conversationEarlier this month, I presented at an Education Conference in Seattle hosted by NALP, the Association for Legal Professionals. My topic was Powerful Conversations for Managers and Leaders.

The room of 150+ was buzzing with energy as people shared ideas for how to improve the quality of their conversations with employees, peers and bosses.  Some brave souls stood up and acknowledged their fears and vulnerabilities when it comes to managing difficult people.  Two common themes emerged.

  1. People want to be liked.
  2. People often can’t see their own blindspots.

If you are a manager who wants to be liked AND you work with someone who lacks self-awareness, it can be difficult to lead a powerful conversation. Sometimes it is easier to just be nice. Or to let the person continue to believe they are doing just fine.  However, easier usually means status quo.  If you are ready to bring about change in one of your work relationships, start by focusing on what you can do to change the conversation.

For ten tips on how to lead a powerful conversation in your work place, download my PDF handout on powerful conversations.

Take Leadership of Your Career

Everyone is a leader at some point in their career. Whether you have a formal title of Manager, Director, VP or CEO, finding a way to lead in your workplace can contribute to career well-being and personal growth.  Whether it’s developing a new idea or project, taking on a lead role with a team, volunteering for a committee, mentoring a colleague, or taking on a new responsibility, creating leadership opportunities can build self-confidence and career satisfaction. It may also lead to new possibilities for your career direction. When is the last time you seized an opportunity to exercise your leadership muscle?

If you are interested in learning more about how to create your own opportunities to lead, consider leadership coaching or a customized workshop for your organization.

To learn more about career or leadership coaching and workshops,  contact Lianne for details.

Centre for the Legal Profession logoBecoming a Better Leader: Strengths Based Leadership for Lawyers

As lawyers advance in their careers, they continually face new challenges of leadership, including becoming a partner, managing staff, leading executive committees, and/or being a key decision maker. If you are a lawyer in a new leadership role or aspiring to leadership, join me in this workshop to understand and leverage your unique leadership strengths.

Thurs. June 12, 9am-12pm
Hosted by the Centre for the Legal Profession, University of Toronto
Accredited by the LSUC for 3 Professionalism Hours

For more information and to register click here or contact kim.snell@utoronto.ca

Recommended Reading

Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow by Tom Rath, Barry Conchie

“A new leadership version of Gallup’s popular StrengthsFinder assessment helps readers discover their own special gifts and specific strategies for leading with their top five strengths. Filled with novel research and actionable ideas, Strengths Based Leadership will give you a new road map for leading people toward a better future.”

 

a solutions focused approach to work & life transitions

Lianne Krakauer is a career and leadership coach with 20 years of experience in professional services, law, education and the public sector. She works with individuals at all levels to find ways to re-invent their careers and bring about positive sustainable change. Lianne has led workshops and presented on a wide range of topics related to career and leadership development, communication and coaching. Lianne has a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Education, both from the University of Toronto; and a Bachelor of Arts from Western. She has a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University and specialized training in Solutions Focused Coaching. She is certified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, a psychological instrument that supports individual growth and team development.  Lianne is a Professional Certified Coach, a designation granted by the International Coach Federation which recognizes coaches who have completed over 750 hours of individual coaching. In her free time she can be found on her yoga mat in a favourite warrior pose.