Monthly Insights & Musings
Productivity “myths” that might be holding you back from being—well, more productive!
If you’re like most people, there are times when you reach the end of your workday, you sink back in your chair, you look at your still-cluttered desk, and you wish you’d been able to accomplish more (sometimes a lot more). Whether “the end of your workday” is...
For recruiters, hiring managers, and HR staff: my favorite interview questions (and why I like them!)
If you’re a recruiter, hiring manager, or an HR professional, you probably spend a good deal of your workday interviewing job candidates. And you already know that you must optimize the time you spend with each candidate by asking the most “telling” questions you can...
To share or not to share: Should your salary/benefits package remain confidential?
Today I’m going to address a question submitted by Marti G, a reader in the Midwest: Should a person share salary details with a co-worker? And if so, how should they go about doing this? Thanks, Marti, for the challenging topic suggestion! This one’s complicated, but...
Five sure-fire tips (plus a killer bonus tip) that’ll ensure your success as a Networking Ninja Master!
Networking! Now take a deep breath and remain calm. I know that for many of you, networking is the worst word in our business vernacular other than “micromanager,” but hear me out. At some point, I absolutely guarantee that you will be attending an event – either...
The Brutal Truth about Setting Goals: You just gotta have ‘em!
Yeah, right. You’ve heard it all before. Your mother told you. Your teachers told you. Your boss told you. You probably even attended a seminar or two, and the trainer told you: “You’ve got to set some goals if you expect to get anywhere.” Well, guess what? They were...
It’s not only second-hand smoke that’s dangerous—second-hand stress can get you too!
Have you ever been walking down the street when suddenly, someone in front of you gets knocked to the ground by another pedestrian, and your body instinctively tenses up like you’re the one who fell? And, because falling is only funny in a movie where a guy slips on a...
Six Leadership Traits Everyone Can Learn
When I speak with managers and supervisors in my workshops around the country, I’m often asked this question: “What skills do I need to take my career to the next level?” Obviously, if your job requires a unique set of technical or software skills, that’s...
My Best Career Tip? Keep Your Boss Happy!
I’ve been a professional trainer for most of my career, and I can give literally dozens of career tips off the top of my head that are proven and practical—and can be put into practice by just about anyone. But there’s one simple tip that works better than any other:...
When Life Plans Change: How to Renegotiate your Job Description
The following question was submitted to me by a woman named Demetria, who works in the industrial plumbing industry. I thought it was a great topic to address in this week’s blog, so thanks for the suggestion, Demetria! (And please note: Demetria wants to ask her boss...
Ten instant, easy, and downright enjoyable (I promise) New Year’s Resolutions to make you stronger, smarter – and nicer!
Well, it’s that time of year—again. You can either dread it or embrace it, but either way, it’s gonna happen. When you return to work in early January, you’re going to be bombarded from the north, south, east, and west by the most famous question of all. Be...
Six Steps to Make 2019 a Banner Year!
Where did the time go? And what happened to all the plans we made last January? You know — the ones that were going to make 2018 our best year yet? Relax. We’re all in the same boat. There’s really nothing we can do now about those 2018 plans that got sidetracked —...
Phone Etiquette in the 21st Century
Last week, I made the mistake of attempting to call the HR department at Sears Headquarters. It was for an unusual issue that couldn’t be handled through their seemingly endless and frustrating automated systems—and yes, I understand that they’ve filed for bankruptcy,...