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Monthly Helpful Tips (2007 - 2008)
Table of Contents:

Don't Settle for Good, Be Great

Did you know that home-run king Babe Ruth was once a pitcher? At one point he made the deliberate decision to stop pitching so he could focus on batting. He took a lot of heat for his decision, because he was a good pitcher. He stuck with his decision, though, because he knew he had the motivation to be a great batter.

Often the difference between being good and being great is making adjustments that allow you to spend more of your time developing your greatest strengths.

Ever had an annual performance review where the first part was about the wonderful things you did that year, but then the focus quickly shifted to a discussion about shoring up your weaknesses? It's an all-too-common scenario. And it's probably a waste of time.

The "fix your weaknesses" school believes that with enough discipline, determination, and training, anyone can do anything. Unfortunately, it confuses weaknesses and limitations. Weaknesses reflect a lack of skill (how to do something) or knowledge (what you know). Weaknesses can be overcome by education, training, experience, and practice. On the other hand, limitations reflect a lack of motivation (what you do well naturally). These really can't be overcome, because new motivations can't be acquired. In fact, if a person has low motivation in a particular area -- spelling, for example -- there is very little likelihood that he or she will ever be a great speller. The best they will be is adequate. Who wants to be adequate? 

It's a much better idea to build on your strengths.

If you want to move up from being good to being great, know what your talents and motivations are and build on them. Why? Because you will develop what you do best and enjoy most. These are your strengths, and they are yours for life. You can build on them, and they won't let you down. Think about it: what would your life be like if you got paid to do what you do best and truly enjoy? Awesome, I bet. 

Henry Neils is the president and founder of Assessment.com, the leading online career assessment company focused on helping employees and employers work together for their mutual benefit. 

6 Ways to Invest in Your Career

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

In uncertain economic times, you may hesitate to spend money to advance your career. But some investments -- of money and time -- can really pay off. 

One of the main ways to invest in your career is through education. 

"Don't think of it as going back to school, which sounds like you didn't get it right in the first place and doesn't feel good," said Libby Pannwitt, principal of the Work Life Design Group, in San Carlos, California. Instead, think of it as a way to broaden your knowledge.

Here are three ways to invest in you career through education, plus three other career investments to consider: 

* Get a degree. Complete your bachelor's degree or get a master's degree, MBA or even a Ph.D. 

"We're looking at global competition," said Patti Wilson, CEO of CareerCompany.com in Silicon Valley. An advanced degree can help you get promoted or move between industries. 

Some people say workers in midcareer or later won't have time to recoup the cost of an advanced degree. It's a calculation that may push you toward a program that you can complete while working. But there are other factors to consider, Wilson said. An advanced degree can facilitate the move to consulting for an experienced worker, for example.

* Become certified. Technical fields, project management and human resources are just some fields in which certifications can help advance a career. Certifications are generally less time-consuming and expensive than degree programs. 

* Learn cross-cultural communication skills. If you're working outside your native country and not speaking your native language, consider taking classes in accent reduction and American business etiquette. 

How do you know if you need these classes? If you're lucky, your boss will tell you. But you may simply notice that you're not getting promoted to positions that require good communication skills. 

For native English speakers who were raised in the United States, learning about the business culture of other countries can help further your career, Wilson said. 

* Build your brand online. This requires more time than money, although some services may cost you. 

Own your own domain name and create a Web page to showcase your work, Wilson said. Keep updated profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking sites. Monitor your online presence so that potential employers won't find anything derogatory about you. 

"Being branded online may be on the cutting edge now, but it's going to be a given in five years," Wilson said. 

* Find coaches and mentors. It's important to have people to help you make critical decisions in your career. 

For some people, a paid career counselor or coach is the best approach. Others have one or more mentors who offer informal advice. Which approach is best may depend on how much in-depth help you need. 

"Some you pay, and some are free," Wilson said. 

* Raise your professional profile. Professional associations require both time and money, but they are a good way to meet people in your industry who work for other companies. 

"By serving on a committee or a board, you will gain valuable, marketable leadership experience to parlay at your next job interview," Pannwitt said.

Do You Panic at Review Time?

How to Sail Through Your Annual Review
Patrick Erwin, CareerBuilder.com writer

For many workers, having an annual performance review is a catalyst. The intense focus on your performance can make you rethink your approach to work, and often gives you new ideas on how to better do your job. It's also a time to set objectives for the coming year.

As time goes by, however, your daily responsibilities can shift those goals to the back burner. You may have an external distraction, like training a new employee. Perhaps you've had to assume new tasks or increase your workload. For many of you, the pace of your day-to-day job leaves little time to focus on long-range planning.

It's tempting to hit the panic button at review time if your ideas and goals have taken a backseat to your duties. What should you do to increase your chances of a positive review (and a matching increase in pay)?  Here's a checklist that will put you and your accomplishments in the best possible light.

Put it on paper. Take a look at the existing job description for your role. Summarize what you've been up to and make a list of EVERYTHING you do. Your manager has hopefully documented your progress, too, but your list may be a reminder of something forgotten or overlooked.

Harriet Cohen, founder of Training Solutions, a California-based training firm, tells employees to be prepared to show accomplishments and have documentation that validates those results. "They should have a list of what goals they exceeded as well as what goals they had difficulty achieving," Cohen says.

You should also do a "self-review." If your manager or supervisor hasn't officially asked you to conduct a self-assessment, take a look at your previous review and make an outline of how you would rate your performance.

"I think employees should look at themselves like a balance sheet with assets on one side and liabilities on the other," states Brian Sommer, president of TechVentive Inc., a Chicago-based technology development company.  "From one review period to the next, I want to know what the employee has done to improve their value to the firm and their career."

Wrap it up. If you have any projects that are in limbo, now is an ideal time to put the finishing touches on them. It may require extra effort and extra time, but being able to include a completed project in your job summary is a big bonus.

If the project is still in progress, give your manager a detailed summary of what progress you have made, as well as an explanation of any external issues that might be holding its completion up.

Don't try to kiss up. It may seem like a good idea, but kissing up to the boss is generally a bad idea. It's a very transparent move that can make you look bad. Shane Vaughn, vice president of marketing at Balihoo in Boise, Idaho, agrees. "Any kind of brown-nosing, especially around review time, is seen as very tacky and would be a negative."

Approach the review with honesty and candor.  All of us make mistakes. We may have overlooked a task at work or fallen behind on a project. Or personal issues may have affected our attendance record or our ability to report to work on time.

It's important to discuss any issues that surfaced during your review period.  That discussion should summarize what happened, how the issue was resolved and what progress has been made since the incident occurred.

Peggy Baldwin, director of professional development at Stevenson University in Maryland, believes this could be turned into a positive. "It's important to have examples of what didn't go so well and what you learned from that."   

Avoid the panic button altogether.  If you're reaching for the panic button before every annual review, you can take proactive steps that will make the process easier for you and your manager.

If you are only getting feedback from your manager or supervisor once a year, establish a time when you can have mini-reviews or progress reports. Suggest a monthly or quarterly meeting, during which you can discuss your progress and any tools or resources you may need.

Keep a file, folder or binder on your desk as a repository for any documents you want to keep for your next review. Be sure to keep documents that show the completion of a project or transaction, as well as any commendations or praise from co-workers or external clients.

If your company has a program that provides educational opportunities for employees, take advantage of that resource. You may have an option to take career-enhancing courses online or take courses for credit at a local college. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement programs. The more knowledge you gain and use at work, the more marketable you are at review time.

Patrick Erwin is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Building a Good Reputation at Work / Easy Steps for Laying a Career Foundation

By Caroline Potter, for Yahoo! HotJobs 

When you're a new hire, you want to establish a good reputation, and that's especially true if you're a new professional in the workforce.

Below are several tactics that should complete your game plan for winning favor and starting a good foundation for your career.

Earn Respect Before a Special Request

Life sometimes gets in the way of everything, including work. On occasion you may need to ask your boss for an extra privilege -- but it's best not to do so straight out of the gate.

Hallie Crawford, a certified career coach and owner of HallieCrawford.com, agrees. She says, "This generation has been pegged as one that expects everything up front at the beginning. That's not always accurate, but new graduates should remember that they'll have to pay their dues before they can have it all."

She recommends adhering to company policies and endearing yourself to your boss before asking for flexibility. "You want to prove that you perform well and it's worth it to keep you content," reveals Crawford. So, if your hours are nine to five, make sure you're at your desk at nine and at least until five. Down the road, after you've demonstrated your reliability and value to your boss, you may be able to negotiate more flexibility in your arrival and departure times or lunch hour or take a vacation before you're technically due one.

Tackle Something Without Being Asked

One of the best ways to gain the gratitude of your supervisor is showing initiative. "So many people get into a new job and think their supervisors are going to say, 'This is exactly what I expect you to do.' But this isn't school. You're not going to get clear-cut homework assignments. You have to ask, 'What can I help with?' or you can just dive into a task," shares Crawford, whose practice is based in Atlanta.

She recommends taking on a project that everyone is avoiding. Perhaps the supply closet is a shambles. Or there's a major backlog at an important filing cabinet. Maybe an important database is woefully out of date. Put in a few extra minutes each day so your pet project doesn't interfere with your primary responsibilities. When you're done, you'll have won your boss's admiration and your coworkers' gratitude. "You have to step up if you want to get ahead," states Crawford.

Offer Opinions With Tact

You've been hired because your boss and others at the company saw promise in you and your skills. Your opinion is valuable to the organization's growth and future. However, remember to offer it up gently and with respect. Crawford reminds new grads, "Blurting out things as if you're a seasoned consultant isn't the best approach. It's great that you have a fresh perspective, but you need to present it in the right way."

Rather than inquiring why something is done a certain way, ask if management has ever considered doing it another way. Suggesting a new process rather than questioning a current one highlights your forward thinking without insulting your boss's or the company's approach. "You don't want to come off as a know-it-all," she says.

It's Business, Not Personal

Work friends can become some of your best friends, in and out of the office. But, as Crawford reminds her clients, "You need to remember that these are professional relationships first." Even if you work for a hip company where fun is a part of the company culture, she says, "It's not a frat party."

If you're invited out to lunch or an after-work drink, don't overindulge in alcohol and don't be an "over-sharer." "You have to be smart," says Crawford. "If you don't want other people to know about it, don't do or say it." Over time you'll learn a lot about your coworkers and they you, but it will happen organically.

Figure It Out

It's important to ask a lot of questions when you're new to any job, and your boss understands that. But don't pepper her with queries all day long. Crawford points out, "You have to know when you need to go to your boss and when you don't. She's really busy and can't always hold your hand."

Crawford urges new employees to learn to work independently of their supervisors by reaching out to other key people related to their jobs and get to know them. Your supervisor will appreciate the fact that you've figured out how things work and that you've begun to build relationships throughout the company. Adds Crawford, "You don't want to keep falling back on the fact that you're new -- because that gets old."

Jump-Start Your Job Satisfaction

By Julie Jansen 

Ever have those periods at work when you find yourself singing the famous refrain from the Rolling Stones' hit "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"? When you feel like there's something missing in your work, answer these questions to spur you to take action against job funk.

What's Right About Your Job? Figuring out what's good about your work situation can make it easier to identify the one or two things you're really missing in your job. Perhaps you work with colleagues and clients who stimulate you or you're comfortable with. Maybe your job gives you the chance to exercise the skills that you enjoy using the most. Whatever it is that gives you satisfaction and is important to you, write it down.

What's Missing? Consider what's lacking in your job. Just because you are good at doing something, doesn't necessarily mean you want to do it anymore. Maybe your work-life balance is out of whack. Or you might be stuck in the same old rut. Create a second list of things you don't like about your job.

Can You Get What You Want Where You Are? Before you start looking for another job, figure out if you can get the things that are missing in your current job. Let's say you haven't learned anything new in several years. Is there an aspect of your company or industry that is growing that you'd like to learn more about? Are there specific skills that other people in your organization have that you can use or plan to learn? What about improving a weak skill, like public speaking, training, financial management, or marketing?

How Can You Make a Difference at Work? If you really like what you do but feel like you need a change, get involved in a special project that focuses on improving your employer's business. Identify an area within your company that needs help, think through the details of how you can improve it, and put together a brief proposal to present to your boss.

You could also get involved in your industry's key association as a way to meet new people in your industry who might give you a new perspective on potential opportunities in your work.

Can You Get What You Need Elsewhere? If you've taken a hard look at your current job and company and realize that you just can't create a situation or do the work that satisfies you, then it makes sense to start looking for opportunities in other companies or industries.

Who Can Help You To Find a New Job? Now is the time to start networking with as many people as possible. You may not find a new opportunity as quickly as you'd like, but you are planting seeds. Seek out acquaintances who have experience in your desired field or who can introduce you to decision-makers who will value your skills and experience.

Finally, you'll want to build on the lists you created in response to the first two questions. The information you recorded will help you prepare key questions and answers for the next stage in your pursuit of satisfaction -- the job interview.

Julie Jansen speaks to organizations who want their employees to grow and people who want pragmatic solutions for thriving in their work. Visit her web site at www.juliejansen.net. She is also the author of "I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This" and "You Want Me to Work With Who? Eleven Keys to a Stress-Free, Satisfying and Successful Work Life ... No Matter Who You Work With."

Two Words To Boost Your Career: Thank You

By Rosalie Maggio 

Beginning with the "thank you" for your first job interview and ending with the "thank you" for your retirement party, your career can benefit enormously from simple notes of gratitude written along the way. Frequent, well-written thank-you notes can foster professional success in unimaginable ways, and they are especially important after a job interview. 

The Mechanics

Thank-you notes should be printed on letterhead stationery or personal-business stationery, or -- for a little warmer tone -- handwritten on fold-over note cards. You can simplify the process by sending an email thank-you message (more on this later), which is not as distinctive as a handwritten note but far better than no message at all. As you're writing, don't worry about being creative or clever or profound. People are so charmed to receive thank-you notes at all that they are seldom very critical. "Thank you very much" are words that everyone likes to read. 
After the Job Interview 

An essential job-seeking technique as well as a gesture of courtesy is to thank the people who interview you. Write a note immediately after the interview and before a decision has been made. 

State what you liked about the interview, the company, and the position. 

Emphasize briefly and specifically your suitability for the job. 

Address concerns about your qualifications that came up during the interview. 

Mention any issue that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss. But primarily say thanks. 

If you felt you had a particularly friendly interview, you might close with a sentence or two referring to something you talked about unrelated to the interview (like sports, common interests, or family). 

Keep in mind that several people spent time setting up the appointment, doing the paperwork, interviewing you, and doing the paperwork again. They'll appreciate a little recognition.

A few letter-writing experts dislike the "thanks again" that concludes so many thank-you letters and notes. However, it is a popular and benign way of reminding the reader of the purpose of your note. If you like it, use it. 
A Sample Note

A sample thank-you note for a job interview might look like this:

I enjoyed this morning's discussion of the research position you want to fill. I was pleased to know that my advanced degree is definitely an asset, and I was impressed by the team spirit among the other employees I met. Thanks so much for your time and for the congenial interview.

Other Factors To Consider

You can email your thanks, but in most cases, it's not as impressive. The point of a thank-you note is that it is personal and somewhat formal. However, if the company you're interviewing with tends to do business by email and if most of your contacts have been through email, then it's definitely the way to go. Once you're hired, you'll want to send thank-you notes -- or notes of appreciation, which is almost the same thing -- to the interviewers, your new boss, and anyone else you dealt with throughout the interview process. Saying thanks is one of the least expensive, easiest strategies in creating a favorable environment for yourself wherever you go. Harvey Mackay, founder and chairman of the Mackay Envelope Corporation and bestselling author of "Swim with the Sharks (Without Being Eaten Alive)," says, "Anyone too busy to say 'thank you' will get fewer and fewer chances to say it." 

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Rosalie Maggio is the author of "How to Say It" and "The Art of Talking to Anyone." 

How to Deliver Unpleasant News at Work

by Marc Hertz, Robert Half International

You've known about an important project -- and its Monday morning deadline -- all week. But figuring it would be easy to complete, you didn't start on the assignment until Friday. Then, you realize the information you need will take a couple of days to track down, and there's no way everything will be done in time. Now, you have to explain what happened to your boss. 


While it is tempting to use evasive tactics when conveying bad news, there are a number of downsides to only presenting the upside. These include potentially harming your professional reputation, losing your manager's trust or missing out on support that might have helped you resolve the situation. It goes without saying that honestly is always the best policy.

Following are suggestions on when and how to deliver unsavory news to your boss.

Early is best. Receiving bad news is, well, bad enough for a manger. But learning that your staff member has known about a problem and not told you about it for weeks can be infuriating. So don't delay telling your manager that you can't find the necessary figures for a report due tomorrow, for instance. It's best to let him or her know as soon as possible -- postponing the discussion is likely to make things worse, not better.

Bad news should come from you. If you don't immediately deliver the unpleasant news to your manager, you can trust that someone else will. If the bearer of bad news, for example, is an important customer who was less than pleased with how you handled a request, your boss will be extremely unhappy about being surprised and unprepared for the customer's call. In addition, your manager is much less likely to be sympathetic to your explanation if he or she had to hear the news from a third party.

Deliver the news in person, if possible. Don't send your manager an e-mail telling him or her that you mistakenly deleted a voice mail from a client detailing extensive last-minute changes to a contract. E-mail doesn't allow your boss to ask questions or you to fully explain how and why the incident occurred. It is much better to ask for an in-person meeting and stress that you need to speak to him or her right away.

Be direct (and don't make excuses). Once you're in your manager's office, avoid over-dramatizing the event; your boss doesn't want a list of reasons you believe the error was not your fault. Likewise, don't downplay a big mistake -- such as attaching the wrong file to an e-mail that was sent to a large distribution list. Acknowledge the problem, apologize to the affected parties and work with your manager on not only a solution but also a strategy for ensuring a similar incident does not occur again.

While all of these tactics are useful if you have bad news to deliver, it's best to avoid the need for this type of conversation in the first place. One way to do so is to ask questions -- of your manager, coworkers, and clients -- from the beginning of a project. When in doubt, it's better to request clarity than to have to come to your manager later about a problem.

Obviously, you cannot avoid all mistakes or mishaps at work. However, by delivering unpleasant news immediately and in person, you'll spend less time on the firing line and more on the production line. 

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit workvine.com.

APRIL, 2008:  10 Things You Should Never Say to the Boss

Somewhere between winning the lottery and hearing your name called on "The Price is Right" is that other common fantasy: Telling off your boss.

While telling your manager what he or she can really do with that quarterly report is tempting, you'd like to keep your job. Still, you may not be aware of how other things you say to your boss can make you come across as lazy, disrespectful or careless, sabotaging your chances of getting a promotion, a raise or a better job later on.

Here are 10 phrases employers say they hate to hear and why.

1. "I really need to talk to you, it's important." "One person's importance is another person's triviality," says Richard Laermer, CEO of RLM Public Relations. In today's fast-paced workplace, managers don't have time to personally attend to every little need. If you have to talk to your boss about something important, explain what it's regarding first.
2. "I don't need anyone to teach me." Be careful here. It's one thing to already know how to perform a job; it's another (irritating) thing to think you already know all there is to learn.
3. "I don't understand." On the other hand, while a little on-the-job training is standard, someone who continually needs instructions on how to perform a certain task can be, in a manager's eyes, more effort than he or she is worth.
4. "Could you repeat that?" A forgivable offense if it's a one-time occurrence, but continually asking your manager to repeat him or herself indicates you don't care about or respect what he or she has to say.
5. "I just never got around to it." Sometimes "it's not so much that you said the wrong thing, but that you didn't follow through," says Nicholas Aretakis, a career coach whose former employee "Fred" constantly overcommitted, subsequently ruining his chance to be promoted. An employee who is unreliable will be remembered when it comes time for evaluations or promotions -- in a bad way.
6. "That's not in my job description." Unless the task your manager is asking you to perform has nothing to do with the actual workplace, you should keep this thought to yourself. "In today's workplace, there's nothing that can not get done," says Laermer, whose company policy emphasizes teamwork and flexibility. Everyone needs to do his or her part to pitch in, which sometimes means performing work that may be a departure from your day-to-day duties.
7. "Don't blame me -- it's not my fault." One thing that's sure to tick off your boss is trying to cover up a mistake by blaming someone else, Aretakis says. This behavior proves to your boss that you're not only unreliable, but deceptive as well.
8. "Can you tell so-and-so to shut off that annoying music?" It's not up to the boss to solve your personal problems. If you can't resolve a problem with a co-worker on your own, you can ask your boss for advice, but don't expect him or her to respond to whining and complaining.
9. "Yeah, right. I have a family. I'm going home." True, the work day for most officially ends at five o'clock, but a little overtime work every once in a while is standard in many workplaces. Make sure you understand your company's policy on overtime before you speak up.
10. "Get yourself a slave." Laermer was rendered speechless when an intern once said this to him on her last day on the job. Even if you're leaving, be careful where you burn your bridges. A former boss can be a good professional reference for future positions, so you may regret leaving on such bitter terms.

The bottom line is that if you're unsatisfied with any aspect of your job, from the amount of work you're taking on to the way your chair squeaks every time you move, it is up to you to take the first step to change your situation; otherwise, you're likely to just carry your unhappiness to your next job.

-- Mary Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com writer

FEBRUARY, 2008:  Ten Fatal Career Moves

It takes anywhere from three to 15 months to find the right job -- yet just days or weeks to lose it. Here are 10 traits that are career poison:

1. Possessing Poor People Skills: A little likeability can go a long way. Studies by both the Harvard Business Review and Fast Company magazine show that people consistently and overwhelmingly prefer to work with likeable, less-skilled co-workers than with highly competent jerks. Researchers found that if employees are disliked, it's almost irrelevant whether they're good at what they do, because other workers will avoid them. 
2. Not Being a Team Player: No one feels comfortable around a prima donna. And organizations have ways of dealing with employees who subvert the team. Just ask Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, who was suspended for the 2005 season after repeatedly clashing and taking public shots at his teammates and management. Show you're a team player by making your boss look like a star and demonstrating that you've got the greater good of the organization at heart. 
3. Missing Deadlines: If the deadline is Wednesday, first thing Thursday won't cut it. Organizations need people they can depend on. Missing deadlines is not only unprofessional, it can play havoc with others' schedules and make your boss look bad. When making commitments, it's best to under-promise and over-deliver. Then, pull an all-nighter if you have to. It's that important. 
4. Conducting Personal Business on Company Time: The company e-mail and phone systems are for company business. Keep personal phone calls brief and few -- and never take a call that will require a box of tissues to get through. Also, never type anything in an e-mail that you don't want read by your boss; many systems save deleted messages to a master file. And we can't tell you how many poor souls have gotten fired for hitting the "Reply All" button and disseminating off-color jokes -- or worse yet -- rants about their boss for all to see.
5. Isolating Yourself: Don't isolate yourself. Develop and use relationships with others in your company and profession. Those who network effectively have an inside track on resources and information and can more quickly cut through organizational politics. Research shows effective networkers tend to serve on more successful teams, get better performance reviews, receive more promotions and be more highly compensated.
6. Starting an Office Romance: Unless you're in separate locations, office romances are a bad idea. If you become involved with your boss, your accomplishments and promotions will be suspect; if you date a subordinate, you leave yourself open to charges of sexual harassment. And if it ends badly, you're at risk of everyone knowing about it and witnessing the unpleasantness. 
7. Fearing Risk or Failure: If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. Have a can-do attitude and take risks. Instead of saying, "I've never done that," say, "I'll learn how." Don't be afraid to fail or make mistakes. If you do mess up, admit it and move on. Above all, find the learning opportunities in every situation. Remember, over time, risk-aversion can be more hazardous to your career than error. 
8. Having No Goals: Failure doesn't lie in not reaching your goal, but in not having a goal to reach. Set objectives and plan your daily activities around achieving them. Eighty percent of your effectiveness comes from 20 percent of your activities. Manage your priorities and focus on those tasks that support your goals. 
9. Neglecting Your Image: Fair or not, appearance counts. People draw all kinds of conclusions from the way you present yourself. So don't come to work poorly groomed or in inappropriate attire. Be honest, use proper grammar and avoid slang and expletives. You want to project an image of competence, character and commitment.
10. Being Indiscreet: Cubicles, hallways, elevators, bathrooms -- even commuter trains -- are not your private domain. Be careful where you hold conversations and what you say to whom. Don't tell off-color jokes, reveal company secrets, gossip about co-workers or espouse your views on race, religion or the boss' personality. Because while there is such a thing as free speech, it's not so free if it costs you your job!

-- Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor.  Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. 

JANUARY, 2008:  Work - Family - Health - Friends - Spirit

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - Work - Family - Health - Friends - Spirit, and you're keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls -- family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered.

They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life. How?

1. Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.
2. Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.
3. Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.
4. Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live ALL the days of your life.
5. Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
6. Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us together.
7. Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
8. Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
9. Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.
10. Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
11. Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.
12. Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.

-- Author disputed

NOVEMBER, 2007:  Everyone Wants a Funny Boss

Survey: Humor Is Key for Good Managers

Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs

When you think of the ideal boss, actress Carol Burnett and late-night TV host David Letterman probably don't come to mind. But those two celebrities have a quality that most workers say is essential to being a good boss: a sense of humor.

When asked in a recent poll how important it is for a manager to have a sense of humor, 65% of workers answered "very important," while 32% answered "somewhat important." The survey, conducted by staffing firm Robert Half International, also revealed that most of the workers (87%) rated their managers as having good senses of humor.

Max Messmer, chairman and chief executive of RHI, said the survey underscores that humor can make a boss seem more approachable, but it's not a license to be a clown.

"To be taken seriously, supervisors must balance their desire to keep the mood light with the need to accomplish business objectives, inspire great performance, and maintain professionalism," Messmer said.

Is Your Boss Funny?

You may not know whether your boss has a good sense of humor. "In this case, it's best to let your manager set the tone for humor," says Liz Bywater, president of Bywater Consulting Group, a Philadelphia-area firm focused on organization performance.

"It's OK to 'test drive' using some humor to see how it's received," she adds. "Just do so cautiously at the beginning. Take a mental note of your manager's response and let that be your guide."

"Definitely stay away from sarcasm or any statements that might be offensive or potentially viewed as criticism," advises Debra Mandel, a psychologist and author of "Your Boss Is Not Your Mother." She continues, "Some managers take the workplace too seriously, but it's not an employee's job to loosen them up -- unless of course the employee doesn't mind the view from the unemployment line."

Humoring the Boss

What if you don't think your boss is very funny?

"Humoring a not-so-funny boss is OK," says Bywater. "Think of it as being kind and sensitive to the feelings of another human being. Don't, however, humor a boss who has gone over the line from funny to offensive."

Manage the Punch Lines

For bosses who want to flex their humor muscles more, Bywater suggests the following guidelines:

Do not make jokes about anyone's physical appearance.
Do not attempt humor that could be construed as sexist or racist, even if it's not intended as such.
If you've got a direct report who is particularly sensitive or has no sense of humor, it's best to play it straight.
Having a good sense of humor at work helps everyone, Mandel concludes.

"Both bosses and employees need to stay on track and be productive, but everything doesn't have to be heavyweight," she says. "Sometimes it's good to just have a big belly laugh, especially when things go wrong, and look forward to the next day to get back on track."

OCTOBER, 2007:  Ten Acting Techniques That Work on the Job

If all the world’s a stage, it’s no wonder those with performing arts backgrounds do so well in non-theater jobs like politician, educator or business executive. And it’s no coincidence that many young executives are turning to acting classes to help build their confidence and create a stronger presence.

Whether you’re looking to be a corporate star or simply to communicate more effectively, here are 10 techniques actors use to improve their performance:

1. "Become" the audience. When getting ready to walk into an interview, present at a meeting or speak before a large crowd, don’t think about yourself and your anxieties. Rather, become outward-focused. Visualize yourself as part of the audience ready to enjoy your performance. This not only will calm you, but help you better connect with your audience.
2. Breathe. When people get nervous, their breathing tends to get shallow, which means they’re taking in less oxygen and functioning less effectively. Taking at least one deep cleansing breathe -- breathing in through the nose to fill your lungs and exhaling out through your mouth -- will calm your nerves and keep you in the present.
3. Carry Yourself with "Presence." Much of presence is, quite simply, bearing (how you carry yourself). Those with presence are very secure about themselves. But even if you’re not feeling particularly confident, here is how to look as if you are:
  • When standing: Stand with your weight evenly distributed on the balls of both feet so you feel balanced and can move easily. Carry your rib cage high and contract your stomach muscles.
  • When sitting: Sit with your rib cage high and inclined slightly forward. If at a desk or conference table, put your forearms on the table resting them midway between your wrist and elbow, hands clasped ? and no fidgeting!
4. Voice Control. Put resonance in your voice by contracting your abdominal muscles and speaking from the diaphragm. To correct a nasal tone, put one hand on your abdominal muscles, the other flat on your chest. Say "low," "low," "low" over and over until you feel vibrations on your chest bone as you speak.
5. Inflection. No "up-talking." Speak in as low a tone as feels natural to you, and always end sentences on a lower pitch. When answering the phone, don’t say "Hello?" in a high-pitched, questioning voice. Emphasize the "low" and the person on the other end will feel as if they’re in good hands.
6. Appreciate Silence. Learn to be comfortable with silence. Don’t step on your lines or someone else’s by rushing in to fill conversational pauses. Silence adds power to your message and signals that you are confident and thoughtful.
7. Use Eye Contact to Connect. If your eyes aren’t up when you talk, you won’t command attention.
  • When speaking to a group: Don’t make the common mistake of scanning the audience. You’ll look shifty eyed and get dizzy to boot! Instead, lock eyes with different individuals in various sections of the room, changing sets of eyes as you finish each thought.
  • When speaking one-on-one: Maintain eye contact with your partner by looking from one eye to the other - not with the swinging regularity of a metronome, but as though you were planting a message in each eye. This not only will make your eyes sparkle, but will touch the listener and make you appear sincere.
8. Never Look Desperate. If you come across as needy, subservient or too eager to make a good impression, people will become uncomfortable ? even recoil. Believe you are worthy. As much as you want to land the job or make the sale, seem as if you’re asking for nothing.
9. Have Enthusiasm. Enter the room radiating energy and purpose. As former actor and Nobel Prize winning play and screenwriter David Mamet said, "You should go on stage as if to a hot date, not as if to give blood."
10. Make Graceful Exits. And finally, if you want to be brought back for a second or third curtain call, exit on a high note -- and always leave them wanting more!

* Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Other writers contributed to this article.

SEPTEMBER, 2007:  Ten Ways To Lose Friends and Alienate Coworkers

Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs

The people you work with can make a bad day better. They can even make a less-than-thrilling job tolerable. However, if you get on the bad side of your coworkers, they have the ability to make your work life miserable.

Read on for some surefire ways to test the boundaries of your on-the-job friendships.

1. Eat stinky snacks: You may be the most likeable person in your office, but your popularity will definitely take a dive if you begin bringing in overly aromatic foods. If your lunch involves microwaving anything containing fish, leave it at home.
2. Make endless meeting requests: Learn how to determine when it's absolutely necessary to schedule a meeting (and for whom attendance is absolutely necessary). A tendency to request too many meetings will irritate your teammates as well as making it look like you cannot move ahead on a project autonomously.
3. "Reply to All" all the time: Don't make your coworkers' lives more complicated by hitting "reply to all" on every single email. Also, if you have a beef with the author of the email, don't air your grievance to the entire recipient list. Discuss your problem face to face.
4. Pump up the volume: Be aware of the volume of your voice, as well as how loud you listen to music. Avoid using speakerphone unless you're behind closed doors. Also, check the volume on your computer the next time you watch a video on YouTube. The content could be offensive to a cube neighbor.
5. Be the office boozehound: Socializing with the people you work with can be great for business. Make certain, though, that you keep a close eye on your alcohol consumption. Your coworkers will definitely lose respect for you if you start slurring your words or, worse yet, falling down.
6. Take super-long lunches: Every now and again, it's fun to take a leisurely lunch out with your coworkers. However, if you do it every day -- or even every week -- people will notice and probably grow resentful.
7. "Borrow" magazines or newspapers: If you're a "Brangelina" watcher and your colleague's issue of In Touch arrives announcing their separation, you may be tempted to take it. Instead of snatching up the magazine, deliver it to the recipient and ask if you can browse through it when he's done with it. If you cannot wait, go buy the magazine yourself. After all, tampering with the mail is a federal offense.
8. Use your manager as a referee: It is inevitable that you are going to clash with your coworkers from time to time. Resist the urge to seek support from management every instance. Rather, try to problem-solve yourself -- it could help you gain important managerial experience.
9. Avoid attending company gatherings: Not everyone looks forward to these events and, in fact, some folks avoid them altogether. This isn't good for your career or your work friendships. You're missing out on bonding with your work buddies, whether it be over a silly scavenger hunt or an ant-infested picnic. Your coworkers will begin to take it personally if you never participate.
10. Always have the last word: When you do have the inevitable disagreement with a colleague, it's important to make your point. This doesn't mean you always have to have the last word. Learn how to voice your opinion and move on -- and let someone else have the final say once in a while.

* Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

AUGUST, 2007:  The 10 Worst Things To Do In A Meeting

By Kate Lorenz *

Meetings have been hailed as the No. 1 time-waster in corporate America, and -- unless food is served to offset the boredom -- the most tortuous part of the work day.

Yet no matter how mind-numbing things get, don't be lulled into thinking that meetings aren't important. The fact is, they can make -- or break -- your career. Here are 10 things you should never do in a meeting:

1. Show Up Late: Nothing says "I'm disorganized" like walking into a meeting already in progress. Arriving a few minutes early not only demonstrates that you respect your colleagues' time, but guarantees you get a good seat as well.
2. Be Unprepared: If you've been given an agenda or materials beforehand, read them. Think of any questions you have or contributions you could make to the subjects being discussed.
3. Monopolize the Conversation: When discussion ensues, it's protocol to let more senior figures contribute first. Once they've said their piece, concisely make your points. Don't drone on -- or feel compelled to speak at all if you don't have anything purposeful to say. As the old adage goes, "Better to be thought a fool, than speak and remove all doubt."
4. Make Your Statements Sound Like Questions: Phrasing your statements as questions invites others to say no, argue or take credit for your ideas. Speak in declarative sentences, such as "Let's do more research on that."
5. Misread Signals: Try to gauge the needs and mood of those in the room. Listen carefully to what people are saying to discern how receptive they might be to your ideas. You need to make your message relevant to your audience. For example, if everyone is focused on cutting costs, and you're angling for a system upgrade, you'll either want to stress how the new software will save money -- or table your request for another day.
6. Get Intimidated: Unfortunately, some of your co-workers may view meetings as a battleground and themselves as verbal gladiators, sparring for the boss' favor. If you become the victim of a put-down or accusation, calmly defend yourself. If you need to buy time to think, do so with a question that will make your attacker accountable. For example: "Andrew, when did you start thinking I don't care about our sales results?"
7. Chew Gum: The smacking, popping, cracking and cow-like chewing are annoying. Plus, it's rude and unprofessional. 'Nuff said.
8. Keep Your Cell Phone On: You turn it off in restaurants and at the movies. Turn it off for your meeting. A ringing phone interrupts the presenter and distracts the audience. And whatever you do, never take a call in the middle of a meeting.
9. Wander Off Topic: Don't hijack the agenda. Stay focused on what you and your team are trying to accomplish. If you must digress into unrelated areas, make sure it's alright with the others present. A good way to handle important issues not related to the topic at hand is to record them on a flipchart and revisit them at an appropriate time.
10. Skip It: Sure, you might get more done if you forgo a meeting to stay at your desk and do your actual work. But if the meeting was called by someone higher up in the organization, you'll miss an opportunity to make yourself known. Remember, in the end, meetings aren't about productivity, they're about projecting a positive image and forming and building relationships that are crucial to your success.

* Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

JUNE, 2007:  How to Praise

Whenever you praise, be it at work or at home, you will reinforce the behavior and make it much more likely that it will be repeated in the future. In today's competitive world criticisms will nearly always outnumber praise and a shortage of time often leads managers and parents to give both at the same time not an effective strategy to encourage or discourage a particular behavior: e.g. "you did a great job on the dishes but your bedroom's a real mess!" But we do need a mixture of both. Since there is no perception without contrast, praise is diminished without criticism and vice versa. Praise tends to have a motivating effect on people's performance as well as doubling up as feedback from which to learn.

Dr. Peter Honey, the world famous behavioral psychologist, advises that to enhance learning and development follow these five guidelines when praising:

1. Always give specific praise and avoid meaningless generalizations. Start with what you have observed, or heard from someone else, then go on to spell out why you liked it.
2. Always praise better than expected results or actions. For example, when people exceed their target, make an extra effort, are punctual when usually late etc.
3. Always use 'stand alone' praise and do not dilute it with any criticism. The rule is when praise is deserved, give it, when criticism is deserved, give it. But don't mix the two.
4. Always praise as close in time to the person's action as possible. Praising someone a long time after the event is still worthwhile but has less impact.
5. Always praise authentically, not because you think you should or only on special occasions or to impress a third party. Remember, praise is one of the most effective and yet inexpensive ways to motivate people and one of the best tools to help people learn.

MAY, 2007:  Deadly Sins and When to be Flexible

Here are some memorable tips from leading experts that you may want to apply.

1. The seven deadly sins to avoid as a leader are: not having integrity, not having a vision, not being clear, not developing others, not listening, not being decisive and not being flexible.
Source: Management Magazine
2. If you want to climb to the top of the corporate ladder, you need to change your decision-making style at the midpoint to be more flexible. Successful executives start as front-line supervisors who are quite directive, but midway up the ladder they find that decisions are more about listening than telling and understanding than directing.
Source: Kenneth Brousseau, Michael Driver, Gary Hourihan, Rikard Larsson/Harvard Business Review
3. The first step in any change process is to assess the level of agreement among staff along two critical dimensions: values and priorities, and cause and effect (which actions will lead to the desired outcome).
Source: Clayton Christensen, Matt Marx, Howard Stevenson/Harvard Business Revue
4. To improve trust, managers must display five behaviors: consistency, over time and in different situations in treatment of employees; integrity, doing what you say you are going to do; sharing and delegation of control; open communication; and demonstration of concern and sensitivity for employees’ needs and interests.
Source: Susan Brodt/Queen’s Leaders Forum
5. Know what you know-and what you're only asserting "In real life, managers don't do as much number crunching as they think," says Victor McGee, professor emeritus at Dartmouth College's Amos Tuck School of Business. "In fact, managers are primarily idea crunchers: They spend most of their time trying to persuade people with their assertions." But they rarely realize the extent to which their assertions rest on unproved assumptions. McGee recommends color-coding your "knowledge" so you know what needs to be tested. Red can represent what you know, green what you assume, and blue what you "know" because of what you assume. Assumptions and assertions-green and blue knowledge-shouldn't be taken seriously unless there is red knowledge supporting them.
Source: Victor McGee/Harvard Working Knowledge

APRIL, 2007:  Strategies for the Stressed

If there is one thing we all have in abundance, it is stress!

Here are eight strategies to help you deal with the stress of everyday life.

1. Define the problem. Write down the issues that cause you stress. Taking steps to reduce these issues will help you relax in your off time.
2. Set a goal. Too often, executives fall into a career path without understanding why they chose it. Ask yourself, "What do I want to accomplish for the duration of my career?" and set goals to achieve it.
3. Stay healthy. Exercise, sleep and a healthy diet should be priorities. You can't keep running without taking time to recharge the batteries.
4. Make time for your family. It's not a sign of weakness if you don't pull an 80-hour week in the office.
5. Don't bottle it up. Talk to your spouse and discuss with a trusted friend or executive coach your workload. It can help you frame strategies to reduce the burden.
6. Look ahead. Don't waste time dwelling on past miscues. Once you set goals, move forward on them.
7. Work with your weaknesses. By recognizing your weaknesses, you can work to improve your skills or delegate tasks to people who are strong where you are weak.
8. Be thankful for what you have. When you get stressed out, stop and ask yourself, "What am I thankful for? That will put things in perspective."
SOURCE: ERIC JACKSON, CEO,
JACKSON LEADERSHIP SYSTEMS

MARCH, 2007: Tricks to Remembering Names

Being able to remember names is a valuable asset in both the business and social arenas. It helps you build instant rapport with new contacts, and, as many companies place a premium on interpersonal and relationship-building skills, it makes a decidedly good impression on employers, too.

So eliminate "whatshername" and "whatshisface" from your vocabulary. The following techniques can help you remember the names of everyone you meet.

1. Be interested: Many of us don't even catch the other person's name when they're being introduced; we're too focused on ourselves. So the first step to remembering a name is to pay attention as you are introduced.
2. Verify it: Unless the person has introduced himself to you, verify what he or she wishes to be called. At a conference or seminar, for example, the name tag may have been typed incorrectly or it may be a more formal or informal version of the name they like to go by.

Or someone else may have introduced you who doesn't know the person well. Asking what they prefer (e.g. "Jeff introduced you as Debbie, is that what you prefer to be called?") will not only cement the name in your mind, but ensure you are using the name that pleases them.
3. Picture it written on their forehead: Franklin Roosevelt continually amazed his staff by remembering the names of nearly everyone he met. His secret? He used to imagine seeing the name written across the person's forehead. This is a particularly powerful technique if you visualize the name written in your favorite color of Magic Marker.
4. Imagine writing the name: To take step three further, neural linguistic programming experts suggest getting a feel for what it would be like to write the name by moving your finger in micro-muscle movements as you are seeing the name and saying it to yourself.
5. Use word association: Try to connect a person's name with a familiar image or famous person. For example, if a woman's name is Jacqueline, picture her as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in a pink suit and pillbox hat. If a man's name is Arnold, imagine him as the "Terminator" or striking a body-builder pose.
6. Use it frequently: Try to use the name three or four times during your conversation. Use it when you first meet, when you ask a question and in your departure, e.g., "Daniel, it was a pleasure talking to you. Maybe we'll get a chance to chat again sometime."
7. Record the name in a "new contacts" file: Top sales representatives keep a record of new contact names and information, including where and when they met. Review it now and then, especially when you will be attending a conference or meeting where you may see these individuals again.

Using these techniques will dramatically increase your ability to recall names, but it is inevitable that at one time or another you may slip up. If you do happen to run into someone whom you previously met and can't remember his or her name, you have two options:

Look delighted to see the person, lock eyes and extend a warm "Good to see you again," and then find out the name from a friend or guest list later.

Or, with the same warmth, try the more direct: "I remember you well, but your name has slipped my mind."

*Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

 

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