Career Advice

It Starts with “Thank You”A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Businesses Mount Efforts to Retain Valued Employees, started me thinking about the topic of gratitude in the workplace. One thing that was particularly interesting in was a study cited in this piece about the discrepancy between what employers think keeps workers happy (“management climate and workers’ relationships with their bosses”) and what employees say (“pay and benefits”).We all know that a “thank you” from a boss can make a worker to feel appreciated. But that doesn’t always mean just a pat on the back for a job well done. Perceptive employers taking a closer look might acknowledge good employees struggling to accomplish tasks/projects with less personnel and resources. How this is conveyed to workers is a key factor, too.The end of my tenure in Corporate World coincided with the rise of the “consultant” - hiring outsiders for obscene … [Read more...] about Small Ways Employers Can Retain Good Employees

“Today, I’m grateful for…”This time of year, it’s important to feel some gratitude and not just for your mom’s amazing pecan pie. When I was a counselor in an alcohol and drug treatment program, one of the first things patients focused on in early recovery was the “gratitude list.” It’s easy - at the end of every day, list at least 5 things (10 is better) for which you are grateful. It became a habit for me. Some really bad days, maybe all I came up with was “I’m grateful I have a garage so I don’t have to hack 10 inches of snow off my car.” But doing it reminded me to pay attention to the good stuff.How about showing a little love to your employer? What?! The same people who gave you a .05 salary increase this year and laid off your buddies? We are all too quick to go for the negative aspects of working in these tough times. But how about the #1 reason to be grateful - you have a job. Many are not so lucky … [Read more...] about Ways to Show Gratitude to Your Employer

Twitter is all the rage these days. Even organizations like ESPN and CNN are using their own accounts to spread their message far and wide. But for some people, employers may discourage the use of Twitter in the workplace. I'm going to share a few ways that might help you to get your tweet on at work. In my previous job, Twitter was blocked, but I found some workarounds. In my current position, Twitter is not blocked, and I have used it to great success with researching and connecting to other professionals in my industry. I can definitely make the case for tweeting on the job! SpreadtweetUsing Excel? You can disguise your Twitter behind a spreadsheet skin with Spreadtweet. All of the basic Twitter functions can be handled from inside this program. If you're not locked in the '90s with the rest of us, and you have Office 2007 or even a Mac, there are versions to match your software's look and feel. Check out the Spreadtweet site for more info. TwitterGadgetGmail has some amazing … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Use Twitter at Work

You’re probably thinking that I'm going to talk about the fear of public speaking, which is often identified as our #1 fear. But I’m thinking of more subtle fears that people don’t always discuss that make the workplace extremely difficult for some workers.As a therapist, I’ve treated people with diagnosed anxiety disorders, but also milder anxiety symptoms and signs. Worry over finances, health issues, parenting, school and relationships fall into that category. These fears fall somewhere between the two. What kinds of fears do people struggle with at work?    * Interviewing - some folks are natural salespeople and comfortable selling themselves as the ideal candidate to a potential employer. Most of the rest of us aren’t.    * Talking to the boss about “touchy” topics like asking for a raise or time off.    * Long meetings. Any social gathering can be excruciating for some people.    … [Read more...] about Making Common Workplace Fears More Manageable

It’s not online Shopping, It’s “Research”We’re approaching that time of year where workers typically develop a case of “holiday distraction disorder.” Most of us become overloaded with holiday plans and the end-of-year work push. (I’ll suggest some stress-busters later this month.)There’s much discussion about being productive in this time of layoffs and working leaner/meaner. But let’s not forget the fine art of looking productive while goofing off. Now, I’m not talking about the slackers in your office - any efforts they make to look busy are useless. I mean those of us normally hard-working types who just need to blow a few hours or a day or two. One maneuver I perfected while working in a hospital-based substance abuse program was the “consult.” Our staff rotated on a “drunk watch” schedule - part of your day had to be cleared to do an assessment if a drunk/addict stumbled into the ER. … [Read more...] about How to Look Productive While Goofing Off

You know it’s almost here; that time of year for the ubiquitous holiday work party/ritual. It started last month with the orange and black cupcakes in the break room and will continue into January. Most companies have wisely jettisoned the office party with booze - too many scary liability concerns. But there will still be potlucks and other festivities. How can you avoid them without looking or feeling bad?My husband mentioned that he’d like to avoid, er, politely decline the December gift exchange this year. His department draws names - kind of grade school-level, I think, complete with the person’s “Santa” list. I should say he is an excellent, thoughtful gift giver and actually has a shopping gene (I worked in retail and can’t fathom it myself), so it’s not a stereotypical guy thing. His colleague said she felt the same way and might suggest the department just go out to lunch instead. Great idea!Some people are able to abstain due to … [Read more...] about How Do You Politely Decline the Workplace Holiday Ritual?

I heard a beautiful rumor yesterday.  Word on the street is that our company holiday party will be canceled this year.  That worries me about the financial state of the organization, but since I'm a silver lining kinda guy, it also makes me happy because it eliminates the stress and anxiety of having to suffer through 4 forced hours of awkward conversation as co-workers down alcoholic beverages.The reality is most people don't enjoy these end-of-year celebrations, most of all, company owners, presidents and CEOs.  On the risk/reward scale, the former wins.  Shaky economic conditions give the Head Honcho  the perfect excuse to be a holiday killjoy.Here are the reasons why your company might cancel the holiday party this year.1) MONEY. Economic times are tight and companies are pinching pennies everywhere they can.  Even if the company can afford it, have you noticed how expensive basic foods have gotten!?  These parties ain't cheap.2) LAZINESS. The … [Read more...] about 7 Reasons Your Company Wants to Cancel the Holiday Party

I have always preached that too much is made about Gen X vs. Gen Y in the world of work.  Generalizing an entire generation, regardless of when they were born, is totally unfair.  One can easily sit back and accuse Gen X of being a bunch of anxiety-ridden control freaks who spend too much time sulking and complaining about work at Happy Hour. Or that Baby Boomers are technologically irrelevant and should be forced into early retirement (or at least coerced to take some social media classes!).  It might not be right, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun to write about. Here are several annoying things that Millenials seem to have in common. - "Did you get my e-mail?" - As a member of society who has grown up with computers and the Internet, you know damn well that there's a 99.9% that I received your e-mail.  The question is, have I had time to read it yet?  The answer is no.  So cool your jets and go back to your desk and read TechCrunch until I'm ready for … [Read more...] about 6 Annoying Things Millennials Do @ the Office

Embrace Your Right-BrainI don’t often think of “creativity” and “business” in the same sentence. Of course there are businesses in the creative sector, but I’m talking about jobs in which most people toil day to day. These folks are rewarded for analytical thinking, decisive actions and level-headedness. Too much creativity might get you marginalized.But as an artist, business owner and corporate-world survivor, I think there’s a place for being creative in business. My feeling is that thinking creatively can unblock those stuck points. You know what I’m talking about - you have a presentation to give, a report to write and you’re drawing a blank. Here’s where you summon up that “right brain” stuff.There has been much research on use of our left and right sides of the brain. The left is said to control logic and rational thinking; the right side, the intuitive, creative thinking. A physics professor might be said … [Read more...] about Tapping Into Creativity at Work