Lolly Daskal's Blog, page 46
May 17, 2023
Leading Through Change: 8 Things Your Employees Need to Hear
When it comes to managing change in the workplace, it’s important for leaders to effectively communicate with their team and manage their progress towards a common goal. However, change can be difficult for employees to navigate and it’s important for leaders to provide support and understanding throughout the process.
Here are eight key messages that employees need to hear as you are leading them through change:
“Here’s what’s happening and why”: It’s important to be upfront with your employees about any changes coming to the organization. Explain the reasoning behind the change and how it will benefit the company. This will help your employees understand the importance of the change and make it easier for them to get on board.
“Here’s how this will benefit you”: Don’t just focus on how the change will benefit the company. Make sure to address how it will also benefit your employees. Consider how each group and individual will benefit from the change and how it will make their work lives better. By addressing these concerns, you can gain your employees’ trust and support.
“Here’s our goal for the future”: Share your chief goal for the future with your team and reference it often. Having a clear target will help keep your team unified and motivated as they adapt to the change.
“I’m open to your thoughts and questions”: Be transparent and open to your employees’ questions and concerns. By appearing genuine and open to their input, you will appear more trustworthy and give your employees a greater sense of control over the situation.
“Let’s strategize together”: Once your employees have had time to process the change, ask for their ideas and input. By including your team in the transition process, you’ll foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the change.
“We’ll support you through this”: Let your employees know that you will support them throughout the change process. This could include providing resources, answering questions, and being available to offer guidance and support.
“We’ll celebrate successes together”: As you work towards your goal, make sure to celebrate successes along the way. This could be small wins or bigger milestones. By recognizing and celebrating progress, you’ll help keep your team motivated and engaged.
“We’ll learn and grow together”: Change is an opportunity for growth and learning. Encourage your team to embrace this opportunity and be open to new ways of doing things. By learning and growing together, you’ll strengthen your team and create a culture of continuous improvement.
As a leader, if you follow these tips and effectively communicate with your team during times of change, you will build trust, foster collaboration, and ensure a smooth transition.
Lead From Within: A true test of great leadership is how well you manage your employees through change in your organization.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post Leading Through Change: 8 Things Your Employees Need to Hear appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 16, 2023
Leaders Who Are Great Communicators Do These 4 Things
Great leaders with effective communication are able to clearly convey their ideas, expectations, and goals. This helps them build trust and foster collaboration. Effective communication is crucial for effective leadership, and a leader who can’t communicate clearly cannot lead effectively.
Here are four things that great leaders do to improve their communication skills:
They listen actively: Great leaders don’t just hear what others are saying, they actively listen and engage with the conversation. This means paying attention to nonverbal cues, asking clarifying questions, and making an effort to understand others’ perspectives.
They are clear and concise: Great leaders are able to communicate their thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. They know how to get to the point without beating around the bush or confusing their audience.
They are open and transparent: Great leaders are open and transparent in their communication. They are willing to share information, be vulnerable, and admit when they don’t know something. This helps to build trust and create a more collaborative work environment.
They adapt their communication style: Great leaders recognize that different people respond to different communication styles. They are able to adapt their style to the needs and preferences of their audience, whether that means using more visual aids in a presentation or having a more casual conversation one-on-one.
When leaders practice these habits they not only improve their communication skills and they are better at connecting with others.
Lead From Within: Without effective communication, it’s difficult for leaders to inspire, empower and lead change effectively.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post Leaders Who Are Great Communicators Do These 4 Things appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 15, 2023
How to Communicate Your Company’s Strategy Effectively
Effective communication of a company’s strategy is crucial for success, but many organizations struggle with it. Often, leaders believe that a strategy is something that is created at the top, and then the rest of the company has to implement. However, this approach is rarely effective.
As a leader, you want to do right by your company, your people, and your teams. To that end, here are several key considerations to keep in mind when communicating the strategy to your organization to make it effective and successful:
Allow their input to matter: When communicating the company’s strategy, it’s important to allow your employees to have a voice. Consider inviting employees, from all sections of the organization, give them an opportunity to contribute to the central repository of information about the company’s strategy. When people feel like they have a say, they will be more likely to buy into the plan.
Make it personal: Once you have buy-in, it’s time to make the strategy work. To do that, it’s important to make it relevant and personal to your employees. This is the only way to engage and motivate them. By making it personal, employees will feel invested in the mission and vision and will feel they have a way to make an impact.
Be a strategic storyteller: When communicating the company’s strategy, it’s important to tell an inspiring story that communicates the why and how. This will effectively engage and motivate your employees to succeed.
Have an action plan: When communicating the company’s strategy, it’s important to focus on having a plan. This means not only telling employees about the strategy, but also showing them how it’s being implemented and describing how the new activities, capabilities, and behaviors will matter to them. When employees see a roadmap, they will understand the direction they need to take.
Match the message to the moment: When communicating the company’s strategy, the approach should be tailored to the specific situation and audience. This might involve using different mediums, such as in-person meetings, videos, or social media, or adapting the message to different cultures. The message must be understood in order to be successful.
Effective communication of a company’s strategy is crucial for success, and can be achieved by taking the necessary steps as a leader to make it happen. Without including your employees and taking their input into consideration, it will be difficult to move forward successfully.
Lead From Within: Strategy without leadership is a plan without a purpose. Leadership without strategy is a purpose without a plan.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post How to Communicate Your Company’s Strategy Effectively appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 12, 2023
6 Things Not to Do When Leading a Video Meeting
Video meetings have become an integral part of our daily lives. As a leader, it’s important to ensure that these meetings are productive and efficient.
Here are six things you should avoid when leading a video meeting:
Fail to plan: It’s important to have an agenda and clear goals for the meeting. This will help you stay on track and ensure that the meeting is productive.
Not testing your technology: Before the meeting, make sure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are working properly. Having technical issues during the meeting can be frustrating for everyone involved.
Interrupting others: It’s important to allow everyone to have a chance to speak and share their ideas. Avoid interrupting others and make sure you give everyone an equal opportunity to contribute.
Distracting body language: Avoid any kind of body language distractions. Make sure to maintain good eye contact during video meetings. Distracted body language can make it seem like you are not interested or invested in the meeting, which can be frustrating for others. Avoid this, by staying focused and present during the meeting.
Not paying attention: It’s easy to get distracted during a video meeting, but as a leader, it’s important to stay focused and engaged. Don’t check your phone or read emails, make sure you are paying attention to what is being said.
Not following up: After the meeting, make sure you follow up with any action items or decisions that were made. This will ensure that progress is being made and that the meeting was productive.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your video meetings are efficient and effective and you are offering your employees the best you have to offer.
Lead From Within: A leader’s responsibility is always to lead by example, by offering their employees the level of commitment and dedication they deserve.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 6 Things Not to Do When Leading a Video Meeting appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 11, 2023
How the Best Leaders Help Underperforming Employees
As a leader, it’s important to help your team members succeed, and that includes supporting those who may be underperforming. The best leaders instead of giving up, they take the time to understand the root causes of the underperformance and work to help the employee improve.
Here are a few strategies that leaders take to support underperforming employees:
Identify the root cause of the underperformance. Before you can effectively address an employee’s underperformance, you need to understand why it’s happening. Is the employee struggling with a particular task or project? Are they overwhelmed by their workload? Do they lack the necessary skills or knowledge to do their job effectively? By identifying the root cause of the underperformance, you can tailor your support to address the specific issue.
Provide additional resources and support. Depending on the root cause of the underperformance, you may need to provide additional resources or support to help the employee improve. This could include additional training, a more manageable workload, or access to new tools or resources.
Set clear goals and expectations. It’s important to set clear goals and expectations for your team members, including those who are underperforming. This can help to give them a sense of direction and focus, and can also help to ensure that they understand what is expected of them.
Provide regular feedback. Regular feedback can help underperforming employees understand where they need to improve and how they can do so. Be sure to provide both positive and constructive feedback. Effective feedback is the key to improving performance. It’s about being honest and helping people grow.
Assign a mentor. Assigning a mentor can help the underperforming employees by providing them with someone who can offer advice, answer questions, and help them navigate challenges. A mentor can also help to provide additional perspective and guidance as the employee works towards improvement.
Offer encouragement. Finally, it’s important to remember that underperforming employees may need extra encouragement. Be a supportive and positive presence, and encourage the employee to persevere and continue working towards improvement.
In conclusion, the best leaders help underperforming employees by showing an interest in them and taking steps to help them improve and reach their full potential.
Lead From Within: The best leaders are those who are able to identify and support the growth of their team members, even those who may be struggling.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post How the Best Leaders Help Underperforming Employees appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 10, 2023
How Leadership Notes of Appreciation Are So Impactful
As a leader, it’s important to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of your team. One way to do this is by taking the time to write a note of appreciation to your team members. These notes don’t have to be long or elaborate, but they can have a huge impact on morale and motivation.
Here are a few reasons why leadership notes of appreciation are so impactful:
They show you value people: When you take the time to write a note of appreciation, you are letting your team know that you recognize and value the work they are doing. This can boost morale and make your team feel valued and appreciated.
They can be personalized: A note of appreciation doesn’t have to be a generic message sent to the whole team. You can take the time to write a personalized note to each team member, highlighting specific contributions or achievements. This can make the note feel more sincere and meaningful.
They can build stronger bonds. A note of appreciation can help to strengthen the bond between a leader and their team. When a team member feels appreciated and valued by their leader, it can create a deeper level of trust and respect. This can foster a positive and supportive work environment where team members are more likely to collaborate and work together effectively.
They can be kept as a reminder: A note of appreciation can serve as a reminder of the good work that a team member is doing. It can be kept on a desk or in a special place as a reminder of the positive impact they are making.
In conclusion, leadership notes of appreciation are a simple but powerful way to recognize and value the hard work of your team. Whether they are long or short, personalized or generic, these notes can have a lasting impact on morale and motivation.
Lead From Within: The power of a leader lies not in his or her words, but in the appreciation and recognition of the value of others.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post How Leadership Notes of Appreciation Are So Impactful appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 9, 2023
How to Support Your Leader In Challenging Times
As a leader, you are often called upon to navigate difficult situations and challenges. It’s easy to forget that our leaders themselves may also need support during these times, especially when it comes to navigating difficult situations and challenges. So, how can we support our leaders during these times?
Here are a few suggestions that can go a long way:
Be a sounding board: Leaders often need a safe and confidential space to share their thoughts and ideas. By being a sounding board, you can provide a space for them to think aloud and bounce ideas off of you.
Offer emotional support: One of the most important ways to support a leader during challenging times is to offer emotional support. This can be as simple as listening, offering a shoulder to lean on, or just being there for them when they need it.
Provide practical support: Leaders often have a lot on their plate, so offering practical support can be incredibly helpful. This could include offering to take on some of their tasks, helping to coordinate team efforts, or simply providing resources and information to help them make informed decisions.
Encourage self-care: Leading during challenging times can be physically and mentally draining, so it’s important for leaders to take care of themselves. Encourage your leader to prioritize self-care, whether it’s through regular breaks, exercise, or simply taking time to relax and recharge.
Be positive: While it’s important to acknowledge the challenges and difficulties that leaders are facing, it’s also important to stay positive and optimistic. By focusing on the positive and looking for opportunities, you can help your leader stay motivated and focused.
By offering emotional, practical, and mental support, and being a positive presence, you can help your leader navigate challenging times and come out stronger on the other side.
Lead From Within: Leaders struggle during challenging times, but it’s important to remember to support them as they support us.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post How to Support Your Leader In Challenging Times appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 8, 2023
What’s Holding You Back In Your Leadership Development?
As a leader, it’s important to constantly work on your development and growth in order to effectively guide and inspire your team. However, there may be certain behaviors or habits that are holding you back from reaching your full potential and you might not even be aware of it.
Here are few common things that can hinder your leadership development:
Assuming that you are the smartest in the room: As a leader, assuming that you are the smartest person in the room can be a dangerous mindset. It can lead to a lack of open-mindedness and a tendency to dismiss the ideas and perspectives of others. This can ultimately hinder your leadership development and prevent you from reaching your full potential as a leader.
Assuming you are a great communicator: As a leader, it’s important to clearly communicate concisely. However, simply communicating your message isn’t enough. Make sure to ask for feedback and clarification to ensure that your message is being received and understood.
Assuming you know what motivates others: Just like everyone has different needs and preferences, everyone is also motivated by different things. As a leader, don’t assume you know what motivates others. Take the time to learn about what drives your people and try to find ways to tap into those motivations in order to create a more positive and productive work environment.
Assuming people are where you want them to be: It’s important to set goals and expectations for your team, but it’s also important to recognize that everyone is on their own journey. Therefore, it may not be where you want them to be at a given moment. Instead of assuming that your team is where you want them to be, try to be understanding where they are and work together to help them reach goals.
Assuming people don’t see your blindspots: As a leader, don’t assume that people don’t see your blindspots. This mindset can lead to a lack of self-awareness and a tendency to dismiss feedback and criticism. As a result, this can ultimately hinder your leadership development and prevent you from reaching your full potential as a leader.
Assuming you don’t need coaching: As a leader, don’t assume that just because you coach others, you know how to coach yourself. Getting outside counsel can be an extremely valuable opportunity. Through coaching, leaders can not only improve their own performance, but also gain valuable insights and skills that help them grow as a person and leader.
In conclusion, there are several things that can hold you back in your leadership development. By being aware of these potential pitfalls and making an effort to work on them, you can continue to grow and develop as a leader.
Lead From Within: Leadership development is a never-ending process. It requires a commitment to continuous learning, self-reflection, and the willingness to try new things.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post What’s Holding You Back In Your Leadership Development? appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 5, 2023
7 Little Behaviors that Attract People to You
As a leadership coach, I often hear from leaders that they wish they had more support and engagement. While there are many factors that contribute to a leader’s ability to inspire and influence others, there are also small behaviors that can make a big difference in how people perceive and respond to you as a leader.
If you want to be a leader that people are naturally drawn to, consider embracing the following behaviors:
Embody character: As a leader, when you embody character traits such as integrity and honesty, you set an example for yourself and those you lead. By striving to embody strong character traits, you not only earn trust but you inspire respect from others.
Make others important: As a leader, it’s important to make others feel valued and appreciated, when you do, it shows you value people’s contributions and ideas. As a result, they will be more likely to be attracted to your leadership.
Practice active listening: As a leader, when you pay attention to what others are saying and ask clarifying questions, it shows that you are genuinely interested. As a result, people are more likely to follow a leader who truly listens and values their input.
Keep your promises: As a leader, it’s important when you promise to do something, you follow through and deliver. This small gesture can build an enormous appeal with people.
Show empathy: As a leader, when you are able to connect with others’ emotions, it creates deeper connections. A deeper connection gives you deeper relationships. People are drawn to leaders who care.
Make yourself available: As a leader, it’s important to be approachable. Being approachable means being available and willing to listen to others. Availability can create a sense of inclusivity, which draws people in.
Consistently accountable: As a leader, when people know they can count on you because you are responsible and accountable, it not only attracts them to you, it also makes them want to be led by you.
Remember, your actions and behaviors speak louder than words, so be sure to lead by example and consistently demonstrate who you are as a leader. That is the only way people will be attracted to you.
Lead from within: Little behaviors can have big impact on those you lead, those that follow and those you inspire and motivate.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 7 Little Behaviors that Attract People to You appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 4, 2023
How Great Leaders Make Difficult Conversations Easier
As a leader, it’s inevitable that you will be called upon to have difficult conversations. Whether it’s addressing a performance issue, dealing with conflict, or having a tough conversation with a team member, these types of conversations can be challenging and uncomfortable.
However, by following a few key strategies, you can make difficult conversations easier and less daunting:
Be clear on the intent: Before you even start the conversation, it’s important to be clear on your intent. What are you hoping to accomplish? What are your goals for the conversation? By being clear on your intent, you can focus on achieving your desired outcome and not get sidetracked by the conversation.
Ask open-ended questions: Rather than jumping to conclusions or making assumptions, ask open-ended questions to encourage the other person to share their perspective. This will help you gain a better understanding of the situation and build trust and understanding.
Embody emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. By exhibiting emotional intelligence, you can create a safe and respectful environment for the conversation and build trust and rapport.
Foster openness and vulnerability: To build trust and understanding, it’s important to be open and vulnerable in difficult conversations. This means being honest and transparent about your thoughts and feelings, and being willing to listen to the other person’s perspective.
Listen to learn: It’s easy to get caught up in our own perspective and thoughts, but it’s important to listen to learn and gain a better understanding of the other person’s perspective. By actively listening and engaging in the conversation, you can build trust and understanding.
Use positive nonverbal communication: Nonverbal cues, such as eye contact, body language, and tone of voice, can convey just as much, if not more, than the words you say. Use positive nonverbal communication, such as maintaining eye contact and using a calm and respectful tone, to create a more positive and productive conversation.
Reflect and summarize: After the conversation, it’s important to reflect on what was discussed and summarize key points. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and helps to clarify any misunderstandings or miscommunications.
By following these strategies, you can make difficult conversations easier and more productive, leading to better outcomes and more successful relationships.
Lead From Within: Difficult conversations are not about winning or losing. They are about understanding and connecting with people you care about.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post How Great Leaders Make Difficult Conversations Easier appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
