Passion

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10 Ways To Become A Better Leader

During your career development, there comes a point when your leadership skills will be put to the test. Technical skills are obviously important because they will get you to a position where you may have to start utilizing your soft skills. This is the exact reason why leadership skills are considered a very important attribute that can help you climb the career ladder.

With a combination of technical know-how and valuable leadership qualities, you can get promotions easily and be regarded as an important asset to the company. Here are a few tips that can help you become a better leader.

1. Focus On Your Goals

Happy executive focusing on his goals to become a better leader

It is a leader's job to keep a very clear vision of the goal and make sure the team members are happy and thoroughly motivated to follow. This means the leader also should know how to put forward a certain task in front of the team to get maximum output from them with ease.

The leader also should bring out the importance of the goal and the reason why the team should put the ultimate effort into it. This ability can really bring all of the team members together and unify them to give their best for the ultimate goal.

2. Develop Good Communication Skills

Leader developing her communication skills at work during a team meeting

Communication plays a very important role in all relationships, especially between a team leader and their team members. Team members rely on their leader for ideas and motivation, which can be generated only with good communication skills.

As a leader, you should also create a very friendly environment where the employees are engaged in sharing their ideas and concerns. It has been said that a team leader who can communicate well wins the trust of team members.

3. Be A Good Listener

A leader demonstrates his good listening skills while talking to a coworker

If you wish to be a better leader, then you will have to be a better listener too. Listening skills help in generating feedback from the team members regarding the project, and the right feedback can be a good way to solve issues and achieve goals with ease.

Listen without any distractions, keep steady eye contact, and respond thoughtfully. Apart from being good at verbal skills, you should be aware of your body language while talking to your team.

4. Learn To Tackle Conflicts

Female leader tackles conflicts at work during a meeting

It is a part of leadership skills to understand people and resolve conflicts positively. In situations where an employee does not give their best and brings negativity to the team, the leader has to be able to talk to the member in private.

You should keep courage and never shy away from honestly speaking your mind. This approach is better than firing people without knowing their side of the story.

5. Maintain A Higher Level Of Professionalism

A senior executive/leader maintains a higher level of professionalism at the office

It is important that you keep high standards of professionalism, integrity, and work transparency to earn respect from your team members and your clients.

It is the leader's job to set a high standard of credibility and strong character to motivate the team to perform to their level best.

6. Share Your Passion

A good leader shares her passion with her employees during a team meeting

Passion is quite contagious, and if the leader shows a lot of passion, it may rub off on the team members too. This helps in easing pressure from difficult projects. It also drives the employees into encountering hurdles with ease.

The positive energy and enthusiasm should flow within the team through the leader first.

7. Motivate Others

A good leader motivates others at work during a team meeting

A genuine leader is one who has the capacity to influence members and drive them to perform at optimum levels. The leader's positive motivation is important, especially when members lose focus or get disappointed in the wake of difficulties that may arise during a job.

A leader should be upfront in talking to team members and tell personal stories that would encourage the members to help them get back in the game.

8. Inspire And Nurture Innovative Ideas

An executive/leader inspires and nurtures innovative ideas during a team meeting/presentation

Innovation is coined to be the most important aspect of growth and is largely related to out-of-the-box and unorthodox thinking. Great leaders are the ones who can instill a culture of innovation among the team members and help them find solutions that can involve some trial and error.

Such an outlook will help in achieving long-term success with the team and earn their respect furthermore.

9. Respect Everyone

A good leader respects everyone during a team meeting

The truest and most genuine leaders are the ones who are humble, honest, and respectful toward all the members of the team. A leader also has to constantly learn from all of the members and encourage others to do the same.

Such leadership qualities can help in motivating and inspiring the members to achieve greater success and produce fruitful results.

10. Recognize And Reward The Deserving

A manager/leader rewards an employee for his good work

A team member feels more positive and motivated if their work is being appreciated. As a team leader, it's your job to recognize such hard work with rewards and recognition. This will also drive and encourage the other members to be more productive.

A good leader understands the value of taking a backseat sometimes and gives the due credit to the rightful individual to promote team building. A great leader ensures that the work rate of the team is increased without increasing the stress levels.

Leadership is a learning process. Each of the tips above can help you achieve greater success as a leader, and also help you understand that when you are a leader, the most important goal is always to keep the team together and performing at the highest level.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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10 Ways To Become A Better Leader

Top 3 Reasons Why People Want To Change Careers (And Tips For How To Make The Transition)

There are many reasons why people want to change careers. But can you guess the top three reasons why a professional might consider a career change today? What is the driving force behind making such a big life decision?

A recent FlexJobs survey announced the common reasons why people are changing careers. Here are the top three, and tips for how to successfully make a career change.

Why People Want To Change Careers

Based on the FlexJobs survey mentioned above, these are the top three reasons for wanting to change careers:

Better work-life balance (56%)
Higher pay (50%)
More meaningful or fulfilling career (49%)

Better Work-Life Balance vs. Higher Pay: What Would You Choose?

Man holding laptop happy at work after changing careers

If you want to make a career change, you're probably doing so for at least one of the top three reasons listed above. What's most surprising about this survey is that the top reason professionals are changing careers is because they want a better work-life balance, beating out the desire for higher pay by 6%.

Another interesting finding is that two out of the top three reasons why people want to change careers aren't based on money or benefits or any other career advancement factors. They are based on personal growth and fulfillment.

Even though we are often told throughout our lives that money can't buy happiness, it seems as though more and more people are taking this advice to heart and are realizing that a higher salary would not make them happier; having the time and space to do what they truly love and focus on what really matters would.

Think about it. If you wake up in the morning feeling miserable and dreading work, it's most likely because you do not have anything in your life that excites youânothing that sparks joy or gives your life meaning or purpose. When you think about the day ahead, you're not looking forward to anything. How do you solve this problem? Well, if you change careers, you could achieve a better work-life balance, which would give you time to pursue hobbies and interests outside of work. You could also find a job that excites you, working for a company with a mission you're passionate about, where the work has a purpose and it feels fulfilling. Does a higher salary have more value than that? Most career changers say no.

So, why are you (or why would you be) motivated to change careers? For better work-life balance? Or for higher pay? If you had to pick one, which sounds more appealing?

5 Tips For Successfully Changing Careers

It's important to have a strategy in place when you decide to change careers. Making a career change isn't easy, but there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of success. Here are five tips for successfully changing careers:

1. Inventory your skills

What are your transferable skills? What other skills do you have that are in demand in your target career and industry? Write them down, and make sure to include them on your LinkedIn profile.

2. Create a bucket list of companies that you want to work for

Are you passionate about a company's product or service? Do you connect with an organization's mission or values? What companies would you love to work for? Write those down too. This is your interview bucket list, and it is essential for all job seekers, not just career changers.

3. Make new connections

It's true. In your job search, it's all about who you know. If you want to successfully change careers, you'll have to step up your networking efforts. Connect with people at your dream companies from your interview bucket list and start a conversation with them on LinkedIn. Then, be sure to consistently offer value to your professional network. You never know who will contact you with a job opportunity.

4. Update your resume

Write a targeted resume with your ideal career in mind. Focus on your transferable skills and quantifying your work experience. Also, be sure to customize your resume for each position that you apply for. An optimized resume is invaluable, especially for career changers.

5. Be ready to tell your story

The most important tool in your job search as a career changer is a disruptive cover letter, which will allow you to tell your story and stand out to employers. Storytelling is incredibly powerful. In order to successfully change careers, you need to connect with the companies you're applying to and the people who work at those companiesâand the best, most effective way to do this is by telling a compelling story.

As a professional, you've probably thought about changing careers at some point in your life, either seriously or just out of curiosity. Nowadays, most people are making the change because they want a better work-life balance. If this sounds like you, follow the five tips above to get started on your career change today. A better career (and life) awaits!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Top 3 Reasons Why People Want To …

Ikigai: Are You Doing What Brings You Joy?

Ikigai is a Japanese concept and is comprised of two Japanese charactersâiki (meaning life) and gai (meaning value or worth) which together signify values that make life worth living or your âreason to get up in the morning.â It encompasses a sense of purpose and fulfillment in daily life including the pursuit of personal passions, hobbies, family/personal/social relationships, and community. So not only does ikigai represent finding joy, but it recognizes how individuals are interconnected, and their impact in a broader social sense.

You may have more than one ikigai with different things fulfilling different parts of your life. Also, depending on your experiences or stage of life, your ikigai can change or evolve over time. For example, if you have a baby, that child may become your ikigai (or a grandparentâs ikigai).

The concept of ikigai originated in Japan. A high concentration of centenarians (100+-year-olds) live in Okinawa, and they believe that finding ikigai improves your overall well-being and longevity and provides a sense of purpose (with a healthy diet, regular exercise, social connections, and a positive attitude). These individuals have figured out that finding their ikigai gives them a reason to get up in the morning, giving them fulfillment each day to live such long active lives. Ikigai doesnât have to be complicated and may be as simple as gardening, dancing/singing, or even sipping a favorite tea. My momâs friend, Tsuchino (who is over 90 years old), told me that her ikigai is playing sudoku.

My ikigai is cooking, which was inspired by my mom. Not only did she cook every day for our family, but she loved to cook for friends and neighbors. I remember them sitting around the kitchen table, talking/laughing, and savoring her homemade gyozas. My mom was sharing a part of herself, and I cherish her gyoza recipe. Despite how hectic my life can be sometimes, it energizes me to cook for others (curiously trying new recipes). I even bake and mail cookies to unsuspecting family/friends. Someone may not be having a âgreatâ day and that box of cookies shows them that I was thinking of them. Sharing my love for cooking gives me immense joy and is my ikigai!

The Western Interpretation Of Ikigai

The Western interpretation of ikigai captures some of the original Japanese concept, but it focuses on career-centric aspects and is typically depicted by the above Venn diagram. Even within the Japanese concept, your ikigai could be work. The philosophy is to align personal passions with professional pursuits to find meaningful work by determining:

What you love,
What you are good at,
What you can be paid for, and
What the world needs.

The intersection and convergence of these four elements is your ikigai (although ikigai is not necessarily something you need to be paid for within the Japanese concept). Again, depending on the stage of your career, your ikigai can change or evolve over time. For example, maybe youâre considering pivoting and starting your own company or buying a franchise. Also, you can have more than one ikigai. Besides your regular job, maybe you get fulfilled from volunteering or helping the community.

There is a quote by Confucius, âChoose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.â So donât wait until youâve retired to find your ikigai. Finding your passion and mission can increase your work satisfaction and overall career fulfillment.

For me, I gravitate towards roles where I transform chaos into calm and figured out that this is my âworkâ ikigai. I understand why Iâm passionate about helping companies that have been enduring too much distress and solving those complex problems with practical solutions. I also love sharing my knowledge through mentoring, volunteering (such as STEM organizations), and even creating LinkedIn content.

Understanding Your Ikigai

Ikigai is understanding your whole self over your lifetime, and the key is to appreciate the present moment and do the things you value and give your life meaning. Even after you âretire from work,â what will bring you joy and give you a reason to get up in the morning?

What is your ikigai? If you donât know, you can start by self-reflecting. When are you the happiest (putting a smile on your face just thinking about it)? Or what activities do you look forward to doing in the future? Realizing whatâs important to you and what you enjoy actively doing will bring you closer to finding your ikigai. To me, life is too short not to enjoy it . . . and find the simple things that will bring you joy each day!

For more information about ikigai and finding values that make life worth living, follow me on LinkedIn!

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Ikigai: Are You Doing What Brings You …

Nowadays, we hear a lot about work-life balance and why it's important to have, whether for mental health or simply for quality of life. But what exactly is work-life balance? How do we know when we've learned the balancing act?

Sometimes it can feel like we throw "work-life balance" around so much that the phrase loses its meaning, its importance. Everyone seems to be focused on achieving that delicate balance, where we can thrive both in our personal lives and in our careers. We like to think that we're living a balanced life, but are we?

If one of these three statements doesn't ring true for you, you probably need to focus on improving your work-life balance, and maybe rethink your priorities too.

I Have Time To Pursue Hobbies

Happy, thinking professional woman has time to pursue hobbies after achieving work-life balance

For most of us, our passions aren't something we can monetize. In fact, the vast majority of working professionals will not have a career that they are passionate about. They may be excited about the problem they're trying to solve at their company. But is it their passion? Probably not.

This is why hobbies are so important. Hobbies give us that much-needed outlet for our passions. They add meaning and value to our lives. They let us channel our creativity and help us pass the time in a relaxing way that also feels productive. Most importantly, hobbies give us something to look forward to when we're done work, and can even help us cope with stress.

When we don't have time to pursue hobbies, we're at risk of becoming burnt out and demoralized employees. So, try kickboxing or painting or knitting. Make it a priority. Write it down on your calendar. We're sure you can think of at least one thing you wish you had more time to devote to. Why aren't you devoting more time to it? This is one of the surest signs your work-life balance is out of whack. And no, you're probably not just "too busy."

The bottom line: If you have gifts you can't use or interests you can't pursue at work, you need a hobby.

I Am Present For All Important Life Events

Happy group of friends hang out after prioritizing work-life balance in their lives

Everyone's idea of "important life events" is different. You should always be present for the moments that hold significance for you, without feeling guilty for doing so.

By this, we mean physically and mentally present. What good is it if you're physically present for an occasion but mentally concerned about project deadlines? No hurrying up to reply to an "important" work email. No thinking about work at all. If work follows you wherever you go and prevents you from living in the moment, you're not living a well-balanced life.

When you understand that every job is temporary, you begin to realize just how valuable the present moment is, no matter if you're at work, out with your friends, or on vacation with your family.

I Am Not Afraid To Say "No."

Happy professional woman improves her work-life balance by learning to say "no"

It's easy to become hyper-focused on our careers to the point that we sacrifice certain things in order to achieve career success. We don't want to disappoint anyone. We want to be the go-to person. We want to work on this and that and on anything else that could possibly help us land that raise or promotion. Consequently, every time somebody asks us to do something at work, our default answer is always "yes."

This kind of habit and mentality is not healthy. Your time is just as valuable as everyone else's. You only have so much energy to devote to certain tasks during the day, and if you keep saying "yes" to things for other people, how much of your life is left for you?

The secret to achieving work-life balance is setting personal boundaries. Lots of people in your life will pull you in different directions, but if you set boundaries, you can ask yourself if something fits into those boundariesâand if it doesn't, you're then empowered to say "no."

Everyone should learn to set personal boundaries. It gets you into the habit of asking yourself, "Is this really important?" It's a question that helps you get real clear on what your goals are, and what's a priority for you.

Work-life balance today means you can say "yes" to all three of these statements. If you can't answer confidently, it may be time to take a closer look at your career and figure out where things are unbalanced.

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What “Work-Life Balance” Really Means Today

During a seven-year run as a president, I learned a lot along the way and got my MBA and Ph.D. by listening to learn and hear versus telling and explaining. Why?

Our HR team had an individual who led the learning and development team and she came to see me one day and asked if I had a minute. And when I did, she said she had good and bad news for me and which did I want to hear first? I said the good news, so she said, âMike, you have been here a few short months and your leadership team respects your business sense and loves your passion for people and being here.â

I said, âGreat, that is good to hear,â yet I was bracing for the bad news.

So she continued. The bad news was, âYou are getting compliant leaders on your team but not committed ones because your standards are too high.â

Those last five words stung. "How can standards be too high?" I asked.

She said, "You have not taken time to understand how to MASTER your ability to lead with purpose, have you? People will only trust you as far as you have built trust with them and you donât spend quality time getting to know and understand your people but when you do you will create followership like you have never experienced. Give people purpose with your passion and then watch what happens."

I took all this in and began to understand that just because I was clear, was everyone else? This is when I started to focus deeply on using purposeful passion as a leader.

What Is "Purposeful Passion" And How Do Leaders Use It?

CEO/leader talks about purpose during a team meeting

It involves the idea that when individuals pursue work that aligns with their personal values and passions, they are likely to be more engaged, productive, and fulfilled in their roles. Studies show that peopleâs number one goal at the end of the day is to know they did meaningful work. Yes, the boss matters, as does the pay, but when you dig deep, PURPOSE is key. As a leader, you have to invest time to really understand people at a deeper level and it takes work and commitment and a level of humility but it's well worth it.

3 Ways To Utilize Purposeful Passion As A Leader

As you get more skilled at incorporating purposeful passion into your leadership style, youâll see lots of opportunities to leverage it. But, if youâre just getting started, here are a few ways to incorporate it into your existing leadership best practices:

1. Find examples of what you want: Share examples of individuals who have pursued work that aligns with their purposeful passion and the positive outcomes they achieved as a result. This could include individuals who started their own businesses, pursued social impact projects, or made career changes to align their work with their personal values.

2. Encourage exploration: Encourage individuals within the organization to explore their own purposeful passions and find ways to align their work with those passions. This could involve offering opportunities for personal and professional development or creating a more flexible work environment that allows individuals to pursue projects that align with their passions.

3. Lead by example: Finally, lead by example. Show your own commitment to purposeful passion by pursuing work that aligns with your values and encouraging others to do the same.

Mastering leadership requires discipline and patience and it isn't for everyone. To build a business beyond you, I would argue requires it. Let me know if you want to discuss this further or debate the thinking above by connecting with me on LinkedIn or by email at [email protected]. As a Vistage Chair, I love connecting with high-integrity, growth-oriented business owners/CEOs who also care deeply about the environment and humanity.

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Why CEOs Need To Give Employees Purpose …

Everyone has a professional presence. The question is, do you have a good one? As a professional, your reputation is as important as your skills and experience. Your professional presence is your reputation, what people think when you walk into a room. Developing good professional presence is essential for success. No matter what industry you're in, good professional presence can open the door to new opportunities and pave the way for raises and promotions.

We recently asked our successful executives what defines good professional presence.

Here are their responses...

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive

The three main ingredients in any executive presence are:

Confidence
Clarity
Credibility

Confidence â The most shining part of executive presence is gravitasâhow you act. It means that you show up as inspiring, trustworthy, and capable.

From the start, you must show that you have substance and authority in your talents, knowledge, and skills.

Leaders with gravitas show grace under fire. They are great at handling adversity with a cool head, letting others know that any crisis can be taken.

Clarity â People with poise have a way of talking that transparently engages people.

Executives who have complete command over the goals that need to be reached can communicate and break down elements of the tasks into step-by-step instructions.

Leaders who can communicate effectively develop a personal brand for delivering information.

Credibility â Is the quality of being trusted and believable. In working in the sports business, credibility is paramount.

If fans lose confidence that the games are unfair and non-equitable, the NFL loses the core part of the businessâthe game.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M - $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Maria Grandone, Director In Higher Education

Professional woman/executive/leader with good professional presence sits at her desk

Good professional presence requires good personal skills that can help you succeed in your career as well as your personal life.

Be present â living a life of purpose one must be intentional, passionate, and connected and show that you care.
Be open to learning â lifelong learners are eager to learn to advance their skills, try new things, and even learn from their mistakes. Failing forward develops your characterâfailing 100 times and getting up 200 times is key.
Positive attitude â helps facilitate a good work environment and can inspire others to feel the same. This can-do attitude helps others positively contribute to innovation and find solution-oriented opportunities.

I believe you give 100+ percent. Show up, engage, collaborate, and connect with the team. In higher education, it is critical to model the way and inspire a vision that allows for success.

Maria Grandone is dedicated to student access and success, particularly of underrepresented students in higher education. She loves to wake up early to meditate, go for an early morning run, and meet people from all walks of life.

Kathleen Duffy, Founder, CEO, And President Of Duffy Group

Professional/leader with good professional presence talks during a work meeting

A professional presence is your image, your mission, your passion, your values, and your vision. Itâs not a logo, a resume, or a profile on LinkedIn or other social media channels. Itâs the story of how you solve problems and improve morale or service vs. your credentialsâdegree or job title.

Developing a strong professional presence can help showcase who you areâyour skills, expertise, and passion. It provides a platform for you to establish credibility, helps you inspire and succeed, and establishes you as a thought leader in your field.

There are a few key tenets to keep in mind:

Be authentic, representing exactly who you are.
Be compelling, so people will want to take notice.
Be consistent across all channels of communication.
Be transparentâno secrets.
And be visible. After all, what good is a strong professional presence if nobody can find you?

Kathleen Duffy is the founder, CEO, and president of Duffy Group. The company's vision is to elevate recruitment research as an alternative to contingent and retained search. Since its founding, Duffy Group has been a remote workplace and a culture of work/life harmony.

Sharon Grace, Executive Recruiter

Professional/leader listens to a coworker during a work meeting

As a seasoned executive recruiter, I have advised many hiring executives and candidates on their image. Professional presence includes feeling and looking your best, embracing a positive mindset, communicating effectively, and being likable. It would help if you gave people reasons to want to meet with you and build a relationship. I suggest six tips when improving oneâs professional presence.

Take care of yourself. The benefits of practicing good health and wellness are endless. Being mindful of good health keeps our stress levels low and our energy, focus, and positivity high. When you feel good, you look good.
Be present, engaged, and actively listening. Showing up and being intentional is not always easy. Having the right mindset will help you perform better. Be an active listener with a curious attitude to learning.
Be prepared. An action plan with the desired outcome is a time investment well spent.
Communicate thoughtfully, clearly, and effectively. Clear is kind, and being direct, upfront, and honest is essential. Practice being engaged with those you speak with, and do not meet for the sake of meeting; make it a valuable experience.
Speak in the way you want to be heard. Think before speaking and be in the right mindset. Know your audience.
Look good and take an interest in your appearance. Dressing appropriately is always in style, and never forget to know who your audience is.

Sharon Grace is a veteran search executive who helps hiring leaders hire great people because of her proven track record as a strategic partner and advisor to recruit, identify and assess talent.

Kathryn Marshburn, Music Program Manager

Professionals/executives/businesspeople with good professional presence shake hands

Professional presence in the music industry is different than other industries. As a female executive in the music industry, earning respect is essential and requires putting in the time with teams that are highly sought after and in demand.

Professional presence starts with social media checks and ends with teams liking you.

Many times, just showing up is crucial because the teams, artists, and bands that connect with you personally provide roadmaps to other connections. That said, a few basics that are important include:

Always have exceptional phone manners when receiving invites and say less and listen more.
Show up in appropriate fashion for the moment. (Studios, events, and carpet opportunities require completely different looks.)
Humble, humble, humble would be the word for the night. Be grateful that you are in attendance and thank the host.
Be professional. Do not take pictures or videos when not invited. Keep all time spent as a professional in an invited space.
Do not overindulge in any substance.

If I love a project or something I want to do, I don't do it for money. I do it because I love it. If the budget isn't there, I'll make it work for me and throughout my career. I think that's been a consistent theme. I hear all day long that peers will turn down jobs because the money is not right. Some people will throw away opportunities because of the pay. That's just not how I do business as so many opportunities happen from just being in the room.

To be invited into successful circles, your presence is important no matter what industry you are in, and making sure that you are providing an attractive, positive image is always on trend.

Kathryn Marshburn has spent 12+ years in the music and gaming industries guiding teams on identifying targeted goals with an agile approach resulting in driving revenue and reducing risk.

Ana Smith, Talent Architect & Global Learning Strategist

Young professionals talk during a work meeting

âAccording to multiple surveys, over 60% of organizations that hire coaches say executive presence is one of the two top purposes for their coaching. Companies see this skillâs value and want their leaders to lead with a strong presence!

So, if it is so critical, what is it? It is defined in different ways for sure, depending on who you ask, yet the definition that I typically go to combines:

Character
Personality
Credibility

And these probably include a wide variety of possible combinations which generate a successful "executive presence." The result is a leader who can command the attention of a room and immediately draw you into their vision and who is set apart from others, allowing you to establish a reputation of respect and knowledge.

Companies and leaders may already know that executive presence is important, but it isnât a skill that comes naturally for a lot of people.

It takes some time to develop and refine.

So, the most important question is, how can you develop it yourself?

Be self-aware and spend time with other executives you admire. By studying yourself and others, you can train yourself through hard work and discipline.
Inspire your direct reports through clarity and intentional communication, taking the initiative and being a role model for them by keeping a journal, etc. Writing down your goals, plans, and priorities can also help you better understand your emotions and encourage regular self-reflection!
Build relationships, which helps you to connect with others and build trust. By building strong relationships with colleagues, clients (internal and external), and other key stakeholders, you can establish yourself as a leader who is approachable and respected.
Create AND share a clear, compelling vision. One of the most inspiring forms of executive presence is to inspire and share a compelling vision for others to see and follow.
Build trust across different stakeholder groups (i.e., direct reports, peers, next level up, etc.) by keeping your work, and taking the necessary time to build and earn trust.

Building executive presence is probably one of the most complicated things to do in leadership development, therefore don't forget to get a coach, a mentor, and several peers who will be willing to support your development as you will support theirs!

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the "red thread."

Marshall Martin, Director Of Operations

Businesspeople with good professional presence shake hands and talk during a work meeting

Developing a good professional presence is crucial for success in any industry. It is not just about having the right skills and knowledge, but also about presenting oneself in a positive and effective manner. Good professional presence is defined by a combination of qualities, such as:

Passion is the driving force behind a person or organizationâs work and is essential in creating a positive impact. It exudes optimism and a can-do attitude.
Integrity is fundamental in demonstrating honesty, ethical behavior, and trustworthiness. It is essential for building trust and credibility with colleagues and clients alike.
Generosity involves giving back to others and contributing to the community. Whether through sharing knowledge or supporting others with our time, talents, and treasure, generosity fosters strong and healthy relationships.
Gratitude is recognizing and expressing appreciation for others' contributions. It contributes to creating a positive work culture.
Authenticity is being true to oneself and oneâs values, maintaining a sense of transparency and honesty in all interactions.

Overall, good professional presence requires intentional effort and self-awareness. By embodying these qualities, individuals can establish themselves as respected and trusted leaders, achieving success and making a positive impact on those around them.

Marshall Martin is a former executive with start-up/entrepreneurial and large multi-national organizations with 20+ years of experience in the delivery of sales, finance, and operations management. His mission is to be a servant leader that connects, creates, and builds innovative ideas and solutions.

Percy Leon, Digital Media Content Executive

Man with good professional presence at work

âIn today's competitive business world, having a good professional presence is essential for success. Here are some key characteristics that I feel contribute to a strong professional presence:

Confidence: A good professional presence is characterized by confidence. This means having the self-assurance to speak up, take risks, and make decisions. When you exude confidence, others will be more likely to trust and respect you.
Communication skills: Communication is an essential part of building a strong professional presence. This includes not only speaking clearly and articulately but also being a good listener and able to communicate effectively in writing.
Professionalism: Professionalism is another key characteristic of a good professional presence. This means being reliable, respectful, and trustworthy in your interactions with others. It also means dressing appropriately for the situation and being punctual.
Emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and those of others. This is essential for building strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
Competence: Finally, a good professional presence is characterized by competence. This means having the skills and knowledge necessary to do your job well and being willing to learn and adapt as needed.

A good professional presence is a combination of confidence, communication skills, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and competence.

By focusing on developing these characteristics, you can build a strong professional presence that will help you in your career.

Percy Leon is a digital media content producer specializing in educational technology and entertainment. He is interested in web3, metaverse, and the use of virtual reality for storytelling.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive

Executive/woman with good professional presence at work

I didnât know much about professional presence until about 2 Â½ years ago when I met J.T. OâDonnell. I took her in-depth course on executive presence and learned that itâs about what people see when they come in contact with us. Itâs our ability to project gravitas, confidence, competence, poise under pressure, decisiveness, speaking skills, assertiveness, and the ability to read an audience or situation, among other key characteristics. It enables us to build trust, establish credibility, and accelerate outcomes and results. What defines good executive presence is a personal journey and requires work. And thatâs what Iâve been doing over the last several years. I did a deep dive into four areas:

Understand My Strengths, Weaknesses, Talents, & Biases
Explore How Peers, Colleagues, Subordinates, & Leaders Perceive Me
Develop An Action Plan To Enhance Executive Presence
Create A Measurement Plan

This process was very enlightening, helping me understand where I was undervaluing myself based on feedback from those who have worked with me. As a result, over the last year, Iâve been able to turn around my executive presence based on the action plan I put together, helping me become a more effective leader, build stronger relationships with others, and achieve greater success at work.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

John Hoffman, Creative Producer

Professionals/employees with good professional presence attend a work meeting

An excellent professional presence is essential for anyone, especially those starting a career path.

It begins with credibility, being present, paying attention, and inspiring confidence in your colleagues.

To build credibility, focus on four simple aspects:

Competence - the ability to do something successfully.
Communication - transfer information succinctly.
Integrity - do what you say, say what you do.
Preparedness - be ready.

Always be willing to learn and improve by asking questions, stepping out of your comfort zone, and being open to feedback. Stay positive, avoid negative language, and have fun. Taking yourself too seriously can be detrimental to your professional presence, so remember to keep it simple and enjoy the journey.

In closing, pay attention to the positive and ask yourself if your actions are helping or harming the task. Then, do these things and develop a professional presence to set you up for success.

John Hoffman has 15+ years of leadership experience creating and producing video content, branded entertainment, PR stunts, and experiential and live events. At his core, he's a storyteller who has mastered the creative map and can scale logistical mountains.

What do you think defines good professional presence? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.

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Executive Spotlight: What Defines Good Professional Presence?

6 Tips For Dating While You’re Unemployed

When you're unemployed, one of your biggest fears is being judged by others. When it comes to dating, that fear can be amplified.

The number one question asked when meeting someone new is, âWhat do you do for a living?" For many people who are out of work, that simple question can feel like a kick to the stomach.

Don't let unemployment shake your confidence. Here are a few tips for handling the awkward âI'm actually unemployed" talk so you can keep dating while you're unemployed:

1. Discover What You're Passionate About

Unemployed man and woman on a lunch date

Being single during a career transition can be an exciting experience, according to Adam LoDolce, a Boston-based dating coach for both men and women. "Dating is the perfect time to redefine yourself," he says. According to LoDolce, it's extremely important to discover what you're really passionate about during this transitional period. "We put so much emphasis on having a good job," says LoDolce. "You need to realize that, even if you have a good job, it's not automatically going to get you the girl or the guy."

Incorporating passion and excitement into your conversation is key during a career transition. By changing your perspective, you can control how people view your situation.

2. Avoid Conversation Killers

Woman avoids talking about being unemployed on a coffee date

There are three common questions that come up when you're getting to know someone new. They are:

What do you do for a living?
How old are you?
Where are you from?

These questions are major conversation killers, according to LoDolce. "It's boring conversation," he says. "If you're unemployed, work on deflecting these questions and making fun conversation. Have fun."

So, what do you ask instead? Here are a few conversation starters to try:

What's your dream job?
What are your hobbies?
What are some places you'd like to visit?

3. Focus On Your Passions

Man and woman on a date talk about work passions

"Stop focusing on what people do for a living and focus on what they're passionate about instead," says LoDolce. Although some people are lucky enough to have a job they are passionate about, many people out there aren't doing what they love for a living.

Talking about your passions will not only help someone get to know you, but it will also be more interesting for both parties involved.

4. Be Positive

Man stays positive about being unemployed on a date

"Being honest about your unemployment is the best approach to communicating with a new guy [or girl]," says dating expert Marni Battista. That doesn't mean you have to be negative about it, though. Battista suggests putting a positive spin on your situation. For instance, rather than talking about how the economy is killing your industry, or how hiring folks just don't "get you," focus on what's working.

Here's an example: "I love being a teacher, and am confident that my expertise in integrating technology into the classroom is going to land me an amazing position. All the interviews are great opportunities to practice and discover what the marketplace is looking for."

"When you cast blame on life's circumstances, it leaks a 'Debbie Downer' energy to your date and he [or she] will be more turned off by your negativity rather than the fact that you are unemployed," says Battista.

5. Don't Be Too Serious

Afraid of an awkward pause in the conversation after you break the news to your date? Try to make light of the situation as best as you can. "I find that most awkward moments are awkward because you are feeling awkward," says LoDolce. You need to feel comfortable.

If you start feeling uncomfortable, LoDolce suggests joking around and making light of the situation. "If you're overly serious about it, it's going to be uncomfortable," he says.

6. Spruce Up Your Online Brand

"In the online dating world, your first impression is digitizedâand your career is part of that," says Laurie Davis, author of Love at First Click: The Ultimate Guide to Online Dating. Most dating profiles have a section to discuss your job. When you're unemployed, avoid listing a hopeful job title or giving a resume rundown. Avoid posting old photos, or mentioning a would-be job or past position because it sets expectations you can't live up to in person. Not to mention, giving your total work history will give the impression that you're trying too hard...and possibly hiding something, she says.

Davis suggests relying on the industry drop-down menus that dating sites offer. If a description can't be avoided, focus on volunteer work or passions. When talking about projects that are gaining momentum, use confident phrasing.

"Your match doesn't need to know the intricacies of your experience in a first impression," Davis explains. Say something like "I'm a management consultant" rather than "I'm trying to start consulting for executives since I did a lot of that in my past job." "Overexplaining isn't confident," she says.

We hope these six tips help you stay confident on the dating scene while you're unemployed! There's so much more to you than your career.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Steps To Strategically Aligned Business Giving

There are tons of reasons for a business to want to give back in some way. In the past, businesses have chosen charities for tax breaks, credibility, or to be recognized as a "good corporate citizen." While all these reasons are valid, and you may want to consider them when choosing a charity, the best option is a strategic choice. This can be an opportunity to do more than just give money or write checks: it can be an opportunity to get closer with your audience while making an impact on something that matters greatly to you.

Figure Out What Matters To Your Brand

Consider your mission and values. When selecting a cause to support, consider what you stand for as a company—or personally, as the founder. What is the mission of your organization? Who are your customers? Is there an issue or cause that speaks to one of those two components? If it feels authentic, it will resonate with your audience. Think about your company's founding story? Was it born out of a frustration or heartfelt need to make something better? Looking closely at why your company does what it does will help you see what causes your brand could work with strategically.

Close examination aligns your brand's giving efforts with your mission and values. If there isn't a connection between the cause you've chosen and what you stand for as a company—or what you stand for personally—it won't feel authentic when communicating about the partnership on social media or in other promotional channels. The public is very good at sniffing out insincere efforts, so authenticity is key. Your audience will see right through any attempt at "cause marketing" that doesn't come from genuine passion on behalf of its founders or leadership team.

Some examples of strategically aligned giving could be a woman-owned tech company giving to the nonprofit Girls Who Code. Being a successful woman in a male-dominated industry aligns perfectly with wanting to help close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what it is to be a woman in tech. Another example is a bottled water company helping to bring clean water to developing countries by supporting the building of wells. The connection does not always have to be as direct as these examples but it does need to be authentic.

As part of this process, also think about what issues are important to both you and your audience. Do they love animals? Are they concerned with environmental issues? Is education important? Which causes are the most innovative right now and receiving funding from other sources? To find a strategically aligned charity, spend most of your time selecting a cause. The organization you choose will be driven by the cause in which it believes, so if you're not passionate about that cause, it's unlikely to be a good fit for your business.

Are There Any Downsides?

Once you've identified an issue or a specific charity that aligns with your brand values and mission, decide if there is any potential risk associated with supporting this particular cause. Does the cause or organization have any bad press surrounding it or anything that might negatively affect your marketing efforts? This does not mean you should only give to nonprofits that lack controversy, but rather do some research into the charity before committing to make sure there aren’t any major pitfalls associated with giving time, resources, or money to them.

For example, supporting Planned Parenthood could be considered controversial by those who are pro-life. This could alienate customers who believe in pro-life values and may choose not to support a business that supports Planned Parenthood simply because they hold different beliefs on women’s reproductive rights than the company owner does, even though they might love everything else about the product.

In controversial cases, you must decide if you are willing to forgo possible profit for this cause. Lots of companies have taken a stand on an issue and come out stronger for it but you should certainly weigh the pros and cons beforehand.

Reach Out To The Charity

Different organizations have different needs. The best way to see how you can help is to talk with the charity about any specific needs they have or gaps that you can fill for them by becoming involved as a corporate supporter. Make sure the charity has room for more support from businesses like yours. Not all charities and nonprofits are created equal, so be sure that your chosen charity is a bona fide 501(c)(3) organization to qualify for deductions; consult your tax professional for specifics. Working with the charity to provide the help they need most, while still ensuring that your company can maximize any tax incentives is still important to the bottom line.

The only thing left to do once you have completed the three steps above is to bring your audience into your giving story through your social channels and marketing efforts. Show your customers how supporting you supports others. Show them that they can feel good about buying from you. When customers know that your giving efforts are authentic and driven from a place of generosity they find a connection with your brand.

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