According to an article, there are bullies and gossips at your new workplace, just as there probably were at your former school. And the good news is that "the same approaches you took then to overcome those obstacles can still come in handy today."
Here are some of the "common challenges" that we faced during school days and may be facing still at our workplace also:
Challenge No. 1: Bullies exist in the workplace, too. ("Though the actions are subtler, the effect is still the same: frustration and damage to your self-confidence.") Personally, I would include those snobs and bigots who "brow-beat" and also those "smart alecks" who readily pounce on a mistake that others make. We have been branded "stupid", underachievers, weaklings, lame ..... ".
Challenge No. 2: Gossipers have a very good nose for newsy matters and often rake up issues either personally, or through those with that same weakness in their character. In school, we normally would not think they could be that bad. After all, after graduation, most of us would have thought we probably won't meet them again. But, after having read this article, interesting why I did not realise, the gossip monger at my workplace today probably had been the class amateur from another school. Whether these evolve into highly intelligent political beings or vile "mess-comm" professionals, I only wish that my company could rid of these finally.
For my friends who have been unconsciously entangled into those webs that he has been spinning, I wish they would read the next passage.
"Gossiping about co-workers can damage relationships and harm your professional reputation. So try to stay above the fray. Instead of joining a conversation about an inappropriate topic, avoid it by excusing yourself. And if you happen to overhear some "juicy" information, keep it to yourself."
My advice: Don't get played. Seek your develop your own strengths without getting over the backs of some others to gain your altitude in life. To me, there are 2 types of gossipers: those who are weak and those who are wicked. Political animals do have a personal motive or a deep desire to feel belonged. In their everyday conversation, they need to have things to discuss. Policies, People, Practices, Procedures, Personal stuffs of people. They derive satisfaction when people listen or are really affected by what they hear. They get more kicks when people's ears itch for more.
The bible says " Out from the abundance of his heart, the mouth speaks." And so, the chest from a thief will spew out stolen treasures. So, we have to learn to bridle our tongues.
Challenge No. 3: Making friends. Why is it such a challenge, probably greater than that encountered during schooldays? Could it becos as youngsters, we are more "forgiving" as well as more naive? Having been betrayed, finding a trustworthy friend who will stand by me despite all the silly mistakes I have made, and someone's whose friendship is not manipulative is a challenge alright.
Challenge No. 4: Finding a mentor. Mentors are invaluable guides not only at work, but in life as well. Depending on what kind of a mentor you are seeking, he or she must be, first of all, someone you can trust to mould you.
Challenge No. 5: Participating in extracurricular activities. ( I shall cut and paste wholesale the rest of the article here.)
"To balance the time spent in the classroom or at home huddled over a book, you may joined a club, played a sport or participated in a performing art. Keep in mind that maintaining a balance between your personal and professional obligations is still important. Continuously working long hours or taking projects home can cause burnout and lower your satisfaction for your job. "
"Devoting time to outside hobbies or interests can not only prevent this but also enhance your skill set. For instance, doing improvisational comedy on the side can help you think on your feet. And by exploring varied activities, you'll bring unique perspectives and ideas to the workplace. "
"If your workplace begins to remind you of your high school, remember the strategies you used in school to overcome challenges and excel. Chances are the lessons you learned during those four formative years will still serve you well today."
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Brilliant Stupidity
"Practical Passion. Questioning Answers. Volatile Stability. Singular Integration. Grounded Reach. Simple Complexity." These is the vision of the mighty Goldman Sachs. It is posted on its website for all to see under the title 'Unrelenting Thinking'.
~ Lucy Kellaway, in Sense & Nonsense in the Office (Prentice Hall)
This article is interesting. Actually, it had not confused me. Not because I undersood it completely but because it passed right through me! I had to read it again and think I finally got a bit enlightened only while being confused by what she was trying to mean when she described Goldman Sach's vision as "brilliant stupidity".
You see, some articles are meant to enlighten or edify. Most would also try to entertain as they educate. (Wonder why most text books writers are not learning from those DIYs or those "for Dummies" writers tho.) Anyway, this article is "unusual" because if you had understood it at first read, you would have been confused at first. Think about it. The pairs contradict each other. The author understood what Goldman Sachs meant and finally described what she read as "Brilliant Stupidity".
This finally makes a lot of sense to what we have been trying to do, at work and at home. Sometimes, in order to achieve stability, one has to stay "fluid". Have you every tried staying balanced in the moving bus without holding on to anything else? You must not lock your knees. But rather, loosen your knees, keep them bent at all times and just "go with the flow".
Sometimes in order to clean up the room, one has to beat up the dust from the mattress.
Interesting?
~ Lucy Kellaway, in Sense & Nonsense in the Office (Prentice Hall)
This article is interesting. Actually, it had not confused me. Not because I undersood it completely but because it passed right through me! I had to read it again and think I finally got a bit enlightened only while being confused by what she was trying to mean when she described Goldman Sach's vision as "brilliant stupidity".
You see, some articles are meant to enlighten or edify. Most would also try to entertain as they educate. (Wonder why most text books writers are not learning from those DIYs or those "for Dummies" writers tho.) Anyway, this article is "unusual" because if you had understood it at first read, you would have been confused at first. Think about it. The pairs contradict each other. The author understood what Goldman Sachs meant and finally described what she read as "Brilliant Stupidity".
This finally makes a lot of sense to what we have been trying to do, at work and at home. Sometimes, in order to achieve stability, one has to stay "fluid". Have you every tried staying balanced in the moving bus without holding on to anything else? You must not lock your knees. But rather, loosen your knees, keep them bent at all times and just "go with the flow".
Sometimes in order to clean up the room, one has to beat up the dust from the mattress.
Interesting?
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
5Cs (Copied from somewhere)
"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."
--Andrew Carnegie
Running a company, even if it is a small business, needs a team of committed and capable employees who can get the job done. But a team is not something that happens by itself. The process of team-building takes time and effort. The end result is to create a work environment in which every person feels like his or her contribution is a vital and valued part of the organization’s success.
We have put together a list of 5 Cs of effective team-building to help you on your way:
1. Clear expectations:
One of the key characteristics of a successful team is clear role delineation of every team member - every person has to know the role he or she is expected to play in the company as well as the roles of the other team members. As the business owner, you have to ensure that every employee in your organization clearly understands how and where he/she fits in the organizational structure. Use organizational charts and staff meetings to facilitate this understanding.
2. Channels of communication:
Create and maintain open channels of communication with your employees. This must not only be between you and your employees, but also among the staff. Create a working atmosphere such that your employees know that you are always available to listen to their concerns. Also encourage them to discuss genuine issues amongst themselves. Without free and unfettered communication, team-building is only a distant dream.
3. Conflict resolution:
Getting a group of people to work together is not a bed of roses. There will invariably be times when the going gets rough and differences come out in the open. Develop conflict-resolution skills among your employees and create a mechanism for grievance redressal, if they can’t resolve their problems on their own. If necessary, arrange for professionals to conduct workshops on this subject.
4. Consequences:
Make members feel responsible and accountable for team achievements. Enable them to understand that each individual contribution is a vital piece in the whole picture. At the same time, encourage individual creativity to blossom by instituting a system of rewards and recognition.
5. Celebrating achievements as a team:
Give your team-building efforts a fillip by celebrating successes as a group. Since every employee plays an important part in the success or failure of your business, it only makes sense to celebrate your achievements as a team. Depending on the size of the achievement, your celebration can be as simple as a pizza party or as spectacular as a company trip to Hawaii.
Use these tips to ensure that the people who make up your small business work together as a team towards the same goal. By empowering and instilling a sense of belonging in your employees, you will have created a successful team that works hard to achieve the best results for you.
--Andrew Carnegie
Running a company, even if it is a small business, needs a team of committed and capable employees who can get the job done. But a team is not something that happens by itself. The process of team-building takes time and effort. The end result is to create a work environment in which every person feels like his or her contribution is a vital and valued part of the organization’s success.
We have put together a list of 5 Cs of effective team-building to help you on your way:
1. Clear expectations:
One of the key characteristics of a successful team is clear role delineation of every team member - every person has to know the role he or she is expected to play in the company as well as the roles of the other team members. As the business owner, you have to ensure that every employee in your organization clearly understands how and where he/she fits in the organizational structure. Use organizational charts and staff meetings to facilitate this understanding.
2. Channels of communication:
Create and maintain open channels of communication with your employees. This must not only be between you and your employees, but also among the staff. Create a working atmosphere such that your employees know that you are always available to listen to their concerns. Also encourage them to discuss genuine issues amongst themselves. Without free and unfettered communication, team-building is only a distant dream.
3. Conflict resolution:
Getting a group of people to work together is not a bed of roses. There will invariably be times when the going gets rough and differences come out in the open. Develop conflict-resolution skills among your employees and create a mechanism for grievance redressal, if they can’t resolve their problems on their own. If necessary, arrange for professionals to conduct workshops on this subject.
4. Consequences:
Make members feel responsible and accountable for team achievements. Enable them to understand that each individual contribution is a vital piece in the whole picture. At the same time, encourage individual creativity to blossom by instituting a system of rewards and recognition.
5. Celebrating achievements as a team:
Give your team-building efforts a fillip by celebrating successes as a group. Since every employee plays an important part in the success or failure of your business, it only makes sense to celebrate your achievements as a team. Depending on the size of the achievement, your celebration can be as simple as a pizza party or as spectacular as a company trip to Hawaii.
Use these tips to ensure that the people who make up your small business work together as a team towards the same goal. By empowering and instilling a sense of belonging in your employees, you will have created a successful team that works hard to achieve the best results for you.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Quote of the Week 32 - 2008 (from Elena Goh)
Hi, this is from a lady friend I have never met.
"You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change
rather than allowing it to master you"
~ Brian Tracy
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Sometimes, it takes just a change of situation that turns everything upside down. When you least expected it. This is how it is, in my life, and my family.
I was one of those fools who had planned in his heart, "Tomorrow we shall do this and this.... " but the tomorrow I have been yearning for, now seems like it gaining distance from my reach. I asked God many times, why brought me here, and then let me suffer. I also watch the people I care about suffer. Sadder because I feel they suffer more because of me. Life is like a sick joke, sometimes. Humans can be happy when they see a newborn baby cast its first smile. But how short the happiness is. Everything is but vanity. Why does God allow people to populate the earth so that in the end, they could murder one another? Even at work, they made friends, and then backstabbed one another?
Beware of the devil. He is more beutiful than you can imagine. His words are very convincing and they are always ready to devour you. Our hearts are proud and egoistic. This makes it easier for it to control us. For a start, learn to bridle our tongues - for it has the power to destroy. Next, do not let your heart be filled with disappointments, and frustration. When the heart is uncomfortable, so it will lash its tongue about and spill its venom. So, always keep your focus on the ultimate goal of your life. Ignore the rest.
I was one of those fools who had planned in his heart, "Tomorrow we shall do this and this.... " but the tomorrow I have been yearning for, now seems like it gaining distance from my reach. I asked God many times, why brought me here, and then let me suffer. I also watch the people I care about suffer. Sadder because I feel they suffer more because of me. Life is like a sick joke, sometimes. Humans can be happy when they see a newborn baby cast its first smile. But how short the happiness is. Everything is but vanity. Why does God allow people to populate the earth so that in the end, they could murder one another? Even at work, they made friends, and then backstabbed one another?
Beware of the devil. He is more beutiful than you can imagine. His words are very convincing and they are always ready to devour you. Our hearts are proud and egoistic. This makes it easier for it to control us. For a start, learn to bridle our tongues - for it has the power to destroy. Next, do not let your heart be filled with disappointments, and frustration. When the heart is uncomfortable, so it will lash its tongue about and spill its venom. So, always keep your focus on the ultimate goal of your life. Ignore the rest.
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