While I have been far from the perfect husband or father, I have always been a great believer of leading a balanced life. I take pride in being a successful entrepreneur as well as being a family man. Married to my high school sweetheart for 25 years, together we have raised and home-schooled four remarkable children, ranging in age from 15-23.

I realize there are components to living a happy and successful life beyond your family and career, but finding the right balance between these two is where most people struggle. I’ve learned first hand, if the proper balance between your family and career is not achieved, every part of your life will likely suffer from the consequences….read more

Whether you recognize it or not your recorded voicemail greeting makes an impression on everyone who hears it. A professional greeting can make a positive impression, a goofy greeting can make a negative impression and an automated greeting could be viewed as impersonal and inconsiderate. In this lesson I will share some basic things you can do to record an impressive voice mail greeting.

One of the skills I have developed over my 29-year career is a unique aptitude to quickly and accurately read people. My ability to select the right people with which to do business has played an important role in my professional success….read more

A close friend of mine called to tell me that his son regularly follows my posts. The other day his son said, “Dad, is the point Mr. Smith making a little thing or a big thing?” Well Ethan, today’s subject is a big thing. In fact, this lesson about personal integrity is as BIG as they get.

Here’s why…

I have been informally surveying some of my friends by asking them the following question. “When people violate their trust with you by being dishonest, do you ever trust them again?” Guess how they answered the question… 100% responded by saying “NO!”…read more

Years ago I attended a leadership conference and heard Bill Hybels give an inspiring presentation. His words still resonate with me today. When we think of leadership, we normally think of guiding people who fall under our area of responsibility. The concept of 360-degree leadership takes it a step further.

A 360-degree leader is someone who guides and influences their immediate team members and becomes so respected and admired that they have influence with everyone in the organization. These “out of the box” leaders are the most valuable leaders in the market place, because their contribution to an organization goes beyond their area of personal responsibility….read more

Being a good listener is one of the most important skills you can master if you want to advance your career and build meaningful relationships. When you REALLY listen, you demonstrate your interest in what is being said and you show your respect for the individual saying it. Listening is a magnetic force that draws people to us.

Have you ever talked to someone and noticed he or she wasn’t really listening to you? How did it make you feel? Unimportant? Disrespected? Insulted? Remember those feelings and work diligently to ensure that people never feel the same way when they talk to you.

In this post I will highlight 10 things I have learned throughout my career in addition to some lessons my dad taught me. My dad is the best listener I know. Everyone who meets him forms an instant bond with him and I am convinced that the number one reason for this immediate connection is his genuine and sincere interest in others. It all starts with him being a good listener…..read more

With the advancements in smart phone technology, text messaging is becoming a more popular way to communicate. Commonly referred to as “texting”, this method of communication is simple, efficient and effective. But what’s considered acceptable when texting friends is very different than what is acceptable when texting business contacts. Here are 20 short tips to help you make good decisions.

1. Don’t send a text, unless it’s urgent. When you send people a text, in most cases you will be interrupting them. The default settings on most mobile phones ring or vibrate when it receives a text message. So if you are going to interrupt someone, make sure you have a good reason….read more

When you call people and leave a voicemail message, you are making an impression on them. The impression you make plays a small, but important role in how these people view you. If you want to make a positive impression on people through your voicemail messages, here are 10 suggestions:

1. Leave a message. Unless I am calling my wife who will see the missed call from me and call me back, I almost always leave a message. Leaving a message let’s the person know why you are calling and allows them to call me back when they are available. It is also saves you time from having to call them back at another time….read more

In yesterdays post Phone Greetings That Make a Positive Impression I shared with you some simple tips about how to make a positive impression when you greet people over the phone. Today’s lesson will focus on the strategies for making a good impression when you meet and greet people in person.

1. When you greet people in person for the first time—To make a positive first impression when meeting new people, include the following as part of your greeting: a warm smile, an introduction that includes your first and last name, a welcoming comment, direct eye contact and a firm handshake, if appropriate. I also recommend repeating the person’s name. For instance, “It’s very nice to meet you Bob.”….read more

In today’s lesson I will share with you some of the little things I learned years ago about how to properly introduce yourself over the phone. Once again, this is an opportunity to make an impact. We make judgments about people the first time we see OR hear them. Your tone of voice and the words you use will create an impression. Make sure it is a positive one.

Calling a place of business

When you call a business or organization and someone other than the person you are calling answers the phone, I recommend introducing yourself in the following manner: “Hi my name is Todd Smith. May I please speak with Katy Williams?”….read more

William James, well-known psychologist and philosopher, said, “The deepest principle of human nature is a craving to be appreciated.” If we are honest with ourselves, we all want and need to feel valued for who we are and recognized for our contributions and accomplishments. It’s important for us to know that we have made a difference in someone’s life.

If a person takes the time to express their heart-felt appreciation for something we have done, it boosts our spirit, passion, and purpose. It builds our self-confidence, self-esteem and our entire self-image. It gives us energy and motivation to work harder and do more….read more