Reputation COUNTS

I’m always struck by the lack of networking training in schools when it is one of the most important skills both employers and employees need to succeed in the workplace.  While an estimated 60-80% of jobs are found through networking, many people have no idea how to effectively meet and form mutual beneficial relationships.

A few years ago, Dr. Ivan Misner, the founder of Business Network International (BNI), conducted a survey of over 1,400 businesspeople.  He found that 88% of the respondents said “they never had any college course that even covered the topic of networking.”  But another worldwide survey of over 2,500 businesspeople showed that 75% received the majority of their business through networking.

With networking playing such a key role in the ability to move ahead, I wonder why there is a reluctance to include it in a school’s curriculum in a substantial way.  Any thoughts?

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 How do I shine and get ahead without arousing envy of others?

Rather than focus on how you may be arousing envy, demonstrate that you are trustworthy to your supervisor and co-workers.  You accomplish this by doing what you say you will do, being positive, always being on time, being helpful and listening carefully.  Your boss will notice these types of behaviors and your co-workers will come to know they can count on you.

You need to demonstrate these attributes every day.  This is the way you shine.

Tags: Soft skills // Add Comment »

“How can I show them I am capable of so much more than this job, which is beneath my skill level?”

The first step is to demonstrate that you are first-rate in your current position and that you have a positive attitude.  This means saying, “Sure I’d be happy to,” when you are asked to do a task you believe is beneath your qualifications.  The reality is that there is no work that is below your skill level as everyone needs to pitch in to make companies prosper.  Employers are watching attitude and your level of competence.  They want to see if you are enthusiastic and can exceed their expectations.

The next step is to be proactive.  Determine what else you can do and volunteer to undertake a new responsibility.  Anticipate what is needed next rather than waiting to be asked.

By consistently doing what you say you will do, being accurate and professional, and by being positive every day, you build the type of reputation that moves your career forward.  Your employer needs to trust that he/she can count on you, and your actions and attitude either build that trust – or hurt it.

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I was talking with my husband, Steve, the other day about the fine art of being friendly, but not too familiar with your boss.  Steve recalled that early in his career, he supervised several people.  There was camaraderie in the organization but one of his team members mistook his friendliness for something more when he requested time off to deal with a family matter.  This employee assumed Steve was his friend and would grant the request.  Because of the need to meet some very tight delivery requirements, it was not possible. 

As an employee, if you try to be too familiar with your boss it will likely be perceived in a negative way.  Your co-workers may be suspicious of what you are doing.  Your boss may think you are immature or unprofessional.  When you assume your boss is your friend you may tell inappropriate jokes or talk as you did with friends in college. 

From Steve’s and my experience, it is best to be positive and friendly, but don’t assume that your boss will or wants to be your friend. 

Tags: Professionalism // Add Comment »

On today’s “Sunday Morning” program (CBS), the lead story was about “sexting.” This is the practice by teens who send messages that contain nude or semi-nude photos of themselves.  I wrote about this in April 2009 emphasizing how reputations can be ruined by sexting, particularly if the pictures are posted and employers see them.

But in today’ story, the focus was on the legal ramifications.  One young man, who had just turned 18 and forwarded photos of his ex-girlfriend, is now listed on the Florida’s Registry of Sexual Offenders, and will be for 20 years after his probation ends.  He can’t find a job and is not welcome at the local community college.

What a tragic waste.  We all need to repeatedly emphasize what the consequences will be of actions like sexting.  In addition to promoting the importance of academics, more time should be devoted to behaviors that can help or hurt a person in life and at work.

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To help colleagues, clients and potential clients know how to get in touch with you easily, include your contact information in your signature line so that it goes out with each email.

People may want to send your address, phone number or website to others they know.  If they can copy and paste it, they don’t have to recreate the content.  This is a simple and effective way to make life easier for someone else and has the added benefit of you receiving a possible referral.

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For the last two weeks I had the great fortune of vacationing in France.  My husband and I traveled by car, train and the metro seeing all the sights we could and enjoying the wonderful food and wine.  I was interested to see the differences in culture and how people approached business. 

Not speaking French very well, I had been concerned before we left about how we would communicate and if we would come across as Americans who hadn’t bothered to learn the language.  Nearly everyone we encountered knew enough English to talk with us and was gracious as we attempted to decipher menus, directions or purchase souvenirs.

Since my interest is soft skills, I was very impressed by the skills they do particularly well.  Specifically, we were greeted with a smile when they said hello and heard a cheerful good-bye and thank you.  This was not the case when we traveled on the metro, but when entering an establishment, without fail they said, “Bonjour.”  When leaving it was “Au revoir” even if you didn’t buy anything.  In restaurants, we heard “Bon appétit.”  There were several “merci’s” from them as well as from us. 

I loved our trip but it is always great to come home.  I’d just like to see the common courtesies we experienced abroad being demonstrated more often in the United States.

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When ever I start a new job, I almost immediately start second-guessing the decision to leave my last job. Did I make a mistake? What is the culture REALLY like at the new place? Did they tell me the “real” story during the interview and selection process?

Workplace culture is rarely discussed in detail and people perceive the job environment in different ways.   Even if it is mentioned in an interview, it is being presented through the eyes of the interviewer, which may or may not be the actual case.

Since you are now in the new position, you can relieve your anxiety by concentrating on building relationships within this company. Make it a point to meet as many colleagues as you can.  Do a lot of listening and observe to whom people go for advice.  Watch “how they do things around the office.”  Practice workplace etiquette such as being appreciative, positive, being a team player and doing what you say you will do.

You can learn a lot from watching.  Observe how conflicts are handled and see how they are resolved.  Find out if you feel comfortable with that.  What about the sense of cooperation?  Do co-workers help each other or is everyone out for themselves?  These are things you learn once you’ve been on the job a while.  You can also request a meeting with your boss to ask for a mentor to help you feel comfortable more quickly.

It may be that this new job won’t be for you.  But consider why you left your last job too.  Before changing jobs again, make a list of things that are important to you, which could be conflict resolution, training opportunities, or how competitive the environment is and make sure you ask those types of questions during the interview.  Make sure you understand the vision of the company to determine if it is compatible with your beliefs.

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Recently I spoke with Leonard Raley, who is the President & CEO of the University System of Maryland Foundation, Inc.  We were talking about the type of employees he wants.  I loved what he told me:

“When thinking about the type of employees I want, I start with attitude, aptitude and altitude. In other words, I want people who convey positive energy, demonstrate an intellectual curiosity and dare to dream big.  I look for colleagues who are flexible, problem solvers and innovators.  It’s important that people show up when they say they will, are respectful of others and their opinions, and most importantly have a passion for delivering high quality customer service.”

How are your attitude, aptitude and altitude? 

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Did you know that certain behaviors and attitudes you display might be interpreted by coworkers or your boss as arrogance? 

Take this short quiz and see if any apply to you.  Answer Yes, No, or Sometimes:

1. You don’t listen well and interrupt others to tell them your good idea.
2. You don’t look at other people when you speak to them.
3. You don’t acknowledge other people coming into the room.
4. You rarely smile.
5. You don’t interact with coworkers in a positive way.
6. You don’t return coworker phone calls or emails promptly.
7. You show annoyance when you are asked to do “grunt” work.
8. You feel entitled to your job or a project.
9. You don’t like to share credit with others.
10. You keep other people waiting.

 If you answered “Yes” even once, you may be seen in a negative way.  Since being perceived as arrogant can hurt your career, it is important to correct these behaviors as soon as you are aware of them.  Ask friends and family for their feedback and support as you make these adjustments.  It may take some time to improve the perception other people hold of you, but your career will suffer if you choose not to change the behaviors.

Tags: Attitude // Add Comment »