Communication – Personal Development – Business

Problem: You have an employee, colleague or friend who is very talented but when they are given feedback, even of the simplest kind, they start crying. This person is a TOP performer and has great potential.  You are thinking that they either lack confidence, or their expectation of themselves is too high, but then maybe it’s fear of failure.  As a leader, you want to help.  You know that if they do not get their emotions under control and learn to communicate more effectively, they will sabotage their succession to the top.  You interview their past manager/supervisor and determine that this has been an ongoing problem. The good news is it’s not you! Maybe you should get this pin?

Here are some ideas:
1.    Listen to how you mentally react to the crying employee:
a.    Crying does not automatically mean weakness.
b.    Accept that their crying makes you uncomfortable.
c.    Consider that their crying could be a ploy to manipulate you.
d.    Keep an open mind and look past your conventional wisdom and embedded prejudices.
e.    Polish your communications and stay calm. Don’t feel guilty.
f.    Don’t allow their crying to push you into tabling the topic at hand.

Tags: accountability, job success by Marsha
5 Comments »

When it’s your Birthday in our family, you can do and eat anything you want.  So in celebrating my husband’s special day, he immediately requested The Waffle House.  Visions of clogged arteries, expanding waistlines and indigestion quickly filled my head.

Upon arrival to the local Waffle House, we were greeted by a friendly smile and enthusiastic, real welcome. There was one small booth left in the crowded eatery, so we hurriedly took it.  Franny was immediately at our table asking for beverages, and made a pleasant comment about my husbands Tennessee ball cap. And there it started.

Tags: job success by Marsha
4 Comments »

The Arizona Cardinals Matt Leinart learned very quickly how to take a negative situation and turn it into a positive outcome.  In 2004, he was the teams first round draft pick, fueled by his winning the Heisman Trophy presented to the outstanding college football athlete. Enter Kurt Warner to the Cardinals line, who was quickly assigned the starting quarterback by Arizona coach Keith Whisenhunt.

Tags: accountability, attitude, job success, success by Marsha
No Comments »

Thought you would enjoy this!

Marsha,

Kudos for some good advice on resume writing!  As a certified professional resume writer for many years (I no longer actively market this service as I’ve moved onto other interests), your advice is quite spot on.  Even though resumes people have all the information that is necessary to create a resume, few have any clue how to create that “effective” document that will get them a second glance.  A well-written, concise and attractive presentation are critical, especially in competitive job markets.

Tags: job success, resume by Marsha
No Comments »

I was asked on a radio show what are the real secrets to getting a job in this economy. With so many people looking for employment, you must insure that your resume stands out.  There are 7 secrets that will insure that you are the star that your future employer plucks out of the sky. Remember that the goal of a resume is to get an interview, so take a leadership stance and total personal responsibility to make it a great one. Glad I’m not sending out a Resume!  There were typo’s in this post!!

Tags: Job Interviews, job success by Marsha
3 Comments »

Worried about keeping your job?  You should be! With all the economic news and business problems, this is a topic I’m am often asked about. Being responsive to change includes enhancing your knowledge and adapting your style as you grow in or change your career path.   New jobs, roles, responsibilities, demographics, and even having a new leader may impact how you are viewed regarding your contributions to the organization. The worst thing you could do is display difficult behavior and become a toxic person.

Tags: accountability, job success, personal responsibility by Marsha
1 Comment »

The U.S. job losses accelerated the last two months, pushing the unemployment rate to 14-year highs in October, a government report showed, suggesting the economic downturn has taken a turn for the worse toward a deep recession. You need to Fire Proof yourself! Don’t become a Toxic Person or use difficult behavior in the workplace. Just look at the facts.
You are probably asking yourself, “Am I next?” Here are the ten ways on  how to “Fire Proof” yourself.
1.    Never Gossip. Ever. You never know who’s listening and how they will change your message to make themselves look good.  If you think the grapevine is your main source of information and gossiping keeps you in the know, learn to ask questions and be a better communicator.

Tags: job success, laid off, outsourced by Marsha
No Comments »

Thanks for the great posts on the last ezine and blog about Generation Y. Plus I received a ton of email on the effects of them in business today. The entire issue of becoming a difficult person because of generational differences is amazing. Not to mention that the problems of professional and personal development can be derailed when people have conflict.

Tags: Gen X, Gen Y, job success, Uncategorized by Marsha
No Comments »

I have reinforced many things I already know through the news this week by paying attention to the headlines. 

Big Brown was a shoe in to win the Triple Crown.  Didn’t happen.
A few months ago Hillary Clinton was a shoe in to win the Democratic convention. Didn’t happen.
Donald Trump expected Casinos to fatten his fortune. Didn’t happen.

Winning takes focus, discipline, flexibility, self-awareness and more to gain the success you want and deserve.

From Big Winners and Big Losers by Alfred A. Marcus
The big winners:
1. Occupied sweet spots – they found their niche.  Think about your job.  Are you in your sweet spot?  If not, why not?

Tags: job success, personal responsibility, success by Marsha
1 Comment »

What do you do with difficult people and generally bad employees? Now is the perfect time to do a little Spring Cleaning. Here’s the dirty little secret. Think about cleaning up your own communication skills in dealing with toxic people. I found an interesting Forbes Article and it reminded me that there are considerations for cleaning up the bad employees and difficult people:

1. Don’t gossip. Stay as far away from the grapevine’s trash can as you can and the official Director of Chaos. People that involve themselves in the “whine and geez” parties rarely move up the ladder. Don’t let the “bad apple” of the bunch suck you in. Take personal responsibility for your own positive attitude. Get out the mental vacuum and clean up your thinking.

Tags: bad behavior, Gossip, job success by Marsha
No Comments »