Why Not Me

Those of you who have been following me on Twitter and Facebook know this day was bound to happen. My first book will be officially available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Authorhouse. You can also reserve your copy with me. I look forward to your response.

Here's what the book touches on:

“Why Not Me” details a path to self-awareness and team building. The book talks about various ways to build a support network to help individuals pursue their passion. It begins by showing the reader how to identify their passion. The initial pages help the reader figure out: who they are and proceed to merge their current skills with what they have to develop. The book reaches for the simple things, like: defining who you are; how you view yourself and how you think other people view you. It is an easy read with self assuring messages throughout.

Best way to Gain Energy & Release Your Potential

Topics -   Here's how you do it
Choose Attitude - Make your day a great day
When you want to Play - Make work fun it builds energy
Engage Customers - Include customers in the fun
Be Present - Pay Attention & Be attentive

Rate Your Relationship With the Boss

Does dealing with your boss cause knots in your stomach? Do your co-workers seem to have an easy time of asking for, and getting, what they want? Do you hesitate to approach your boss for what you want because you're unsure of his/her reaction?
Your boss determines much of your happiness at work, if not all of your satisfaction. Wouldn't it be helpful to know how strong your relationship is with your boss?

This quiz will help you rate your relationship with your boss. Check each answer you agree with. Each checked answer counts as one point.

I know the best time of the day to approach my boss with a question or request.
I can almost always read my boss’s mood and thus avoid inopportune times.
I have successfully negotiated with my boss in the last year (for time off, a raise, project ownership, etc.).
My boss takes an interest in my career growth: s/he has approved a seminar or additional learning.
I learn from my boss, s/he shares information and expertise.
I respect my boss; s/he has integrity.
I don't dread spending time with my boss, we can laugh together.
My boss shares his/her vision for the department/staff.
My boss values my ideas and suggestions.
I know where I stand with my boss.
My boss is a good leader; s/he walks the talk.
I get timely answers to my questions from my boss.
I receive sufficient direction from my boss.
My boss provides opportunities that challenge and stretch me.
I receive written and timely performance appraisals that my boss reviews with me.
I have discussed my future career goals with my boss.
My boss doesn't take all the credit for my work.
My boss listens when I speak.
My boss seeks and respects my opinion and ideas.
I know my boss’s preferred communication style.
I am a trusted member of my boss’s team.
I am treated with respect by my boss.
I don't dread meetings with my boss.
When I mess up, I quickly inform my boss and take responsibility for the mistake.
I am competitively rewarded (base salary, bonus) for my work.

20-25:  Congratulations! Your relationship with your boss is great! Talk to your boss about contributing at an even higher level.

16-20:  This is a very good score. Speak with your boss about how you could advance your boss’s agenda and what additional challenges you might undertake.

11-15:  Your relationship with your boss is OK, but there’s room for improvement. Learn how to improve your communication skills with your boss by watching what successful colleagues do.

6-10:  You have work to do. Select one or two areas to focus on and ask your boss how you might improve.

0-5:  OK, nobody’s perfect. But there’s help at hand. Working with a career coach could help you define what kind of changes you could make immediately and also help you establish a long-range plan.

Advice for dealing with gossip, favoritism and the office politics

Office politics exist in every workplace. Whether you work at a small design agency or a major financial corporation, internal power struggles arise. Following are three common political problems in the workplace and tips for handling each situation.

Q: I would like to avoid the office rumor mill, but people always try roping me into gossipy conversations. How should I handle this?

A: Water cooler chatter can be both helpful and harmful. The trick is recognizing when to listen and when to cut and run. Walk away when the gossip involves non-business-related topics or mean-spirited mudslinging.

Q: I'm a loyal employee and a hard worker, but my boss plays favorites and always gives the plum assignments to a particular co-worker. What can I do?

A: Before crying foul, make sure you communicate to your supervisor your interest in taking on additional responsibility. Your manager might simply be waiting for you to step up and show initiative.

Q: One of my colleagues seems like she's out to get me. Whenever possible, she does something to make me look bad. How should I respond?

A:If someone's purposely undermining your efforts, you can respond in several ways.
One option is to pull the person aside and ask her about her troubling actions. Focus on the facts and don't let your emotions get the best of you.

If you feel confronting your co-worker is futile, document her behavior, collecting concrete evidence supporting your claims and making note of how your performance was adversely affected. Then, bring the matter to your manager's attention in an objective, professional manner. Your goal is not to complain or vent but to apprise your manager of the situation, emphasizing how your co-worker's actions are impeding productivity.