Looking for Success at Work and in Life? It Takes Smart Moves
Strategic social skills play a critical role how you navigate relationships
By Rodger Dean Duncan
Téa Angelos is a visionary on a mission.
Educated in both business and the law, she has multiple options for her own career. Sign up with a big corporation and get lost in the crowd? Nope. Her quest is to help people one at a time.
So, what is she doing and how is she doing it?
She’s founder and CEO of Smart Women Society (SWS). It’s one of the largest and fastest-growing online platforms helping a thriving community of more than 400,000 women get smarter about their money, careers, wellbeing, and relationships.
This isn’t some dare-to-be-fabulous scheme fueled by rah rah cheerleading. SWS features online courses and other solid resources to help women (and men) navigate life successfully.
Angelos recently released her book Smart Moves: Simple Ways to Take Control of Your Life. It’s earning accolades around the world for its practical, no-nonsense approach to common challenges.
For example, if you’re in a job interview, what questions should you be prepared to ask?
“At the end of a job interview, the interviewer will often invite you to ask questions,” Angelos says. “You should use this opportunity strategically to show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company, as well as to determine if the job aligns with your goals and values.”
She says questions you might consider are What does a typical day in this role look like? What are some of the growth opportunities in this role? and What is your favorite thing about working here?
These questions will help you understand more about the company, the role and its responsibilities, as well as any points that were not already discussed in the interview. Prepare a few questions before your interview and ask the most relevant ones based on your discussion with the interviewer.
Another important job-related interview is the one you have when leaving a position.
Aside from “don’t burn any bridges,” what advice does Angelos have for how to resign from a job before leaving for a new one?
“Whether you love or hate your existing role or manager, resigning from your job can feel daunting,” she says. “I know it is easier said than done, but try not let your emotions get the better of you. Resigning on good terms will give you confidence during the transition that you have made the right decision and are closing the chapter on that previous role.”
She recommends scheduling a meeting (preferably in person) to share the news with with your manager. “If you experience any pushback, stay calm, polite and keep it as brief as possible,” she advises. “Submit a formal resignation letter, which includes key details like your last day of work. Before finishing off at the company, assist with handing over your work and projects to your team or the next person taking your job.”
What about that bridge-burning thing? “As tempting as it may be to bad mouth your employer, stay professional and end things on good terms,” Angelos says. “You never know when you will cross paths with or need to reconnect with colleagues and mentors again. People move around in their careers, so staying connected may lead to your next big role or help you find employees when you become a manager yourself. Get people’s personal email addresses and connect with them on LinkedIn to stay in touch.”
As eager to please as good employees tend to be, there are some occasions when it’s simply smart to say no to a workplace request. Angelos offers tips on how to do it without coming across as impolite, insubordinate, uncooperative, or otherwise unprofessional.
“Learning when to say no is one of the most important skills to acquire in the workplace,” she says. “Not only does it protect you from being overworked and taken advantage of, but it also helps protect the passion and drive you have for your job. Too often, eager employees are cursed with saying yes to everything, leading them to be exhausted, frustrated and resenting the job which they once loved.”
She suggests a number of situations where you should consider saying no
When the task interferes with your actual responsibilities
The deadline is unrealistic
You’re on leave
You’re being taken unfair advantage of
You are not qualified (or the best qualified) to complete the task
You’re asked to do something unethical or unsafe
“Getting comfortable with saying no to your boss, colleague or client takes practice,” she says. “Be polite and don’t over-explain yourself. A simple ‘I don’t have capacity at the moment’ or ‘I’m on leave that day, so won’t be able to assist’ is sufficient. You are setting a boundary to protect your time and energy, so be confident and stay firm if there’s any pushback. Having a strong understanding of why you are saying no to the request will allow you to do so with conviction.”
Some conversations at work (and elsewhere, of course) can be uncomfortable and even risky. Angelos offers tips for handling them well.
“There will be many times throughout your career when you’ll need to have those scary conversations,” she says. “Whether you’re asking for a pay rise, raising a complaint, or advocating for a change, these conversations all require planning, execution and accountability. Prepare and practice what you want to say beforehand and be clear on the result or outcome that you’re seeking. Find the right time to have the conversation and be open to discussion with the other party. Always focus on coming to a solution and be sure to follow up and check in once the conversation is over.”
Most everyone makes occasional mistakes at work. An important thing is how one bounces back from a mistake.
“Making a mistake at work can take a toll on your self-confidence and have you questioning your ability in your job,” Angelos says. “Recovering from a mistake can take time, but being able to bounce back will boost your confidence and allow you to grow both personally and professionally. You will make plenty of mistakes over your career, no matter what rank or stage you are at, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the mistake cycle and embrace the situation as a learning opportunity instead of a set-back.”
Here are the steps she suggests:
