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Extreme Adventure: What Erden Eruc Teaches Us About Work
Tweet Share on Facebook October 30, 2008 CommentOf all the ways I fuel my career journey, one of the most important is with the energy I get from people who inspire me. One huge source of inspiration is my friend Erden Eruc.
Erden is in the midst of a human-powered circumnavigation of the globe, with summit attempts on the highest peak on six continents thrown in for good measure (more on that at around-n-over.org). Recently, he spent 312 days crossing the Pacific in his ocean-rowing boat. Before that, his efforts included a solo row across the Atlantic and bicycling from Seattle to Alaska in the winter to climb Mount McKinley.
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When a New Hire Gets the Cold Shoulder
Tweet Share on Facebook October 30, 2008 Comment (2)I used to own my own business, and I worked solo. Now I am part of a company and having real difficulty fitting in. I come from another culture, not ethnically. I have never been good with groups as there seems to be a hierarchical pecking order. I have been told I am efficient and respectful in work and other contexts. I am empathetic (I remember birthdays and listen, for example) and am not a pushover. The fact that my boss likes me is causing me problems with the coworkers, and I am starting to sabotage myself and shrink into the woodwork. The office politics and the favoritism are making me think of leaving.
The most frustrating part about junior high is that even though everyone physically leaves it behind, some people cling to the behavior their entire lives. It's all about being popular and sitting with the cool kids at lunch.
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Halloween: Gen Y Cares About More Than Costumes
Tweet Share on Facebook October 29, 2008 CommentWe are in the midst of our local United Way campaign here. There's no easier and better place to give a bit back to the local community.
We are a company of mostly 20-somethings—a group some seem to think would define "charity" as buying friends a round of drinks. Wrong. This is a generation that not only believes but acts. Did I say they like to have fun? And did you know that according to the recent DonorTrends Survey, gen X-ers and Y's give MORE than baby boomers? Truth.
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10 Things Not to Do the Day After You're Laid Off
Tweet Share on Facebook October 28, 2008 Comment (6)Now that you know the 10 Things to Do the Day After You're Laid Off, here's what not to do:
1. Don't be ashamed. One thing is certain: In this economy, no one will assume that being laid off was your fault.
2. Don't lose your cool. Feel like E-mailing an angry rant to your boss/coworkers? Of course you do. But, no. Not a good idea.
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Job Search: Don't Stalk the Hiring Manager
Tweet Share on Facebook October 27, 2008 Comment (20)When you're searching for a job, enthusiasm is a good thing. But some job applicants cross the line from enthusiastic and proactive to obnoxiously aggressive—and, in doing so, kill their chances at a job offer.
You have crossed the line if you are doing any of the following:
- Checking on the status of your application daily.
- Phone stalking: Calling, hanging up when you get voice mail, and then trying again half an hour later, and repeating this cycle over and over in the hopes of getting a live person on the other end of the phone.
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Is Workplace Competition Good for You?
Tweet Share on Facebook October 27, 2008 CommentIt's often said that competition brings the best out in people. This might be true in a boxing match, on a football field, or during a Monopoly throwdown, but what does a head-to-head battle yield in the workplace?
Let's look at each of the four parties involved:
YOU
- Pressure can lead to stress. Just the right amount can be a beautiful thing (i.e., the butterflies in your stomach when you first kissed the girl/guy). But when your competitor turns up the heat and forces you to engage when you're not interested, the stress can become too much. And stress is good friends with anger, which can lead to...
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Artful Dodgers: How Some Keep the Boss Happy
Tweet Share on Facebook October 24, 2008 Comment (1)I recall a story about an FBI agent who learned that J. Edgar Hoover was coming to his field station. The news initially frightened the man because Hoover had launched a fitness program for agents and this agent was, to put it delicately, a person of size. The man dieted and exercised, but as the day of the visit approached, he was nowhere near the appearance expected by the Director of Directors.
Then, inspiration struck. The agent went out and purchased a suit several sizes too big. When he finally got to meet J. Edgar, he apologized for his baggy outfit and noted that darned fitness program was going to force him to get a new wardrobe. Hoover beamed and congratulated him on his progress.
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Why a Formal Warning Is No Cue to Act Tough
Tweet Share on Facebook October 23, 2008 Comment (3)I do a great job at work. In fact, I perform at a higher level than my coworkers. However, my boss just gave me a formal warning for coming in late. I'm an exempt employee. I put in more than 50 hours each week.If my work is good and getting done, why does it matter if I'm there by 8:30 every morning?
It matters because it matters to your boss.
Now, we'll set aside the fact that we are often the worst judges of our own performance. What you think is spectacular, your boss may think is mediocre. (And while bad performance is easier to spot in a coworker, superior performance can be hard to gauge from the side view.) But I'll accept that you are a stellar performer.
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Why Successful People Need Help
Tweet Share on Facebook October 23, 2008 Comment (1)Want to make the most of your career? Reach out and ask for help.
Sure, we live in a culture that celebrates rugged self-sufficiency, but it's a mistake to think you can do it all alone. You may have talent and determination, but if you insist on clinging to a lone-wolf mentality, you're likely to fall far short of your potential.
Over the years, I have interviewed a bazillion (or so) people who were highly successful in their careers. From extreme athletes to entrepreneurs, from photographers to CEOs, they all shared one common response when I asked about the keys to that success: "I couldn't have done it alone."
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10 Things to Do the Day After You're Laid Off
Tweet Share on Facebook October 22, 2008 Comment (15)1. Get up early, and exercise. Run, walk, ride your bike, dance to a video. Move your body. Sweat.
2. Shower. Wash hair. Put on makeup if you wear makeup. Put on your favorite outfit. Eat a healthful and tasty breakfast.
3. Write a thank-you note to your former boss. Also to the people you worked with. It's classy. Plus, they will be more likely to remember you if they hear of any other opportunities (so include your contact info).
