Who's Your "Go-to" Guy?

I have come across many different types of people in my field of work and I think one of the most important things I've learned about business is this - a jack of all trades usually really is a master of none. The plain fact is - we all have areas of weakness in business. We all have different skill sets and different areas of work that we enjoy. As I sit back and think about some of the top executives and business people I know, I have come to realize that they do not have all the answers. In fact, I have discovered that they are incredibly skilled in one or two areas, but that they keep the people around them that can help fill in the gaps in the areas which they lack knowledge. These are their "go-to" people. The people they keep nearest in their circle of professionals. These are the people who are most trusted to provide sound, objective recommendations on minor or major situations. I've discovered that it is very beneficial to have a go-to person for each of your major areas of weakness - someone who really has a skill for that area and feels confident and comfortable providing feedback. Most importantly, these key individuals in your inner circle must accept your inabilities and not judge you for your lack of skill, but be willing and excited to help you develop and grow. Who is your go-to guy? Who are the people in your inner circle and do you have a reference person for your biggest weaknesses?

Ageism in the workplace; Expectations of younger staff

Early in my career I had the opportunity to observe the characteristics of organizational structures within the workplace. It became evident to me that younger employees are sometimes expected to work harder and for longer hours than their older co-workers. Whether intended or not, many employers and managers assume that because a younger employee is in fact, younger; that they have no personal lives to tend to after the work day ends.

I have witnessed several occasions that managers have pressed younger staff, (generally between 20-30 years old) to stay extra hours in order to get a project done or to provide company while the manager stays the additional hours. Of course, this is a completely unfair assumption by any supervisor. It can be quite the opposite for a younger employee. It's very possible that they may have parents to tend to, pets, siblings, children, or other personal obligations that they have chosen to keep private from their supervisors. My feeling is that all employees should really be treated equally in this matter. It should not be automatically assumed that a younger employee has the additional time to dedicate regularly or unexpectedly to the job.

A flyer under my windshield wiper - focus on a more targeted market.

As a communications professional, I understand the importance of grass roots marketing and support the small businesses that work to advertise their businesses at a low cost. I must confess however, that I do not enjoy coming out to my car to find a flyer stuck under my windshield wiper. There is something about having a stranger make himself acquainted with my personal (and expensive) property while I am not around that is a bit unnerving to me. Yes, sticking flyers under hundreds of cars within a parking lot is a rather inexpensive way of distributing your message, but like someone picnicking in your yard while you are away; I feel that it is an imposition on my personal property.

I may be the only person who feels this way, but in fact - I have never actually read any flyer or pamphlet that has ever been stuck to my driver-side window or left underneath my windshield wiper. In fact I have to believe that it has worked in exactly the opposite manner for some companies. If I had read the flyers that have crossed my windshield, I would make a note to never frequent those businesses.

Similar to the flyers beneath windshield wipers, it is a little unsettling to me when companies assign employees to pass out handbills during busy times in the city. Passers-by aren't asking for this information, but the person handing out the information is standing on a busy corner shoving handbills towards unsuspecting travellers. I'm almost certain that the very first opportunity someone has to get rid of the information shoved at them by a stranger, they do. The one piece of advice I have for the companies that use this tactic is this - know your market and comprise a targeted plan on how to reach them. If the guy standing on the corner handing out flyers for the hottest new disc jockey at a club was giving them to people entering or leaving a club - that would serve as a much more receptive audience than the people rushing to and from work in business suits. And if there is a new mall opening up and someone posts signs on all cars in the parking lot of a nearby mall - that would also serve as a better audience. It's just an idea.

For once in your life, take the scenic route.

The stress from a forty-hour work week can sometimes make its way home with you before you know it. In the midst of the drama you may encounter at work throughout the day, your mind will undoubtedly continue working long after your body has physically left the building. On days that are sometimes more difficult than the others, here's a great way to help bring your mind back to the place it should be - the calm and peaceful place; take the scenic route home.

Each day is more or less a repetition of the day before and can sometimes be very lackluster. Of course, sometimes there are more demanding days than others. During the hectic and sometimes frustrating times on the job, take the time to travel the scenic route on your way home. You will notice different scenes and your mind will quickly drift into the wonder of nature or focus on what activities you plan to include during the evening.

Just like that - the thoughts of the work day will vanish even before you make it to your door step. Why not take the scenic route today and re-focus your mind?

Clean out your life and find greater inner peace.

I recently read an article that had a great piece of advice. I'll paraphrase as best I can. The article reminded readers that in tumultuous times such as these, there are very few things that we can take control of in order to gain a sense of stability in our personal worlds. The primary - our home lives. Many people have been caught in the real estate market in less than pleasant situations because they have purchased more home than they can actually afford and more stuff. In general, many people are currently living beyond their means. In addition to the monthly stress of mortgage payments, the objects that fill the space inside the house can also add unnecessary stress and anxiety to your life. In short, most people simply have too much stuff! If you have a stressful career and you come home to a space that is cramped and lacks the relaxing and calm atmosphere needed to help you unwind, it's as if your home space is working against you! The frustration and anxiety that comes with a cluttered space can be overwhelming! After a long day at the office or on the job, the last thing anyone wants to do is come home and clean out an over-exhausted space.

There is just something about having credit card bills for items which crowd your space, (that you never enjoy because you physically cannot get to them) that can certainly dampen your spirit. It adds even more drama to an already dramatic day. The advice I learned from reading the article was this - clean out the excess clutter in your home and achieve a greater level of inner peace. You can easily free your space by simply tossing broken/unusable items in the trash and by packing up items that you have every honest intention of using, but just haven't - (face it, you probably never will so why not give someone the immediate opportunity to put those objects to good use)?

Of course, not all of us have homes stacked to the ceiling with clutter like the people on the television show "Clean House", however even a whole-hearted attempt at filling your car with items and dropping the items off at the local resale shop is a great start! A few good trips will make a complete difference in how you feel in your space. You will no longer need to hunt for items because after the clean up and reorganization, you will have a better grasp of where things are which equals time saved! In addition, you will not go to the store and purchase a third bottle of whatever because you couldn't locate the first two! That's a good example of money and time wasted. Once you have completely cleaned out your space, you will feel an immediate difference in how quickly you can relax and enjoy your time spent at home.

Most people I know enjoy staying in hotels because the space is clean and airy and everything is efficient and in its place. Yes, a hotel is temporary living and your home is lived in daily. There will always be laundry, dishes, and dust, but having the ability to quickly tackle these household chores will be easier since the excess is gone. Also, there are many of you that are very savvy with selling items on the internet. That is also a good way to get rid of excess items and make a profit to put towards those bills! The moral of this piece is this - once you have a good grasp on your personal life structure, you gain a greater sense of control in an otherwise "uncontrollable world". As a bonus, you can always look forward to retreating at the end of a grueling day at work. Take control of your space and gain a sense of stability and peace in your life. Why not start now?

Networking; Then vs. Now

In today's economy there are a few things that have come back into "style" so to speak as far as making connections with people while searching for a job. In the past decade I have noticed a shift in the types of people that attend various networking events. Ten years ago, the number one piece of advice to someone who was searching for a new employer was "get out there and start networking". Yes, I am a great fan social networking for personal and professional needs. What I have noticed is that the people who attend today's networking events are almost entirely those who are looking for new opportunities. It is very rare to find people with the ability to hire at these types of events as you might have found in previous years.

Of course, there are many good connections you can make while attending these events. Instead of attending events hoping to get a "job" out of the evening, try going into the event to make a real attempt to find people with knowledge in specialty areas that you can add to your contacts list. Having an address book with a list of people that you can ask for advice and bounce ideas off is like having a pot of gold! Generally, people are willing to give you advice while you are on your journey to finding another job. Many people who are looking don't have the advantage of having someone who can relate to the same situations you are going through. So, if you are able to make a few good connections who wouldn't mind sharing some of their experiences with you and providing some encouragement and advice, go for that goal. Think of it as "teaching a man to fish". With a little additional education from people who share their real-life experiences with you, you can learn to avoid mistakes they have made and learn new ways to excel.

Teamwork: What teenage sports taught me about the workplace.

Today is Tuesday. Today is the second day that I have been able to make it through my complicated day at work after my more than 1 1/2 years of employment there. At a time when approximately 300,000 people have been laid off monthly, I felt both overwhelmed and under appreciated at work; almost to the point that I would have rather been without a job than to return to my current employer. Without getting into too much detail, I can say this - I come from a world where sports at a young age impacted my daily life. A place where teamwork, leadership, mentoring, and trust were the main factors that determined the success of a group of people. It is quite possible that the sports training is what has made it difficult for me to adapt to what can sometimes be a very challenging and biting corporate reality. Last week I posted a statement to my friends that summed up my feelings - it was this; once you know something, you cannot un-know it.

Simple really. To the point? Absolutely. I realized that sometimes the leadership in charge of the company or organization has never had the opportunity many of us have had to participate in sports as a teenager. In just my short career I have learned that sometimes the upper management is haphazard, unfair and unequal in treatment, and may not have the leadership or coaching skills it takes to be a successful leader. At this point you may think you are reading the blog of a disgruntled employee - but please, keep reading.

This piece is not about being a disgruntled employee - it is simply a recording of the observations I have made in my life. As a professional, I feel it is my duty to share my views on just how important it is to have a good team leader, a coach, a teacher, or a mentor who can train a team, challenge them, help them grow, and help them succeed. As the old adage goes, "You succeed, I succeed."

Sports was an integral part of my life as a teenager and into college. It was there that some of my best times were had and it is there that some of my lasting memories were born. It was there that I learned that positive re-enforcement and genuine concern for your team members - combined with an honest interest in seeing them succeed was the way to go. What I learned from my short days as an athlete inspired me to continue those practices and leadership skills and to apply them to the "real-world". In short - let the kids play! The kids turn into adults, who will practice what they have learned as children and will apply those skills to others. Let them learn how to participate on a team. Let them learn how to encourage others. Let them learn that when the team succeeds - everyone succeeds!