Delegation Requires Discipline

If you sometimes struggle with delegation,the following examples may be familiar to you: Delegation Failure 1. Your boss has made a team assignment, and each person was given a specific task. You’re good at research, so you get the data collection responsibility. Your colleague, John, is tasked with pulling the pieces together and writing the final report. You know John is not the best writer and you fear the project report will not adequately reflect the group effort. After the ... Read more

Leave a reply

Honesty is Always Best When Applying for a Job

We all have strengths, and we all have areas in which we are less competent. Usually, these equal out. We eventually hone our strengths with the goal of becoming a recognized expert in several areas. Sometimes, however, when job seeking and wanting to present the best possible application, we may over rate our competency level in some area. For example, did your two semesters of college French really result in your being “fluent in French?” Could you actually design a ... Read more

Leave a reply

Managing a Disagreement with Your Boss

Sometimes our passion (or our ego) gets the best of us, and we find ourselves arguing with someone in authority. Sometimes that person in authority is our boss. What should you do when you have openly disagreed with yours? You have worked diligently on a project or assignment. You have spent hours doing research, seeking input, and drafting and editing the proposal. You were excited to present it at the staff meeting, and thought others would be excited, too. Most of all, you thought your ... Read more

Leave a reply

Overcoming Workplace Fear

Recently a young professional woman noted that she feared something almost as much as she feared public speaking. Her mention of a fear of public speaking was surprising because she is a “take charge” person, never reticent in a meeting or group. She is an outstanding team leader, a good delegator, and she doesn’t shy away from conflict. So why the fear? Experts note that public speaking is one of the top two or three fears of the average person. It is so common that it ... Read more

Leave a reply

Avoiding Negative Optics

Recently, President Trump arrived 20 minutes late for a Gender Equality Advisory Committee meeting at the G7 Summit in Quebec. His entrance was disruptive and rude, and it was documented in news reports around the world. The optics were especially negative. Think back to a recent meeting at your workplace. Was anyone late? Were you late? If so, what optic did your lateness provide for others? A few possible scenarios include: 1. You were viewed as someone who thinks she is self-important. ... Read more

Leave a reply

What’s Your Hurry?

“What’s your hurry?” “You have plenty of time to get ahead in your career.” “Take some time for fun.” “Why would you change jobs when you can coast in the one you have?” “Don’t be so competitive.” “Stop pushing yourself so hard.” Perhaps friends and relatives have made statements like those above to you. Perhaps they are well meaning and they do feel like you are working too much. Or, perhaps they ... Read more

Leave a reply

Would You Promote You?

Most promotions are not automatic, and, generally, a variety of factors enter into the decision making process. Sometimes there are annual quotas such as the number of open positions for tenure decisions at a university. Sometimes a business is quite small, and there is a very short career ladder. Other jobs, like many in government, require a certain score on a civil service exam in order to be promoted. And, it is a reality that not all promotions are fair. For example, a family member of ... Read more

Leave a reply

Are you Managing Your Career?

Remember how you felt at the start, when you were looking for your first job? All you wanted was a toehold, a way in, a chance. But it felt like everyone else had control of your future. I got my first job out of college because I could type. And yes, I was taken aback when the hiring manager later told me the reason she interviewed me. Typing wasn’t supposed to be what got me a job—my BA in Spanish was supposed to be wildly appealing to the Pan American Health Organization! Years later, I ... Read more

Leave a reply

Would You Hire You?

Most employees hope to move up the career ladder to become a supervisor, manager, or administrator—in short, a boss. When that move occurs, you may be in a position to hire your own staff, or, at least, contribute to the hiring process. Finding and employing good staff is a significant undertaking. Sometimes you are successful; sometimes not. What would your boss say, if after your first year, you were able to ask her if she still thinks her decision to bring you on-board was a good one? ... Read more

Leave a reply

If You Want to Be Heard, Listen

You are in a staff meeting with your boss. She details a possible situation that might occur and is asking for ways to address it. You have an idea that you think might work. Your hand quickly goes up and you speak forcefully. Two of your colleagues begin shaking their heads “no.” As soon as you finish, the negative responses start. There are some things you hadn’t thought about—a couple of weaknesses in your plan, but you still feel the need to defend your idea. The ... Read more

Leave a reply