The expression “standing on the shoulders” was written frequently by the 17th Century British physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton. He is quoted as saying, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulder of giants.” He gave credit to the many who came before him, influencing and contributing to his eventual monumental scientific discoveries. [Read more…]
When speaking with colleagues, prospective clients, and family/friends, they often say, “I don’t need a career strategy, I know where I’m headed.” Or “Who can predict the future, especially regarding work?”
I say, you don’t have to be psychic to be able to figure out potential opportunities and obstacles you may be facing in the workplace. One of the best ways to take advantage of new horizons, or get ready for battle, is a well-designed career strategy. [Read more…]
You probably know exactly what I am referring to when I ask about email overwhelm. You’re waiting for the boss to email you with the okay to move forward. Six members of your team are emailing asking, “Have heard from the boss?” They want to know when and how to meet. CNN is posting “breaking news.” A colleague just sent you a link for a podcast. Accounting wants to know if you submitted expenses. The Tech Help Desk’s email is announcing a system update. Your partner needs to know if Friday night is still okay, and everyone seems to be hitting “reply all.” [Read more…]
A longtime executive coaching client sent me a Washington Post article, “Your Ability to Focus May Be Limited to 4 or 5 Hours a Day. Here’s How to Make the Most of Them.” When C and I first met, I asked him what kind of work he did. “I think about the internet fifteen years from now,” he quickly and confidently replied. As I got to know him better it became clear his description was not idle bragging. He had in fact been a major player in the conceptualization and launching of the internet. What stayed with me all these years was the verb he used in his description — think. [Read more…]
The concept of a beginner’s mind comes from Zen Buddhism. The word is Shoshin. “It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.” Shunryū Suzuki, author of “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind,” speaks of abandoning expectations, judgements, and prejudices, and allowing possibilities an expert mind would not be able to comprehend due to the clutter in their brain. A beginner’s mind is as if you are seeing your world and thoughts for the first time though a clean lens. [Read more…]
GLINT, a research and innovation organization whose mission is “to help people become happier and more successful at work,” published its “State of the Manager 2021” survey results. The most disturbing piece of data was the fact burnout in the workplace rose 78% from Q1 to Q4 in 2020. I am sure no one is surprised and believe things have not gotten better. How many are still concerned? Are you?
I have hired hundreds of people in my careers. The process differed depending on the level I was looking to fill. In the retail field if the applicant could work weekends and holidays — and their hygiene was acceptable — they were in for that part-time, entry level job. When looking to fill an executive position, the process took more skills, time, and effort. [Read more…]
BJ Fogg is a behavior scientist and the founder and director of the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford University. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything” and Forbes 21 Books to Read In 2021 selection. [Read more…]
I have heard and used the phrases company culture and customer service numerous times in the past few weeks. In one instance it was helping an executive coaching client choose among potential employers. In another situation, listening to a client’s fear her firm was losing its culture of emphasizing customer service, and finally, listening to an NPR interview on the subject, through the eyes of a highly successful internet entrepreneur. [Read more…]
Those of you who have read my column on a regular basis know I am a strong advocate of goals and objectives. I encourage executive coaching clients to ask, “Where am I going?”, “How will I get there?”, “What will the end look like?” and “How do I measure success?” That said, I see all too often a drive to the finish that can at best, be exhausting, and at worst a disaster. [Read more…]