Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
8 Qualities of Remarkable Employees (repost)
http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/the-8-qualities-of-remarkable-employees.html
Great employees are reliable, dependable, proactive, diligent, great leaders and great followers... they possess a wide range of easily-defined—but hard to find—qualities.
8 Qualities of Remarkable Employees
A few hit the next level. Some employees are remarkable, possessing qualities that may not appear on performance appraisals but nonetheless make a major impact on performance.
Here are eight qualities of remarkable employees:
1. They ignore job descriptions. The smaller the company, the more important it is that employees can think on their feet, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and do whatever it takes, regardless of role or position, to get things done.
When a key customer's project is in jeopardy, remarkable employees know without being told there's a problem and jump in without being asked—even if it's not their job.
2. They’re eccentric... The best employees are often a little different: quirky, sometimes irreverent, even delighted to be unusual. They seem slightly odd, but in a really good way. Unusual personalities shake things up, make work more fun, and transform a plain-vanilla group into a team with flair and flavor.
People who aren't afraid to be different naturally stretch boundaries and challenge the status quo, and they often come up with the best ideas.
3. But they know when to dial it back. An unusual personality is a lot of fun... until it isn't. When a major challenge pops up or a situation gets stressful, the best employees stop expressing their individuality and fit seamlessly into the team.
Remarkable employees know when to play and when to be serious; when to be irreverent and when to conform; and when to challenge and when to back off. It’s a tough balance to strike, but a rare few can walk that fine line with ease.
4. They publicly praise... Praise from a boss feels good. Praise from a peer feels awesome, especially when you look up to that person.
Remarkable employees recognize the contributions of others, especially in group settings where the impact of their words is even greater.
5. And they privately complain. We all want employees to bring issues forward, but some problems are better handled in private. Great employees often get more latitude to bring up controversial subjects in a group setting because their performance allows greater freedom.
Remarkable employees come to you before or after a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue, knowing that bringing it up in a group setting could set off a firestorm.
6. They speak when others won’t. Some employees are hesitant to speak up in meetings. Some are even hesitant to speak up privately.
An employee once asked me a question about potential layoffs. After the meeting I said to him, “Why did you ask about that? You already know what's going on.” He said, “I do, but a lot of other people don't, and they're afraid to ask. I thought it would help if they heard the answer from you.”
Remarkable employees have an innate feel for the issues and concerns of those around them, and step up to ask questions or raise important issues when others hesitate.
7. They like to prove others wrong. Self-motivation often springs from a desire to show that doubters are wrong. The kid without a college degree or the woman who was told she didn't have leadership potential often possess a burning desire to prove other people wrong.
Education, intelligence, talent, and skill are important, but drive is critical. Remarkable employees are driven by something deeper and more personal than just the desire to do a good job.
8. They’re always fiddling. Some people are rarely satisfied (I mean that in a good way) and are constantly tinkering with something: Reworking a timeline, adjusting a process, tweaking a workflow.
Great employees follow processes. Remarkable employees find ways to make those processes even better, not only because they are expected to… but because they just can't help it.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
More evidence for forefoot strikes...why minimalist footwear might be better...
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/why-runners-get-injured/
Science is catching up with the minimalist movement and revealing data that supports:
1. Many modern running shoes are like casts that force our feet to roll as we run.
2. However, our feet have evolved to splay out as they hit the ground. Our running form is optimal when we take shorter strides, land under our body and land on our forefoot.
3. If you choose shoes that have zero or low heel drop you increase your ability to land on your forefoot and stop 'rolling' (where you hit your heel first out in front of your body and then roll your entire foot). This allows for the shock of running to be distributed evenly up your whole body...rather than having it all hit right at your heel and vibrate your knees and hips.
Science is catching up with the minimalist movement and revealing data that supports:
1. Many modern running shoes are like casts that force our feet to roll as we run.
2. However, our feet have evolved to splay out as they hit the ground. Our running form is optimal when we take shorter strides, land under our body and land on our forefoot.
3. If you choose shoes that have zero or low heel drop you increase your ability to land on your forefoot and stop 'rolling' (where you hit your heel first out in front of your body and then roll your entire foot). This allows for the shock of running to be distributed evenly up your whole body...rather than having it all hit right at your heel and vibrate your knees and hips.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Deedle Deedle Dees create smart, talented and deep music for kids...
A childhood friend of mine was recently featured on NPR.
He is a part of a band in NY that is creating smart, talented and deep music for kids...
What a great idea! As a parent and music lover I can tell you the mindless, chirpy, sing-along stuff they usually call kids music gets REALLY old REALLY fast. It is about time that someone started realizing that kids appreciate talent just like the rest of us.
Way to go Deedle Deedle Dees, you have raised the bar for what kid's music should be!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast: Remembering the Tortoise in 2012
So often, the 'Truths' we hold so dear are actually 'truths,' with a lower case 't.'
We often fixate upon our 'reality' at the expense of the bigger picture. We try so hard to push forward that we forget that sometimes paths are not meant to be straight and we would do better to weave around obstacles rather than try to plow through them.
Just like the pretentious jackrabbit in the fable, we hurry and hurry, and in our haste we lose ourselves and our purpose.
This seems to be what is happening with how people use technology as of late. Social networking especially is being used like it is supposed to help us become multi-tasking gurus with lightening fast communication skills. While in reality, ‘quickness’ is not necessarily the most important thing when it comes to communication, or many things in life for that matter.
I learned a long time ago (and often forget) that sometimes the quickest way to get somewhere is actually to slow down and enjoy the journey. Like that tortoise who beat the arrogant hare, winning is not about speed at all. It is about taking the right steps at the right time and continuing on the right path. In the words of Confucius:
“It doesn’t matter how slowly you go-so long as you do not stop.”
In this New Year, I suggest we slow down and enjoy our existence a bit more. I suggest we take things like Tumblr, Tweeter, texting and Facebook and use them for what they are supposed to be—tools to help us live life more fully, NOT necessarily more quickly or efficiently.
If we slow down a bit, we may find that these tools can be used in new and interesting ways which promote community, freedom and systems thinking in ways we have not considered. We may smooth out what is right now a disjointed, jagged and over-whelming ‘Information Age’.
In the process, we may find that slow is smooth and smooth is fast and the best use of our time may in fact be simply making the most of the time we have.
We often fixate upon our 'reality' at the expense of the bigger picture. We try so hard to push forward that we forget that sometimes paths are not meant to be straight and we would do better to weave around obstacles rather than try to plow through them.
Just like the pretentious jackrabbit in the fable, we hurry and hurry, and in our haste we lose ourselves and our purpose.
This seems to be what is happening with how people use technology as of late. Social networking especially is being used like it is supposed to help us become multi-tasking gurus with lightening fast communication skills. While in reality, ‘quickness’ is not necessarily the most important thing when it comes to communication, or many things in life for that matter.
I learned a long time ago (and often forget) that sometimes the quickest way to get somewhere is actually to slow down and enjoy the journey. Like that tortoise who beat the arrogant hare, winning is not about speed at all. It is about taking the right steps at the right time and continuing on the right path. In the words of Confucius:
“It doesn’t matter how slowly you go-so long as you do not stop.”
In this New Year, I suggest we slow down and enjoy our existence a bit more. I suggest we take things like Tumblr, Tweeter, texting and Facebook and use them for what they are supposed to be—tools to help us live life more fully, NOT necessarily more quickly or efficiently.
If we slow down a bit, we may find that these tools can be used in new and interesting ways which promote community, freedom and systems thinking in ways we have not considered. We may smooth out what is right now a disjointed, jagged and over-whelming ‘Information Age’.
In the process, we may find that slow is smooth and smooth is fast and the best use of our time may in fact be simply making the most of the time we have.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
What job seekers who want to have success in this job market should resolve to do in 2012…
I resolve in 2012 year to:
1. Remind myself every day that my attitude affects my job search.
Despite these tough economic times (and the long period of time I may have been without a job), I vow to start fresh and approach my job search with a positive attitude. Successful job searches are driven by positive emotions. Fear, desperation, depression and anxiety will only prolong my job search. I have to find ways to balance these emotions and approach my job search from a positive place...Therefore, I will…
2. …Strive every day to pursue my passion.
Ask myself, “Am I really following my heart when it comes to my job search?” Passion always wins in this economy and people who let their values determine their direction tend to be more positive and have more success in their job search.
Remember: Passion + Ability + Availability = Meaningful Work
3. Work every day as if my job search is a ‘real’ job.
Remember: I am getting paid to look for work. Why? Because, the quicker I get a job the sooner I am making a pay check. So, the more I work AND the better I work means more money sooner.
Therefore, I will schedule my day as if it is a real job...
I will dress for work and I will set and accomplish real goals.
4. Finally, I will focus every day on NETWORKING.
People hire people they know!
(Figure out how to best use your network to communicate your Brand and you will find productive work that makes you happy...:-)
1. Remind myself every day that my attitude affects my job search.
Despite these tough economic times (and the long period of time I may have been without a job), I vow to start fresh and approach my job search with a positive attitude. Successful job searches are driven by positive emotions. Fear, desperation, depression and anxiety will only prolong my job search. I have to find ways to balance these emotions and approach my job search from a positive place...Therefore, I will…
2. …Strive every day to pursue my passion.
Ask myself, “Am I really following my heart when it comes to my job search?” Passion always wins in this economy and people who let their values determine their direction tend to be more positive and have more success in their job search.
Remember: Passion + Ability + Availability = Meaningful Work
3. Work every day as if my job search is a ‘real’ job.
Remember: I am getting paid to look for work. Why? Because, the quicker I get a job the sooner I am making a pay check. So, the more I work AND the better I work means more money sooner.
Therefore, I will schedule my day as if it is a real job...
I will dress for work and I will set and accomplish real goals.
4. Finally, I will focus every day on NETWORKING.
People hire people they know!
(Figure out how to best use your network to communicate your Brand and you will find productive work that makes you happy...:-)
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