Tag: work

The Exploder: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 4

Kathi and Katherine talk about the workplace exploder on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime episode.

What are the signs and symptoms of an “exploder?”

How should you deal with an angry boss or coworker that goes from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds? Listen here.

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#24: Layoffs & Reorganization – My Crazy Office, Season 4

Kathi and Katherine talk about layoffs on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.

First we give advice about what to do when your company downsizes.

Then we discuss why layoffs and re-orgs happen.

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Fear of Success: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 4

Kathi and Katherine talk about the fear of success on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime episode.

What is the fear of success and how does it differ from fear of failure?

Are you holding yourself back? Listen here.

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#23: Unsolicited Feedback – My Crazy Office, Season 4

Kathi and Katherine talk about feedback this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.

First we give advice about how to handle a boss that gives unsolicited feedback.

Then we discuss what makes feedback constructive or un-constructive.

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What’s one thing you can complete today?

In this age of multi-tasking, multi-texting, multi-platforms and constant responding, it can be very difficult to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of a work day.

Each day may require that you attend several meetings, respond to hundreds of emails, juggle many projects.

One way to help yourself get organized is to simply decide on ONE THING that you need to accomplish each day. Pick one thing — it could be a sales pitch you need to finish or an important email that you want to send. It could be a call you’ve been meaning to make, or a design you want to refine.

Focus on and complete one thing — It will help the rest of your day fall into place. And it will satisfy that part of your mind that needs to see results.

Try it. Pick one thing. Complete it. Check it off the list. Then see how you feel.

What does it take to re-invent your career?

As an executive coach in today’s economy I find myself helping many clients re-invent their careers. I like to say “welcome to the age of opportunity disguised as loss.” As industries shrink and change, staying on top of your skills and seeing work in a slightly different way becomes the new survivor’s thinking.

Re-inventing your career usually requires a period of unknowing; of being a beginner again. You must be willing to learn new skills, investigate new industries and build new relationships.

During this kind of career transition, it’s possible to construct an interim, more general definition of your talents, skills and capabilities. This short-term identity is based on the skills that you’d like to continue to use as you enter your new career path.
Here are 5 tips to remember when re-inventing your career.

  1. – Get help in defining the skills and talents that you’d like to apply to a new position.
  2. – Build your credibility in this new area by volunteering, interning or getting trained or educated.
  3. – Attend events where you can meet new people and forge new business relationships.
  4. – Find others who have successfully re-invented their careers for support.
  5. – Practice positive thinking while navigating your discomfort.

Before You Offer Advice…

Before you offer advice, make sure that the person on the receiving end is open to hearing it.

Sometimes, we think we know what someone needs to do or say or even wear at work. We’re sure that we’re right, and if our colleague or client would just listen to us, a certain problem or situation would immediately improve.

But offering unsolicited advice to someone who’s not ready to receive it can create more problems going forward.

Before you offer advice, stop and take the recipient’s temperature.

Say, “I’ve got a few ideas about how to resolve _________. Let me know when you’re ready to hear it.”

If you’re itching to advise a colleague on a personal matter like health or weight or love life, you’re better off waiting until that person requests your input.

If you can’t hold it in, say, “I’m having a strong reaction to ________. Can we discuss it?” Or “I’m really concerned about ________ . “ and see how the listener responds.

It may be hard to zip your lip. You may feel anxious and frustrated. But learning when and how to offer advice is an important life skill. It takes practice to offer assistance in a way that can be received.

Low on HoHoHo

It’s that time of year again, and I’m in a frenzied, anxious state of mind. How are you? If you are able to weather this holiday season calmly, please tell me your secret. Tell me because, despite my best efforts, I find this time of year deplorable.

Don’t get me wrong — I love the lights, I like the fellowship, I like the idea of reconnecting with family and friends. But I hate the pressure and the barrage of advertisers insisting that I buy, buy, buy.

My hohoho usually comes from enjoying people, not things. At work, I am grateful for my clients, my business partner, our agent, our vendors, our service providers and everyone else who makes daily interactions and business exchanges pleasurable.

At home, I’m grateful for my loving husband, my stepchildren, my extended family and our overall health.

Okay, now I’m feeling a little bit better. But there’s still so much to do, right? I welcome your ideas on experiencing joy or peace or laughter or light during this time of year.