Jealousy, backstabbing, and gossip— Oh my!

This weekend I overheard the following conversation:
Woman #1: I didn’t like her from the moment I saw her.
Woman #2: I know what you mean. I read an article yesterday and someone from her high school said she was “shallow.”
Guess who they were talking about?
Sarah Palin.
That’s right. That’s how these two women were talking “politics.” Not […]

Five things you should know if you’re young and trying to get to the top

Gen Yers are often ridiculed for their desire to get to the top fast. Most of us feel, however, that there is nothing wrong with being young and ambitious. But, if you’re making the choice to be on the fast track, be prepared; it’s not all fun and games:
1. It’s not easy to be in […]

We don’t want the same things (and that’s ok)

I don’t want what you want.
Assumptions
Why do some people insist on pushing their own life goals or values on others? Why do they make assumptions about you and your life goals based on your gender, education level, race, geographic location, and other demographics? These are questions I’ve been pondering quite a bit lately.
Here’s an example: […]

Four praise-giving tips for managers

If you’ve ever worked in an office where giving praise was taboo, you understand how important it can be to morale, and ultimately, success. Managers can get so wrapped up in the details of the day that praising an employee for their work can simply be overlooked. Below are some tips to ensure that your […]

How to effectively provide criticism

“I didn’t like your report.”
“You should work on your professionalism.”
“Nobody understands your presentation.”
As much as you might want to improve, you probably won’t gain anything from criticisms like those above. But, all too often that’s exactly how criticisms are presented – vague and utterly unhelpful.
If presented with criticisms or suggestions like these, it’s best to […]

It’s tough, but listen to criticism anyway

Hearing criticism, even constructive and polite criticism, can be painful. I mean, really, who wants to hear about the things they do wrong?I’ve got news for you - You do!The fact is most people, when hearing a criticism about their work or their actions or whatever, will immediately go one of the following routes:

Denial. […]

Sisterly Advice from an X-Y ‘Tweener

For a while now, I’ve been feeling a little out of place among Gen Y. Like you, I was raised on the “you’re special” diet of Mr. Rogers. Like you, I came of age via IMs and chat rooms. And, heck, I even have a blog.
However, like my fellow generational straddlers (I was born in […]

Are your words holding you back?

 
The way you communicate says a lot about you. Every word you choose sends your audience, whether it’s your best friend or your boss, a message about who you are and where you want to be.
 
I’m not talking about using big, fancy words or some kind of industry jargon. That kind of language doesn’t impress […]

Check your résumé with these 10 questions

Before you send it out, ask yourself the following questions about your résumé:

Did you include your contact information? Address? Email? Phone? Cell?
Seems like a no-brainer, but it does happen. Even if you have your contact information is on your email or your cover letter, there’s no guarantee this information […]

64 Action items for the newly employed and the ambitious

First year on the job? Try these 64 action items (in particular order) to make a name for yourself in your company and in your community.
Not new to the job? There’s something in this list for everyone; whether it’s your first year on the job or your tenth year on the job.

Set […]