by Solange Lopes | Nov 4, 2014 | Career |
Lead by asking the right questions – Photo: drlahernandez.com
I have two toddlers under the age of 6. Other than delving in diapers and rhyming homework pretty much on a daily basis, I also deal with questions, unending questions. “Why, mommy, why is the moon not round?” Why can’t I have candy?” “Why can’t I watch Mickey Mouse after 8pm?” “Why is there a bedtime” Why, what, how? Even being a CPA by trade, and questions being my thing, I can barely handle the constant questioning of a toddler…
As important as answers may be, the right questions are crucial not only to performing well, but also to leading well. Especially for women, speaking up and challenging the status quo by raising pertinent questions is the key to unlocking our inner leaders…
Asking questions, good questions, is not as easy as it sounds. It’s actually an art, a lost art to be more precise. While as kids we felt comfortable asking about anything and everything, piercing the mysterious veil of the adult world, as we grow up, we tend to lose our natural, innate curiosity. And the more degrees and letters we get after our names, the more we forget true knowledge is realizing we don’t know it all…
1. Don’t be afraid to ask! The worst answer you can get is no, after all! Rather than operating blindly and ineffectively wasting time on unproductive tasks, ask! What is the best way to tackle this project? How can I minimize inefficiencies? Identify the right resources and people around you, and dig for constructive answers.
2. Upgrade the quality of your questions! If you want powerful, edifying answers, you’ve got to ask powerful questions! Steer clear of questions with negative connotations, such as “What if I don’t complete this project successfully?”, or “How do we deal with this issue?”. Leaders look for solutions, not problems. Change your questions to bring about positive answers, upgrade to positive inquiries such as ” How can I successfully support my team?”, or “What are the best options to fund this project?”
3. Now teach others to ask the right questions! Your team or company is as strong as its weakest link. It’s also your responsibility to teach your team members, direct reports and colleagues to turn problems inside out by asking the right questions. Spread an attitude of inquisitiveness and positive skepticism, train others to challenge the status quo and get the powerful answers they need.
Do you lead by asking the right questions? What are some of the questions you ask most often at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 3, 2014 | Career |
Women at work – Photo credit: essence.com
Sooo you’ve just gotten the email announcement, or heard through the office grapevine, water cooler, gossip line or whatever formal or informal communication tunnel exists in your office, that a co-worker got the promotion! Now they may earn more than you, be more respected at work, and heck, be called to boss you around…
How do you react to the announcement of a co-worker’s promotion? Does the green monster set in, and competition begins? Does it automatically trigger feelings you’ve been passed up for that same promotion? Or are you the one to get your co-worker a Congrats card and genuinely be happy for them?
My $0.05: Let’s be real, life is not always fair, and neither is work. And as good-hearted as we may be, it’s hard to avoid comparing our performance to others at work, when performances are evaluated by comparison in the first place! Yet despite the pressures and the temptation to feel less than, I’d rather send a congratulatory email, get my co-worker a card, and get back to striving for better…Just sayin’…
How about you?
[polldaddy poll=8421258]
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 3, 2014 | Career |
Pencil dress – $71.06 – Photo credit: asos.com
Loving this pencil dress with peplum hem from ASOS! The round neckline and midi length are effortlessly classic, while the peplum hem give this elegant dress a contemporary edge! I’d pair it with easy pumps for work, like this pair, and layer it under an elegant blazer like this one! This dress is now on sale for $71.06, not bad at all!
ASOS has a great selection of pencil dresses, including this one in floral print (floral is big this Fall, check out my earlier pick), this tuxedo-style one, asymmetrical wrap one and this plus-size paneled option as well.
Seen a great, work-appropriate fashion find you’d like me to feature? Please email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 3, 2014 | Career
The Power of Affirmations – Photo: http://lesliekenton.com
Many are the methods and techniques advertised out there to guarantee career success, especially for women. From how to speak up at work, to actively conducting a passive job search, not to mention there’s an app for just about everything (including relaxing at work), we’ve got this career thing down to a science. Or do we?
Yet not much is being said about the intrinsic power we all have to affect our careers, and our lives in general. Visualizing and affirming our desired outcomes should be a part of our daily ritual to ensure success in general, and success at work in particular.
When I first heard about visualizing and affirming positive outcomes we desire, my first thought was “oh boy!”. I’ve always been quite the quirky type, and speaking out loud to my inner consciousness would not exactly help with any appearance of sanity whatsoever.
Yet doesn’t the Holy Bible teach us to speak things and outcomes as if they were? Don’t the most successful people, from Oprah to Will Smith, credit their success to the law of attraction through the power of positive affirmations? Have you not conditioned yourself to believing things about yourself through your own negative or positive words? Things like “I am successful”, “I am advancing in my career”, or rather deceptive words like “I don’t deserve success”, or “I’m an impostor!”,”I’m unqualified for this job”…
Speaking up is crucial to success, and not just when it comes to speaking in front of an audience. We must keep reaching down to the roots of our mindset, and optimize our thinking. What we think becomes our reality, so why not think our abilities and talents into fulfilling, blossoming careers?
Whether you write down positive thoughts on post-it notes stuck on your bathroom mirror, or repeat positive affirmations as you’re driving to work or hitting the “Send” button on an email that could make or break your career, speak success into your work! As you’re networking with influential leaders and peers in your industry, speak success into your new ventures!
Success is a magnet attracted by the positive force of powerful affirmations and thought processes. Just do the work and say it is so…
Have you used positive affirmations in your career? How do you mentally engage yourself to achieve success at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Nov 2, 2014 | Career |
Weekly news update – Photo credit: k8.picdn.net
Happy Sunday! Hope everyone enjoyed dressing up and eating loads of candy for Halloween (I know I did!). As I’m getting over my candy hangover, here are the news that made me smile, shake my head and find my happy (or my seriously annoyed) this week:
- Wondering how much your degree will help you earn over a lifetime? Business Insider tells us if a college degree is really worth it, while revealing to us American bosses give more positive feedback than any other country;
- Suffering from office burnout? The Wall Street Journal reveals some companies offer mini sabbaticals for employees;
- The Daily Muse asks who you’ve had lunch with lately, as networking could very well be the new way to measure success, while teaching us how to reclaim more than 1,300 minutes each week;
- In not so great news, did you know 38% of women CEOs get the boot as opposed to 27% for men? Inc. tells us after shattering the glass ceiling, women are now falling off the glass cliff, while listing the 10 fastest growing women-led companies;
- The Huffington Post lists 19 countries where the gender gap is smaller than the US, while the Guardian answers the question as to why there are too many women bosses;
- Is your little girl obsessed with dolls? The New York Times’ Motherlode tips us off on how to turn your princess into a feminist (in only 8 steps!);
- Need a career reality check? Fast Company tells women being good isn’t good enough, we need to grab the mic and speak up;
- Want higher pay? If you’re a woman, Forbes reveals you may need to lose some weight (but men, y’all are just fine)…really?
- The Harvard Business Review argues co-workers should be like neighbors, not family;
- Last but not least, here are my 3 favorite apps to help you relax at work and at home.
Happy Sunday!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 31, 2014 | Career |
3 apps to help you relax at work – Photo: participaction.com
Sooo even experts are agreeing that doing nothing is great for you! Ok maybe not doing absolutely nothing all of the time, especially at work, in which case it’s no longer work…Ahem…Yet there are some benefits to beating stress and anxiety at work, and relaxing more…Actually, there are even some apps for that…
1. Headspace: Meditate much? Well, if you’ve got 10 minutes to spare, this is the meditation app for you. Stressed at work? Take 10, and listen to re-energizing meditation on the go!
2. Yoga Glo:Move much?Yoga Glo can help you get in just about 15 minutes of yoga exercise on the go! This app is also filled with meditations to help you re-focus.
3. Bloom: Most, if not all successful people, live by mantras. I personally love them! When your dreams seem too crazy to share, or you need a boost of confidence, use this app to write down your mantras or save some great quotes from leaders you admire! You’ll be happy when these pop up on your phone screen just as you’re ready to give up on that big project…
Add to the list! Do you have favorite apps to relax at work and home? Please share…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Oct 31, 2014 | Career
Floral Cardigan – $56.99 – Photo credit: macys.com
If you had ever told me I would actually look into floral anything as a fashion pick some day, I would have probably offered you more coffee! Yet, this is not your grandma’s floral cardigan! This faux-leather trim belted cardigan can literally stand on its own! And it’s on sale for $56.99 at Macy’s.
Loving the edgy touch of the faux-leather trim, which nicely contrasts with the flowery pattern. The length is great for both pants, leggings or skirts, making this a very versatile option for Fall into the winter.
And since we’re into florals, here’s a woodsy floral sweater pick from LOFT, and a cute (and cheaper) alternative from Land’s End! On the higher price end, I love this Tory Burch floral-print pullover, and this way more frugal option from Target! And here’s a plus-size option, as well as a stylish Tracy Reese pick for petites out there!
Seen a great fashion pick you’d like me to feature? Please email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sis.
