Strong Female Leaders

Daily Positive Quotes for a Good Day | Because. Strong is beautiful. | By Strong Female Leaders

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By Nan Nan Liu-Maffetone | Strong Female Leaders | Target Audience: working women, professional women, professionals, professionals on new jobs

And if you can stand up for yourself, you are the superior. You don't need a fancy title for that.

EVER FIND YOURSELF IN THE AWKWARD POSITION OF GIVING NEGATIVE FEEDBACK TO SOMEONE WHO IS AT AN ORGANIZATIONALLY HIGHER LEVEL?

You are not the only one. Experienced and well-intentioned leaders can still overstep, interrupt and condescend team members. Instead of shoving the issue under the rug, you should have the personal power to confront the person. However, giving negative feedback is never easy, especially to someone with a more senior-sounding title. That is why you might want to consider the following tips before taking action:

1) Reflect on the situation from all angles.

First ask yourself: is it worth the risk? And give it a hard assessment. If the person did it just once, perhaps he sincerely had strong feelings about the issue. His behavior, then, surged from passion and not ego. In this case, put your own ego in check and let it go.

If the person consistantly treats you poorly, then take action, but start researching and not confronting. Yes, you feel like bursting into his office for a fierce conversation. But it is too soon. Get to know the person better: observe his reactions to other team members, find out what's important to him and what makes him tick, and keep calm for as long as possible. If it helps, set incremental and measurable goals such as "discover three personal facts about the person by the end of the week," or "find five of his professional accomplishments this weekend." This exercise provides better understanding of the person and a distraction from the emotional atrophy that you are suffering from.

2) Prepare your content.

After gaining a better understanding of the person, prepare the content of the conversation. Start with gratitude, and explain that your intention is to help improve yourself, your relationships and the team. At this point, a little humility goes a long way, so admit that you still have a lot to learn, and position yourself, slightly, below the person, and not as a subordinate but as a student. Then, cut to the chase with specific examples and solid details. Here's an example:

During the meeting yesterday, while I presented the marketing plan to the team, you interrupted me three times when I addressed important changes going forward. While you brought up a good point about not changing the process too much, you did leave me feeling undermined.

The preciseness in the message above adds confidence and weight by leaving little to interpretation. It also focuses on the issue at hand and keeps the conversation from getting personal. As women, we want to raise our words, not our voices. Precision helps with that.

3) Practice makes perfect.

When you feel nervous, conversations rarely end well. To reduce the nervous feeling, practicing helps. Deliver your message to people you trust first, like your family, mentors and friends. Encourage them to react in various ways, so you can prepare how you respond in varioius ways. Remember to allow time for the person to respond. Also, provoke them to give feedback, and focus on areas of authenticity, understanding, and overall feel.

4) Go through with the conversation.

Even if you've practiced to perfection, you may still feel nervous about the conversation. Don't let it stop you. Schedule the meeting and get through it like the mature professional that you are. Use the tools mentioned above, and don't forget to allow the person to respond.

While you hoped for the best outcome, things may end poorly too. Your "superior" may become defensive, dismissive, or even angry. Instead of mirroring negativity, oppose it with a better response. You can express compassion, soften your tone, say empathetic words, or just apologize that the situation occurred in the first place.

You can also leverage silence to ease the tension. Sometimes, all people need is just time to take it in. And if things get really bad, just walk away politely. No matter what, be grateful. Thank her for her time, and be the bigger person.

5) Pat ourself on the back.

If you are new to the team, you are the most vulnerable member. Giving feedback to any team member, and especially the one with the most senior-sounding title, requires incredible courage. You can either cowardly let it go, or address it like an adult. You always have a choice.

Parting Thoughts

In today's workplace, and especially in the knowledge workplace, the actual professional holds the power. Because: knowledge is power. Knowing this should give you more confidence to stand up for yourself.

And if you can stand up for yourself, you are the superior. You don't need a fancy title for that.

[ End of Article ]

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Daily Positive Quotes for a Good Day | Because. Strong is beautiful. | By Strong Female Leaders

CLICK IMAGE BELOW FOR MORE

♥ AMAZON FIRE HD 8' TABLET ♥

♥ New Apple iPad (10.2-Inch, Wi-Fi, 32GB) ♥

By Freelance Contributors | Strong Female Leaders

MISS SEEING YOUR TEAM AND STAFF IN PERSON?

Keep them engaged and appreciated during the holidays. When you appreciate the people you work with, even when you are apart, you develop comradories, lift spirits and motivate great work. Most importantly, you make them feel special.

NEED IDEAS FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS YOUR OFFICE STAFF?

Here are 25 best gifts for office staff to consider in 2020, categorized by personalities.

For the Office Manager type who keeps everything together, even remotely:

This person keeps the entire team's calendar neatly sorted, contacts updated, and zoom info ready at hand. She's organized, clear headed, and never has an off-day. She is so irreplaceable that you can't even fathom a day without her. Appreciate her with things that match her cool and collected personality.

The All-in-One Michael Kors Tote

$171.00 | She already organizes the (remote) office to a tee. With this fabulous tote, she can organize her personal things anywhere she goes.

Lavish Bamboo Bathroom Organizer

$33 | Now her personal space at home can be organized too.

Kate Spade New York 2021 Annual Planner Weekly & Monthly

$32.95 | Something stylish and colorful to keep all her plans in place.

The Coach Mini Keychain

$44.50 | Even put-together women lose their keys at times. With this stylish mini keychain, she will more likely find her keys easier.

3-Tier Stacking Leather Letter Trays Office Desk Supply Organizer

$39.99 | This functional leather tray tidies her desk in a classy way.

For the go-getter:

She's motivated, productivity-oriented and take-charge. From the moment you met her, you saw her leading the team and going far in her career. She dreams big, takes massive action, and isn't slowing down.

This fierce go-getter needs something to keep her fire going strong.

Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness 25th Anniversary Edition

$21.04 | Inspired everyday with a classic leadership read.

Luxury Bath and Body Gift Basket

$39.99 | She works harder than you do. (Logs) in early and out late, everyday. Encourage her to relax a little during the holidays with this luxurious bath set.

Inspirational Wall Art

$25.55 | Inspire her with a wall art that keeps her big dreams alive.

LogiTech Headset

$39.99 | A powerful headset helps this high performer perform even better.

Agirlgle Jigsaw Puzzles 1000 Pieces

$26 | Perhaps a sharp mind like hers would enjoy a challenge?

For the social butterfly:

She is warm, open and always positive. While everyone fixates on the problem, she sees the brighter solution. She's always there when you need someone to talk to, happy to host virtual happy hours, and lifts everyone's spirit when they are down. She's the glue that holds everyone together, and you know that the office will not be the same without her.

Wine Gift Baskets for Women

$29.99 | The stay at home life isn't exactly her cup of tea. So entertain her at home with something she enjoys.

Gel UV LED Nail Lamp Jewhiteny Nail Dryer

$25.99 | A nail party inside this year? She's game.

Unisex Ugly Christmas Crewneck Sweatshirt

$22.98 | There's always room in the closet for an ugly sweater. Next year, she can actually wear it to a real party.

Singing Machine SML625BTBK Bluetooth CD+G Karaoke System

$49.97 | Somehow you know she'll put this kareoke machine to good use.

Vintage Wall Bottle Opener

$13.99 | This will be a handy addition to her kitchen.

For the caring type:

She is a veteran in both the office and the business, and is always there to coach and mentor the up-and-comers. Before COVID, she always brought homemade desserts during the holidays, and never failed to handwrite everyone a card. She adds comfort, security and warmth to the team, and everyone appreciates and respects her.