Although times are tough, 2024 can be a brilliant year. If we work at making it one.
Take a look at the video for inspiration.
What is 2024’s biggest obstacle for you?
What would it feel like to overcome it?
How will resolutions, goals, or collaboration help?
Feel free to leave a comment and a like if this has been useful.
As Christmas and the new year get closer, we could do worse than think about the future.
In the short-term there will be parties and socials where our people skills are put to the test. After all, social gatherings can bring out the worst in people.
In those settings our charisma or #rizz helps us get out point across and listen, respectfully, to others’ views. We can remain happy even if the atmosphere gets heated.
In January we will be going after a new set of goals. We might have to work with new people and influence their actions to get something done on our behalf. Charisma will be important in this area too.
So, this holiday season we can all practice using our people skills and see what value we can add to work, or play, by using our charisma.
Why not give it a try and leave a comment about how you got on.
Some people inherit their opportunities and other people spend a long time creating their chances.
If you are over 50 years of age it will be harder to get employers’ attention, as they prioritise attracting recent graduates.
The video should help you think about how to market yourself when the competition may be 20 years your junior.
Feel free to leave a Like and Comment about your approach to older workers..
It is easy to get caught up with big delivery goals and to be out of touch with everyday problems, like difficult team relationships.
Smart leaders will be open to 360-degree feedback, which will tell them about what is going on.
Feedback could even highlight where their behaviour is adding to problems, not solving them.
That news is important, although it can be hard to hear.
That’s why feedback matters.
Leave a Like if this is a helpful reminder. You can leave a comment too, to share the most useful job-related feedback you have given, or received.
There is nothing better than spending time with loved ones away from work during the summer months.
When it is time to pack away the shorts and T shirts too many people are unhappy to get back to their day jobs, because they feel stuck in a rut.
To make matters worse, way too many people have to face the morale sapping problem of bullying in their team once they cancel their out-of-office alerts.
Here’s a quick reminder that smart leaders create a climate where would-be bullies think twice before throwing their weight around.
Why?
Because the potential bully knows they will be held accountable for the damage they cause to morale, the team’s reputation and the unit’s production schedule.
Feel free to Like and Share if you find this post helpful.
The Summer is a great time to take stock.
We can ask ourselves questions while we spend time with family and friends.
Are we getting what we want from work?
Does our personal life feel satisfying?
If there is something missing professionally, or personally, we can decide what we want instead.
Then we can create a smart goal to kickstart our development plan.
Feel free to leave a Like on the YouTube short, if you find the reminder about goal setting helpful. You can subscribe for similar content too.
Beyond our professional and personal networks there are limitless potential customers, clients and service users.
The people who use our goods and services can be challenged by unspoken burdens.
When we create a space where they can help us better understand their lives those burdens can become visible.
Once we can see what other obstacles they face, we can help them eliminate them.
It is a win-win situation.
We learn something, while they enjoy greater independence and joy.
If this reminder is helpful feel free to Like Comment or Share.
Here’s a true story inspired by a past incident of public-sector workplace inequality.
Back in the day I was low-key about defining my sexuality (its Bi / Pan), but a colleague speculated then gossiped about me being gay to people in the organisation who were anti-gay. Suddenly the treatment I received from those people went from neutral to unfriendly.
Aside from anger I thought they were being stupid. Their prejudices spoke loudly about their narrow-mindedness. I made new friends and carried on being good at my job. But that didn’t affect their disruptive, problem-causing attitudes.
I should have stepped up and taken responsibility for naming what was going on and dealing with the disruption it caused. The beneficiaries would have been my team, the organisation and me.
I have no idea whether those responsible for the bullying behaviour are leading teams or directing work somewhere these days. If they continued acting out their prejudices their colleagues will have suffered along the way.
The point to the story is this: when prejudice rears its ugly head it is always important to name it, find allies, and take a stand. Calling prejudice out makes it possible to hold people accountable for their actions.
Nothing gets better if good people say nothing.
No one wants their supervisor or Big Boss to take liberties.
You can protect your free time by saying No and offering an alternative suggestion to get the job done.
That’s true, even if you are new to the team and the Big Boss wants you to work over the weekend, to meet an unexpected but high priority target.
It doesn’t matter whether you and your family want to enjoy the #Coronation events, or go and see your team #play, you can say No to work unscheduled requests.
If in any doubt check with your supervisor about the policy on working in your free time.
How do you manage pre-interview nerves, when you go after a new job?
I remember coaching a colleague whose nerves were obvious when she fidgeted with her keys all the way through a mock interview.
How did she go on to earn a promotion into a dream job?
We talked and she recognised that positive self-talk, plus preparation would boost her chances of confidently performing in her next real interview, regardless of previous job search nightmares.
Feel free to Like, Share and Comment if this story resonates with you.
Experience Your Life 