Motivation: Getting others to move in a direction that is a win for them, for you, and for the organization. But who motivates the motivator? The answer is that true motivation must come from within. Five tips to stimulate motivation within others: Talk about their benefits. What’s in it for them? Explain “why” before “what”…
Category: Soft Skills
How to Convince Your Boss to Let You Work Remotely
Thanks to technology, opportunities to work remotely are now abundant as nearly 3.9 million full-time U.S. employees report doing so at least half of their work week. This total reflects the increase in telecommuting workers of a whopping 115% in a decade, according to a report from Global Workplace Analytics and FlexJobs. If you commute to an…
Experts Agree You Can’t Buy Happiness—but It’s Attainable
Many Americans believe they’ll be happy once they…earn that promotion; buy a new house; finally finish their graduate degree, etc. The truth is, money cannot buy happiness, however it can be attained with goal-setting and an attitude adjustment. Here are four reasons why. 1. Social comparisons skew happiness levels. Experts concur that it’s challenging to pinpoint exactly…
The Servant Leader
This week I was in a meeting with the CEO of a company and his purchasing manager. When responding to a query, the CEO stated, “I am not sure I understand.” The purchasing manager replied, “I understand and that’s why you have me.” This is not a recommended method of becoming a trusted advisor. The…
Three Phrases That Could Be Workplace Warnings
We hear a lot about the best places to work, for example, Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work For list. Employers to avoid, on the other hand, are usually uncovered based on former and current employee reviews on career sites or in our social circles. Perhaps you’ve had a feeling that something just isn’t right at work, or…
How to Overcome Three Greatest Challenges Facing College Grads
What a difference a year can make. A year ago, jobs were plentiful and recruiters swept America’s college campuses armed with entry-level positions for nearly everyone. Today, the economic landscape is much different. Here are three challenges new graduates can anticipate, and more importantly, how to persevere. 1. Major lifestyle adjustments. The typical ‘go to college and…
Why and How to Exit a Job on Terrific Terms
Whether the decision to leave your job is difficult or a dream come true, it’s critical that you leave on the best possible terms. Once you’ve decided to depart your employer, follow these steps for long-term career success. 1. Give proper notice. Regardless of how you may feel, do your best to give a minimum of…
Three Easy Ways to Boost Your Self-Confidence
Have you ever witnessed someone’s stellar self-confidence level and wished you could be just as confident? Many people mistakenly believe that confidence is simply something they either have or don’t have, and those who lack it often think they’ll never be confident. Truth be told— no one is born with limitless self-confidence. It is a skill…
Soft Skills for Success Series — #3 Impacts on Leadership
Today’s business leaders concur that soft skills are critical to fostering employee retention and creating a meaningful workplace culture, according to Deloitte’s 2016 Global Human Capital Trends report. Unlike hard skills which are gained through education, certification, on-the-job training, etc., soft skills are interpersonal such as communication skills, adaptability and the ability to manage and…
The Servant Leader
“Everyone is going to draw lines for you, especially when they think you should have achieved something or proved something or become something by a specific time. But it’s your job to reimagine these lines — to cross them, to jump them, and in some cases to ignore them altogether.” Academy Award-winning actor Benicio del…