Let Go of the GFC

Last month I attended a leadership conference and the man doing the opening address made reference to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) four times within five minutes.

Each time he did, I rolled my eyes and wanted to get up and scream, "Let go of the GFC. The longer you focus on it, the longer you're going to stay stuck in an unpalatable situation."

Five speakers into the day and a HR Director said something that was music to my ears, "I think we need to put the GFC in its place. The media has a lot to do with its impact." Hip, hip hooray!!!

One speaker asked us to do an exercise to share what strategies we put in place to "fight" the GFC. The others on my team turned to me first and asked, "Well, what have you done?" To which I replied, "Nothing, I don't believe in the GFC, and as result it doesn't affect me."

I had four pairs of perplexed eyes staring at me. I could tell they were trying to process what I was saying. If I could read minds I was sure the woman was thinking, "This woman is delusional, arrogant, living in another world or all of the above."

Their discomfort with my response was obvious, so I added, "Whenever my clients blame the GFC for their financial challenges, I always ask them, 'Did you have the same issues before?' 100% of them admitted they had. So I told them to stop using a very well publicized excuse for their problems and get on with the task or running their business with the aim of creating high performance and not excuses."

Then I asked the others, and the woman who was the Corporate HR Manager at a major airline said, "I was going to respond in a certain way, but what you've said has made me think, and you're right, it's just an excuse, we had the same problems before the GFC."

The men also admitted to changing their answers based on what I said.

Ahhh, I love validation.

But here's the point, if you want to become a good manager, don't follow the pack. After all the crowd has got the business world where it is today. Be a fresh thinker, have a point of view, see things for what they really are and encourage others to do the same.

What a different work world it would be.

New managers can make a real difference, check out 7 Super Success Strategies to Become a Manager for more ideas of how you can get your first executive promotion.

Problem with a Hostile Coworker

I recently received a question from Shimi in India, "I have a problem with a hostile co-worker. She snatches--literally--things from me, snaps at me, and makes slated nasty comments about me within my earshot. I have not been able to summon the courage to tick her off because she is immensely popular in the group, whereas I'm constantly isolated.

The whole thing is depressing. How can I tackle her without others openly turning against me?"

If you were a manager, how would you handle this situation if one of your team members had the courage to bring the situation to your attention? Your action should be two-fold but here was my response to Shimi:

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In situations such as these I often suggest people change their attitude, behavior or environment. So let’s look at each aspect.

** Attitude

You can chose to ignore these bullies or not say anything and just get on with your job, but in doing so you’re actually letting them get away with bad behavior and that’s what allows them to repeat it over and over again. So I suggest you take behavioral action.

** Behavior

I know you are wary of taking action because you don’t want to be isolated by your peers, but it’s a necessary step to assert yourself. And the only reason she may be ‘popular’ is because others are afraid of her wrath and would rather be on her good side than her victim!

Tell the bully you want to speak with her (in private) and say something like, “I just wanted to talk to you because there have been a few things that have occurred lately which have made me feel uncomfortable.” Give her a couple of examples, but always come from the “I”, never the “you”. For example, “When this happened, I felt… and I’d appreciate if it didn’t happen again.”

When people hear, “You did this..” they immediately go on the defensive – so avoid that language.

I know speaking with her will take a lot of courage, but it’s asserting your self worth and the fact you won’t put up with being treated poorly. Practice before you have the conversation.

If after you have spoken with her nothing changes, it’s time to escalate the issue to your manager.

Make an appointment with them and let them know that there have been times where you have felt bullied (and say “bullied” because that’s what it is and a responsible organization will have a bullying policy – in fact, check out what it is before you speak with your manager).

In the meeting take a list of bullying incidents (make sure you document them when they occur so they are fresh in your mind). Let your boss know you have been proactive in having a conversation with her, but to no avail, and you would like their help in dealing with the situation.

If none of the above resolves the issue then I suggest you consider changing your environment.

** Environment

There is no way you want to work in an environment that condones bullying. So I suggest you look to change departments or companies. The longer you stay there the more your self-esteem will plummet and the more miserable you’ll become.

I don’t want you thinking, “But it’s hard to get another job”, because it’s not. Even by starting to look for a new role in a company that values you will make you feel better about the situation because you’re being proactive about your feelings instead of just staying stuck in a negative environment.

I hope the above helps, I know it will take courage, but you’re worth it!

You may also want to check out something I wrote about bullying on my blog which includes some interesting links:

http://madisenharper.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/bullying-at-work-the-harrassment-ends-with-you-like-watching-a-puppy-get-a-kicking-every-day/

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As a manager, team leader or supervisor it's important to teach employees to take responsibility for situations. But it's also essential that you are supportive, especially if you suspect a case of bullying. You can use much of the advice I gave Shimi such as checking company policy on how to deal with the situation and address the person immediately. Unchecked bad behavior is detrimental to teams and individuals and as a people manager it's your responsibility to ensure overall well-being.

Complimenting 2 employees at her bank. It's possible that banks are great...because their people are. Where else can I see 'the good' today?

The cost of an MBA program

Is a management course necessary to climb the corporate ladder? That depends on your current skill set, time and ambition. A Masters of Business Administration is a coveted postgraduate degree sought after by ambitious managers. But starting at over $40,000 per year, with a minimum of two years, do you have the time or the money?:

Finance MBA: The cost of an MBA program: "How much does an MBA costs?
The cost of an MBA course at a really good business school is actually more than the average wage in the UK or USA.
However, when you think about the cost of the MBA you must simultaneously think about the benefit from it – because these amounts are inseparable from each other, and cutting down on the cost could produce a disproportionately high drop in the benefits of the MBA."

Click the link to discover the management fundamentals that will assist you in determining what education you may need for this time in your life.

Meeting Management

I recently attended a meeting which was equivalent to a gathering of the "all mouth and no ears" brigade. Everyone was talking over one another, we were off topic and I was becoming impatient because I felt like I was wasting my time.

And then to top it off, the person who called the meeting said, "We didn't get through what we needed to today so I'll set another meeting for next week."

Kill me now.

Good managers know how to maximize everyone's time. They know when to call a meeting vs when to have one-on-ones, they are focused on the meeting's outcome and drive discussion in a direction that achieves outcomes.

Check out the following article on how to keep your meetings on track.

Meeting Management: "Meetings can be very productive. They can also be a waste of time. Here are some ways to improve your meeting management skill.
Meeting Management Key - Stand PAT
I use a 'PAT' approach to meetings. A meeting has to have: a Purpose, an Agenda, and a Timeframe or I don't do it."

Sometimes even the best laid plans can go astray, especially if you're dealing with difficult people. Click on the link to discover how to become a manager and handle the Liam the Liars and Whining Wendy's in the office.

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Become An Effective Executive

Peter Drucker is the management master. Check out the following article which removes the focus off the individual and onto their contribution.

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Become An Effective Executive: "In his book, The Effective Executive, Peter Drucker pointed out that the effective executive is the person who focuses on making a contribution.

This focus on the making of a contribution is the key. And the key to effectiveness comes in three areas:

1. in a person's work, its content, its level, its standards, and its impacts;

2. in his relationships with others, his superiors, his associates, and his subordinates; and

3. in his use of the tools of the executive, such as meetings and reports."

Click on the link if you want to become a manager that makes a difference.

I'm a new manager (and being taken advantage of)

Some new managers who receive an internal promotion find the new relationship dynamics challenging. Co-workers may find it difficult to adjust to your new role and may not give you respect (which has to be earned) or treat you like you're still in your previous position. Check out the following Q&A of a new manager who feels like he's being taken advantage of:

I'm a new manager (and being taken advantage of)... | JobDig Career Search and Employment Guide - Because everyone should dig their job!: "I'm a new manager (and being taken advantage of)..."

Click the following link to discover 7 Super Success Secrets to Become a Manager and learn top management characteristics to help you in your new job, strategies to move you forward and how to make your first week a success.