The givens: 1. Change is inevitable (except from a vending machine). 2. There are only three types of employees in an organizational change process: The Change Hardy, The Fence Sitters and The Resisters. 3. Front line leaders are the key to any change process. So, when confronted with a change in your organization, do you: • Consider the cost of switching before you consider the benefits? • Highlight... Continue reading

I’ve read my share of books on ‘Success’ and, in my view, they pretty much say this same thing, only differently. I’d like to write a book, but writing books is a complicated process that takes time, research and talent. And since I’m too stupid for anything that complicated, I like to focus on the little things. When you take care of the little things, the big things take care of themselves.... Continue reading

When a C-Level executive is separated the news is heard publicly. And so, often, is the next chapter. What would the next chapter look like if money were not an issue? What would you do first? Why is a traditional outplacement program not the answer? What help would you need with this dilemma? Some ‘situational’ thoughts……………. • A CEO of an automobile company who doesn’t want to be... Continue reading

First: Are you leaving behind an easily found trail of accomplishment? More people are interested in what you’ve done than what you think you can do. especially if you can prove that what you’ve done has made money for your company. Second: Do you regularly note what you produce in a log or journal? The first thing is more difficult: If the work you do isn’t worth collating and highlighting,... Continue reading

Getting back up, bouncing back or being resilient. Call it what you want, it is quite simply, the ability to take disappointment and get up again and keep trying. If you were at work and you ran into an problem and if solving it meant that you would be more successful, you’d find a way to solve it. If you found out you had the winning lottery ticket with 20 minutes left to claim the $10 million prize,... Continue reading

Any day you learn something new is a good day. Any day you take what you’ve learned and make money for your company is a good day. Any day you can be recognized for your contribution is a great day. It helps if you know how your company makes money. People get hired because they can make ‘the company’ money. And……….people get fired because they can’t. Interviews... Continue reading

(Because it’s the little things) Develop a reputation for reliability. Know what you don’t know. Be the first to own your mistake. Look people in the eye when you apologize. Listen. Give credit. Take responsibility. It’s only what people hear. Good questions are better than easy answers. Asking is better than telling. There’s a big difference between asking and accusing. It’s only what... Continue reading

For the most part, a resume will not get you your next position, but it’s hard to get your next position without a resume. It’s the perennial job search ‘catch-22’. A resume is an expanded business card that can go where you can’t go and sell when you’re not there. It is the product of the research project on your favorite subject. It has an average ‘read time’ of three to ten seconds.... Continue reading

A guy is walking down the street when he falls into a hole. The walls are so steep he can’t get out. He is down there for a while when a minister walks by. The guy says, “Hey, Reverend, can you help me”? The minister writes a prayer on a piece of paper, drops it in the hole and moves on. Later, a doctor walks by. Our guy says, “Hey, doc, can you help me?” The doctor writes a prescription.... Continue reading

Job search networking is now a three legged stool. • Transition groups • Personal contacts • Linkedin® The first two are where you find people. The third is where people find you. When I first looked at Linkedin®, I didn’t know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt. I looked at friends’ profiles. I read a book. I went to free seminars. I knew where I wanted to be, I just didn’t... Continue reading