When a loved one, friend, neighbor, or co-worker has a loss, most people feel compelled to say something. The question is “what?”
Having lost some very important people in my life as well as attempted to console friends and colleagues who have had to deal with death, here are my suggestions as to what you might say to a grieving person. [Read more…]
In modern behavioral terms, “introvert” is used to describe individuals who are most comfortable in the inner life of the mind, come across as more reserved, and are less likely to seek numerous or large interactions.
They represent approximately half of the population. In the workplace their presence is less obvious and misunderstood, though their ability to actively listen at a very deep level makes them major idea contributors. There’s risk in confusing their self-containment with a lack of ambition. [Read more…]
My last Competitive Edge Report article “Is the Key Still in Your Ignition?” hit a sweet cord with a number of you and sour note with others. I thought I’d continue the discussion this week by looking back as well as forward.
The impetus for the original piece, where I advocated when you take time off you really get out of contact, no working or even thinking about work, came from recent observations of clients, colleagues, and a few friends. These are very smart, success-driven, adults who have elevated working hard and staying engaged to what I think is a dangerous and unnecessary level. [Read more…]
The statistics speak. Most people spend more time at work than in any other activity; more than hours with their family, eating, sleeping, or interacting with friends. That said, wouldn’t it seem logical that we would spend an hour and some effort making our workplace as conducive to the job at hand and our temperament and personality? But no, we have the biggest and the best TVs, golf clubs, cars, whatever, while our office furniture, cubicle, office vehicle is less than pristine, barely functional, and probably downright ugly. [Read more…]
As an executive coach I occasionally come upon a coaching client or colleague who claims to want “help and advice” but no matter what I say or do, there is a litany of reasons why it “won’t work,” “costs too much,” they’ve “already tried it,” and/or a million other hurdles and obstacles they have carefully constructed or imagined. These are the people who resist help. They are some of the most frustrating people to deal with, especially to those of us who get gratification in assisting others. [Read more…]
Executive coaching clients wanting to enhance their role and impact in their current workplace continuously ask me, “How do I get greater recognition?” “Make sure my boss doesn’t get all of the credit?” “What’s the best way to be found by potential employers and thought leaders in my field?” My answer is often “branding yourself.” [Read more…]
A friend just lost a parent, a co-worker’s sister passed away, the much beloved pet dies, or one other of the many life events that throw people you care about in a place of grief. What do you do? What do you say?
Having recently lost my husband, I experienced the kindness, generosity, and genuine sadness of others. I also witnessed the level of disregard, selfishness, and nosiness of which some people are capable. I’ll share with you “what not to say.” I don’t pretend to have all the answers and I am fully aware your needs might be different than mine. I also appreciate each of us has a different style of supporting. I offer my insights and experiences as suggestions and alternatives. [Read more…]
It’s just a fact of work life — not everyone has the same amount of dollars to invest in opportunities or challenges. In today’s economic environment the numbers with less is accelerating and even those with resources appear to be hesitant to spend. This is true especially when it comes to the hiring, promoting, and rewarding of employees. [Read more…]
It shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but it does. When a potential coaching client contacts me, I often ask two questions, “How did you find me?” and “What made you interested?” Ninety percent of the time, the answer to the first question is “I Googled ‘career coach.” No surprise, I work hard to make it easy for people to find my business and me. It’s the second answer that’s shocking, “Well you were the only person who called back.” What? My colleagues are spending considerable time and money grabbing the attention of potential customers and when they do get someone’s eye, they fail to respond? It’s shocking, but good for my business. [Read more…]
I recently had the opportunity to invite a friend and her grandchildren to a local fair. I’ve been going to the event for years and like the predictability and tradition; plus it supports a good cause. The carousel is always in front of the big house, the face painting under the elms, and you can count on the stampede to the rummage sale and vintage clothing tent. There is something remarkably calm about the entire experience and the kids, young and old, love it. [Read more…]