High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• How to Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: "Choosing courage, in all its forms, challenges our preconceived notions and expands our comfort circle. As your comfort circle increases, so does your willingness to tackle bigger risks."

• 10 Ways to Cultivate Fearlessness: "When you’ve cut calamities off at the pass, you can let go of your fears about them, and you’ll redirect your focus and power to the task at hand."

• Why You Should Start a Weekly Planning Session: "I recommend doing this on Friday afternoons around 2 p.m. when your brain is done bringing its intellectual/creative A game for the week."

• Why Likable Leaders Seem More Effective: "teams who like their leaders will be happier at work, go above and beyond what is required of them, experience greater well-being, and perform at a higher level."
• How to Impress the New CEO in Your First Meeting:"Reading the CEO’s book, essays or published papers will give you an edge in your career—whether you’re interviewing for a job or meeting the new chief executive for the first time."

5 Ways to Prepare for a Meeting with the CEO

Successful companies and good leaders understand that effective communication is critical to their success and hearing their employees is necessary to achieving the company’s goals.

But what can employees do to be better prepared, and less anxious, when meeting with the head of the company?

Apply these five tips and you’ll get the most out of the meeting, while also making a good impression when you sit down with the CEO.

   

Understand the purpose of the discussion. You’ll want to come into the meeting with a clear knowledge of why the meeting is happening. Is your CEO looking for feedback on a specific product or process, or is this a general check-in like your annual exam with the physician? If you have a clear understanding of the meeting’s agenda, you can better manage your expectations and help shape the conversation in a way that is more beneficial to you and your boss.

Prepare a few questions in advance. Once you understand the purpose for the meeting jot down a few questions you have. Make sure they are relevant to the agenda and to the direction and goals your company has. By coming to the meeting prepared, and with relevant questions, you demonstrate that you are engaged with the company’s mission and purpose.

Be honest but not negative. Your CEO wants honest and clear feedback from you but does not want to be ambushed with an off-topic complaint or general negativity about the company. Offer constructive feedback on issues related to the purpose of the meeting and, when possible, provide ideas and solutions to problems you identify.

Be on time and dress appropriately. This should require little explanation but demonstrate respect for yourself and for your CEO by attending the meeting on time and properly attired. Look like you belong in the meeting.

Don’t overstay your welcome. Sometimes when we’re anxious we can talk too much, not listen effectively, and ignore important signals. Stick to the agenda and purpose of the meeting without oversharing and taking up too much time. Focus on listening well and provided clear and concise information to your boss and you’ll do well.