All of us, from the Executive-suite to the maintenance crew, are occasionally confronted with a problem or an issue about which we don’t know what to do. Depending upon your experience these moments can be exciting because:
● they open the possibility of learning, discovering, and growing ● or terrifying because they can be felt by you or seen by others as a comment on your capability and/or competence.
But in both instances they are definitely a window onto your character. So what do you do at those times when you don’t know what to do?
I am proposing a strategy, a holistic approach, weaving together the objective elements of a don’t-know-what-to-do moment with subjective intention to solve the problem.
So, what to do?
Admit It:
Many people refuse to admit they don’t know what to do. They rationalize, deny, ignore, and manipulate themselves to prevent losing face in their own eyes and those of their colleagues. The resulting problem is that they disconnect from reality. To maintain their stance they create a fantasy/illusion, a story they invent, and treat it as though it’s real.
For example---in the discomfort of an I-don’t-know moment, should you be asked, “Hey, what’s going on?” you might respond with “No problem. No problem:” But by doing that you deny reality and cut yourself off from the only source of solving the problem---i.e. you. Any solution you might imagine will be ineffective at best because it has to do with not losing face rather than the issue at hand. So your first choice is to Admit It.
Don’t Go Into The Past:
When confronted with an I-don’t-know moment people will search their experience for a solution. But whatever they find in the past is the same information or point of view that got them to the current I-don’t-know position.
If what you lack is topical you may find an answer in a book or from a colleague. But if you’re confronted with a problem that requires creativity it follows that creativity requires something new. You can
● use your experience to frame the problem
● strip away what is unnecessary; ● and/or focus your efforts, but the solution is not to be found in the past
It must be discovered or invented or both so that the solution is drawn out of the future---or to say it another way, the solution will create the future.
Accept That You Are At A Limit:
This takes admitting you don’t know what to do to the next level.
By accepting this you respond to the situation affirmatively, positively, and without a fight. You don’t chastise or condemn yourself for running up against a limit. You allow reality to be what it is respecting the fact that everyone confronts limits in their lives.
The power of acceptance is that it minimizes and even eliminates struggle and makes you available to see differently and more clearly. Resistance adds another layer of distance from what is real for you and it keeps you in place. Acceptance demonstrates your maturity and your willingness to become accessible to the way a solution will emerge, a solution you will not think of otherwise.
Listen:
When you listen you engage with the problem from an open and receptive point of view. You allow the solution, which, by the way, is already present in the problem, to emerge. I use the word “emerge” quite consciously and quite organically to include your creative depths---the unconscious---and your analytical, stepwise awareness---your conscious mind.
“Emerge” means to:
● come forth into view as from concealment or obscurity;
● come into existence;
● develop.
When a solution, or the beginnings of a solution, emerges this is a creative act. You cannot demand it nor can you wrestle it into being. As I said above, if you struggle, it will only bring forth the past which will keep you where you are.
Listening is just not intellectual, i.e. conceptual. It is total---your emotions, your intuition, your imagination, your mind---conscious and unconscious. It must be total because you are entering a new space, looking for a solution that has not been present to you before. Because you are in a new space you must explore until you have enough information to decide. Also, a solution can come to your awareness full blown without the need to be developed step-by-step or in bits that must be strung together to make the picture clear. Deep listening is the best method to assure your knowing how to proceed and what to do.
Take A Break:
A simple technique that can allow you to relax is to step away from the problem. When you become blocked continuing to drive will generally just add more blockage to your already blocked up mind. Do something different. Let your thoughts change their attention: drift in reverie, play, go for a walk and enjoy the scenery---do something totally other than concentrating on the problem. It’s been well documented that doing so very often yields an “Aha.” No guarantees. But it’s better than knocking against a wall that at the moment will not allow you entry.
Be Patient:
Some people will say that patience is NOT a virtue in the business world where you need to move fast. And I don’t disagree. But without patience you will distort the process and your solution will be distorted if not still born.
It takes courage to be patient but the outcome will be far more productive and rewarding.
What do you think? I'd love to know.
Thursday, 16 October 2014
Sunday, 12 October 2014
Step up and be counted...boldly!!
Recently, I was discussing with a colleague of mine the state of affairs at companies that we used to work with and for and we found some interesting parallels: in most of the larger companies, no matter what the industry, there seemed to be a common thread:
1.People spent an inordinate amount of time "covering their asses" - basically generating paperwork and other "evidence of industry" that they were working, other than actually working. If they did any actual work, they made sure not to do too much or too little of it.
2.Very few people took on responsibility and made decisions, for fear that they would stick out and either be reprimanded or fired.
In short, we concurred that in a lot of companies, innovation groups aside, the culture was so risk averse that timidity was the order of the day - people would much rather ask and get permission first before implementing anything - yes, not even incremental innovation and small process improvements, lest something goes wrong and they are blamed for it.
Timidity, not boldness, was the order of the day.
Funny thing though. If we, in our respective teams and groups, ever actually WERE BOLD - actually stepped up and took responsibility, actually made decisions, were accountable, stuck our necks out, instead of being slammed down, we were applauded.
Eventually we realized that people were desperate for someone, anyone, to step up and throw the first stone - to be the trailblazer, to be the one that steps up and takes control. I've done it a number of times now at a number of different companies and you know what - it's never ended up a negative thing - I've always been lauded and applauded.
Sure, there are always naysayers, but they usually get drowned out by the cheering of those who were looking for someone to step up.
So be that person. Be the one who steps up. Be bold.
You'll probably be pleasantly surprised by the result.
1.People spent an inordinate amount of time "covering their asses" - basically generating paperwork and other "evidence of industry" that they were working, other than actually working. If they did any actual work, they made sure not to do too much or too little of it.
2.Very few people took on responsibility and made decisions, for fear that they would stick out and either be reprimanded or fired.
In short, we concurred that in a lot of companies, innovation groups aside, the culture was so risk averse that timidity was the order of the day - people would much rather ask and get permission first before implementing anything - yes, not even incremental innovation and small process improvements, lest something goes wrong and they are blamed for it.
Timidity, not boldness, was the order of the day.
Funny thing though. If we, in our respective teams and groups, ever actually WERE BOLD - actually stepped up and took responsibility, actually made decisions, were accountable, stuck our necks out, instead of being slammed down, we were applauded.
Eventually we realized that people were desperate for someone, anyone, to step up and throw the first stone - to be the trailblazer, to be the one that steps up and takes control. I've done it a number of times now at a number of different companies and you know what - it's never ended up a negative thing - I've always been lauded and applauded.
Sure, there are always naysayers, but they usually get drowned out by the cheering of those who were looking for someone to step up.
So be that person. Be the one who steps up. Be bold.
You'll probably be pleasantly surprised by the result.
Friday, 10 October 2014
How to avoid office romance
The office romance is still alive and well but there are some critical rules of the road that I would strongly advise. After all, people's lives and careers are at stake.
If that special someone has caught your eye in the office, review this checklist before making the advance and embarking on the forbidden journey:
•Know your Company's policy on office dating. Every Company is different and there may be consequences from the start. You might find yourself in a situation where you have to quit your job or change locations for the fire to keep burning.
•Keep it professional. Refrain from the cute touching, kissing and other PDA's. Your co-workers will appreciate you both for being discreet.
•Assume that the staff knows, but don't flaunt it. Back in the day people got a kick out of the office romance game. Not anymore. Many may be offended. Their opinion, whether you like it or not, counts.
•Let the boss know before she/he finds out from someone else. Your professional attitude will go a long way in maintaining the boss's respect.
•Consider what might happen if the relationship doesn't work out. Give it more than a minute's thought. It's best to think about it when you are sober.
•Show respect. While this is true in any circumstance, it is especially true in a professional environment. Go the extra mile to be thoughtful, polite and understanding.
•Don't take business trips together. Your chances of crossing the lines of Company policy get very muddy with this one.
•Understand that no means no. If he/she says that they don't want the relationship, don't push it. Not only is that unprofessional, it's creepy.
HR Managers please chime in with comments below and add to my list or if you have an office romance that you would like to share, please do
If that special someone has caught your eye in the office, review this checklist before making the advance and embarking on the forbidden journey:
•Know your Company's policy on office dating. Every Company is different and there may be consequences from the start. You might find yourself in a situation where you have to quit your job or change locations for the fire to keep burning.
•Keep it professional. Refrain from the cute touching, kissing and other PDA's. Your co-workers will appreciate you both for being discreet.
•Assume that the staff knows, but don't flaunt it. Back in the day people got a kick out of the office romance game. Not anymore. Many may be offended. Their opinion, whether you like it or not, counts.
•Let the boss know before she/he finds out from someone else. Your professional attitude will go a long way in maintaining the boss's respect.
•Consider what might happen if the relationship doesn't work out. Give it more than a minute's thought. It's best to think about it when you are sober.
•Show respect. While this is true in any circumstance, it is especially true in a professional environment. Go the extra mile to be thoughtful, polite and understanding.
•Don't take business trips together. Your chances of crossing the lines of Company policy get very muddy with this one.
•Understand that no means no. If he/she says that they don't want the relationship, don't push it. Not only is that unprofessional, it's creepy.
HR Managers please chime in with comments below and add to my list or if you have an office romance that you would like to share, please do
Sunday, 5 October 2014
We all are slaves to our smartphones
Whilst at a concert last week, dubbed "the comedy night", I had a quick look around at the audience of fellow comedy lovers and the majority of attendees all had one thing in common which was the inability to keep their smartphone in their pocket for more than 2 minutes!
Some even watched most of the gig through the black screen on their phone as they recorded which prompted the question “why are we desperately trying to record and capture the moment rather than simply enjoying it?”
From experience, when looking back at footage shot on smart phones the sound and images seldom capture the experience of the show itself, so the night would be better enjoyed and remembered if we simply left our phones in our pockets.
After the encore, people headed for the exits, but rather than talk to each other about how great the performance they just shared together in a moment that will be frozen in time inside their hearts and minds, most couples were heads down into their phones before going for an after show drink somewhere only to sit at a table in silence with their attention directed towards their online lives.
Suddenly it felt like I had the third eye of enlightenment and could see how we are turning into zombies who are slaves to an insatiable thirst for their mobile phones and digital connections who they probably will never even meet in the physical sense.
Here is the irony: this fantastic technology that has enabled people from every corner of the world to connect and share ideas has equally prevented us from being able to communicate with each other face to face.
In extreme circumstances, it’s not unusual to find people recording the scene of an accident on their phone rather than offering a helping hand which is something that I find incredibly creepy, sinister and reminiscent of the brave new world that some author wrote about many years ago.
Recently a smartphone-addict sidewalk was created in China for users who are just too busy to look up and see where they are going that once again proves the theory that truth really is stranger than fiction.
This got me thinking, I wonder how many times we actually check our mobile devices each day?
Make no mistake, I am not going to get all self-righteous with you all because I have enough self-awareness to know that I'm guilty of checking my own phone over 100 times a day and have recently upgraded to a Windows phone which allows me to have multiple apps running and several functionalities that are largely addictive. This, in itself, makes me a part of the problem rather than the solution.
Even when armed with this information, I realise that if there is ever a spare few minutes such as queue at the supermarket, I will be reaching for my phone but I would argue that this is more productive than standing around sighing and complaining about the length of time to be served!
As someone who is passionate about how technology has revolutionised the field of productivity and communication in the workplace, there is no doubting that the key to the success is via being connected, collaborative and creative.
Technology can have an often overwhelming but positive effect on our lives, however sometimes maybe we should all try to be more self-aware of our immediate surroundings and the experience that you could be missing out on right now.
Everything is on demand in this digitally connected world where instant gratification dominates every aspect of our lives, however the next time we are in that important work meeting, romantic meal or day out with family and friends, let’s all make an extra effort to rescue the lost art of communicating face to face and enjoying the moment rather than recording it.
Living your life, rather than viewing it through a screen should be an easy choice for anyone to make, so let’s make a united effort to not take for granted the things that really matter in our lives.
Some even watched most of the gig through the black screen on their phone as they recorded which prompted the question “why are we desperately trying to record and capture the moment rather than simply enjoying it?”
From experience, when looking back at footage shot on smart phones the sound and images seldom capture the experience of the show itself, so the night would be better enjoyed and remembered if we simply left our phones in our pockets.
After the encore, people headed for the exits, but rather than talk to each other about how great the performance they just shared together in a moment that will be frozen in time inside their hearts and minds, most couples were heads down into their phones before going for an after show drink somewhere only to sit at a table in silence with their attention directed towards their online lives.
Suddenly it felt like I had the third eye of enlightenment and could see how we are turning into zombies who are slaves to an insatiable thirst for their mobile phones and digital connections who they probably will never even meet in the physical sense.
Here is the irony: this fantastic technology that has enabled people from every corner of the world to connect and share ideas has equally prevented us from being able to communicate with each other face to face.
In extreme circumstances, it’s not unusual to find people recording the scene of an accident on their phone rather than offering a helping hand which is something that I find incredibly creepy, sinister and reminiscent of the brave new world that some author wrote about many years ago.
Recently a smartphone-addict sidewalk was created in China for users who are just too busy to look up and see where they are going that once again proves the theory that truth really is stranger than fiction.
This got me thinking, I wonder how many times we actually check our mobile devices each day?
Make no mistake, I am not going to get all self-righteous with you all because I have enough self-awareness to know that I'm guilty of checking my own phone over 100 times a day and have recently upgraded to a Windows phone which allows me to have multiple apps running and several functionalities that are largely addictive. This, in itself, makes me a part of the problem rather than the solution.
Even when armed with this information, I realise that if there is ever a spare few minutes such as queue at the supermarket, I will be reaching for my phone but I would argue that this is more productive than standing around sighing and complaining about the length of time to be served!
As someone who is passionate about how technology has revolutionised the field of productivity and communication in the workplace, there is no doubting that the key to the success is via being connected, collaborative and creative.
Technology can have an often overwhelming but positive effect on our lives, however sometimes maybe we should all try to be more self-aware of our immediate surroundings and the experience that you could be missing out on right now.
Everything is on demand in this digitally connected world where instant gratification dominates every aspect of our lives, however the next time we are in that important work meeting, romantic meal or day out with family and friends, let’s all make an extra effort to rescue the lost art of communicating face to face and enjoying the moment rather than recording it.
Living your life, rather than viewing it through a screen should be an easy choice for anyone to make, so let’s make a united effort to not take for granted the things that really matter in our lives.
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Linking your college life to your career
College is a time for personal and professional growth. However, with growth, generally comes some mistakes. As long as you learn from those mistakes and make sure they don’t negatively impact a professional career down the road, you’ll be just fine.
Here are some behaviors and mistakes you need to stay away from to ensure a bright future and great job out of college:
1. Depend on dangerous remedies to get through rush-hour. Whether it’s studying for the big exam tomorrow or pulling a trans-nighter to write your thesis, nothing is worth depending on dangerous remedies or drugs to get you through it.
Avoiding crunch time altogether is your No. 1 solution to this problem. Develop good prioritization and time management skills while you’re in college so you don’t have to worry about this in a professional position.
If crunch time is inevitable, learn how to be as efficient as possible and pick up some healthy strategies to keep your mind fresh. Caffeine in moderation is a great way to keep yourself awake and alert, and consistent breaks can help bring fresh air to your body and stimulate your mind.
2. Forget about your health.
Once you’re away from home and don’t have a routine built yet, it’s easy to make poor decisions that will end up affecting your health.
As you build a routine, be mindful of decisions you’re making that can keep you healthy and successful in your college life. Think about what you eat and drink or how much time you set aside for exercise. Doing this early in college will give you the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle later in life when you have even more responsibilities to juggle.
3. Share too much on social media. It’s fine to have fun with your social media channels and use them for what they’re intended: socializing. However, making smart decisions in college about what you post on your social channels will greatly impact your outcome of finding a great job out of college.
Use a more private channel to share some of your crazier memories, like Snapchat, but leave all your inappropriate images and comments off any major social channel. This will ensure any bad behaviors from your college days won’t dampen a bright future.
4. Miss out on side projects that can showcase your skills.
Expanding your soft skills is critical to become a desirable employee. Colleges provide many opportunities to get involved with things beyond just classroom curriculum, including clubs, pre-professional organizations, and even study groups. Stop avoiding these and take advantage of them.
These side projects will allow you to meet new people and expand your network and build your soft skills. They also look great on your resume. Just because you’re a college student doesn’t mean employers don’t expect to see some kind of initiative to grow your skills in a professional or collaborative setting within the industry you’re applying.
5. Let your hobbies fall to the wayside.
It is easy to lose sight of the things that mattered a lot to you before college. Whether it is a hobby, sport, or activity, keep it up in some capacity. You may not be able to begin doing it right away, but as your routine solidifies, you will be able to carve out time to get back to what helps you decompress and maintain a sense of familiarity.
Hobbies and personal interests are also a great way to identify with those in the professional world. They give common ground to find conversation and show that you are a well-rounded person outside of work or school.
6. Obsess over failure and miss out on fun.
You have enough going on and plenty to worry about so there is no reason to be obsessed with what may or may not happen a couple years down the road.
Give yourself some slack and enjoy college. Always focusing or worrying about the future and never enjoying the moment will make you lose friends or lose out on forming new relationships. This can stunt your growth and could be a detriment to making powerful connections in college that will help drive your professional path.
College is a great time to let loose, have fun and learn about yourself. There will be bumps in the road as you make your way to the real world, and that’s ok. Just keep in mind what your ultimate goal for college is. Also, steer clear of the bad behaviors and habits that could negatively impact your future and the chance to land your dream job
Here are some behaviors and mistakes you need to stay away from to ensure a bright future and great job out of college:
1. Depend on dangerous remedies to get through rush-hour. Whether it’s studying for the big exam tomorrow or pulling a trans-nighter to write your thesis, nothing is worth depending on dangerous remedies or drugs to get you through it.
Avoiding crunch time altogether is your No. 1 solution to this problem. Develop good prioritization and time management skills while you’re in college so you don’t have to worry about this in a professional position.
If crunch time is inevitable, learn how to be as efficient as possible and pick up some healthy strategies to keep your mind fresh. Caffeine in moderation is a great way to keep yourself awake and alert, and consistent breaks can help bring fresh air to your body and stimulate your mind.
2. Forget about your health.
Once you’re away from home and don’t have a routine built yet, it’s easy to make poor decisions that will end up affecting your health.
As you build a routine, be mindful of decisions you’re making that can keep you healthy and successful in your college life. Think about what you eat and drink or how much time you set aside for exercise. Doing this early in college will give you the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle later in life when you have even more responsibilities to juggle.
3. Share too much on social media. It’s fine to have fun with your social media channels and use them for what they’re intended: socializing. However, making smart decisions in college about what you post on your social channels will greatly impact your outcome of finding a great job out of college.
Use a more private channel to share some of your crazier memories, like Snapchat, but leave all your inappropriate images and comments off any major social channel. This will ensure any bad behaviors from your college days won’t dampen a bright future.
4. Miss out on side projects that can showcase your skills.
Expanding your soft skills is critical to become a desirable employee. Colleges provide many opportunities to get involved with things beyond just classroom curriculum, including clubs, pre-professional organizations, and even study groups. Stop avoiding these and take advantage of them.
These side projects will allow you to meet new people and expand your network and build your soft skills. They also look great on your resume. Just because you’re a college student doesn’t mean employers don’t expect to see some kind of initiative to grow your skills in a professional or collaborative setting within the industry you’re applying.
5. Let your hobbies fall to the wayside.
It is easy to lose sight of the things that mattered a lot to you before college. Whether it is a hobby, sport, or activity, keep it up in some capacity. You may not be able to begin doing it right away, but as your routine solidifies, you will be able to carve out time to get back to what helps you decompress and maintain a sense of familiarity.
Hobbies and personal interests are also a great way to identify with those in the professional world. They give common ground to find conversation and show that you are a well-rounded person outside of work or school.
6. Obsess over failure and miss out on fun.
You have enough going on and plenty to worry about so there is no reason to be obsessed with what may or may not happen a couple years down the road.
Give yourself some slack and enjoy college. Always focusing or worrying about the future and never enjoying the moment will make you lose friends or lose out on forming new relationships. This can stunt your growth and could be a detriment to making powerful connections in college that will help drive your professional path.
College is a great time to let loose, have fun and learn about yourself. There will be bumps in the road as you make your way to the real world, and that’s ok. Just keep in mind what your ultimate goal for college is. Also, steer clear of the bad behaviors and habits that could negatively impact your future and the chance to land your dream job
Friday, 19 September 2014
Unwritten office rules you better observe
There are some things in the office you just don’t do unless you want everyone with whom you work to despise you. Here are some of them.
1. Don’t ever take something out of the community fridge that isn’t yours. Stealing from people in the office is unacceptable. Stealing their portion of daily sustenance is downright evil. Lunch is a mid-day motivator. Taking that from someone will quickly create an unengaged employee. Even worse, it will foster a culture of mistrust.
2. Don’t smell. There are different types of offenders in this category. There is bad breath guy. There is the guy that didn’t wash his clothes. There is one-shower-a-week guy and his twin brother, no-deodorant guy. But the king of all bad smells is the guy that walks into your cube, office, or desk area and passes gas. There is no justification for violence in the workplace, but that could make somebody wait for you in the parking lot at quitting time. Making an office area disagreeable for others through neglect of personal hygiene will not win anyone friends.
3. Don’t touch something on a coworker’s desk without permission. We all want to be team players, but everyone has personal boundaries, even at work. Our desks, offices, or cubes are some of the real estate that we actually get to put our personal touch on. There are pictures of our families, quote-of-the-day calendars, various awards we have won, work gifts, nameplates, office supplies and other trinkets on our desks. They are in their places for a specific reason. Please keep your grubby mitts off. And never, EVER sit on my desk.
4. Don’t send non-work related email. We have enough correspondence in our inbox to wade through without your invitation to the pub for cocktails after work. Or your inspirational message of the day. Or your jokes. If you have something personal to say to me, call me on my cell phone. If it’s not that important, send a text. I’ll get back to you when I have time.
5. Don’t gossip. Seriously. If you are spilling personal details about one person to another, all that you have really told the person that you are speaking to is that you have no regard for the personal lives and privacy of others. Talk about other people, and soon no one will talk to you anymore.
6. Don’t bring in your offspring’s school fundraiser. We all like to support each other’s families, but this is unprofessional and unethical for so many reasons. Some employees may not be able financially to purchase anything. It will cause undue stress on that person if they cannot contribute, especially if everyone else in the office does. If you’re the boss, employees will feel pressured into buying something. It could also be seen as a quid pro quo that contributes to a hostile working environment if someone who makes a large purchase suddenly receives a commendation, award, or promotion. Even worse, if someone is disciplined, even legitimately, but didn’t give up any money to the fundraiser, the boss is going to have a problem with perceptions of unfairness. Most of all, people just don’t like spending money on overpriced, sub-quality calorie bombs that they didn’t need and didn’t ask for in the first place.
7. Turn your music off. If you must have music on while you work, wear headphones. Make sure the volume of those headphones can’t be heard at the next workstation. Sure, everyone along with you loves the poignant interpretations on social integration made by Milli Vanilli, but we really prefer not to contemplate them at work. Some of us also get distracted from our work by music in the work place. Please cease the aural assault.
8. Don’t park in someone else’s space. Perks are called perks for a reason. They perk up employees. If your place of employment has seen fit to designate parking places for employees, respect that. They’ve earned it, and they need it. There is no trespass more grievous and foul than a usurpation of delegated territory by an opportunistic colleague. That last sentence might even get etched into the bonnet of your hooptie if you violate this rule.
9. If you use all of the office supplies, go to the supply closet and restock them. Have any of you ever gone to the copier to make 20 copies of your presentation packet 20 minutes before the meeting only to find there is no toner in the copier? How close were you to spontaneous combustion at that moment? Using up all of an office resource and not replacing it is not only inconsiderate of others, but it makes the entire office horribly inefficient. If you use it, replace it.
10. Don’t be passive-aggressive. If you have a problem with someone at the office, be an adult and talk to them. Get it worked out. You don’t have to like the person, but you both share organizational goals. Sabotaging someone at work with loaded comments in front of others, or doing things that you know will pester them is immature and counter-productive.
There are many other norms and unwritten rules within organizations. It’s always a good idea to follow a positive corporate culture example.
1. Don’t ever take something out of the community fridge that isn’t yours. Stealing from people in the office is unacceptable. Stealing their portion of daily sustenance is downright evil. Lunch is a mid-day motivator. Taking that from someone will quickly create an unengaged employee. Even worse, it will foster a culture of mistrust.
2. Don’t smell. There are different types of offenders in this category. There is bad breath guy. There is the guy that didn’t wash his clothes. There is one-shower-a-week guy and his twin brother, no-deodorant guy. But the king of all bad smells is the guy that walks into your cube, office, or desk area and passes gas. There is no justification for violence in the workplace, but that could make somebody wait for you in the parking lot at quitting time. Making an office area disagreeable for others through neglect of personal hygiene will not win anyone friends.
3. Don’t touch something on a coworker’s desk without permission. We all want to be team players, but everyone has personal boundaries, even at work. Our desks, offices, or cubes are some of the real estate that we actually get to put our personal touch on. There are pictures of our families, quote-of-the-day calendars, various awards we have won, work gifts, nameplates, office supplies and other trinkets on our desks. They are in their places for a specific reason. Please keep your grubby mitts off. And never, EVER sit on my desk.
4. Don’t send non-work related email. We have enough correspondence in our inbox to wade through without your invitation to the pub for cocktails after work. Or your inspirational message of the day. Or your jokes. If you have something personal to say to me, call me on my cell phone. If it’s not that important, send a text. I’ll get back to you when I have time.
5. Don’t gossip. Seriously. If you are spilling personal details about one person to another, all that you have really told the person that you are speaking to is that you have no regard for the personal lives and privacy of others. Talk about other people, and soon no one will talk to you anymore.
6. Don’t bring in your offspring’s school fundraiser. We all like to support each other’s families, but this is unprofessional and unethical for so many reasons. Some employees may not be able financially to purchase anything. It will cause undue stress on that person if they cannot contribute, especially if everyone else in the office does. If you’re the boss, employees will feel pressured into buying something. It could also be seen as a quid pro quo that contributes to a hostile working environment if someone who makes a large purchase suddenly receives a commendation, award, or promotion. Even worse, if someone is disciplined, even legitimately, but didn’t give up any money to the fundraiser, the boss is going to have a problem with perceptions of unfairness. Most of all, people just don’t like spending money on overpriced, sub-quality calorie bombs that they didn’t need and didn’t ask for in the first place.
7. Turn your music off. If you must have music on while you work, wear headphones. Make sure the volume of those headphones can’t be heard at the next workstation. Sure, everyone along with you loves the poignant interpretations on social integration made by Milli Vanilli, but we really prefer not to contemplate them at work. Some of us also get distracted from our work by music in the work place. Please cease the aural assault.
8. Don’t park in someone else’s space. Perks are called perks for a reason. They perk up employees. If your place of employment has seen fit to designate parking places for employees, respect that. They’ve earned it, and they need it. There is no trespass more grievous and foul than a usurpation of delegated territory by an opportunistic colleague. That last sentence might even get etched into the bonnet of your hooptie if you violate this rule.
9. If you use all of the office supplies, go to the supply closet and restock them. Have any of you ever gone to the copier to make 20 copies of your presentation packet 20 minutes before the meeting only to find there is no toner in the copier? How close were you to spontaneous combustion at that moment? Using up all of an office resource and not replacing it is not only inconsiderate of others, but it makes the entire office horribly inefficient. If you use it, replace it.
10. Don’t be passive-aggressive. If you have a problem with someone at the office, be an adult and talk to them. Get it worked out. You don’t have to like the person, but you both share organizational goals. Sabotaging someone at work with loaded comments in front of others, or doing things that you know will pester them is immature and counter-productive.
There are many other norms and unwritten rules within organizations. It’s always a good idea to follow a positive corporate culture example.
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Smart Answers to Stupid Interview Questions
A job interview is a weird experience. Sometimes you go to a job interview and meet wonderful, sparky people you could talk with for hours. Other times you show up and your first thought is "I wouldn't work in this toxic waste dump for whatever pay!."
The traditional interview format is a big part of the problem. Somebody came up with the standard, lame interview script sixty or seventy years ago and it's still going strong.
The standard interview script is brainless and insulting and it doesn't even do a good job of separating the best candidates from the worst ones. Still, people who are afraid to try new things don't dare deviate from it.
You know the script I'm talking about. It's the one with these three stupid interview questions in it:
•What's your greatest weakness?
•With all the talented candidates, why should we hire you?
•Where do you see yourself in five years?
It isn't the interviewer's fault that they ask such thoughtless and uncreative questions. Somebody told them to. I wouldn't count out an entire organization just because somebody uses some of these dog interview questions, but if everybody in the joint is stuck in the same sixty-year-old interview-script time warp, you may want to keep looking.
As a manager, you don't have to ask the standard, stupid job interview questions when you interview candidates.
As a job-seeker, you get to decide how to answer stupid job interview questions when they come up. You can go the good-little-sheepie route and give the standard answer, like this:
THEM: With all the talented candidates, why should we hire you?
YOU: Well, I'm hard-working and I've got a lot of experience, I'm loyal and thrifty and never come late to work, and besides that I walk old ladies across the street.
People tell us all the time "I went to the interview and the words that came out of my own mouth horrified me. I felt like a loser. I don't talk that way in real life. I fell into the script and I couldn't climb out!"
We've all been there. You're likely to fall into the good-little-sheepie job seeker script by accident if you don't prepare yourself in advance. You can get off the script and stay human in a job interview, and you'll be happy if you do.
For starters, if you shake up the script and give your interviewer an answer s/he wasn't expecting, you'll force him or her to think. That's good. You'll be more memorable that way, and if the interviewer is horrified that you'd step out of the box, what does that tell you?
It tells you that you don't want that job anyway.
Here are our three stupid interview questions and a choice of two answers for each one. The first answer is the standard sheepie answer, and the second one is for use when your mojo is high and you feel like busting a frame and flexing your muscles a little.
Stupid Interview Question: "What's your greatest weakness?"
SHEEPIE ANSWER: "I'm a hard worker, and I can be too hard on myself and other people when I think that either me or somebody else could give a little more to a project."
HIGH-MOJO ANSWER: "I used to obsess about my weaknesses. I used to think I had a million defects that needed correcting, and I read books and took classes to try to improve on them.
Gradually I learned that it makes no sense for me to work on things that I'm not great at, and it makes no sense for me to think of myself as having weaknesses. These days I focus on getting better at things I'm already good at -- graphic design, especially."
Stupid Interview Question: "With all the talented candidates, why should we hire you?"
SHEEPIE ANSWER: "I've been working in this arena for sixteen years and I've got a great track record."
HIGH-MOJO ANSWER: "That's what we're here to figure out, I guess! I can't say that you should hire me.
There might be somebody else who's perfect for the job - you've met the other candidates or will meet them, and of course you know more about the needs here than I do.
I can say this - if this match is meant to be, both of us will know it."
Stupid Interview Question: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
SHEEPIE ANSWER: "Working hard here or in another Financial Analyst role, with luck moving up to Senior Financial Analyst and being more involved in strategic investments than I've been so far."
HIGH-MOJO ANSWER: "Exploring one of my passions, undoubtedly -- maybe in Finance, or my interest in ecommerce or in an international role. I have a lot of passions!"
You get to decide how far to turn the mojo dial in every interview. You already know how it feels to sit in the chair and play the Good Little Job Seeker. What would happen if you stepped out of the box on your next job interview, and played yourself?
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