Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Getting laid off - and getting lifted up
In this economy with unemployment rate at 8.1% and TARP is in every conversation, it was my turn to get laid off. It's an emotional experience. Emotional - not because I felt betrayed or humiliated, but because I saw an outpour of support from coworkers and my business contacts! They were all in shock - and angry about my getting laid off! I had to comfort them and tell them everything would be okay! Many people helped me network and look for new opportunities. Everyone who has helped me has genuinely touched my heart. They have not handed me a new job but they have given me something that I need even more than a job right now - hope. I am truly blessed. Thank you everyone! Labels: economic downturn, lay-off, people skills
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A dignified resignation?
I resigned last week. I LOVE my boss, the company, and the work. But I've got to do what I've got to do. I felt terrible about my resignation and I knew my boss would be devastated. So I bought her some very beautiful flowers (roses in a bowl, french country style), and I put my resignation letter in a very beautiful card. My HR Manager said it was the most dignified resignation ever! A friend of mine is really unhappy with her job, and she has been saying how she envisions the moment of her resignation - which would be one of the greatest joy. That was SO not what I felt last week with my resignation. I felt like I had almost been "lying" to my boss as I hadn't shown any signs I was looking. I had been giving only my very best work. And then she was shocked when I resigned! Like I hadn't given her any hints! So I was torn - on the one hand, I wanted to keep doing a good job as long as I was with the company. On the other hand, I didn't want to surprise my boss or catch her off-guard with my resignation. Can I have the cake and eat it? Or in this case - do a great job and quit it? For those of you who have resigned before - how did you do it? Labels: resignation
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Do you prefer working with a doer or a talker?
There are always those senior executives who think big and talk big. But they never act on their talk! I am more a doer than a talker. I don't have a lot of philosophies, but I know I deliver results. Because I do things - and doing things usually delivers results (not all good I have to admit). I admire people who can talk passionately about their vision - it's very inspiring. I know they are very smart people. But I can't help checking my watch - I have been listining to you for an hour now - and I still have 2 proposals to finish, 5 client calls to make, and 7 reports to submit! I have my vision, too - if everyone can talk 15 minutes less a day, and complete just ONE task they have set out to do that day, I believe it will be a much more efficient world! Labels: coworker relationships
Monday, January 28, 2008
"I hate working with people who..."
... don't take ownership of anything. ... always find a reason (excuse) not delivering. ... talk and work in circles. ... are always smarter than me! ... never ask me out to lunch. ... are rude. ... are always dumber than me! ... are sarcastic (not to be confused with funny with a dark sense of humor)... Who do you hate working with? Labels: work dynamics
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Swinging with coworkers with mood swings
Everyone has one, and you are lucky if you have only one, coworker who has constant mood swings. One day they are helpful and laugh at every stupid joke, and the next day they look for your tiniest mistake and devour you. The problem is - you can't bring yourself to hate them! When they are in the right mood, they are actually the kindest people and have done you many favors, big and small. When they are in the wrong mood, you can't help but think they are simply not themselves. I'm no psychologist. I don't know which is their "real" self. But I do know it's not me that triggers their mood change. There's something within them - physical or psychological. I'm simply collateral damage. To reduce my own damage, I try to remain professional - at all times. This is the only constant I can hold on to in the middle of all the mood swings. I hate it most when I try dealing with people in a bad mood, my worst self sneaks out. Maybe that's my real self. Labels: difficult coworkers
Friday, August 31, 2007
Useful tactics to bond with female coworkers?
Mine: 1. Invite her to lunch - one-on-one. 2. Share your family stories - your children, your husband, your house, your pets, etc. 3. Ask her for advice - especially on people issues. 4. Tell her she looks 10 years younger than her age. Yours? Labels: bonding with female coworkers
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Age-old question - is it better to have a male boss or a female boss?
I think most people would prefer having a male boss - regardless of one's own gender. It may be a prejudice (or a "general observation" to put in less negative language) as female bosses are perceived to be more emotional. And it is almost a fact they micro-manage more than male bosses do. Is that true? I don't really trust surveys or research, when there are simply more male bosses than female bosses to start with. I have worked with both male bosses and female bosses, and I have had a couple of male bosses who fit the female description more than other female bosses do! Tell me your experience!
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