Revisit Last Year’s Three Questions

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It’s that time of year again when I ask you to answer three questions to give you insight about your leadership this year and to inform your goals for next year.

  1. What did I learn about my leadership in 2013?

  2. What did I learn from other leaders?

  3. What do I want to take forward into 2014, or leave behind?

For me, this year tested my capacity and resilience in ways I didn’t expect. I dealt with a big personal loss with my father unexpectedly passing away. But this loss showed me the strength of my support network – how my friends and family can really step up – and my ability to forge ahead. I celebrated my company’s five-year anniversary, leading me to rebrand and rename it to better represent the solutions we bring to our clients and set the stage for the next five years. And I learned from and was inspired by each and every one of the talented leaders I work with at AT&T, PepsiCo, Sysco, TXU Energy, and Marathon Oil, among others. But most of all, I am reminded of the importance of truly being in the moment, as I play baseball with my son or listen wholeheartedly to the person sitting across from me. That is a gift that we can give every day to each and every person we interact with, and something I will definitely take forward into 2014.

Take a few minutes to capture your thoughts about the insight you gained about yourself, who inspired you, and the experiences you never want to have again. Then identify one small step you will take in 2014 to put this knowledge into play and keep it top of mind.

As you bring in the new year, don’t miss the opportunity to reflect about YOUR leadership and what YOU want to do in 2014.

How Will You Show Up with Family and Friends

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Most of us regularly consider how we interact with others in a professional setting, but our personal relationships often don’t get the same level of attention. As you enter this holiday season, think about how you can help people in your personal life see more of who you really are and what you bring to the relationship. Challenge yourself to be more intentional about how you Show Up with family and friends. Even though you may be secretly planning your escape, keep a positive mindset. Ask yourself these three questions:

  • How do I want others to view me?

  • What matters most to me about this relationship?

  • How can I convey these things through my behaviors, language, and actions?

By simply having more clarity and intention about how you want to Show Up, annoying behaviors may not trigger you as much as they typically do. That alone can be worth its weight in gold. As I always say, small steps can lead to big results. What one small step will you take to make sure you bring the best of yourself to people you care about during this holiday season?

Re-energize for the New Year

As the year winds down, are you racing to complete your “to-do” list or struggling to find the energy to get through those last few days before a well-deserved break? Maintaining your energy and understanding the activities or situations that affect it are key to your success.  First, simply notice what energizes or drains you. Are you tolerating something or someone? Are you putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own? Are you getting enough rest?

Second, remember that your energy level naturally peaks and dips in 90-minute cycles, so plan to give yourself a quick boost in those intervals. The quality of the energizing activity matters more than the quantity of time you spend on it.  It could be as simple as taking a short walk outside, talking to someone you like, or listening to a good song. Whatever you decide, choose something that works for you.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of energy management – intentionally balancing draining activities with energizing ones. This approach can have a huge impact and is overlooked by most, so I created an entire module on this in my WOW! Women On the Way to Peak Performance ProgramSM .  Check it out if you could use some strategies to boost your energy and productivity. It may be just what you need to start 2014 with a bang.

Don’t Let Burnout Steal Your Holiday Joy

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While this is a wonderful time of year, it’s also hectic. At work, you’re scrambling to wrap up projects before everyone disappears for the holidays. Meanwhile, you’re planning family get-togethers, shopping and tackling all the other tasks that go with the season. Even if you’re usually on top of things, a busy time like the holidays or a workplace change (such as a restructuring or a new boss) might leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed or disengaged — all signs of burnout. Know that you’re not alone. In particular, burnout can surface as an issue for high-performing leaders, which is why I have a full module dedicated to it in my WOW! (Women On the Way to Peak Performance) ProgramSM.

The first step in bouncing back from burnout, or heading it off altogether, is self-assessment. On a scale of 1 (full fledged burnout) to 10 (ease and control), how would you rate yourself? Your answer will guide what you do next.

If you feel in control: Think about what’s helping you do that. What actions or practices are working for you right now? Take note of them, and keep doing them. By simply noticing what works, you can put it more powerfully into play.

If you feel burnout: Identify what’s causing you the most stress right now. What’s taking up most of your energy? This won’t necessarily be the most time-consuming thing on your plate, but rather the one that’s taking the most focus, attention and mental capacity. Now, think of one small step you could take to deal with this stressor – such as asking for help, saying no to something or investing your time differently. As you brainstorm, don’t forget to think about what has worked for you in the past. Look back to the last time you successfully avoided burnout despite the demands. What helped you keep a sense of control then?

This week, self-assess and identify one small step you will take to minimize or avoid burnout. And check out the WOW! Program SM to see if it might be just what you need to get started. Remember, small steps lead to big results. Take action to ensure a less stressful holiday season.

Download my GIFT to you today: Show Up. Step Up. Step Out

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In honor of Read Tuesday, get a FREE Kindle version of my new book: Show Up. Step Up. Step Out. Leadership Through a New Lens endorsed by Colleen Barrett, president emeritus of Southwest Airlines

 “I think Neena hit a home run with this book, and I hope you will enjoy looking through her ‘new lens.’”

From 20+ years of corporate experience, I noticed that people do not always see the opportunities in front of them, put what they know into play, or consistently focus on what really gets results.  This book will help you do just that.

In five short minutes, I’ll show you a new way to become a better leader. Then I’ll show you another one. And another one. That’s because each chapter of my book takes less than five minutes to read.  And each chapter identifies a proven strategy to help leaders – men and women – take their business results and careers to the next level.  Focus on one chapter each week to start accelerating your performance and results.

This book will help you look through a new lens at three critical areas:

  • Show Up clarifies what you want others to understand about your leadership and where you can have the biggest impact.

  • Step Up focuses on uncovering blind spots, getting past roadblocks, and creating strategies to improve your effectiveness.

  • Step Out recognizes your power to build a strong network of support and to help others step up.

Start using this practical resource to accelerate your results and impact.

Download a copy, pay it forward by sharing this offer with others, and write a review. Remember to download the free reader if don’t have a Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H7HEFUA

Did You Get The Right Work Done This Year?

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Wow, this was a busy year full of change, new projects and challenges. In the midst of the flurry, did you get the right work done? We all know that 80 percent of your results come from 20 percent of your effort.  So, how well did you invest your time and energy this year? Find out by answering these three questions: * Did you focus on the top three things that would have the biggest impact on business results?

* Did you make the highest and best use of your talent and skills?

* Are the right people fully aware of your results and impact?

If you answered yes to the first two questions, congratulations! If key stakeholders and influencers also know about the value you bring, you get serious accolades because it means you didn’t just put your head down and work. You took it one step further to help others recognize – and therefore further leverage – your strengths and experience.

As you reflect on your achievements and plan for 2014, what small step will you take to invest in yourself in 2014?

If you’re ready to get results you couldn’t before, consider the WOW! Women On the Way to Peak Performance Program. It will help you stay focused on the right work, removing the barriers that get in the way, and tastefully toot your own horn so you get recognized for it. And these are just two of the six impactful leadership topics included in the Program! Check it out to see if it’s that extra boost you need.   http://newberrycoaching.com/shop/

Are You Ready to Be “On Your Way”?

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Do you ever feel like you are “this far” from really achieving success in your career? Are you ready to close the gap and take it up a notch in 2014? Then consider investing in your professional development and growth with the WOW! Women On the Way to Peak Performance Program. This self-paced coaching program is designed to fit into your busy schedule and help you lead with more impact to get the results you want. We even have a facilitated version, if you’re looking for content for a leadership development program for women at your company.

The six coaching modules address these leadership challenges:

Misdirected Time & Effort

Limiting Beliefs & Fears

Risk of Burnout

Limited Network of Support

Narrow Sphere of Influence

Tastefully Tooting Your Own Horn

This proven leadership system will help you:

* Focus on what really drives results

* Gain traction on high priority goals

* Boost energy and productivity

* Increase credibility and visibility

* Build a network of powerful advocates

The WOW! Program includes six audio recordings full of rich content and valuable strategies that you can put into play immediately.   The easy-to-use workbook includes over 110 pages of practical exercises and information, and is designed to help you apply the content to your own situation.  We have even included audio transcripts to make it easy for you to reference the information most relevant to you.

As you reflect on your achievements this year – and your goals for 2014 – consider investing in yourself. http://newberrycoaching.com/shop/

How Do You Influence Others?

As leaders, we depend on the ability to influence those around us to garner support, drive organizational changes, and execute on our day-to-day responsibilities. If you’ve been feeling less than influential lately, start by evaluating your approach. The Center for Creative Leadership identifies three tactics for influencing: Head, Heart and Hand.

  • Head – a logical appeal focused on organization and individual benefits and typically full of data and facts

  • Heart – an emotional appeal linked to something the person cares about such as individual goals and values

  • Hand – a cooperative appeal that offers collaboration, consultation, and alliances

First, identify which approach typically influences you.  Then consider which one you typically rely on to influence others.  They are often one in the same. Remember that persuasive leaders can skillfully use all three methods and select the approach most effective for the audience at hand.

By consistently matching your influence style to the individual, you will see people shift from resistance or compliance to true commitment – which can generate results with less effort.

This week, strategically consider what approach will resonate with the next person you want to influence, based on what you know about him or her. This small step can affect whether or not your message is heard or any action is taken on your behalf.