Tag: workplace culture
Over at Seth Godin’s blog, he wrote a piece about TED while the annual TED conference was in full swing in Long Beach. And it made us think.
Remember waaaay back to high school algebra? Why did we do so many problems? None of which we ever needed to do in “real” life. Those equations were teaching us to think in an abstract way, Godin derived. Now, fast-forward that type of thinking beyond just numbers and letters, to ideas and concepts.
High-level thinkers are essential to making an idea better. They are able to see beyond the missing details, and are even able to create those items as they go along. Drawing a conclusion (and predicting if A + B will indeed = C) is where we can all learn to live. No longer just accepting what we are told, but testing and rearranging it to see what other outcomes we can get.
Now, in math, there is only one correct answer. In life, there may be several options that seem appropriate. But it is your job—in life and in your career—to train yourself to know when you’ve found the best one.
–Megan Lebo, Assistant Traffic Manager, Network Media Partners
March 16, 2010
How we handle change is key to surviving today’s business climate
The ability to embrace change. It is so important to our success and happiness, yet it is not a natural feeling for most of us. We can train ourselves to be more open, even excited, about change. Having a purposeful way of talking and acting that embraces change–and helps others to embrace change–is essential in today’s business world.
A white paper written by Management Concepts delves into this topic. According to Senior Consultant Ken Buch, “We adapt to challenges as our need to thrive and survive arises.” Be proactive: Practice your adaptability skills so when a change occurs, you are ready.
One small step is to start thinking about the possibilities of the future. It is perhaps more natural to think about what is, what we’ve already done, or what didn’t work in the past, but in order to create an “acceptance of transition” we must start thinking and talking about future possibilities. Thinking and talking about future goals and plans often creates powerful action in the present.
They say curiosity killed the cat, but lack of curiosity may kill the desire to embrace change. Do you listen when people talk? Do you want to know what they think and feel? Are you listening objectively, or simply pasting your own ideas onto what you think they are going to say next? Start by giving the speaker your full attention. Easier said than done, but you can learn this vital listening skill with practice. In return, people will respond to your requests with their best energy and accept new ideas more easily because they trust you.
Change brings stress. It is important to notice when consistent high levels of stress have pushed people too far. Emotions may be ruling their words and actions, having thrown rational thought out the window. Maintaining a sense of security and safety is vital to make it though a time of transition successfully.
Bottom line: We must learn to be comfortable in our un-comfort zone, and help others do the same.
–Megan Lebo, Assistant Traffic Manager, Network Media Partners
February 23, 2010
Is the fast pace and ease of social media making our interactions in the workplace too informal?
Is social media making us too informal in the workplace? Do you often end an email with “thnx!” or include a casual “LOL”? And so what if you do? Is that wrong?
Professionally and socially, we have become dependent on a variety of electronic forms of communication including texting, email, Twitter and other social media forums. All of which beg for the succinctness that a brief “IMO” or “BTW” allow. But at what point do these quick and easy forms of communication become detrimental when forging business relationships?
There’s no doubt that technology has given us new ways to communicate, not only with a much broader group of friends, colleagues and strangers, but also in a way to make multi-taskers everywhere rejoice. In fact, as you read this, you’re probably also chatting with a coworker, drafting an email to a client, and keeping an eye on your phone’s feeds from Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
The overlap of social media’s social and professional purposes sometimes allows professionalism and politeness to go by the wayside. The more that people rely on electronic forms of communication, the easier it is to forget that a live person is receiving the words we blast into cyberspace.
The intended sincerity of the “thnx” you emailed your client can be misconstrued as an inappropriately casual or terse response. The easy-going “LOL” can be taken to mean you may not take a subject as seriously as you should.
In your daily communications, how often do you use this new media shorthand?
Maybe you’ve developed the kind of relationship with your coworker or client that make your smiley face emoticons a non-issue. We want to know, how did you get to that point? And who made the first move to communiqué filled with winky faces and a spirited helping of exclamation points?
–Katherine Boyce, Sales Associate, Network Media Partners
January 26, 2010
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