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Atlanta Life Coach Online

The Importance of Mental-First Aid for Managers

By | Atlanta Life Coach Online

Hello I Speak Life family I have been thinking about you and how I can be of service in 2024. I’m constantly thinking about adding value and expanding services and offerings. In doing so, I read this article about mental-first aid and the workforce. Here are a few thoughts. Read to the very end and see what is the exciting news for 2024.

In today’s fast-paced and challenging work environment, employees often find themselves facing various stressors that can impact their mental well-being. As a Cognitive Behavioral Specialist, it’s crucial to address the distressed workforce and emphasize the significance of managers understanding the basics of mental-first aid. The well-being of employees is not only a moral imperative but also directly correlates with overall workplace productivity and satisfaction.

In a recent article published in the Harvard Business Review titled “Helping An Employee in Distress,” the importance of recognizing and responding to employees facing mental health challenges is highlighted. The article underscores that managers play a pivotal role in fostering a supportive work environment. Here, we delve into the key aspects of understanding and implementing mental-first aid as a foundational skill for managers.

Recognizing Signs of Distress: Managers need to be vigilant about recognizing signs of distress in their team members. These signs may manifest as changes in behavior, decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, or visible signs of emotional distress. By being attuned to these indicators, managers can proactively address concerns before they escalate.

Creating a Safe Environment: A fundamental aspect of mental-first aid is creating an environment where employees feel safe discussing their mental health challenges. Managers should foster open communication, destigmatize mental health issues, and encourage team members to seek support when needed. This approach helps in breaking down barriers and promoting a culture of empathy and understanding.

Active Listening and Empathy: Managers equipped with the skills of mental-first aid should practice active listening and empathy. When an employee reaches out, it’s crucial for managers to listen without judgment, validate their feelings, and express empathy. Simple gestures like acknowledging the difficulty of their situation can go a long way in making employees feel heard and supported.

Providing Resources and Referrals: Managers should be knowledgeable about available mental health resources and support services. Whether it’s an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or external mental health professionals, providing information and facilitating access to these resources can be instrumental in helping employees navigate their challenges.

Establishing Boundaries and Encouraging Self-Care: Part of mental-first aid involves guiding employees on establishing healthy boundaries and encouraging self-care practices. Managers can play a role in promoting work-life balance, setting realistic expectations, and supporting initiatives that prioritize employee well-being.

Training for Managers: To effectively implement mental-first aid, managers should undergo training programs that equip them with the necessary skills. I will be offering this training very soon. All managers should be trained in first-aid and mental-first aid. In today’s workforce it is imperative that we understand cognitive behavior and what to do and what to look for.

The 1:1 Meeting

By | Atlanta Life Coach Online

Hello, I wanted to share with you a few thoughts on 1:1 meetings. In my work, I cover a lot of territory with clients. And one area that seems to continue to show up is the 1:1 meeting. It is either how to conduct them as a manager or what to expect as a direct report. I want to share with you how they could be conducted so each one can be productive and impactful.

Let’s do a reenactment. Bear with me this is a longer thread today.

Manager: Kick off with a quick recap. What have been the Major highlights for you since our last chat?

Employee: Give them 1-2 key updates and share 2-3 wins that showcase your effectiveness in the role.

“Absolutely. So, I’ve successfully closed two major deals this month, exceeding our targets. Additionally, the streamlined process we implemented has improved efficiency by 15%, contributing to our team’s overall effectiveness.”

Manager: Great to hear! Now, let’s talk about Alignment and Prioritization .

Employee: Are there things you’re working on aligning with our department and company goals? How are you feeling about your priorities? Anything that needs to be deprioritized or new things on the list that require prioritization.

“I’ve been reviewing my tasks, and they seem aligned, but I’m wondering if we need to adjust any priorities to better match the overall goals. Are there specific areas you think I should focus on more, or perhaps things that can be moved down the priority list?”

Manager: Good question. We’ll dive into that. Next up, Support.

Employee: Don’t forget to ask for what you need. The manager’s goal is to remove any barriers preventing you from excelling. What support do you require, and are there any obstacles hindering your performance that we can address together?

“I could use some additional resources for the upcoming project. Also, there are a few bottlenecks in the approval process that we should address. Any guidance or support in those areas would be immensely helpful.”

Manager: Thanks for sharing. Now, let’s talk about Feedback

Employee: How you feel you’re doing? And, you want to emphasize that development is crucial. Any specific areas you want to focus on, or are there opportunities for growth that you’re keen on exploring?

“ I feel good about my performance, but I’m eager for feedback on areas where I can improve. I’m particularly interested in opportunities for professional development that align with our team and company goals.”

Manager: Excellent. Let’s talk Follow-Up

Employee: Remember, this is the year to ask for what you need. You drive your career. Lastly, for our follow-up, let’s make sure to cover any outstanding items and discuss your progress on the goals we’ve set.

“I’d like to revisit the progress on the new project and discuss potential adjustments to our strategies based on the market trends. Also, if we could touch base on my development plan, that would be fantastic.”

Manager: Absolutely, we’ll cover those in our next meeting. This is a partnership, and I’m here to support your growth and success. Keep up the good work!

I hope you all found this to be helpful. The goal is to make these meetings count for both parties.

Please reach out to me if you need more support in this area.

-David

Remote Work Productivity: Tips for Working from Home Effectively

By | Atlanta Life Coach Online, Black life coach, Business Coaching, Company News, Executive Coaching, Executive Life Coaching

We are all dealing with the “new normal,” which means juggling the demands of working from home for an unforeseen period. While this setup has the potential for increased productivity, many people are facing challenges in maintaining their performance. In this blog post, we will provide essential tips for those looking to improve their work performance while working from home.

Prioritize Preparation and Rest:

Your best work day starts the night before, with careful preparation and sufficient rest. Stick to your regular sleep schedule; studies have shown that adequate sleep is vital for optimal performance. Before you end your day, take the time to organize tasks and prepare for the next day, including packing your lunch. Remember, the next day’s production starts the night before.

Dress for Success – Even at Home:

Psychology plays a significant role in our approach to work. Therefore, it’s beneficial to get up, get dressed, and treat your remote workspace as if you are heading to the office. You don’t need to don a full suit or formal attire, but changing out of your night clothes can signal a shift in mindset and boost productivity.

Effective Communication:

While digital tools like Zoom, Slack, and Gotomeeting are valuable, don’t underestimate the power of a live voice. Take the time to pick up the phone and communicate directly with your team members, managers, or peers. This personal touch can enhance morale and overall productivity, preventing an over-reliance on back-to-back virtual meetings.

Optimize Your Work Space:

Create an efficient and comfortable work environment that mirrors your office setup. Invest in a suitable desk and chair that support good posture. If possible, position your desk near a window for natural light and a view. Personalize your space with items like family photos, a jar of candy, or awards to make it feel more inviting and motivating.

Maintain a Consistent Routine:

Avoid treating your home as a relaxation zone during work hours. Mirror your daily routine as if you were at the office. Schedule regular breaks and take your lunch at the same hour each day. Consistency helps maintain productivity by reinforcing a sense of structure and purpose in your workday.

Find Meaning in Your Work:

Take a moment to reflect on the meaning of work to you personally. Understanding why you work and what it means to you can be a powerful motivator. Use this insight to fuel your drive and commitment to excel in your remote work environment.

By following these practical tips, you can significantly enhance your work performance while working from home. Embrace the “new normal” with these strategies, and you’ll find yourself adapting and thriving in this remote work era.

Remember, remote work offers unique opportunities for productivity and work-life balance. With the right approach and mindset, you can make the most of this arrangement and excel in your professional endeavor.

Working from home doesn’t have to be a challenge. Implement these proven tips and watch your productivity soar while you enjoy the comfort of your own space. Embrace the “new normal” and excel in your remote work endeavors!

Have more productivity tips to share or questions to ask? Join the conversation in the comments section below. Let’s empower each other to thrive in this remote work era.

And don’t forget to share this post with your friends and colleagues who could use some productivity inspiration in their remote work journey!

New Leaders Council-Atlanta ” Work-Life-Balance

By | Atlanta Life Coach Online, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Life Coaching, Goal Setting

 

Work- LifeBalance is, at best, an elusive ideal and at worst a complete myth according to the Harvard Business Review. I do believe it is attainable. The idea of balance allows leaders to choose how they will interact with work, family and community.

But what is balance? It is critical to understand what it is so that you can practice it for yourself. What balance is for you may not be balance for the next person. Over time, life changes and we look at balance differently than when we are single versus when we are married or having children or dealing with ill parents. So, achieving balance is like hitting a moving target on most days.

Balance can be in achieving optimal fulfillment in the areas of work, family, fun, health, spirituality and community.

Balance:

  • Is your schedule balanced?
  • Have you planned your approach to balance?
  • How did you fit the essential compartments of balance into your routine?
  • What is keeping you from maintaining balance?

Beliefs:

  • Do you lead with your authentic self?
  • What do you believe about yourself?
  • Where are the incongruences in your life?

Values:

  • What are the values that guide you?
  • Where my values and beliefs in alignment this week?
  • What am I doing to mature your values?

Behaviors:

  • Are your choices and actions causing you pain?
  • How you project yourself each day?
  • Am you saying yes when you know that you should say no and why?

 

Six Simple Steps to Achieving Balance

  1. Decide how much time is ideal for you in each of the important areas of your life.
  2. Be patient with your yourself
  3. Wisely manage the technology you use everyday.
  4. Create a support network
  5. Get your rest
  6. Make YOU your biggest priority

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Coaching – 2016 is the year for to achieve the results you always wanted to experience.

By | Athlete Life Coaching, atlanta anger management, Atlanta Life Coach Online, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Life Coaching, Goal Setting

Executive Coaching

Do you want to nail this years projections?

Is your business scaling this year and you want to focus on the processes with your goals?

Are you that business person who is looking for support in one key area?

Then book a call or Zoom session with me today.

Book Your Future!!!

Secrets to Achievement and Change

By | Athlete Life Coaching, atlanta anger management, Atlanta Life Coach Online, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Life Coaching, Free Life Coaching, Goal Setting, Good Relationship Advice, how to deal with anger, Life Coach Atlanta News, Life Coach Atlanta Resources, Life Coaching Tools, Offers and Promo, Online Life Coach Case Studies, Relationships

I Speak Life Coaching

Do you have something you want to change or achieve in your life? Maybe you’d like to…

=> Start a business
=> Find new love
=> Get a new career (or a raise)
=> Lose weight
=> Get your child(ren) to behave better
 => Or something else

No matter what you’d like to change or achieve, the secrets to success are the same…

#1: Get clear. As specifically as possible, decide what you want. The more clear you are on what you want to have in your life, the more likely you are to achieve it.

#2: Get perspective. Most people don’t tell anyone what they want or what they are struggling with and because of that they don’t get an outside perspective.

#3: Get support. Very few people (if any) achieve anything great alone. Sports stars have teammates and coaches

Be willing to ask the people in your life to support you.

** Special ZERO COST “Rapid Change” Coaching Session **

Call me at 404-453-9110 or email me David @dsmith.creativexmedia.net

The secret to getting more out of your team.

By | Athlete Life Coaching, atlanta anger management, Atlanta Life Coach Online, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Life Coaching, Free Life Coaching, Goal Setting, Life Coach Atlanta News, Life Coach Atlanta Resources, Life Coaching Tools, Offers and Promo, Online Life Coach Case Studies

 

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If you want to get more out of your team for any of these reasons:

=> Because the number of people on your team has been reduced and yet you’re expected to produce the same or better results.

=> Your team is not producing the results that are expected from you and your team and you’re concerned that your bosses and/or superiors and peers are not going to be happy about that.

=> Members of your team are undermining each other or worse undermining you, causing conflicts and frustrations for you and you’d like to turn your team in to a well-oiled machine.

Then, I’d like to help you squeeze the most out of your team as possible by offering you a special one-on-one “Modern Leadership Mastery Coaching Session.”

During this session we will…

=> Create a crystal clear vision for the results that you want your team to produce, for the way that you’d like your team to interact with each other and for the kind of people you would like to have on your team.

=> Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your success with leadership and team building.

=> You’ll leave the session renewed, reenergized and inspired to create a powerful results- driven team that gets things done so that you can be the office hero and still have a flourishing personal life.

Contact me at David@dsmith.creativexmedia.net or 404-453-9110 to get the results you desire and deserve.

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1 in 6 Married Men are on Ashley Madison

By | atlanta anger management, Atlanta Life Coach Online, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Life Coaching, Goal Setting, Good Relationship Advice, Life Coach Atlanta News, Life Coach Atlanta Resources, Life Coaching Tools, Offers and Promo, Online Life Coach Case Studies, Relationships

1 in 6 Married Men are on Ashley Madison website.

 

Marriage is one of the toughest jobs to do, according to a friend, who has been married for twenty years. She went on to say it is harder than “picking cotton” and of course, I laughed out loud at the notion of marriage being that difficult. If anyone knows anything about picking cotton, it is extremely difficult and hard to manage and maintain. As a Life Coach whose clients are predominately female and married the issue of balancing work, family, and civic duties seems to be a driving force in our work together. Women who are working really hard to be their best at work and at home. However with the latest hacking scandal of Ashley Madison, I’m wondering what work are men doing to be their best selves.

 

One author recently wrote that this is a “wake up call for women” and I would like to add for men as well. Men who are bored, underwhelmed, checked-out, lonely, angry and those who feel entitled to have what they want and how they want it, find themselves seeking affection, pleasure and sensations outside of their marriage is in a crisis as well. This hack of Ashley Madison is our wake up call.

 

In my relationship series “ 6 Steps To Creating Lasting Intimacy”, I deal with the true nature of what is missing as it relates to a deeper connection. I’m not creating a one-stop shop fix it for marriage but I’m helping people start the process of asking for what they need within a healthy monogamous relationship.

 

If you want to grow in intimacy, communication, connection, meaningful touch then go to www.ispeaklifecoaching.com and sign up for my email newsletter to learn more about my new powerful relationship series.

Executive Coaching- Leadership, Behaviors and Change

By | Atlanta Life Coach Online, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Life Coaching, Goal Setting, Life Coach Atlanta News, Life Coach Atlanta Resources, Life Coaching Tools

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Organizational leadership is serious business. Leaders impact the climate, culture and environment of their organizations. Organizational leadership behaviors have a direct influence on actions in the work environment that enable growth and change. Leading requires the use of a diverse set of communication techniques to deliver appropriate messages, solicit feedback, create readiness with a sense of urgency and motivate recipients to act. Leaders are responsible for communicating to the organization any new strategies or a new direction for the future. In order for leaders to get employees to participate and produce they must be able to trust you and your leadership style. Leadership style is a driving force for any organization. One of the more effective leadership styles is Transformational Leadership.

Transformational Leadership involves five key elements:

1. Coaching– as process of improving performance and developing synergistic relationship

2. Communication– delivering relevant information with regard to the organization.

3. Motivating– is the influence or drive that causes us to behave in a specific manner.

4. Rewarding– a compensation that recognizes employees for the right performance.

5. Promoting Teamwork– enable members working cooperatively with one another to achieve more than working independently.

To be an effective leader understand your leadership style and your leadership philosophy.

Coaching: Strategy for Achievement and Change

By | Athlete Life Coaching, atlanta anger management, Atlanta Life Coach Online, Business Coaching, Executive Coaching, Executive Life Coaching, Free Life Coaching, Goal Setting, Good Relationship Advice, Life Coach Atlanta News, Life Coach Atlanta Resources, Life Coaching Tools

 

I Speak Life Coaching

 

Do you have something you want to change or achieve in your life?
Maybe you’d like to…
Start a business
Find a new love
Get a new career (or a raise)
Lose weight
Get your children to behave better
Or something else
No matter what you’d like to change or achieve, the secret to success are the same…
Get clear. As specifically as possible, decide what you want. The more clear you are on what you want to have in your life, the more likely you are to achieve it.
Get perspective. Most people don’t tell anyone what they want or what they are struggling with and because of that they don’t get an outside perspective.
Get support. Very few people (if any) achieve anything great alone. Sports stars have teammates and coaches.
Be willing to ask the people in your life to support you.

This has been your Monday Motivation from www.ispeaklifecoaching.com . To sign up for my “Rapid Change” session reply to this email or email me at David@ispeaklifeoaching.com.

Best,

David