3 Things Every Employee Should Know:

Many of today's workers, especially those with in-demand skill sets and experience, have a notable advantage when seeking new jobs or promotions. With a large number of baby boomers retiring and smaller generations of replacement workers entering the work force, employment conditions are expected to remain favorable for candidates for the foreseeable future. If you are planning to take advantage of the positive market today or at some point down the road, keep these three things in mind:

1. Your interests.
Give careful consideration to what you love most about your job before you pursue any changes. This will help you make better decisions about the next step in your career.

2. Your strengths and weaknesses.
Conduct an honest assessment of your professional assets and any liabilities that could be standing in your way. Use this assessment to focus your career.

3. Your options.
Before handing in your resignation, be sure you have considered all of your options. There may be opportunities at your current firm that you are not aware of. You may have more leverage than you think in negotiating a new career path or higher compensation at your present firm.

You can inspire

Get inspired and energized by your challenges and allow your goodness to shine through.

Difference between Leadership & Management

Leadership	Management
People	Things
Spontaneity, serendipity	Structure
Release, Empowerment	Control
Effectiveness	Efficiency
Programmer	Program
Investment	Expense
Principles	Techniques
Transformation	Transaction
Principled-centered Power	Utility
Discernment	Measurement
Doing the right thing	Doing things Right
Direction	Speed
Top Line	Bottom Line
Purposes	Methods
Principles	Practices
On the Systems	In the Systems
“Is the ladder against the right wall?”	Climbing the Ladder Faster

20 Ways to Impress Your Boss in 2013

Vying for a promotion or want to make a good impression, here are 20 ways to show you're dream team material:

1. Know the mission. Align yourself with your boss' and company's goals and values.

2. Understand how you'll be evaluated. Know precisely which skills, behaviors and accomplishments you will be judged on and rewarded.

3. Be dependable. Do what you say you're going to do.

4. Project positive energy. Don't be the one to whine or criticize.

5. Make your boss look good. Finish your work on time and with a high level of professionalism.

6. Own up. Take responsibility for your mistakes by focusing on what you've learned rather than what you've done wrong.

7. Be organized. Plan your next day before you leave work.  

8. Be punctual. Arriving for work or meetings on time.

9. Be resourceful. Don't run to the boss with every question, develop possible solutions to present.

10. Broaden your horizons. Take advantage of company-sponsored training courses and volunteer for projects in areas outside your everyday expertise.

11. Stay informed. Keep abreast of industry and company trends by reading trade journals and attending professional events.

12. Be trendy. Stay current with technological, legal and knowledge advances in your area.

13. Be courteous. Show respect and loyalty to your boss and speak well of her to others.

14. Be flexible. Companies need people who can adapt and go with the flow.

15. Take care of your health.

16. Leave your personal life at the door.

17. Go beyond the call of duty. Take on added challenges.

18. Be a team player. Show your boss you have his best interest at heart.

19. Take a break now and then. A clear head and balanced life can give you energy and perspective.

20. Look and act promotable.

Some key drivers of job satisfaction

Relationships	With manager, peers and subordinates
Work/life balance	Location/commute, Travel & Amount of work
Kind of work	Autonomy, Type of Work, Contribution & Growth opportunities
The company	Values, Leadership & Industry
Financial considerations	Base Pay and Incentive Pay

Some key drivers of job satisfaction

Relationships	With manager, peers and subordinates
Work/life balance	Location/commute, Travel & Amount of work
Kind of work	Autonomy, Type of Work, Contribution & Growth opportunities
The company	Values, Leadership & Industry
Financial considerations	Base Pay and Incentive Pay

Salary Negotiation for 2013

Negotiating Your Win / Win Package

Establish what your priorities are and how compensation factors into the equation.

Demonstrate your worth by detailing your accomplishments and what they have meant to the bottom line.

Don't get bogged down in conversations about your current earnings if they are not relevant to the position.Ask for the salary range rather than suggesting what you are hoping to earn.

Leverage factors to your advantage such as: forthcoming salary increase or that you're assessing other potential opportunities.Bottom line: think big picture. If everything about the offer matches your criteria - job description, reporting manager, working environment, company policies and mission - get the best compensation package you can while letting the hiring manager know you are the best candidate for the job.