It’s only natural to interpret work interactions personally. Because someone doesn’t respond to your emails, accept meeting invites, it’s easy to think that it’s because they don’t like you. Before you make that leap, it might help to think about the following:
There’s been a lot of discussion on the importance of IQ and EQ in the workplace: I generally categorize the IQ as how smart are you….ability to grasp complexity, figure out problems quickly, get to the answers. EQ is “how well you play with others”: self awareness, empathy, the ability to get others to want to be on your side. But here’s the make or break quality that is key….even if you are great at the other two things. Continue reading
I don’t mean the title to sound snobby, but so much of what you hear is about mentors and sponsors…who typically are more senior than you. I find there is tremendous value in those people who are lower in the organization who are high performers, tell you the truth, and can be trusted to have a conversation. (Here’s my litmus test: would I hire them if I left the organization? If the answer is yes, they are probably someone I trust).
Often my conversations with more junior people tend to be about the questions they want to ask: about career, awkward situations, difficult people. What I have found to be interesting is their perspective on how things are going: what’s working, what needs improvement. “If there was one thing they could change, what would it be?” is the question I often ask if they seem reticent.
It’s easy as you get more senior to lose touch with organization: the higher you are, the more people want to please you by telling you what they think you want to hear. It’s important to have those people in the organization who you trust to give you their perspective. Chances are, it’s closer to reality.
So sometime in your career you will have the very flattering moment when someone you’ve worked for in the past wants to hire you away. If you already have a job, this becomes riskier because you’re leaving to go somewhere else…so you want to be wise. A couple of things to keep in mind: Continue reading
This was a great article by Ron Lieber…”How Much is enough? After necessities, consider quality of life”. I was thrilled to see that Vicki Robbin, co-author of “Money or Your Life” was quoted. I read this classic many years ago, and still abide by its principles.
What makes this book different is that it doesn’t explain financial products. It is a very straightforward, no-nonsense way to think about money as it relates to your life. Ultimately, people would like financial independence….to not have to work. The premise is this: we all can become financially independent, which means we don’t rely solely on our jobs for income.
It requires that we save and invest to generate income to cover our expenses. Everything you spend money on and how much debt you have will affect your ability to be financially independent. Not everyone gets there…but the book has inspiring stories of people who can take lesser paying jobs doing what they love. Any amount of financial independence is good…it’s not all or nothing.
This made a lot of sense to me. When I read the book, I didn’t know when I wanted to retire, but I knew I didn’t want to have to work forever if I could help it. I wouldn’t say I was great at negotiating increases or bonuses, but I was great at managing expenses and going without.
Her definition of enough in the article? “Enough is the quality of having everything you need and want but nothing in excess, nothing that burdens you.” Sounds about right.
Confession: I’m not good at this. Yes, I know you’re supposed to think about all the things you’re grateful for, but this always just seemed like a waste of time.
But it is Thanksgiving week, so here’s my list: Continue reading
So this is the kind of anxiety where you wind yourself up before anything goes wrong. You dread the meeting, speaking up, presenting, dealing with the person who you might find intimidating or difficult. Here are a couple of tips that can help: Continue reading
I am infamous for saying “There are two kinds of people in the world….”
My worst habit…the one that hurts me the most is that I jump to conclusions…negative ones.
When something happens, I immediately jump to assuming the worst case, and get myself wound up….only to find out every time, I was wrong.
So I’ve decided to stop this. Every time I think I’m spinning, I stop and remind myself that historically, it’s always worked out.
If you have one bad habit that undermines your strength, focus on getting rid of it.
My father, whom I idolize, has Parkinson’s disease. It’s been slowly encroaching, and he has good days and bad days. He still lives at home with my mom at 83. Here’s what I learned: Continue reading