Many companies go through changes which may mean laid off co-workers or staff with changed assignments which can leave long-term team members anxious. The best thing to do is to wish them well. Let them know how much you have enjoyed working together and if you are close to the person, give contact permission. Always maintain a positive dialog. Someday, it could be you who is affected by company changes.

The number one lesson I learned from my mother is to always do more than you are asked and offer to handle things you prefer not doing. My mom came to this country only speaking Cantonese and she was shy. When my mom needed to work for financial reasons after raising five girls, she did. Mom ended up being the number one producer in her factory line. To this day, when situations are moving faster than expected, I remember my mom always rising to the occasion to do what was necessary to make a assignment work. Thanks to my mom, I discovered that nothing is impossible!

When you avoid the elephant in the room, it consumes the air, leaving no room to breathe. Always begin the conversation when everyone feels safe. Obtain the permission of the others to listen to what you have to say. Give them the option to ask questions after you have finished speaking. Never be hostile or confrontational. Listen when they are finished. Thank them for sharing, then ask questions to ensure clarity.

Always begin with the end result or what it is that you want the audience of one or hundreds to walk away with. Is it an action item? Do you want to change an opinion or just ask them to consider your topic? Support your speech with relevant facts that resonate and always know what the audience wants from you. Think of the end result as a headline for the opening statement. Then, like an article, discuss the details that validate your theme. Once you begin to speak using this outline, your listeners will buy into your point.

Many companies go through changes which may mean laid off co-workers or staff with changed assignments which can leave long-term team members anxious. The best thing to do is to wish them well. Let them know how much you have enjoyed working together and if you are close to the person, give contact permission. Always maintain a positive dialog. Someday, it could be you who is affected by company changes.

The essential element of being a good boss is leadership including mentoring, keeping your word, showing empathy, using good listening skills and continuing to show appreciation for good outcomes. Good bosses stand for the success of their employees and work diligently to ensure opportunities emerge for them to shine including exposure to senior leaders. Good managers also put employees into situations to help develop interpersonal and communication skills.

It would be ideal to never be saddled with a bad boss. The type of manager who never appreciates what you do, who overloads you with unreasonable expectations and timelines and who sends you numerous emails late at night. This kind of leader can be brilliant, maybe even another version of a Steve Jobs, which is where value can shine through the craziness. You could be exposed to situations that provide insights into moments of high achievement.

As an example, when I was in sales, the owner was very demanding. However, as painful as it sometimes was, the skills I developed dealing with him helped turn me into a top sales person and trainer in less than two years, in a position I went on to hold for ten years. Even today, after twenty-five years, I still use many of those sales tools to procure and retain business.

Questions I always ask are what is your expertise? What defines your brand? What experiences created the confidence that makes senior leaders say you are an expert in a field? Begin a list of how you have led a team to success including how the outcome delivered a positive, long-term result for your company. Start with words from those you have mentored or helped in a specific situation. Keep a journal of them. This will help you define and flesh out your brand.

Assisting nonprofits such as United Way, Red Cross, Shelter for Abused Women, etc., not only helps them out but it can develop your leadership skills. There will also be opportunities to strengthen communication skills and be creative in these roles. I know it has helped me tremendously in leadership positions on various boards as a director or the chair.

Rambling confuses the listener and damages speaker credibility. Whether you’re addressing an audience of one or one thousand, determine what you want them to leave with. How clear is your message? Is it relevant to the situation? I have always been fascinated with political debates. I like observing if a candidate responds with clarity and conveys a strong message to any question that is asked.