October 2010

CareerTips

Confront, Quit or be Fired
By Myles Golden

Having coached hundreds of people through successful career transitions over the last twelve years, I continue to be amazed at the reasons most want to quit or have lost jobs. Most often I find it to be true that 90% of the reasons people are unhappy in their job is the relationship they have with their boss or immediate supervisor. This has been proven by numerous surveys over the years. I usually ask “What did you do to prevent the relationship from getting to this point?”  What I find in most cases is a fear to confront.  The September, 2010 edition of HR Magazine, a monthly publication of SHRM, for the Society of Human Resource Management, addresses the confronting problems with leaders. Robert T. Whipple, CEO of Leadergrow, Inc., a Rochester, N.Y. based leadership consultancy, reminds us that we may be enabling our co-workers by using the following rational:

• Maybe the problem will correct itself if I just leave it alone.
• Perhaps I will be relocated or promoted soon, and the next person can deal with this.
• Confronting the issue would be so traumatic that it would do more harm than good.
• We have found a viable workaround measure.
• We have bigger problems. Exposing this situation would be a distraction from more critical work.

What I hear most often is a fear of the consequences of confronting and the problem spirals out of hand into a toxic situation. I’ve had many a client say that “I got so mad that I quit,” or “They fired me on the spot.”

When we work or live with other people, we inevitably experience conflict and disagreement. This is a given.   We can choose either to harbor our distress or to confront an individual directly. Steve Davis, a Master Corporate Trainer and Consultant says, “People join organizations but they quit because of managers.” Our problem is learning to confront others, when the situation demands it in such a way that the outcome is positive and the relationship remains intact.  So the desired result should be to “change the behavior” and to do “no harm to the relationship.”

Click here to read the rest of the article. 

Acting Against Discouragement
By John C. Maxwell

It's hard to imagine a time when Samuel L. Jackson wasn't an A-List celebrity, but twenty years ago he was a frustrated, little-known actor who couldn't seem to breakthrough. Despite his prodigious talents, as of his 41st birthday Jackson could claim nothing more notable than a few minor cameos. Intensely discouraged, he turned to cocaine and quickly developed a dependency on the drug. Within a year, he hit rock bottom. When his wife and eight-year old daughter discovered him passed out on the kitchen floor, there was no denying that he had lost control.

After finding Jackson unconscious, his wife LaTanya immediately checked him into a rehabilitation clinic. For the first time, Samuel L. Jackson was forced to face up to his anger and discouragement, and he began to make life changes. To his credit, Jackson submitted himself to the recovery process, and with the encouragement of his family, he was able to break his addiction. Less than twelve months later, he finally achieved stardom for his supporting role in Jungle Fever. From then on, his reputation grew steadily, and his career flourished. Today, he is regarded as one of Hollywood's finest and hardest-working actors.

What can we learn from Samuel L. Jackson's journey?

Click here to read the full article and learn from Jackson's journey.

Internet Etiquette: Are your Netiquette Skills What They Should Be?
by Stacey Lemmond, Ask & Receive, Inc.

Netiquette is defined by Webster as “etiquette governing communication on the Internet.” It is important to know the guidelines as today we use the internet for much of our communication.  Knowledge of netiquette can help explain technical limitations of online communications and can help you create a positive impression.

When communicating via electronic mail common courtesy and clarity is vital. As you compose an email keep in mind that unlike a phone conversation in which we can hear tone of voice or an in-person discussion where we can observe body language, email can be easily misinterpreted. Clear concise communication via the internet is crucial to portraying your professionalism.

Netiquette applies to online chatting and message boards as well as email. Click here to read a few general rules to follow when generating email.

Golden Career Strategies Speaks:
Recent & Upcoming Speaking Engagements & Sponsorships

Myles Golden will be speaking to the Clemson University Chapter of SHRM on November 17 at 5:30pm.

Pam Wessel spoke to the St. Mary Magdalene Employment Support Group about “The Top Ten Tips for Networking in Transition“ on September 23rd.

Pam Wessel was quoted by Anastasia Howard in her article "Time to gear up for life planning"

GCS ~ Silver Sponsor for GSATC (Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Technology Council)