Join the conversation. Have you or someone you know been bullied in the workplace?
FOX 26 Talks About Your Bully Stories
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Top Leaders Continually Learn From Their Team
Managers who want to engage their employees must stay connected with them
Top Leaders Continually Learn From Their Team
Top Leaders Continually Learn From Their Team
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Back to Blogging
Well, my little break from blogging is over. As many of you know I took a little break to concentrate on writing my book, "Doing the Opposite." Now that the book is completed and published, it is time to get back to sharing insights and information.
If you have not already read the article in today's Houston Chronicle, I urged you to take a look at the importance of networking. If you are looking to build your career or reinvent yourself, now is the time to stop being afraid and start networking.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/7235347.html
Cheers to your Success!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Which is Better: Being the Boss or Being a Leader?
"The difference between a boss and a leader...a boss says 'go', a leader says 'let's go!'" --E.M. Kelly
When I was younger, I always wanted to be the boss of someone or something. I remember trying to give orders to everyone and everything from our family pets, the dolls in my room and even the other kids on the playground. If I was playing a game with my brother or cousins, I remember always wanting to be the one in charge (gee, if you were to ask my husband, he would probably say little has changed!).
As I have grown older and have been fortunate enough to have been in positions of leadership, I have learned that there is a big difference in being the boss and in being a leader and for the record, I choose the latter. Here are a few insights I have learned along the way that has helped shaped my way of thinking:
1. The boss gets respect; the leader earns it.
2. The boss depends upon authority; the leader on good will.
3. The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm and motivates.
4. The boss says ‘ME; the leader says ‘WE.’
5. The boss places blame; the leader takes responsibility.
6. The boss tells you how; the leader shows you how.
7. The boss shows who is wrong; the leader shows what is wrong.
8. The boss depends on their title; the leader depends on others.
9. The boss says ‘Go’; the leader says ‘Let’s go.’
10. The boss is a risk; the leader takes them.
When I reflect back on the question, would I rather be a boss or a leader, I am glad that that the little kid in me who always wanted to be the boss grew up into the adult who knows it is more important to be a leader.
When I was younger, I always wanted to be the boss of someone or something. I remember trying to give orders to everyone and everything from our family pets, the dolls in my room and even the other kids on the playground. If I was playing a game with my brother or cousins, I remember always wanting to be the one in charge (gee, if you were to ask my husband, he would probably say little has changed!).
As I have grown older and have been fortunate enough to have been in positions of leadership, I have learned that there is a big difference in being the boss and in being a leader and for the record, I choose the latter. Here are a few insights I have learned along the way that has helped shaped my way of thinking:
1. The boss gets respect; the leader earns it.
2. The boss depends upon authority; the leader on good will.
3. The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm and motivates.
4. The boss says ‘ME; the leader says ‘WE.’
5. The boss places blame; the leader takes responsibility.
6. The boss tells you how; the leader shows you how.
7. The boss shows who is wrong; the leader shows what is wrong.
8. The boss depends on their title; the leader depends on others.
9. The boss says ‘Go’; the leader says ‘Let’s go.’
10. The boss is a risk; the leader takes them.
When I reflect back on the question, would I rather be a boss or a leader, I am glad that that the little kid in me who always wanted to be the boss grew up into the adult who knows it is more important to be a leader.
Transition and Adapting to a New (and Happier) Normal
Last week, I received three different invitations to speak at three different events on various topics. At first, I thought I was being invited because the conference coordinators had gotten wind about my book coming out this summer and that they were inviting me to speak about the leadership insights I wrote about in the book. Generally, when I am invited to speak, the topics are leadership, customer service and lately, workplace bullying. However, this last call took me by surprise.
I was asked to speak to a group of seasoned executives who have recently been faced with job loss and/or in the midst of a career transition. Clearly, I thought he had called the wrong person. Why would you want me to speak about something that I am currently experiencing myself? Heck, I am still figuring it all out for myself!
As we discussed the topics of how transitioning and facing obstacles can lead you towards following your passion and greater opportunities in greater detail, it finally clicked. We discussed my move from Ohio to Texas a few years back. I had initially thought it was my dream job, only to find out that it was more like a nightmare which began and ended in less than two years. I will spare you all of the details but suffice it to say that the transition provided me with enough material to write several books on ineffective leadership and why it is important to start “doing the opposite”.
During the course of our conversation, I stated that my transitions have allowed me to learn that it is okay to adapt to a new normal, when he suddenly exclaimed, “That’s it!” “What’s it?” I asked. “That is the topic that we want you to talk to our group about. Adapting to a New Normal!” he replied.
Although the presentation is still a few months away, I have been thinking about how to structure my talk so that the message inspires and motivates the audience. Yes, I moved over 1,400 miles away from my family and friends (and certainly out of my comfort zone) for what I thought was greener pastures, but reflecting back, the move was a necessary part of my journey which is leading me down the path that I now follow.
Yes, it is hard to lose a job, but sometimes that loss is the vehicle needed to see and follow your true passions. Yes, I have met some wonderful people since moving to Texas and now I have an opportunity to realize that I need to get out and meet more to build my network and grow as a person and as a professional. Do I have regrets? The answer is NO! Do I miss the nice salary that afforded me the ability to vacation when I wanted, shop where I wanted and dine out as often as I wanted? Sometimes maybe, (wish I could have purchased that Tiffany’s bracelet I wanted the other day) but at the end of the day, when all is said and done, I am glad I am in a stage of transition where I am able to create and adapt to a new (and happier!) normal.
I was asked to speak to a group of seasoned executives who have recently been faced with job loss and/or in the midst of a career transition. Clearly, I thought he had called the wrong person. Why would you want me to speak about something that I am currently experiencing myself? Heck, I am still figuring it all out for myself!
As we discussed the topics of how transitioning and facing obstacles can lead you towards following your passion and greater opportunities in greater detail, it finally clicked. We discussed my move from Ohio to Texas a few years back. I had initially thought it was my dream job, only to find out that it was more like a nightmare which began and ended in less than two years. I will spare you all of the details but suffice it to say that the transition provided me with enough material to write several books on ineffective leadership and why it is important to start “doing the opposite”.
During the course of our conversation, I stated that my transitions have allowed me to learn that it is okay to adapt to a new normal, when he suddenly exclaimed, “That’s it!” “What’s it?” I asked. “That is the topic that we want you to talk to our group about. Adapting to a New Normal!” he replied.
Although the presentation is still a few months away, I have been thinking about how to structure my talk so that the message inspires and motivates the audience. Yes, I moved over 1,400 miles away from my family and friends (and certainly out of my comfort zone) for what I thought was greener pastures, but reflecting back, the move was a necessary part of my journey which is leading me down the path that I now follow.
Yes, it is hard to lose a job, but sometimes that loss is the vehicle needed to see and follow your true passions. Yes, I have met some wonderful people since moving to Texas and now I have an opportunity to realize that I need to get out and meet more to build my network and grow as a person and as a professional. Do I have regrets? The answer is NO! Do I miss the nice salary that afforded me the ability to vacation when I wanted, shop where I wanted and dine out as often as I wanted? Sometimes maybe, (wish I could have purchased that Tiffany’s bracelet I wanted the other day) but at the end of the day, when all is said and done, I am glad I am in a stage of transition where I am able to create and adapt to a new (and happier!) normal.
The Path to Management is More Than Just a Title: Be Careful What You Ask For
The other day I received a phone call from a gentleman who used to work for me. It had been some time since we last spoke and I was eager to catch up on what was going on in his life and career. He shared with me that he is frustrated in his current role at his company and was in search of something more fulfilling. I asked if he had started applying for positions that better suited his interests and skills, and he replied that he had been looking both internally and externally but had not found anything yet.
As the conversation went on, I asked what type of position he was looking for and he replied that he wanted to get into “management”. In his current role, he is a customer service representative and has held similar positions like that in the past. From what I remember of his work experience, he has not held a position that involved management responsibilities, so I asked (hoping not to offend him), “Why management?”
Like many people I have spoken to over the years that have expressed a desire to break into management but who have unfortunately lacked the experience needed to get their foot in the door, I offered a few suggestions that may help him make his transition a little smoother, if in fact, he decides to follow the management career path.
1. Ask someone in a leadership role if they would be willing to mentor you and discuss the benefits, as well as the disadvantages of being in management
2. Familiarize yourself with key characteristics involved in not only managing, but managing effectively.
3. Assess your current skill set and determine what skills you still need to develop in order to be an effective leader.
4. Look towards a leader you admire and ask if they would mind if you shadowed them so that you could see what they do on a daily basis.
5. Informally interview people who report to someone you regard as an effective leader and see how they perceive that person’s leadership capabilities to be.
Remember that becoming a leader is more than a title and a nicer paycheck; it is a responsibility that comes with many ups and downs. When leaders are leading effectively and things are going well, it can be one of the most rewarding roles in the world. But when things are not going so well, that is when you learn that the path to management can be a bumpy road at times …so just be careful what you ask for.
As the conversation went on, I asked what type of position he was looking for and he replied that he wanted to get into “management”. In his current role, he is a customer service representative and has held similar positions like that in the past. From what I remember of his work experience, he has not held a position that involved management responsibilities, so I asked (hoping not to offend him), “Why management?”
Like many people I have spoken to over the years that have expressed a desire to break into management but who have unfortunately lacked the experience needed to get their foot in the door, I offered a few suggestions that may help him make his transition a little smoother, if in fact, he decides to follow the management career path.
1. Ask someone in a leadership role if they would be willing to mentor you and discuss the benefits, as well as the disadvantages of being in management
2. Familiarize yourself with key characteristics involved in not only managing, but managing effectively.
3. Assess your current skill set and determine what skills you still need to develop in order to be an effective leader.
4. Look towards a leader you admire and ask if they would mind if you shadowed them so that you could see what they do on a daily basis.
5. Informally interview people who report to someone you regard as an effective leader and see how they perceive that person’s leadership capabilities to be.
Remember that becoming a leader is more than a title and a nicer paycheck; it is a responsibility that comes with many ups and downs. When leaders are leading effectively and things are going well, it can be one of the most rewarding roles in the world. But when things are not going so well, that is when you learn that the path to management can be a bumpy road at times …so just be careful what you ask for.
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