Dr. Richard A. Cross

This is important. Preparation is key. Understanding the needs and the focus areas of the client will help to have a better and smooth conversation about the matters at hand. Besides, being prepared is the best way to provide the most suitable response. Not only that, you will already know what may not be easy to answer even though the conversation needs to be addressed around the uncomfortable situations. Knowing will help to deal with the unfavorable responses better.

This is critical. Giving the wrong person the opportunity to be in charge can cause chaos in an organization. You always want the person who can bring the team together and not bring division. Also, you don't want to have some leading the team who always have to exercise their power to show they are in charge which can come off as arrogant which will lead to a break down of the morale of the team. It's important to make it clear when assigning roles have an idea of the strengths of the ream members and bring it up in the conversation so whoever is the lead can help get the best out of the team members.

I find preparing ahead to be very useful, especially in an environment that you are not familiar with or when new to a state and attending networking events. Also, what preparing ahead provides is the advantage to have deeper conversations. It's also important that when you find the affinity what whom you are conversing with, you spend time on that subject. It will strengthen the connection of which can lead to collaborations or opportunities.

Assessing the needs of the team members is important. However, what needs to be addressed upon starting any project that involve a group of individuals coming together to solve or provide the most effective solution is to let them know that the success regardless of who provides the best solution or strategies will be a result of ALL of the team members or better yet the organization success. As people we all have egos but with the right leader leading the team and who establishes that the work is a collective effort and can operate without bias, it will help the team members despite what their individual needs are. Also, it's could to encourage the team members to operate within their strengths.

Regular engagement is important because it helps to build trust. It also helps to add value to what the person you want to connect with is doing, and when you add value, you are showing your genuineness to the work and the person you are engaging with. Besides, the person you are engaging with through their work can later become the connection to opportunities that you didn't even believe would be possible. Nonetheless, you want to be genuine about the connections you are making and not because it's a good practice, but it also helps to break stereotypes and, at the same time, a sense of community.

Accepting what happened is critical if you are going to move forward. Besides, on this journey, things are going to happen that you don't want to happen, but sometimes, because of it, you'll realize that you were selling yourself short. Perspective! Nonetheless, the longer you take to accept the situation you are in, the longer it takes to take advantage of the available opportunities. One thing you have to make sure you are not doing is beat yourself up. The situation is what it is, and beat yourself for whatever reason will not benefit you. Positive self-talk is vital during such moments on your journey.