254. Refilling Your Cup, Finding Inspiration, and Meaningful Feedback

Today I share my biggest take-away from attending Transform. Plus, a reminder that you're human, you work with humans, and there's a lot going on....After the EpisodeDevelop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad:https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Strengthen the basics, and level up your leadership skills with Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Find me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

In this week's episode we explore three interwoven themes: How to refill your cup when you feel exhausted,Where to find inspiration, and Making feedback meaningful.I make a commitment to share the zine I made. But in the meantime, check out Julia's zine: Help! I have a manager!https://wizardzines.com/zines/manager/...After the EpisodeDevelop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad:https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Enroll in Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

This originally aired in Aug. 2024 as Episode 182, Being a Hard Worker and Saying No. As you listen, notice for yourself: What's changed? What's new? What have you let go of?Choosing that state of Beginner's Mind, where you don't need to have all the answers, will keep you adaptive, curious, and ready to learn. And that includes: learning how (and when!) to say No....After the EpisodeDevelop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad:https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Strengthen your foundational manager skills:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

If you've been praised and rewarded for saying YES all the time, it can feel really uncomfortable to start saying NO.But part of your job as a manager and leader is to say No.Start seeing NO as a skill to learn, rather than a discomfort to avoid....After the EpisodeDevelop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad:https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Enroll in Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

Lessons learned about confidence from weight training. Create it somewhere outside of work -- get the feeling experience of it in your body. Then bring it with you into wherever you need it....After the EpisodeEnrollment is open for March and April:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~New course: The Gentle Nohttps://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

Your voice -- literally, the sound you create through your physical body -- has more power than you may realize. Communication is not just about the words you use, but the way you use sound (and silence) can convey your message and influence how others receive (and perceive!) you....After the EpisodeEnrollment is open for March and April! For a limited time, use promo code SPRING10 and save 10% off the registration fee:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

At some point your career, you (or someone on your team) will make a mistake. There will also come a time when you find yourself on the receiving end of someone else's mistake.The important thing in both cases is how you choose to handle it. How will you treat people -- how will you communicate? Listen to the story behind why this is top of mind, and what you can do when you find yourself in a similar situation....After the EpisodeEnrollment is open for March and April! For a limited time, use promo code SPRING10 and save 10% off the registration fee:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

When you're an IC, your focus is on execution. But as you rise to manager and leader, this must shift.Three things managers and leaders focus on, instead of trying to be the best at executing tasks:Making decisions.Building relationships.Creating a vision -- and communicating it so that others can see how they fit into it....After the EpisodeEnrollment is open for March and April! For a limited time, use promo code SPRING10 and save 10% off the registration fee:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Leadership can feel heavy. I've found that most of the time when people talk about wanting to feel more confident, they really mean they want to feel more certain. They want to know that they're making decisions that will lead to best outcomes, and ensure success.This episode explores two sources of confidence: External and Internal. Learn to recognize and work with both, and you'll have an easier time finding authentic confidence when you need it most....After the EpisodeEnrollment is open for March and April:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠

Being direct is a great tool to have in your communications toolbox. Whether you're using it effectively will have a lot to do on other factors, like: context, power, relationship, and goals. In this episode we'll explore how (and why!) to be more direct. You'll also get some suggestions for what to do if you find that your direct approach is not always well received....After the EpisodeJoin the next class! Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching, team workshops or off-sites:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠~Connect on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠