Work Smart Club

The digital age comes with constant change and therefore, you need to be adaptable as a leader so that your team’s sense of normal is flexible. Today on the Work Smart Club podcast, we are discussing why the idea of ‘normal’ changes all the time and how you can manage differently to suit our changing world. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about why you need to think in processes, not people, the importance of knowing your value stream, including your team in problem-solving, and how to evaluate your processes to solve problems. We even discuss the importance of remaining curious as a leader and having curious employees before we delve into how you can combat any resistance to uncertainty you may be experiencing. To hear more about how you can lead in a world where even the way you change things is changing, join us now! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Your perspective is guaranteed to influence how you approach situations. In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Howard comments on the four core perspectives any leader needs, regardless of where you are on the company ladder. We discuss the impact of our early life experiences, our shifts in perspective, and how this all connects when you try and leverage your leadership. Dr. Howard goes on to define leadership, what leadership means to her, and the attributes a good leader holds, as well as the four key perspectives: mindset, organization, balance, and process perspective. Plus, she talks about looking forward to the future, managing the all-time high levels of distraction, checking in with yourself by doing a perspective inventory, and more. Tune in to hear why perspective is the biggest factor contributing to a leader's success! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

You may, somewhere deep down, know that relationships are the most important thing in your life. In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Howard shares information about the lasting impact of relationships on the success of our lives and how staying focused on them will be what you need to stay grounded when life feels like it may be falling apart. Dr. Howard talks about the different kinds of relationships you can have, how you can look after them, and why they are so important to make time for. Reflecting on the pandemic and how it shifted our sense of normal, Dr. Howard comments on keeping your sense of balance, spending time doing what matters most, and why your relationship with God and Jesus is of the most importance. Plus, you will hear about how to manage a change in your normal, keeping your heart open to the supernatural, the power of faith, and where to place your focus. Tune in to hear Dr. Howard's Psalm of the year and how, at the end of the day, everything in life comes down to love! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Everyone wants to make a difference, but how do you actually see your dream become a reality? It all begins with defining the difference you want to make: spell it out so clearly that the people around you can feel it happening. Not sure how to get there? Luckily, Cynthia Howard has questions and advice to help you create your vision and avoid being stuck in the grind of making more money. Cynthia discusses how to cultivate ownership, raise the standards, and ensure a culture of excellence, all while explaining how to avoid falling into the trap of complacency. Plus, she explores three important relationships you need to focus on, prioritize, and intentionally build. Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Leverage is all about putting the right amount of pressure on the right spot at the right time. Leveraging your leadership is much the same as it requires you to constantly evaluate what your team needs and when, and then deliver to them what is required to ensure the entire group’s success. Today we will be taking a look at how you can build high-performing teams in three steps, how creating and adhering to one standard will give you the advantage, why it’s wise to constantly shift your focal point, and how creativity and innovation flourish in environments that are standardized and disciplined. We then debunk some myths about coaching in leadership as we come to understand why consistency is non-negotiable, before learning that success isn’t really magic and that every good leader always gives their team a clear direction to follow. To find out why self-evaluation should be constant and why progress matters more than perfection, tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

In the uncertainty and ambiguity of the information war that we find ourselves in, only one thing in the workplace remains constant: rapid change. “Normal“ is now a distant memory as every day we are faced with new obstacles and challenges that test our every resolve. The key, then, is resilience, and more specifically, building systems of resilience that will allow us to successfully navigate every unforeseeable twist and turn. Resilience is often overlooked, misunderstood, and as a skill, underused. So today, we will be breaking down 5 key steps that will allow you to measure and monitor resilience in your workflow. We discuss the importance of planning and prioritizing, the ripple effect and how it pertains to workflow, the undeniable value of optimism, and why we need to change the very way that we think and problem-solve. If you have emotional agility, a clear understanding of KPIs and other metrics, and accept that rapid change is the new normal, then you’ll be one step closer to building a system of resilience that will allow you to triumph over the unknown. Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Most of us would agree that email is not always an effective way to communicate. Of the 300 billion emails that go out every day, a staggering 55% is spam. Even the emails that we opt into are usually inconsequential and only serve to distract us. And yet this mode of communication continues to dominate our working lives, with the average office worker receiving roughly 120 emails a day and researchers estimating that a full 28% of our working hours are spent on email alone. But what if we could challenge this outdated mode of communication? In today’s episode, we discuss the rise of email, how the age of information overload is affecting us, and how we can radically rethink communication in the workplace. We delve into harmful email practices, how to be intentional about the emails you send, and the importance of building a sense of connection in the workplace. For a new perspective on email and radical ways to manage communication in the digital age, make sure you tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

How can you lead a company if your employees are constantly positioned with one foot in and one foot out? How can grit help you to fortify yourself as a leader? On this episode of Work Smart Club, Dr. Cynthia Howard shares strategies aimed at building grit and tenacity in your teams. We talk about the dilution of vision and how leading without vision can impact the outcomes you are working towards. Listeners will hear about the relationship between grit and flow and how grit can enhance your ability to focus. Dr. Howard also discusses why we should be working towards building a continuously learning culture rather than a constantly upgrading culture where we throw out what doesn’t work and trade in for the newer model. Let’s focus on building cultures and employees with grit and tenacity so that leaders and teams can find success! Don’t miss out, tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Grit by Angela Duckworth Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

One of the defining characteristics of the era in which we currently find ourselves is increased worry, sadness, and loneliness. This trend was already appearing before the arrival of the pandemic but was undoubtedly enhanced by the move to a remote landscape and a general loss of human connection at work and beyond. We have seen a rise in dissatisfaction in the workplace, signified most starkly by the great resignation, and this has shown up in all levels of leadership and employment. The sad truth is that unhappy people perform very differently from satisfied employees, and lowered optimism and confidence can drastically damage the health and success of any professional environment. So what are we to do to tackle this emotional component of our workplaces? In today's episode, listeners will get a number of pointers for bolstering the emotional state of a team, and some practical and simple solutions for this fundamental problem. It is important to remember that leaders can only be as influential as the trust they have built and that nurturing commitment between team members can have a huge impact in the long run. Tune in to hear what you can do today to make a difference! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Anne Frank Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Welcome back to the Work Smart Club, we’re thrilled to have you with us! Today, we will be discussing how to be a resilient leader in order to coach your team effectively. We talk about how being in survival mode has forced us to approach work differently and how some leaders are ignoring what leadership is actually about. People need to be inspired, not managed, and cultivating resilience can motivate people to achieve their best. Leaders need to establish an overriding goal, and this could be a way of activating the forward-focused mindset that is resilience. You’ll hear all about the Work Smart Club Network’s Resilience Course and why you, as a leader, need to manage your energy, awareness, mindset, relationships, and flow. If you work on it every single day, you will build in yourself a resilience that will allow you to stay focused, even in times of heightened confusion. We can’t wait for you to tune in and learn with us today! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Club Episode 26: Let’s Talk Flow – What It is and How to Get More of It Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Today in the Work Smart Club, we are giving your meetings a makeover. In this episode, we discuss some studies that show that meetings are often not that productive, the number one reason meetings fail, and why meetings require planning and a clear goal and outcome. We also talk about why having a meeting to convey information is a terrible idea, why people need to know the reason for the meeting they are attending, how to spell out the desired outcome of the meeting, and the importance of facilitating the sharing of ideas. Next, we go through some tips that you can use to engage people in meetings before looking at why you should get the ‘negative’ out of the way first. We even discuss how to time manage meetings and why you should not allow people into a meeting if they arrive late. Finally, we share some unusual suggestions that will refresh your meetings and allow for the flow of innovative ideas. So, to get some valuable tips on how to make your meetings more effective, tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Welcome to another episode of the Work Smart Club podcast. Today we discuss all things gossip and how to handle it; particularly when it’s about you. We look into the interesting origin of gossip, what it is exactly, its damaging consequences, and why it is a symptom of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. Gossip is not something you can always control, but today we share how you can make a difference and stop contributing to it by saying no to being a passive listener. We also discuss the importance of opening the lines of communication before looking at what to do when the gossip is about you. Cynthia reminds us that we are each responsible for our own emotions and in order to display emotional intelligence, we need to be in control of how we demonstrate those emotions. Lastly, we talk about how leaders should create a culture of open discussion and honesty in order to reject gossip in the working environment. To hear all this and more, tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Have you found yourself procrastinating on the things you need to get done? Or perhaps you try and do everything at once so you finish faster? Today on the Work Smart Club, we are discussing what flow is and how to get more of it! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what flow is, why it is an effortless state of being, how you know you’re experiencing it, and why it is so important to find meaning in every single task you do in order to have flow. We also break down the three main conditions you need to focus on in order to get into flow before talking about what blocks flow. You will learn about how to create an environment conducive to flow if you are a leader, the importance of being a good listener, and why you should never multitask. Finally, we delve into why you should never resist the things on your to-do list! Thank you for joining us! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

We’re back with the Work Smart Club and, today, we are sticking with last week’s theme of progressing into a new role with a new emphasis on transitioning from an expert to a leader. Becoming a leader requires a unique set of skills and a common misconception is that, as a leader, you can always do things your way. We discuss how leaders need to learn how to actively listen, why they must set the stage for others to shine, and why training for mid-level leaders is essential, as well as why it’s important to understand that the change starts with you. Seeing negative experiences as adventures can help unlock your true potential, and we learn that making the transition into a leader is a matter of changing your mindset. Your host lays down some practical advice for progressing from expert to leader, plus some tips for finding your courage, being in control of yourself before leading others, listening more and reacting less, and being comfortable with the unknown. For more on how embracing uncertainty can help you to build trust with your team, tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Today on the Work Smart club we talk about transitioning into a new role and why it’s important to leverage your past rather than reviving it. In this new, digital age, we need new ways of thinking about work, leadership, and the common traps that we fall into when entering a new position. We discuss why you shouldn’t push for solutions without fully understanding the problem, how to avoid falling into familiar traps, clarity as a lever to avoid jumping to solutions, and how to develop mindful attention through self-awareness. Optimism is a vehicle for bringing your past confidence into your present and it can help with developing important problem-solving skills. You’ll come to understand why past victories should stay in the past, why building relationships is as important as developing strategies, and why learning and revising are essential skills to carry with you in this new era post “the great disruption.“ Be sure to tune in. Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Welcome back to another episode of the Work Smart Club. The idea of persistence is often mixed up with tenacity. Today we explore why persistence and tenacity are different, why persistence and optimism should be core competencies, the dangers of pessimism, and the importance of focus and incubating your thoughts. We also look at some examples of persistence in organizations; including Kelly Johnson’s famous project. Lastly, we talk about how to know when to pivot, the importance of feedback and planning, and why progress is one of our biggest motivators. Join us today to learn about when to persist and when to pivot! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kelly Johnson Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Aretha Franklin had the right idea about respect when she said “find out what it means to me!” Today on the Work Smart Club, we are looking at a different take on what respect means to us in the workplace. We discuss why respect needs a refresh and how a lack thereof affects productivity and profit. We also delve into a few definitions of what respect is and recognize that we can all find something in someone that we admire. You’ll hear all about how respect can prevent escalations of conflict, why respect and liking someone are not mutually exclusive, the importance of getting to know your colleagues and maintaining healthy standards of relationships, and the dangers of indifference in the workplace. Finally, we challenge you to define what respect means to your organization and make it a part of your company culture and work standard! To hear all this and more, tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

If done right, leadership can be one of the most rewarding opportunities of all time. Being an authentic leader requires introspection and invites you to continuously learn and grow on the job. However, so many leaders do themselves the disservice of getting caught up in the theory and, in an attempt to be everything to everyone, settle on a singular leadership style that most likely won’t translate into every given situation. Today, we delve into the traps leaders can fall into by committing to the theory of leadership, rather than developing an authentic, versatile leadership style. You’ll discover what it means to be a situational leader who hones in on their unique strengths and personality to build trust and adapt to whatever situation may arise! Tune in to find out how to stop being all things to all people and, instead, become a credible leader who knows how to set boundaries, plan, and adapt. Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Just because something is happening all around you doesn’t mean it’s right. If you are part of a company that has a toxic culture, you should either get out as quickly as possible, or do something to change it! The Great Resignation that is taking place currently was a long time coming with the high levels of disengaged employees and the low satisfaction rate that have plagued the working world for many years. Workplace culture won’t change unless someone does something about it, and why shouldn’t that someone by you? I hope this episode encourages you to step out of your blindspot and to use your supernatural powers of faith to be the change! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network

Being an American has never been more important today and our freedoms are being stolen daily! Following the Fourth of July, we wanted to discuss freedom, the values that built America, and how to make declarations over your own life! Tuning in you will be invited to dig deep to figure out exactly what your own values, legacy, and purpose is before we discuss why our freedom is God-given. We also look at what it means to live by faith, how the past is being played out again today, why we are in a time of deception and fear, and why we should be proud to be Americans. So to find out how to use your power of discernment as a tool to make declarations over your own life, join us on the Work Smart Club podcast! Key Points From This Episode: Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: The Declaration of Independence Cynthia Howard on LinkedIn Work Smart Consulting Work Smart Club Network