253. Saying NO is a Leadership Skill

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/⁠

There are five aspects of trauma-informed care that make good sense for the workplace:Safety / Psychological SafetyTrustworthinessChoice / AutonomyCollaborationEmpowerment / Motivation + EngagementPeople are human. The experiences we have in life shape how we perceive risk, make decisions, communicate, and work with others. Learning a bit about trauma-informed care makes it easier to bring out the best in yourself -- and the people you work with....After the EpisodeBecome a more calm, confident leader by honing your communication skills and strategic thinking:⁠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/⁠

When I was first promoted to a manager role, I thought that maybe there would be meetings with other people managers where we discussed how to be good managers, and address challenges in doing the job. Nope! I began to realize that everyone was just figuring it out along the way.Three things to keep in mind as you start the year:Everyone is making it up as they go.Be observant. Pay attention and learn from the people around you.Be kind and compassionate with yourself. This is not an easy job. There's a lot of new things to learn when it comes to leadership and managing humans....After the EpisodeEnroll now to strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:⁠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/⁠

This is the last episode of 2025, so our focus will be VISION. First, we reflect on the year. Then, we set intentions for the year ahead. The heart of it all? You. Your vision of yourself -- as a leader, and as a person.I use Year Compass to help me reflect on my year, and set intentions for the year ahead. Get your own copy -- it's free, and probably offered in your preferred language:https://yearcompass.com/en/...After the EpisodeEnroll now to hone your communication and strategic thinking:⁠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/⁠