If you are a manager, don’t just talk the talk. Walk the walk. A trend in management is to claim to appreciate upward feedback from employees. However, few managers actually reward, or even respond well to, constructive upward feedback. Similarly, having learned from the negative repercussions suffered in previous experiences, most seasoned employees avoid providing it. There are a [...]
Archive for the ‘Employment’ Category
Successful Teaming Requires Managers That “Walk The Walk”
Posted in Manage Successfully, tagged Employment, Evaluation, Feedback, Human Resource, Management, Success, Teams, Work on 2012/05/28 | Leave a Comment »
Two Attributes Of Successful Management Communication
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Business, Communication, Employers, Employment, Leaders, Leadership, Management, Success on 2012/05/27 | Leave a Comment »
Two attributes of successful management communication is (i) concisely identifying issues and (ii) proposing solutions to the issues. Upper management doesn’t want to spend a lot of time resolving general crises. That’s what middle management is for. As such, to demonstrate that you’re thinking like a manager, don’t take up a lot of your manager’s time [...]
Flexible Minds & Bold Actions Can Lead To Rewarding Solutions
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Bold, Business, Problem Solving, Real Estate, Relationships, Sales, Solutions, Success, Winning on 2012/05/25 | Leave a Comment »
While there might not be a solution to every problem, it’s possible a solution exists for most problems. Sometimes, attaining that solution requires thinking outside the box or trying something contrary to expectations or norms. For example, a friend of the TPLL family (“the seller”) ventured past generally accepted commercial boundaries to sell her house. The [...]
If Chances Are Slim, Trim Your Argument
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Achievement, Argument, Awards, Debate, Diplomacy, Rewards, Success, Winning on 2012/05/24 | Leave a Comment »
Building off of our 23 May 2012 post, If There’s Little Harm In Trying, Why Not Try?, not only are taking chances important but, if the possibility of attaining an award seems slim, stick to simple, quick arguments. Don’t risk losing a person’s interest by making complex, length arguments. Instead, boil your thoughts down to the bare bones [...]
Information That Will Be Key To Succeed Immediately
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Communication, Employment, Jobs, Office Politics, Success, Supervisor, Work on 2012/05/22 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re new to a job, schedule time to ask your manager the following questions within your first two weeks. You can use this information to adapt your performance to your manager’s work style. What are your supervisor’s expectations? What has worked in the past? What hasn’t worked in the past? How often would she like [...]
Gentle Ways To Tell Someone It’s For Their Own Good
Posted in Getting Ahead, Manage Successfully, Improving Relationships, tagged Business, Communication, Success, Work, Management, Relationships, Document on 2012/05/20 | Leave a Comment »
In regards to yesterday’s post, Writing Is A Guide To Success, following are methods in which you could document your communication in writing without being offensive. Create an electronic file that is intended as a means to communicate between staff, teams, and departments. Following are three examples. A document in which one Department can record [...]
Writing Is A Guide To Success
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Business, Communication, Management, Relationships, Success, Work on 2012/05/19 | Leave a Comment »
Communication is a word that is often heard in business or relationship contexts. It’s often referred to as being key to success or failures. Our lives are whelmed by activities, responsibilities, and distractions. A multitude of communication media (such as email, instant messages, text messages, and calls) surrounds us. As a result, it’s become relatively easy [...]
One Cool Mind
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Goals, Perspective, Problem Solving, Psychology, Relationships, Results, Success on 2012/05/18 | Leave a Comment »
If you can tell that a critical situation is escalating, and you are contributing to that escalation, take a step back and evaluate (i) what are your goals – what do you really want to achieve – and (ii) if the responses you are considering will actually lead to obtaining that goal. Sometimes, all that [...]
Posted in Manage Successfully, tagged Behavior, Employment, Jobs, Management, New Hires, Performance, Psychology, Success, Successful Management on 2012/05/16 | Leave a Comment »
If you want to accelerate a new hire’s development, partner him with a superior whose behaviors and successes you’d like your new employee to emulate.
Boost Your Memory At Work
Posted in Getting Ahead, Personal Enrichment, tagged Forgetting, Happiness, Health, Home, Journal, Memory, Record, Success, Work on 2012/05/06 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re having trouble remembering things at work, keep a journal with you to record information such as decisions made during a meeting, conclusions from data, or facts affecting a transaction. Then, take time at the end of your day to rewrite and organize what you had recorded earlier. This will help you remember and prioritize [...]
Dress Code Is An Employee Benefit: Relax [It] Employers
Posted in Manage Successfully, tagged Benefits, Business, Business Casual, Business Environment, Casual Friday, Compensation, Dress Code, Employee Benefits, Employees, Employers, Employment, HR, Policies, Work, Work Environment on 2012/05/01 | Leave a Comment »
Employers, if you’re work environment is casual enough to have one business casual day (for those employers requiring suits) or one casual day (for those that regularly require business casual) each week, then your business is casual enough to have that standard every day of the week. The more you require an employee to dress up [...]
Liberally Pursue Expense Reimbursements
Posted in Finances, Getting Ahead, tagged Benefits, Business, Employee Benefits, Employment, Expense, Reimbursement, Work on 2012/04/21 | Leave a Comment »
If you’ve incurred a business expense and are unsure what your employer will reimburse, submit it all. Don’t decide for your employer; let your employer make that decision. You might be pleasantly surprised by the amount your employer is willing to reimburse. If your employer doesn’t reimburse something you’re certain should be reimbursed based on your employer’s stated [...]
Your Writing Might Not Be For Everyone
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Communication, Conflict, Employment, Etiquette, Jobs, Office Politics, Psychology, Success, Writing on 2012/04/15 | Leave a Comment »
Be careful of what you write on notepads or in documents at work. A supervisor or colleague might flip through them while you are away and misinterpret the contents. For example, a colleague could feel slighted by something you wrote, or a supervisor might conclude that you have an insufficient grasp of the underlying subject [...]
Don’t Help Bad Bosses Win
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Bad Bosses, Employers, Employment, Jobs, Relationships, Success, Work, Workplace Conflict on 2012/04/10 | Leave a Comment »
If you had a difficult experience with a previous employer, don’t force your colleagues to live it with you by repeatedly rehashing it. Your previous employer wins if you constantly rehash your experiences with colleagues because it shows that the employer still has some control over you by being ever-present in your mind. Additionally, such actions can irrevocably damage [...]
Employer Self-Inflicted Black Eyes: Admitting An Employee Walked Out During An Interview
Posted in Interview, tagged Conflict, Employees, Employment, Interview, Job Search, Jobs, Office Politics, Work, Workplace Conflict on 2012/04/02 | Leave a Comment »
Don’t tell someone you’re interviewing that a previous employee walked out on you (resigned without prior notice). It suggests that the work situation was so bad and unresolvable that it drove the employee to the breaking point.
Successful Behaviors Can Be Acquired
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Copy Cats, Employment, Laughter, Psychology, Relationships, Success, Tools, Work on 2012/03/24 | Leave a Comment »
If you’d like to improve the impression people have of you in your work environment but are unsure what to change or how to go about it, observe the actions of people you admire or whose success you seek to emulate. Then, begin to mimic their behaviors, but without being a clone – few people [...]
Be Realistic & Strategic When Starting A New Job
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Employment, Expectations, Jobs, Office Politics, Perspective, Psychology, Success, Work on 2012/03/13 | Leave a Comment »
Generally, expect the first day on a new job to be the most boring, and the first week on a new job to be the worst. The new employee is acclimating to his new work environment and technology while his colleagues are acclimating to him. Also, barring any tremendous mess-ups or an obscenely punitive or competitive work environment, [...]
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Competition, Family, Jealousy, Jobs, Relatives, Work on 2012/03/10 | Leave a Comment »
If you feel someone’s out to get you, such as a jealous relative or competitive colleague, don’t make it easier for them by melting down.
Team Players Make Great Team Leaders
Posted in Hiring Decisions, tagged Competitions, Employment, Hiring Decisions, Jobs, Leadership, Management, Office Politics, Science, Sports, Success, Team Sports, Teams on 2012/03/05 | 2 Comments »
When hiring managers or team leaders, look for people who participated in competitive team programs, such as sports or science competitions, for several years. People who participate in competitive teams over several years are likely to learn skills that transfer well to leadership roles, such as collaboration, inspiration, problem solving, and recognition and reward.
Interview Thank You Notes Sent During Business Hours May Give The Wrong Impression
Posted in Interview, tagged Employment, Hiring Decisions, Interview, Job Search, Jobs, Office Politics, Thank You Notes, Work on 2012/02/29 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re employed while interviewing for a new opportunity, do not send interview thank you notes during business hours - even if you told the prospective employer you’re taking that time off. People are forgetful, and seeing a time stamp from an hour in which you are expected to be working implies that you are not working the [...]
Constructive Approach To Delivering Negative Feedback That Cultivates Improvement & Loyalty
Posted in Manage Successfully, tagged Employment, Jobs, Office Politics, Performance, Performance Appraisal, Performance Evaluation, Psychology, Review, Success on 2012/02/22 | Leave a Comment »
A common recommendation for addressing developmental opportunities in an employee’s performance evaluation is to (a) point out areas of weakness, (b) provide one or more concrete example of each weakness, (c) list steps the employee can take to improve her performance, and (d) identify measurements of success. If you have an underperforming employee who clearly [...]
Using Another Person’s Voice To Strengthen Your Argument Can Backfire
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Communication, Ethics, Etiquette, Friends, Office Politics, Perspective, Politics, Psychology, Relationship on 2012/02/21 | 1 Comment »
Generally, an argument or position is not strengthened by saying someone else agrees with you or came to a similar conclusion unless that person’s opinion has weight with the audience and has approved use of his name. In fact, it can weaken an argument to rely on the words or opinion of another person because it [...]
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Behavior, Happiness, Problem Solving, Psychology, Success on 2012/02/20 | Leave a Comment »
If you can’t do anything about a matter, why waste time fretting about it? Come up with a plan and move on to other things.
Noteworthy Career Advice Site: Business Fitness
Posted in Getting Ahead, Hiring Decisions, Job Search, Manage Successfully, Noteworthy Sites, Resignation Tips, tagged Big Picture Consulting, Business, Business Fitness, Career, Dawn Lennon, Development, Employment, Leadership, Management, Success on 2012/02/19 | 2 Comments »
It’s been a while since we’ve been to a website that offers career guidance as comprehensively as Business Fitness, a blog by Dawn Lennon, a Career Strategist and founder of Big Picture Consulting. Ms. Lennon’s advice is succinct while addressing matters from all angles: managers, employees, colleagues, and HR. Her blog is honest, without being brutal or offensive. Ms. Lennon does not [...]
Simple Self Evaluations Are More Effective At Holding A Manager’s Attention
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Communication, Employment, Feedback, Jobs, Office Politics, Performance Evaluation on 2012/02/17 | Leave a Comment »
Managers might not read everything in your self-evaluation. As such, you’re best off keeping it simple in order to maintain his attention. Address each subject and goal succinctly. Use bullet points and stick to key facts.
A Secret To Navigating Office Politics Without Being Political
Posted in Getting Ahead, Politics, tagged Career, Employment, Friends, Networking, Office Politics, Politics, Relationships, Success on 2012/02/16 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re poor at navigating through office politics, align yourself with the top performers in your Department. By top performers, we don’t mean people who have been successful politically but are generally inept at their responsibilities. Instead, we’re talking about colleagues whom others perceive as invaluable contributors because they are subject matter experts, tech-savvy, or [...]
How To Make Seemingly Inconsistent Messages Consistent
Posted in Improving Relationships, Manage Successfully, tagged Business, Children & Family, Communication, Employee Relations, Employment, Life, Love, Relationship, Success on 2012/02/15 | Leave a Comment »
With children, partners, and employees, ensure that your message to each is consistent. For example, don’t push your son out the door to get exercise only to chastise him for staying out too long. Don’t castigate your spouse for insufficient communication, and then criticize her for a profuse email. Don’t censure an employee for digging [...]
An Achilles Heel Lies Inside Our Strengths
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Achilles, Business, Employment, Jobs, Office Politics, Politics, Psychology, Skill, Success on 2012/02/13 | Leave a Comment »
When a person’s strength becomes a weakness, weakness is all that remains in the eyes of others. A successful way of permanently degrading a person’s stature is by emphasizing the few failures she has experienced in areas in which she is strongest. For example, if the person has extraordinary technical skills, the perception others have [...]
A Polite Short-Cut To Customer Service
Posted in Business, Finances, Getting Ahead, tagged Business, Communication, Customer Service, Dispute, Management, Success on 2012/02/10 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re struggling to reach customer service, call a department in the home office that employs licensed professionals – generally, they’ll make more effort to connect you to the appropriate, helpful person.
Meeting Survival Tip: How To Keep Your Cool & Stay Awake
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Boredom, Communication, Humor, Jobs, Jokes, Leadership, Meetings, Office Politics, Sleep on 2012/02/08 | Leave a Comment »
Having trouble keeping your cool or staying awake during a meeting? Distract your brain by maintaining an internal conversation, singing or humming in your head, or remembering humorous incidents and jokes (just make sure not to LOL). If you’re really angry or tired, think of sarcastic quips to your agitator’s comments, or silently repeat ”ho-hum” to really boring [...]
Posted in Business, Driving, Getting Ahead, tagged Driving, Success on 2012/01/27 | Leave a Comment »
The only way to get your way on city streets is making the other person stop.
Posted in Getting Ahead, Manage Successfully, tagged Behavior, Communication, Employment, Ethics, Jobs, Office Politics, Workplace Bullies, Workplace Conflict on 2012/01/26 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re taking an action with the hope of getting someone else in trouble, don’t. Your plan might back fire, getting you into trouble.
Putting A Lesson Learned To Work
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Business, Communication, Dating, Friends, Love, Relationships, Success, Work on 2012/01/24 | Leave a Comment »
Following is an example of how you can benefit from understanding the impact a person’s bias has on her interpretation of information. If a person seems to suffer from middle child syndrome, then she might be habitually suspicious of the reasons behind a person’s actions. As such, even if explaining you are proposing a solution to a problem, [...]
Understanding A Person’s Bias Improves Communication
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Balance, Bias, Business, Communication, Media, Relationships, Success on 2012/01/23 | 1 Comment »
To effectively negotiate relationships, it’s important to acknowledge that our bias taints our perceptions. It’s equally important to recognize that the perceptions of others are affected by their biases. Doing this will enable you to effectively relay information by anticipating the response of others. Likewise, understanding how a person’s bias affects how he assimilates and [...]
Your Future You Depends On You
Posted in Getting Ahead, Personal Enrichment, tagged Business, Fortune, Friends, Happiness, Health, Success, Vitality, Wealth on 2012/01/20 | Leave a Comment »
Sowing seeds for your future isn’t limited to money; it includes the actions you take that affect your long-term interests. Your future you is relying upon the steps the current you is taking in order to realize dreams, vitality, and financial security. Consider what the future you will need, want, or regret having done or [...]
You’re The Pilot To Your Career
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Business, Career, Career Development, Compensation, Employee Relations, Employment, Promotion, Success on 2012/01/17 | Leave a Comment »
Ultimately you are responsible for your own career development. Don’t depend on others for your growth. Generally, managers are motivated to develop an employee only to the extent of the employee’s initiative. Why should an employer invest more in an employee than the employee is willing to invest in himself?
Let Someone Else Be The Bait
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Crazy, Crazymakers, Employment, Jobs, Office Politics, Performance Evaluation, Success, Workplace Bullies, Workplace Conflict on 2012/01/16 | Leave a Comment »
Don’t get baited by a crazymaker. Don’t spin your wheels trying to figure out why the crazymaker is doing what she is doing. That is why a crazymaker does what she does: she wants attention. She wants the target to be focused on her and what she is doing to affect the target. That’s how crazymakers hook people. [...]
How To Mitigate Havoc Wreaked By A Crazymaker
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Crazy, Crazymakers, Employment, Jobs, Office Politics, Performance Evaluation, Success, Workplace Bullies, Workplace Conflict on 2012/01/15 | Leave a Comment »
It is difficult to beat a crazymaker, but, it might be possible to mitigate the crazymaker’s damage. Sometimes the best response to a crazymaker is no response. To the extent a response is required, try to project confusion over the person’s actions. For example, raise your eyebrow as if to ask “is this person crazy?” [...]
Complaining About Your Team Undermines Your Interests
Posted in Manage Successfully, tagged Communication, Employment, Jobs, Management, Office Politics, Success, Successful Management, Team Building, Workplace Conflict on 2012/01/14 | Leave a Comment »
Don’t undermine your own team by complaining about any of its members to anyone not immediately involved in the person’s development process. Ultimately, your team’s lack of success is a reflection of you. Would you advertise your own failures to colleagues and others?
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Behavior, Boss, Bosses, Employment, Jobs, Office Politics, Performance Evaluation, Psychology, Success on 2012/01/12 | 1 Comment »
To cultivate productive working relationships and glowing reviews, strive to act as though your performance is being evaluated every working moment.
Just DON’T Do It!
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Boss, CLM, Employment, Jobs, Office Politics, Success, Workplace Conflict on 2012/01/11 | Leave a Comment »
Don’t do things you know will tick off your boss in front of your boss. You’re only asking for trouble. You can’t take it back once it’s done.
Dieting Principles Applied To Meetings: Don’t Gorge On Time
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Employment, Jobs, Management, Office Politics, Organaization, Perspective, Time Management, Work on 2012/01/10 | Leave a Comment »
Time at meetings can be like food on a plate: some people eat only as much as they need, some will lick the plate clean, while others will lick their plate clean then eat from another’s. Just because someone scheduled a block of time to meet with you at work doesn’t mean you have to take up the whole time; it’s [...]
Possibly The Biggest Of All CLMs: Criticizing One’s Boss
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Boss, CLM, Employment, Ethics, Office Politics, Performance Evaluation, Tips, Workplace Bullies, Workplace Conflict on 2012/01/09 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re contemplating criticizing your boss, take 24 hours to mull over it. If you’re still thinking about criticizing your boss after that, take another 24 hours. Bosses rarely respond well to criticism. Their supervisors generally don’t like to hear it, either. Unless your boss is harassing you, breaking the law, directing you to break [...]
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Common Sense, Exercise, Intelligence, Safety, Sports, Swimming on 2012/01/06 | 1 Comment »
If you live on an island, learn to swim.
Valuable Insights Can Be Gained In First Impressions
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Behavior, Bullies, Dating, Interview, Jobs, Office Politics, Relationship, Relationships on 2012/01/03 | 2 Comments »
First impressions are not necessarily accurate measures of the person, but, they should be heeded when forming a long-term personal or professional relationship. Often, behaviors exhibited during a first meeting are characteristic and going to be exhibited again. Most likely a person who exhibits domineering traits during a first date will exhibit these and worse [...]
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Children & Family, Effort, Friendship, Happiness, Investment, Love, Relationship, Rewards, Success on 2011/12/18 | Leave a Comment »
All rewards require some effort.
For Success Make The Person Whom Dislikes You Fight For You
Posted in Getting Ahead, Politics, tagged Bad Bosses, Bullies, Jobs, Psychology, Relationship, Resolution, Success, Workplace Conflict on 2011/12/16 | Leave a Comment »
Having trouble with a person at work? Think of ways to get them to fight for you on a matter or defend your interest on something. Generally, people develop a sense of interest in things in which they made an emotional, financial, or time investment.
A Person Can Demand Deference, But Not Respect
Posted in Manage Successfully, Politics, tagged Admiration, Deference, Government, Management, Politics, Respect, Royalty on 2011/12/15 | Leave a Comment »
There’s a difference between respect and deference. A position of power might require deference, but does not require respect. Don’t expect people to respect you if your actions do not engender respect.
Add Color To Your Professional Life
Posted in Getting Ahead, Manage Successfully, tagged Business, Color, Graphics, Organization, Psychology, Success on 2011/12/12 | Leave a Comment »
Using color can turn a 2D work environment into 3D. For example, adding color to an organizational system, such as to folder tabs or binder covers, can differentiate files by year or category. Color can be used in lieu of line variations to separate or designate data in electronic files. Color can add depth to presentations or [...]
Quick Trick To Capture Interest During A Presentation
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Attention, Entertainment, Leadership, Meetings, Presentations on 2011/12/11 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re leading a presentation or running a meeting and an individual’s attention appears to be flagging, capture her interest by use her name in a funny, charming, or positive example. Capture the attention of multiple attendees by referring to a number of people in the example.
Simple Step To Improving A Poor Working Relationship
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Employment, Jobs, Networking, Office Politics, Perspective, Relationship, Work, Workplace Conflict on 2011/12/10 | Leave a Comment »
Generally, relationships are key to achieving success. To overcome a poor relationship with someone, sit next to that person whenever possible. It compels that person to communicate and often cooperate with you. Most likely, that person will eventually begin to view you as a member of his team, a partner to achieving his success.
Expansive Vocabularies Expand Options
Posted in Getting Ahead, Personal Enrichment, tagged Diplomacy, Emotions, Success, Vocabulary, Wisdom on 2011/12/09 | Leave a Comment »
Choose your language carefully. In situations requiring diplomacy or affecting emotions, a broad vocabulary can be handy. For example, using the word “disappointed” can go farther than saying you “resent” being overlooked or are “perturbed” by a person’s actions.
Acting On Unconfirmed Chatter Can Sink A Ship
Posted in Finances, Getting Ahead, tagged Business, Confidence, Finance, Gossip, Investment, Restructuring, Success on 2011/12/08 | Leave a Comment »
Just because you overhear something presumably confidential doesn’t mean it is accurate. Acting on that information without further investigation can be foolish. For example, corporate restructurings are discussed all the time, but don’t always go through. Buying or selling stock based on intercepted chatter of a corporate restructuring can lead to financial loss.
Promise Makers Are The Most Likely Promise Keepers
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Employment, Ethics, Etiquette, Internship, Job Search, Jobs, Office Politics, Promises on 2011/12/05 | Leave a Comment »
If a person tells you that you’ll have a job with her company but you haven’t received a formal offer or confirmation, follow-up with that person rather than someone else. Generally, a person that makes a promise is the person most driven to uphold the promise. As soon as you reach out to someone else [...]
If You Care, Don’t Leave Everything To An Attorney
Posted in Finances, Getting Ahead, Lessons From Divorce, tagged Friends, Law, Lawsuit, Legal Matters, Life, Perspective, Politics on 2011/12/03 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re struggling through a legal matter in which you are emotionally involved, ask a friend to objectively evaluate the situation. An objective third-party that walks through the facts and reads all related materials can keep the situation in perspective, ensuring all critical issues are captured. This will be especially handy if you have an [...]
Chart Your Accomplishments For Better Performance Evaluations
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Employment, Jobs, Office Politics, Performance Evaluation on 2011/12/01 | Leave a Comment »
Maintain a calendar tracking your accomplishments at work so that the information is on hand during the performance evaluation process.
Two Compromises To Improve Quality Of Relationship & Quality Of Work
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Business, Career, Children & Family, Compromise, Happiness, Love, Marriage, Relationships on 2011/11/29 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re spouse works ridiculous hours, consider compromising if his job is necessary for attaining your collective long-term financial goals by focusing on quality of time over quantity of time. If your spouse is demanding that you spend more time with her and less at work, consider compromising by negotiating with your supervisor to perform [...]
Reasons To Limit Your Online Shopping Habits At Work
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Chanukah, Christmas, CLM, CyberMonday, Employment, Holiday Shopping, Online Shopping, Robert Half Technology on 2011/11/28 | Leave a Comment »
The holiday season is a prime period for online shopping. Also, it is a notorious period for online shopping performed by employees while at work. If you’re such an employee, take care. Employers compensate employees to perform work dictated by the employer. An employer may be justified in penalizing or terminating an employee for shopping [...]
A Spouse’s Career Is A Mutual Investment
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Career, Children & Family, Compromise, Happiness, Investment, Love, Marriage, Relationships on 2011/11/27 | Leave a Comment »
Successful and mutually rewarding relationships require compromise. If a spouse’s commitment to work is causing strife within a relationship, it’s important to evaluate the couple’s long-term goals and how the spouse’s job fits into attaining those goals prior to calling it quits on the relationship. A job can be crucial to advancing a person’s career. [...]
Greater Flexibility Leads To Greater Productivity
Posted in Manage Successfully, tagged Business, Employment, Flextime, Home Office, Productivity, Success, Successful Management, Telecommuting, Work at Home Parents on 2011/11/26 | Leave a Comment »
Granting your employees greater flexibility may lead to greater productivity. For example, letting employees occasionally work from home enables them to work in excess of normal business hours conveniently. Providing more autonomy over work product and style enables employees to optimize their time and employ production methods under which they work most efficiently.
If “Why Not” Cannot Be Explained, Then Ask Why
Posted in Business, Getting Ahead, Psychology, tagged Innovation, Philosophy, Physics, Quantum Physics, Science, Why, Why Not? on 2011/11/23 | Leave a Comment »
If “why not” cannot be explained, then “why” should be asked. If something seems irrational but you cannot explain why it’s most likely wrong, then time might be better spent and answers found by looking into why it happens.
Worker’s Comp May Cover Workplace Bullying
Posted in Finances, Politics, Resignation Tips, Unemployment, tagged Bullies, Employment, Insurance, Law, Workers Compensation, Workplace Bullies on 2011/11/17 | Leave a Comment »
If bullying or harassing behavior leads to severe emotional or mental distress you might be eligible for worker’s compensation. If you feel compelled to leave an employer, or are compelled to temporarily separate from an employer (such as due to hospitalization) due to the emotional, mental, or physical consequences of bullying or harassing behavior, consider looking into [...]
Posted in Finances, Getting Ahead, tagged Business, Home Insurance, Insurance, Policy on 2011/11/16 | Leave a Comment »
A wise person does not base her decisions on guidance from an insurance company that something will most likely never happen (e.g. flooding), or that something is almost absolutely certain to occur (e.g. insurance will cover a complete loss above estimated replacement value).
Negotiate From The Mountain Top, Not The Base
Posted in Business, Finances, Getting Ahead, Manage Successfully, tagged Law, Negotiation, Parties, Politics on 2011/11/15 | Leave a Comment »
If you are going to negotiate over something, the best approach is to be fully informed. Prior to going in, contemplate what actions might be required by the other party in response to any proposals or ultimatums you might make. Legal or practical obligations can affect the other party’s response.
If No One Hears A Fight, Does It Occur?
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Business, EEOC, Employment, Employment Law, Human Resources, Law, OSHA, United States on 2011/11/14 | Leave a Comment »
An instinctual reaction to an iniquitous situation is to fight. The urge to fight can be driven by a number of needs, such as to resolve the situation, to punish the miscreant, to prevent the experience from happening to others, or to publicize the experience. However, if nothing is gained from fight, is fighting worth [...]
With A Boss, It’s Frequently Better To Forgive & Forget
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Communication, Employment, Etiquette, Getting Ahead, Jobs, Office Politics, PR, Public Relations, Workplace Conflict on 2011/11/08 | Leave a Comment »
Sometimes it is best to forgive and forget. Try to not make things into a bigger deal than they need to be. Think in terms of PR: sometimes, the best response to a bad situation is containment rather than bringing more attention to the situation. If you don’t like something that happened, consider the consequences [...]
Top Of The Class Doesn’t Always Translate Into Top Performer
Posted in Hiring Decisions, tagged Class, Education, Hiring Decisions, Jobs, Networking, Office Politics, Performance, Successful Management, University on 2011/11/02 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re considering hiring someone because he is the top of his class, look further. Just as entrance exams are not accurate measures of how a person will perform in university, how a person performs in university is not an accurate measure of how they will perform in the workplace. It’s a reasonable measure, but [...]
Posted in Getting Ahead, Manage Successfully, tagged Behavior, Employment, Jobs, Networking, Office Politics, Performance Evaluation, Perspective, Success on 2011/11/01 | Leave a Comment »
Good managers strive to retain employees that make their managers look good.
Don’t Share References Until Required
Posted in References, tagged Employment, Feedback, Friends, Job Search, Jobs, Networking, Office Politics, References, Relationship on 2011/10/27 | Leave a Comment »
If you don’t know what type of relationship your references have with the people considering your application, don’t provide references before requested.
Only Losers Play Politics With Underlings
Posted in Manage Successfully, tagged Bullies, Employment, Ethics, Getting Ahead, Jobs, Office Politics, Successful Management, Teams, Workplace Bullies, Workplace Conflict on 2011/10/25 | Leave a Comment »
Some supervisors think they get a better team by pitting team members against each other, misleading team members on mundane items, not fully informing team members or withholding pertinent facts, or providing different pieces of a puzzle to each member. By their nature, these and similar acts make a team weaker. Further, the actions can result in [...]
A Smile Can Take You Places
Posted in Getting Ahead, Natural Remedies, tagged Getting Ahead, Happiness, Health, Mental Health, Networking, Photographs, Pictures, Success on 2011/10/24 | Leave a Comment »
If you’re having a difficult conversation with someone or are feeling threatened, try smiling. A smile can positively affect your feelings about a situation. For example, a smile might reduce some of the anxiety or fear you feel, thereby slowing down your heart rate and improving your ability to respond to the situation. Likewise, smiles [...]
Hello: Intro To Games In The Workplace
Posted in Manage Successfully, Psychology, tagged Employment, Environment, Games, HR, Human Resources, Jobs, New Hires, Work on 2011/10/22 | Leave a Comment »
Playing games to introduce people in the workplace is a juvenile approach. If you wouldn’t do it when introducing friends or neighbors, you certainly shouldn’t be doing it in the workplace.
No Employer Is Worth One Neck
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Business, Employment, Ethics, Getting Ahead, Jobs, Law, Office Politics, Successful Management, Unemployment on 2011/10/21 | Leave a Comment »
Unless you’re confident that you’ll be rewarded, don’t stick your neck out for an employer. You might lose your head. Even if it seems to be of imperative importance for the employer, for example, to warn the employer that it could be walking off a legal cliff, you can still be punished for raising it [...]
If Communication Is Bad In An Interview, It’ll Be Worse In The Office
Posted in Hiring Decisions, tagged Communication, Employment, Grammar, Hiring Decisions, Interview, Jobs, Language, Successful Management on 2011/10/19 | Leave a Comment »
Poor communication can lead to serious errors. If a job candidate has trouble communicating in writing or during an interview, a situation in which they are striving to perform at their best in order to impress, his communication will be worse in the office. Miscommunication driven by misunderstandings regarding the meaning of words or grammar usage can lead to [...]
Do Not Project Onto Others The Success Or Failures Of Another
Posted in Manage Successfully, tagged Bigotry, EEOC, Hiring, Job Search, Racism, Successful Management on 2011/10/18 | Leave a Comment »
Just because one group of people perform a certain way in your office does not mean that all members of the group will perform the same way. For example, even though all of the top performers in your office might be from Mexico, this does not mean that all other job candidates from Mexico will be top [...]
Boss’s Day: A Day Of Opportunity (October 17, 2011)
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Boss' Day, Boss's Day, Bosses, Bosses Day, Getting Ahead, Hallmark, Holiday, Recognition, Work on 2011/10/15 | Leave a Comment »
Win a difficult boss over with unexpected recognition, a card, and something sweet, such as chocolates, on Boss’s Day. Bosses Day occurs October 16, or the closest business day, each year. In 2011, Boss’s Day falls on October 17.
Hovering Leads To Smothering
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, Psychology, tagged Behavior, Communication, Emotions, Employment, Etiquette, Friends, Happiness, Office Politics, Relationship on 2011/10/13 | Leave a Comment »
Sometimes it is best to give a person space. If a person exhibits rising tension, anxiety, or frustration, don’t hang over them. Give him a break. If you become too much of a pest, you can damage your relationship with that person. The person might be driven to avoid you because it is apparent you’re unable to [...]
Claiming You’ve Received Something You Haven’t On A Resume Or CV Can Haunt You
Posted in Job Search, tagged Application, Curriculum Vitae, Degree, Employment, Job Application, Job Search, Jobs, License, Masters, Resume on 2011/10/11 | 2 Comments »
Stretching the truth on your resume or job application can really hurt you. Even if you’re expecting to receive your degree or license, if you haven’t received it or official confirmation that you’ll receive it, don’t report that you have received it. Instead, note that you’re a candidate for the degree or license. If an [...]
Going Around Your Boss Should Be A Last Resort
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Behavior, Bullies, Employment, Ethics, Etiquette, Getting Ahead, Goals, Jobs, Office Politics on 2011/10/07 | 1 Comment »
Trying to force your boss to do or accept something through her boss or someone higher up can have serious negative consequences. Even if you’re successful at forcing your boss to do something, it can expedite your exit from the company. Generally, it’s better to work with your boss to resolve something or change her [...]
Not Repeating Mistakes Can Be More Effective Than Acknowledging Them
Posted in Getting Ahead, tagged Employment, Getting Ahead, Jobs, Office Politics, Successful Management on 2011/10/04 | Leave a Comment »
Generally, admitting to a supervisor that you should have followed their advice does not score brownie points. Instead, it validates the supervisor’s initial conclusions, bringing into question your judgment. Rather than telling a supervisor he was right, just remember to (i) not repeat the error and (ii) follow his guidance under similar situations.
Strengthen Relationships By Offering Stability During Another Person’s Meltdowns
Posted in Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, tagged Behavior, Communication, Employment, Friendship, Getting Ahead, Jobs, Office Politics, Relationship, Workplace Conflict on 2011/10/03 | Leave a Comment »
If a person seems to be melting down, try to not take it personally. Give the person an opportunity to vent without being defensive or judgmental. Avoid being passive as well. Remain calm and listen. Most likely, the person will appreciate your ability to maintain cool while lending an ear and shoulder. It can be an exceptionally [...]
Ensure You Understand The Message
Posted in Business, Getting Ahead, Improving Relationships, Interview, Manage Successfully, tagged Behavior, Communication, Employment, Etiquette, Getting Ahead, Interview, Jobs, Office Politics, Successful Management, Workplace Conflict on 2011/10/02 | Leave a Comment »
In business, it’s important to effectively read between the lines. If you’re unsure what a person is trying to communicate, tell them you don’t understand or are confused by their message.
Check With Your State’s Labor Department If You’re Not Paid After Giving Notice
Posted in Finances, Resignation Tips, Unemployment, tagged Employment, Ethics, Finances, Labor Department, Money, Pay, Resignation, Salary, Unemployment, Wage, Work on 2011/09/30 | Leave a Comment »
If an employer walks you out after giving notice, it might still owe you money for the days you committed to work in your notice yet were not permitted to work. Check with your state’s Labor Department if you’ve not been paid for those days and you believe it might be owed.
