Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own. ~Bruce Lee
Tag: career
13 Things I Learned From Working With A Micro Manager…
Give me guidance, not micro management
Micromanagement. It’s negative. Besides the organizational impact of higher turnover, stress, lowered productivity, team members suffer dire consequences when being micro-managed. We dare say that many still practice it… but is it wise? Is there a basis for micromanagement?
Micromanagement is a management style whereby a manager closely observes and/or controls the work of his/her subordinates or employees. Micromanagement is generally considered to have a negative connotation, mainly due to the fact that it shows a lack of freedom in the workplace
Below are some simple examples of reasons learnt from working with a Micromanager.
- Not to micromanage
- It’s frustrating
- Time goes by slowly and you long for weekends and holidays
- It induces lack of confidence
- You question yourself “am I doing it right?“
- You double and triple-check your work to make sure there are no mistakes
- You become insecure, often asking yourself; “am I going to lose my job today?”
- Productivity increases when the boss is absent because employees are ‘happier’. The opposite is also true because employees feel relieved, relaxed and become unproductive
- The micromanager rarely gives praise because he/she is focused on finding mistakes
- Micromanagement causes increased Stress which leads to health issues and absenteeism
- Individuals make irrational decisions when they become frustrated. Some even throw in the towel and resign without knowledge of the next steps.
- Turnover is high
- The micro manager is a control freak because he/she is often insecure
Were you ever micro-managed? How did it affect you? Do share. We would love to hear.
Cheers!
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Spring Clean Your Resume. 3 Ways…
Once a year, do something different for you.
It’s time. Yes, time to do that clean-up of your home. That’s normal you say. But what about your career? When was the last time you did something about it? Have you taken the time to look at you? If an opportunity showed up today, would you be ready? Hmmm…no worries, we got you covered. Here are 3 ways to help you freshen up your resume and get you ready for that next move.
1.Trash it
Get rid of old data. Ever looked at your resume and wondered now when was that? It’s a sure indication of how often we look at our personal information included on our resume. You may have changed jobs. You may have changed positions in the same organization. Update it. Yes, do it.
2.You Aced It!
Learnt a new software program? Participated in professional development? New certification or recently graduated? Add it! That’s the whole purpose. To learn and impress decisions makers that you are able to ace the new opportunity.
3.Expose It!
Turn your mundane job responsibilities into achievements. Take a look at what you have achieved. What did your manager last commend you for? Did you change or simplify a process that increased productivity? Did you redesign a program that saved cost? What about a suggestion you made that positively impacted the bottom-line? Reflect on the good and expose it!
The above are just a few ideas to help you clean things up in your career. Create that fresh start. Once it’s done, don’t stop there. Add it to your LinkedIn profile. You never know what’s in store for you. Need help? Let’s connect.
Cheers!
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The Admin Cove’s 10 Ways To Successfully Leave Your 9-5 Job…
Start doing what is necessary. Then do what’s possible. Then suddenly you’re doing the impossible. ~St. Francis of Assisi
Many are the dreams of entrepreneurs. Those new who are brave enough to start and those who are still dreaming keep the momentum going through 101+ Empowering Quotes For New Entrepreneurs. If you are among those who wish to make the move, the Admin Cove shared 10-ways to safely and Successfully leave your 9-5 Job. Here I share their tips:
1]. Start with a goal and make a decision. This can be a goal of when you want your last day to be or what you would like to do. Written goals are more likely to be accomplished than non-written goals.
2]. Redesign your life. Begin to become conscious of your budget, your spending habits, and put together a plan of where you can cut corners in the meantime.
3]. Pick up a side hustle. Picking up extra work can help you save but more importantly, can provide you with a back-up plan for when you are ready to leave.
4]. Save up 3-months of salary. In the event that your business/backup plan takes longer to get off the ground, It’s good to have at least 3-months worth of salary saved up and ready to go for spending needs.
5]. Become laser focused on your plan. Keep your vision front and center DAILY and make sure to stay focused on the end goal.
6]. Work weekends, nights, and through lunch. Take advantage of the time you have outside of work and Budget your time wisely based on your lifestyle/family life. Always make sure to set aside ample time to focus on building your business/perfecting your craft.
7]. Master 1 skill. Focus on 1 skill which you’re already good at. Then, work on improving it. Stick to what you know in the beginning and become the best.
8]. Keep quiet about your goals. When possible, try to avoid sharing your goals with too many people especially those you work with.
9]. Don’t burn any bridges. Maintain healthy relationships with everyone you work with includes your boss. You never know when your paths will cross again and you may need their help or vice versa.
10]. Jump! Basically when you’re ready, make that leap. The more you think about it and worry about job security, the less likely you’ll make the decision to leave.
There you have it. Prepare your plans. Step our and realize your entrepreneurship dream,
Cheers!
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Your Vision. Re-Brand And Grow…
Personal branding is about managing your name — even if you don’t own a business — in a world of misinformation, disinformation, and semi-permanent Google records. Going on a date? Chances are that your “blind” date has Googled your name. Going to a job interview? Ditto. ~Tim Ferriss
Your Brand It’s You
That cross-trainer you’re wearing; one look at the distinctive swoosh on the side tells everyone who’s got you branded. That coffee travel mug you’re carrying…ah, you’re a Starbucks woman! Your T-shirt with the distinctive Champion “C” on the sleeve, the blue jeans with the prominent Levi’s rivets, your fountain pen with the maker’s symbol crafted into the end” … and we could go on, and on. ~Brand Guru, Tom Peters.
My appetite whet from Tom Peter’s insight, I reflected on branding which tells the experience you have when doing business with others. As I reflect on my own brand, my vision becomes clear. To motivate and inspire others to go after their dreams. The impetus is for them to believe; to achieve; and to succeed.
Even though I have studied leadership and success at the post graduate level, and subsequently published books on Success Strategies, there still needs to be beauty and style in the platform used to interact with others. The intention is to fuel the traction to build trust and solidify the brand’s reputation for its own success. Through motivation, leadership, inspiration and success, I write to empower your success as an individual, new author or new entrepreneur.
What about your brand? Are you where you want to be? Maybe it’s time to re-brand. Revitalize. Energize. Move forward to pump up your dreams to new heights. Need help? Lets connect.
Cheers!
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What’s Your Why? Here’s Mine…
Actions are visible, motives are secret. ~Samuel Johnson
Affluent, distinguished, go-getter one day she suffered a stroke. In an instant Alice’s life changed. Weekly physical therapy became routine to return to normal. Sadly, the job she previously had also left her.
Despondent she wanted to know what to do. She decided to search before the end came. Sad and down she called. We talked and talked for days, weeks and after several rounds of coaching she excitedly announced to her peers that she got another job….one directly related to her dreams. She felt alive again.
Sheryl, a journalist for well more than a decade was tired of her job. But each time we talked about her career change… it seems she got pregnant. Two children later she decided she had enough. It was time to take the leap. She acted. Today she’s excited about her new job and her career change.
Chloe, a bank manager, wanted to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Instead she took the leap to another well paying banking opportunity where she commuted 3 hours to and from work every day. Sadly, her stride to achieve her goal halted. She was devastated. Today she’s still waiting.
Here’s Why I Coach
I do it to help you achieve your goals, your dreams, your aspirations. I do it to bring out what’s inside. To make it real as it did for Alice and Sheryl. However, if you are like Chloe there is still hope for success. But don’t wait too long. Get the book Ditch It. Switch It today. Let’s connect and start your journey now.
Cheers!
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Your Doubts Create Mountains. Your Actions Move Them…
The Very Thing That I Spent Years To Build Has Turned Out To Be My Worst Nightmare…
Tis sad. As I reflect, I have come to realize that the very thing that I sought; the thing that I spent years to build; the very thing that I depleted my resources for…has turned out to be my worst nightmare.
Education
Yup it’s education. I invested my resources in education. Every last penny that I had, I invested in higher education. When that was done, I took out student loans. My thinking? I’d have a great job that will pay me more than enough to cover my loans and have more left over to live comfortably for the rest of my life.
Not So
Alarmed I now realize that it’s not so… for the very thing I sought, hides from me. They say I’m too qualified! It makes me weak to think of their mediocre thinking. Sad minds that don’t realize that the very thing they seek – qualified, experienced, good worker, committed, dedicated, forward-thinking, hardworking, results-driven, is the very thing they push away.
So what do I do?
The Future Is Bright
This rant was shared with me by a friend. Tis Sad. For her it’s education. For you it might be a relationship with your spouse, children, family or friends. It might be your house, car, assets that you have worked long and hard for.
But though my friend has a point and it’s hard when she’s going through this rough patch, the Future is Bright! Daily I encourage her to never give up. To fight the good fight. Things will get better. Through prayer, resilience, and continued fight for a better life, the revelation will come . As she seeks clarity in her path she will realize that one day soon things will get better.
Are you like my friend, frustrated with retarded career growth? Don’t go it alone. Let’s connect.
Cheers!
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Success: The Passion. The Show. The Win…
Just love it when we do what we do with a difference! The attitude is contagious.
UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi earned a perfect 10.0 score for this incredible routine she performed over the weekend. Here’s a peek at the routine.
Success sure delight!
Cheers!
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Goals. Just Start…
What Have I Done? This is Crazy!
New job offer. Relocation. Tons of change. Excitement in the midst of fear. But it comes with the territory. Getting up and going to another land…faraway. Giving up the familiar …
Stay Focused. Go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals. ~LL Cool J
What have I done? This is crazy!
New job offer. Relocation. Tons of change. Excitement in the midst of fear. But it comes with the territory. Getting up and going to another land…faraway. Giving up the familiar is no snack. It is scary… but when we do it, we learn new things about ourselves and about others.
Moving From One Place To The Next
Have you ever watched HGTV’s House Hunters International? Well if you have, you would know that those who take on moving from one country to the next have brave hearts. They give up jobs, family, friends, and often wish they could take their home culture with them. Often they must give up a lot. China! New Zealand! Paris! Japan! The Caribbean! and more for those fascinating new ventures!
We often say we want a change yet we want to hold onto the familiar. It’s normal. In my early career managing international HR, I had the task of sending executives to relocate overseas. It intrigued me so much that I studied Cross Cultural Management. It was often a challenge for those who took the step. But those who embraced the host culture survived beyond the honeymoon stage. They became acclimated to the new culture filled with its languages, people, food, and new experiences.
It Works. Stick With It
But like anything else, it works if we stick with it. Naturally if you find yourself among those who don’t like the experience after you’ve done it, no problem. At least you can still say “I did it“!
Only the adventurous can gleefully say “what have I done? This is crazy!” with a smile and the satisfaction of new learnings, and exposure.
Are you a new entrepreneur? Get your daily boost of Motivation in 101+ Empowering Quotes for New Entrepreneurs. More interested in career development? Get your FREE copy of the 7 Essential Steps to Busting Those Career Barriers
Cheers to the new adventurous you!
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Just Snoozing…
Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush on Pexels.com
Click the snooze button and you chill for a bit. Click the off button and you’re in for big trouble.
That’s how it is with your life goals. You can snooze for a bit to recoup, take a break, breathe. But if you stop…then you get stuck and nothing happens.
Be encouraged, things could be worse. So today, start moving. Stop snoozing. Take action. To stand still is to be left behind.
Cheers!
