The decisions you make as an emerging leader can impact your career trajectory. I say that not to scare you, but to emphasize how important it is that you make these choices carefully and with thought to the future. As your work to the next level as a leader, here are three of the best actions and ideas for mapping your future.
“Part of finding a mentor means learning how to appropriately follow up, add value to your mentor's life and career, and be proactive in your own...
We’ve been told we can have it all, but is that even possible? Can we excel in a career without sacrificing our personal lives and relationships? I think it is possible to achieve work/life balance, but you have to manage your expectations. There are seasons in your life when you can push forward in your career and other times when you need to focus on your personal life or family demands. Learning how to achieve this elusive balance is a journey. These articles offer a few suggestions...
If you’re lucky, you’ve got a great boss who challenges you, encourages you, and helps you work to your potential. Less fortunate employees will find themselves stuck with a leader who is an inflexible micro-manager. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the treacherous waters of a less than ideal workplace and what to do after you leave it.
Managing Your Bad Boss
“The better versed you are in ‘emotional intelligence’ and how to get along with others,...
Leaving money out of decision making is a luxury afforded only to the extremely wealthy. The rest of us must count up the dollars and cents when it’s time to negotiate a salary, make a big purchase, or even choose a career path. I do want to encourage you to see your choices more holistically, rather than letting money dictate your decisions. As an Accredited Financial Counselor AFC® teaching money skills to college students and early alumni, I helped provide information and...
Many young professionals that I talk to and coach are both excited and a little bit nervous about transitioning from employee to manager. After a promotion, you may find yourself managing former co-workers and dealing with entirely new office politics. When you wade into these uncharted waters, you’ll need emotional intelligence, perseverance, and a mentor or colleague who can act as a sounding board.
First: Get the Job
“Don't sit at your desk and wait for someone to hand...
You might think it’s enough to go to work, do your job, and then go home. But if you want to be successful, to grow within your industry, and climb the corporate ladder, you need to rethink your role as an employee. Employees are not mere cogs in the corporate machine, but rather a integral part of shaping both the culture of an organization, as well as the goods and services it provides. As you begin to navigate your first professional position, here are a few articles to help you...
Not every manager needs an executive coach. In fact, if you’re a brand new leader, you may want to first consider a mentor relationship with a senior individual within your own organization. Have some experience that you want to build upon? Here are two great reasons to seek out an executive coach and one reason to skip it.
An executive coach can help you reflect and refocus if you feel like you’re plateauing in your current role. Harvard Business School “To change...
Despite how it’s described by some, negotiation does not have to be combative. At its core, negotiation is simply an exercise in compromise (or even collaboration). Negotiation is a tool that is useful for navigating much of corporate life- salary, benefits, relationships, disagreements. Any charged or potentially contentious situation or conversation can benefit from the strategies included in the links below.
Take a cue from hostage negotiators and listen more. “At the...
Many employees dread their annual performance review- a lot of managers dislike them, too. Giving constructive feedback should be a part of your daily “to do” list when you’re a leader, and your one-on-one meetings with your team should not just be focused on project updates but include discussion about performance and opportunities for development. For more formal performance reviews, here are a few ideas to make the process less onerous and more productive.
Without meaningful change and regular growth, your organization is at risk for becoming a Museum of Good Ideas- a place where creativity and innovation exist but no one has the guts to follow through. To move beyond the status quo and expand your horizons, change is vital. Here are a few ideas on how you can implement positive change at your company without alienating your talent.
Initiate the change you want to see. “Recognize that your team will take their cues from...
