New Year, New Job, New Me
So My recent Birthday coincided with my resignation and acceptance of a new position in a different industry. My CEO was shocked, he never saw it coming.
How can that be, for the better part of three years I have pushed, prodded and all but begged for certain things...always with a "I'll get back to you"...
So I am moving on and it's cathartic, exiting, and just a little scarey...
So how many individuals have had the same experience (yes a little satorical and sarcastic)...I bet plenty...How do we work 9 or 10 hours a day for yrs. and are boss does not have the slightest that we have disengaged. The technical term is presenteeism...being present but not engaged...to simplify...we show up but don't give a shit...well actually I did. In fact a whole lot...I busted my ass, I got on planes to far off lands, I picked up where others were failing...and I got taken for granted...
The lesson here - well I am not sure there is a lesson, for once I am confused...and I am sure you are too>
Happy New Year!!!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Lost in Translation:
My most recent travels to a far off land brought on some humorous moments, much like Bill Murray in the movie of the same title. Cheeseburgers with no cheese, cheesburgers that were chicken, and asking to eat anything BUT Fish and then being taken to a seafood restaurant. Well english is not exactly the easiest language to translate. My palate and constitution did not appreciate the outcomes, but alas they were humorous!
Which brings me to the real point of this post; what we intend and what we get are often two very different things> Usually a casualty of language or communication. How many times do you ask for something to be done, only to end up with an unintended and often off the mark result?
Well my one suggestion for this evening is ask the person(s) your talking to to not only restate your request, but also state what the outcome should look like BEFORE they go off and do the work. Otherwise you just might be joining me for seafood...
My most recent travels to a far off land brought on some humorous moments, much like Bill Murray in the movie of the same title. Cheeseburgers with no cheese, cheesburgers that were chicken, and asking to eat anything BUT Fish and then being taken to a seafood restaurant. Well english is not exactly the easiest language to translate. My palate and constitution did not appreciate the outcomes, but alas they were humorous!
Which brings me to the real point of this post; what we intend and what we get are often two very different things> Usually a casualty of language or communication. How many times do you ask for something to be done, only to end up with an unintended and often off the mark result?
Well my one suggestion for this evening is ask the person(s) your talking to to not only restate your request, but also state what the outcome should look like BEFORE they go off and do the work. Otherwise you just might be joining me for seafood...
Saturday, November 27, 2010
I'm Platinum
Well I just received an upgraded airline card, my second in the past 3 months. I have been traveling a lot this year. Not just here in the US, but globally. Some places are interesting and some suck. A few years ago I though it was great to travel (well that was before 9/11), now it is a hassle to the third power...on top of it I have been traveling on Sundays too. So much for life balance.
So I am platinum, I get to cut the line at security. I get to cut the line getting on the plane. Sometimes I even get a better seat. All because I travel more then most business people. Many people are impressed by this, they even made a movie glamorizing air travel, and yes they put George Clooney in it too.
Here's a news flash: traveling is not glamorous, its not fun, and most places are well just not that interesting. Maybe I am tarnished by living in a really great place. Most people who travel as much as I do would probably agree with me.
Many people want what I have, be careful what you wish for. You just might go Platinum too.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Reality Bites:
Most days we kinda get by going to mtgs, doing emails, conference calls and doing the myriad of tasks that fill up an 9 hour outlook calender. Today was not one of those days....
What made today different was I had an epiphany about my own value to my organization.
It started out like just about everyday, but then it happened...I realized that I had been cut out of an important meeting, and that was the good part. I then was informed an area of our business that i supervised had been transfered or rather outsourced at approximately 4 times the cost of running it internally...So the normal person would scratch their head and think WTF (you know what thats an acronym for). Not me, I got hostile and went to my boss (who also happens to be the top guy). He gave me a bullshit response...
So there I was standing in a hallway feeling empty and confused...I have a few areas under my control, well maybe not control. Lets say on an org chart they report to me. Well now one less area. So I freaked and I wrote a nastygram to the individuals that I thought had masterminded this devious plan. ANd of course i hit the delete button and never sent it. We know that nastygrams just lead to other nastygrams. In the end nothing was going to come of my anger. In the end none of it really matters, except to me.
The lesson, if there is one is don't take any of it to seriously (unless you own the company). Only owners really "own" the business. You might think of yourself as an owner, but its only a "lease" at best. Leases can be broken...I am having a glass of wine and watching the office...I need to drown my sorrows...
Tommorrow is a new day, and I will have to put it behind me, and check my outlook to see what the day might bring...
Most days we kinda get by going to mtgs, doing emails, conference calls and doing the myriad of tasks that fill up an 9 hour outlook calender. Today was not one of those days....
What made today different was I had an epiphany about my own value to my organization.
It started out like just about everyday, but then it happened...I realized that I had been cut out of an important meeting, and that was the good part. I then was informed an area of our business that i supervised had been transfered or rather outsourced at approximately 4 times the cost of running it internally...So the normal person would scratch their head and think WTF (you know what thats an acronym for). Not me, I got hostile and went to my boss (who also happens to be the top guy). He gave me a bullshit response...
So there I was standing in a hallway feeling empty and confused...I have a few areas under my control, well maybe not control. Lets say on an org chart they report to me. Well now one less area. So I freaked and I wrote a nastygram to the individuals that I thought had masterminded this devious plan. ANd of course i hit the delete button and never sent it. We know that nastygrams just lead to other nastygrams. In the end nothing was going to come of my anger. In the end none of it really matters, except to me.
The lesson, if there is one is don't take any of it to seriously (unless you own the company). Only owners really "own" the business. You might think of yourself as an owner, but its only a "lease" at best. Leases can be broken...I am having a glass of wine and watching the office...I need to drown my sorrows...
Tommorrow is a new day, and I will have to put it behind me, and check my outlook to see what the day might bring...
Monday, November 15, 2010
Some of us take a week off, others the summer, well I have taken almost a year off from blogging. In Web 2.0 parlance that's about a millineum!
So the obvious question is why, the not so obvious is why have I returned from the dead? Like batman being called by commissioner Gorden
In regards to Question 1 - Well my life is about as complicated as everyone who might be reading this>as a matter of fact this is actually my second blog. My first was a little more mainstream and actually had a following. Sorry I can't say more, at least for the moment. After shutting it down I started this with a promise from a couple of HR friends who said they would join in the fun, but alas their lives are complicated too, and I was left an orphan so I took a break.
So Now to question 2 - why come back? Well its simple, I miss it...I miss my blogging Friends too. So here I am jumping back in the game> You would think after a year off I would have a lot to say. Well that may be true, however this is simply a notice that I am back...I'll leave the content and conversation for another day...its late and I am a little out of shape with my writing skills...so consider this a preseason game...the regular season is on the horizon...can't wait!!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
If you have a job, should you look for one in a bad economy?
The Holidays are always a good time to reflect. With all the hours most of us are putting in these days (at work), having a couple of days off are good for mind and body. Many of my friends are unhappy in their current jobs.
So the question posed is if you have a job, should you look for one in a bad economy.
This is a unique question as Forrester and Neilson research could do studies, but the results are just opinions...no facts. So what should you do. from an Hrinsider perspective you should at least do the dance. Go on the interviews and accumulate opportunities. To start with, there is no decision without an offer. Second your company is focused on the bottom line, not on you. So looking out for #1 should be your #1 priority.
Third knowing your value is never a bad thing.
The Holidays are always a good time to reflect. With all the hours most of us are putting in these days (at work), having a couple of days off are good for mind and body. Many of my friends are unhappy in their current jobs.
So the question posed is if you have a job, should you look for one in a bad economy.
This is a unique question as Forrester and Neilson research could do studies, but the results are just opinions...no facts. So what should you do. from an Hrinsider perspective you should at least do the dance. Go on the interviews and accumulate opportunities. To start with, there is no decision without an offer. Second your company is focused on the bottom line, not on you. So looking out for #1 should be your #1 priority.
Third knowing your value is never a bad thing.
Can't tell you what to do, just do something.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Living in the Grey Zone
Management and HR often get caught in ambiguity or in the grey zone of right and wrong. What appears to some as clear cut is in reality just a matter of perception, and specifically the perception of the individual viewing a situation (or acting as part of the situation).
Ok lets use a specific example: The boss asks the staff person to tell a lie to protect the company in the market place. The staff person gains trust and eventually is promoted as a result. Happens every day of the week...to some this is fine and to others this is totally wrong...depends on who is viewing and where they are viewing this. In almost all situations this will go totally unnoticed, but add another element, lets say the staff person now gets invited out to dinner or for drinks after work, maybe the staff person is of the other sex and it appears to have some sexual overtones...well you know where this is going...and maybe the trust leads to sharing of business information that should not be shared, at least with someone in a junior role. These types of situations happen everyday, sometimes they evolve to something more serious (and more black and white) we can deal with this. There are rules and procedures and handbooks to refer to...but life is not black and white...what do you do when you see something that is GREY. Do you act or sit back...what makes us accept bad or inappropriate behavior. Are we part of the problem or solution?
Management and HR often get caught in ambiguity or in the grey zone of right and wrong. What appears to some as clear cut is in reality just a matter of perception, and specifically the perception of the individual viewing a situation (or acting as part of the situation).
Ok lets use a specific example: The boss asks the staff person to tell a lie to protect the company in the market place. The staff person gains trust and eventually is promoted as a result. Happens every day of the week...to some this is fine and to others this is totally wrong...depends on who is viewing and where they are viewing this. In almost all situations this will go totally unnoticed, but add another element, lets say the staff person now gets invited out to dinner or for drinks after work, maybe the staff person is of the other sex and it appears to have some sexual overtones...well you know where this is going...and maybe the trust leads to sharing of business information that should not be shared, at least with someone in a junior role. These types of situations happen everyday, sometimes they evolve to something more serious (and more black and white) we can deal with this. There are rules and procedures and handbooks to refer to...but life is not black and white...what do you do when you see something that is GREY. Do you act or sit back...what makes us accept bad or inappropriate behavior. Are we part of the problem or solution?
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