Future Female Leaders Nichole Harrop: Women's Leadership + Career Coach

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Connect with Nichole Harrop on LinkedIn
 
Topics/Questions discussed:
How can someone in an entry level role recognize that they might need to help their leader to become more of a coach?
What is a good way to go about changing the structure of a helpful 1:1?
What can you do if you are trying to make changes to your 1:1 structure and it’s not going well?
What other advice or guidance do you have to help someone who wants to grow?

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Connect and ask any questions to Nichole on LinkedIn.
 
Key Points:
Importance of knowing your boss's expectations, especially if aiming for growth or leadership. Metrics such as customer satisfaction, quality scores, attendance, and meeting punctuality can be key. Tailor your approach to meet your leader's priorities. Ask your leader what they need from you today to endorse your future growth. Use the Career Growth Guide (in show notes) for career roadmap and growth tips.

Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn
Check out the different digital offerings Nichole has, here!

Here's the link to grab the digital download for the Ultimate Career Growth Workbook
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Episode Highlights
Networking and Personal Growth:
Grace shares her journey of starting to post on LinkedIn despite feeling unprepared initially. Nichole emphasizes the importance of networking and supportive connections in personal and professional growth. Overcoming Fear and Taking Action:
Grace emphasizes the significance of pushing past fear by simply taking action, even if it's starting with small steps. Both hosts discuss how supportive networks contribute to building confidence and making strides in their careers. Challenging Self-Limiting Beliefs:
The conversation revolves around challenging self-limiting beliefs, encouraging listeners to question why they delay their aspirations. They discuss the need to challenge one's own beliefs and surround oneself with supportive people to move forward. Benefits of Taking Risks:
Grace shares her experience of stepping into roles she felt unprepared for initially and the growth that came from embracing these challenges. The conversation delves into how the discomfort of uncertainty can lead to personal and professional growth. Transition into Leadership and Self-Reflection:
Grace recounts her transition from an individual contributor to a leadership role and the challenges she faced, particularly around uncertainty and self-doubt. Both hosts discuss the importance of self-reflection in career progression and the necessity of balancing feedback-seeking behavior with confidence in leadership roles.

This week Nichole shares an episode where she was a guest on The Thinking Project Podcast, hosted by Dalton Jensen. 
Key Takeaways:
Common Leadership Pitfalls:
A good boss avoids deflecting blame and takes ownership of team success. They actively engage in one-on-one meetings and recognize their importance for team growth. Avoid making quick assumptions and judgments about team members. Encourage diverse opinions. Promoting High Performers:
Promoting the highest-performing employees is not always the best decision. They might lack people management skills. Being an excellent individual contributor does not guarantee leadership potential. Leadership requires caring about others' success. Being Authentic as a Leader:
Leaders should avoid pretending to be someone they're not in pursuit of success. It's essential to be your authentic self while still refining your leadership skills to adapt to your environment. Importance of Soft Skills:
Developing soft skills is crucial for successful leadership. Start with self-awareness to understand your impact on others. Building individual relationships and caring about team members' lives outside of work fosters trust and psychological safety. The Value of Empathy:
Empathy is a key element of great leadership. It involves genuinely caring about your team members' success and well-being. Leaders should strive to understand their team's challenges and actively support them. Challenging Work Environments:
It's vital for leaders to acknowledge that the environment can sometimes restrict open communication and empathy. Organizations should encourage leadership that promotes caring and connection within teams, even outside of the workplace.

 
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1: Deciding on Your Career Path
Nichole reflects on her own experience working for a well-established company and the importance of considering long-term growth. Discusses her transition to a startup, which proved to be a better fit for her career goals. Advises listeners to think carefully about the company they work for, even in entry-level positions. 2: Learning About Leadership Roles
Nichole shares her experience about not fully understanding what her team leader's role involved before her promotion. Emphasizes the importance of asking questions and gaining a clear understanding of the responsibilities of the next level of leadership. Mentions the significance of offering to take on tasks to support the team leader, demonstrating initiative and creating a mutually beneficial relationship. 3: Networking for Success
Nichole discusses her early experiences with networking and the realization that she needed a more intentional approach. Encourages listeners to seek guidance from mentors and ask questions about the career path and skills they should be focusing on. Stresses the value of building meaningful relationships with the right people who can guide them towards their goals. 4: Tracking Achievements
Nichole talks about the benefits of maintaining a work journal to track progress and achievements. Encourages the use of electronic tools, calendars, or handwritten notes to document accomplishments consistently. Shares how she believes that documenting achievements would have boosted her confidence and preparation for interviews. 5: The Role of Mentors
Nichole expresses her wish for a more structured mentoring relationship when she was starting her leadership journey. Discusses the importance of having an external mentor who can provide neutral guidance and support. Highlights the challenge of building trust in internal relationships and the benefits of a mentor outside of the workplace.