Category: Self Development

The Art of Saying No in Business

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Saying No

Saying no, whether to your boss, to your team, or to a client, can be an awkward and uncomfortable endeavor. However, whether for your own personal sanity or for the effective completion of your current efforts, saying no is sometimes necessary in business. Yet Consider the following tips to say no artfully while still contributing to the productivity of your workplace:

Understand the request

Before saying no, ask for clarity. Whereas often time we see our obligation to a request as larger than it is, other times the requestor does not fully grasp the magnitude of what he or she is truly asking. Before determining your decision, be sure that clear communication regarding what the goal of the request is, as well as how it will be met, are understood by all parties involved.

Ensure validity

There are some tasks we just don’t want to complete, and others are simply out of our comfort zone. A no that is perceived as “just because” can decrease trust in you as a businessperson, can weaken current or potential relationships, and can even limit your own growth in a company. Ensure that your reason for saying no really is justified, and include validity for your “no” in your explanation.

Define your boundaries

It is important to know and set your own boundaries so that you are no overwhelmed and so that you can competently and effectively complete that which is required of you. Once your boundaries are determined, you should communicate and adhere to them to that when requests come your way, you are not perceived as unreasonable or unwilling.

Weigh the benefits

What are you giving up and what opportunity could you be gaining? Ensuring that the reasons for “no” outweigh those for “yes” can lessen your own personal guilt and give you confidence, both in confirming your decision and in setting future boundaries.

Offer context

Without relaying every last detail, your “no” should offer your valid reason to the requestor; no is much better received when the constraints that you are facing are relayed. Whether time, budget, or competitive restraints, include enough information in your explanation that you are not perceived you as smug, bothered, or unwilling to partner and engage.

Include positive in your negative

As you say no, see the requestor as a human being with a reasonable appeal. While saying no, be sure to explain how positively you feel about the individual making the request so that he or she feels like you are not saying no to the person, but rather to the possibility of fulfilling the task.

Be clear

Do not waver in saying no. Once you have determined the importance of saying no, clearly communicate that there is not a possibility for you to honor the request. You can do this politely and professionally, but being strong in your conviction is a must.

Is there any reason you aren’t able to now say “no”? No? Great! That was the answer we were looking for.

10 Simple Tips for Minimizing Stress

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stress management

Are stress and anxiety constant themes in your daily drama? While a little stress is a

regular part of life, too much stress can eat away at happiness, make you less

effective at home and work, and worse, stress can cause negative long-term effects

on overall health. Follow these 10 simple and easy tips to find greater calm,

contentment, and productivity in your life:

 

Start small and simple.

Don’t let the grand idea of change stress you out. Make a list of alterations you know

you need to make to ultimately de-stress. Start with one small thing, and once that

small thing becomes a habit, move onto the next.

 

Meditate or Pray.

Start each day focusing on your purpose through a short time of prayer or

meditation. Begin each daily journey by focusing on what truly matters – on “what

it’s all about.” You will be reminded that all the tedious interruptions and

frustrations are just noise, and that noise won’t seem so deafening; rather, a calm

sense of purpose will result.

 

Foster positivity.

People in positive relationships are proven to have better heart health. Surrounding

yourself with happy people, calling that friend that never ceases to put a smile on

your face, or investing in a pet that will dote on you will result in improved health

and happiness.

 

Take one step at a time.

Multitasking actually minimizes efficiency. It leads to distractions and scattered

thoughts, thus increasing stress. Focus on what needs to be accomplished in the

moment, accomplish that task, take a deep breath, and move onto the next.

 

De-clutter.

You don’t need to take on massive spring-cleaning projects to get rid of the clutter in

your life. Take 15 minutes per day to tackle a section of your desktop, 10 emails in

your inbox, or 1 drawer. Slowly, you will see the clutter minimize, and that small

sense of accomplishment will replenish your “calm” stash.

 

Make gratitude your daily vitamin.

It is hard to experience true gratitude and stress simultaneously. Set a reminder in

your phone for three times a day to focus on what you are grateful for – from the air

you are breathing, to the amazing things your body can do, to the creation outside

your window.

 

Smile.

Smiling – even fake smiling – releases endorphins in the body. Endorphins are

proven to reduce both pain and stress. Take time throughout your day to pause and

find a way to smile or laugh. Watch a funny video, dance in the break room, and

laugh at yourself!

 

Exercise.

Like smiling, exercise releases endorphins. The brain loves endorphins and

translates them into pleasure. Start by taking a break for two or three 10-minute

brisk walk between work tasks. Getting up and moving will add positive energy to

your day.

 

Eat healthy.

Make a point of adding fruits, veggies, and lean proteins to your diet, and avoid

eating junk foods and refined sugars. Whereas junk food sucks energy, healthy food

contributes to a positive mood.

 

Schedule relaxation.

Make time to de-stress. At least once per week, schedule one non-distraction hour

for yourself. Get a massage, get a pedicure, people-watch at the park, or take a bath.

Turn off your phone. Close your computer. Sit and enjoy the hour of calm. You will

find yourself surprisingly recharged.

 

No one enjoys being the victim of stress. Start today taking small, proactive steps to

rid that negative emotion and embrace that better version of yourself.

 

How do you alleviate stress? Share in the comments or contact us.

The Impact of a Certified Woman Owned Business

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Shannon Cassidy and Agnes Doody at ESPN

Shannon Cassidy is Founder and CEO of bridge between, inc.. Shannon combines a keen ability to get to the heart of every matter with a proven track record.

She is the author of The 5 Degree Principle: How Small Changes Lead to Big Results and V.I.B.E., a discovery of what lies beneath and how that impacts you and others.

I recently had the privilege of speaking with her about her journey and becoming a Certified Woman Owned Business. As one who is eager to empower others and encourage them on to success, she generously shared some specifics on how being a female entrepreneur has impacted her, and why she does what she does.

Who is a female role model you looked to as an inspiration when starting bridge between?

Shannon: Agnes G. Doody, my mentor, former professor at the University of Rhode Island, and dear friend. She joined me at ESPN to discuss Gender Communication and Conflict Resolution to the leadership team last year. What a privilege! My kids call her Aunt Agnes. We visit her every summer. What an inspiration.

Was there a specific moment you felt the push, became inspired and convicted to become certified as a Woman Owned Business?

Shannon: When I spoke with a client at Comcast who said an objective of theirs is to partner with vendors who are women and minority owned. I looked into it and found out how to do it.

What is a company today (big or small, local or national) empowering women and why?

Shannon: Deloitte! They put their money with their mouth is by appointing the new CEO Cathy Engelbert.

Another is ESPN. My friend CFP Christine Dreisen was named WICT’s (Women in Cable Telecommunications) Woman of the Year. She was instrumental in launching espnW, ESPN’s first digitial initiative geared towards inspiring female athletes and fans.

What holds women back?

Shannon: Ourselves. I think we doubt, question, think we need 100% of qualifications before applying for positions, etc. We also aren’t as comfortable gaining sponsors and asking for what we want. We often live by: if I work hard enough that should be enough OR if I want to have kids I need to be okay with a certain title / level. So, ourselves primarily.

The Imposter Syndrome is when you feel like your accomplishments are nowhere near as good as those around you. Alicia Liu wrote an interesting article with the key takeaway “Imposter syndrome is not only an invisible hand that holds people back from attaining the things their abilities warrant, but it is also a blindfold that prevents people from even seeing what those things could be. That is very difference from having self-doubt about one’s real limitations.”

We all make hundreds of choices each day. Every step or decision we make adds up. Some get trapped in overindulging on self and minimally focusing on purpose. There are lots of things about you that you control.

At the end of the day, remember Shannon’s mantra at the end of this video: “I am enough.”

Contact Shannon and her team with help in connecting your potential to performance.

10 Ways to Stand Out at Work

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Bridge Between
Do you stand out?

New to your job? Seeking a promotion? Needing to be noticed? It is important for people to feel satisfied at work, where so much of life is spent.

But sometimes, it takes a little extra effort to find the recognition you desire at work. Adopting the following 10 habits will help you to stand out at work, and experience greater fulfillment and job security as you do:

 

1. Look the part

Physical appearance matters. It is important to dress the part of the professional

that you want to be recognized as. Take some extra time in grooming and selecting

and ironing clothing that command the respect and recognition that you are seeking.

 

2. Show support for the company

Take time to consider what you like and even love about your company, and make a

conscious effort to focus on those elements as you face your work day. No matter

what, never badmouth your employer. Not only will it breed negativity within you,

but you never know who will repeat what you have said. Rather, be a cheerleader

for your company.

 

3. Immerse yourself in the culture

Companies have a culture in and of themselves. Become a part of it. Attend

company events, play on company teams, and show your enthusiasm as you do so.

You will quickly begin to stand out as a team-player who is committed to the

company.

 

4. Consistently offer help

Look for ways that you can help – even if it means making someone else look better.

Volunteer for the committees and responsibilities that others may not want to do.

Again, you will be recognized as someone who cares about the company, its

employees, and its overall output.

 

5. Care about your coworkers

Get to know your coworkers. Find out who matters to them. Ask them about their

family members – by name. It will show that you care and that you are not simply

showing up to receive a paycheck, but that you want to be part of the company and

its people.

 

6. Do more than your job requires

Avoid simply checking off what is required of you before checking out for the day.

Develop a habit of looking for small ways to contribute above and beyond what is

asked of you in your job description. Don’t wait to be asked; just do it. Your

company and co-workers will be impressed, and over time, they’ll notice your extra

contribution.

 

7. Offer solutions

Be solution-driven. If you or other coworkers identify problems, be somebody who

develops and voices solutions, especially in company meetings. You will find

personal gratification as you contribute to the betterment of your coworkers, your

company, and its clients, and you’ll stand out for it.

 

8. Model enthusiasm

Enthusiasm can be infectious. Showing that you are happy – even excited – about

the work that you do will make people want to work with you and interact with you.

You will likely be trusted with more because of your attitude.

 

9. Work harder

Look around your place of work. How many people are working as hard as they can

to make the company better? Often, not many are doing so. If you really want to

stand out, put in the time and effort to make your place of work and its clients

better. There is value in hard work, and you will be valued for it.

 

10. Show gratitude for your job

Being employed makes you an individual who gets to contribute to society. Because

of your job, you are able to take a paycheck, make a living, and help the economy.

No job is perfect, and work is, well… work. But work is also a gift. Treat it as such.

Your attitude will infect how you approach the workday and others will be grateful

for you.

How to Increase Your Confidence

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Confidence

It is a well-known fact that confidence is an extremely attractive quality. Confidence

comforts people. People who exude confidence easily obtain the trust and respect of

others because they are comfortable in their skin and therefore comfortable to be

around. In the workforce, individuals who are sure of themselves are the ones who

are given more opportunities and who are trusted with greater tasks. People –

bosses, employees, customers, and co-workers, and friends are drawn to self-

assurance. So what can you do to improve your own confidence in the workplace?

 

Smile

People who smile often are automatically assumed to be confident. In fact, clinical

studies have shown that people who consciously work to smile more increase their

own confidence. Smiling tends to stem from positive thinking, which translates into

a positive attitude. Maintaining a positive attitude is a choice, and confident people

emanate contentment. Need to smile more? Start each day recounting the reasons

you are grateful, and insert reminders throughout the day to reflect on what makes

you happy.

 

Count Successes

Confident people are more successful. Yet in order to experience success, it is

crucial to set personal and professional goals and benchmarks, and to recognize

them once they are reached. Write down daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals,

and include dates and times that you want to reach them. Be sure to celebrate when

you have achieved them. Measuring successes will increase your confidence, and

you will watch your potential increase, thus causing your confidence to grow.

 

Surround Yourself With Confidence

“You are the company you keep.” “Walk with the wise and you will grow wise.” “It’s

difficult to soar with eagles when you’re scratching with turkeys.” So many adages

remind us that we become the people that we hang out with. If you want your

confidence to grow, seek out confident people – both in your personal life and in

your professional life. Observe how they talk to and listen to others, how they carry

themselves, how they react to setbacks, how they observe life…and emulate them.

 

Encourage

Confident people do not have to hog – nor do they even seek out – the spotlight.

They are comfortable and even happy when others are recognized. Encouragement

is one way that true leaders lead. People grow in satisfaction when they are able to

foster the joy and success of others, and doing so increases the encourager’s

confidence.

 

Increase Your Knowledge

Confident people tend to possess knowledge and wisdom – both about themselves

and about the world around them. If you want to grow in confidence, it is important

to become aware of your strengths as well as your limitations. This helps you to put

your own strengths to work, and it lets you know where you can focus on bettering

yourself. Spending at least 20 minutes each day reading up on areas where you

need to become more knowledgeable will both increase your own credibility and

your confidence.

 

Confidence is an essential trait the business professionals need to possess in order

to achieve greatness. What steps have you taken to build your own confidence?