--- title: Your Clear Next Step Blog | Leadership & Influence description: Leadership & Influence | --- [![Your Clear Next Step, LLC](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo%20no%20background-2.png?width=300&height=182&name=logo%20no%20background-2.png "Your Clear Next Step, LLC")](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/) - [Home](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/) - [Making Authentic Human Connections](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/making-authentic-human-connections/) - [Returning Business Value](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/returning-business-value/) - [Treat Change as a Process](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/treat-change-as-a-process/) - [About](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/our-culture/) - [Our Team](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/our-team/) - [Our History](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/our-history/) - [Events](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/events/) - [Blogs](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/) - [Podcast](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/podcast/) - [Resources](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/infographics-and-tools) - [Emotional Intelligence](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/emotional-intelligence) - [Project Management](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/project-management-business-analysis) - [Communication and Collaboration](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/communication-collaboration) - [Change and Transition](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/change-transition) - [Business Skills and Business Acumen](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/business-skills-business-acumen) - [Meeting Management and Facilitation](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/meeting-management-facilitation) - [Leadership and Influence](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/leadership-influence) - [Search](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/search/) ## [Practice the Pause](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/practice-the-pause) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Feb 17, 2026 10:15:36 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(43)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/practice-the-pause) Practice the Pause: When our cup is full of gratitude, it’s hard for anything else to get in the way! [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/practice-the-pause) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/practice-the-pause#comments-listing) Topics: [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Meeting Management & Facilitation](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/meeting-management-facilitation), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth), [Emotional Intelligence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/emotional-intelligence) ## [Managing Resources](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/managing-resources) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Apr 15, 2025 10:42:34 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) At Your Clear Next Step, we've found that making sure you're focused on what matters goes a long way to being effective! The planning you do now [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/managing-resources) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/managing-resources#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Project Management & Business Analysis](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/project-management-business-analysis), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence) ## [Leading Virtual Teams](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/leading-virtual-teams) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Dec 19, 2024 11:26:12 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(10)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/leading-virtual-teams) Are you finding it tricky to communicate and keep people motivated within your virtual team? [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/leading-virtual-teams) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/leading-virtual-teams#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Business Skills & Business Acumen](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/business-skills-business-acumen), [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence), [Emotional Intelligence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/emotional-intelligence) ## [The Power of Asking the Right Questions in Project Management](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/power-of-asking-the-right-questions) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Dec 5, 2024 2:16:19 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(7)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/power-of-asking-the-right-questions) Ever been in one of those situations where just asking the right question got you to the right answer? [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/power-of-asking-the-right-questions) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/power-of-asking-the-right-questions#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Business Skills & Business Acumen](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/business-skills-business-acumen), [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Meeting Management & Facilitation](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/meeting-management-facilitation), [Project Management & Business Analysis](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/project-management-business-analysis), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence) ## [Four Traits of Good Leaders](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/four-traits-good-leader) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Nov 26, 2024 11:16:42 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(6)-1.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/four-traits-good-leader) Do you know the four traits of a good leader? [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/four-traits-good-leader) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/four-traits-good-leader#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Business Skills & Business Acumen](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/business-skills-business-acumen), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth), [Values](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/values) ## [Character Still Counts](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/character-still-counts) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Nov 15, 2024 10:47:04 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(5).png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/character-still-counts) How do we demonstrate that Character Still counts? [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/character-still-counts) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/character-still-counts#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Business Skills & Business Acumen](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/business-skills-business-acumen), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence), [Growth](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/growth), [Values](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/values) ## [4 Characteristics of the Best Leaders](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4-characteristics-of-the-best-leaders) Posted by [Missy Paxson](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/missy-paxson) on Mar 7, 2024 5:36:43 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![leader](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image-Mar-07-2024-11-31-32-3940-PM.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4-characteristics-of-the-best-leaders) Do you know any leaders who have everything all figured out? I don’t! Leadership is hard! [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4-characteristics-of-the-best-leaders) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/4-characteristics-of-the-best-leaders#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence) ## [Four Ways to Become a Super Connector](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/four-ways-to-become-a-super-connector) Posted by [Dawn Ealy](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/dawn-ealy) on Sep 27, 2023 8:55:23 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/in%20communicado-%20Blog%20Featured%20Image-2.jpg)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/four-ways-to-become-a-super-connector) These are four tips that helped me hone my ability to form authentic human connections through networking. They might just help you too.  [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/four-ways-to-become-a-super-connector) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/four-ways-to-become-a-super-connector#comments-listing) Topics: [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence) ## [Pick Up the Phone](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/pick-up-the-phone) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Aug 30, 2023 5:05:07 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Man talking on the phone](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/The%20Importance%20of%20DISC%20Apart%20from%20Frisbee%20Golf%20-%20Blog%20Featured%20Image-Aug-30-2023-05-11-57-9654-PM.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/pick-up-the-phone) There are some moments where picking up the phone can have its benefits, and that’s not just limited to genuine phone calls. Let’s follow a few examples.  [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/pick-up-the-phone) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/pick-up-the-phone#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Communication & Collaboration](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/communication-collaboration), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence) ## [Admit One!](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/admit-one) Posted by [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/author/sinikka-waugh) on Aug 17, 2023 8:36:42 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![kids riding on fair ride](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/The%20Importance%20of%20DISC%20Apart%20from%20Frisbee%20Golf%20-%20Blog%20Featured%20Image-3.png)](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/admit-one) Heading to the fair is like executing a new project at work, a trip to any major event takes advanced planning and more than a little thought. [Read More](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/admit-one) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/admit-one#comments-listing) Topics: [Sinikka Waugh](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/sinikka-waugh), [Project Management & Business Analysis](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/project-management-business-analysis), [Leadership & Influence](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence) [All posts](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/all) [Next](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/tag/leadership-influence/page/2) ## About YCNS --- [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/frequently-asked-questions/) [Our History](https://yourclearnextstep.com/our-history/) [Our Culture](https://yourclearnextstep.com/our-culture/) [Our Team](https://yourclearnextstep.com/our-team/) [Careers](https://yourclearnextstep.com/careers/)   ## Connect with Us --- [Subscribe to our newsletter](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/newsletter) [Contact us](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/contact-us) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/yourclearnextstep/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-clear-next-step-llc) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/YourClearNextStep/) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/YourClrNxtStep) ## Quick Reference --- [Course Catalog](https://yourclearnextstep.com/product-category/private-training/) [Resources & Tools](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/infographics-and-tools) [Internship Quick Reference](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/internships) [Coaching Quick Reference](https://info.yourclearnextstep.com/coaching) [The Even Better Podcast](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/podcast/) [Events](https://www.yourclearnextstep.com/home/events/) [Blog](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/)   ## Affiliations --- We are proud members and supporters of the following organizations: [![cbbb-badge-horz120x45](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/YourClearNextStep_June2018/Images/cbbb-badge-horz120x45.png "cbbb-badge-horz120x45")](https://www.bbb.org/us/ia/indianola/profile/business-coach/your-clear-next-step-llc-0664-32046657) [![PMI](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/PMI.jpg "PMI")](http://www.pmi-centraliowa.org/) [![IIBA120x45](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/YourClearNextStep_June2018/Images/IIBA120x45.png "IIBA120x45")](http://www.centraliowaiiba.org/chapter/index.htm) [![NAWBO_Member120x45](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/YourClearNextStep_June2018/Images/NAWBO_Member120x45.jpg "NAWBO_Member120x45")](http://www.nawboiowa.org/) [![TSB_Certified_lrg](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/YourClearNextStep_June2018/Images/TSB_Certified_lrg.jpg "TSB_Certified_lrg")](https://iowaeda.dynamics365portals.us/view-business-detail/?id=8d4e7413-ac53-4d44-9a1a-f213b4771d96&tsb-type=Woman) [![2020 Indianola Chamber of Commerce square](https://blog.yourclearnextstep.com/hubfs/2020%20Indianola%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce%20square.jpg "2020 Indianola Chamber of Commerce square")](http://www.indianolachamber.com/) Your Clear Next Step © 2020. 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