Reach for power

In today's episode, we will explore how changing the way we see failure can turn setbacks into stepping stones for growth, credibility, and long-term success. Here are some powerful questions to consider:How can reframing failure change the way we approach challenges and risks?What are some examples of failures that ultimately led to unexpected opportunities or growth?How does the way we talk about our failures influence the way others perceive our leadership and character?What strategies can help us shift from seeing failure as a personal defeat to a valuable learning experience?How do successful individuals use their setbacks to build resilience and long-term credibility?What mindset shifts are necessary to start viewing failure as an essential part of growth?How can reflecting on past failures help you make better decisions in the future?What role does storytelling play in turning a personal failure into a compelling narrative of strength and perseverance?How do different cultures and industries interpret failure, and what lessons can we learn from their perspectives?What bold move would you take today if you knew failure was just a stepping stone rather than an endpoint?

In today's episode, we will discuss how small, strategic actions can shape how others perceive us and build lasting influence in our professional and personal lives. Let's start with some thought-provoking questions: How do some people gain influence effortlessly, without being the loudest in the room? In what ways can small, everyday actions shape the way people perceive your credibility and leadership? How does the Mere Exposure Effect influence workplace dynamics and professional relationships What impact do subtle behaviors, such as word choice and timing in conversations, have on your perceived authority? How can mirroring someone's communication style strengthen connections and influence? What strategies can you use to make everyday interactions—like casual chats or emails—more impactful? How do consistent small contributions over time shape your reputation in a team or organization? What role does body language, tone of voice, and posture play in shaping your presence and authority? How can you apply the principle of “social proof” to position yourself as an expert without self-promotion? If you could change one small habit to enhance your micro-influence, what would it be and why?

In this episode we will explore: What is shaking up the job market, and how can you stay ahead? Are you being sidelined at work? What does it mean for your career? Could your mindset be holding you back from success? Why do strong work relationships matter more than ever? Is your job safe from automation? How can you stay relevant? What is the smartest career move when layoffs are looming?

In this episode we will have a look at how to leverage mentoring relationship for your career: What qualities should you look for when choosing the right mentor for your career growth? Why is it important for mentees to take ownership of the mentoring relationship? How can receiving constructive feedback from a mentor contribute to personal and professional growth? In what ways can learning from a mentor's experiences positively impact your career path? How can a mentor help you expand your professional network? Why is it important to focus on developing soft skills through mentorship? How can mentorship help you cultivate a growth mindset, and why is this important for career success? How can a mentee reciprocate the mentor-mentee relationship to strengthen the bond?

In this episode we will check how to get a promotion: What role does networking and building visibility within an organization play in achieving a promotion? Why is demonstrating leadership potential critical when positioning yourself for a promotion? How can aligning your work with the company's goals increase your chances of being promoted? Why is it important to document your achievements when seeking a promotion? How can continuous learning and skill enhancement help in advancing your career? What is effective self-advocacy, and how can it be used to communicate your career aspirations? How can mentorship or sponsorship influence your path toward a promotion? Why is patience and persistence necessary in the process of achieving a promotion?

In this episode we will explore: What is the primary purpose of writing a "letter to myself"? What types of content might be included in such letter? How can a "letter to myself" help in overcoming personal limitations? How can acknowledging achievements and strengths in the letter benefit an individual? What steps are involved in the process of writing a "letter to myself"? How can revisiting it periodically be beneficial for personal growth?

In this episode we will deep dive into childhood trauma to understand: How can childhood trauma continue to affect individuals in their adult lives, particularly in terms of relationships and professional success? What role do triggers play in the ongoing impact of childhood trauma, and how can they be recognized and managed? What are some effective grounding techniques to manage emotional responses triggered by past trauma? Why is self-compassion important in the process of healing from childhood trauma, and how can it be practiced? How can establishing healthy boundaries help in the healing journey from childhood trauma? How can creative expression and physical activity contribute to the healing process for those with childhood trauma? What does it mean to nurture your inner child, and how can this practice aid in overcoming childhood traumas?

It this episode we will dwell on: What does setting boundaries in a professional environment entail? How can setting them improve your work life? What are the different types of boundaries that can be set in the workplace? What are some potential consequences of failing to “mark your territory” in your professional environment? In what ways can it lead to the decrease of productivity? What are some examples of how poor boundary-setting can damage professional relationships? What practical steps can be taken to set and maintain professional boundaries effectively?

In this episode we will become a little bit sentimental (birthdays can do that to people!): If someone says "I quit," but you see it as an opportunity, do you get credit for turning quitting into a career move? Can we hire our inner dialogue as a life coach? It seems to have some serious motivational skills! How many dreams do you think are currently stuck in people's comfort zones, waiting for rescue teams? On a scale of one to hadron collider, how accurately do you think social media portrays reality? Is it okay if I move forward at the speed of a sloth on a lazy Sunday afternoon? Should we start a betting pool on the success rate of people who never miss a party, I mean, show up consistently? Is it possible to strategically place the spotlight on my cat-like reflexes and Netflix-bingeing stamina? So, if someone constantly insults us, are they actually our secret admirers in disguise? What's the conversion rate from "walking into a room with confidence" to "walking into a room without tripping over your own feet"? Can we get a "reigniting inner fire" workshop for everyday life, or is that reserved for executive packages only?

It this episode we will dwell on: How can toxic coworkers impact workplace morale, productivity, and overall well-being, and why is it crucial to address this issue? What are the various types of annoying colleagues one might encounter in the workplace, and how do their behaviors manifest? What strategies can individuals employ to effectively deal with disruptive colleagues, considering the potential variations in organizational culture and interpersonal dynamics? What are the potential consequences of not addressing negative coworker behaviors, both on an individual and organizational level? How can individuals identify the type of damaging coworker they are dealing with, and what are some tailored strategies for handling each type effectively? What role does assertiveness, professionalism, and diplomacy play in managing interactions with toxic coworkers?

In this episode we will have a quick look back

In this episode we are having a closer look at professional certification: What are some positive aspects about getting certified? How does certification might contribute to professional credibility? What potential benefits does certification offer beyond skill enhancement? What are some downsides or challenges associated with pursuing certification? How certifications can enhance influence within an organization?

This time we will reiterate on the ways to build a strong personal brand and the reasons why it might be key for our professional growth: How can embracing your quirks contribute to building a notable personal brand? What is the role of strategic hashtags in increasing discoverability on social media? How can diversifying content contribute to sustaining audience interest in personal branding? How does the 80/20 rule apply to content sharing in the realm of personal branding? What elements contribute to crafting a memorable and impactful bio for personal branding? What does maintaining consistency in online presence entail, and why is it important in personal branding?

In this episode we will focus on emotions and their role in conflict situations. How do emotions contribute to the development of conflicts in personal and professional settings? How can unmet expectations lead to escalating conflicts, especially when frustration is involved? What emotions can lead to power struggles in organizational settings, resulting in conflicts over resources, recognition, or authority? What impact can high levels of stress and burnout have on emotional responses and conflict escalation? Why is the inability to manage and regulate one's emotions considered a significant factor in conflict development? What are some popular and effective strategies for managing emotions in conflict situations? What are the potential consequences of unmanaged emotions in conflict situations on individuals, relationships, and organizational dynamics?

Comedy Guide to your New Year's Resolutions: The Power of Positive Procrastination. Exercise: It's Not a Punishment! Healthy Eating: Kale Yeah! Learn a New Language: Bilingual Banter. Embrace Failure: It's the New Success! Goal Buddies: Because Misery Loves Company. Rewards, Not Restrictions: Treat Yo' Self. The Power of Affirmations: A.K.A Talking to Yourself.

My very personal take on End of Year Miracles... and a few guiding questions for those, who would like to uncover their own.

In this episode we will have a look at practicing gratitude: How can cultivating gratitude contribute to positive change in one's life? In what ways does gratitude act as a key to unlocking better mental health, and how does it help build emotional resilience? How does expressing gratitude have a social dimension, and how does it foster stronger connections with those around you? In what ways can your physical health benefit from a grateful mindset, both in terms of sleep and lifestyle choices? How did the practice of gratitude help the host, Monika Kruk, during a challenging time in her life, and what impact did it have on her perspective? How does gratitude serve as a reliable coping mechanism in tough times, and how does it help reframe challenges into opportunities for growth?

What is the connection between "mind reading" as a cognitive distortion and its impact on personal relationships and self-perception? How "excessive generalization" distorts individuals' perceptions and leads to exaggerated fears? How does the "abuse of imperatives" cognitive distortion affect individuals' expectations and self-criticism, and what role does it play in their interactions with others? What are the potential consequences of "tunnel vision" or selective attention in decision-making and problem-solving? How can practicing awareness and challenging assumptions help individuals address the "mind-reading" thinking trap and other cognitive distortions? What are the examples of real-life situations where "excessive generalization" and "tunnel vision" cognitive distortions might lead to problems or conflicts? How can the concept of "confirmation bias" be related to the cognitive bias of "tunnel vision"? In the context of self-diagnostic questions, what are the potential long-term costs of holding onto limiting beliefs and cognitive distortions? How can mindfulness techniques be used to address cognitive distortions like "tunnel vision" and improve decision-making? What strategies can individuals use to encourage input from diverse sources and avoid selective attention in their decision-making processes?

What is the definition of cognitive distortion also known as thinking trap, and how does it relate to negative emotions and behaviors? What are the characteristics and potential consequences of the "all or nothing" thinking trap, and how it is associated with perfectionism? How can mindfulness techniques be used to overcome the thinking traps? What are the key features of the "catastrophizing" thinking trap, and how does it lead to heightened anxiety and stress? What are the strategies for addressing the "ignoring or overlooking positives" cognitive distortion and the potential impact it has on self-esteem and personal growth? How does the cognitive distortion of "labeling" affect self-esteem and relationships, and why does it tend to lead to binary thinking? What are the potential consequences of exaggerating negative events or belittling positive ones, as described in the "exaggerating and/or belittling" thinking trap? How can practicing gratitude help individuals overcome the tendency to exaggerate negatives and belittle positives in their lives? In the context of cognitive distortions, why is self-awareness important, and how does it play a role in recognizing and addressing these traps? Could you provide examples of how these cognitive distortions might manifest in daily life, both in terms of thought patterns and their real-world effects on behavior and emotions?

How can individuals overcome biases that confirm their preexisting beliefs or opinions? What strategies can help people make judgments based on a broader range of information, rather than relying on readily available data? What is the key to mitigating the impact of biases related to anchoring and initial information when making decisions? How can individuals remind themselves not to overestimate their ability to predict outcomes in hindsight? What approach fosters self-awareness and prevents overconfidence in decision-making and self-assessment?

What are some common myths and misconceptions about executive coaching? How does the belief that coaching is only for fixing problems limit the potential benefits of coaching for individuals and organizations? Why is it important to debunk the myth that coaching is only for "weak" leaders? What are the advantages of coaching for successful leaders? In what ways can coaching benefit individuals at various levels within an organization, not just executives? Why is seeking coaching often viewed as a proactive step towards personal and professional growth rather than a sign of weakness?   Regarding the Goals and Benefits of Hiring an Executive Coach: How does executive coaching contribute to leadership development, and what specific skills and aspects of leadership can it enhance? Why is self-awareness considered crucial for effective leadership, and how do coaches assist in developing self-awareness? How do coaches help leaders in problem-solving, and what tools or techniques are commonly employed in this context? How does coaching support career advancement, and what strategies are typically employed in career planning? What does the concept of accountability mean in the context of executive coaching, and how is it established between the coach and the coachee? What is the ultimate goal of executive coaching, and how is performance improvement tracked and measured throughout the coaching process?

What is the inner critic, and why is it described as an "unrelenting adversary"? How does the inner critic impact an individual's self-confidence and self-discovery journey? What role do traumatic experiences play in the development of an intense internal critic? What personality traits make individuals more prone to developing a severe internal critic, and how do these traits interact with other factors in its development? What are the practical steps to combat the inner critic's influence? How can individuals apply these steps in their daily lives? Why is it important to understand that the inner critic is not an accurate representation of one's true self, and how can this understanding lead to liberation?

Today we will dive into the topic of Emotional Intelligence in the context of developing Leadership skills (and building Power in the process): What are the five reasons why developing emotional intelligence is crucial for leadership roles, as outlined in the initial response? How active listening can be practiced to develop emotional intelligence? In the context of emotional intelligence, what role does empathy play, and how can it be cultivated? What are the potential consequences for an organization if a leader fails to develop emotional intelligence, as mentioned in the risks section? What are some common challenges that leaders may face in their attempts to develop emotional intelligence, as discussed in the initial response?

In this episode our attention focuses on social media. Do we really need them in our personal and business brand building? Why some people might avoid or downright hate any engagement with popular social platforms? What myths and incorrect assumptions might influence the decision to engage? What general trends we need to keep in mind around their role? And most importantly - what are the potential ways to engage with those in a more manageable and productive manner?

This time around we will discuss what strong executive presence is and why it might be important for our career. How can we tell if somebody has strong executive presence? What are the key strategies to cultivate it? What practical examples we can leverage? Why body language and communication skills might not be enough? What are the benefits of demonstrating it? What are the potential risks that it might bring?

In this episode we will analyze toxic working environments. This description refers to a workplace where negative behaviors, attitudes, and practices prevail, creating an atmosphere that is harmful to employees' well-being and productivity. What other elements define a toxic work place? What are the tell-tale signs of it? How to recognize alarming patterns? What behaviors should not go unnoticed? How to address the issues related with toxicity at work? How to approach it to minimize negative impact and to find ways out?

This time we will pay our attention to career transitions. There might come a time in your professional life, when it gets increasingly hard to get out of bed each morning, when you feel that this Sunday evening blues is hitting you stronger than ever or when you struggle to answer a core question – why am I doing what I am doing? What value it brings to me and to others? Am I being appreciated enough for my skills, talents and engagement? How can I leverage those better? What to do to enter each new working day with anticipation and excitement instead of disillusionment and boredom? If any of the above sounded familiar – then this episode is for YOU.

In this episode our attention goes to building self-esteem, which is a cornerstone of building personal influence and unleashing our full potential. Why self-compassion is important? How to pace ourselves on the path to reaching our goals? How surrounding yourself with positive influences might help? How to challenge negative self-talk and internal critic? Why skills development should become a "never-ending story"? What is Impostor Phenomenon?

In this episode we will discuss how to use certain psychological principles in order to build individual influence and get things done. We will have a brief look at both the theoretical foundations and the practical examples: How to leverage social proof to create sense of momentum and motivate teams? How to build perception of authority? How to use reciprocity effect to get to the desired outcome? How to focus on building rapport to rally others behind our vision? How the principle of scarcity might help to execute call for action? Why it is important to develop and nurture Emotional Intelligence?

In this episode we will retrace the path from an Individual Contributor to the Influential Leader. Building influence as a leader requires a blend of interpersonal skills, effective communication, and the ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics. Let's explore the strategies that can help you enhance your organizational impact. Why Emotional Intelligence might become your growth catalyst? Why clear communication and active listening matter so much? How fostering a culture of collaboration and leading by example helps in goal execution? Why investment is professional development is a must-have? How building strong support system and quickly adapting to change might foster success?

In this episode we will focus on the murky waters of office politics. We will talk how to better understand it? How to adopt an approach that will serve you long-term? What elements to focus on to build your own positon? What behaviors to treat with caution or alltogether avoid? How to make the most of it for establishing personal brand?

In this episode we will dive into the topic of gaslighting phenomenon in the workplace, focusing on the following questions: What are gaslighting red flags and how to spot them? What are the warning signs? What are the key 10 tips to keep in mind when dealing with gaslighter? What is the impact of this activity on an individual and the workplace? Why it is important to counteract?

In this episode we look at the details of preparing a winning networking strategy. Why defining your networking goals is important? How crucial is the understanding of your target audience? How to gain access to the people that you would like to connect with? How to make sure that you get positive response to your invitations or reach-outs? Why following up and maintaining contact is key? Last but definitely not least - why you should care about the networking in teh first place?

 In this episode we explore the ultimate and tested way to land your dream job. How you should strategize around your job search? What is the best use of your time? Why applying to the job postings on-line is not effective anymore? How your step by step strategic job search process should look like? Why it is important to narrow your choices in terms of industries and companies? Why research is at the heart of everything - your networking, your applying and your interviewing? Why it is key to be proactive and come with ready solutions?

In this episode we drill into the topic of giving compliments. How we can use complimenting to build our network, existing relationships and influence? What are the ultimate "do not's" it terms of the art of complimenting? What elements we should pay attention to when complimenting someone? Why being focused, personalized and authentic matters? How it is possible to give an honest compliment to someone you generally do not like?

In this episode we will dive into 10 reasons why knowledge is power. Why it might pay off to know your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in advance? How to avoid organizational “landmines” and unconsciously stepping on somebody's toes? Why your reputation and expertise is worth its weight in gold? Why you should strive to become a single point of access to information? How information is being turned into a product? And why “coming back to school” is the way to go!

In this episode we will drill into power of questions on the path to build our influence. What obvious and not-so-obvious benefits might come from asking questions? How those can be used to build new relationships and deepen the existing ones? How they might help us to became more aware of our organizational environment and context? What is the way to use them to build our power persona or to buy ourselves some time? What mysteries can be unveiled thanks to them and how they can be used in decision making or ideation processes?

In this episode we continue our journey through the internal limitations that might prevent you from reaching for power or leveraging it effectively. In the previous episode we have covered first five out of ten, that I have mapped for you, and in this one we will reflect on the rest of the list: Perception that power is not in line with your personality (introvert, shy, anti-social); Being overly worried about reactions of others; Being put up against cultural barriers; Being held back by upbringing; Impostor phenomenon. As usual, looking forward to continuing discussion on LinkedIn, to your thoughts and reactions.

In this episode we will have a deep dive into the internal barriers, which might stand in your way in terms of building your influence. I have listed ten of the most popular ones and in this episode we will cover first five. We will discuss: Lack of awareness that you need power to get things done; Lack of knowledge about influence building strategies and the ways to use them; Assuming it is not applicable to your situation; Perceiving power as inherently bad; Perceiving power as not being  in line with the values. Let's have a closer look and discuss! In the next episode we will look at the next five. Stay tuned!

In this episode we will answer a key question - how to get started on your road to building your influence. After all - the more influential you are, the more you would be able to get done, the more resources you would secure and the more effectively you would be able to support your team, organization, community or even country! How to get started on setting your Power goal? What characteristics great goal should have? How to make sure not to overwhelm yourself at the start? How to keep motivation strong? How to make sure that planned next steps and strategic, deliberate and moving you closer to getting what you want?

In this episode we construct a cheat-sheet on how to prepare for your next important on-line meeting or presentation. Have you taken care to match your outfit to your audience, context and situation? Are you dressed for success? Did you remember to wear pants? :) Is your face well-lit and your beautiful smile clearly visible to all? Are there any interesting artifacts or dirty laundry hiding in the background? Are you speaking so fast that it becomes illegible? What about your gestures and using them to emphasize the most important points?

In this episode we will explore how power building strategies can be successfully leveraged in the on-line environment. How to create your on-line presence? How to leverage your expansive posture and broad gestures? How to speak with power? How to get over oneself and start experimenting? How to use power of asking - no matter in which type of environment you thrive?

In this episode we focus on promoting your personal brand. How to approach using your personal web page? How to make the best of video materials? How to leverage participation in industry discussions? How to approach public speaking without dying of stage fright? How to use less obvious social media linked strategies?

It this episode we will discuss how to build your own story and - consecutively - your own brand. What elements can you leverage to prepare your personal pitch? What characteristics do you want to showcase? How are you different and unique versus others? What is your X-factor? Who is your potential core audience? What is your plan to successfully reach them?

In this episode we discuss one of key - if not THE key - power building strategy: networking. How to make sure that your reaching out requests will not remain unanswered? How to get the most of your newly established connections? How to avoid the trap of cookie-cutter approach? What ideas to leverage to expand far beyond your current social cycle?

In this episode we will focus on the question how to bounce back after getting laid off? Which Power strategies can help us in this venture? What “hidden job market” stands for? And why it might be important to not delay “getting back in the saddle”?

In this episode we ask ourselves how to make our professional success a self-fulfilling prophecy. How to make sure that you are evaluated against metrics that will make you stand in a good light.

In this episode we will look at the importance of getting noticed. Why it is important to be visible not only to your peers but also to people with power? What are the options to start "standing up and be counted" without being obnoxious?

In this episode we will talk about conflict management. What are the core conflict management strategies? In what specific situations each of the approaches should be considered? What are their various pros and cons?

In this episode we are discussing one of the low-risk power strategies - flattery. What are the key rules to apply it successfully? What are the practical examples how to start? How to avoid common mistakes?