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The Smartest In Your Group? Here’s What To Do…
The Color Of Identity….
Here’s CNN video interview with several individuals expressing their journey on deciding whether they identify with a particular race or another. Discrimination abounds and can get Messy. So to some they are thrilled to avoid the upfront open decision of sharing who they really are. Some are thrilled, but later become confused as they are confronted by issues that they need to deal with.
You Are You
As an Organizational Development practitioner, the choice now exists for people to choose when doing background checks. They must choose what gender or race they identify with. No longer can it be taken for granted face-to-face to identify. You are you. You decide which you, you want to be (tongue twister). Such a Fabric of our imagination.
In my research conducted on Success Strategies, this was one of my findings. Leaders when asked what ethnic group they identified with, expressed choices. Some were taken aback by the simple question because they thought it obvious, while others who were of mixed race and could identify with one group or other based on their preference, selected whatever they wanted. The conclusion from the findings of that research…more work needs to be done on this area.
So as I conclude this simple discussion, the question remains….who are you? Do you know? Do share.
Cheers!
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The Top 6 Soft Skills That Will Make You Uniquely Successful….
Soft Skills – personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.
- Adaptability
- Culture Fit
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Growth Potential
- Prioritization
Soft-Skills The Meaning defined
Adaptability refers to the capacity to be modified for a new use or purpose. Culture fit indicates the alignment of behavior between individual and organization. Collaboration is the action of working with someone to produce or create something. Leadership entails the action of leading a group of people or an organization . Growth potential considers the potential an individual has to grow in an organization as their rising stars. Prioritization is the ability to put things to be actioned in order of importance.
Don’t be a Rube, consider these soft skills. Do some self-reflection. How do they compare when you reflect on your relationships at work, off the job, with friends, relatives, with your family and even while networking. If you find yourself lacking in area, take the time to improve. It will be worth it.
Need help? Lets Connect
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6 Tips to Help You Succeed as a Leader
Christian heads many organizations and several Professional Associations. He was always respected. Whatever he says, goes. He retired recently, and decided to use his knowledge to start a renowned Group to make a difference to others in the community. He was successful. Within a year the group grew to several hundreds, with many eager to join his endeavor.
However, Christian has one problem. The group has grown and comprised millennials and others who expect a participatory leadership style. They shared ideas which little by little were shut down, avoided, or disregarded. The members now wonder whether it makes sense for them to be involved in the organization.
A Creature of habit, Christian exhibits the traditional authoritarian leadership style. Permit us to say that we are not sure if that is going to hold in today’s society.
Christina Folz in her article titled Lead From Where You Are, shared 6 tips to help you succeed as a leader:
- Accept Failure
- Embrace who you are
- Build relationships early
- Question Everything
- Find People who Challenge you
- Take initiative
Of the points raised my top three include, accepting failure because it means you have tried. You don’t wait around on your Sleeve until things are safe before stepping out.
Building relationships is also crucial to success. My own research on Success Strategies confirmed this when I interviewed leaders of several organizations to find out the traits that made them successful.
The third point concerned finding and working with people who challenge you. Doing this encourages creativity, and a creative team propels an organization or team’s success.
There you have it, my top favs selected. From the list, do you have a favorite, or two? Do share.
Cheers!
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3 Directions. Which One Are You?
Do What you Can with What you have, Where you are. ~Theodore Roosevelt
~Melanie is at a crossroads in life. She graduated college, got a job and has been working ‘just because‘.
~David has worked as a senior manager for over 10 years but over the past three years he has been dreaming of more. His sense of purpose has been lost. He feels he is drifting.
~It’s been 4 years since Carol lost her job due to restructuring. Since then she has worked odd jobs, has big dreams but through fear hesitates to take the step to Enroll to accomplish her goals.
~Mark dreamed of his passion. Took the steps to achieve and now enjoys the benefits of his entrepreneurial ventures. Still he seeks more ways to learn, develop his skills, and grow.
We have all been there. Life’s crossroads beckons times of reflection pushing us to search deep within our souls to find out if there’s more to life. We ponder about the next step. Where should we go? What should we do? How should we do it? or should we do it at all? John Maxwell speaks about the 3 kinds of people when it comes to Viable directions in life. These are:
3 Kinds of People in Pursuit of Goals
1.People Who Don’t Know what they would like to do.
These people are confused. They dabble, drift, with no sense of direction. If they grow, it is without focus.
2. People who Know what they would like to do but Don’t do it
These people are Profusely frustrated. They worry, they fear. They want to step out but are afraid they won’t be able to take care of their responsibilities. Sometimes they are not willing to pay the price to learn, grow, and move closer to their dream. Sadly, these people also miss out on reaching their potential.
3. People who know what they would like to do and do it.
These people are fulfilled. They possess a strong sense of passion, they achieve their purpose, they grow, they learn, they develop. As they strive for more we Chuckle thinking they are perfect but they know better as they seek continuous development.
You may also like What Does Success Mean to you?
This was previously shared but it’s now time for a revisit. Look back on the list, which type resonates with you? Consider. Reflect. Share. Puzzled and need help? Let’s connect.
Cheers!
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Plan. Do. Check. Act.
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now, We’re on the Move….
When Time Stands Still: Move…
It’s Definitely a Tough Blow to be Fired
A colleague received a call that her mom had to undergo emergency surgery due to an injury. By the time she got to the hospital, the leg had to be removed. Naturally, this was a Shock as her life was immediately turned upside down. She had no choice but to voluntarily resign from her position to be by her mom’s side. She had to be there to assist in any way she could. That was her voluntary decision.
You may not have had the choice. Things happen. You lose your job because of restructuring, organization change, personal issues, and more. All involuntarily. You’re sad. Filled with remorse, and totally depressed.
Don’t get stuck. Take hold of your situation and learn the strategies to:
- Rebuild your Public Profile (Resume, LinkedIn, etc)
- Develop a Success Mindset
- Match The Right Job for you
- Learn Search Strategies
When life throws you lemons, make lemonade. That’s the saying, and its true. When things stand still…move. Do what you can to get back on your feet. It’s called life…things happen. Don’t let it get you down. Get the courage, the strength. Force yourself to stand up and do something about it.
Need help? Let’s Connect!
Cheers!
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15 Ways To Ask For a Raise…
No, don’t do it by email.
George approached his manager asking for a raise. Said he had been with the company for years and was in dire need, unable to meet his personal expenses. He just had a child and threatened that he would resign if it was received.
Sounds familiar? At times many find themselves searching for that Loophole to earn extra cash to supplement their disposable income to do the things you would like to do. Things such as get married; buy your first place; get a larger home for your new and growing family; or simply to getaway on that dream vacation.
But accomplishing these goals is not as easy as most would like. It is then that creativity jumps in as I shared in a recent article on 20 Ways to Earn Extra Income. In that article I promised to share the how to ask your boss for a raise (yikes!). But while this method of increasing your income is upfront, and center (basically right under your nose), it’s not the easiest for us to do. We get nervous, shake, get angry, scared, have sleepless nights, all in our efforts to come up with the most plausible reason why we deserve the salary/rate increase .
15 Ways To Ask For A Raise
Having managed Human Resources internationally for over two decades dealing with issues like this, I’ll share a few pointers on how to do it ‘right‘. How to Evoke the response that will not remain Static with your employer, boss, supervisor–whichever pertains to you.
Here I share:
- Prepare yourself for the ask.
- Timing is everything.
- Consider your company’s policy on salary reviews.
- Evaluate the financial situation of your employer.
- Take on more responsibility.
- Demonstrate your wins, and added values
- Share your goals and ask for feedback
- Request a face to face meeting. If you’re in a different location, use your internal communication channel. Whatever you do, don’t do the initial ask by email.
- Focus on the ‘why‘ not the ‘need’. Why you deserve the increase (not why you need it)
- Practice your pitch and anticipate questions
- Don’t use other colleagues as your argument (he/she received an increase and so should you). That’s the worse thing you can do.
- Don’t discuss workload
- Do your research…know what the market pays
- No, no, no. Be prepared to hear no. It happens. Decide to ask for other things such as bonus, incentives, or personal development opportunities. Be confident that once you’ve asked, you’ve taken that giant step and the request stays in your boss’ mind.
- Never threaten that you will resign.
Still afraid? Have questions? Let’s connect
Cheers!
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Dream Big: Millennials Share Aspirations for the Future
A Goal is defined as the object of a person’s ambition or effort, an aim or desired result.
Dreams, goals, aspirations! Don’t we all have them? At the end of each year most reflect on where they are, and where they wish to go. Here I share millennial’s’ thoughts on what they hope to achieve this decade.
- Create the most epic new job that is aligned with my soul
- Professional and personal ventures
- Jump into my authentic self and apply for a dream role that will involve more if I am chosen
- Start a therapeutic farm
- Jump into success
- Jump into adventure
- Jump into independence
- Publish great original writing
- Start strategy and marketing consulting business
- Jump into God’s plan for my life
- Finding and developing a career that impact the lives of others that inspires me to learn
- A new life
- More me-time and more international travel
- Jump into a few creative jobs with even more creative clients
- Turn my new opportunity into something I am proud of
- Finishing my Masters
- Finding myself again
- Leading a group for women who feel stuck or lost focused on building confidence and an action plan
Wow! Brilliant, lots of jumps! Do any of the above resonate with you? Do share!
Cheers!
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How They Started…Writers Tell…
Ever wanted to write? Ever wondered how other writers got started? What’s their Funnel? We are intrigued by writing veterans the likes of Stephen King, and countless others. Many wannabe writers are scared to take the leap. So it was with a breath of fresh air that the writing tips asked the question about how writers got started. Intrigued, I dug deeply. Here I share excerpts of some of their thoughts.
- I hid in my words starting at 10 to hide from the pain
- My cousin said that I looked like someone who writes poetry. So I gave it a try, and fell in love with it.
- I always loved reading and wanted to create stories. Then my parents took me to see the dolphins when I was 8 or 9 years old, and I wrote my first story about this adventure. After this I feel in love with writing because sometimes the stories we create or even just a part of them can become true.
- I was 5 years old and wrote about a superhero
- I didn’t want to do my math homework but still wanted to look like I was being productive, and that’s how I’ve written about two books.
- I had a dream and wanted to make a story out of it
- I can’t remember a time I haven’t been writing! Before I could write I drew the pictures and told my parents what to write
- What really pushed me into writing other than school assignment was role-playing
- When I was younger I had a speech impediment the only way I could truly talk was through writing. Still to this day I write better than I can talk.
- My baby sitter wrote stories about the group of kids from our neighborhood who were superheroes. I loved listening to her read them, my love of reading and writing was born, I was 3-4 years old
- My siblings and I used to create the most intricate imaginary games. As I got older, I began wanting to write them down. I haven’t stopped.
- A sixth grade narrative assignment. Upon handing it back, my teacher said I had talent and could make it as a writer. I was speechless.
- So I could be right-brained in school while looking like I’m working on my assignments
- I started when I was mentally at a shitty place and needed an outlet to how I was feeling. Writing became my therapy. It healed me.
Are you a writer? Let’s hear how you got started.
Cheers!
