Seven Questions to Broaden Your View to Achieve More This month, my hometown of Minneapolis will set a record for February snowfall, shattering the former record set in 1962. The big picture view is stunning: a fluffy white blanket that sparkles in the sunlight, pine trees, oaks and maples laden with snow, and mounds of…
Not in My Job Description – Act Beyond Boundaries to Achieve Career Growth
Have you ever been on the receiving end of someone telling you, “That’s not in my job description?” How did that make you feel? From a job description perspective, they may have been right. From a career advancement perspective, they may have been dead wrong. Job descriptions frame the duties, general responsibilities, expectations, education and…
No One Likes to be Should Upon
Do What You Decide is Best, not What Others Say You Should Do How do you feel when you’re given unsolicited advice? We’ve all received this so-called “gift.” While it may have been well meaning, it’s likely to be ignored unless it resonates. More than 20 years ago, I was in a company leadership meeting…
The Pillars of Career Success
Results and Relationships Lead to Career Growth Many factors contribute to career development, but two stand out as pillars for success—results and relationships. Results are the primary driver of career success. Without the ability to consistently meet or exceed objectives your career will stall. Results are measured not only on the specific tasks accomplished or…
How to Grow Your Career from a Virtual Workplace
Ten Actions that Enhance Career Progression for Remote Staff Out of sight, out of mind. This is a fear of many employees working remotely even though the majority now view the opportunity of telecommuting as a positive workplace option. Employees value the flexibility of working virtually and the opportunity to be measured on what really…
Executives: Adapt to Thrive
Six Steps to Overcome Culture Shock and Succeed in a New Organization Culture shock. It happens too often when an executive begins working at a new employer. Approximately 40-50% of new leaders fail in their roles in the first 18 months according to available research. There are many reasons for failure, but oftentimes the breakdown…
What Leaders Value in Project Team Members
Why is it that some people are consistently chosen for high-profile project teams? Most of us became familiar with the concept of picking teams during childhood. Whether it was a captain on the playground, a music director or a coach making the selection, the common goal was to assemble a team that would excel. To…
Knowing When and How to Ask for Help at Work
It seems most of us rarely ask for help at work, even when we really need it. There are all kinds of reasons why we don’t want to ask for work-related help, and many of these play into our fears: Others may view that we aren’t capable enough to do things on our own Everyone…
Develop A Proactive Cycle of Success: Dream, Act, Grow and Persevere
Every success story starts with a dream or idea – to make improvements, to create new products or processes, to serve an unmet need or support a cause. Ideas spark innovation and lead to new products and services, advances in science, technology, arts, literature and social change. The process of successfully making a dream become…
When to Decline the Job Offer – Factors in Determining What’s Right for You
Years ago, a friend who was between jobs and seeking a leadership role in finance asked my opinion of a position he had been offered by an entrepreneurial firm. As the Chief Financial Officer, he would be charged with implementing new financial controls and upgrading the systems and processes. The position reported directly to the…