262. Add Calm to the System

First, a celebration and a story about how I got myself un-stalled on a project. Then, an observation about the value of adding calm to the system, and two approaches for how to do that....After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies~Learn to use The Gentle No and say no without feeling bad:https://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/

"Increase your power and influence with this one weird trick. . ." Seriously, though: make it a practice to pause and slow down. It seems counterintuitive when faced with outer urgency and an inner drive to work hard. But there are real advantages to taking a pause. It's true for athletes (rest builds strength, as does interval training), and it's true for managers at work....After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies~Learn to use The Gentle No and say no without feeling bad:https://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/

If you're an "I can do it myself!" person, then you might not have much practice in asking for help. This episode is for you....After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies~Learn to use The Gentle No and say no without feeling bad:https://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/

Every leader has an underlying philosophy that shapes their decisions, actions, and approach to the work. Not sure where to start? Ask others about theirs...Resources mentioned in this episode:Dr. Frances Frei's Office Hours LIVE...After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningful~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking.~Learn to use The Gentle No to say no without feeling bad.~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching.

The latest Global State of the Workplace Report by Gallup came out, and they're reporting lower levels of engagement worldwide. One thing that helps? Meaningful feedback. And one key part of that? Future focused feedback.Plus: you can now download your own copy of the Make Feedback meaningful zine!.Resources mentioned in this episode:Free download:https://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine--Watch the video tutorial:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te2lJzYc954--Read the Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2026 report:https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx--Read the study on Future Focused Feedback:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0234444...After the EpisodeStrengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠~Learn how to say No, without feeling bad:⁠https://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/⁠

This week, take a breath and savor the wins. There will always be more work to be done. And even when things are going well, it can feel scary -- the feeling that there's more to lose, or that you'll let people down, can increase in the best of times.So make an intentional practice: savor the wins, whether they are small or clearly visible for all to see...Is there a topic you'd like to see covered in an upcoming episode? Leave a note below! Or send me a message on LinkedIn....After the EpisodeStrengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠~Develop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad:⁠https://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/⁠

Being a manager isn't glamorous. If things are feeling heavy, like you're stuck in a thankless grind, have a listen....After the EpisodeJoin the upcoming class of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠~Develop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no⁠~Find me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

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/⁠