Jul 28 in Uncategorized
Written by: Heather Rast
- Do what you say you’re going to do, when you said you’d do it.
- No whining.
- When their baby is ugly, their baby is ugly. Say it. Be not like a lemming and follow a bad (or literally, an ugly) idea because you’re not mature enough to openly question its appropriateness for the situation at hand. This CAN be done tactfully.
- Always write a conference report after a meeting when anything of consequence was said. It could save your posterior portion.
- Clients are not always right. They’ll respect you in the morning if you tell them no (politely).
- Say “Thank you” frequently, and with sincerity.
- Be clear with expectations, both internal and client contributors. “Before we can proceed with xxx, your group has to provide xxx. We agreed to that at the last meeting, as noted in the conference report.”
- Recognize the valuable work product of others. We aren’t perfect at everything, it’s impossible. Offering credit where it’s due is a sign that you’re comfortable with your own strengths and aren’t too insecure to attribute something significant contributed by a team member or a coworker. I actually think this is a sign of true leadership. I once hand someone tell me that they always want to hire people smarter than they, because those smart people realize that by making him look good, he will in turn bring them along in his ascent.
- Be smarter tomorrow than you are today – listen, watch, observe, read, analyze, evaluate. Your antennae should always be in the “on” position.
- Ask for help when you need it. You’ll only look stupid and prideful if you don’t, plus you might make the situation worse for someone else. Definitely not the way to win friends and influence people.
- Give help and guidance freely. If you’re blessed to already know the way, share the knowledge; it will come back to you two fold.
- Look the sales clerk in the eye and ask “How are you doing?” first, and mean it. Their job sucks. Your simple inquiry could be their Hallmark (I lean toward Maxine, but whatev).
- If you have nothing meaningful to contribute, shut up. It is OK to be in a meeting and observe, for the sake of future value or takeaways.
- Set a good example. If TPS reports are due the 15th of each month, Mr. Manager, then get your TPS reports in. You can’t expect your team to adhere to policies if you yourself don’t uphold them, even if the team members don’t have a way of learning if you skirt. The point is, you know. And because you had your reports in on time, you know how difficult it can be for the team to do their work in the prescribed timeline. You’ve felt their pain. It’s a matter of doing the right thing, even if no one is watching.
- All-company emails are a bad idea. They’re relevant or humorous to like, 3 people and no one else. 76 Other people are now rolling their eyes at you in annoyance.
- Get outside your comfort zone. Volunteer for an inglorious assignment. Be the back-up when the usual person is on vaca or sick. Actually make something for the potluck, skip the prepared deli. Doing so will engender yourself to others in ways you hadn’t fathomed – showing you’re authentic and not above emptying the dish washer.
- “Casual atmosphere” is not a euphemism for “last nights’ jammies encouraged.”
- Be respectful of others time. May sound a bit elementary, but we all know someone who chronically shows up late for meetings, arrives unprepared, multitasks to the point they’re checked out, or isn’t committed to reaching a solution or clearly defined next steps at the conclusion.
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