Regrets, I’ve Had a Few

We are all beginners when we start up that career ladder, and most of the time we have to “learn as we go.” Generally, you can’t get very far before making a wrong turn, a bad decision, or a poor judgment. Everyone has negative work experiences, and much of the time, these are minor. We simply self-correct and keep moving forward. Sometimes. however, what seems relatively minor can lead to some fairly major regrets. Things like even slightly falsifying an expense report or ... Read more

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The Downsides of Efficiency

I love efficiency. I seek it in most things, and I admire it in the efforts of others. Little is as upsetting to me as having to redo a task, or having to take the long way around, or having a project or outcome stalled or derailed. However, someone recently pointed out (jokingly, I hope) that my need for efficiency may be borderline pathological. That gave me pause, and made me think about the downsides of efficiency, especially in the work setting. I believe most people want to be ... Read more

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The Pros and Cons of Working Offsite

Your company is rather small, and management usually doesn’t approve of people working offsite. However, some significant changes in your life now make it necessary for you to work from home for 6-12 months. You have been an excellent employee and you know they don’t want to lose you. Besides that, you love your job and are good at it. You carefully prepare your request and argument. Then you meet with your boss and explain the possibility and how you feel you can be as ... Read more

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Own Your Power

Many people don’t fully understand power. Others think power would be great to have, but never actually work toward it. Still others decide they don’t want the responsibilities that go with power, or they feel that power is simply unattainable. Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple, has said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Too often, this statement relates to women in the workplace. How can women achieve ... Read more

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How Useful is Rethinking?

You’ve been the lead on a big project. You inspired and encouraged your team. You planned carefully and stayed within budget. You’ve tried to be a big thinker while paying attention to details. All seems to be in order for the final presentation, but you have an uneasy feeling that something isn’t quite right. Are you just tired, or is there really something you missed? You and the team are anxious to have the project finished and on your boss’ desk, You don’t ... Read more

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What’s Your Higher Purpose? Do You Still Have One?

Think back a few years ago to the moment when you decided what your career path or life work would be. Perhaps it was the day you declared your college major or when you were offered your first job. Is what you are doing now what you expected to be doing two or five or ten or more years later? Did you set out with a purpose—with a higher purpose? Has that changed? You may now work for a nonprofit (a for-purpose) organization, and, on a daily basis, be involved in helping to meet their ... Read more

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Bosses and Bad Behavior

No matter what your political affiliation, you probably are similar to many other Americans when we hear the President criticize and disparage members of his staff. It’s one thing to be displeased with someone’s performance, it’s another to publicly humiliate them. The same is true in the classroom, in team sports, and in the workplace. Sometimes, teachers, coaches, and bosses use their public criticism as an excuse to bring about peer pressure or to bolster team effort, ... Read more

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Thoughts Have Power

Recently I found a copy of “The Magic of Believing” by Claude Bristol. It was written in 1991, but I had never read it before. One phrase, in particular, stood out: thoughts have power. We know we can talk ourselves into (or out of) doing something. We can use our thoughts (and our self-talk) to bolster our confidence or undermine our efforts. While most of us can’t actually project our thought power and manipulate others (or a ouija board) simply with our minds, we can ... Read more

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Your To-Do List May Be Holding You Back

Do you keep a list? Is it on your cell phone, or laptop, or perhaps, even on paper? Do you update it on a daily or weekly (or hourly) basis? Are there categories such as long term and short term goals? Do you divide it by work projects, social engagements, and personal items, or is it all jumbled together? Do you love crossing things off your list, or do you just put things on your list and forget about them? Importantly, is your list functional and useful, or does it make you more and ... Read more

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Character as Well as Capability

Recently, an employment consultant was discussing a new trend in job interviewing. She noted that in this age of cookie-cutter, online resumes and responses, employers are looking for a way to differentiate one capable candidate from another. The answer may be character. How can character be defined and determined? How can you, as a candidate for a job prepare for this new interview thread? Several questions may provide some guidance: • Tell me about an autobiography you have read? What ... Read more

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