Leadership
Take a minute to think about the best mentor you’ve ever had. It could be your manager, a colleague, a parent, a friend, a coach, a college professor. Then, you reach a point in your life where you have the chance to do the same for someone else. It can be both exciting, and a little confusing. In this article, you’ll get tips from both mentors and mentees on what it takes to foster this successful relationship. What does it mean to be a mentor? At its core, being a mentor is being a trusted advisor. It all boils down to making yourself available to support and advise someone when they need it, delivering that support in a way that makes sense to them, and always keeping that person’s best interests in mind. So, what value does a mentor bring? It depends on who you ask. For Vrnda LeValley, customer…
Most jobs require specific skills to succeed, like knowing how to use social media scheduling tools if you’re going to work as a content creator. However, most jobs require skills that aren’t always listed on a job application because you’re expected to have them no matter what, like communicating with your coworkers. These skills, often called employability skills, are critical even if they’re not listed on a job application. Let’s go over what they are, how they apply to day-to-day activities, and how to improve upon them so you can succeed in every position you have. As foundational skills, employability skills can be transferable to any position you hold, regardless of job type. For example, you need to communicate well regardless of your position level, whether you’re the C-Suite executive or newly-hired marketing intern. Employability skills aren’t always listed as required skills on job applications because they are expected as…
A rising tide lifts all boats. We want to be that tide for our clients and partners! In other words, we want to give shout outs to those who’ve been extraordinary. So this is what this post is about – sharing the love. Keep reading! Top Trusted Advisor – Nate Kennedy, CEO at Optimized Assets Optimized Assets helps businesses enhance their online presence. In their capable hands you won’t just grow your business, you’ll also become a leading authority in your field! Nate Kennedy has built Optimized Assets from the ground up. “My unique Customer Conversion Wheel process has created an eccentric method that Facebook and Google love,” – he says. Top Agency Partner – Jordan Berkhiem, Co-founder of PJB Marketing International PJB Marketing International boosts bottom lines with the help of email. We’re so glad we can support each other on this journey – we also happen to be big fans of email automation.…
Good leadership is vital for the long-term success of your organization. Consider, for instance, how there’s a 56% reduction in burnout and 845% greater odds of employee engagement when leaders connect people to purpose, accomplishment, or each other. Good leaders inspire and motivate their employees. But it’s easier said than done. There are many ways to be a good leader, and it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re unsure how to become a good leader, you’re in luck. Here, we’ll explore research-backed or expert-backed tips for becoming a better leader at work. Let’s dive in. What does it mean to be a good leader? While the term “good leader” can be difficult to define, it’s easy to spot in practice. A good leader should have the following qualities: Resiliency Optimism Flexibility Integrity Accountability Empathy Humility Vision Additionally, when we surveyed 300 people across the U.S., 44% respondents marked “Ability to communicate” as…
Most companies have goals related to growth. I’m not sure of many companies that want to make less money or reach fewer people over time. However, a company can’t just magically make more money, reach new customers, or grow a team overnight. It takes intention and strategy from an experienced leader to facilitate this type of growth. As a company looks to scale, having a qualified chief operating officer is a critical aspect of making those growth goals a reality. Leading this type of change as a chief operating officer can be a dynamic opportunity for budding business leaders. Let’s discuss the significance of the role, what a chief operating officer does, and the qualifications you’ll need to become one. If a company has a chief operating officer in place, this individual likely knows the ins and outs of the business and industry and is often responsible for making sure…
Have you ever sat down at your desk first thing in the morning and spent a good 45 minutes browsing social media or getting lost in your inbox because you can’t focus on what you need to do? At the end of the day, you feel as if you’ve wasted 8 hours of your life that you’ll never get back. On the other hand, have you ever sat down, opened your calendar app or a to-do list, and jumped right into work, knocking out task after task in a matter of minutes? When you shut your computer at the end of the day, you feel accomplished and know that you’ve done everything possible to move towards your professional goals. What’s the difference between these two scenarios? A plan. Having your day (or week, or project) mapped out with a concrete action plan will help you feel more focused and accomplished…
Finding someone with the perfect combination of mentor traits is no simple task. A good mentor is inspiring, yet accessible. They have the time to listen and also have their own successful career. They’re empathetic and give honest feedback. With so many qualities to consider, it’s no wonder people feel overwhelmed when looking for a mentor. The thing is, not all mentors have the same impact. Think about the ones you’ve had in your life so far. Some may have been amazing (lucky, you!) while others may have been more concerned about their problems and egos. Finding a good mentor is important for building a successful career. Mentors can share which skills you need to get promoted, give tips for managing workplace relationships, and introduce you to their expansive network. The benefits are endless. Now, you need to find someone who fits the bill. You may even be working to…
Leadership looks different for everyone. Some choose to use a democratic style, where they make final decisions after getting input from team members. Some are individualists, focused on personal development and improvement, while others act as a coach that works to help employees develop their skills and build strong teams. Although different in practice, most leadership styles have in common that the leader is a force of authority at their business — entirely different from servant leadership, where authority is purposely left by the wayside. In this post, learn about servant leadership, its main characteristics, and how it can benefit your organization. What is servant leadership? Servant leadership is the idea that a leader’s primary goal is to serve their employees and give them the support they need to develop their skills and succeed at their jobs. This differs from traditional leadership in that a leader doesn’t enforce their authority or…
A very famous Cheshire cat once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” Alright, maybe Lewis Carroll is actually the one that penned that quote, but it’s true nonetheless, and good advice for life and business. As a leader, you have expectations for your team. You want to see a specific level of performance and efficiency, but have you ever been clear about exactly what success looks like? If goals and desired outcomes are not communicated to employees, they can’t possibly meet your expectations. This leads to micromanaging or helicopter-managing and instills the belief in your employees that you do not trust them or their ability to achieve results. Over time, this breeds resentment erodes job satisfaction and increases the rate of turnover as employees go off in search of greener pastures. If you’ve seen this situation occur multiple times throughout your organization,…
Think back to a time you had to solve a problem but didn’t have all of the right information. What did you do? Situations like this pop up all the time at work and put your problem solving skills to the test. As a marketing manager, one may think your job doesn’t revolve around problem solving. But it’s an essential part of putting out fires at work — and making sure there’s a process in place to prevent issues from happening again. Whether you’re making decisions that affect an entire team or simply creating solutions for yourself, strong problem solving skills can help you grow as a person and a professional. In this post, we’ll cover what it means to come up with creative solutions and how to hone the skills to approach problems like a pro. What are problem solving skills? Problem solving skills allow you to notice an…