1-Minute Strategies: March ’17
Handling embarrassing moments … Are you addicted to social media?
What don’t they get about ‘urgent’?
Q. Lately, I’ve had two different colleagues fail to reply to my important emails. Both were marked “urgent” but were apparently ignored. One of my colleagues had the audacity to say, “I never got it,” even though I’m sure she was lying. How can I get people to treat my emails seriously?
When you’re doing contract work, know the limits of your influence
Q: “Six months ago, I started a contract job with a small software group. The lead developer is a control freak who has taken over some of the tasks listed in my contract. I talked with the lead developer about his attitude towards me, but nothing changed. Next, I went to the manager of our group and explained that this guy was taking part of my job. Now the lead developer is being given work that clearly should be mine, so I feel that management is siding with him. How do I keep them from reducing my responsibilities?”
Words, Words, Words: February ’17
Write it right, say it right, spell it right.
Going up? The importance of the elevator pitch
The elevator pitch—a brief speech to create interest in your company, your product or yourself—is a staple for those in sales. You may be thinking, I’m an admin, why would I need an elevator pitch? We’re all in sales, whether we’re selling a product, an idea or ourselves to potential customers, our team members or upper management.
Fixing a fallen superstar
Q: “One of my star employees has developed a very negative attitude. During the past three years, I have assigned ‘Kevin’ to desirable projects, given him special bonuses and made him a team leader. However, in the past few months, he has become increasingly arrogant and uncooperative. Kevin does not reply to my emails and withholds important information. He often comes late to meetings and sometimes skips them altogether. Yesterday, he said that he does not respect my leadership style. If I officially reprimand Kevin, I’m afraid he might leave. How should I handle this situation?”
2017 is here. What will you do?
Gretchen Rubin, who wrote The Happiness Project and has a weekly podcast, suggests that each year we choose a theme: a one-word theme or short phrase that represents the new year ahead. What might be your word for 2017?
Take stock of your performance
Take stock of your performance every now and then by asking yourself some of the same questions you’d ask a candidate who applied for your job.
Don’t compare your career to your friend’s
Your friend’s awesome career status on social media can make it hard not to think you’ve made bad career choices.
Is the boss a downer–or is your work just not up to snuff?
Q: “For the past five years, I have worked as a reporter for a daily newspaper. My manager corrects my work in front of others and will sometimes intercept my stories to keep them from being published. He never includes my writing in submissions for national contests. He often talks to me about ‘doing things right’ and has recently taken away some of my responsibilities. This man has been with the company for 25 years and no matter what he does, the publisher backs him all the way. Do I have to take this kind of treatment?” Discouraged