170. How to Be More Strategic

If you find yourself suddenly having to lead a team through hard times, this is for you. Layoffs are hard on everyone -- including those left behind, who are grieving the loss of their teammates, fearing for their own job security, and feeling betrayed or mistrustful of upper management and leadership. When things feel out of your control, the ideas here will help ground you and give you an idea for how to approach the new reality in a human-centered way. After the Episode: For 1:1 coaching to support your growth as a leader (and human), schedule a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Can't find a time that works? Or do you want to be invited to the next group program? Join the Wait List: https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/ Request a topic for the podcast! Spotify listeners: leave a comment on the episode. Or send a message at: https://kimnicol.com/contact/ Follow Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

If you're a good problem-solver, chances are you spend a lot of time looking at. . . problems. This week, ask yourself, "What's working?" To be an effective manager and an inspired leader, you want to have an accurate picture of the situation -- which means being just as mindful of the strengths and positive qualities that you are your team possess as you are aware of the challenges. This will also help you build trust and good-will, and set you up for success later on in the year when it comes time to do performance reviews. In this episode you'll learn why it's easy to overlook the good stuff, and you'll get some specific strategies to help you refocus your attention. Let's discuss! After the episode: For 1:1 coaching customized for your situation and goals, visit https://kimnicol.com/ or schedule a consult at https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Join the waitlist for invitations to workshops, classes, and programs: https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

Good leaders and effective managers think about strategy. They consider the desired outcome or goal, and then make decisions based on the available resources and assets, constraints and obstacles. Plus, when you become more strategic, you will feel less reactive to other people's urgency. To develop this skill, start by understanding your own strategies. Why are you doing things the way you are doing them? In this episode, you'll learn a simple practice that will help you begin to see your own strategies in daily life. Increase your self-awareness, and you'll become more intentional about the strategies you want to put into practice at work. Let's discuss! After the Episode: For 1:1 coaching, go to https://kimnicol.com/ Or book a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Get on the list for future workshops and programs: https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

Learn some practical strategies for communicating your point of view. You want to understand you options, because different relationships and situations will require different approaches. You will be more influential as a leader and manager when you consider nuance and options in how you choose to communicate. If you get uncomfortable with dis-harmony, conflict, or confrontation, you will love this episode. Lets discuss! After the episode: Get personalized coaching: https://kimnicol.com/ Or go straight to my calendar to schedule a consult and discuss your situation and goals: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation To get invited to classes and more, join the Wait List at https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

When you rise to higher levels of leadership and people management, expect to be invited to more meetings. If you feel like you're not sure when to get work done, because meetings have taken over your calendar, then today's episode will help! You'll learn a simple process you can use today to re-evaluate your meetings, so you can find small ways to make them much better. You may also need to reconsider which meetings you attend, and which you decline or delegate. Just because you're invited, doesn't mean you have to go. Let's discuss! After the Episode: For 1:1 leadership coaching, visit my website and schedule a free consult: https://kimnicol.com/ To learn about the Group Program, get on the Wait List here: https://kimnicol.com/newmanagers/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

You can find the most valuable lessons on being an effective manager and leader from experiences you have outside of your regular work. A side quest (or side hustle) can help you tap into strengths and develop abilities that you can then bring, more intentionally, to your job. In today's episode I share the story of my time as a fitness instructor, and how it helped make me a better Director in my corporate job. Let's discuss! After the Episode: RSVP for Career Conversation: Pivots + Side Hustles on April 25. Learn about coaching with me or book a consult. Follow me on LinkedIn or TikTok! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

Think about your career and work as being part of an ecosystem. It will give you a useful perspective for addressing problems you face as a manager and leader. Let's discuss! After the episode: Join the next Career Conversation: Pivots + Side Hustles. RSVP here: https://lu.ma/hswnn6lv Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/ For 1:1 coaching, book a consult: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation https://kimnicol.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

Bonus episode with *video* and an invitation! Join me and career coach Wendy Saccuzzo for a live (on Zoom) Career Conversation on Pivots and Side Hustles. One of the inspirations behind this podcast is the experience I had over 12 years ago, when I was promoted to a Director role and started managing a team of my peers. There wasn't much guidance or training available to me as a new manager, and it's one reason I started teaching Essential Skills for New Managers, which then led to this podcast. My career journey has had a number of pivots (I've been a lawyer, a yoga teacher, and a public speaking trainer). Now I work full-time as a coach in private practice, but looking back I can see how my side-hustles helped me become a better manager, a more inspired leader, and led me to work I really love. This free✨ live (on Zoom) event is on Thursday, April 25, at 9am Pacific Time. RSVP here: https://lu.ma/hswnn6lv If you'd like to explore 1:1 coaching with me, book a consult and let's talk about it. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

There will be times at work when you wonder, "WTF are they doing?!?" When you're a manger you might wonder this about someone on your team who reports to you, or your own manager and leadership team. Instead of saying that out loud, however, try asking this question instead: "What are you trying to solve for?" You want a better picture of how this person is thinking and seeing -- because that is what drives their choices and actions. Using this question will help you illuminate their intentions and the perspective behind their behaviors. This episode breaks down why that question is so effective, especially when you're working with someone who might get defensive easily or who might be in a position of formal power over you. Instead of feeling confused or frustrated, try using this question instead and see what happens. Other episodes referenced: Ep. 129 - "Walk me through" Ep. 110 - Identify the Problem After the episode: For 1:1 coaching, book a consult to meet with Kim and discuss your situation and goals: https://calendly.com/kimnicol/consultation Get on the Wait List for the Group Program -- Visit my website: https://kimnicol.com/ Say hi on LinkedIn --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message

As an individual contributor, your role is to be good at your specific task or function. As a manager and leader, your role shifts -- and now you're making more decisions. When you understand how to make decisions, you'll feel more confident and less drained. In this episode you'll learn: Signs you might be avoiding a decision The real cost of "keeping your options open" Why the freedom of making a decisions feels better than the freedom of not deciding After the Episode: To discuss your situation and goals with Kim and learn how 1:1 coaching can help, book a consult. Join the Wait List for the group program, and get invited to upcoming workshops. Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kimnicol/message