Make it a point to observe the people you respect -- those who really seem to "walk" the leadership talk and inspire others. • What EXACTLY do they do that draws their team members to them? • What actions do they take that really seem to uplift others? • What key behaviors stand out? • What is distinctly different or unique about the way they interact with others?Observing is a great way to learn. Look for behaviors y...

Have you ever had a conversation with a colleague -- asking them to do something or giving them instructions -- and observed that, while they appeared to be listening, they didn't write anything down .... they didn't take notes? BE A NOTE-TAKER .... Why?You'll have less of a tendency to forget what was said or what you need to do, It conveys a sense of organization and professionalism, It demonstrates -- visibly -- your lis...

Becoming a lifelong learner is absolutely essential to career success and to becoming the best that you can be in your chosen profession. New thinking, new and better ways of doing things, and new technology is increasing at a pase never seen before. In these times .... staying in the same place is the same as going backwards.Are you allowing yourself to move backwards? You can bet that the best practitioners in your fiel...

How often do you make it a point to give a recommendation to someone on LinkedIn? Have you considered the benefits and value of GIVING a recommendation?The value of giving someone a recommendation on LinkedIn:Every time you recommend someone on LinkedIn, you nurture and strengthen a relationship with a connection. The process and discipline of giving recommendations builds a circle of influence where others see you as a va...

A great way to end a conversation with a network contact is to ASK the question -- "How can I help you?" -- then listen carefully and probe for details if necessary. If you can deliver on the request, then deliver -- as soon as possible -- or follow up with a recommendation for someone who can help if you know of someone.Now .... How do YOU answer that question when someone in your network asks YOU? Be prepared to let pe...

Communicating your unique and differentiating value doesn’t stop once you get a job. Personal branding is important for all professionals across industries whether they are seeking new career opportunities or seeking opportunities for advancement within their current organization.Here are 7 effective ways you can begin positioning yourself for movement up the corporate ladder:Communicate Your Goals: Make sure your managers...

Communicating in everyday life and in social situations is a great and useful skill to possess, but as you may have figured out, such skills don't take you very far in the board room or with business clients. In professional situations, you will find that the communication skills you need to master take on a decidedly more formal and pointed framework.It is crucial in professional situations, especially with money at stake,...

We often develop social relationships with individuals who COULD be clients -- they definitely meet the definition of our ideal client profile. Why not simply ask for their business? Many of us don't, hoping that THEY will make the first move. Really? Just ASK! "I understand you may already have a (Insert your specialty) Advisor, but if anything ever comes up where you might want to consider a new or additional advisor, I j...

We ALL procrastinate on things. There are always items on our “to do” list, whether written down or in our head, we KNOW we need to take care of, but we’ve continued to put off. Begin this week buy TAKING ACTION on at least THREE matters you’ve been putting off.Maybe it’s:“That call” you’ve been putting off you know is going to be a difficult conversation. Make that call today; get it behind you and feel the surge of energ...

In working with clients over the years to develop programs for new supervisors/managers - there are some skills, knowledge and competencies that rise to the top of "must have's" for someone in a management role. These are in no particular order, but all are of equal importance to be successful in a management role. Finance 101: Understand the basics of finance; know how to read a balance sheet, understand how to create a b...