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Showing posts with label Work Place. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work Place. Show all posts
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Do You Dress for Success?
Most people make initial decisions about you in the first five minutes they meet you. That abbreviated window could be an excellent opportunity to project a confident, professional image or just enough time for them to decide you're not right for the position or are not management material. Does your style say, "I'm an up-and-comer" or "I'm inept"? See what these fashion statements say about you at work:
1. You're headed off to an interview at a young, fast-paced, high-tech company and show up in jeans and gym shoes.What your style says about you: 'I'm lazy and not really interested in getting this position.' "Always dress for a typical interview," says Orville Pierson, senior vice president at Lee Hecht Harrison, a job search and career management consulting firm, and author of "The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search." Even in the most lax work environments, it's always better to come to the interview dressed a notch above what the prevailing culture dictates, he says
2. You come to work every day with a crumpled shirt thinking nobody probably notices anyway. What your style says about you: "I'm messy. If I'm this careless about the way I dress everyday, imagine how much I will mess up any projects I'm assigned." For years Jo Farrell of the Jo Farrell Group in Denver has been teaching communication skills and providing image counseling. She warns that clients and hiring managers won't trust you can perform the job if you can't come to work looking professional.
3. You wear "club attire" to the office because you're meeting friends out after work.What your style says about you: "I dress provocatively because I'm hiding my lack of professional qualifications." "You want to be taken seriously," Pierson says. But dressing like a vamp is a surefire way to take you out of the running for future advancement.
4. You see no harm in maintaining your individuality amidst the homogenous corporate crowds. (Besides, the pink hair dye is only temporary.) What your style says about you: "I'm thumbing my nose at the prevailing company culture and don't care if I'm not taken seriously." "People make decisions on various factors, some conscious and some subconscious," Pierson says. Even though your work may be admirable, if your mohawk makes people feel uneasy, you won't advance in a corporate profession.
5. The bulk of your wardrobe is beyond retro, looking more like it came from your late uncle Lenny's closet.
What your style says about you: "I'm out of the loop. I rarely poke my head out of my cubicle and fully expect to retire from this same position years from now." These days you needn't spend a fortune to have a neat, contemporary and professional wardrobe. There are several moderately-priced retail chains and even some surprising finds at the giant discount stores. The point is, you must make an effort to maintain a polished appearance. If you see yourself in any of these situations, launch a makeover immediately.
"We used to be able to give candidates very explicit instructions on how to dress," says Pierson. "Today all of that has changed." The key is knowing what is acceptable in your industry. The cosmetic industry's accepted style norms will be a far cry from those of a public accounting firm. That's why when you are looking for a job, its important to research the company culture, he notes. If you're at a loss for what is acceptable, choose an appropriate role model. "Instead of modeling yourself after entertainers in Hollywood, model yourself after business and community leaders you admire," Farrell suggests.
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10 Ways to Manage Bad Bosses
Do you ever think your boss behaves like a child going through the "terrible twos," throwing tantrums or reverting to a little lost lamb when in over his or her head?
I call this regression "Terrible Office Tyrant" (TOT) behavior. TOTs can act like schoolyard bullies afraid to reveal the slightest incompetence, or like helpless children. They can be fickle, stubborn or needy or have irrational fears. And they can consume your workday, not to mention wreak havoc on productivity and profits.
A bad economy, workplace pressures and stress can trigger the many striking similarities between bad bosses and terrible tykes. We're all human, and behind a boss's professional facade is often a grown kid who can't handle his or her power.
When your boss slips into any of the 10 classic TOT behaviors, including the "bratty" type (overly demanding, stubborn, self-centered or tantrum-throwing) or the "little lost lamb" variety (fickle or overly fearful), you can use proven parental techniques and actually thrive in your job. By seeing the childlike motives behind a boss's (or co-worker's) actions, you can better manage even the most difficult situations.
Use C.A.L.M.
The top four tips to keeping your office from being a corporate playpen are best described by the acronym C.A.L.M.: communicate, anticipate, laugh and manage up:
1. Communicate
Communicate frequently, openly and honestly. Savvy TOT-tamers take the initiative to establish an open dialogue. At work, stay aligned with your boss's objectives rather than focusing on your pet projects, so that your work remains consistent with what's most critical to management.
By bravely opening the dialogue, you'll also avoid misunderstandings with co-workers; other factors may be contributing to an ignored e-mail or seemingly unfriendly response, such as a tight deadline or pressure from the boss.
2. Anticipate
Be alert for problems and prepared with solutions. Offer answers to emerging issues; don't add to the pile of problems if you want to avoid triggering bad behavior. Your boss wants to delegate as much as possible -- as long as you make the process worry-free. Know when to stay away if you expect a tantrum is coming down the hall.
3. Laugh
Use humor, or what I call "the great diffuser" of tension, to break down interpersonal logjams. Laughter helps create bonds and reminds us of our larger purpose: to work together with upbeat, constructive energy. We can and should be able to accomplish great things as a team at work, while having some fun. Take the initiative to do this and watch the seething subside.
4. Manage up
Let yourself shine by being a problem-solver and collaborator. You can be a beacon of positive energy for your boss, co-workers and team. Part of managing up also means setting limits to bad behavior. Oftentimes TOTs are unaware of the effect of their actions. You can influence these actions, and your skills will be transferable to any job.
Advanced TOT-taming tips
Here are some specifics on how to tame your TOT and humanize your workplace. Try these time-honored "parenting" techniques:
5. Don't fight fire with fire
If your TOT is tantrum- or bully-prone, mirroring his childish behavior is a downward spiral. Avoid the temptation to win the battle and lose the war. Instead, calmly and concisely tell your boss how his or her actions affected you. Keep a matter-of-fact tone and be factual. Use "I" statements rather than "you" to avoid an accusatory demeanor.
6. Use positive and negative reinforcement
When bosses set aside their worst TOT traits, respond with gratitude and comment on how it inspires you to do your best. Praising positive actions is a powerful way to foster better behavior. Over time, your boss will link the better management style with positive employee morale and results. Remember, if there's something in it for your boss, you can effect change.
7. Know your timing
Timing can be everything, with a child or an office tyrant. Learn the best times of day to approach your boss. Study his or her patterns, mood swings and hot buttons and plan your interactions accordingly. It can make the difference between a pleasant "yes" and an irrevocable "no!" If you anticipate problems with solutions, you become indispensable.
8. Be a role model
Project the highest ethical standards and radiate positive energy. Maintain a balanced demeanor and approach each crisis (real or imagined) with a rational style. Your boss often needs a sounding board and you can be a valued voice of reason and calm when issues emerge.
9. Package your information well
Some TOTs can be frustrating when they're inattentive or unavailable. It can seem like a form of corporate ADD, or as I call it, BADD (boss attention deficit disorder). BADD bosses can't focus on important tasks and allow e-mails, text messages, phones and people to interrupt their (and your) flow.
Make sure you understand your boss's ideal communication method, package your work in an appealing way and make your presentations engaging and interactive. Make it irresistible for your boss to find out about your projects.
10. Set boundaries
Let bosses know privately when they've gone over the line, but do so diplomatically. Keep the conversation focused on your work product. If your manager is intentionally malicious, that's another matter that requires more serious action. If, after repeated efforts for cooperation (such as with a bully boss and unsupportive management), you may be best off looking elsewhere. You have to determine how much strife you can handle.
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