Author: MJ Romeo

The other day I got an email from a former group coaching client. It is always such a nice surprise to receive an update from former clients. If you fit into that category, reach out, I would love to hear how you are doing.

This former client is very intentional about her career, she is an active networker and often goes above and beyond. She is smart, has a high EQ and is driven to succeed. One thing we spoke about during our work together is the value of having a sponsor or two, not a mentor, but a sponsor. A sponsor is someone in your organization who will actively advocate for you and say, “What about ‘Jane’ for that role?” while a mentor shares their experiences and often gives you advice. Both are valuable but a sponsor can really help you advance professionally.

My client reached out to say that she took the discussion about sponsors to heart and actively pursued one, who she now meets with monthly. The great news is that my
former client is now being considered for an amazing new role at the company, and stated that her name would probably not have been on the list if she hadn’t pursued
the relationship with her sponsor. Be intentional about your career!

“Feedback is a gift”. We’ve all heard that expression. It took me years to embrace it. When working at big corporations, the dreaded annual review would occupy my mind for weeks. I would fixate on what were perceived negative comments, even if they were few and far between.

Back then, I was looking at feedback all wrong! Honest feedback helps us grow personally and professionally. It helps us see ourselves from a different angle. It is so valuable.

Now, I ask for feedback often from clients, colleagues and friends. I ask: “what did you like, what can I do better” all the time. Client surveys improve my group coaching programs and workshops. While we are all surveyed to death, feedback matters.

People are struggling with endless Zoom or video calls. I have clients that are on 10+ video calls a day. One sales client said that she is pretty much doing the same sales pitch virtually six or seven times a day. That is exhausting. What makes this worse is that virtual calls are often BORING and lack real connection.

The more interactive you can make a virtual meeting, the better. Research is showing that if you infuse a bit of humanity, maybe even some laughter, it can pay off big time. When was the last time you had a good  laugh?

Communication, real communication, is much more difficult than we realize. When coaching a group the other day, we were talking about managing remote teams and that poor communication showed up as a gap throughout the organization. It’s not surprising, an Interact study found that 69% of managers are often uncomfortable when communicating with employees, and that study was done pre-Covid!

When people are remote it is important to communicate clearly and articulately. Ask them if they have what they need to be successful in their jobs. Do they have the right technology, a strong internet connection and a quiet place to work? One senior manager talked about always communicating the WHAT and WHY. “What” are we working on relative to the big picture and “why” does it matter to the department or company. Another spoke about communicating with colleagues by asking them to repeat back what was said to them in their own words, such as saying, “Tell me what you just heard, in your own words”.

Always take the time needed to communicate effectively, it’s a time saver in the long run.

It’s finally here. Happy 2021 to you and your families!

I am excited to start a new year (I always am), and especially excited to put 2020 in the rear view mirror. When thinking about a new year, and ways I want to grow personally and professionally, I think about habits.

Last year, I developed a habit of doing yoga every day. In all honesty though, it started on March 19 when my gym was closed due to Covid. Anyway, I only skipped one day (Christmas). When I finish my yoga practice everyday I have a sense of achievement and feel great. After doing it for so many months, practicing yoga daily is now a habit.

Developing positive habits can be hard.

Do you have a positive habit that you have started or would like to start this year?

Before we wrap up 2020, I want to thank you for reading The Shift every other week, for being open to learning new things and/or thinking about them differently. Writing a bi-weekly blog has been an experience, teaching me discipline and focus.

Next week, I’m meeting with my Executive Coach to share my personal and professional goals for 2021. Having an accountability partner and a deadline will make my goals more tangible and increase the likelihood of actually doing them!

As we turn the page on 2020, what are you thinking about for 2021?

Even before Covid hit this year, changes were taking place in how companies manage annual or quarterly performance reviews. There is a movement away from numeric scoring and boxes that are checked with “does not meet expectations”. Now, some companies are pushing back performance reviews altogether while others are adjusting goals and lowering expectations. Since many of us are under significant stress at home and work these days, the review process at many firms is being modified to be kinder and gentler, more empathetic and caring.

One of the companies I’m working with has moved to a coaching model for performance reviews, which demands a manager who takes the time to really listen, ask good questions and be more empathetic. It encourages employees to be active in the process and managers to have frequent check-ins throughout the year, while focusing on the goals of the company. Yes, it takes more of a concerted effort but it seems to be paying dividends. Empathetic leadership is the name of the game!

Since it is the day before Thanksgiving, I would be remiss not to talk about the power of being grateful. A formal gratitude practice, such as journaling what you are grateful for each day, or simply being grateful as a way to live your life, can have a tremendous impact. 

Gratitude opens the door to more relationships, improves physical and psychological health, enhances empathy and reduces aggression, improves self-esteem and increases mental strength. And the best benefit of all? Being grateful improves your quality of sleep! List provided by Psychology Today, but the emphasis on sleep is mine. A good night’s sleep is so important.

Everyday, I am grateful for the opportunity to work as an executive coach (and of course, I’m grateful for my amazing family and friends).

What does the word “leadership” mean to you? As an executive coach, I have the privilege of working with many different leaders who are open to change. By perceiving new ways of thinking and acting, trying new things, looking at their emotions, holding themselves accountable and making peace with the past, coaching clients benefit from making transformative shifts in themselves as professionals and as humans.

The models of leadership have also been changing over the last several decades as we have shifted from an autocratic style to a more collaborative style of leadership. Things like emotional intelligence, vulnerability, empathy, building trust and social intelligence are just some of the important components that are considered when talking about leadership today.