Some ideas to ponder over coffee!

I visited Network Central yesterday, a fab monthly breakfast for women interested in finding balance in their professional and personal lives. There were some fabulous thoughts that came from the panel and I'd love to share them with you:

1. Once you've made a decision, invest all your energy into the decision, rather than worrying about whether or not you made the right decision!

2. To think that work is purely rational would be wrong. The workplace is full of emotion: anger, jealousy, fear, sadness, joy. We are at the end of the day human beings.

3. You never know who the key stakeholder might be: it could be the receptionist for all you know.

- RW

Our Speaker on 16th June: Elizabeth Woodgate

On 16th June, Liz Woodgate, a proud mum and fitness extraordinaire, is joining us at
'Rise Then Shine' to speak about her personal motivational drivers and the vital importance of team work.

Liz's all-women team came 1st in Oxfam's 100km Trailwalker in 2006, 2nd in 2007 and were the 3rd placed female team in 2008. Liz has completed 9 marathons, 6 Ironmans and was part of the first Australian team to complete the Gore Tech TransApline Race at the end of 2009.

It's tiring just looking at that list!

Join us in 16th June to hear about Liz's amazing stories; see some of the photos from the various events she has competed in around the world; hear about what keeps her going; and be inspired!

Our goal-setting breakfast will follow as usual - our optional theme for the morning will be 'the importance of teamwork'.

Arrive: 645am for a 7am start (Liz will be speaking from 7am). Ends: 840am
Address: 1st Floor, Aurora Bar, 88 Phillip Street, Sydney CBD.

Buy tickets online - they will sell out fast!!!

RW x

VIDEO: See what 'Rise Then Shine' is all about!

How to Present with Assertiveness

'Ask Rebecca How...' is here to help you solve your professional concerns and offer ideas to help you meet your challenges.

"In smaller 1-1 settings, I talk and present with confidence but really lose my nerve in bigger meetings. How can I assert myself more effectively?" - Joanna

One of the most powerful ways to fast track your career, and be recognised as a leader, is to be able to present your ideas with authority but often, we let ourselves get in the way!

When presenting in front of a larger audience, particular limiting decisions often come into play. Do any of these thoughts run through your head?

a) "What if my opinion is wrong?"
b) "I am not knowledgable enough."
c) "The people in the meeting will judge me."

Largely because of beliefs like these, many people will 'hold back' in bigger meetings, waiting for the ideal time to speak. However, the longer this goes on, the harder it is to interject and offer your view. It's time to make some changes and here are some tips to help you:

1. Prepare for your meetings. Write your ideas and opinions down and rehearse them out loud until you sound convincing!

2. How about this: how can you ever be 'wrong' when 'truth' does not exist? To 'be wrong' implies there can only be one possible answer... which is, when you think about it, ludicrous. All anyone has is their opinion based on their own experiences and view of the world. Give yourself permission to offer your opinion; the worst that will happen is that someone else will have a different opinion to you... and that is all!

3. Focus your attention on the knowledge you do have, rather than worrying about what you don't know (yet)! If you need to do some extra research, do it today.

4. Your audience will naturally make a subconscious judgment about you, based first on your tone of voice and body language... possibly before you have even uttered a word. Practice speaking with an appropriate level of authority and rehearse a few subtle gestures that will support the points you wish to make.

Happy presenting! - RW

4 Steps To Listen Effectively & Build Rapport

I think that 'listening' is one of the most powerful of all communication skills and yet we are never really taught, at school or otherwise, how to do it properly.

Effective listening requires a great deal more than merely 'hearing' what your counterpart has to say. Effective listening requires a conscious commitment to be wholly present and to digest every word that is spoken.

Here are some ideas to help boost your listening skills:

1. Before entering your meeting, leave your own 'stuff' outside of the room! Our minds easily wander and a great tip is to literally 'park' your own distractions at outside of the door before you come in; you can always pick them up later when you leave!

2. When engaging your counterpart, consciously turn off your own inner voice, or mental chatter. This voice constantly lists all the things you have to get done today: 'planning tonight's dinner... organising a meeting with my manager; speaking to Sally about Friday; and oh... God... I've got to buy a present for Joe and when will I fit that in?; the dry cleaning needs collecting....' and so it goes on.

3. Occasionally check in with your partner to clarify her point or to ensure you have understood her correctly. Use her words when you do this - it shows you are really listening and helps to build rapport.

4. A final tip - turn your mobile off and put it in your bag! There's nothing ruder or more distracting than having a mobile on the table!! - RW

2 Tips To Achieve Promotion

"I really want to ensure I am promoted this year. Do you have any tips that will help?" - Lynda

Tip 1: Look around you and choose a senior manager whom you respect and who already holds the position you wish to be promoted to. Observe his/her attitudes, behaviours and skills and note them down. As of today, start to emulate this person. Adopt their attitudes and behaviours; dress in a similar way; stand and walk with a similar posture; even try to think as they do. To be recognised for promotion you must 'act as if' you are already there. By proving, through demonstration, that you are already more than capable of fulfilling this elevated role, your chances of success will be considerably higher.

Tip 2: Note down the date when you wish to be promoted. Keep it close and review it regularly. Be proactive amd ask yourself every day, "What one thing can I do today to help me be promoted by date X?" - RW

Does Money Really Bring Happiness?

I came across this quote today:
“If you work just for the money, you’ll never make it…
…But if you love what you’re doing, success will be yours.”
Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, said that.
No-one can deny that the glorious Golden Arches of McDonald’s represent a phenomenal success story. McDonald’s was only established in 1955 and now serves 60 million customers daily and boasts whopping annual revenues of US$25 billion.



Ray’s philosophy obviously counts for something… but Rays point, of course, is all about our definition of ‘success’.
How about making a couple of nips and tucks to Ray’s quote?

“If you’re chasing the dollar that’s all you may ever get.
But if you love what you do…
Not only will you enjoy deep satisfaction, you’ll probably get the dollar too.”

It even rhymes! Nice.
- RW



© Rebecca Wells, Ask Rebecca How 2010.