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When Being Nice Is a Bad Move
Tweet Share on Facebook May 2, 2008 Comment (5)Lois Frankel, author of See Jane Lead: 99 Ways for Women to Take Charge and Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office, offers the kind of tough, constructive advice that I wish women would hear more often. The following—a recent entry from her shared blog The Thin Pink Line—is a perfect example (emphasis is mine):
I have such mixed feelings about this true story. Two college women's softball teams were competing this week in Oregon when one player hit the ball out of the park but couldn't make it around the bases. Apparently her leg gave out from under her and she couldn't run. It's against the rules for one of her teammates to run for her. When a member of the opposing team realized what was happening she opted to carry the young woman around the bases so that her run would count (and as it turned out it was the winning run). When asked why she did such a generous thing, she said she always learned it wasn't about winning or losing but about how you play the game. On the one hand, I love the fact that the young woman who came to the rescue showed compassion for her opponent. On the other hand, I know that this exact same behavior in the workplace causes adult women to miss out on their fair share of pay, benefits, opportunities, etc. As women, we must differentiate when compassion is called for and when it's OK to compete to win. Relying only on behaviors taught in childhood to the exclusion of having other "tricks up your sleeve" is a recipe for ultimate failure. Be compassionate. Be generous of spirit. But also know when—and how—to play hardball.
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Sign Me Up for Genetic Testing!
Tweet Share on Facebook May 1, 2008 Comment (32)The vast majority of us reportedly are concerned that if we consent to genetic testing, it will come back to bite us at work, where employers could use certain data against us. It's dangerous to our health, however, if those fears get in the way of consent. From the International Herald Tribune:
Without genetic testing, researchers say it will be more difficult to find early, lifesaving therapy for a wide range of diseases with hereditary links such as breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Parkinson's disease....
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Letter to a Future Minister
Tweet Share on Facebook April 30, 2008 Comment (4)To a student or recent graduate considering the ministry,
If you are one of the many Americans who have watched the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's performance at the National Press Club, or perhaps read the transcript of his remarks, you may be confused as to the function of a minister.
Allow me to offer some clarification.
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Finished Sentences: Cubs Chair Crane Kenney
Tweet Share on Facebook April 29, 2008 CommentCrane Kenney is in charge of the Chicago Cubs—not a simple job. Not only is the baseball team's chairman charged with winning a World Series for a much-beloved franchise that hasn't done so in 100 years, but now both the team and its legendary ballpark, Wrigley Field, are up for sale. Fans who previously worried about winning a pennant now fret over the prospect of watching the Cubs play in a ballpark renamed "SynComTel Field," as the Washington Post teased.
But Kenney, who is pulling double duty as Tribune Co. general counsel until mid-May, when he'll focus on the Cubs full time, seems not at all daunted. Read on for his take on smart hires and commanding leads:
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Help Wanted: U.S. President. Must Love Motorcades.
Tweet Share on Facebook April 28, 2008 Comment (2)All American citizens are basically hiring managers for the role of president of the United States, so we ought to be pretty familiar with what the position entails. But most of us stopped paying attention to the details after junior high, when we learned something like this, from the Scholastic website:
As chief executive, he enforces laws, treaties, and court rulings; develops federal policies; prepares the national budget; and appoints federal officials. He also approves or vetoes acts of Congress and grants pardons.
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Hitting a New Job Running
Tweet Share on Facebook April 25, 2008 CommentIt's not news that succeeding at a new job is very difficult. But I'm not sure that I ever really understood why until I read this week's Wall Street Journal interview (subscription required) with Pfizer CEO Jeffrey Kindler. Kindler had this to say about delivering results:
You have to set a strong foundation before you can do much else. I think it would be foolish to try to accomplish a lot of things before you have the capabilities of doing them, and we needed to fix the foundation of this company in a whole host of ways.
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Come, See: the Oddest Jobs in the World!
Tweet Share on Facebook April 24, 2008 Comment (8)Think your job is tough? It never occurred to me that there might be a woman in a white lab coat heading to work everyday to taste-test dog food—or someone designing men's underwear, right on a fit model. Frankly, I'm not sure which career involves more awkward moments.
You can check out these 10 fascinating images of people working very odd jobs at the blog What Would Dad Say?
It may be a source of enlightenment—perhaps you're missing your calling as a gumbuster—or it may bring relief, as in, you might be allergic to your coworker in a neighboring cubicle, but at least you're not collecting pollen all day. And, speaking of collecting, you'll be glad to know that a semen collector works with bulls.
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Boo Hoo! Employers as Baby Sitters
Tweet Share on Facebook April 23, 2008 Comment (4)Americans are livid about rising healthcare costs, particularly as food and fuel costs jump and the stock market quivers. But, frankly, where on earth do we get off? We're outraged at something we can absolutely mitigate but expect to be mitigated for us.
For example: Corporate wellness programs are one way companies try to lower healthcare costs by providing incentives for employees to take care of themselves. But the programs can run afoul of the law, reports Human Resource Executive, which follows on an earlier story in the Philadelphia-based Legal Intelligencer that actually warned companies to let the wellness-program trend pass by. From Human Resource Executive:
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Please Take This Job
Tweet Share on Facebook April 22, 2008 CommentFor the third consecutive year, sales representatives, technicians, accountants or finance staff, and machinists are among the 10 hardest jobs to fill in this country, according to a Manpower survey of 3,000 U.S. employers.
From Manpower:
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Something for Your Coffee Break
Tweet Share on Facebook April 22, 2008 CommentTaking short breaks during your workday to focus on something else is actually beneficial, as it helps in the formation of memories.
Here are a few break-time activities that can increase your break-derived benefits:
• Find a career that's a sure thing.
• Polish your online profile.
• Get fit at your desk.
• Improve the environment.
• Practice your typing skills.
