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10 Ways To Become A Better Leader

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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10 Ways To Become A Better Leader

6 Ways To Celebrate Valentines Day At Work



While cupid's arrow shouldn't be aimed anywhere near the workplace, there is a fun and appropriate way to celebrate this holiday of love. Here are some great ideas to spread love, cheer, and perhaps some dessert in the office this Valentine's Day.

Some view this holiday as cringe-worthy, but there are a lot of positive ways to celebrate Valentine's Day that not only inspire your fellow co-workers but also do good in the community. Don't miss out on this opportunity to show your co-workers how much you appreciate them, and to lift spirits in the workplace, increase positivity, and foster a caring environment in the office.

Bring The Food, They Will Come


Food is the fastest way to anyone's heart and there is no better way to become the office hero than to bring in some tasty treats. Why not share the love by bringing in a special breakfast or planning a potluck dessert social hour?

Look for heart-shaped bagels or pastries. Think pink and sprinkle in some candy hearts. Keep it healthy and bring in a fruit bouquet.

Bringing everyone together in the break room will give an opportunity to share a moment together, take a pause from work, and enjoy some tasty food. It is a delicious way to promote appreciation and increase morale in the workplace.

Spread The Love


This holiday is a perfect opportunity to lead by example and do something really positive. One way is to fundraise for an office charitable donation. There are so many wonderful organizations that accept office donations. Pick your top choices and let your co-workers weigh in on where the funds should go.

Take it a step further and organize a volunteer day. Get a group of co-workers together and volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen. Plant flowers and clean up a local park. It will not only encourage teamwork but will also have a positive impact on the local community.

Gratitude Valentines


The act of gratitude in the workplace has many positives. From higher levels of job satisfaction and less stress to fewer sick days, the simple act of gratitude can work wonders.

Create an office whiteboard of positive messages. Allow employees to write secret messages of gratitude and display them in a highly visible spot such as the kitchen or lobby. Giving people the opportunity to show their appreciation improves employee engagement and is sure to make a lasting impression.

Random Acts of Kindness


During the month of February, we recognize the National Random Acts of Kindness Day. What better way to celebrate than to organize a random acts of kindness challenge in the office? It is scientifically proven that kindness has a positive effect on our health. It can reduce blood pressure, lower levels of physical pain, and decrease stress and depression.

Inspire your co-workers by organizing daily kindness challenges. Have a sign-up sheet for employees to commit to a daily act of kindness in the office. You will soon find that kindness is contagious and creates a stellar office culture.

Thank-You Notes


Most only think about thank-you notes after an interview or receiving a gift, but the thank-you note is a powerful tool that is often overlooked. Research shows that the recipient of a thank-you note is happier and more engaged.

Use this holiday as a chance to distribute thank-you notes throughout the office and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

Through our constant communication through email and social media, the power of the written word is a lost art form. Taking the time to put a few personable thoughts of thanks down on paper is an effective way to show your appreciation and spread happiness and cheer.

Heart Healthy


February is American Heart Month. Valentine's Day is a perfect opportunity to throw a heart-healthy event. Bring in healthy foods and share informative tips on heart health. Perhaps even bring in an expert from the American Heart Association to lead a discussion on heart health.

Do you work in a competitive office? You could organize an office activity that will get the blood pumping such as a softball or kickball game. This is an excellent opportunity to put a focus on health and well-being in the workplace and institute habits in the office that promote good heart health.

There are lots of ways to celebrate Valentine's Day at work—you just have to get creative! Have some office fun this February by trying out the ideas above.

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1 (Sneaky) Question You Should Ask In A Job Interview



If you want to make a great, positive, lasting impression in a job interview, there is one question you should ask the hiring manager. It's also a bit of a sneaky question because it will reveal something about this person and what it would be like to work at the company.

"What's The Most Significant/Positive Thing That's Happened To You At This Company?"


When you get to the end of the interview and the hiring manager asks you if you have any questions, look them in the eye, smile, and say, "Tell me about the most significant or positive thing that's happened to you here at the company in the last year."

The reason why you're asking them about the most significant or positive or exciting thing that's happened to them in the last year is that any time we get to talk to somebody and share a positive experience, we tend to associate them with being positive as well. We end up liking them more and feeling more connected to them. So, this is a way for you to achieve this with the person who's interviewing you.

But if you ask them this question and they can't quickly answer, or if they hesitate, or if they struggle to think of something, what does that tell you about the company? Why is this person not thinking of something positive? It makes you wonder.

Asking this question in a job interview is a way to look under the hood and find out if the company might be a fit for you. It will tell you a lot about the organization's values, goals, and workplace culture.

Now, in order to have the opportunity to ask these great questions, you need to nail the job interview, and that means getting the behavioral questions right. If you want to know how to answer the 18 hardest behavioral questions, sign up for a Work It DAILY membership today. It'll be the best money you've ever spent on your job search.

Good luck, and go get 'em!

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7 Ways Women Can Achieve Happiness & Satisfaction In Their Careers



"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." —Dalai Lama

Studies have shown that people who derive meaning from their profession or feel commitment toward their organization's mission are people who are much more resilient and satisfied in their economic environment. Average career professionals will work approximately 90,000 hours in their lifetime, so finding happiness and satisfaction is critical.

The good news is that life doesn't have to be perfect for you to find happiness at work. Below are seven ways women can achieve happiness and satisfaction.

1. Discover The Five Cs


Woman on laptop smiles while working from home

You must maintain high levels of confidence, commitment, conviction, and contribution, and choose a cultural fit.

With the five Cs, you will have a feeling of recognition, pride, and trust in your company.

2. Find Purpose In Your Work


Woman on laptop finds purpose in her career

Too frequently, we get caught up in the day-to-day grind of our jobs and forget to look at the big picture—the "why" or the reason that motivates us to work.

Tapping back into the true purpose of your job will make your daily tasks and accomplishments more meaningful. Discover ways that your work can improve the lives of other people.

3. Challenge Yourself


Professional woman at work

Challenging yourself is one way to intensify your "joy" factor. Why not offer to step in where you normally wouldn't be accountable? Why not ask your boss if you can shadow a colleague in another department to learn how various aspects of the company work?

This will create variety in your work (making it inherently more interesting) and you will score points for being a proactive employee who's ready to take on new challenges. It might even land you a promotion and/or raise.

4. Look Beyond The Corporate Ladder


Older woman on laptop happy in her career

Studies indicate that eight out of the 10 jobs that make people happiest in America are not on the corporate ladder. Instead, they were positions with perks like flexible hours or positions that offered high levels of independence.

These facts suggest that choosing work that aligns with your values—even if those values take you further off the beaten path—is a good foundation for career satisfaction.

5. Work Toward Your Goals


Happy woman on laptop and phone works toward her career goals

San Francisco State University's Ryan Howell co-authored a study in 2009 and found that working hard to improve a skill or ability may induce greater stress in the moment but also guarantees greater happiness on a daily basis and in the long term. "No pain, no gain," he says.

If tasks aren't enjoyable in the moment, the sense of accomplishment when the task is over changes that perspective. Howell found that reaching the goal isn't even necessary to increase happiness—the process of trying and stretching yourself is enough.

Learning new skills may make you happier, but it also makes you more valuable to your current and future employers.

6. Develop A Social Circle


Group of happy women at work talk during a meeting

Having a strong social (professional) network is key. It's easy to hate your job when you don't know your co-workers and it is even easier if you continue to avoid them. If you hate your co-workers, the situation isn't going to change.

Don't let another day go by without learning about your co-workers. Reach out to them and be curious about their lives. Two people can't become friends without one of them starting the conversation.

7. Look For Opportunities For Growth


Young woman on laptop happy while working from home

If you feel like you're always on the defensive in your job, then take a deep breath and look for an opportunity instead. Take joy in the fact that there is always a new project to start in the workplace. It doesn't matter what you do or where you work, there is always something new that could be done.

Instead of punching the clock and settling into the same routine, take some time to search for new opportunities. Constantly defending yourself is draining for everyone involved. You'll find it much easier—and much more pleasant—to look for opportunities to grow instead of making excuses.

Most of us are happy when people say good things about us. When you do good things for other people, you create happiness for them and set the stage to receive it in return. For example, compliments are so simple to give that we often forget about them, but they are so powerful that we should always find ways to recognize others. Try spending a day giving compliments instead of criticizing.

Gaining respect and happiness in the workplace is easy to accomplish when goodwill is abundant. Finding happiness is as much about the decisions and actions you take as it is about having good things happen to you. Try some of the above strategies and put yourself in a better position to achieve happiness.

Remember, if you are not enjoying your life...change it! Doing the same thing today will create the same results tomorrow.

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10 Ways To Increase Workplace Safety



Safety in the workplace is vital to a well-functioning warehouse or manufacturing environment. Consider the fact that over 4,700 workers were killed on the job in 2020, according to OSHA. Several more injuries than that occur each year, many of which could be prevented.

It's the law to report all workplace injuries to the Occupational Safety Health Administration. The top injuries typically involve falls, ladders, forklifts, machinery, hazardous energy, electrical work, and respiratory issues. Here are 10 ways employers can encourage and increase workplace safety, ultimately leading to a healthier, safer, and more productive environment.

1. Staff Training


Workers get trained on workplace safety

Perhaps the most influential way employers can achieve fewer injuries and increased workplace safety is through clearer, more accessible, and more thorough training programs for their employees.

No matter how skilled or experienced an employee is in a particular area, such as forklift operation or chemical handling, they should undergo extensive training for all aspects of the job. It's not enough to think your employees—no matter how smart they are—will always use common sense, points out Entrepreneur, so make sure you outline any techniques they can impart in order to make their job easier and safer.

2. Hire Competent Workers


Employees working in a safe environment

When taking on additional employees within your workplace, make sure you're only hiring the best of the best. If this means you have to pay them a little bit more, do it.

Hiring someone quickly just because production is busy and you need someone out there now doesn't mean you should compromise on quality. Hire competent workers and they will reward you with fewer on-the-job accidents.

3. Insist On Safety In The Workplace


Manager goes over workplace safety guidelines

It all starts with you.

If you as the boss enforce the safety rules and regulations and stand behind them 100%, your workers will take the cue from you that they need to put safety first—even in the face of increased production. Your workers will support you if you practice what you preach.

4. Watch What You Reward


Two employees follow workplace safety guidelines

When you reward employees for doing all they can to complete the job on time or even before a deadline, you're unwittingly promoting a culture of "whatever it takes" mentality.

Consequently, "whatever it takes" usually means compromising safety to increase production, so be clear when you say it's best to be safe than to produce the highest numbers on the team.

5. Post Signs


Woman follows workplace safety guidelines

Even the most safety-oriented worker can forget sometimes.

Post signs around the warehouse or manufacturing facility that remind everyone of the everyday risks inherent in their jobs and what they should be doing to comply with safety regulations. This can be anything from a "helmet area" sign to a "wash your hands" sign in the employee bathroom.

6. Give Your Workers The Tools And Resources They Need To Be Safe


Manager talks to employees about workplace safety

If you don't provide the tools your employees need to stay safe in the work environment, such as helmets, steel toe boots, personal lines on safety devices, and even safety glasses, you can't expect them to take the necessary precautions.

Making these tools accessible immediately will further encourage safety compliance.

7. Continuously Find Ways To Improve


Warehouse manager points out a workplace safety issue

Safety on the job is not a static thing.

There's always room for improvement, so get in there and brainstorm with your employees to find out ways you can all promote a higher level of safety awareness for all, whether that's the guys on the machines or the people in the front office who have to walk through the plant daily.

8. Keep A Clean House


Safety professionals clean a workplace

Messy areas breed the potential for falls and other injuries. Make sure your workplace is relatively clean, neat, and dry to boost safety for anyone.

Also, make sure your employees know the value of a clean work space and encourage them to keep it clean. It's for their own safety.

9. Provide Maintenance On All Machines And Equipment


Workers talk about workplace safety

Properly running machines, tools, and equipment is a recipe for success.

If you don't keep up with regular maintenance, these items fail to work as intended. This not only decreases efficiency and production because of all the time spent on repairs, but it also puts workers at risk when they use malfunctioning machines.

10. Reward Safety


Two workers following workplace safety guidelines

Rather than reward high production targets that encourage quick work with a dismissive shrug towards safety, reward those workers who have followed all of your safety rules and have provided efficient work consistently.

By putting an emphasis on safety instead of productivity, you're rewarding the method of achievement rather than the end result.

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While leaders often excel in steering their organizations toward success, they must engage in continuous self-reflection to identify and address their leadership weaknesses.

In this article, Work It DAILY experts from Vistage, renowned for their expertise in executive coaching and leadership development, share invaluable insights on recognizing and addressing leadership weaknesses. Read on to tap into the collective wisdom of these experts, gaining practical tips and actionable strategies to enhance your leadership acumen.

Kirsten Yurich


I have a “3-M” policy when it comes to leadership weaknesses. And it doesn’t involve Post-it notes! The three Ms are mindset, mentoring, and measurement.

Armed with these three Ms, a leader will spot and correct their biggest weaknesses!

The first "M" is mindset. A leader who desires to practice leadership at its highest level must cultivate a mindset of humility. We see humility and vulnerability a lot these days and for good reason. The leader who understands they are not perfect may lack key skills and knowledge in certain situations, or is just downright fallible... Is a leader people are willing to follow. This leader will receive honest feedback from those around them. And will engender positive and authentic relationships with key team members.

The second "M" is mentoring. Any person who wants to become a leader or a better leader needs to spend time with people who are further down the path than they are. This could be mentoring or coaching or even a peer group. Placing yourself in a position to get advice, challenge, encouragement, and perspective will go a long way toward finding and closing those performance gaps.

The third and final "M" is measurement. Measurement takes the form of formal or informal and valid instruments designed to give you objective feedback about your skills, preferences, impact, and performance. In this realm, we have to be very careful consumers. There are tools out there that have excellent face validity and no substance. However, I firmly believe that if we want to change something we have to measure it.

Armed with the "3-M" strategy, any leader can improve!

Kirsten Yurich is a former CEO and current Vistage Chair. As a clinician, professor, author, and executive, she leverages this unique blend and creates learning environments for executives to become better leaders, spouses, and parents.

Mark Fackler


Leader talks about workplace relationships during a work meeting

Identifying weaknesses in yourself, as a CEO, is critically important for growing your company. You are the bottleneck. Since your weaknesses affect the entire company, dealing with them, however hard, is a great return on investment.

Depending on your level of self-awareness, identifying some of your weaknesses can be easy, but even the most self-aware individuals need to look to others for help.

But as a CEO, getting honest feedback is problematic. People defer to you. Talking truth to power is difficult. Employees often withhold the feedback that is the most important for you to hear.

Creating the right culture will make getting feedback on weaknesses easier. You need to create a culture where feedback is the norm and not just positive feedback. You need to model for your staff the right way to provide feedback, both positive and negative. Feedback should be specific and timely, and most importantly, negative feedback should be non-judgmental.

There is a saying, “Praise in public, criticize in private.” I strongly disagree. If you create a culture where feedback to help someone is only done in private, you are missing out on group learning. Failure should be celebrated. Failure talked about publicly will lead to the identification of weaknesses. You can’t fix a weakness until it is identified.

Another great source for feedback is a peer group, a peer group without competitors and vendor relationships. When I joined such a group, a Vistage CEO group, it took just a few months for my fellow CEOs to see one of my weaknesses. They saw me avoiding a tough conversation that I needed to have with a key executive. When month after month they offered advice that I did not take, they realized it was not a lack of knowledge, but a weakness that I needed to confront. Because they were my peers, there was no deferential treatment. There was no judgment, just a desire to help me.

Find your weaknesses. Fix your weaknesses. Don’t just count on self-discovery. Create a company culture where non-judgmental feedback is the norm. Join a peer group. Be relentless. Never stop improving.

Mark Fackler is a retired CEO and currently leads the Vistage CEO group that he was a member of from 1991 to 2002. He is passionate about creating great ROI for his member CEOs.

Mike Thorne


Leader talks to his team members during a work meeting

There are three critical areas for CEOs to pay attention to spot leadership “weaknesses.”

The first is “unstructured” self-reflection/assessment. Find some quiet time and think about the things that are always on your mind that you avoid dealing with.

The second is structured. Seek either executive coaching or even behavior therapy. We often need a sounding board to work through whatever we are going through.

The third, and last, is to look at metrics for insights. Employee turnover, morale, general team dynamics. Look for patterns of issues that crop up and dig into why. Deal with them before they become crises.

Mike Thorne is a former CEO and current Vistage Chair. He leads and facilitates a group of trusted advisor entrepreneurs and a CEO peer group in New Hampshire and Maine.

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It can be hard to turn down a job offer, especially if you're currently unemployed. But just because you got an offer doesn't mean the job or the company is the right fit for you.

Even getting an interview in a competitive job market is an achievement in itself, but you need to be very clear from the start of the interview process what the most important aspects of the job are to you and then prioritize them accordingly.

Obviously, salary is important, especially if you're not working right now, but we're all looking for different things. For some, it might be the work-life balance that is the most important; for others, a culture that fosters innovation, or maybe location or opportunities to grow and develop.

Most of us have had an experience of the job not turning out to be as promised during the interview process. But how do you know if you've found your perfect company? How do you determine what the red flags are, which means that the job might not be a good fit for you long term?

Here are some signs a company might not be right for you:

Disorganized Or Disrespectful Interviewers


Hiring manager is disrespectful during a job interview

As much as you need to impress a prospective employer during the interview process, the employer also needs to impress you. If the hiring manager is half an hour late or rushing around, this can be a sign of what the work culture is like and it shows that bringing in new talent clearly isn't a priority.

You want to connect with your interviewer on some level during the hiring process. That will be impossible to do if they're disorganized and not giving you the time of day.

No matter what happens in your interview, if you're left with a bad taste in your mouth after interacting with your interviewer, that's a red flag that shouldn't be ignored.

You're Not Sure About Your Future Boss


Woman in an interview unsure if the job is right for her

If you're not going to get on well with your boss, chances are you won't enjoy your work. Ask yourself whether you have a good feeling about the person who will be your manager. Will they offer you good feedback and career advice when needed? Do they know how they will measure your performance on the job? Are they approachable?

If you don't feel your prospective manager is someone you want to work with, you might want to think twice before accepting their offer.

The Company Is Unstable And Lacks Direction


Hiring manager offers the job to the woman she is interviewing

Even before the interview, there is a lot of research you can do to determine if the company is a safe bet for you. You might want to look at the changes the company has gone through in the last few years to get a sense of its stability and general direction. You might also want to research current and previous employees on LinkedIn to see what their career path has been and how long they've stayed in the job. You might even want to reach out to previous employees in similar roles to find out their reasons for leaving.

Also, have a look at what the employees are saying about the company on Glassdoor. I remember seeing a job posting that looked great, but before applying, I went to Glassdoor to read reviews of others who had interviewed with the company. Every single review was negative and provided specific details. Needless to say, I did not apply.

Layout Of The Workplace


Woman interviews at a new company

We all have different work preferences. Some prefer to work in an open office space, which is probably noisier but offers more interaction between employees. Some companies have a lot of cubicles and separate offices. It provides quieter spaces to work but also less interaction with others. Other companies have a remote workforce, so could you handle working from home every day?

Does the layout of the company suit you? If you're social and like interacting with others during the day and you're stuck in a tiny office, you won't enjoy it.

It's easy to ignore red flags in the hiring process when you're desperate for a job. To figure out whether a company is really the right fit for you, make sure you consider the four points above before accepting any job offer.

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The pressures of meeting deadlines, achieving goals, navigating office politics, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can often lead to overwhelming levels of stress. However, it's crucial to remember that managing stress at work is not only essential for our mental and physical well-being but also for our overall job performance and satisfaction. So, how can we effectively manage stress at work? What stress management tips actually help?

We recently asked our leading executives for their best tips on how to manage stress at work.

Here are their responses...

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive


In this argument, we will explore how embracing tension with a calculated risk-taking approach can not only make you a better manager of stress but also propel your career to new heights.

1. Stress as a Natural Byproduct of Ambition: Consider this: Stress often arises when we push our boundaries, take on challenging projects, or strive for ambitious goals. In such scenarios, stress is not a sign of failure but rather evidence of our commitment to growth and excellence. By accepting stress as a natural byproduct of ambition, we can shift our perspective and view it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

2. Stress as a Source of Motivation: Stress, when managed effectively, can serve as a powerful motivator. It can push us to think creatively, find innovative solutions, and unlock hidden reserves of resilience. By reframing stress as a motivator, individuals can channel their energy into productive endeavors, ultimately increasing their chances of achieving their goals.

3. Calculated Risk-Taking: Embracing stress involves calculated risk-taking. Rather than shying away from challenging situations, consider them as opportunities to grow. When you take calculated risks at work, you open the door to innovation and transformation. Remember, some of the greatest success stories in business were born out of taking risks in high-stress environments.

4. Stress-Resilience as a Skill: Managing stress at work is not about eliminating it but developing resilience to handle it effectively. Like any other skill, stress resilience can be cultivated through experience and learning. By approaching stressful situations as opportunities to sharpen your strength, you not only manage stress better but also build a valuable skill set that can be applied throughout your career.

5. The Competitive Advantage of Stress-Embracers: In a world where competition is fierce, those who can effectively manage stress while embracing calculated risks often stand out. They demonstrate their ability to adapt to challenging circumstances, inspire team confidence, and lead resiliently. This competitive advantage can lead to career advancements, greater responsibilities, and increased recognition.

In conclusion, stress at work should not be viewed as an enemy to be defeated but as a companion on your journey to success.

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.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive


Woman meditates/calms herself down at work to manage stress

Can you relate to this? You work in a fast-paced company with tight deadlines, long hours, and multiple project setbacks. You miss deadlines, and your co-workers are constantly catching up on shared assignments. If any of this sounds familiar, you probably know what it feels like to be stressed on the job. Here are five tips for how to manage stress at work:

Self-Awareness: The first step is to recognize the signs of stress, which starts with self-awareness. Stress can manifest differently, but common symptoms include irritability, fatigue, headaches, or stomach pains. Research shows that 95% of us believe we are self-aware, yet the actual number is 10 or 15%. Most of us are oblivious to how it's affecting us and how others truly perceive us. Why is this important? Because when you become self-aware, it allows you to reshape how you present yourself to the world by aligning your self-perception with the perception of others.

Mindfulness & Meditation: Taking just a few minutes daily to focus on your breath, clear your mind, and be present can significantly reduce stress levels. As a type A person who struggles to unwind during high-stress situations, taking a moment to count slowly to 20 can be quite therapeutic. Identify tools (i.e., deep breathing exercises, guided meditation, mindfulness apps) to integrate into your day that aid in stress reduction and promote being present.

Self-Care Matters: Prioritize a well-rounded approach, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. Your food choices can influence stress levels; avoid excessive caffeine and sugar as they can contribute to anxiety. Opt for nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating balanced meals helps stabilize mood and energy levels. Regular physical activity offers various benefits, one being stress reduction. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, natural stress relievers. Quick walks during breaks or desk stretches can significantly improve your well-being. Strive for seven to nine hours of sleep per night, as recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Sleep deficiency can impair productivity, focus, and decision-making. High-quality sleep is crucial for effective stress management.

Stay Calm: Amid conflict, maintaining composure is vital. By staying calm and removing emotion, you can take an objective step back to evaluate the situation effectively and find constructive solutions. Most importantly, it will make the people around you feel safe, secure, and confident in your leadership.

Maintain Control Over Your Reactions: There are things in life that are out of our control, like an angry co-worker reacting to your project. What you can control is your response, handling the situation, and managing your emotions, which ultimately reduces stress. When faced with someone's unhappiness or criticism, adopt a curious and empathetic approach:

  • Ask, "What makes you feel that way?"
  • Express understanding, "It sounds like something I said was offensive to you."
  • Replace defensiveness with curiosity.
  • Stay inquisitive and keep asking questions.

By implementing these five tips, you can transform a stressful work environment into a place of balance, productivity, and well-being. If you found this helpful, I invite you to explore my book How to Develop a Brand Strategy and insightful brand marketing articles.

Lisa Perry helps companies drive revenue by using consumer trends, insights, and data analytics to innovate their approach to marketing.

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5 Tips For Celebrating Halloween At Work



Halloween is here! The chill is in the air. The leaves are turning on the trees. Bags of candy of every description practically fall off the shelves into your basket as you wind your way through the grocery store. And everyone—especially the kids—has their Halloween costumes picked out.

Halloween isn't just for children, though.

Many adults enjoy having the opportunity to dress up in costume and celebrate “All Hallows' Eve." Many businesses feel obligated—or enjoy, as the case may be—decorating for Halloween the same way they decorate for Christmas.

A dilemma a working professional could face as Halloween approaches is what sort of activity and what type of “costume" to consider wearing to work. While you want to have fun, you also need to display good judgment.

So, when it comes to celebrating Halloween at work, remember to keep these five rules of thumb in mind:

Check The Policy


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If you are new to the company, check out what the policy is around celebrating Halloween at work. It may not even be allowed, and you don't want to show up as the only one in costume looking foolish (or worse, having to go home to change!).

Make Sure Your Costume Is Tasteful


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If costumes are allowed or even encouraged, use good taste. Be clever, but not ghoulish. Be original. Think of something you can put together from things you have at home. You don't need to spend a fortune to have a clever costume.

Decorate Your Office


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If you can add to the festivities by decorating your office (or your desk) with something that is seasonally appropriate, do that as long as it falls within your workplace policy. This gets your office more into the holiday spirit, and it gives you the chance to show off your personality!

Don't Go Crazy With The Celebration


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Make sure you aren't the one who goes "too far" in celebrating Halloween. Use good judgment around everything you say and do around the holiday.

Put Candy Out For Your Co-Workers


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If you are in a position to have candy on your desk or in an area where people can help themselves, it might be appreciated. Make sure the candy is the type that is individually wrapped, though. Also, make sure you're cautious of any food allergies in the office.

Putting candy out helps you celebrate Halloween, but it could also help you get to know your co-workers better. They could stop by your desk, have a piece of candy, and chat for a minute or two.

At the end of the day, Halloween is one of those holidays that some people enjoy and appreciate, and others do not. Do your homework ahead of time to make sure you're celebrating within the company's guidelines. The last thing you need is to be called to the boss's office because you used poor judgment or displayed poor taste over a holiday.

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5 Tips For Celebrating Halloween At Work



To most of us, career growth and success are life goals that are right in line with marriage, a mortgage, kids, and two bright and shiny new cars in the driveway. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. In many cases, well-educated people are stuck in jobs that they're overqualified for and they're blocked for promotions by senior team members.

When it comes to career success, if you're not growing, you're dying.

Here are five things that you can do to improve your career growth prospects and be happier and successful at work:

1. Learn New Skills


If you're passed over again and again for promotions, it might be time to start learning new skills in order to make yourself more valuable to the company. Taking online courses and getting professional certifications can go a long way to help you advance with your current company or look more attractive to another company should you decide to leave.

It's important to remember that it's not your employer's responsibility to advance your career. You must develop your own plan for career growth and hold yourself accountable.

2. Stop Schmoozing Co-Workers


Coworkers have fun in the office and take a selfie

It's great to have friends at work but your job isn't a country club aimed at enhancing your social status. Being friendly and courteous is important in the office, but being friends with everyone is not. This is not to say that you shouldn't attend social events or engage in some water cooler talk from time to time, but remember that your peers may one day be your subordinates.

This often leads to workplace hostility. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that you have friends outside of work and that remaining friendly, but not too friendly, is the best course of action.

3. Set Personal Goals


Confident young professional on laptop brainstorms some professional goals

When it comes time for a promotion or a raise, you're ultimately going to be judged on what you do to provide additional value to the company.

Corporate goals are great, but setting personal goals to push the envelope a bit further is great for overall career growth and gives you great talking points when you're met with a review for a raise or promotion.

4. Build A Network


Young professionals at a networking event

Networking is no longer an option; it's the norm. Attending these events puts you in contact with people who not only could provide opportunities later but could also help you at your current job. Need a new HR person? You probably know someone. The IT department is looking for a new lead—great, you can call the guy you met at happy hour.

These contacts allow you to not only be on the lookout for future opportunities but to also be the person in your current position who has the contacts they need to get things done.

5. Be The Solution


Happy man on laptop thinks about solving problems at work

If there's one thing that bosses hate, it's the person who brings problems to them to solve. Problems happen, and sometimes you don't have any other choice but to bring it to your boss, but you'll be looked at in a far more favorable light if you bring solutions when you present the problems.

"This is a potential problem, but I've done some research and it appears that this would fix it"—sounds a lot better to your management team than just being the guy who is constantly complaining.

If these tips don't help and you can't seem to get ahead no matter what you try, it might be time to look for a new job. There's no shame in trying something and then moving on to something else when it doesn't work.

No matter what position you're in, there are always ways to keep moving up the corporate ladder. Don't give up. Remember to seize every opportunity and work on your career a little bit every day. You'll be out of a career rut in no time.

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If You Do These 10 Things, You’re Probably A TERRIBLE Co-Worker



One of the best things about work is that you get to collaborate with your co-workers. However, in offices all over the world, there are co-workers people would rather NOT work with every day.

Co-workers can get labeled as terrible for multiple reasons. And that label can do some serious damage at work.

Here are a few habits a colleague can have that would earn them that bad reputation. Are you guilty of any of them?

Gossiping About Your Co-Workers


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It's important to build a team that has respect for one another in the workplace. One of the biggest things that kills respect among colleagues is gossiping.

If you talk about your co-workers behind their backs, there's no way they're going to trust you or respect anything you have to say. Plus, they won't want to work with you if you're talking badly about them. That could have a major impact on your work, especially if you have a project you need help on.

Gossiping could give you a brief moment of satisfaction, but it can really do some serious damage to your work relationships.

Having A Bad Attitude At Work


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We've all had bad days at work. We're human, it's bound to happen.

However, having a consistent negative attitude at work will have a tremendous impact on your relationship with your co-workers.

Multiple studies show that negative attitudes can spread quickly, especially in the workplace. That means people will want to stay away from those who generate negative energy. Also, having a negative attitude at work kills workplace productivity and puts a major dent in workplace culture.

With that being said, take a minute to reflect on your attitude at work. Could it use some adjusting?

Distracting Your Co-Workers While On The Job 


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Let's be real—everyone needs a little break at work. It's good to take some time to get away from your desk, whether it's a five-minute walk around the office or a quick trip to the vending machine. However, constantly being distracted at work can lead to major problems that impact productivity.

A source of these distractions can come from co-workers.

Think about it. Is there a co-worker who is always talking, even when you're trying to work? Or is there a co-worker who blasts loud music at their desk throughout the workday?

These distractions may not be intentional, but they can cause other people to lose focus at work.

If you have distracting habits at work, think about how you can curb them. You'll be surprised by what it does for your office's productivity.

Taking Credit For Your Co-Worker's Work


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Working with a team at work has great benefits. You're able to collaborate with people and come up with ideas you may not have thought of on your own. That being said, giving credit to your co-workers for their contributions to the workplace is essential for maintaining good relationships with them.

If you're collaborating with a co-worker on a project and you want to expand on one of their ideas, be sure to give them credit where credit is due.

If you take all the glory and don't mention their contribution, it will reflect poorly on you.

Not Pulling Your Weight In The Office


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When you go to work, it's expected that you show up and actually do work. However, there are some people who do a lot of showing up...but not a lot of work.

When someone doesn't do their job, they force their co-workers to pick up the slack. That combined with the workload they already have could cause some MAJOR frustration in the office.

Make sure you're doing your job when you're at work. It can be so easy to get distracted, but you have to stay on track and do what needs to get done. Doing your share of the work will give you a lot of satisfaction and your co-workers will appreciate your contributions.

Immediately Shooting Down Co-Workers' Ideas


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Your co-workers will have ideas they want to share with the team from time to time. You may not like these ideas and, as a result, you may shut them down before the team even discusses them.

There are multiple reasons why this is a bad habit in the workplace. For starters, it could give the impression that you're not open to hearing new ideas. It could also give the impression that you don't care about your team's opinions.

So, before you shoot down a co-worker's idea, take a moment to really think about it and have a discussion with them about it instead of immediately expressing your distaste for it.

Bringing Personal Issues Into The Workplace 


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It's important to have a good work-life balance. However, bringing too much of your personal life into the workplace can cause some rifts in the office.

You may have co-workers you can talk to about your personal life. But you may also have co-workers who wish to maintain a strictly professional relationship with you.

If you vent about your personal life at work, you risk compromising your relationships with your co-workers.

As a worker, you are a business-of-one, which means you want to market yourself the best you can. Bringing a lot of your personal baggage into the workplace is not a good thing, and will make it harder to market yourself as an employee and co-worker.

Stinking Up The Whole Office With Your Lunch


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You know exactly what I'm talking about here.

There are certain rules of office etiquette that go unspoken. One of those rules is not to stink up the entire office with your food. Unfortunately, not everyone follows this rule.

There are some people who have no problem heating up their leftover fish at lunchtime. It may be in the microwave for only two minutes, but its impact lasts much longer.

Stinking up the office with your lunch is distracting.

Seriously, it's an issue if the only thing your co-workers can focus on is how your lunch smells.

Being Passive Aggressive In The Office


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A workplace culture should be built around mutual respect and trust among co-workers.

Once in a while, you may disagree with your colleagues, and that's okay. Disagreements happen, but how you handle it says more about you than the disagreement itself.

If you're passive aggressive toward your co-workers, it will cause some tension in the office.

Being passive aggressive means you aren't being direct with your co-workers about your issues with them. If you aren't direct with them, then how are you going to work past the issue you're having?

Passive aggressiveness will take its toll on the workplace if it isn't nipped in the bud. The best way to curb this is to be direct with your colleagues and have a professional discussion about the issue at hand.

Constantly Showing Up Late To Work


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Everyone is late to work once in a while. However, it's an issue if you're constantly late to work.

Showing up on time is a sign of respect in the office. It shows that you care about your work and getting in on time to get your work done.

If you're always showing up late, it shows that you don't respect the work you do. Also, running late can impact your co-workers. If they need your input on a project, but you're running late, it makes them crunched for time. That can lead to a stressful work environment.

Showing up to work on time reflects on you as a worker. So, show up on time and be ready to put your best foot forward.

Not every co-worker will be your friend, but it's always important to respect others in the workplace. If you're guilty of any of the habits mentioned above, try your best to be a better colleague today. Your co-workers (and career) will thank you.

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Food Allergies In The Office? What You Need To Know



As someone with severe food allergies, I know how difficult it can be to address your food allergies with new co-workers and peers in an assertive yet informative way—especially when starting a new job in a completely unfamiliar environment. How can your place of work be inclusive of employees with severe food allergies?

What Is A "Severe" Food Allergy?


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Severe food allergies are called severe for a reason. They're life-threatening and should be taken very seriously. When someone with food allergies ingests food that contains the triggering allergen, they can go into anaphylaxis. If not administered epinephrine (an EpiPen) in time to treat the anaphylactic reaction, the reaction can be fatal.

Work Spaces And Food Allergies Don't Always Mix


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There are about 32 million Americans with food allergies. And with reports that food allergies in children increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011, they won't be going away anytime soon. Two children in every classroom will soon mean two people in every office. So, what is it like to work in an office with food allergies?

To start, it may mean not having a piece of cake at that upcoming office birthday party. Lunchtime always keeps them on guard, and they usually opt to brown-bag-it, using caution in the cafeteria and shared office kitchens. Maybe they're thinking about skipping the office outing to an unfamiliar restaurant on Friday, not sure if they'll be comfortable eating there. Every day in an open office plan could bring anxiety, as they worry about airborne allergens and lack of safe, allergen-free spaces.

If you have food allergies, chances are you can relate to at least one of these things. But if you don't have severe food allergies, you may be wondering: What does this really mean?

What The Law Says


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In the U.S., based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the definition of "disability" has been modified to include those with severe allergies. This is due to the fact that severe allergies are "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities" (eating, breathing, and major bodily functions related to the immune, digestive, bowel, and respiratory system).

To sum it up:

"No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation." 42 U.S.C. § 12182.

Anyone with food allergies knows these laws are not widely enforced or known to apply to food allergies (think peanuts being served at baseball games or on airplanes). So, even though everyone in the U.S. with disabilities is entitled to the same rights as able-bodied people, people with severe food allergies often encounter their food allergies in these public spaces and at work and cannot fully partake in whatever activities are going on at these places. More importantly, their health and well-being could be at risk.

Most places of work are considered public places—by legal definition meaning "any enclosed indoor area used by the general public or serving as a place of work containing two hundred fifty or more square feet of floor space." Therefore, the two laws mentioned above apply, or should apply, to your place of work.

What Employers Should Know


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Good employers want to be as inclusive as possible. Yet it can be hard to be inclusive of those with food allergies if you're unaware of who has food allergies in your office.

The best way to be inclusive and considerate about food allergies is to ask new and current employees if they have any severe food allergies. And if any do, ask them what you can do to make their work environment safe and comfortable. This shows employees you care, and by acknowledging food allergies as something serious and very, very real, it already establishes that foundation of trust that is so hard to gain in the first place.

Consider what it's like trying to decide when to tell an employer about your food allergy. When asked if you have a disability on a job application, food allergies are not listed. If there's a space to check "other" and write in a different answer, you may consider, for a split second, writing in your severe food allergy.

Does your disability require reasonable accommodation?

Yes and no. It's not a physical disability, in the sense that you can't visually tell who does or doesn't have a food allergy. Yet your arrival at a new company could require them to change their policies and culture.

As you can see, it's not easy explaining food allergies at work when there's no system in place to deal with them. That's why, as an employer, you should come up with a system that works for your company. After all, it's your job to make sure all of your employees feel safe and included.

What YOU Can Do


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If you're someone with a food allergy, you probably have lots of experience navigating the world with your condition. But the professional world can be a bit tricky.

When starting a new job, it's best to tell your boss about your allergy as soon as you can, if they don't bring up the topic first (you're responsible for letting them know, and you're entitled to reasonable accommodation!). Then, ask if you can call a meeting to explain your situation to your new co-workers. This will allow for an open dialogue about the subject, and those who have questions will be able to have them answered in a supportive and honest environment.

If you don't have food allergies, but work with someone who does, please be respectful of their condition. If you're unsure whether it's okay to eat something around them, just ask. Communication is always the right choice.

Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable work environment. And it's important to remember that no one chooses to have a food allergy.

If we all try to be more kind and considerate toward our peers, it will make work better—for everyone!

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