It’s always surprising (though, at this point, it shouldn’t be) just how much people resist the idea that HR might be able to help in certain workplace situations. As a professional career coach, I feel strongly that we do ourselves and others a disservice when we blindly write off HR as being “the enemy.”
I am a big fan of documentation, especially in the workplace. I firmly believe that, when we put thoughts into words and commit them to “paper” (whether physical or digital), we make them more real. Whether journaling for personal development or professional, the act of writing is an important tool for self-discovery, growth and much more. It’s no surprise then that I recommend that everyone keep a work journal.
When it comes to your career, there’s one investment that will always yield the best, most sustainable, most reliable returns. Any time or money you spend on expanding your professional capabilities has a potential payoff that is greater than any other investment you could make. That sounds like an exaggeration, I know. But think of it this way…
A common question I’m hearing lately goes something like this: My organization has recently downsized and now I’m doing more work covering for some colleagues who were laid off. I think I deserve a raise, but is that a reasonable request given that we just had to let people go? This is a great...
As I write this, we are in the midst of a global pandemic, which has changed the way we live and work. Many professionals are working from home for the first time. Based on the questions I’m receiving and complaints I’m hearing, quite a few are struggling as they attempt to work without direct...
Wow. A lot has happened in just a short period of time. It’s enough to make your head spin, right? In the past two weeks, the world as we know it has dramatically changed in response to the COVID-19 virus. Many professionals are now working from home for the first time with little to no...
Not long ago, I wrote an article on the topic of chronic complainers. It focused on how to deal with these kinds of folks because, let’s be honest, no one likes a whiner. And yet, it seems most workplaces are crawling with them. But then it dawned on me…What if (dare I say it) YOU are the pesky...
I am a firm believer that all growth starts with understanding yourself. Before you can grow as a person or as a professional, you have to first know who you are and why you do what you do. This skill is commonly referred to as “self-awareness,” and it’s an important element of emotional...
During my monthly webinars, I often hear a handful of the same questions. A common one goes something like this: “The people I work with think my job is inferior. They look down on me (and my role). How do I get others to value my work more?” This question hits particularly close to home for...
These days, people talk a lot about adding value in the workplace. Specifically, everyone wants to know how to become a more valuable employee. After all, when you add more value at work, you should (in theory) receive more value as well. It’s only natural; contributing at greater levels should...
The word proactive is often tossed around in the workplace with little context. If you’re reading this article, it’s safe to assume you’ve heard it. Perhaps you’ve even been instructed to “be more proactive.” But you may be wondering what it really means to be proactive at work. This is the...
When I was growing up, there was never a question about whether or not I would go to college. The only question was, where? I was very fortunate to come from a family with the financial means to make this my reality. However, not everyone has that same opportunity—and quite frankly, many don’t...