One of the most important things you can do to advance your career is to let your bosses know when you have a success. Unfortunately it also seems to be one of the hardest. We see it as self-aggrandizing. No one likes to come across as a bragger and women in particular seem to have a tricky time advertising their triumphs – but research suggests it is a hurdle we have to overcome.
Here are a few suggestions on how to let people know you’ve done well, without coming across as a jerk.
1.Realize it’s important to the mission, not just you. Your bosses need to know about your successes just as much as they need to know about your failures, but they are busy people who can’t be expected to keep track of everything that’s going on, even your daily triumphs. So sometimes you have to tell them. See it as doing them a favor. You are keeping them abreast of developments that matter to the organization.
2.Avoid rattling off a list of accomplishments. It’s much better to talk about recent successes in a conversation, rather than walking into your boss’ office with a list of achievements. We find a question is a great way in. “How are things going with the Austin account?” Leads quite naturally into, “Ah, so glad. I just had the sense when I finally got them to agree to the concession last week that they’d eventually sign up.”
3.Couch your self-promotion as a thank you. One easy way to get over the idea that talking about your own success as self aggrandizing (it isn’t, by the way) is to phrase it in terms of a thanks to your boss for giving you the opportunity. “Bob, did you hear we nailed the Glaxo account? I loved running that pitch. Thanks for giving me the shot.”
4.Think we not me. It often helps to use words like we or the team or the group instead of I or me. It’s self-effacing but the message of success still gets across. “I’m so proud of the team’s effort on this report, they really did an excellent job.” Your boss hears that you led a group effort and scored a win at the same time.
5.Humor. Women should be wary of endless self-deprecation – we can do it so often we start to believe it. But sometimes a funny story can be a good way to soften a self-promoting anecdote. You say: “I’ll never forget that moment last week when I got the marketing award … and then fell flat on my face on my way up to the stage. So classy!” The boss hears: This is clearly a star who the industry is watching but you’ve still got a sense of humor.
6.Try to see yourself as others might see you. Remember, employers like winners. The way you are perceived might not always be fair but it definitely impacts your chances. Your bosses want a confident, successful member of the team; it makes them feel like winners too. It might not feel natural but you have to help your image by reminding your superiors that you are doing well. Do it with grace, and humor and thanks, but do it.
Some people love bragging, 90 percent of us don’t. But if you can see a measure of self promotion as a service to your busy, harried bosses and a necessary part of managing your career, that can take the sting out of publicizing your successes. See it as a tool, that’s all
Thursday 21 August 2014
Saturday 16 August 2014
Happiness is an inside job
Relinquish your need for external approval. You alone are the judge of your worth, and your goal is to discover infinite worth in yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks. There is great freedom in this realization. Only then will you have realized the keys to happiness:
1. Listen to your body’s wisdom, which expresses itself through signals of comfort and discomfort. When choosing a certain behavior, ask your body, “How do you feel about this?” If your body sends a signal of physical or emotional distress, watch out. If your body sends a signal of comfort and eagerness, proceed.
2. Live in the present, for it is the only moment you have. Keep your attention on what is here and now; look for the fullness in every moment.Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it, and then let it go. The present is as it should be. It reflects infinite laws of Nature that have brought you this exact thought, this exact physical response. This moment is as it is because the universe is as it is. Don’t struggle against the infinite scheme of things; instead, be at one with it.
3. Take time to be silent, to meditate, to quiet the internal dialogue. In moments of silence, realize that you are recontacting your source of pure awareness. Pay attention to your inner life so that you can be guided by intuition rather than externally imposed interpretations of what is or isn't good for you.
4. Relinquish your need for external approval. You alone are the judge of your worth, and your goal is to discover infinite worth in yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks. There is great freedom in this realization.
5. When you find yourself reacting with anger or opposition to any person or circumstance, realize that you are only struggling with yourself. Putting up resistance is the response of defenses created by old hurts. When you relinquish this anger, you will be healing yourself and cooperating with the flow of the universe.
6. Know that the world “out there” reflects your reality “in here.” The people you react to most strongly, whether with love or hate, are projections of your inner world. What you most hate is what you most deny in yourself. What you most love is what you most wish for in yourself. Use the mirror of relationships to guide your evolution. The goal is total self-knowledge. When you achieve that, what you most want will automatically be there, and what you most dislike will disappear.
7. Shed the burden of judgment – you will feel much lighter. Judgment imposes right and wrong on situations that just are. Everything can be understood and forgiven, but when you judge, you cut off understanding and shut down the process of learning to love. In judging others, you reflect your lack of self-acceptance. Remember that every person you forgive adds to your self-love.
8. Don’t contaminate your body with toxins, either through food, drink, or toxic emotions. Your body is more than a life-support system. It is the vehicle that will carry you on the journey of your evolution. The health of every cell directly contributes to your state of well being, because every cell is a point of awareness within the field of awareness that is you.
9. Replace fear-motivated behavior with love-motivated behavior. Fear is the product of memory, which dwells in the past. Remembering what hurt us before, we direct our energies toward making certain that an old hurt will not repeat itself. But trying to impose the past on the present will never wipe out the threat of being hurt. That happens only when you find the security of your own being, which is love. Motivated by the truth inside you, you can face any threat because your inner strength is invulnerable to fear.
10. Understand that the physical world is just a mirror of a deeper intelligence. Intelligence is the invisible organizer of all matter and energy, and since a portion of this intelligence resides in you, you share in the organizing power of the cosmos. Because you are inseparably linked to everything, you cannot afford to foul the planet’s air and water. But at a deeper level, you cannot afford to live with a toxic mind, because every thought makes an impression on the whole field of intelligence. Living in balance and purity is the highest good for you and the Earth
1. Listen to your body’s wisdom, which expresses itself through signals of comfort and discomfort. When choosing a certain behavior, ask your body, “How do you feel about this?” If your body sends a signal of physical or emotional distress, watch out. If your body sends a signal of comfort and eagerness, proceed.
2. Live in the present, for it is the only moment you have. Keep your attention on what is here and now; look for the fullness in every moment.Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it, and then let it go. The present is as it should be. It reflects infinite laws of Nature that have brought you this exact thought, this exact physical response. This moment is as it is because the universe is as it is. Don’t struggle against the infinite scheme of things; instead, be at one with it.
3. Take time to be silent, to meditate, to quiet the internal dialogue. In moments of silence, realize that you are recontacting your source of pure awareness. Pay attention to your inner life so that you can be guided by intuition rather than externally imposed interpretations of what is or isn't good for you.
4. Relinquish your need for external approval. You alone are the judge of your worth, and your goal is to discover infinite worth in yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks. There is great freedom in this realization.
5. When you find yourself reacting with anger or opposition to any person or circumstance, realize that you are only struggling with yourself. Putting up resistance is the response of defenses created by old hurts. When you relinquish this anger, you will be healing yourself and cooperating with the flow of the universe.
6. Know that the world “out there” reflects your reality “in here.” The people you react to most strongly, whether with love or hate, are projections of your inner world. What you most hate is what you most deny in yourself. What you most love is what you most wish for in yourself. Use the mirror of relationships to guide your evolution. The goal is total self-knowledge. When you achieve that, what you most want will automatically be there, and what you most dislike will disappear.
7. Shed the burden of judgment – you will feel much lighter. Judgment imposes right and wrong on situations that just are. Everything can be understood and forgiven, but when you judge, you cut off understanding and shut down the process of learning to love. In judging others, you reflect your lack of self-acceptance. Remember that every person you forgive adds to your self-love.
8. Don’t contaminate your body with toxins, either through food, drink, or toxic emotions. Your body is more than a life-support system. It is the vehicle that will carry you on the journey of your evolution. The health of every cell directly contributes to your state of well being, because every cell is a point of awareness within the field of awareness that is you.
9. Replace fear-motivated behavior with love-motivated behavior. Fear is the product of memory, which dwells in the past. Remembering what hurt us before, we direct our energies toward making certain that an old hurt will not repeat itself. But trying to impose the past on the present will never wipe out the threat of being hurt. That happens only when you find the security of your own being, which is love. Motivated by the truth inside you, you can face any threat because your inner strength is invulnerable to fear.
10. Understand that the physical world is just a mirror of a deeper intelligence. Intelligence is the invisible organizer of all matter and energy, and since a portion of this intelligence resides in you, you share in the organizing power of the cosmos. Because you are inseparably linked to everything, you cannot afford to foul the planet’s air and water. But at a deeper level, you cannot afford to live with a toxic mind, because every thought makes an impression on the whole field of intelligence. Living in balance and purity is the highest good for you and the Earth
Wednesday 13 August 2014
How to say NO politely
Saying "No" is important. If it wasn't, the 'yes-man' would not be part of office folklore and ridicule. But some people have a really hard time saying it. And for good reason. Are you always trying to be nice to others at the expense of yourself? Or are you afraid that saying "No" might lead to conflict with your manager or the office bully?
It's time to stop the madness and pushing off important work that you need to get done. Telling people "No" does not need to be an act of rejection. And if you do it right you will not destroy relationships that took a very long time to grow.
Saying "No" does not mean that you are disagreeable or a nasty person. In fact, I believe saying "No" brings more options to the discussion table! because contrary to what you are told, it can actually prove that you are tuned in.
It can show that you are a focused listener and attentive teammate. Everyone has their own set of priorities and saying "No" means that you are respecting the person who made the request and your valuable time.
The key is to avoid what most people do: ignore the request. Ignoring requests will diminish your value and relationships faster than saying "No" more often than you say "Yes." It appears that you are not listening which is clearly disrespectful.
Some say that you should +1 everything. For example, when someone suggests that you should change your entire plan, you should say "That's a good idea and what about if we did it like this." I think this approach is disingenuous, because we all know that some ideas are just stupid.
Let's act like responsible adults who can have meaningful conversations. Successful people follow these four simple steps to assess requests and say "No" when it's appropriate.
1: Hear it
If someone asks you to do something or for something, you should assume that it is important to them for one reason or another. They likely would not ask you otherwise. It's your responsibility to get to the heart of the request and why it matters. Working towards understanding ensures that you will clearly see what the person making the request sees and you will be able to gauge how important it is to apply energy against it. And total immersion in the request for even a very short period of time tells the other person that you value them and what they are trying to achieve.
2: Goal first
If you are going to make good decisions and say "No" when needed, you need a way to assess the requests. While most requests are easy to quickly answer, some require meaningful investments of time and energy to satisfy (e.g. put together a new email campaign or research a new market opportunity). You need to know whether you are going to invest that effort. And to do so wisely you must establish a “goal first” approach and a true north for where you are headed. A "goal first" approach is about defining your vision. Because If you do not have a vision, it will be difficult to understand what major requests are aligned with your goals and your direction and need your attention longer term.
3: Yes or No
You should respond to requests quickly as they come in. That's because you can not afford to keep revisiting them and the person making the request does not want to wait. You need to quickly analyze them as they are received and allow your "goal first" strategy to guide you. Most requests can be quickly handled but the goal of a rapid "Yay" or "Nay" should not be at the expense of accuracy. There is no point in being hasty but wrong. It is absolutely ok to acknowledge that the request was received and that you will get back to the person shortly. The key is to digest the information and its importance as quickly as possible so you can get on to the next one and creating more value.
4: Be transparent
Allow someone to peak inside and understand why you responded the way you did rather than just hearing your response. Explaining the "why" makes the "what" simple to digest. You need to be more than just nice because being nice alone does not help someone see your perspective. This is especially important when saying "No." The benefit to you is that if you share your assumptions and motivations and they are wrong -- the other person will have a chance to help you see a better way. If you simply provide your answer and when pushed respond with "My mind's made up", you will avoid ever having to change your course, but you're limiting your opportunity for growth.
Now, let's be real. There are times when you must say "Yes" even to what appear to be silly demands. That's how hierarchical organizations work. Sometimes you follow orders because other people know what's best for you and the organization.
If your boss asks for something that is difficult to deliver, sometimes you will need to say "Yes." But you should also explain that you are working on A, B, and C and would be happy to move something out to get the request done. Ask for guidance when the priorities are not clear.
Successful people learn how to say "No" to requests based on a framework that helps them assess value vs. effort. Saying "No" to more requests is one of the biggest favors you can do for your organization and yourself.
It's time to stop the madness and pushing off important work that you need to get done. Telling people "No" does not need to be an act of rejection. And if you do it right you will not destroy relationships that took a very long time to grow.
Saying "No" does not mean that you are disagreeable or a nasty person. In fact, I believe saying "No" brings more options to the discussion table! because contrary to what you are told, it can actually prove that you are tuned in.
It can show that you are a focused listener and attentive teammate. Everyone has their own set of priorities and saying "No" means that you are respecting the person who made the request and your valuable time.
The key is to avoid what most people do: ignore the request. Ignoring requests will diminish your value and relationships faster than saying "No" more often than you say "Yes." It appears that you are not listening which is clearly disrespectful.
Some say that you should +1 everything. For example, when someone suggests that you should change your entire plan, you should say "That's a good idea and what about if we did it like this." I think this approach is disingenuous, because we all know that some ideas are just stupid.
Let's act like responsible adults who can have meaningful conversations. Successful people follow these four simple steps to assess requests and say "No" when it's appropriate.
1: Hear it
If someone asks you to do something or for something, you should assume that it is important to them for one reason or another. They likely would not ask you otherwise. It's your responsibility to get to the heart of the request and why it matters. Working towards understanding ensures that you will clearly see what the person making the request sees and you will be able to gauge how important it is to apply energy against it. And total immersion in the request for even a very short period of time tells the other person that you value them and what they are trying to achieve.
2: Goal first
If you are going to make good decisions and say "No" when needed, you need a way to assess the requests. While most requests are easy to quickly answer, some require meaningful investments of time and energy to satisfy (e.g. put together a new email campaign or research a new market opportunity). You need to know whether you are going to invest that effort. And to do so wisely you must establish a “goal first” approach and a true north for where you are headed. A "goal first" approach is about defining your vision. Because If you do not have a vision, it will be difficult to understand what major requests are aligned with your goals and your direction and need your attention longer term.
3: Yes or No
You should respond to requests quickly as they come in. That's because you can not afford to keep revisiting them and the person making the request does not want to wait. You need to quickly analyze them as they are received and allow your "goal first" strategy to guide you. Most requests can be quickly handled but the goal of a rapid "Yay" or "Nay" should not be at the expense of accuracy. There is no point in being hasty but wrong. It is absolutely ok to acknowledge that the request was received and that you will get back to the person shortly. The key is to digest the information and its importance as quickly as possible so you can get on to the next one and creating more value.
4: Be transparent
Allow someone to peak inside and understand why you responded the way you did rather than just hearing your response. Explaining the "why" makes the "what" simple to digest. You need to be more than just nice because being nice alone does not help someone see your perspective. This is especially important when saying "No." The benefit to you is that if you share your assumptions and motivations and they are wrong -- the other person will have a chance to help you see a better way. If you simply provide your answer and when pushed respond with "My mind's made up", you will avoid ever having to change your course, but you're limiting your opportunity for growth.
Now, let's be real. There are times when you must say "Yes" even to what appear to be silly demands. That's how hierarchical organizations work. Sometimes you follow orders because other people know what's best for you and the organization.
If your boss asks for something that is difficult to deliver, sometimes you will need to say "Yes." But you should also explain that you are working on A, B, and C and would be happy to move something out to get the request done. Ask for guidance when the priorities are not clear.
Successful people learn how to say "No" to requests based on a framework that helps them assess value vs. effort. Saying "No" to more requests is one of the biggest favors you can do for your organization and yourself.
Monday 11 August 2014
Advice for the just-employed.
I didn't start working too late, or too early in life. Thankfully still, I didn't hustle to get my first job. The two internships while in college, pointed me in the direction of an office instead of further studies, and once college ended, I embraced this desire with ease. Not once did the thought of doing a Masters in 'something, something' tempt me, even as I saw most of my classmates prepare for that path. I had studied all my life, and I was done.
After working for about five years, when I look back, I wish someone had guided me when I first started working - though I am not sure I would have listened! So here are a few words of wisdom from me, to the newly employed.
1. Lose the attitude: When recruiting freshers, most companies are looking for just one quality: the keenness to learn. It all really begins and ends here. No one likes a know-it-all, and even if you find someone who does, there is no way you will grow in your career if you don't want to learn. The first step to growing is admitting you know nothing. You don't have to admit it out loud, but the willingness to learn is an ability that will take you far. Maybe few years later, you will be an expert in that field - simply because you never stopped learning. A belief that hold true in your career and in life.
2. So you don't know what you're doing with your life: Newsflash! Most people don't! This is a scary feeling when you're straight out of college, but believe me, almost everyone feels this way. Heck, a lot of people end up trying to answer this question very late into their careers. It is a long journey, and if you're lucky, you'll get your answer sooner rather than later. So here's what I'm saying: your first job will probably suck. And it's okay.
You're probably doing everything right. You're listening, learning, doing what you're told, but it still doesn't seem like the job you want to do all your life. That's fine. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just be open to change and opportunities around you. Understand your present workplace, your strengths and weaknesses, and take your time to decide what you want to do next in your life. I found that when I kept my mind open, the universe gave me opportunities that were in-line with my aspirations. What I had to do though, was know what my skills were and work hard to polish them.
3. Take control and discover yourself: I was interning at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi in my second year of college. You can imagine how cool it was. A five star hotel is great workplace, and I wish I had more perspective back then. I and two of my friends had been selected for the interview after a gruelling round of tests and interviews. It was unfortunate that I couldn't make the most of this opportunity because my mind was so stuck in 'college mode'. What did that mean? I had lacked focus. The internship was more about making friends and having a good time, and even as I confess to this now, I am embarrassing. I wish someone had told me to just focus.
So here's the thing, it is your career and no one else's. The successes are yours, and the failures too. And even though I have met some of my best friends at the workplace, I am wise enough to know that I am in charge of my career.
4. Find your mentor: They say marriages are made in heaven. When you find your mentor, you'll start believing there's more to this saying than it seems. Though I have used the word 'find' here, I don't think you can pro-actively go out there in search of your mentor. If you're capable of learning, your mentor will come find you. Sounds too cliche, doesn't it? Well, they're all cliches for a reason! I've had a mentor who probably doesn't even know she changed my life, so I don't believe it needs to be an 'exclusive' relationship. How do you know you've met the one? When a senior starts showing special interest in your career's growth and advancement, and you start to value their advice, you can change your relationship status to 'committed'. In this brutal corporate world (oh, how cynical I sound), it is a wonderful feeling to know that someone has your back, and so always remember to have theirs.
5. Be thankful: You'll change tens of jobs till you find one you'd like to stick to the rest of your life, and in this journey, it is easy to forget a lot of people and relationships. Always remember the ones who mattered the most. Especially your mentors who invested so much of themselves in your career. Remember them, stay in touch with them. Good teachers are hard to come by, and there is no really joy in growing without taking people with you. So be grateful, for the good, the bad and the ugly.
After working for about five years, when I look back, I wish someone had guided me when I first started working - though I am not sure I would have listened! So here are a few words of wisdom from me, to the newly employed.
1. Lose the attitude: When recruiting freshers, most companies are looking for just one quality: the keenness to learn. It all really begins and ends here. No one likes a know-it-all, and even if you find someone who does, there is no way you will grow in your career if you don't want to learn. The first step to growing is admitting you know nothing. You don't have to admit it out loud, but the willingness to learn is an ability that will take you far. Maybe few years later, you will be an expert in that field - simply because you never stopped learning. A belief that hold true in your career and in life.
2. So you don't know what you're doing with your life: Newsflash! Most people don't! This is a scary feeling when you're straight out of college, but believe me, almost everyone feels this way. Heck, a lot of people end up trying to answer this question very late into their careers. It is a long journey, and if you're lucky, you'll get your answer sooner rather than later. So here's what I'm saying: your first job will probably suck. And it's okay.
You're probably doing everything right. You're listening, learning, doing what you're told, but it still doesn't seem like the job you want to do all your life. That's fine. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just be open to change and opportunities around you. Understand your present workplace, your strengths and weaknesses, and take your time to decide what you want to do next in your life. I found that when I kept my mind open, the universe gave me opportunities that were in-line with my aspirations. What I had to do though, was know what my skills were and work hard to polish them.
3. Take control and discover yourself: I was interning at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi in my second year of college. You can imagine how cool it was. A five star hotel is great workplace, and I wish I had more perspective back then. I and two of my friends had been selected for the interview after a gruelling round of tests and interviews. It was unfortunate that I couldn't make the most of this opportunity because my mind was so stuck in 'college mode'. What did that mean? I had lacked focus. The internship was more about making friends and having a good time, and even as I confess to this now, I am embarrassing. I wish someone had told me to just focus.
So here's the thing, it is your career and no one else's. The successes are yours, and the failures too. And even though I have met some of my best friends at the workplace, I am wise enough to know that I am in charge of my career.
4. Find your mentor: They say marriages are made in heaven. When you find your mentor, you'll start believing there's more to this saying than it seems. Though I have used the word 'find' here, I don't think you can pro-actively go out there in search of your mentor. If you're capable of learning, your mentor will come find you. Sounds too cliche, doesn't it? Well, they're all cliches for a reason! I've had a mentor who probably doesn't even know she changed my life, so I don't believe it needs to be an 'exclusive' relationship. How do you know you've met the one? When a senior starts showing special interest in your career's growth and advancement, and you start to value their advice, you can change your relationship status to 'committed'. In this brutal corporate world (oh, how cynical I sound), it is a wonderful feeling to know that someone has your back, and so always remember to have theirs.
5. Be thankful: You'll change tens of jobs till you find one you'd like to stick to the rest of your life, and in this journey, it is easy to forget a lot of people and relationships. Always remember the ones who mattered the most. Especially your mentors who invested so much of themselves in your career. Remember them, stay in touch with them. Good teachers are hard to come by, and there is no really joy in growing without taking people with you. So be grateful, for the good, the bad and the ugly.
Tuesday 5 August 2014
The Smart HR policy
Smart employer: Rules of engagement;
1.I can guarantee you will work harder than somewhere else.
2.I can guarantee you will be rewarded better than anywhere else with: respect, compensation, acknowledgement of the work you have done, loyalty, new knowledge and security for a job well done.
3.In return you will in turn give back: performance, loyalty, dedication, knowledge, passion and humility.
4.I am sometimes wrong, it’s your responsibility to point out when I am. I will do the same. No hurt feelings or bruised egos.
5.NO assholes. I don’t care how talented you are, it’s just not worth it.
6.This is a job. It is important but not the most important thing in your life. I get it. If its 10 on your list then I don’t get it. That’s just me, sorry. Keep in mind there is a direct correlation between success and dedication, passion, talent and grinding it out when you need to.
7.You will be given every opportunity, but if you don’t perform, you will be asked to leave.
8.Jobs and companies come and go, relationships are more important. Never forget that the person who reports to you now, may be the person sitting in the CEO suite a few years from now.
9.A sense of humor is a must. When all else fails being able to laugh at oneself will get us through whatever storm we need to weather.
1.I can guarantee you will work harder than somewhere else.
2.I can guarantee you will be rewarded better than anywhere else with: respect, compensation, acknowledgement of the work you have done, loyalty, new knowledge and security for a job well done.
3.In return you will in turn give back: performance, loyalty, dedication, knowledge, passion and humility.
4.I am sometimes wrong, it’s your responsibility to point out when I am. I will do the same. No hurt feelings or bruised egos.
5.NO assholes. I don’t care how talented you are, it’s just not worth it.
6.This is a job. It is important but not the most important thing in your life. I get it. If its 10 on your list then I don’t get it. That’s just me, sorry. Keep in mind there is a direct correlation between success and dedication, passion, talent and grinding it out when you need to.
7.You will be given every opportunity, but if you don’t perform, you will be asked to leave.
8.Jobs and companies come and go, relationships are more important. Never forget that the person who reports to you now, may be the person sitting in the CEO suite a few years from now.
9.A sense of humor is a must. When all else fails being able to laugh at oneself will get us through whatever storm we need to weather.
Saturday 2 August 2014
How to build Trust
It is my belief that in any relationship, whether it is personal or professional, if you don’t have trust, you don’t have anything. Over the years, I’ve come to see these as critical components of a trusting relationship.
1.Let go. This person you are trying to trust is in their role, whether it be your boyfriend or a sales person, for a reason. Allow them to meet that deadline. Allow them to plan that special dinner. Allow them to do their job. Micromanaging, over-explaining and trying to do their job for them, is counterproductive and unsustainable.
2.Communicating effectively. If you need something done by a certain day or time, clearly explain what time you realistically need the task done. In some cases, just giving context for the ask will help as well.
3.Accept that mistakes happen. Mistakes will happen. They just will. Accepting the fact that errors occur will greatly help resolve the issue at hand faster. After a mistake happens, I often take these three steps in this order: 1. Understand why this happened. Don’t dwell on why it happened, but try to pose your questions and thoughts around understanding the core issue 2. Ask how we’re going to resolve this and 3. Ask how we can prevent it from happening again
4.Own your mistakes.As mentioned, mistakes will happen and sometimes you are going to be the bearer of those slipups. I don’t suggest dwelling on mistakes, over apologizing, or getting yourself down about it, I simply suggest owning the mistake. Owning the mistake shows that you aren’t trying to pass the blame on anyone else, but that you are simply acknowledging it. Your next move should be the three steps I outlined in bullet #3.
5.Meet your deadlines. Set realistic deadlines, whether it be coming home at a certain hour or sending out a follow-up email. If you don’t anticipate hitting those deadlines, proactively tell the recipient so that everyone can realign expectations. Be a person of your word.
Everyone is now thinking, “What happens when this person keeps making mistakes?” “What happens when they don’t meet their deadlines?” If this is happening constantly, you need to start to think about having a constructive conversation with the person to prevent it from happening again. You might find out that there are ways that you can help!
1.Let go. This person you are trying to trust is in their role, whether it be your boyfriend or a sales person, for a reason. Allow them to meet that deadline. Allow them to plan that special dinner. Allow them to do their job. Micromanaging, over-explaining and trying to do their job for them, is counterproductive and unsustainable.
2.Communicating effectively. If you need something done by a certain day or time, clearly explain what time you realistically need the task done. In some cases, just giving context for the ask will help as well.
3.Accept that mistakes happen. Mistakes will happen. They just will. Accepting the fact that errors occur will greatly help resolve the issue at hand faster. After a mistake happens, I often take these three steps in this order: 1. Understand why this happened. Don’t dwell on why it happened, but try to pose your questions and thoughts around understanding the core issue 2. Ask how we’re going to resolve this and 3. Ask how we can prevent it from happening again
4.Own your mistakes.As mentioned, mistakes will happen and sometimes you are going to be the bearer of those slipups. I don’t suggest dwelling on mistakes, over apologizing, or getting yourself down about it, I simply suggest owning the mistake. Owning the mistake shows that you aren’t trying to pass the blame on anyone else, but that you are simply acknowledging it. Your next move should be the three steps I outlined in bullet #3.
5.Meet your deadlines. Set realistic deadlines, whether it be coming home at a certain hour or sending out a follow-up email. If you don’t anticipate hitting those deadlines, proactively tell the recipient so that everyone can realign expectations. Be a person of your word.
Everyone is now thinking, “What happens when this person keeps making mistakes?” “What happens when they don’t meet their deadlines?” If this is happening constantly, you need to start to think about having a constructive conversation with the person to prevent it from happening again. You might find out that there are ways that you can help!
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