's part of the climb up the career ladder. One of the things I wanted to find out from my guest, Sarah Reiff-Hekking, was how she recommends we deal with the inevitable feelings of overwhelm that we experience. Her answer was spot-on and something that every professional can apply immediately with great results. It's too much for me to explain in a brief paragraph but in this conversation, Sarah unpacks it so that you can better deal with your feelings of overwhelm and apply her time management activities that will make you more productive and successful.

Need time for strategic planning or writing? Here's a tip that's sure to work.

I don't recall where I heard it but I remembered that Sarah Reiff-Hekking (my guest on this episode) had a very interesting and effective way of getting her business writing done. So I asked her about it. It turns out that her practice is amazingly effective. It involves a weekly Starbucks appointment, a colleague, and a one-hour time slot that is non-negotiable. If you're curious how it works and the kind of results Sarah and many of her clients have seen from implementing the practice, you need to listen to this episode. Sarah shares great, practical tips for how you can make the most of your time, avoid overwhelm, and stay on track in your work week.

What's a better productivity system - paper or digital?

There's lots of debate about whether paper productivity systems are better or if the digital age requires digital means of keeping up with it. I asked my guest on this episode, Sarah Reiff-Hekking which she thinks is best and she actually said "both" - sort of. Actually, her emphasis was on the fact that either can be effective but it depends on the person in question as to which is best for them. You can hear how Sarah advises you figure out a system that works for you - and why she says that switching systems midstream is one of the worst things you can do in most cases. It's all on this episode of The Success Talk Show.

Tips to help you prepare for your next move up the career ladder.

If you are in a lower or mid-level position in your organization and have ambitions of moving up the ladder, what are the best personal habits and productivity practices that you can put in place to prepare you for that level of success and responsibility? I asked Sarah Reiff-Hekking that very question and she shares her insightful answer on this episode. Sarah has a way of approaching questions like this with just enough of a unique perspective to uncover powerful applications of common sense practices. For that reason, you'll do yourself a favor by listening.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:37] My introduction of my guest today, Sarah Reiff-Hekking.
• [1:36] The first steps to take when you are feeling overwhelmed.
• [4:00] The importance of setting aside time for critical and creative thinking.
• [12:58] How you can set yourself up for time to write.
• [16:00] Developing a flexible time blocking template for your work week.
• [19:39] What's a better system, paper or digital?
• [25:19] What you can do to prepare for the next promotion?
• [28:17] The best way for you to connect with Sarah.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Sarah Reiff-Hekking's Website
• www.TrueFocusQuiz.com - take the 4 minute quiz to discover your strengths
• The Planner Pad

 

This episode of The Success Talk Show features the expertise and wisdom of Suzy Welch. Suzy and her husband Jack are the authors of a brand new book, "The Real-Life MBA," which has been called "...a modern, essential guide for everyone in business today and tomorrow that explores the most pressing challenges related to creating winning strategies, leading and managing others, and building a thriving career. On this episode, Suzy shares from her book and her personal experience about how to build a culture of truth and trust, how leadership trust is developed, and what leaders can do to build teams that thrive. You won't want to miss out on what Suzy shares.

Great leaders create a culture of truth and trust.

In many work environments, the culture is one of secrecy and fear, not truth and trust - and Suzy Welch says that's a sign of dysfunctional leadership at the highest levels. Great leaders create a culture that celebrates truth-telling, even when it's hard to hear - because that's the way the entire team is able to deal with reality and work to overcome the shortfalls that exist. In the end, trust is built - for the leader and within the entire time. You can hear Suzy unpack this powerful principle on this episode, as well as give advice about what you should do if you find yourself in an organization where a culture of truth and trust do NOT exist. These are powerful lessons so be sure you listen.

What you can do to be seen as a leader in your company.

Many people who want to be given a position of leadership trust within their company work hard to get there. But Suzy Welch says that if you aspire to leadership roles within your company you have to do the things leaders do, and that's not typically working harder and longer than everyone else. Instead, you need to exhibit the traits of a great leader, which means you build teams, foster great communication and teamwork, and celebrate those who are alongside you on the journey as they reach milestones or contribute to the team in significant ways. Those are the true actions of a leader and are the things that will get you noticed. Learn more from Suzy by listening to this episode.

How to earn a seat at the leadership table in your organization.

Many people who are in middle or lower management positions feel the pull of executive or senior leadership. They want to eventually earn a seat at the table so they can contribute to the large-scale decisions that direct the company. But there's a mystery to most about how you get there. What are the things you should do? What relationships should you build that will foster that kind of strategic growth? Suzy Welch says that those who earn a position at the table are not like everyone else. They don't get there by hard work alone, they get there by fostering a team and celebrating those around them. Find out what she means on this episode.

True leaders succeed by reflecting the glory to the people around them.

Great leaders are not about puffing themselves up or gaining glory for themselves. Instead, they serve the success of those they lead. They celebrate the successes, achievements, and dreams of those they lead and hold them out for others to see. That enables the entire team to trust the leader, to know that he/she is truly for them and eager to see them grow, succeed, and thrive within their workplace or organization. Suzy Welch highlights this and other characteristics of great leaders in this episode of The Success Talk Show. Her insights are well worth your time.

Outline of This Episode

• [0:34] My introduction to my guest, Suzy Welch.
• [1:21] Creating a culture of truth and trust in a world where people are hesitant to speak up.
• [3:20] What should lower level leaders do to encourage truth and trust in their companies?
• [7:26] Earning a seat at the table in your organization.
• [9:20] How anyone in a company can be seen as a leader.
• [11:30] Are there leadership challenges that are unique to the technology industry?
• [16:30] The real life impact Suzy hopes her book brings to readers.
• [19:20] Suzy's advice for those who want to grow: boldly step out to try something new.

Resources & People Mentioned

• BOOK: The Real-Life MBA