Five Rules of the Real Work World

5 Rules of the Real World of Work

Dress Code:  If you would wear it when you are home sick, do not wear it to work.  No matter how casual the work environment, it is always appropriate to look neat and put-together.  75% of a first impression is based on appearance, research shows.  Your choice of clothing should show that you care about your appearance and your career.

Advancement:  Raises and promotions are earned not given.  Assess what you’re offering to your employer or even your clients.  If there is something they need or care about that you're not providing, start working today to fill in the gaps.

Etiquette:  Your cell phone is off limits unless you’re on break.
Continually checking your text messages or emails is just impolite and unprofessional; even if you're a millennial.  Lunch with your boss, a staff meeting, or a conversation with a client is not the time to check your text messages or emails.

Performance:  Perfection is not expected but attention to detail is.  Mistakes will happen but they should not happen due to carelessness. Double check your work.  Proofread your writing.  Always strive for accuracy.  Simply put, be conscientious.

Initiative:  Even if you did not cause the problem, you can find the solution. Offer up ideas for resolving issues with products, services, clients, and even within your team.  All your ideas probably won’t be utilized.  Nevertheless, others will notice your efforts and initiative.

Presidential Qualities

Monday was President's Day, even though for most of the country it was overshadowed by record snowfall and frigid temps.  It was originally instated to honor Presidents Washington and Lincoln.  In fact, it generally occurs on or around Washington's birthday which is February 22nd.  Like many of you, I've been snowed in most of the week.  So, I spent a few moments reflecting on President's Day.  In my reflection, I identified Four Core Competencies that Make Presidents Credible.

Honesty

President Lincoln was called "Honest Abe".  George Washington was credited with never telling a lie.  Conversely, Presidents Clinton and Nixon are remembered for untruths they told. Honesty, or the lack of it, leaves an impression.  

Real honesty is telling the truth even when it doesn't benefit you.  People will eventually see through deceitfulness, falsehoods, and flattery.  These forms of trickery can destroy the credibility of a leader, while integrity builds lifelong trust and respect.

Commitment

Franklin D. Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio at age 39. Though he was paralyzed from the waist down Roosevelt continued to serve as the Governor of New York and went on to serve a record four terms as President.

Unquestionably, leaders must be committed to be successful.  Commitment to goals is critical for progress.  Commitment to promises is essential for credibility.  In coaching sessions, I remind leaders that a commitment to serving others can make a difference in being forgotten and leaving a legacy.

Charisma

Despite his scandals, President John F. Kennedy is known for commanding a room.  Among other things, he is remembered for his charm and strong presence.  Even if you don't consider yourself to be a people person, it's important to engage, smile warmly, and show people you care.  Poise

Poise

Whatever their political affiliation, most pundits agree that President Obama is cool under pressure.  He’s become notorious for his witty repartee, one liners, and quick comebacks. Even in the face of insults and name calling, he smiles, ignores the backlash, and stays focused.   As a leader you must be emotionally intelligent.  You need to effectively harness our feelings and control your responses.  This will strengthen your relationships and set you apart.

Career Strategies for Any Stage In Your Career

Some strategies work better than others.  Here are a couple that work and a couple that don’t.

Strategy 1:  When making a career change, you need to go back to school.

MYTH – You may not have to go back to school at all.  You may only need to figure out if you have the skills your prospective employers are looking for to address their needs or solve their problems.  For example, if you were a lawyer and now want to transition into non-profit fundraising, you will need to focus on your relationship building skills, selling skills, and communications skills; all of which are essential for a fundraising role. 

Strategy 2:  Recent college grads should take any job and go after their dream job later.

TRUTH - Any job can provide opportunities to develop skills that will help you land your dream job.  If you aspire to be a news reporter but can’t secure a job in that field, take any job that will give you opportunities to present ideas, conduct research, and communicate verbally and in writing.  

Strategy 3:  If you don’t have a good relationship with your boss, try forming relationships with your bosses’ boss or others in the organization.

TRUTH – Even if you do get along with your boss, building relationships throughout the organization is beneficial.  Relationships are power.  The more you have, the more influential you become.  This doesn't mean you can bypass your boss for things only your boss can provide, like work assignments, spending permission, or a change in your work schedule.  Nevertheless, having mentors and advisors who can share their knowledge and provide unbiased feedback, can help you develop and reach your career goals. 

Strategy 4:  When interviewing for a new job prepare mainly to discuss your last job and what you did there.

MYTH – You will need to sell a few things in that interview. You will sell your knowledge, your skills/abilities, your positions, and your personal attributes.  You need to demonstrate to the interviewer that you understand what they need and you’re able to provide that.  

Adding More Value

A 2015 Harvey Nash survey shows that HR professionals are increasingly unhappy with their jobs.  Part of that dissatisfaction stems from the way HR is perceived.  It’s perceived as a place of punishment, restriction, secrets, and  control.    The question is:  How can we change this perception to one of performance, strategies, and inclusion.  It takes more than just a title change and new business cards to transform your image from bureaucrat to business partner.   It takes action. Fortunately,  you don’t have to wait for someone to give you permission or approval to change the brand of your department, your team , or just yourself.

Here are some actions to take right away to achieve quick wins.

Read a book and talk about it.  When your stay aware of trends, practices, and news related to your industry, you’re in a better position to be an adviser to your internal clients.  Articles, white papers, and book summaries, are great ways to stay informed as well.

Share a success story.  Sometimes my clients feel like their situation is the worst one ever.   They believe there couldn't possibly be a feasible fix.  I assure them that they are not the only person to deal with a team member who wears PJ's to work; a vendor who tells inappropriate jokes; or an employee who does great work, but can’t play nice with others.   I share success stories of how I've seen these issues resolved.  More importantly, I share with them what course of action it took to reach that happy ending.

Share solution alternatives.  When a client comes to you with an issue, they may already have a solution in mind. Rather than just mindlessly executing what they have requested, partner with them to reach the best solution.  Talk about the proven strategies and alternatives.  Discuss pros and cons of each possibility.  Then make a recommendation based on the resources, time-frames, risks, and benefits involved. 

As an HR professional,  you have the professional expertise and background that sets you apart;  your HR history is an asset and so are you.  Before you know it, peers and leaders throughout your organization will see you as a partner; not because you told them you are, but because you prove it.

WHAT, SO WHAT, NOW WHAT!

It’s another new year – another January.  This is the time of year that is supposed to be pivotal.  It’s when we make potentially life altering, or at least habit changing decisions.  Yes, it’s that time again.   But, research shows that despite our best intentions we end up, in 3 weeks or less, abandoning all those great ideas, hopes, and promises called resolutions.

Let’s think about a different way of approaching resolutions.  In fact, let’s not call them resolutions at all.   Let’s call them life changes.  In order to make effective life changes we really need to think about what we want.  What we desire in our lives.  We have to take stock of some things.  I call it evaluating the What, So What, and Now What.  It’s a three-part process that leads to life changes.

What

Consider what matters most to you.  Think about what you want to accomplish, what you value, or even what your dreams are.  For example, you might desire an advanced degree. The degree would be your What.

So What

After you determine your What, you have to be sure about why it matters.  The significance of the What will keep you driven, motivated and accountable.   For example, So What explains why you desire that advanced degree.  It might be something you need to achieve in order to get promoted, afford a better education for your children, retire early, or simply have more career fulfillment.   These are important results you might be seeking in your life.  So when your What gets tough, you keep pushing on because of the so what.

Now What

This is where you consider how you will achieve what you want.  It’s where you will begin as well as the ongoing steps you will take to accomplish your What.  In order to get from where you are now to where you want to be there will be work, effort, and probably sacrifice as well.  But, you cant get there overnight; it will likely be a journey.  For example, if you want an advance degree (what), in order to get promoted (so what), you first have to identify and apply for schools.  Some research will be in order to determine the different programs available, cost involved, and requirements. 

That's how your What becomes reality.

'Tis the Season To Get Stressed Out!

I'm learning a little something about stress these days.  I recently got married, I  am in the process of building a new home,  I'm negotiating details to move my mother in with us, and we are starting a new family.  Not to mention I'm running a business,  managing real estate investments, teaching fitness classes and staying active with church ministries.  I've learned that busyness can mean stress, even when the busyness is beautiful.

What I've learned through this ever-changing journey could help you:

I don't perform or react ideally when I'm too_____________.
When I'm too tired, too frustrated, too sad etc I'm not at my best. When I feel myself becoming too (insert emotion here), I know its time for a chat with my bestie, a catnap, a walk or a quick game of candy crush saga to get me back on track.

I need to be heard.  
Sometimes I need to vent.   When I'm overwhelmed, I can't always see the forest for the trees. I might also need help talking through decisions and problem solving.

Encouragement drives me. 
I'm a self motivated person. I don't usual need help getting and staying motivated.   But there are days (like yesterday, for example) when I get locked out of my car, sprain my wrist, have a disagreement with my partner  and I'm running late to my meeting when I just need an extra push. ..or better yet a hug.  I need someone to remind me that I can do it and tell me everything will be OK.

The key is knowing myself.
It's imperatives that I successfully analyze and access what I need.  Then I have to know what source to seek out in order to get the appropriate direction and support.  It's no different than the principles I teach in leadership development workshops.   Know what you need;  know who can give it to you; and ask for it.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
www.site.yourenhance.com

Stress Is Tearing Down Organizational Performance

I was recently introduced to The Chair.  It is no ordinary chair, of course. It has headphones that play relaxing sounds, dark glasses to bring the hemispheres of the brain into balance & numerous rotating and gyrating elements to provide a soothing massage. By reducing stress it is said to improve staff performance.  As a result, a growing numbers of organizations are investing in them and making them available for use on site.

This reminded me of a company where I used to work where there was a billiards table in the conference room. It also brings to mind a manufacturing client of mine where, every time I visit, I find a foursome is playing ping-pong in the gym.   Were the employees happier, more productive, more engaged?  Some research says yes.

It’s easy to discount and dismiss this topic or push it to back burner to address more pressing matters. But according to the American Institute of Stress at ‘Job Pressure’ is the biggest single cause of stress in the US. The annual cost to employers in stress-related health care and missed work, they suggest, is a massive $300 Billion – and it’s getting worse.   So if your company is looking for ways to reduce costs and increase profitability, stress reduction could be the way.

According to Towers Watson’s Global Benefits Attitudes survey, workplace disengagement increases significantly when stress is high, and so do levels of sick leave.  Also stress employees tend to ‘retire on the job’ – that’s the practice of showing up to work & consistently being under-productive.

Should HR and Talent Development professionals be paying more attention to finding solutions to stress? Or should they focus on areas that are easier to measure?

What works best to de-stress and motivate in your organization?

And what stressful issues are you dealing with presently?