Category: Professional Development

Building skills on the job

Why We Drive Each Other Crazy

by candacemoody

The other day, I was in a small committee meeting with people I know, I like, and with whom I’ve worked for quite a while. Halfway through the meeting, and I found myself wanting to smack them all. The meeting had degenerated into a series of one way discussions, with neither side actually listening to the other. We were driving each other crazy, and the project we were discussing was probably doomed. How could reasonable, friendly people get so far apart in such a short time?

Your Evil Twin

by candacemoody

Geisler cites an example: suppose you’re a manager who believes in rolling up your sleeves and working alongside the staff. You happily pitch in on a project and give helpful feedback along the way. You see this as an egalitarian ‘Boss of the Year’ moment; your staff sees micromanaging interference. I’ve seen it myself; a boss who thinks he’s being deliberate and judicious in his decision making is perceived as dithering and indecisive by his staff. What’s a leader to do?

The Intern Queen Speaks

by candacemoody

Lauren Berger bills herself as the Intern Queen, and her book All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, BuildingYour Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience is a practical guide to how and why to get an internship. In her experience, only about 20 percent of students pursue internships in and right after college. Here are the five benefits she attributes to internships, and why you should pursue on if you’re a student.

Boundaries and Standards

by candacemoody

In the chapter entitled “Increase your Natural Power,” her advice includes how to set boundaries for yourself. “Boundaries, “ she writes,” are simply the things that people can’t do to you, lines that will protect you and allow you to be your best.” We all need them, but it can be hard to set them and stick to them, especially if you like to think of yourself as a nice person.

Keep Calm and Carry On

by candacemoody

Jim Moorhead is the author of “The Instant Survivor: Right Ways to Respond When Things Go Wrong.” He writes about how to survive a personal or professional crisis, using some of the tools and techniques that companies use for crisis management. The first step of his survival system echoes the “Keep Calm and Carry On” philosophy, proving that nostalgia for the idea of keeping a “stiff upper lip” is going strong after more than 80 years. (Unless you’re under 30; then I assume you are being ironic.)

Turn Complaints into Requests

by candacemoody

In her chapter on how to “Communicate with Power, Grace and Style,” Miedaner delivers a formula that may change your life. She starts out by stating a fact of life: “No one is attractive when complaining. No one – not even you, my dear.” She has a real point. Most of us hate to be on the receiving end of a complaint. At the same time, many of us don’t recognize ourselves as chronic complainers. Here’s her way out of the rut, whether you’re receiving or complaining.

Work Ethic

by candacemoody

I’ve written before about the differences between the generations at work. Just about every U.S. generation has blasted the subsequent one as the Generation that Ruined it All. No manners, no respect, and no work ethic. This time, the current generation may be in agreement with their parents.