By Craig Segal
Are you professional and work-savvy in the office? Do you know how to work effectively with your superiors? If you’re not sure how to answer, here are 15 tips on what NOT to say to your boss.
Inadvertently, or within a heated conversation, we often say things to the boss that we know we will have second thoughts about on that long walk back to our cubicle.
Maybe we forget that it's the boss we're even talking to, or that bosses have strong powers of recall and that small words can leave lasting impressions. Below we offer sage advice from Ken Scott, an executive coach with Axmith, a Canadian career-development firm, and Karen Coe of TMP Worldwide Executive Search on what NOT to say to the boss if you want to be around for the company picnic next summer.
It's not my problem. When a problem in the business or within the team is identified that is not in your direct area but does concern your boss, bring your ideas and capacity to contribute when you can.
Silence. Saying nothing to the boss is just not helpful. Bosses expect input, information and ideas.
It can't be done or It's always been done this way. Make an effort to find out how it could be done. Help your boss to better define what he or she is looking for.
Want to know what my boss just did…? Saying something behind your boss's back that you have not already said to his face invites future trouble should the grapevine make it to his ears.
I'm happy where I am or I'm comfortable. Often such statements come from folks who are not willing to try a new assignment or in response to, "If you could, what would you change about your job?"
I'm too busy to take new training. Anyone who wants to succeed needs to continually balance the urgent (what's needed today) with the less urgent (what will be needed in the future).
I need a bigger title. In today's organizations, contribution and value to the business is not a direct reflection of title. Produce results first. Seek status last.
I don't do overtime. Professionals who are managing their careers do not count hours but invest in themselves and in training by learning more about the business and the customers. It’s often in the unofficial hours that conversations and information essential to relationships and planning occur.
I only know the people in my department. No man is an island. It’s essential to know who the key leaders are in the enterprise, their driving philosophies and key measures, and how your team links to them. Everyone has a customer or is serving the customer.
It’s my turn for a promotion. Entitlement is antique in corporate life. What you contribute, your unique skills and your ability to work with the business at all levels earn advancement. Time in the chair or waiting in line does not count.
Ask someone else. When you are approached for an opportunity or request, pull together ideas even if you cannot come up with them yourself; be a bridge to the solution, not a stop sign.
I booked my vacation for those days and cannot change it. Most bosses want to accommodate subordinates with time off, since fresh and recharged employees do their best work. However the reality today is that companies need flexibility to meet circumstances that do not always fit a personal calendar of preferences, such as mergers, new product releases, etc.
I've got nothing new to report. Staying too quiet about what you are working on can signal your boss that you are not engaged. Employers appreciate innovation and improvements in efficiency.
Yes, but I was having a bad day. Making excuses when you're confronted about a mistake only makes you look like a whiner. Own up to a mistake and reassure your boss it won't happen again.
Technology is not my thing. The world of technological tools and processes that enable us to become more efficient will continue to change the way we all work. Be a willing and proactive learner and be prepared to show others.
Hoping you haven't said any of these things!!
and wishing you "Good luck on your job search"
Fran Watson
P.S. Check out the free job search book listed below
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Comfort Zones...
I am currently reading some books I purchased from simple truths. I have discovered some fabulous information and I would like to share some of it with you. The following article is by Mac Anderson from his book Charging the Human Battery. These books are only available from simple truths. The books are hardcover with beautiful illustrations and they are easy to read in an evening.
****
Comfort zones put padlocks on doors to growth, discovery and adventure. As painful as it may feel, change almost always comes bearing gifts. As nerve-wracking as it can seem, it's "in the winds of change we find our true direction."
Change is not easy, but it is simple. Things will always change. We don't have a choice about that. But we do have a choice about how we react to change. It really boils down to this...eitehr we manage change, or it will manage us.
In the long run, however, sameness is the fast track to mediocrity. To grow, to get closer to your goals, you must get off the path of least resistance. Lace up your running shoes, tie a double knowt, and discover all the advantages you can uncover on a new trail.
Remember: To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done.
To your positive changes!!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca/Counselling.html
P.S. That website again is simple truths Check it out, they have amazing videos, CDs, books, etc.
****
"Change comes bearing gifts." - Price Pritchett
Comfort zones put padlocks on doors to growth, discovery and adventure. As painful as it may feel, change almost always comes bearing gifts. As nerve-wracking as it can seem, it's "in the winds of change we find our true direction."
Change is not easy, but it is simple. Things will always change. We don't have a choice about that. But we do have a choice about how we react to change. It really boils down to this...eitehr we manage change, or it will manage us.
In the long run, however, sameness is the fast track to mediocrity. To grow, to get closer to your goals, you must get off the path of least resistance. Lace up your running shoes, tie a double knowt, and discover all the advantages you can uncover on a new trail.
Remember: To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done.
To your positive changes!!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca/Counselling.html
P.S. That website again is simple truths Check it out, they have amazing videos, CDs, books, etc.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
12 Steps to Recession-Proof Your Job
Try the following strategies from Karen Coe of TMP Worldwide Executive Search and Ken Scott of Axmith to make yourself the No. 1 choice:
1. Be the best at what you do. Show others how to raise their skills, too.
2. Be the first to suggest cost-cutting ideas and track the return to the bottom line, even if it’s only in your area.
3. Examine how to redesign your own job to find ways to broaden its contribution.
4. Be prepared to put in extra hours to increase productivity and deliverables.
5. Keep a high profile in activities closely aligned with the company’s values, which includes volunteer work with charities and corporate causes that broadens your network and evidences contribution that is not self-serving and is team focused.
6. Don’t wait for the job vacancy. Pave the way by making sure your boss knows you want more responsibility.
7. Employees need to treat their own company as a client. In order to stay
8. Prepare for positions you’re interested in. If you’re gunning for a job in a foreign country, begin taking language classes before any opportunity presents itself. Think about portability.
9. Likewise, don’t let a company know you’re interested in a foreign post if you can’t do it. You could, though, tell them you can’t do it. That helps them know where they can promote you.
10. We are facing a severe management shortage in Canada with baby boomers retiring. Companies are deciding who their top talent is.
11. Opportunity comes to people who are dressed for it, so always be ready.
12. Follow through in every commitment made to your boss, colleagues or anyone else.
Do what you can!
Fran
www.franwatson.ca/resources.html
1. Be the best at what you do. Show others how to raise their skills, too.
2. Be the first to suggest cost-cutting ideas and track the return to the bottom line, even if it’s only in your area.
3. Examine how to redesign your own job to find ways to broaden its contribution.
4. Be prepared to put in extra hours to increase productivity and deliverables.
5. Keep a high profile in activities closely aligned with the company’s values, which includes volunteer work with charities and corporate causes that broadens your network and evidences contribution that is not self-serving and is team focused.
6. Don’t wait for the job vacancy. Pave the way by making sure your boss knows you want more responsibility.
7. Employees need to treat their own company as a client. In order to stay
8. Prepare for positions you’re interested in. If you’re gunning for a job in a foreign country, begin taking language classes before any opportunity presents itself. Think about portability.
9. Likewise, don’t let a company know you’re interested in a foreign post if you can’t do it. You could, though, tell them you can’t do it. That helps them know where they can promote you.
10. We are facing a severe management shortage in Canada with baby boomers retiring. Companies are deciding who their top talent is.
11. Opportunity comes to people who are dressed for it, so always be ready.
12. Follow through in every commitment made to your boss, colleagues or anyone else.
Do what you can!
Fran
www.franwatson.ca/resources.html
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Job Finding Formula
Hey Job Seeker, welcome to my blog site.
I have just been given permission to share a fabulous resource with you to help you with your job search.
Are you aware that approximately 80% of the available jobs are not advertised? See what you can do to find the one that works for you!
This resource can help you look at what will work for you, some really neat techniques you can use to land that job you really want, and show you how to use the Hidden Job Market.
Check it out right away.
Contents include:
- The Hidden Job Market,
- How People Really Get Jobs,
- Developing Your Resume,
- Powerful Interview Techniques
and much, much more.
Best of luck....happy hunting!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
P.S. Here's that link again: JobFindingFormula
I have just been given permission to share a fabulous resource with you to help you with your job search.
Are you aware that approximately 80% of the available jobs are not advertised? See what you can do to find the one that works for you!
This resource can help you look at what will work for you, some really neat techniques you can use to land that job you really want, and show you how to use the Hidden Job Market.
Check it out right away.
Contents include:
- The Hidden Job Market,
- How People Really Get Jobs,
- Developing Your Resume,
- Powerful Interview Techniques
and much, much more.
Best of luck....happy hunting!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
P.S. Here's that link again: JobFindingFormula
Sunday, March 08, 2009
How To Be A Leader At Work
Most organizations have at least one person who is a natural leader. When it is announced she will be leading a new team, employees line up to join. When he asks for a volunteer for an assignment, people jump at the chance. Employees turn to her as a mentor, or look to him as a role model.
Meanwhile, others in the organization are struggling to do their job with too few human resources. So how do natural leaders do it? What is their secret to getting people to go the extra mile for them?
Although many effective leaders are naturally charismatic, there are a number of leadership behaviours that can be adopted by anyone who wants to have greater support from other people. While some leadership techniques may sound manipulative, a wise leader knows the best results come from having people provide their support willingly.
People naturally want to follow a good leader. After meeting with an effective leader it is not unusual to feel uplifted, inspired and motivated to work towards a common goal.
Effective leaders make others feel good about themselves as well as the work they are doing. The leader has a vision of what she wants to achieve and can communicate that vision to others in a way that makes people want to be part of it.
One thing a good leader typically does is to communicate the big picture, so that each employee can see how the particular role he plays makes a contribution to the final result.
In a recent study of employees at all levels in companies of all sizes, Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans, authors of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em, found that “meaningful work, making a difference and a contribution” was one of the top three reasons given by 90% of employees when asked why they remain at a company. (The other reasons cited among the top three were “career growth, learning and development” and “exciting work and challenge.”)
When someone understands why a job that might otherwise be considered menial is important, that person is likely to be both more committed and more productive.
People are also likely to follow leaders they see as positive role models. If a leader demonstrates a strong belief in something, it inspires others to work towards the leader’s vision, even when a situation might appear to be almost hopeless. An excellent example of a leader who faced this type of situation is Lee Iacocca. When Chrysler’s fortunes reached a low in the 1980s, he cut his salary to $1 per year to prove his conviction that things would get better. They did. Under his leadership, the company flourished.
Good leaders not only “walk the walk”, they “talk the talk”. When they speak about the future, they are positive and upbeat. Mark Victor Hansen, a successful motivational speaker and co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, said that even in the early days of his career, if someone asked how he was doing he always responded that he was doing fabulously. His enthusiasm won him plenty of supporters who helped make his vision a reality.
Yet some people feel the way to get support from others is by telling them how grim a situation is, hoping that will make them want to help turn things around. On the contrary, Eeyores (those who sound like the gloomy Winnie the Pooh character) may inspire people to start looking for another job, rather than work to improve the situation they are in.
If you have a tendency to be negative, but want to inspire others to support you in achieving a goal, resolve to focus on solutions rather than problems. If Plan A isn’t working, avoid bemoaning the situation and instead come up with a Plan B. If necessary, have Plan C waiting in the wings. Maintain a can-do attitude and you are likely to attract people who will support you in achieving your goals.
As well as communicating their vision, good leaders know they need to communicate “what’s in it for you” in order to have employees go the extra mile.
They also understand that different people are motivated by different things. For employees motivated by a need for achievement, a leader explains how the task offers an opportunity to take on a challenging but achievable goal. Those with a desire for power are told how their participation can bring them prestige and lead to greater opportunities. While employees who are motivated by affiliation need to hear how they will be part of a team of people working together.
Effective leaders also use techniques to communicate their belief that each team member is important, including remembering and using people’s preferred names (e.g. not "Rick" if someone prefers to be called "Richard"). As Dale Carnegie observed, “the average person is more interested in his or her own name than in all the other names on earth put together.” Keys to remembering names include paying attention when introduced to someone, mentally repeating the name and using it in conversation.
Good leaders will introduce employees by name first, rather than job title. They refer to employees as team members, associates, or colleagues – never as "subordinates" – and make no distinction between "essential" and "non-essential" staff or "professional" and "non-professional" staff. Words have power, including the power to make people feel whether or not they are important to the success of an organization.
Good leaders believe that every team member matters and foster an environment that makes everyone feel important. It is no wonder they attract all the support they need to help them achieve their goals.
Tag Goulet is CEO of Fabjob.com, a company that publishes e-books on how to break into a "fab" job. Visit www.fabjob.com for information
*********************
Lead On!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
Meanwhile, others in the organization are struggling to do their job with too few human resources. So how do natural leaders do it? What is their secret to getting people to go the extra mile for them?
Although many effective leaders are naturally charismatic, there are a number of leadership behaviours that can be adopted by anyone who wants to have greater support from other people. While some leadership techniques may sound manipulative, a wise leader knows the best results come from having people provide their support willingly.
As U.S. President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower defined it:
Leadership is the art of getting someone to do something you want done because he wants to do it. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
People naturally want to follow a good leader. After meeting with an effective leader it is not unusual to feel uplifted, inspired and motivated to work towards a common goal.
Effective leaders make others feel good about themselves as well as the work they are doing. The leader has a vision of what she wants to achieve and can communicate that vision to others in a way that makes people want to be part of it.
One thing a good leader typically does is to communicate the big picture, so that each employee can see how the particular role he plays makes a contribution to the final result.
In a recent study of employees at all levels in companies of all sizes, Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans, authors of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em, found that “meaningful work, making a difference and a contribution” was one of the top three reasons given by 90% of employees when asked why they remain at a company. (The other reasons cited among the top three were “career growth, learning and development” and “exciting work and challenge.”)
When someone understands why a job that might otherwise be considered menial is important, that person is likely to be both more committed and more productive.
People are also likely to follow leaders they see as positive role models. If a leader demonstrates a strong belief in something, it inspires others to work towards the leader’s vision, even when a situation might appear to be almost hopeless. An excellent example of a leader who faced this type of situation is Lee Iacocca. When Chrysler’s fortunes reached a low in the 1980s, he cut his salary to $1 per year to prove his conviction that things would get better. They did. Under his leadership, the company flourished.
Good leaders not only “walk the walk”, they “talk the talk”. When they speak about the future, they are positive and upbeat. Mark Victor Hansen, a successful motivational speaker and co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, said that even in the early days of his career, if someone asked how he was doing he always responded that he was doing fabulously. His enthusiasm won him plenty of supporters who helped make his vision a reality.
Yet some people feel the way to get support from others is by telling them how grim a situation is, hoping that will make them want to help turn things around. On the contrary, Eeyores (those who sound like the gloomy Winnie the Pooh character) may inspire people to start looking for another job, rather than work to improve the situation they are in.
If you have a tendency to be negative, but want to inspire others to support you in achieving a goal, resolve to focus on solutions rather than problems. If Plan A isn’t working, avoid bemoaning the situation and instead come up with a Plan B. If necessary, have Plan C waiting in the wings. Maintain a can-do attitude and you are likely to attract people who will support you in achieving your goals.
As well as communicating their vision, good leaders know they need to communicate “what’s in it for you” in order to have employees go the extra mile.
They also understand that different people are motivated by different things. For employees motivated by a need for achievement, a leader explains how the task offers an opportunity to take on a challenging but achievable goal. Those with a desire for power are told how their participation can bring them prestige and lead to greater opportunities. While employees who are motivated by affiliation need to hear how they will be part of a team of people working together.
Effective leaders also use techniques to communicate their belief that each team member is important, including remembering and using people’s preferred names (e.g. not "Rick" if someone prefers to be called "Richard"). As Dale Carnegie observed, “the average person is more interested in his or her own name than in all the other names on earth put together.” Keys to remembering names include paying attention when introduced to someone, mentally repeating the name and using it in conversation.
Good leaders will introduce employees by name first, rather than job title. They refer to employees as team members, associates, or colleagues – never as "subordinates" – and make no distinction between "essential" and "non-essential" staff or "professional" and "non-professional" staff. Words have power, including the power to make people feel whether or not they are important to the success of an organization.
Good leaders believe that every team member matters and foster an environment that makes everyone feel important. It is no wonder they attract all the support they need to help them achieve their goals.
Tag Goulet is CEO of Fabjob.com, a company that publishes e-books on how to break into a "fab" job. Visit www.fabjob.com for information
*********************
Lead On!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Free Job Search Info
Hi
I have uploaded some job search tips and information for you at this site: www.franwatson.ca/Employment
I will be updating this over the next few weeks to include more information and links.
Help yourself.
Fran
I have uploaded some job search tips and information for you at this site: www.franwatson.ca/Employment
I will be updating this over the next few weeks to include more information and links.
Help yourself.
Fran
Friday, March 06, 2009
Do YOU Know these facts?
Did you know that:
only 20% of all employers have application forms - almost all employers want to see a resume
80% of employers rely on personal contact - if someone they know recommends someone, they are more willing to take a chance on that person than a stranger
jobs stay open on an average of only 5 days - so it is important to get your resume in to an employer as soon as you see the job opening, don't wait until the last day of the competition
small businesses create the most new jobs in the economy each each year
smaller firms are reluctant to publish jobs because they can't handle the flow of resumes or they don't have the resources to deal with it - so don't assume they aren't hiring, if you think you would like to work for a company, take your resume in and talk to the manager about what you would like to do and what skills and experience you can bring them
Now that you know, make sure you have your resume ready, targeted for the specific job you are looking for, and get out there!
To a successful job search
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
P.S. Drop by again soon as I will have some free job search tips for you to download
only 20% of all employers have application forms - almost all employers want to see a resume
80% of employers rely on personal contact - if someone they know recommends someone, they are more willing to take a chance on that person than a stranger
jobs stay open on an average of only 5 days - so it is important to get your resume in to an employer as soon as you see the job opening, don't wait until the last day of the competition
small businesses create the most new jobs in the economy each each year
smaller firms are reluctant to publish jobs because they can't handle the flow of resumes or they don't have the resources to deal with it - so don't assume they aren't hiring, if you think you would like to work for a company, take your resume in and talk to the manager about what you would like to do and what skills and experience you can bring them
Now that you know, make sure you have your resume ready, targeted for the specific job you are looking for, and get out there!
To a successful job search
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
P.S. Drop by again soon as I will have some free job search tips for you to download
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)