Results Coach

Results and Leadership Success Depend on How You Handle Feedback

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“Positive and negative feedback are gifts we can use to accelerate our leadership growth.” Jeannette Seibly

Leaders, bosses, and business professionals—this article is a must-read. It could make or break your career and business.

You can always tell how successful a boss or leader is by their ability to listen to and handle feedback.

Years ago, a plant manager called me. When I didn’t tell him what he wanted to hear, he yelled, “You don’t know what you’re talking about because you’re a woman!”

A colleague in the office next to mine overheard the exchange and called me into his office. He said, “Here’s what you need to do.” (No, I hadn’t asked for his feedback; frankly, I wasn’t sure I wanted it.)

Still, I followed his advice. As a result, I became the only person in my department that the plant manager would work with. He trusted me since I took the time to tour his plant and express interest in the operations.

The unsolicited feedback was a valuable gift—a lesson I still remember and appreciate to this day.

Feedback Can Make or Break Your Credibility:

• Egos in Overdrive. Phrases like “How dare you!” or “You don’t know how to do what I do” showcase your ego at work. The problem? When you truly need honest feedback, no one will give it to you.

• Debate Mode. Responses like “You don’t understand,” or “No one else mentioned it,” or “I didn’t have time to prepare” are counterproductive. They discourage people from sharing invaluable insights. Instead, you’ll hear only what they think you want to hear. Remember, standing your ground diplomatically during disagreements (e.g., contract negotiations) is not the same as receiving feedback.

• Being a Right-Fighter. Similar to debating, being a right-fighter often escalates into lengthy emails or rants defending why the feedback should be dismissed or is unimportant. This approach blocks leadership growth and improvement. Often, it will sideline you from the next promotion or new opportunity.

Another Personal Example:

Recently, I led a 40-minute breakout session titled “Get Your Brag On!” Overall, it was well-received:

• “I could have listened to you all afternoon!”
• “I rewrote my presentation introduction based on your advice—thank you!”

However, I also got less favorable feedback:

• “We didn’t have enough time to write out our responses.”

When feedback isn’t glowing, I’ve learned to respond with gratitude: “Thank you. I appreciate your participation.” Then, I review it with a trusted friend to see how I can improve if necessary.

Ways to Learn from Feedback and Win:

1. Listen. Whether the feedback was requested or unsolicited, set aside your ego and listen. Simply listening can positively impact your results. Remember, everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you acknowledge them and learn that makes the difference.

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions. Be curious and seek clarity to understand the feedback better.

3. Mirror Their Words. Avoid putting words into their mouth. For example, don’t say, “I’m sorry you’re disappointed” unless they’ve used the word “disappointed.” Reflecting their own words shows you value their input.

4. Express Gratitude. Even if the feedback stings, treat it as a gift. A simple “Thank you” can open doors to growth and learning. You never know the impact feedback can make in opening future opportunities for you.

5. Review and Apply. Thoughtfully consider the feedback. Talk with your executive coach and decide where it’s most appropriate to incorporate changes, and if so, how and when to do so.

Want to learn how to give and receive feedback? Click here for a previous article.

©Jeannette Seibly 2025 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, boasts over 32 years of hands-on experience. Working with small and family businesses, her expertise guides leaders and bosses to refine their hiring, coaching, and management practices and achieve their intended results. Along the journey, she has guided the creation of three millionaires and numerous six-figure earners, all while championing those ready to elevate their game to new heights.

Results Aren’t Hard to Achieve When You Set Them as Big Goals

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“We need to change our mindset about how we go about achieving our goals!” Jeannette Seibly

Achieving results can be straightforward when you set them as achievable goals! Often, the problem is we play it safe and stick to results we know we can win instead of expanding our mindset and skill set. Setting small comfortable goals (aka tasks) often leads to distractions, boredom, and blaming external factors.

Getting outside your comfort zone with bigger goals can make a positive and impactful difference. (Remember, a goal is not a task … it’s intended to make you stretch yourself.)

Tips to Achieve Intended Results

1. Complete the “Get Your Brag On!” and learn how to sell yourself and win in five easy steps. These exercises create the positive mindset to expand or create your “winning game.”

2. Ask yourself, what do you really, really, really want to achieve? Write it down, cross it out, and ask again without any “yeah, buts!” This helps uncover your true (underneath the surface) goals.

3. Repeat the question above. Doing so helps bypass initial beliefs about what you should want to achieve, and goes beneath the surface.

4. Write down your goal and fine-tune it into 10 words or less. This make take some time. Don’t skip this step! Clear, concise goals are more engaging and meaningful. And, more likely to be achieved.

5. Review for intention. Clarity of your intention is crucial to influencing others while selling and achieving your results.

6. Declare a deadline for the goal. While achieving the goal is important, the transformation of your attitude and behavior requires commitment and focused action. Without a deadline, you will let yourself off the hook with too many excuses.

7. Work backward from the deadline to create milestones. Weekly or monthly indicators work best to ensure you’re on the right path.

8. Fill in the details. Include team members, communication, budget, ROI’s, operation, and technology aspects.

9. Hire an executive coach to hold you accountable and responsible for achieving your results. The right coach will guide you, simplify the process, and keep you focused. They will also hold you to a higher standard that you’ve always wanted to achieve but didn’t know how.

Remember, without structure and accountability, you’re more likely to dilute your goal, get distracted, or set it aside when obstacles arise … and they will.

Results can be easy to achieve when you set them as BIG, achievable goals!

©Jeannette Seibly 2025 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly, an award-winning Talent Advisor, Leadership Results Coach, and Business Author, boasts over 32 years of hands-on experience. Her expertise helps leaders and bosses refine their hiring, coaching, and management practices and achieve their intended results. Along the journey, she has guided the creation of three millionaires and numerous six-figure earners, all while championing those ready to elevate their game to new heights.

How to Acknowledge Fears Due to Uncertainties

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“It’s important to keep moving forward responsibly during the uncertainties being experienced right now.” Jeannette Seibly

While uncertainties are a natural part of life and can be challenging, they also offer opportunities for growth and adaptation.

There are many uncertainties today due to natural disasters, economic and political confusion, and global impacts. These often elicit fears – fear of change and fear of the unknown. As a boss/leader, it’s essential you acknowledge your own fears and manage them first. Your reactions can encourage innovation, business growth, and new systems … or keep you and others stuck in fear.

Fear is contagious! Don’t disregard your own! (Yes, I’m repeating it since many bosses/leaders fail to acknowledge their own fears!)

• Take the time to talk with your executive coach and stay in action moving forward.
• Use a job fit assessment leadership report to uncover your leadership blind spots … during times of uncertainties, people are more sensitive to your words and actions.
• Keep up-to-date on any industry, business, and company changes, no matter how small.
• Focus on moving your team forward and keeping them engaged. Remember, team members will mimic how you handle these challenging moments of uncertainty.
• Do your homework, admit to not having all the answers, and talk straight.

How to Acknowledge Fears Responsibly

Acknowledge your fears privately. Acknowledge your fears and treat yourself with compassion. Take time for self-reflection. Answer, “What is keeping me awake at night?” Start a private journal (for your eyes only) to address your actual concerns and possible solutions. Also, write down new insights and opportunities that pop up – no matter how off-the-wall they may seem.

Share your concerns appropriately and responsibly. Recognize situations or thoughts that trigger your reactions. These may be unrecognized biases and fears. Acknowledge that they are natural and normal human responses that everyone experiences. But don’t hang onto them. During team meetings, set aside fears and create a “What if …” time for new ideas to flow. Stay away from “How to do it” – that comes later after the brainstorming phase.

Focus on what you can impact. With your team, develop a plan that will provide a sense of direction using new strategies. Set manageable goals by breaking down milestones into small, achievable steps. These “wins” are essential.

Don’t step over acknowledging others’ contributions. Appreciation can minimize others’ fears of change and uncertainty which cause anxiety and impact performance. Share your own fears and growth appropriately and with brevity.

Practice mindfulness. Be aware of words and attitudes (yours and others) that get in the way of team members and others feeling that they are part of the process. Stay present during conversations and other interactions, especially about any issues or team conflicts. Get them resolved immediately. Remember, breathing practices can help calm the mind, alleviate feelings of fear and indecisiveness, and improve the quality of win-win-win outcomes.

Stick to the facts and use numbers/metrics to de-escalate any upsets. Speak responsibly and factually. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t have an answer at the moment.” This builds trust, credibility, and influence. If you engage in hyperbole, your board, team, or client will stop listening and trusting you. Remember, what you say and do will be repeated and possibly recorded.

Stay connected. Again, don’t attempt to go it alone. When confronted by a problem, talk it out with your executive coach, one or two trusted confidants, and with your management team. (Don’t post on social media!) Also, attend trade, industry, and professional meetings — these can provide insights from shared experiences and give a sense of community, making it easier to cope with uncertainties while pursuing new opportunities.

©Jeannette Seibly 2024 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 32 years of practical experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, achieving business success always starts with having the right people in the right jobs! She has been an Authorized PXT Select® Partner for over 33 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about these state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tools or how to coach and manage your people to achieve incredible results.

A note from Jeannette: Fear due to change and uncertainty is contagious! As a boss/leader, it’s essential to take care of yourself and your team dynamics during times of uncertainty. This week’s article addresses considerations to guide you and your team to move forward and address the natural fears that are arising at this time. Contact me to start a confidential conversation and address how to resolve what seems unresolvable.

Now is the time to get into focused action! Are there days you dread doing what is needed to manage your people, projects, and team’s financial performance? You’re not alone! Everyone has those days! But continuing to hide behind excuses only hurts you and your future promotability. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully – this includes getting you out of the way and working with and through people effectively to achieve the results required. Contact me to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.

Want to Improve Your Hiring Decisions?

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“If predicting job success were easy, or quick, we wouldn’t see expensive early hiring failures!” John W. Howard PhD

As you know, hiring and investing in your people costs money. Too often, mistakes are made despite all the interviews and other pre-employment rituals. Your retention, revenues, and results suffer.

The problem occurs when you hire, transfer, or promote people into jobs that don’t fit them. This often results in the person leaving your company and taking other top talent with them. For example, taking your top salesperson and promoting them to the manager role is a frequent misstep.

Current Problems Most Companies are Experiencing

Relying on:

Intuitive Hiring. Yes, it’s easy to rely on our “intuition/gut” to tell you if the person is the right one. The problem is two-fold. #1: There is no objective data, which often results in the collection of false information and hiring mistakes. #2: Your retention, reputation, revenues, and results suffer.

The Resume. Over 80 percent of resumes contain inaccuracies, embellishments, or lies. Many resumes today are created using AI, online templates, or professional resume writers. The question is, “How valid is the information?” Remember, you need objective and reliable data to improve your hiring decisions. The resume alone will never give you that.

Any Assessment. Over 95 percent of assessments today are not validated for pre-employment or job selection use. It’s time to learn about the science and legality of using objective job fit assessments. (See Chapter 9 in Hire Amazing Employees)

Overcoming These Challenges Requires Using Real Systems

Use the interview, assessments, and due diligence equally in hiring decisions. Do not rely solely on the interview; stop asking questions that are not job-related. (SEE Chapter 1 in Hire Amazing Employees)

Select a job fit assessment with the validity, reliability, and predictive validity that comply with the Department Labor Guidelines for pre-employment and selection use. (Most hiring bosses don’t do this.) The proper assessment will guide you to hire the right people with your eyes open to any challenges you may encounter. Remember, no one is perfect, but you cannot teach a cat to become a dog.

Train your hiring bosses. Use an intracompany system that provides all the tools and resources required. This will save you and them from hiring mistakes, costly turnover of current employees and clients, and legal challenges. (See Chapter 3 in Hire Amazing Employees)

Don’t Overlook Hidden Talent: Many talented people are already employed in your company. You overlook them based on biases and other subjective factors and seek top talent from outside the company.

©Jeannette Seibly 2024 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 31 years of practical experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, achieving business success always starts with having the right people in the right jobs! She has been an Authorized PXT Select® Partner for over 32 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about these state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tools or how to coach and manage your people to achieve incredible results.

A note from Jeannette: Is the way you hire people working for you? Are you happy with your hiring results? Improving your retention, revenues, and results creates a positive reputation for you and the company. Contact me for a free, confidential conversation on how to improve your selection process and hiring decisions.

Now is the time to get into focused action! Are there days you dread doing what is needed to manage your people, projects, and team’s financial performance? You’re not alone! Everyone has those days! But continuing to hide behind excuses only hurts you and your future promotability. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully – this includes getting you out of the way and working with and through people effectively to achieve the results required. Contact me to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.

Transform Stress into Resilience

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“Embrace stress as an opportunity for your resilience to shine through.” Jeannette Seibly

While many believe summer is a time to slow down and relax, the truth is, it’s been a hectic time … political rhetoric, economic uncertainty, workplace changes, and confusion about AI. Family and friend time can create additional frustrations. Your business projects, profitability (or lack thereof), clients, and teams have caused stress. Transforming your stress into resilience is required more than ever.

7 Ways to Transform Stress into Resilience

  1. Yes, it’s a #1 stress reducer. Breathe in for a count of 10, pause, then exhale for a count of 10. Do this at least three times. You’ll be amazed at how fast this works while creating resilience and improving results.
  2. Honor your inner leader. Too often, we attempt to ignore our inner wisdom to slow down. It’s time to listen, learn, and discuss it with your executive coach, mentor, and/or therapist. (Yes, mental health concerns are at an all-time high – there is no shame in reaching out for help – especially when doing so reduces stress, creates resilience, and produces better results.)
  3. Know thyself. Many times, especially today, people are in jobs where they do not fit their work responsibilities. In addition, the challenges of working with factions, sticky workplace issues, and complicated working relationships can make achieving the required results highly stressful. Take an objective qualified job fit assessment and work with your executive coach to determine your natural leadership skills and blind spots. The objective awareness of strengths and intrinsic weaknesses will develop resilience to issues you cannot control.
  4. Get the facts. Clarify the actual issue. Too often, we latch on to the smallest bits of information and run with it. This almost always creates a more significant problem (s). Talk out the facts with one or two trusted advisors and your executive coach. With a clearer perspective, get into action and resolve the issue now.
  5. Have the tough conversations you’ve been avoiding. Stress occurs when someone’s choice of words, discussion points, tone of voice, hand gestures, or facial expressions offend you. BREATHE. Remember, when stressed, you will overreact and misinterpret. Instead, have a conversation to learn the truth. If you don’t resolve it now, an irrevocable point will occur, preventing you from resolving the situation and saving the relationship.
  6. Keep a private journal. Use journaling as a way to create a positive future. Write down “brags” about what has been working. Include “I am grateful for …” Write about your future and goals. Take action on one of your goals – remember the smallest steps can create resilience, and the momentum will keep you moving forward.
  7. Be present with people. People know when you’re not listening. That creates stress for everyone. Then, to make it worse, you lie about it. It becomes a stress-filled interaction when others must repeat themselves. They become resentful. Instead, learn mindful resilience. I promise, listening will reduce stress and increase resilience, and your results will improve, too!

©Jeannette Seibly, 2019-2024

Jeannette Seibly is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 31 years of practical experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, achieving business success always starts with having the right people in the right jobs! She has been an Authorized PXT Select® Partner for over 32 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about these state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tools or how to coach and manage your people to achieve incredible results.

A note from Jeannette: It’s the end of summer, and you’re surprised by the amount of stress you’re feeling. You’re not alone. Here are some tips to alleviate it and develop resilience to move forward.  Contact me for help with addressing that nagging issue that won’t disappear.

Now is the time to get into focused action! Are there days you dread doing what is needed to manage your people, projects, and team’s financial performance? You’re not alone! Everyone has those days! But continuing to hide behind excuses only hurts you and your future promotability. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully – this includes getting you out of the way and working with and through people effectively to achieve the results required. Contact me to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.

Transform Your Blind Spots into Savvy Leadership

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“We all have blind spots, and to see them requires an open mind!” Jeannette Seibly

Do you know how your impatience, fear of conflict, and being easily triggered affect your effectiveness as a boss/leader? 

All bosses/leaders have blind spots. Often, these are complex and, many times, impossible to distinguish. Or they get created because of criticism from someone whose opinion you value. Or you have been unwilling or unable to acknowledge your biases, judgments, and evaluations of others objectively.

Unidentified blind spots are weaknesses that cost you, your company, your team, and your customers intended results.

Your blind spots, when ignored, will sabotage you and your career unless you identify them and discover them with your executive coach.

How Do You Define Blind Spots?

Leadership blind spots are the areas where a leader … even a very successful leader … is missing something. A blind spot can be a lack of attention to a particular area or a part of your skillset that never developed. ALL leaders have blind spots. Exceptional Leader’s Lab

No matter how hard you try to be self-aware and mindful, you cannot readily self-identify your blind spots. The problem is your blind spots impact others and can limit their effectiveness at work.

The challenge is to hire the right executive coach to uncover your blind spots before they damage your leadership reputation and future opportunities.

What Are the Top 10 Leadership Blind Spots?

While some blind spots may be easy to spot, according to Inc. Magazine, here are the top 10.

Which ones do you recognize for yourself?

The top 10 blind spots are:

  1. Going it alone
  2. Being insensitive of your behavior toward others
  3. Having an “I know” attitude
  4. Avoiding the difficult conversations
  5. Blaming others or circumstances
  6. Treating commitments casually
  7. Conspiring against others
  8. Withholding emotional commitment
  9. Not taking a stand
  10. Tolerating “good enough”

“Identifying your blind spots and overcoming these hurdles is critical to developing your savvy leadership.” Jeannette Seibly

How to Flip Blind Spots into Savvy Leadership 

  1. Use assessments and 360-degree feedback to discover your inherent strengths and weaknesses (aka blind spots). There are three types of assessments: 1) assessments that uncover how you want to be seen, 2) assessments to show how you really are, and 3) assessments that show you how others see you. All three provide you with great 20/20 vision. But now, the real work begins. Work with a qualified executive coach to review the assessment results and guide you in developing a laser-focused action plan to flip these blind spots.
  2. Hire the right executive coach and listen. You will improve your influence and leadership savvy when you are coachable and listen. Having a coach eliminates the typical trial and error that otherwise occurs when you attempt to self-analyze what you say and do. (You will often be wrong!) Do not focus on conceptual conversations regarding the merits and demerits of your blind spots. Just listen to your coach, adjust, and implement.
  3. Engage with an industry mentor. The right mentor(s) is an invaluable source of information and will be knowledgeable about your company, management team, and industry. Along with your executive coach, the right mentor can also guide you through complex situations and sticky political relationships. This is the fastest way to move past your blind spots, resolve issues, and achieve intended results.
  4. Listen to your team’s feedback. Your team wants you to succeed. However, while you may believe you want to hear feedback from your team, honestly, in many cases, you’d rather not. Use a qualified 360 feedback assessment to encourage your team to tell the truth. Then, create a game plan to learn from and implement these invaluable insights.
  5. Dial up your humbleness. Take part in emotional intelligence workshops. Set aside your ego during these programs since it can be your most significant hurdle to overcoming blind spots and developing savvy leadership. Remember, authentic practice is required to achieve mastery!
  6. Improve your all-important communication skills. Your ability to write, speak, and talk with others is critical to success. Don’t fall into the trap of “I have it all handled.” Instead, take workshops to recognize your biases (aka blind spots) and develop your inner confidence.
  7. Identify triggers and biases. We all have them. To uncover triggers and automatic judgments (often subconsciously), work with your executive coach to discuss the issues and develop more effective ways to handle them. (Note: You may also need to work with a licensed therapist to remove stubborn barriers.)

©Jeannette Seibly, 2020-2024 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 31 years of practical experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, achieving business success always starts with having the right people in the right jobs! She has been an Authorized PXT Select® Partner for over 32 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about these state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tools or how to coach and manage your people to achieve incredible results.

A note from Jeannette: If others have told you that you are impatient, fear conflict, and are easily triggered, keep reading! Even if you believe they are wrong, it’s essential to realize that ALL leaders have blind spots, including you. If you’re stuck and uncertain about how to discover your blind spots, contact me for a confidential conversation.

Now is the time to get into focused action! Are there days you dread doing what is needed to manage your people, projects, and team’s financial performance? You’re not alone! Everyone has those days! But continuing to hide behind excuses only hurts you and your future promotability. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully – this includes getting you out of the way and working with and through people effectively to achieve the results required. Contact me to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.

Are you using your talents effectively? Many of us are not! Click Here for a Free Download on how to use your talents and enjoy a rewarding career!

Can Mistakes Be Resolved?

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“Saying, ‘I apologize’ is easy – but if you don’t take responsibility for what you say or do, the apology is meaningless.” Jeannette Seibly

While the answer is “yes,” too many bosses and leaders derail their careers when they make mistakes, experience failure, or find themselves in conflict. Then, to make matters worse, they attempt to rectify it too quickly, lie about it, or fail to take responsibility by blaming others or the situation.

Remember, the same mindset that created the problem should not be used to solve it—it will only make it worse.

Have you:

  • Used a disrespectful tone of voice or become upset with your boss when s/he is critical of your work? Or the work of your team?
  • Lost your patience with a customer or team member? As a result, do they now refuse to work with you?
  • Offered inappropriate or incorrect solutions and then denied doing so? As a result, your co-workers are upset and want you fired.
  • Used microaggressions (e.g., men are more intelligent than women) when talking with your team. Result? They are offended.
  • Been given feedback by your boss or team, and you were defensive and rude?

While these may sound extreme, too often, you have done a version of them. (We all have.) When these issues occur, you can derail your career or job promotion opportunities without knowing it!

How to Resolve Avoidable Mistakes

Pause and Breathe. Mindfulness is important. Say to yourself, “I will work through this and get the help I need to improve.” Now, take action to resolve your mistake, failure, or conflict.

Contact Your Executive Coach as soon as possible before you make the mistake, failure, or conflict worse. Complete the “What Worked? / What Didn’t Work?” exercise to provide objective insights.

Take Responsibility. After devising a plan with your coach, talk with your boss. Map out who, what, when, where, and why it needs to be done. Remember, “hoping the issue will go away” is a strategy for failure! This is a golden opportunity for you to be the boss and leader who can make a positive difference – failure to do so will result in irrevocable loss of trust.

Apologize. Offering apologies will be the next thing to do. Saying, “I apologize” is easy.  But your apology must be genuine so your boss, co-workers, team members, and customers can hear you! While these two words seem simple, you may resist saying them! Remember, pay now by taking responsibility or later when you’ve been fired.

Do It! Enough talking about it. Get into action. Be willing to dance (be flexible) in the conversation—remember, the actual discussion will be different than the conversation you mapped out in your head. Listening to their concerns can turn around their negative feelings towards you and get you on the right track. Yes, you must take the time and offer the patience to solve the mistake, failure, or conflict. Remember, keep talking to your executive coach throughout the process.

©Jeannette Seibly 2024 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 31 years of practical experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, achieving business success always starts with having the right people in the right jobs! She has been an Authorized PXT Select® Partner for over 32 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about these state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tools or how to coach and manage your people to achieve incredible results.

A note from Jeannette: Mistakes, failures, and conflicts can be resolved if you’re willing to do the work and get into action. But if you act too quickly, depending on the problem, it will only make it worse. If this has happened to you recently, now is the time to talk it out using my 31+ years of leadership and management issues to resolve it — before it’s too late. Contact me now!

Now is the time to get into focused action! Are there days you dread doing what is needed to manage your people, projects, and team’s financial performance? You’re not alone! Everyone has those days! But continuing to hide behind excuses only hurts you and your future promotability. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully – this includes getting you out of the way and working with and through people effectively to achieve the results required. Contact me to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.

This book (“Hire Amazing Employees“) by Nancy Schick, NY Employment Attorney and Mediator, can help you improve your hiring process. I met Jeannette Seibly a few months ago In this Together Round Table, where I also learned about her book, Hire Amazing Employees. Since my clients frequently struggle with this task, I bought myself a copy and gave several as gifts. The book contains many helpful tips for avoiding the impact of hiring errors. Read the full testimonial here.

What Gets in the Way of Achieving Amazing Results? It’s Probably You!

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“Getting in the way of results is human; blasting through these challenges requires leadership.” Jeannette Seibly

Achieving intended results can be fun and rewarding as a boss and leader. Yet, too often, we get in the way when things don’t look like we believe they should! (Yes, that “s” word gets in the way too often!)

But there are times (sometimes too often) when you get in the way! This hurts team productivity, client satisfaction, and the bottom line.

Remember, intended results don’t happen by accident. They happen because you pay attention to the process, are a resource, and most importantly, you trust and value your team members to do their work effectively. This empowerment is key to achieving amazing results while staying out of the way!

6 Keys to Ensure Amazing Results

Be Present and Hear What Is Said. It’s not just about being physically present, but about actively listening and understanding. Too often, you believe you’re listening. Instead, you’re multitasking (a myth), and it significantly reduces your effectiveness. The truth is that your brain can only handle one thing at a time. So, you lose effectiveness, miss out on essential cues (80% of communication is nonverbal), and make poor decisions. Your team members, stop being engaged and stop talking! (Not a good sign!)

Ask Open-Ended Questions. Then, repeat what you heard to their satisfaction before building on their ideas and comments. Use this approach when offering feedback, if the team is stuck, or if you need more clarity about actual progress. Value these types of discussions, and they’ll positively change the results!

Be Flexible without Sacrificing Results. Only delve into how the work is being done if it’s clear the person is off in the weeds or stuck. Clarity and communication of the milestones keep everyone (including you) on track. Be prepared to talk big picture, and be able to get into the details, when necessary, by bringing in an expert (e.g., if someone is tasked with setting up a dashboard and it’s not done – chances are good they lack the experience, shy about asking questions, and/or need someone to guide them through the process). Now, manage accordingly.

Make the Tough Decisions Quickly. This can be hard but necessary when someone hurts the team’s ability to work together due to unmanaged conflict, differing opinions, and false accusations. If you wait, the issue will get worse.

Jane requested a meeting with a team member, Mimi, to discuss the legality of a new idea. Mimi sent Jane the conference link to the meeting, but when Jane clicked on the link, it didn’t work.

Three minutes past the scheduled time, Mimi emailed Jane to inform her that she’d been waiting for 10 minutes and that it was rude to keep her waiting. When Jane emailed back that the link wasn’t working, Mimi accused her of lying, lacking integrity to tell the truth, and made other accusations.

When Jane shared this with Mitch, her boss, he immediately removed Mimi from the team. To Mitch’s surprise, the team applauded when he shared the change. They had also experienced challenges working with Mimi and her aggressive behaviors when she was frustrated or upset. 

Set Aside Your Ego, and Don’t Let the Project’s Success Be About You. This can be hard if your job, bonus, or next promotion depends on the intended results. But remember that you must be an effective project manager to build credibility and promotability; this includes managing the technical and people sides of the project. When you find yourself about to blame others or the situation, stop. Learn diplomacy, ask questions for clarity, and build resolutions. Remember, technology does have glitches, and it’s not always user error! Work with an executive coach as a sounding board to make a positive difference.

Celebrate Each Milestone and Success – individually and as a team. Appreciation, acknowledgment, and applause work wonders to keep team members engaged and working above the norm. Be sure it’s frequent and genuine.

©Jeannette Seibly 2024 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 31 years of practical experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, achieving business success always starts with having the right people in the right jobs! She has been an Authorized PXT Select® Partner for over 32 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about these state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tools or how to coach and manage your people to achieve incredible results.

A note from Jeannette: Achieving results can be fun and rewarding as a boss and leader. Yet, too often, we get in the way when things don’t look like we believe they should! (Yes, that “s” word gets in the way too often!) You’re not alone if you’re frustrated about a project, team member, or working relationship! Let’s talk and use my 31+ years of resolving leadership and management issues before it’s too late. Contact me now!

Now is the time to get into focused action! Are there days you dread doing what is needed to manage your people, projects, and team’s financial performance? You’re not alone! Everyone has those days! But continuing to hide behind excuses only hurts you and your future promotability. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully – this includes getting you out of the way and working with and through people effectively to achieve the results required. Contact me to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.

This book (“Hire Amazing Employees“) by Nancy Schick, NY Employment Attorney and Mediator, can help you improve your hiring process. I met Jeannette Seibly a few months ago In this Together Round Table, where I also learned about her book, Hire Amazing Employees. Since my clients frequently struggle with this task, I bought myself a copy and gave several as gifts. The book contains many helpful tips for avoiding the impact of hiring errors. Read the full testimonial here.

How to Ask the Right Questions to Achieve Results

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“Want to be a better leader? Ask the right questions to improve results.” Jeannette Seibly

Today, many leaders and bosses fear asking questions because they believe people are easily offended, view comments as microaggressions, or feel uncomfortable being put on the spot. But asking the right questions the right way and getting people thinking and talking is how you generate new ideas, resolve problems, and manage conflicts.

How to Ask the Right Questions to Improve Results

Understand Your Approach Matters. While many people fear direct questions or straight talk, they can elicit great responses. But in some cases, candid questions may be too difficult for people. Choose appropriately.

Examples:

  • Direct approach: “Good morning! What’s the progress on xxx?”
  • Softer approach. “Hi. Great to see you. I have a question to ask you. Is now a good time?”

Actively Listen to Learn. As many people know, we listen to respond and fail to hear what the other person has said. Actively listen. Then, ask questions to learn more before responding. But, remember, this is not an interrogation!

Use Silence! Ask your question. Then, become silent. Allow them time to answer and avoid jumping in to answer for them. Remember, you’ve been thinking about your idea. It’s probably the first time they’ve heard it!

Give Feedback by Asking Questions First. Get their side of the story or point of view on an issue before providing feedback. Sharing back and forth helps both of you listen. Then, ask, “What do you believe we should do to move forward?” This process will improve your decision-making and team results.

Use a Neutral Tone of Voice. Being overly excited or hyper as the norm makes it difficult for calmer team members to feel comfortable responding. Use a neutral tone to avoid escalating a conversation into a conflict because the more hyper you become, the calmer your team members will become – neither of you will feel heard. If you are unaware of your tone of voice or the impact you have, contact me.

Have The Other Person Go First. Ask a question to get the conversation started. Instead of asking, “How’s your day going?” (It will only elicit yawns or complaints.) Ask, “What did/do you love about this project? What do you see as the next step?”

Be Responsible When Asking ‘Leading Questions.’ “You got that task done, right?” It is a question that implies a right or wrong answer. Instead, “How’s the progress on resolving the customer issue?” Listen. Offer, “Let me know how I can assist in getting it resolved faster.” This is a critical skill to learn because it reduces potential conflict.

Encourage Discussion by Asking Open-Ended Questions. Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How are the start of asking open-ended questions. Why is this important? We’re not wired to ask open-ended questions, and not doing so limits results. Use open-ended questions and have at least three questions ready to get your team talking. This method works well during brainstorming or generating new ideas when the team is stuck.

©Jeannette Seibly 2024 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 31 years of experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, achieving business success always starts with having the right people in the right jobs! She has been an Authorized PXT Select Partner for over 31 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about this state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tool or how to coach and manage your people to achieve extraordinary results.

A note from Jeannette: Asking questions seems mundane until you consider how you use this critical management skill. Asking the right questions in the right way can elicit better responses from team members, generate new ideas, and manage conflicts. Want to tap into my 31++ years of experience in developing influential leaders and bosses? Contact me now with your questions!

It’s time to unleash your inner leader! Are there days you dread managing people, projects, and your team’s financial performance? You’re not alone! Everyone has their blind spots! NOW is the time to get the guidance you need to make the right changes for 2024. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully. The bonus is that they achieve unprecedented results. Contact me to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.

Stop Sabotaging Your Work Relationships

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“Want to make a positive difference in your relationships at work? Do what you say you’ll do.” Jeannette Seibly

Many bosses and leaders don’t focus on building good proactive work relationships. They are in denial, fail to see the value, and sabotage the ability to work well with others.

As a result, bosses and leaders are disappointed in the results when others’ support is required to resolve workplace problems or handle complex customer challenges. Without good work relationships built over time — co-workers and bosses who were ignored or dismissed as necessary — are unavailable or become judgmental, insisting they know what they should have or could have done or how they would have done it!

When Bobby, a middle-level boss, continued to complain about his boss, who was a director, he was instructed by his best friend to hire an executive coach. While he didn’t believe a coach would solve the problem of his boss slashing his quarterly bonuses and failing to provide needed resources, he did it.

The coach outlined a recommendation for Bobby. “Go and have a conversation. Not just any conversation. Have one that will make a positive and real difference. Start building a good work relationship. You don’t have to like him; respect that he is your boss.”

His retort, “If I’d known what you are telling me to do, I never would have hired you.” The coach’s reply, “You did hire me. Now, get it done. You’ll be amazed by the difference it makes.”

Bobby did, and the coach was right. The results from his conversation with the boss were phenomenal. He became one of the few people that could get along with the guy.

The bonus result? The president of the company heard about it. Six months later, the president called Bobby. “I heard you’re doing great things. When you’re ready, I want you to run one of my new companies.”

Building good work relationships, especially with difficult team members and bosses, greatly affects your promotability, results, and career options.

Six Tips to Grow Strong Relationships

Good listening skills are crucial! Yes, I know. I mention this a lot. But unless you really listen, the rest of these tips will do you little good!

Take Responsibility for Biases and Judgments. You love to believe that no one knows how you feel about someone. The truth? It shows up in your choice of words, nonverbal gestures, and work assignments. There are many workshops and courses that can help you blast through old thoughts and beliefs and correct poor communication styles that get in the way. Get signed up and participate! (Sitting on the sidelines and pretending to listen makes no difference.)

Respect Others. Stop relying on your excuses for not fully supporting the team goal. For example, if you have trouble hearing others during Zoom meetings, be respectful and turn up the volume on your laptop (it may not be a Zoom issue). If you know you’re experiencing hearing loss, take care of yourself by getting your hearing tested. Using excuses to stop listening or failing to ask good questions hurts your relationships and disrespects your team members.

Get Involved. As a boss and leader, you must stay involved and listen during team meetings, especially when your team and co-workers ask for help and resources. It doesn’t mean you micromanage – unless it’s required. Guiding them to take the initiative, expecting them to talk it out, or requiring accountability builds positive relationships and results.

Ask for Help! Others’ input bolsters relationships or hurts them if you ignore their recommendations. Many bosses and leaders don’t ask for help! Unless they are forced into it. At that point, they have no alternative. And although they’ve asked for help, their egos kick in and make it difficult for others to help (e.g., “I already did that.” or “I don’t see how that will work.”). Remember, asking for help doesn’t mean you don’t have the skills or smarts to do the job. It simply means you’re keeping an open mind that there may be better ideas on achieving your goals, working through factional issues, or seeing the issue from different points of view.

Honor Your Word. Don’t talk about what you’re going to do. Do it! Although everyone likes to believe they have integrity, the truth is that most do not. They make decisions in their own self-interest, fail to follow up and follow through as promised, or don’t believe the rules should apply to them. Start small … but start. Example: Concern: I’m expected to talk 1:1 with my employees. Solution: Set up 1:1 meetings with team members once a month to start. Then, increase as needed. Keep in mind, when you do what you say you’ll do, you will build trust and relationships!

Make Win-Win-Win Decisions. The decisions you make impact others. However, some impacts are less noticeable and will negatively influence the team’s ability to get their work done. To make good decisions, hire an executive coach, ask for help, and listen! The willingness to ensure you’re making the best decisions is your way of honoring your word to your team and company. Thereby building stronger relationships. Then, follow up to determine if the results are what is required. If not, conduct a What Worked?/What Didn’t Work? to determine what was missing.

©Jeannette Seibly 2024 All Rights Reserved

Jeannette Seibly is a Talent Advisor/Leadership Results Coach with over 31 years of practical experience guiding leaders and bosses to improve their hiring, coaching, and managing practices and produce amazing results! And yes, it always starts with having the right people in the right jobs! She has been an Authorized PXT Select® Partner for over 32 years. Contact Jeannette to learn more about these state-of-the-art job-fit assessment tools or how to coach and manage your people to achieve incredible results.

A note from Jeannette: Good work relationships make a big difference in your ability to get things done, make good decisions, and enjoy your job. Sadly, you may overlook critical qualities ensuring your work relationships work! Have questions? Contact me now!

It’s time to get honest and authentic! Are there days you dread managing people, projects, and your team’s financial performance? You’re not alone! Everyone has their blind spots! NOW is the time to get the guidance you need to make the right changes during 2024. I have extensive experience and wisdom guiding bosses and leaders to hire, coach, and manage their teams successfully. The bonus is that they achieve unprecedented results. Contact me to learn more about my in-depth, one-on-one, customized coaching programs.