Coach Stef

$how Them the Money !

2011-03-25T19:15:07Z

The first quarter of 2011 has brought quite an array of economic and political events. From Wisconsin, to Libya to Japan. It’s been a lot to absorb. Meanwhile, while we try to process all of this external news, most of us are also sorting out what it all means for our own professional paths.

For example, when journalist Elaine Pofeldt interviewed me for this article, “Step Up Your Career This Year”, she asked where seasoned professionals should focus if they want to get ahead this year.

Ironically, the crux of my response paralleled the name of the magazine: Money !

Let’s take some inspiration from the golden 2011 on the cover. We may be in a period of economic recovery, but there is also an emotional recovery in progress.

This is the time to shine, not to shy away from the spotlight. Whether in day-to-day meetings or a broader timeframe, your best strategy is to overtly demonstrate how you add to the bottom line, or the top line, depending on your role.

Am I suggesting your professional worth is measured solely in monetary terms? Absolutely not. But as of yet, there is still no balance sheet representation of meaningful employee development, inventive marketing campaigns, or customer service finesse.

Whether you market international performing stars, run operations for an investment bank, or lead strategic IT projects you need to both align your work with successful results and make sure to communicate about it along the way.

Three tips:

Rather than announcing to your boss how passionate you are about getting promoted, first find out what he or she needs to achieve to be promoted.
Believe me, you aren’t the only one with this burning issue on your mind. I’m not suggesting you put yourself second in importance - quite the opposite. It’s simply a practical way to start with your end game, rather than guessing what will be valued and rewarded.
Brainstorm a way to tie your priorities and performance to win-win results.
Maybe your boss’s highest priority is hitting particular regional sales targets and you want tuition reimbursement for an Executive MBA. In that case, it’s probably the right time to put extra effort into expanding your network, reconnecting with classmates, or meeting alumni in target locations. If the hot button is cost reduction, then actively challenge the status quo. Re-evaluate service provider contracts, solicit alternative options for your highest-expense items or bring in an outside consultant to review your operations, technology and organization. I once helped a mail order business increase cash flow 10%, with a procedural change that literally cost under $1200 and took less than two weeks to implement. It’s time to pick the low-hanging fruit, plus what may be available on the higher branches!
Report in with brief, but frequent written updates on your initiatives – biweekly or monthly.
Include data, even if it is only a measure of the percentage of a project completed. Invite input and suggest additional ideas as they arise. Even if you see or email your boss daily, these bulletins will provide positive news he or she can easily share with others, and increase the sense of collaboration between you. You will likely get more attention and direction than you have in years. This has worked tremendously well for my clients across industries, up and down organizational levels.

There is nothing radical here, I know. More than anything else, it’s about changing your focus, backing up your hard work with easily understandable numbers and taking ownership for sharing ongoing “positive press” for your achievements. As an added bonus: you’ll not only benefit yourself, but your team and clients too.

If you have questions about how this approach applies to your specific role, please contact me, Stefanie Smith Executive Consultant and Coach.

Kick Off 2011 with Your MVP's

2011-01-18T20:59:14Z

New Year’s resolutions ... they can feel terrific when you make them. And then, suddenly there you are – it’s a few weeks into January and now what? The gym is crowded and cleaning out that closet over the weekend is no more enticing than it was in December. Especially with the NFL playoffs so intense and surprising this year!

Here’s a suggestion to kick off 2011 that is more appealing and will also advance your career.

Think of five to ten people you’d like to take to lunch or dinner this year. That’s it. Not more complicated than that. Except of course, you have to follow through and actually extend the invitations.

The key is to make an actual list of contacts who can mentor you (or you can mentor), or who you consider to be winners, admire or enjoy spending time with for whatever reason. Calling, Skyping, emailing, texting, Facebooking…nothing can replace the old-fashioned breaking of bread together. Not for me at least!

So…

Is there a former colleague you’ve lost touch with inadvertently, who is now in an interesting new field? What about a college or business school classmate who sent you an email awhile back? How about that guy in another department who you are on conference calls with all the time, but have never spoken with face-to-face?

This is the perfect time to reconnect. You don’t have to plan everything for this month. It’s a great idea to spread out the meetings over the year. People are busy. They may have to cancel once or twice. Or, they may be based out of town, so you want to plant the seed about scheduling time for you on a future business trip.

As an executive consultant and coach, it is often ironic and a challenge to walk one’s own talk. In fact, I thought of this blog entry while reading my own quote in an MSNBC.com article Looking for a job in 2011? Here’s how to stand out.

It’s always striking to read one’s own words weeks after an interview in a different context. I realized focusing in on the people you really want to spend quality time with isn’t just about job search, it’s about career and life enhancement.

So, yes, I started my own list and am proud to say, I have the first lunch on the calendar, with a dynamite executive I haven’t seen in well over a year. Now … time to schedule the next one. If you have any questions or thoughts, please contact me and share them.

The Secret to Leadership. Hint: It's another "L" word.

2010-06-23T03:19:23Z

As an executive coach, I am often asked, in several different ways "What is the secret to strong leadership?" But in 2010, this question really rose to the top of my mind for two reasons. First, I was asked to write a series on leadership for the American Management Association. Second, I was privileged to be the speaker at the New Jersey Society of CPA's Annual Convention for a special leadership session of over 111 (as CPA's, they are exact) CFO's, audit firm partners and attorneys.

So to say the least, the pressure was on. Three articles and 15 Power Point slides later, I derived a set of ten core leadership principles to energize your team, clients and colleagues. But, here is the message I'd most like to share today, introduced with a simple, yet striking quote:

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
John F. Kennedy

Some of us were born to lead. All of us were born to learn. You can learn to become the leader you aspire to be.

Great boxers might be counterpunchers who can quickly and powerfully respond to their opponents or “throw the first punch” type advancers. But pound for pound, the greatest world champions master both styles and switch between them. In the June 1980 “Brawl in Montreal,” Sugar Ray Leonard lost to Roberto Duran because Duran attacked fast and furiously. However, in the November rematch in New Orleans, after five months of intensive training, Leonard counterpunched to the point where Duran famously gave up, saying “No más, no más.” Later, in the 1986 “Superfight” in Las Vegas, Sugar Ray Leonard beat Marvelous Marvin Hagler by decision thanks to his acquired counterpunching prowess.

As a leader, you too can learn to “roll with the punches”:

Adapt your leadership style according to individual personalities and evolving circumstances.
Leadership is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. What one employee considers interfering, another regards as welcomed attention from the boss. Leaders come in many shapes and forms - so do followers. Look at both yourself and your team members with a practical, non-idealized perspective. Save your rose-colored glasses for your personal relationships.

You may micromanage some, MBWA (Management By Walking Around) some, and MBO (Management By Objectives) others, as long as your motivations for flexibility are clear to all. Adroit leaders adjust flexibly to new events such as regulations, layoffs, industry mergers, clinical trial results, or unexpected market research findings.
Reflect on your own leadership style and practices.
What do you do best? Is it time to change an old habit? What is the longest you can go without checking in with your direct reports? Between scheduled meetings, calls or status updates, who calls or e-mails first? Challenge yourself to set leadership objectives for the upcoming three months. Schedule a meeting with yourself or a coach to take an honest look back and determine how you can best move ahead.
Solicit suggestions about increasing your own impact.
Meet with your team and simply ask, “How could I free up 20% of my time?” The answers may be valuable, or not. But chances are, you will gain some innovative ideas for redirecting your energy towards exceeding objectives rather than worrying about them.

Becoming a great leader is an evolving process. In the words of a football coaching legend:

“Leaders are not born. They are made. They are made just like anything else…through hard work. That's the price we have to pay to achieve that goal or any goal.”
Vince Lombardi

There will certainly be challenges along the way, but the rewards - for both you and your team - can be profound. If you'd like to read more, please contact me or read Amp-Up Your Leadership: Power Up Your Team.

Success From the Start

2010-04-20T20:06:06Z

Spring is here, and it’s been a great season for new beginnings. Last month my client Jason Hartley began an exciting new leadership role at SecureInfo. Jason is a nationally-recognized expert in computer security and compliance, and SecureInfo is a major provider of security solutions to Federal agencies such as the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Air force, the U.S. Army and NASA. He’s already working with a high-profile software vendor certifying. a commercially-developed cloud computing platform for government use. He is traveling around the country to lend his expertise to high-security operations, and recently got a private tour from rocket engine engineers at a military space center. You get the picture – it was a terrific fit, he advanced his career several levels and thriving. I’m more than a bit proud of his achievements, as you can tell.

In this article, Healing the Scars of a Long Bout of Unemployment, Joann Lublin, management editor of the Wall Street Journal interviewed Jason and I about his strong and positive approach to interviewing and job transition. Since then, several people have asked me about some of the items we worked on to ensure Jason would hit the ground running. Since this is a blog and not a novel, here are a condensed version of some tips:

**1. Finalize a written job description including your strategic purpose, performance criteria and reporting structure.**

Putting it in “black and white” is better for everyone. Involve your first and second-level managers in editing and approving this document so you start off unequivocally on the same page. You’ll appreciate this clarity when preparing for your first performance review or renegotiating your compensation package.

2. Document your top three priorities for the first three months, with direct input from your boss.

Your plan doesn’t have to be fancy or complex – bullet points work just fine. Winston Churchill said, “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” Achieving tangible goals is the best basis for allocating your time for the first months. Your strategic thinking may be appreciated, but your talent for delivering results will quickly establish your real value.

3. Ask and listen.

Learn about your new colleagues and team while you still have a clean slate. Their candid anecdotes will reveal more in an hour than you might otherwise learn in a year. The “new guy” advantage doesn’t last long. Within weeks, you’ll blend into the culture as a subordinate, manager or potential threat.

Take notes during your initial days and weeks – yes, actual notes with pen and paper. Let people witness the effort. Thank everyone for explaining the background on the organization, corporate procedures or client relationships. Request copies of memos or presentations to get up to speed on key activities and challenges the department faced before you arrived. Awareness of recent history increases your understanding of present activities and enables you to prioritize your initiatives.

If you are a leader, meet with each direct report, including administrative staff, to learn the lay of the land. Position these introductory sessions as their time to describe their roles, share perspectives and suggest ideas privately. Observe their attitudes and behaviors. If they use their time to complain, respond with, “I’m interested in your recommendations, please share them.” Early on, you can’t know if they are just whining, offering brilliant insights or a combination.

Absorb and synthesize the collective input before setting your own agenda. Then lead a team meeting to reflect what you heard and share your observations. Summarize and document preliminary targets, priorities and recommendations. Next, ask for the team’s validation and buy-in. Establishing mutual respect as the basis for action conveys receptivity and trust. If necessary, you can always say “This is how it’s gonna be” down the road.

4. Reserve judgment.

As a newcomer, you don’t even know where to find the coffee maker or who is sleeping with whom (figuratively and literally). First impressions may change - or they may not. Keep your mind open. There will be time to draw conclusions soon enough.

This concludes this blog series on starting a new job. If you would to receive a full length version of my “Success From the Start” recommendations, including questions for you to reflect upon to boost your confidence and focus:

Out with the old....Not when it comes to bosses!

2010-02-24T15:52:40Z

Congratulations on starting a new job! Whether you got “restructured out” for no explicable reason, finally got the chance you’ve been wanting to move to academia or transferred to a more visible role, there is a major change in one of your most intimate professional relationships. You are moving on from your boss of many years, who is suddenly not part of your everyday life and no longer impacts your next performance review or promotion.

You may be in the mood to say “adios” to your boss. But “hasta luego” will actually work more to your advantage. For those of you who haven’t picked up those Spanish phrases along the way, it’s the difference between “goodbye” and “see ya later.”

In this case, when it comes to “see ya later”, sooner is better than later. Don’t let the relationship grow cold. Instead, elevate it to new level. Plan in your calendar to give your former boss a call, thank him sincerely for something or other (doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it’s sincere) and set up lunch within the first several months of your new job.

I know, I know. Every time I say this, I can see or sense my clients’ feathers ruffle in response.

Even if you are disappointed that he didn’t do more for you after you made him look terrific for years or conversely think he did something he shouldn’t have, or that you wished he hadn’t…it doesn’t matter anymore. This is about your future, not your past. My recommendation holds for three reasons:

She can be a sounding board and source of advice. She knows you. Now, she is in a position to provide completely open feedback. She has less at stake - she’s not counting on you to make the sales numbers or turn in the analyst’s report on time.

In fact, she has more to gain from investing in you as a business contact than in never seeing you again. Your future success reflects well on her. If you shine, she can always say “that guy used to work for me” with “I taught him everything he knows” implied or added overtly. You may be thinking you don’t want or need her guidance anymore, but you just never know when it might be helpful or handy to give her a call.

He can be a job reference. Sure, you have your brand new job now, but you have a future ahead. if you are job hunting, you aren’t likely to give your current boss as a reference. I won’t belabor the point.

She may be a great networking contact. Remember, at this point, no one understands your subject-matter expertise as well as she does. She may have internal contacts within the organization you never met, plus she’ll meet the newcomers. As her role evolves and she continues to connect with people, her network can benefit you as well. On an industry level, she might suggest you as an event speaker, introduce you to potential suppliers, or exert some influence on your behalf when you are trying to forge an alliance or land a contract.

This isn’t a testosterone match with the guy who used to hold power over you. It’s a strategy in your lasting best interest.

If Ya Got It, Flaunt It!

2010-01-21T15:26:42Z

For those of you who started the year with a new job, here begins a short series on starting fresh.

So, you got the new job! Or, maybe you made a lateral move to a position tailored just for you...the one you've been waiting for with more opportunities, greater exposure and a chance to travel to Rio for Carnival on the corporate account. Fantastic!

One question. Have you updated your online presence to share the news?

I'm asking based on consistent experience having to hound clients and colleagues about this. It's ironic given all the work you've had to do to get the new role. But, it's also understandable because it simply isn't high on your radar screen.

In your first few weeks, you may have a series of meetings with your new boss and team members, schedule meet-and-great lunches, or attend a trade show or networking event to introduce yourself to potential industry suppliers or partners. If any of these contacts want to learn more about you before or after your personal encounter, they will likely do a Google search on your name right off the bat.

Your professional bio, resume, CV, Facebook page and LinkedIn profile may be the first or second impression scores of people will have of you in a very short time period. Do you really want them to see outdated information from your prior company or “Freelance Editorial Consultant” left over from your job search period?

While you should probably hold off on distributing or posting the new version until your start date, it’s to your advantage to prepare before then. Once you start, you’ll be swamped with new information, ramping up on multiple projects and attempting to exude gracious interest while learning the political, technical and organizational ropes.

Think about your connections in your LinkedIn or other social networking groups. Wouldn’t it feel great to let them all know about your career move straightaway? Sharing good news draws people to you, gives them a chance to congratulate you and encourages them to reach out to learn more. Sound good? The only way it will realistically happen is if you get ready in advance or dedicate weekend time during your first two weeks. If it's already been longer than that, no worries. Just do it now.

Yes, you already have a lot on your mind. But I promise – refreshing your online image will be worth the pride, responses and respect you’ll receive in return.

Friends Don't Let Friends Forget Their Strengths !

2009-05-02T22:25:16Z

So thanks to my friend Liz Lynch, I finally joined Facebook. It’s been a bit daunting to suddenly see all those names and faces from high school popping up. But at the same time, what a gift to reconnect with people who I believed in years ago and are now thriving.

In the spirit of thinking about “thriving friends”, I’d like to share with you what I’ve been highlighting with my clients and colleagues in 2009: When you want to present yourself as successful and centered, clarity and confidence beat trying to improvise – every time!

Now is the time to hone in on your strong points and practice communicating your special talents. Successful professionals are crystal clear on their strengths.

Don’t worry if you don’t yet feel clear about yours. You will soon. Maybe as soon as an hour from right this moment.

Here’s how you can get started in two straightforward steps:

1. Make a list of your strong points. I’m referring to professional skills in this context, not general traits like “high integrity” or “dedication to excellence”. Think more along the lines of “product design”, “editing and content management” or “client relationships”.

Try to keep it to four, which we’ll call your “diamond of strength”. I’ve found most people have four core strengths and other talents that fold into those main groups. If you are brainstorming and find yourself listing many strengths, that’s great. Don’t stop, keep listing everything. Later on, group them into four categories.

If you can’t think off the top of your head what sets you apart, you might:

Think back to praise you have received and achievements that made you feel proud. Look for patterns.
Look at 20 job ads to “collect” phrases that describe your abilities. Focus on the skills and attributes employers seek rather than the actual jobs being advertised.
Solicit feedback from colleagues and friends on your personal and professional strengths to complement your own perspective. This is a great reason to reach out to people you know and ask them to say good things about you. It may make your day, or your month!

2. Illustrate each strong point with entertaining and enlightening stories summarized in 3-4 sentences.

Entertaining means “capture their interest”. People like intriguing or humorous stories they can repeat. Enlightening means they will walk away with a fresh bit of knowledge or insight. If your story is full of generic jargon they probably won’t tune in. If your story teaches them something new, they will listen, pay attention, and remember it.

For example, you could try to prove your expertise by stating, “I structured credit card partnership deals for banking institutions.”

Or, you could explain. “My client was a European bank interested in expanding in the French and Austrian markets. Competitors had launched credit card partnerships with retailers and manufacturers, and they wanted something unique tied to discretionary spending. After testing several concepts, we developed an affinity program for ski and snowboarding enthusiasts, through which they accumulated points towards ski equipment, clothing, and resort stays. It was so successful we expanded it to Switzerland and Germany the following year.”

Which version would you respond to more positively? While drafting your own examples, keep in mind that highlighting details and results makes for a better story and earns you more respect.

What’s in it for you? Glad you asked. You will:

Communicate your strengths and goals compellingly, because you are prepared. Others want to know what you contribute and where you are headed. Sharing success stories in a way that capture listeners is the best way to make your case. Actors rehearse their lines so at performances, they can focus more on tone, body language, expression and audience reaction. Likewise, as you practice your own “script”, you too will sound more natural and convincing. You will make a better impression on your audience.
Save enormous time by expressing yourself consistently. After writing out your strong points, you can repurpose them as needed, with tweaks depending on the audience and situation. Whether preparing for a business lunch, drafting a cover letter, or introducing yourself at a party, you’ll have 80% of your material polished and ready to go.
Appear centered and focused. At meetings with a client, performance reviews with your boss, or job interviews with a prospective employer, your most important mental preparation is matching what you do best with what is highly valued by the other person or organization.
Convey more confidence every day for the rest of your life. It doesn’t matter how many people tell you about your strong points, if you don’t tell yourself.

Not a bad set of benefits, for zero monetary investment!

If you’d like to discuss this approach or ask any questions, please contact me Stefanie Smith, Executive Coach and Consultant.

Smart Networking

2009-01-21T20:51:00Z

Because of my coaching and writing about how to make the best impression at interviews or meetings, people often ask about networking techniques.

As the saying goes, “A wise man knows what he doesn’t know.” My corollary is “A wise woman knows when to defer to others.” For years, I have referred networking matters to Liz Lynch, as she offers the most practical, elegant and lucrative advice out there.

A friend recently asked me to recommend a book on networking, and it occurred to me that in this economy, many of us are starting to revisit our networking skills. For this reason, I would like to mention Liz’s new book, Smart Networking. Her style is closely aligned with mine, as you can see in her recent blog entry “Why An Enthusiastic Friend Can Be One of Your Most Powerful Networking Assets” about our lunch-networking adventure last week.

As an executive coach and consultant, networking is essential for me on three levels. First, all of my clients derive from referrals. End of story. When you work for business, government, and nonprofit leaders executives, everything is based on reputation. Second, networking enables me to connect clients with new opportunities, thus increasing my value to them. Third, as my clients become smarter networkers, it benefits me as they introduce me to other compelling professionals.

Liz Lynch’s new book, Smart Networking is valuable on all three levels. First, within days of reading it, I already implemented some of the new practices she explains. It’s not only the ideas, it’s the perspective. Yes, I had a Linked In profile, but it turns out, I was only gaining part of the potential value. Second, the book presents many ways to introduce people with less work and greater impact. Third, Smart Networking is the perfect resource to encourage others to advance their networking skills.

As Liz explains with warmth and humor, what goes around comes around. This is the book I’ll recommend for years to come. I’ve already purchased five copies for clients and friends, and am sure to double that soon.

So, if you have been trying to make networking work for your unique personality, goals, and timeframe – this is a great resource to help you both become more adept and enjoy the process.

Here are my four cents on how to use the book to your greatest advantage.

Form a “smart” team with a friend or colleague to implement ideas together – it’s more fun that way. As I mentioned, I’ve purchased and shared numerous copies of the book, and look forward to discussing it with others.
Take notes right in the book. There are so many great ideas in the book, that you’re going to start generating thoughts right away. For example, in my copy, I made a note on page 128 about networking with other bloggers. That had never occurred to me. And I’m acting on it right here.
Check out Liz’s blog, at www.smartnetworking.com. We can all use some reinforcing boosters - and it’s free.
If the shoe fits, share it! Absorb some of the lingo and share with your friends and colleagues. For example, on page 17, she acknowledges “Feeling awkward is normal. Before a skill can become second nature to the point that experts call ‘unconscious competence,” you’ll often have to stumble through a period of “conscious incompetence.” Perfectly true, perfectly stated.

How many times have I felt that, or tried to express that to a client? Now, I can simply refer to this phrase, and put our energy into turning temporary challenges into a solution. For example, I’ve been avoiding Facebook, but after reading what Liz says about it, have reached out to a colleague to guide me through my “conscious incompetence” phase. More on that next time ... I’d rather share victories than plans!

Asking for a Raise Now. Confidence or Chutzpah?

2008-12-15T20:09:00Z

Along with concerns about the state of the U.S. and world economies comes another worry for each of us.

What about the state of my personal economy?

I won’t even think about commenting on the stock market. Please don’t ask about my portfolio. Fortunately, this blog is specific to career advancement.

Over the past weeks, clients asking:

“What if I have performed my job well and have met my goals, should I ask for a raise when the year-end performance review comes around?

Or put another way, would asking for a raise right now demonstrate confidence or chutzpah? Or both?

In today's New York Post, Brian Moore explored this valid and complex question in two articles: Bounty Hunt and Bah Humbug.

Based on my conversations with Brian and my clients, I have added a new section to my FREE white paper on “Six Steps to Fortify Your Career in Uncertain Times”. You can order and receive instantly below:

If you plan to ask for a raise, make sure you tie your contributions to the company’s bottom line, or the organization’s mission. Right now, your boss is as worried about his or her job as you are about yours. So present your request with back up that makes both of you look stellar. Did you close deals that brought in 45% of your departmental profit? Did you forge a distribution alliance to expand market share?
If you can't demonstrate how your performance improves cash flow or will strengthen your company's position in the immediate term, forget it. Hold off on the request, and channel your thoughts and energy into figuring out what you can do to contribute winning results in the immediate term – the upcoming two to three months. Can you identify an opportunity for international sales, examine means to reduce energy costs, or leverage internal training to increase team productivity?
An alternative to asking for a raise is to ask for another career or life enhancing benefit. These can range from an extra week of vacation to attending an industry conference to raise your exposure. Or, ask your boss to participate in a project or initiative which will elevate your profile and give you valuable experience or a new credential.

Please sign up for this blog to receive further career advancement ideas. If you have any comments or questions about the white paper or how to approach your boss during this challenging times, contact me, Stefanie Smith, Executive Consultant and Coach.

Layoffs 911

2008-09-18T02:20:00Z

Are we in a state of economic emergency? If so, how do you react to protect your career today and your opportunities to advance tomorrow?

Is there a professional equivalent of dialing 911?

Clients, colleagues and journalists have reached out to me over the past weeks asking my opinion on handling uncertain times and unsettling events, such as cutbacks, staff and management attrition, and management change. Most recently, CNBC.com's Joseph Pisani interviewed me for his article, Eight Ways to Prepare for a Layoff, on how to react to the recent events at HP, Lehman and AIG.

There is no way to sugar coat this – these situations are challenging. But you still have choices.
You can respond by passively sitting back, waiting, worrying, and watching. Or, you can act constructively on your own behalf starting now.

To guide your emergency response system, I’m offering a free 5-page report: 6 Certain Steps to Fortify Your Career in Uncertain Times.

The report is concise, but each recommendation yields you tangible benefits in the immediate term – days or weeks, not months.

You can take decisive positive steps to:

• Boost your pride and confidence

• Increase your value to your boss and organization

• Position yourself for promotion … or gaining a better job somewhere else

• Jumpstart your professional growth

• Turn the tide in your favor, despite the negative news around you

• Give yourself the breaks you need to succeed

• Appreciate and acknowledge your best traits

• Act with a sense of preparation, not panic

If you would like to receive a copy, please fill out the form below.

To receive more career advancement and leadership resources in the future, please subscribe to this blog at the sidebar to the right. If you have any questions or comments about this topic, please contact me, Stefanie Smith, Executive Consultant and Coach.