I know I seem to blog about what seems to be many types of subject matter. However, as a whole they always seem to circle around back to my experiences within management. Tonight I wanted to talk about what we type on our post, threads, profiles, etc.
So many people do not take heed in what has been said countless time after time, about what they type out there in cyber land. They rant, rave, show disgruntle and disrespect to fellow contributors it is just astonishing.
I will not sit and say I never get frustrated toward what some write or share, but I do not contribute to the cause by arguing with anyone just to prove my point. It is better to walk away with my integrity in tack than to argue with someone who refuses to see the light. You know their use to be an old saying "It is hard to win a battle of wits with someone who brings a knife to a gun fight!" There is a lot of meaning in that statement. Look around and what do you see constantly on sites, social, business, whatever the network site is; people are very revealing in what they say and what they show. I realize this subject have been tackled and spoke about many times in different forums, but tonight as I was visiting one of my threads, I watched someone call their parent stupid for their advice and yet did not understand why they were unemployed.
Maybe the case is not that someone will ever notice a comment like this and many will probably just blow it off as a moment in the person's life but it still grounds to pay attention.
In regards to anyone who challenges sights that just simply writes stuff with negativity, insults, disgruntled comments, there is wisdom that can be learned for people who contribute to this enigma.
I can honestly say, I listen, and I participate in several discussion groups. You will never see the many people out there who sit in the shadows. I posted a question in a Q&A forum a while back asking HR and recruiters do they review everything about an individual on linked in and do they follow them if they are interested in them.
The response was scattered. Some stated no, some stated to some degree but do not follow since they simply did not have the time. Others stated if it is someone we are interested in we will follow them, read their profile from top to bottom, learn about them, follow their Q&A activity and watch them in their discussions. Why you might ask? Well for the most part, you are relaxed in a general setting with people of like personalities and/or like situations and cannot wait to voice your opinion. You rebut to comments made, offer suggestions, comment in general, and make jokes and other things.
There are many people sitting outside discussions shadowing and just watching never offering to say anything. These HR or recruiters get a first hand idea of the type of person you are with your communications and how you handle certain dilemmas, case studies, contributions, etc. They view if you are argumentative, caring, your style of dealing with people, if you are easily frustrated, etc. You can actually tell someone's personality simply by the way him or her write.
I literally had a firm contact me a while back and strictly indicated they read my entire profile and even read my blog and liked what they saw and contacted me. I might not have got the job, but people are watching.
I have had this discussion numerous times with my children. At their age and as internet shrewdness as one would think they are you would think they would know better. Well, they say they do know. But each time I read something on one of their sites there is always curse words, cannot wait till the weekend for partying, it’s Friday, fixing to pop a top, having dinner and drinks, downing a few brews on the lake, etc. etc. You get the idea. I cannot make them understand.
The reasoning is it is their personal site, they only let someone they know on it. As anyone with internet savvy experience and by no means am I the expert, but if it can be captured it will. If you have 200 friends, and their friends each have 200 friends do you know who their friends are especially if you have given those friends you have authority to review your profiles and photos? In a tech savvy world that we live in do people not believe companies cannot find nor have ways to get around this. Are you so cautious that you will not slip up with one contact one day who happens to be friends with the boss or someone who wants your position at work? Trust is not something to be taken lightly in the world of greed, and identity theft. There is another saying, “Keep your friends close, your enemies closer!” You might be friends with someone on your social or business site but statistics proves that the average person has a true association with about 10 people in their social settings. Can you actually keep track of 200 so called friends? Do you know each step they make? Do you read every post each one of them makes? It is quite impossible. Then parents are not well informed enough to get this through their kids minds.
In closing, I always, always watch what I write, never imposing anything on anyone, just my thoughts, never taking sides, never being negative, a know it all, or disclosing anything that I wouldn't want grandma to hear. I give truth to my opinions, back it up with many facts when in Q&A forums, straight forward, but kind. I never side with anyone since it is typically an opinion and it simply my opinion and we all have one.
I ensure everything I post is spell checked and worded correctly to the best of my ability. No, I am not an English major but I try hard to ensure it is proper. Many people will not go to all these lengths, but as it has been indicated everything you say is stuck in cyber land despite saying I will delete it; it is out there. Negatives and discontented comments should immediately be struck off by deleting. There is no need to fuel fires if at all you can help it.
One day in all of our distant futures when something we want badly enough comes knocking someone will pull out something that we said or stated and the anarchy begins. It is not like the ole days, it is way too easy to dispel someone over a simple comment.
Showing posts with label Professionalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Professionalism. Show all posts
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Oil and Gas Deep Water Drilling Debate
Today the New York Post had a breaking news event whereas tomorrow October 12th they will be announcing a lift on the moratorium that Washington put in place from the oil spill that took place in the GOM back April of this year 2010. During a discussion, I came across numerous people that spoke out against deep water drilling. Now I for one am not a drilling expert nor am I an engineer and I will not claim to know anything or everything about oil well drilling and the effect it has on our environment, however I did give my thoughts in relations to how and what I believe since the O&G industry has been around in my life since I can remember. After working on oilrigs and for service companies for over 17 years I may not be an expert, but I feel I definitely have some knowledge on how things operate. I responded with not a favorable response against many that were on the opposite side of the fence.
I will not ever change my thoughts about drilling. I grew up with it all around me. I know the pros and cons behind it. Not always good, but my argument will always be for those who dislikes it but those same ones are not doing anything different when they drive up to the pump and fill their vehicles. I have grown up around alternative fuels also. Sugar Cane, Corn Mills, it's no different when it comes to mess and cleanups, just on land and requires refineries and it takes chemicals to break it down. Again, an added argument is we can continue buying foreign oil. US brings in over 10 million barrels of oil from Saudi Aramco "daily" and that is a lot of oil. It is used in mostly everything we use today from plastics to over the counter meds things that have petroleum distillates processed in it.
One thing I didn’t bring up in the conversation is how has the O&G helped our lives? Just as those that are proponents against the space program. What have we learned from this program that has bettered our lives? In a previous post I talked about nostalgia, something that is merely the past of something that could help our future. Well as I see it the space program we learned a lot about technology. Things we use everyday. The same goes for oil. Many things are derived from oil and it has made our lives more prosperous today.
Therefore, for me to argue that the O&G industry is not a worthy business would be foolish and is no different from coal miners arguing their positions and shrimpers on boats arguing their positions. I totally support the O&G industry and "totally" agree with tighter safety rules that "MUST" be followed. Nevertheless, we need to keep more work here instead of purchasing from abroad when it comes to fuels. We have the ability, the knowledge and the know how to meet our own needs without other's benefiting from our dollars that definitely hurts our well-being and adds to our economic breakdown. We have been doing it for the last century and there will always be accidents. That is no different than a bridge giving away in Los Angeles or a volcano blowing acid into the atmosphere, there will always be disasters, but just as humanly possible we need to be more aware using more precautionary measures.
People in Florida complain about the state of their economy. I lived on the panhandle for 10 years, all the talk was about the pristine beaches in one breath, and the next breath was we do not have employment and if it would not be for the tourism industry we would be broke. Do not even talk oil relations to anyone in Florida. Governor Charlie Christ was talking about bringing drilling to Florida at one time prior to the oil spill. Surely this would have not happened over night, but I am sure when the word got out the drilling companies were standing in line to obtain their permits and ready to bid on blocks out in the GOM off of Florida. Then the oil spill occurred, as I am sure those thoughts of drilling were shelved and the discussion came to a sudden halt. However, you cannot have it both ways. You cannot complain how much you want to keep everything pristine, you do not want O&G messing up your coastlines, but are the first in line for gas and complain when you don’t have it and yet complain because unemployment in Florida is at one of the highest rates in the US. That is why Florida is broke. Retirees and snowbirds are not coming to Florida any longer to spend their dollars for retirement and vacations because of the hurricanes and not being able to insure their lovely mansions along the Gulf Coast since insurance companies came about indicating they would no longer insure anyone on the beaches. This meant you would have to be self-insured or move out and retire somewhere else. Guess what, the people with money that were coming to Florida decided if I need to live near water, I will just buy something near a lake. Therefore, tourism is now suffering. You need to boost economies and it is not going to happen by selling beer at the beach.
Everything around us has an effect that someone does not like. They cut down millions of acres of the rain forest every year and what does that effect? Does anyone complain how it is affecting people, natives, and animal habitats? Maybe some people are screaming out, but as usual, no one worries about it unless it has a direct impact on the way they are living. It might not affect everyone directly but there is an indirect effect we just may not see it. The drilling may not be seen as good in many people’s eyes, but if people really think about things all around them somewhere, some job is indirectly having an adverse effect on something. I am not a scientist so I cannot debate many avenues but in my opinion, the earth gave us the chemicals and such to work with. We did not order them from planet ZYGON and have it delivered to the ports for us to assume we know what to do and how we are going to handle it. It is not like something we just suddenly got our hands on like Kryptonite. We know the chemicals we have are made right here on planet Earth. They are taken from good ole mother earth herself and made into things we as humans use for our everyday living. It is our responsibility to become more perceptive and aware and learn better ways and methods at how to manage what has been given to us as stewards. Mother Nature has in her own way, knows how to take care of herself. It might take 40 years for her to clean up an accident but she will clean herself up. Now do not take that the wrong way. I am not saying we need to make messes or create disasters expecting our planet to take care of our carelessness. What I am saying is along with our technology and knowledge we can contribute to helping her along in bettering our planet. We just need to accept things will happen, some beyond our control but for those that are in our control become better aware before things happen and be prepared when things do happen.
Lastly, despite what people think about oil drilling many people seem to think catastrophes like the GOM oil spill is something that is horrendously controllable. Well, let me rephrase that. The oil spill is something that will not happen unless caused by man himself. If anyone has any knowledge about O&G then you will know that scientist have proven repeatedly that oil seeps from the bedrock floors all around the world in all our oceans all the time. (Jul 18, 2010 ... oil seeps from the floor of the oceans all around the world everyday 24/7. maybe Obama should put a 6 month moratorium on the floor of the ...
www.nola.com/news/...oil.../oil_seeping_from_gulf_floor_ne.html )
It is really physics, as I know it. You have pressurized compounds below the crust of the earth. The earth is constantly changing. Fault lines are shifting. Life as we would never know it occurs, but life as we wouldn’t expect it happens beneath us everyday just in a different fashion. When pressures reach their capacities and there is nowhere for them to go what usually happens? Like a water hose and water with a tiny hole in it. It will find the weakest point and elevate itself to the point of escape and boom you have seepage. If the pressures are large enough and occur long enough the opening increases and this pressurized liquid will surface. Sure, it might not be what we seen as an oil spill, but it is happening everyday around us. Do you think when a volcano erupts someone just walks over and says “oops the pressure is building we need to vent it by turning on the valve until enough has escaped then we can turn it off? Earth is a living creature just as you and I are. It suffers pains and has to release its frustrations also to rid the pains. It is a growing organism. Maybe not in size but in area that it already encompasses. So believe the O&G might not make things better, but there are many things amongst us that can actually fall into that category. It is simply how like anything, we manage it.
We can change things and go to electric cars or anything else for that fact, but somewhere down the road in our kid’s lifetime and their kids lifetime; there will be something found that is not good about that. A show played last week about the affects batteries had during a crash impact. Was not to promising. Therefore, it does not matter what we agree on or not agree on, something somewhere will eventually have an impact on humanity.
I will not ever change my thoughts about drilling. I grew up with it all around me. I know the pros and cons behind it. Not always good, but my argument will always be for those who dislikes it but those same ones are not doing anything different when they drive up to the pump and fill their vehicles. I have grown up around alternative fuels also. Sugar Cane, Corn Mills, it's no different when it comes to mess and cleanups, just on land and requires refineries and it takes chemicals to break it down. Again, an added argument is we can continue buying foreign oil. US brings in over 10 million barrels of oil from Saudi Aramco "daily" and that is a lot of oil. It is used in mostly everything we use today from plastics to over the counter meds things that have petroleum distillates processed in it.
One thing I didn’t bring up in the conversation is how has the O&G helped our lives? Just as those that are proponents against the space program. What have we learned from this program that has bettered our lives? In a previous post I talked about nostalgia, something that is merely the past of something that could help our future. Well as I see it the space program we learned a lot about technology. Things we use everyday. The same goes for oil. Many things are derived from oil and it has made our lives more prosperous today.
Therefore, for me to argue that the O&G industry is not a worthy business would be foolish and is no different from coal miners arguing their positions and shrimpers on boats arguing their positions. I totally support the O&G industry and "totally" agree with tighter safety rules that "MUST" be followed. Nevertheless, we need to keep more work here instead of purchasing from abroad when it comes to fuels. We have the ability, the knowledge and the know how to meet our own needs without other's benefiting from our dollars that definitely hurts our well-being and adds to our economic breakdown. We have been doing it for the last century and there will always be accidents. That is no different than a bridge giving away in Los Angeles or a volcano blowing acid into the atmosphere, there will always be disasters, but just as humanly possible we need to be more aware using more precautionary measures.
People in Florida complain about the state of their economy. I lived on the panhandle for 10 years, all the talk was about the pristine beaches in one breath, and the next breath was we do not have employment and if it would not be for the tourism industry we would be broke. Do not even talk oil relations to anyone in Florida. Governor Charlie Christ was talking about bringing drilling to Florida at one time prior to the oil spill. Surely this would have not happened over night, but I am sure when the word got out the drilling companies were standing in line to obtain their permits and ready to bid on blocks out in the GOM off of Florida. Then the oil spill occurred, as I am sure those thoughts of drilling were shelved and the discussion came to a sudden halt. However, you cannot have it both ways. You cannot complain how much you want to keep everything pristine, you do not want O&G messing up your coastlines, but are the first in line for gas and complain when you don’t have it and yet complain because unemployment in Florida is at one of the highest rates in the US. That is why Florida is broke. Retirees and snowbirds are not coming to Florida any longer to spend their dollars for retirement and vacations because of the hurricanes and not being able to insure their lovely mansions along the Gulf Coast since insurance companies came about indicating they would no longer insure anyone on the beaches. This meant you would have to be self-insured or move out and retire somewhere else. Guess what, the people with money that were coming to Florida decided if I need to live near water, I will just buy something near a lake. Therefore, tourism is now suffering. You need to boost economies and it is not going to happen by selling beer at the beach.
Everything around us has an effect that someone does not like. They cut down millions of acres of the rain forest every year and what does that effect? Does anyone complain how it is affecting people, natives, and animal habitats? Maybe some people are screaming out, but as usual, no one worries about it unless it has a direct impact on the way they are living. It might not affect everyone directly but there is an indirect effect we just may not see it. The drilling may not be seen as good in many people’s eyes, but if people really think about things all around them somewhere, some job is indirectly having an adverse effect on something. I am not a scientist so I cannot debate many avenues but in my opinion, the earth gave us the chemicals and such to work with. We did not order them from planet ZYGON and have it delivered to the ports for us to assume we know what to do and how we are going to handle it. It is not like something we just suddenly got our hands on like Kryptonite. We know the chemicals we have are made right here on planet Earth. They are taken from good ole mother earth herself and made into things we as humans use for our everyday living. It is our responsibility to become more perceptive and aware and learn better ways and methods at how to manage what has been given to us as stewards. Mother Nature has in her own way, knows how to take care of herself. It might take 40 years for her to clean up an accident but she will clean herself up. Now do not take that the wrong way. I am not saying we need to make messes or create disasters expecting our planet to take care of our carelessness. What I am saying is along with our technology and knowledge we can contribute to helping her along in bettering our planet. We just need to accept things will happen, some beyond our control but for those that are in our control become better aware before things happen and be prepared when things do happen.
Lastly, despite what people think about oil drilling many people seem to think catastrophes like the GOM oil spill is something that is horrendously controllable. Well, let me rephrase that. The oil spill is something that will not happen unless caused by man himself. If anyone has any knowledge about O&G then you will know that scientist have proven repeatedly that oil seeps from the bedrock floors all around the world in all our oceans all the time. (Jul 18, 2010 ... oil seeps from the floor of the oceans all around the world everyday 24/7. maybe Obama should put a 6 month moratorium on the floor of the ...
www.nola.com/news/...oil.../oil_seeping_from_gulf_floor_ne.html )
It is really physics, as I know it. You have pressurized compounds below the crust of the earth. The earth is constantly changing. Fault lines are shifting. Life as we would never know it occurs, but life as we wouldn’t expect it happens beneath us everyday just in a different fashion. When pressures reach their capacities and there is nowhere for them to go what usually happens? Like a water hose and water with a tiny hole in it. It will find the weakest point and elevate itself to the point of escape and boom you have seepage. If the pressures are large enough and occur long enough the opening increases and this pressurized liquid will surface. Sure, it might not be what we seen as an oil spill, but it is happening everyday around us. Do you think when a volcano erupts someone just walks over and says “oops the pressure is building we need to vent it by turning on the valve until enough has escaped then we can turn it off? Earth is a living creature just as you and I are. It suffers pains and has to release its frustrations also to rid the pains. It is a growing organism. Maybe not in size but in area that it already encompasses. So believe the O&G might not make things better, but there are many things amongst us that can actually fall into that category. It is simply how like anything, we manage it.
We can change things and go to electric cars or anything else for that fact, but somewhere down the road in our kid’s lifetime and their kids lifetime; there will be something found that is not good about that. A show played last week about the affects batteries had during a crash impact. Was not to promising. Therefore, it does not matter what we agree on or not agree on, something somewhere will eventually have an impact on humanity.
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Blame Game
Last night I got into a discussion and as Peter Griffin from Family Guy stated in a job he took for a news station... "What Really Grinds My Gears" was the fact that someone was talking about the state the economy is in and who is to blame for it. Of course there are plenty people still out there pointing fingers. Following is what I replied as I'm objective enough to know it is not a matter of whose fault it is but whose going to take action to get us back on track.
I think personally that we really need to be passed these pointing fingers of who inherited what from whom and how they got it. If you read history, this sort of reaction to the economy was coming for the last 40 years. It has been clearly stated by every president in a state of the union message. We need to do something, or future generations will suffer. What will we do? They always brought it up, always said where we need to focus but never had any answers and each has simply passed it down.
Despite who is at fault and who dropped the ball and who should keep running, we need to be more focused on what government as a whole will do to cure the issues at hand. Voting to me is an awesome responsibility but if it is merely just a knee jerk reaction to get the public to listen to the promises and the typical election is won by someone who says their interest is that of the populist and the result being voted electoral college which is really a joke in my book since you have no clue who’s voting for the people or for their own pocket book and no one is going to listen, then the general population needs to react differently.
The main issue is not who’s fault it is but reducing the amount government gets toward spending and the lobbyist who continue to fund their own causes leaving we the people groveling in lines trying to show we’re not spoiled, wasted, or the bad omen of unemployment. The focus from main stream politicians should not worry about the Ob-care right now, or other controversial programs that support bogus pork, but it should be full focus on building a better public confidence so companies will have the want to train and put people back to work. Being unemployed is not only hurting the jobless population, it is also hurting business in general and the government. No taxes in, no taxes out. No money made, no product purchased.
Until mainstream realizes that they may be capable of their own expenditures, they are really forcing the typical business to have to support the unemployed also. One way or another someone is paying something for someone who is unemployed.
We need to really get passed the blame game and focus on how to make touchdowns!
I think personally that we really need to be passed these pointing fingers of who inherited what from whom and how they got it. If you read history, this sort of reaction to the economy was coming for the last 40 years. It has been clearly stated by every president in a state of the union message. We need to do something, or future generations will suffer. What will we do? They always brought it up, always said where we need to focus but never had any answers and each has simply passed it down.
Despite who is at fault and who dropped the ball and who should keep running, we need to be more focused on what government as a whole will do to cure the issues at hand. Voting to me is an awesome responsibility but if it is merely just a knee jerk reaction to get the public to listen to the promises and the typical election is won by someone who says their interest is that of the populist and the result being voted electoral college which is really a joke in my book since you have no clue who’s voting for the people or for their own pocket book and no one is going to listen, then the general population needs to react differently.
The main issue is not who’s fault it is but reducing the amount government gets toward spending and the lobbyist who continue to fund their own causes leaving we the people groveling in lines trying to show we’re not spoiled, wasted, or the bad omen of unemployment. The focus from main stream politicians should not worry about the Ob-care right now, or other controversial programs that support bogus pork, but it should be full focus on building a better public confidence so companies will have the want to train and put people back to work. Being unemployed is not only hurting the jobless population, it is also hurting business in general and the government. No taxes in, no taxes out. No money made, no product purchased.
Until mainstream realizes that they may be capable of their own expenditures, they are really forcing the typical business to have to support the unemployed also. One way or another someone is paying something for someone who is unemployed.
We need to really get passed the blame game and focus on how to make touchdowns!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Hiring and Time Consuming Decisions
Personally, I think HR and Recruiters need to allocate time for each client or their company and ensure they know what the company does, what they sell, and the synopsis of the product being sold. Note: I have not said they need to know how the job needs to be accomplished. That in their realm of expertise is not required, but as a hiring authority or part of the hiring mix, they should have some knowledge of what they deal with in order to present appropriately, what they have been tasked to do. Recruiters need to step back and make allocated time to the situation. I realize there is 8 hours in a day and many probably work more than that, but if you think about it recruiting is simply a sales job. I am not saying it is an easy one. Nevertheless, put yourself in a situation if you were in sales and you were trying to pick up a new customer. What would you tell the prospective client? Would you want to know a little about the products that are being sold? Would you want to know some statistics on the company you are working with?
How do you successfully manage this challenge? Change the system. Know what you are looking for and learn the specifics. That seems to be one of the biggest downfalls you hear about in an application process, seekers will send in a resume even though they are not qualified. Hmm, well maybe the way you approached it simply states to the seeker "maybe I am qualified." HR has job descriptions on all positions already available. If it something additional maybe HR should get with the hiring authority and sit down in a brain storming session with everyone who is involved and say ok I need to know more about this position you want to hire for, what are the specifics. What will I be looking for? What will you take, what will be the deal breakers?
Simply stated, we are all busy and in today's economic climate and more than ever everybody has a plate full and overflowing. We all have deadlines, we all have expectations, but we have all been taught time management, organization, best practices, change management at least to some degree. It is around us in our everyday living. If you're going to only take something in and not do some sort of research and have a product that will attract a certain type, and sell a product to the prospect who's searching without any knowledge, then there's no proper way to manage.
Like any other position, you have to be on your game. Know what is expected. Just some time to step back and analyze the situation will do more good than harm.
This goes for hiring authorities also. Despite being bogged down with work, we all have been there. We have all stayed hours upon hours to manage and get our work accomplished, but when you have a new addition to your plate, you do not just push it off and hope for the best.
Since companies are being more prudent at hiring, how can they not take this as a serious portion to the added serving on the plate? It has become an important factor, so just as important as it is to get out a specific job, so should the position you are hiring to fill. Again, learning and achieving good time management skills, puts even the more mediocre task in place for achievement. Surely, many has taken the class on putting things in order. A, B, C?
Most Important-Needs to be done now, Will get done, and Not so important can be tossed or file?
Also, get together with hire ups make suggestions; agree to have decisions made on particular positions in a given time. How can a company expect to hire the 100% match or even the 90% match if they cannot even perform the job of what they are seeking appropriately?
Hiring for position carries the same reflection on you as it does an engineer that's expected to get a project completed in X amount of time. It all has its place.
Being in the hiring manager's role, many times we've all felt, "Oh I really don't want to talk to anyone today, or I really don't want to review resumes, or this is to much time to spend on such a trivial task, HR can sum it up."Is that how you approach a job on a project that could be fatal to your customer if you didn't allocate time to study and understand it?
As for as entertaining potential prospects for the just in case factor. If you are spending that much time on just in cases, should you not be spending that much time on the actual position? Learning what is needed. I don’t think finding prospects and adding them to your portfolio to be ready just in case is very lucrative if the prospect doesn’t understand your purpose and to tell people that I have a potential position for you only to find out later that they were simply placed in a possibility bin is unacceptable unless the individual you’re prospecting knows up front what is going on. If you’re doing it and later found to be lieing you’re being deceptive and it would make me leery of a company that allows such practices to prevail whether it is HR or Recruiters. If you are lying about that what else, will you lie about? It follows the same analogy you expect from the selected candidate that you are ensuring is trustworthy and a good fit.
How do you successfully manage this challenge? Change the system. Know what you are looking for and learn the specifics. That seems to be one of the biggest downfalls you hear about in an application process, seekers will send in a resume even though they are not qualified. Hmm, well maybe the way you approached it simply states to the seeker "maybe I am qualified." HR has job descriptions on all positions already available. If it something additional maybe HR should get with the hiring authority and sit down in a brain storming session with everyone who is involved and say ok I need to know more about this position you want to hire for, what are the specifics. What will I be looking for? What will you take, what will be the deal breakers?
Simply stated, we are all busy and in today's economic climate and more than ever everybody has a plate full and overflowing. We all have deadlines, we all have expectations, but we have all been taught time management, organization, best practices, change management at least to some degree. It is around us in our everyday living. If you're going to only take something in and not do some sort of research and have a product that will attract a certain type, and sell a product to the prospect who's searching without any knowledge, then there's no proper way to manage.
Like any other position, you have to be on your game. Know what is expected. Just some time to step back and analyze the situation will do more good than harm.
This goes for hiring authorities also. Despite being bogged down with work, we all have been there. We have all stayed hours upon hours to manage and get our work accomplished, but when you have a new addition to your plate, you do not just push it off and hope for the best.
Since companies are being more prudent at hiring, how can they not take this as a serious portion to the added serving on the plate? It has become an important factor, so just as important as it is to get out a specific job, so should the position you are hiring to fill. Again, learning and achieving good time management skills, puts even the more mediocre task in place for achievement. Surely, many has taken the class on putting things in order. A, B, C?
Most Important-Needs to be done now, Will get done, and Not so important can be tossed or file?
Also, get together with hire ups make suggestions; agree to have decisions made on particular positions in a given time. How can a company expect to hire the 100% match or even the 90% match if they cannot even perform the job of what they are seeking appropriately?
Hiring for position carries the same reflection on you as it does an engineer that's expected to get a project completed in X amount of time. It all has its place.
Being in the hiring manager's role, many times we've all felt, "Oh I really don't want to talk to anyone today, or I really don't want to review resumes, or this is to much time to spend on such a trivial task, HR can sum it up."Is that how you approach a job on a project that could be fatal to your customer if you didn't allocate time to study and understand it?
As for as entertaining potential prospects for the just in case factor. If you are spending that much time on just in cases, should you not be spending that much time on the actual position? Learning what is needed. I don’t think finding prospects and adding them to your portfolio to be ready just in case is very lucrative if the prospect doesn’t understand your purpose and to tell people that I have a potential position for you only to find out later that they were simply placed in a possibility bin is unacceptable unless the individual you’re prospecting knows up front what is going on. If you’re doing it and later found to be lieing you’re being deceptive and it would make me leery of a company that allows such practices to prevail whether it is HR or Recruiters. If you are lying about that what else, will you lie about? It follows the same analogy you expect from the selected candidate that you are ensuring is trustworthy and a good fit.
Monday, September 20, 2010
If I Could Ask A Millennia One Question, What Would It Be and What is Your Reasoning for Asking
My question would be, “What’s with the ME syndrome”?
Someone has already asked about “The You Owe Me Syndrome,” which I guess can be a part of the ME syndrome.
My curiosity of why I ask this is…
Why do the Millennia feel that someone owes the “ME”? No one owes anyone anything. We are all responsible for our own destiny. The ole adage is work hard, succeed and build a life based on your choosing not based on what someone will give you. When I was growing up you could always count on people. Today’s society steered mainly by the ME attitude is that I cannot count on you unless you get something out of it. I say this with much experience. Having three children, 2 born in the mid, late 80’s, and 1 born at the beginning of the 90’s. The typical Gen Y. They were not brought up that way. They were always taught to respect everyone, lend a hand, and never put your self above the unfortunate. However, their mannerism and attitude has changed from watching their own friends take advantage of those around them. Their response is “Why shouldn’t it be about ME”? As an example, a friend who never sought pity or a handout became unemployed. As he stated, “where were my kids?” When my parents were in need, the children were there to count on so they did not lose everything they worked for all their life. At least the attempt was made to assist. Today’s ME attitude, is you are on your own. I am not saying that it is about the friend being of the ME mentality at all. He’s taken responsibility for his demise and probably would not let his kids help out because he knows they’re not in a position to help, however there is no attempt. None of them ever calls their dad and ask how are you, anything WE can do for you, do you have a place to sleep, and do you have a meal to eat. Nope, it is all about ME. ME has to go party on Friday and Saturday nights. However, ME has no problems when the father was working to come to him asking for a handout. When I got divorced and paying heavily in child support, what was the ME asking, “He doesn’t send ME any money”. They received what could be afforded. Why would you ask a ME question like that? Because they think, they’re owed something. (Note these are just examples, their own friends asked for the same handouts when their parents split up, so it is not stated for sympathy toward anyone, making one think your kids have bad values, it is all around us) Society has changed, and I realize change is good, but not at the detriment of losing value, compassion, and responsibility.
Our country was built on the complexity of WE not the simpleton of ME. It’s in the Declaration of Independence; “WE”hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. In the The Gettysburg Address; “WE" can not dedicate -- "We" can not consecrate -- "WE" can not hallow. The Constitution;"We" the people would write the law --. Do you actually think everyone will always bend to your every whim? You cannot succeed by yourself. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child.
Maybe the Millennia’s do not understand that statement. Are they thinking they were put here to operate by themselves? Can you imagine a global retreat toward only one and everyone being that one? Not everyone can be leaders. You do have to have followers and I’m not suggesting anyone stop striving for the best or stop wanting to become a leader, but what are you going to do when everyone you attempt to lead chooses not to follow because they think along the same lines as “You didn’t hear me say WE, I said ME”? What will you do? What will you do when things do not go your way? In the job force, when you clash or don’t like the job being given, are you merely going to say, “this is not a WE society, this is about the ME society”?
Team effort is about WE not about ME doing it your way. You won’t survive under that analogy. When the top boss says do it his way, it is his company and the team says, I don’t think so, this is not a WE group this about you, you know the one that stresses ME so much and now the team says WE are going home, now you’ll find out just what ME means, because there is a now a truth to the ME. ME has to get it done or ME won’t be around for long. See the same can be used about the friends. When it becomes a WE and they say na, it’s all about ME and leave you to bask in the agony of defeit you’ll find our just what ME is truly all about.
In the movie Wall Street where Michael Douglas playing the role as Gordon Gecko says, “Greed is good.” He may be correct, and honestly, I do not see anything wrong with greed if it is handled in the right light. However, to say greed for ME does not include WE? Imagine in a greed for ME world, every ME wants what you have because you owe them.
Give some thought about the ME syndrome, and remember if you’re thinking it’s all about ME, what are your friends thinking about, are they your friends or are they simply leading you to get what they want. When it comes to ME, there are no friends, there will be no one to count on, no one to turn to, and the world will turn away because all will have the same attitude, “The WE society is dead, and it’s all about ME!” Think about it!
Lastly, being part of the ME syndrome and not willing to start at the bottom, wanting to start at the top; you’ll never be able to run, if the ME’s do not know how to crawl or walk! Without paying your dues, you are definitely setting ME up for failure! Life goes on but will you?
Someone has already asked about “The You Owe Me Syndrome,” which I guess can be a part of the ME syndrome.
My curiosity of why I ask this is…
Why do the Millennia feel that someone owes the “ME”? No one owes anyone anything. We are all responsible for our own destiny. The ole adage is work hard, succeed and build a life based on your choosing not based on what someone will give you. When I was growing up you could always count on people. Today’s society steered mainly by the ME attitude is that I cannot count on you unless you get something out of it. I say this with much experience. Having three children, 2 born in the mid, late 80’s, and 1 born at the beginning of the 90’s. The typical Gen Y. They were not brought up that way. They were always taught to respect everyone, lend a hand, and never put your self above the unfortunate. However, their mannerism and attitude has changed from watching their own friends take advantage of those around them. Their response is “Why shouldn’t it be about ME”? As an example, a friend who never sought pity or a handout became unemployed. As he stated, “where were my kids?” When my parents were in need, the children were there to count on so they did not lose everything they worked for all their life. At least the attempt was made to assist. Today’s ME attitude, is you are on your own. I am not saying that it is about the friend being of the ME mentality at all. He’s taken responsibility for his demise and probably would not let his kids help out because he knows they’re not in a position to help, however there is no attempt. None of them ever calls their dad and ask how are you, anything WE can do for you, do you have a place to sleep, and do you have a meal to eat. Nope, it is all about ME. ME has to go party on Friday and Saturday nights. However, ME has no problems when the father was working to come to him asking for a handout. When I got divorced and paying heavily in child support, what was the ME asking, “He doesn’t send ME any money”. They received what could be afforded. Why would you ask a ME question like that? Because they think, they’re owed something. (Note these are just examples, their own friends asked for the same handouts when their parents split up, so it is not stated for sympathy toward anyone, making one think your kids have bad values, it is all around us) Society has changed, and I realize change is good, but not at the detriment of losing value, compassion, and responsibility.
Our country was built on the complexity of WE not the simpleton of ME. It’s in the Declaration of Independence; “WE”hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. In the The Gettysburg Address; “WE" can not dedicate -- "We" can not consecrate -- "WE" can not hallow. The Constitution;"We" the people would write the law --. Do you actually think everyone will always bend to your every whim? You cannot succeed by yourself. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child.
Maybe the Millennia’s do not understand that statement. Are they thinking they were put here to operate by themselves? Can you imagine a global retreat toward only one and everyone being that one? Not everyone can be leaders. You do have to have followers and I’m not suggesting anyone stop striving for the best or stop wanting to become a leader, but what are you going to do when everyone you attempt to lead chooses not to follow because they think along the same lines as “You didn’t hear me say WE, I said ME”? What will you do? What will you do when things do not go your way? In the job force, when you clash or don’t like the job being given, are you merely going to say, “this is not a WE society, this is about the ME society”?
Team effort is about WE not about ME doing it your way. You won’t survive under that analogy. When the top boss says do it his way, it is his company and the team says, I don’t think so, this is not a WE group this about you, you know the one that stresses ME so much and now the team says WE are going home, now you’ll find out just what ME means, because there is a now a truth to the ME. ME has to get it done or ME won’t be around for long. See the same can be used about the friends. When it becomes a WE and they say na, it’s all about ME and leave you to bask in the agony of defeit you’ll find our just what ME is truly all about.
In the movie Wall Street where Michael Douglas playing the role as Gordon Gecko says, “Greed is good.” He may be correct, and honestly, I do not see anything wrong with greed if it is handled in the right light. However, to say greed for ME does not include WE? Imagine in a greed for ME world, every ME wants what you have because you owe them.
Give some thought about the ME syndrome, and remember if you’re thinking it’s all about ME, what are your friends thinking about, are they your friends or are they simply leading you to get what they want. When it comes to ME, there are no friends, there will be no one to count on, no one to turn to, and the world will turn away because all will have the same attitude, “The WE society is dead, and it’s all about ME!” Think about it!
Lastly, being part of the ME syndrome and not willing to start at the bottom, wanting to start at the top; you’ll never be able to run, if the ME’s do not know how to crawl or walk! Without paying your dues, you are definitely setting ME up for failure! Life goes on but will you?
So You Want to Manage/Supervise People? Is It Not Because of Getting More Money?
You're also asking what are the headaches of supervising People? What would you recomment to people before they take on a supervising position? What are the benefits of managing people compared to a position where you just manage yourself?
It's all in the following.... Read on!
Managing and supervising people is not always about the money. It is as if leading a squadron into battle, are you ready to take on more being a leader? Many decisions lie upon your lead, your direction. I enjoy being a manager/supervisor. Do not always care for the politics, but with every good, there does come evil. You have to accept and move on or retreat to a different position. The ultimate victory is to achieve a win/win scenario. Not always an easy task. You do have to combine your leadership tactics with a servant’s attitude. You have to be ready to please all sides, your upper leadership giving you expectations and their direction as well as your subordinates ensuring they understand your direction and expectations. Again not always an easy task.
I feel it is the ability of being a contributor, a decision maker. Being there to help make a difference and rise to the level beyond bureaucracy, possibly influencing the decision making process. Sure, you can always offer ideas in any position and many just want to be the follower. Getting people involved is like a village raising a child. Motivating, achieving the uncertain. You cannot be indecisive; you have to be a quick study, know what is being asked of you and know without a doubt that you are going to succeed. In most cases, you do not have a choice but to succeed. That is what makes it interesting and forthcoming. A challenge. We are challenged everyday we awake. However, more so working with people to push an idea through, get it noticed, complete a job, and bask in the unknown. Be the one who made it work. I am not talking about recognition. That is another story or question. It’s helping, it’s assisting, it’s building, it‘s teaching, it‘s succeeding. Like an engineer who creates something from the bottom up and gets the joys by seeing it function. Being a manager and/or supervisor is the same joy. Sure, you have bad apples, what baskets do not have one that spoils. What project in an engineer’s eye will not have a bad bolt or screw? Nevertheless, you get the opportunity to watch your department, your business, your district, your people grow and achieve and feel good about being part of that and steering it toward success.
What are the benefits of managing others compared to managing yourself?
It is different but not very different. As a team you work together, you have group input, you are the person who keeps things under control. You manage the time and the final decisions. Managing yourself, you have to have just as much initiative and ambition to complete the task on time successfully, on schedule within guidelines given. You have the reigns so to speak to motivate others who unlike you might see things differently. You can drive hard and the results achieved are slightly different. You choose to motivate yourself regarding time as long as it is completed within the expected time frame. Not so much leading a group. You have to prod some to stay on task, to meet target and you have to accept responsibility for others. For yourself you accept responsibility for yourself. With teams, you have to depend on others, their direction, their uncertainties and certainties. With steering yourself you are either confident in your own decisions or not. Like a battlefield, you make the call, and you hope it is the right call and your troops will follow you into battle. With yourself, you depend on yourself. At the end, it all depends upon your comfort zone. Are you willing to step out the box and be challenged with your team or would you rather relinquish success to just yourself. Everyone has their own reasoning’s for doing and choosing what they do.
What would you recommend to people before they take on a supervising position?
I do believe managing and supervising is not for everyone. I do think it takes a certain type of person that must want to do it; there must be an inert feeling that drives them toward such a success. Managing people comes in many different styles. No one style will work best for every situation. Know your strengths, weaknesses and limitations. Continually learn, read books, white papers, publications in management and utilize self help to personally grow yourself, take advantage of all learning tools, never stop learning and achieving the unexpected, but don’t stop there enable your people to grow too. Get them involved in learning to become better. The more they become better the better you will become. Learn to build trust. Trust is enabled by truth. Building trust can be as easy as delegating, which frees up your time for other opportunities that need attention. However, know the ones you delegate. Know that you can depend on them and let them know you have their back and they will have your back. Learn that there are different styles of management.
Expect challenges and disagreements. Learn how to handle and at times get around them. Learn to have thick skin. Not every personality will click with yours or yours with theirs. Do know that as a manager you are accepting a higher level of expectations, and responsibility. Learn to set yourself and your employees goals. This gives everyone an opportunity to strive. It puts people on a level playing field seeking to achieve what is expected of them.
Do know as a manager/supervisor you have to be a people person to the extent of Human Resource management. You will undoubtedly come against some of the best people in your field but you will also come against some of the most unruly people at times. You have to know what to do and how to handle situations without being judgmental and defensive. Oh it is so easy to become defensive when backed into a corner. Are you ready for this. You are not always going to be right.
In addition, you have to be a good and effective communicator. You have to provide a positive and safe work environment. It all lies on you. Are you ready to handle the stress?
In the end, it does not hurt to have a mentor, someone you can seek advice from and learn, but never be something you are not. Do not be a fake. Be upfront, truthful, and transparent. You will learn your own style of managing in time but do not be a copycat. Your employees need to know what expectations are required of them and how to achieve them.
Below is some great reads that if you want to be successful at managing/supervising I suggest you consider these.
1.The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell
2.How to Manage People (Creating Success)
3.Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...
4.It's Your Ship
5.You Lead, They'll Follow: How to Inspire, Lead and Manage People.
I also recommend reads by Zig Ziglar and one person I recommend reading his techniques and is known as the granddaddy to leadership and management is Peter Drucker. There are many books written by him in his time. He had the foresight to see things as they changed.
It's all in the following.... Read on!
Managing and supervising people is not always about the money. It is as if leading a squadron into battle, are you ready to take on more being a leader? Many decisions lie upon your lead, your direction. I enjoy being a manager/supervisor. Do not always care for the politics, but with every good, there does come evil. You have to accept and move on or retreat to a different position. The ultimate victory is to achieve a win/win scenario. Not always an easy task. You do have to combine your leadership tactics with a servant’s attitude. You have to be ready to please all sides, your upper leadership giving you expectations and their direction as well as your subordinates ensuring they understand your direction and expectations. Again not always an easy task.
I feel it is the ability of being a contributor, a decision maker. Being there to help make a difference and rise to the level beyond bureaucracy, possibly influencing the decision making process. Sure, you can always offer ideas in any position and many just want to be the follower. Getting people involved is like a village raising a child. Motivating, achieving the uncertain. You cannot be indecisive; you have to be a quick study, know what is being asked of you and know without a doubt that you are going to succeed. In most cases, you do not have a choice but to succeed. That is what makes it interesting and forthcoming. A challenge. We are challenged everyday we awake. However, more so working with people to push an idea through, get it noticed, complete a job, and bask in the unknown. Be the one who made it work. I am not talking about recognition. That is another story or question. It’s helping, it’s assisting, it’s building, it‘s teaching, it‘s succeeding. Like an engineer who creates something from the bottom up and gets the joys by seeing it function. Being a manager and/or supervisor is the same joy. Sure, you have bad apples, what baskets do not have one that spoils. What project in an engineer’s eye will not have a bad bolt or screw? Nevertheless, you get the opportunity to watch your department, your business, your district, your people grow and achieve and feel good about being part of that and steering it toward success.
What are the benefits of managing others compared to managing yourself?
It is different but not very different. As a team you work together, you have group input, you are the person who keeps things under control. You manage the time and the final decisions. Managing yourself, you have to have just as much initiative and ambition to complete the task on time successfully, on schedule within guidelines given. You have the reigns so to speak to motivate others who unlike you might see things differently. You can drive hard and the results achieved are slightly different. You choose to motivate yourself regarding time as long as it is completed within the expected time frame. Not so much leading a group. You have to prod some to stay on task, to meet target and you have to accept responsibility for others. For yourself you accept responsibility for yourself. With teams, you have to depend on others, their direction, their uncertainties and certainties. With steering yourself you are either confident in your own decisions or not. Like a battlefield, you make the call, and you hope it is the right call and your troops will follow you into battle. With yourself, you depend on yourself. At the end, it all depends upon your comfort zone. Are you willing to step out the box and be challenged with your team or would you rather relinquish success to just yourself. Everyone has their own reasoning’s for doing and choosing what they do.
What would you recommend to people before they take on a supervising position?
I do believe managing and supervising is not for everyone. I do think it takes a certain type of person that must want to do it; there must be an inert feeling that drives them toward such a success. Managing people comes in many different styles. No one style will work best for every situation. Know your strengths, weaknesses and limitations. Continually learn, read books, white papers, publications in management and utilize self help to personally grow yourself, take advantage of all learning tools, never stop learning and achieving the unexpected, but don’t stop there enable your people to grow too. Get them involved in learning to become better. The more they become better the better you will become. Learn to build trust. Trust is enabled by truth. Building trust can be as easy as delegating, which frees up your time for other opportunities that need attention. However, know the ones you delegate. Know that you can depend on them and let them know you have their back and they will have your back. Learn that there are different styles of management.
Expect challenges and disagreements. Learn how to handle and at times get around them. Learn to have thick skin. Not every personality will click with yours or yours with theirs. Do know that as a manager you are accepting a higher level of expectations, and responsibility. Learn to set yourself and your employees goals. This gives everyone an opportunity to strive. It puts people on a level playing field seeking to achieve what is expected of them.
Do know as a manager/supervisor you have to be a people person to the extent of Human Resource management. You will undoubtedly come against some of the best people in your field but you will also come against some of the most unruly people at times. You have to know what to do and how to handle situations without being judgmental and defensive. Oh it is so easy to become defensive when backed into a corner. Are you ready for this. You are not always going to be right.
In addition, you have to be a good and effective communicator. You have to provide a positive and safe work environment. It all lies on you. Are you ready to handle the stress?
In the end, it does not hurt to have a mentor, someone you can seek advice from and learn, but never be something you are not. Do not be a fake. Be upfront, truthful, and transparent. You will learn your own style of managing in time but do not be a copycat. Your employees need to know what expectations are required of them and how to achieve them.
Below is some great reads that if you want to be successful at managing/supervising I suggest you consider these.
1.The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell
2.How to Manage People (Creating Success)
3.Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...
4.It's Your Ship
5.You Lead, They'll Follow: How to Inspire, Lead and Manage People.
I also recommend reads by Zig Ziglar and one person I recommend reading his techniques and is known as the granddaddy to leadership and management is Peter Drucker. There are many books written by him in his time. He had the foresight to see things as they changed.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The Peter Principal
I have seen this throughout my career. As it has been stated, smaller companies tend to pursue this area of incompetence to keep the majority from an uprising so to speak, as when not bringing in someone of a higher skill level it can stifle the growth of any organization. However, it does not necessarily just happen in small companies. I've worked for larger organizations and simply because people are in the in crowd so to speak they simply move into positions where they might have been top notch in their current position but their skill sets changes and they assume they know what to do and because they don't and they've not been trained in that hierarchy position they create ambiguity, discontent, and uneasiness amongst team players and/or associates.
Clearly, we have all seen this happen where John/Jane Doe obtains their position not by what they know but whom they knew. Incapable of handling the position in areas of communication, direction, strategies, improvements, growth to name a few. You realize there is no way someone in the path that has been obtained can clearly work through that particular position.
I think it goes along with the adage of if you want to get rid of someone you either promote them or fire them.
This affects many areas of business. It creates dismay across the spectrum of people this person has power over. It is not fair to the people that strive to get to certain levels but never see it. This person has no outlook or foresight for what the position encompasses… They may be able to learn certain aspects, but they tend to have to lean on the person who got them to the point where they are. It is like carrying a broken ladder everywhere you go, hoping you can get to the top without anyone noticing you are climbing up a faulty tool to perform the job.
Incompetence in the workplace is what stifles growth, challenges, and creativity. If you do not understand what the skills sets are in the position you have been given how can you lead and expect any type of success. Eventually you lose as a whole. Your good people will leave or seek different avenues not to be judged or associated with the downfall of the incompetent. The only ones left to follow is those that won't create any ripple effect and those that are following along the same lines as the one put into the position that is incompetent. Eventually your whole hierarchy has become incompetent and yet management wonders why things are occurring the way they are and obtaining the results they did not want to obtain. Clearly, at some point, the incompetence comes to a head and the person them self has realized they have come to the end of the road and no further progress can occur.
One example I can remember is seeing a floor supervisor clearly express his views to his superior about a friend the superior had hired on and how the superior wanted to get the friend promoted. The supervisor stated his reasoning that there were others more qualified and deserving and who had been striving for such a position. The supervisor clearly refused to sign off on it and without his signature, it could not be done. The supervisor was eventually moved out of the department eventually laid off and the friend was put in place. Here is the clincher. The superior who got the friend promoted found out down the road that although the friend whom he promoted continuously played his cards up the ladder he eventually got the superior (his friend who got him the job) laid off and obtained the superiors job. In turn the friend started promoting his own friends and acquaintances to hierarchy positions where it was clearly noted even the most ignorant can obtain a position despite what they knew. Could they actually perform in the position, sure, as long as they had the friend to lean on. The Peter Principal works great within the buddy system.
If noted, you one can see that the Parkinson law will at times follow suit with the Peter Principal. You see some incompetent get into a position they cannot handle or perform so the easiest way to make the job tolerable is to add to the bureaucracy despite the amount of work that is to be done, there is always someone to shoulder the skill sets so the incompetent will not fall from power.
Our government clearly fits the Peter Principal and the Parkinson Law. You put people into positions they are unqualified for and they will A. Fill it with for example five people to do a one persons job. B. Fill your task with bogus issues that would typically be performed in 1 day, it now takes a week.
You have to fill all the people you hired to perform your job with idiotic task to justify their need for you to appear you are accomplishing the task that you are not qualified to do.
You may also want to read about the Dunning-Kruger effect whereas someone who is incompetent chooses to put other incompetence’s in place and may not know that they are doing it because of their own in competences. It also goes into talking about how incompetent people will unjustly rate themselves higher in all aspects of competence as compared to how their peers rate them.
Interesting topic- this is the kind of discussion I really appreciate. Thanks for asking.
http://www.heretical.com/miscella/parkinsl.html
http://www.talyarkoni.org/blog/2010/07/07/what-the-dunning-k
Clearly, we have all seen this happen where John/Jane Doe obtains their position not by what they know but whom they knew. Incapable of handling the position in areas of communication, direction, strategies, improvements, growth to name a few. You realize there is no way someone in the path that has been obtained can clearly work through that particular position.
I think it goes along with the adage of if you want to get rid of someone you either promote them or fire them.
This affects many areas of business. It creates dismay across the spectrum of people this person has power over. It is not fair to the people that strive to get to certain levels but never see it. This person has no outlook or foresight for what the position encompasses… They may be able to learn certain aspects, but they tend to have to lean on the person who got them to the point where they are. It is like carrying a broken ladder everywhere you go, hoping you can get to the top without anyone noticing you are climbing up a faulty tool to perform the job.
Incompetence in the workplace is what stifles growth, challenges, and creativity. If you do not understand what the skills sets are in the position you have been given how can you lead and expect any type of success. Eventually you lose as a whole. Your good people will leave or seek different avenues not to be judged or associated with the downfall of the incompetent. The only ones left to follow is those that won't create any ripple effect and those that are following along the same lines as the one put into the position that is incompetent. Eventually your whole hierarchy has become incompetent and yet management wonders why things are occurring the way they are and obtaining the results they did not want to obtain. Clearly, at some point, the incompetence comes to a head and the person them self has realized they have come to the end of the road and no further progress can occur.
One example I can remember is seeing a floor supervisor clearly express his views to his superior about a friend the superior had hired on and how the superior wanted to get the friend promoted. The supervisor stated his reasoning that there were others more qualified and deserving and who had been striving for such a position. The supervisor clearly refused to sign off on it and without his signature, it could not be done. The supervisor was eventually moved out of the department eventually laid off and the friend was put in place. Here is the clincher. The superior who got the friend promoted found out down the road that although the friend whom he promoted continuously played his cards up the ladder he eventually got the superior (his friend who got him the job) laid off and obtained the superiors job. In turn the friend started promoting his own friends and acquaintances to hierarchy positions where it was clearly noted even the most ignorant can obtain a position despite what they knew. Could they actually perform in the position, sure, as long as they had the friend to lean on. The Peter Principal works great within the buddy system.
If noted, you one can see that the Parkinson law will at times follow suit with the Peter Principal. You see some incompetent get into a position they cannot handle or perform so the easiest way to make the job tolerable is to add to the bureaucracy despite the amount of work that is to be done, there is always someone to shoulder the skill sets so the incompetent will not fall from power.
Our government clearly fits the Peter Principal and the Parkinson Law. You put people into positions they are unqualified for and they will A. Fill it with for example five people to do a one persons job. B. Fill your task with bogus issues that would typically be performed in 1 day, it now takes a week.
You have to fill all the people you hired to perform your job with idiotic task to justify their need for you to appear you are accomplishing the task that you are not qualified to do.
You may also want to read about the Dunning-Kruger effect whereas someone who is incompetent chooses to put other incompetence’s in place and may not know that they are doing it because of their own in competences. It also goes into talking about how incompetent people will unjustly rate themselves higher in all aspects of competence as compared to how their peers rate them.
Interesting topic- this is the kind of discussion I really appreciate. Thanks for asking.
http://www.heretical.com/miscella/parkinsl.html
http://www.talyarkoni.org/blog/2010/07/07/what-the-dunning-k
Are Entrepreneurs Executives
Although a difference in definition between an entrepreneur and an executive both must be considered for the roles that they play and each must be familiar with these roles.
“The myth: entrepreneurs are great for getting a company started, but not so great when Wall Street is looking over their shoulder. Part of this thinking is that founders of companies are mavericks, passionate doers with a vision, nontraditional in their approach to management and outspoken - the kind of rabble rousing that makes investors uneasy.” (Brad Szollose) Source attached- and a very good read.
As Brad indicates, a true executive is one who has passion for their role. He gives many examples from Steve Jobs to Harley Davidson from their time based successes to the falling of the company to the success it took by bringing back the entrepreneur to reestablish the successes of these companies.
I agree that it my be a stereotype version of what an executive is or required to do, but with all entrepreneurs they have passion and to mix the two together as a relationship means you have an executive who has passion for what they do, and achieve. I do not particularly agree that you have to have all these special skills to be an executive. A good executive will have vision. An entrepreneur will have vision toward his success in achieving a small business. In time, yes, it grows with successes, but although it can fail, many large corporations fail with so-called stereotypical titles of an executive. Both have to have the inert recipe toward success and the will and knowledge to grow.
“Entrepreneurs must understand that their business(es) should run without them. Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds. He created tight methods for creating every product on the menu. In a business where profit margins are very tight, Kroc showed investors that his structure assured profits, whether he was there or not. Look at Lee Iacocca, former President Bill Clinton, John Johnson, Mary Kay-Ash, Donald Trump, Malcolm Forbes, Warren Buffet, Tony Robbins, Hilary Clinton, HP's former CEO Carly Fiorina, etc. All are reflections of balance between an entrepreneur's spirit and a corporate executive's strategy. The balance between passion and discipline is what drives all of them.”
(Brad Szollose)
As Brad defines both, he clearly makes the paradigm that it is a matter of right brain thinking and left-brain thinking and learning to make both work together.
I think most small businesses are executive leaders although they might not view themselves as such since their main objective is to role up their sleeves, work hard, succeed and profit. Nevertheless, in reality, their status although that is really all it is, is a status quo, they do reflect on the executive analogy with the entrepreneur thinking.
The main difference as stated in the document provided is the entrepreneur works for himself, the executive works for others. One earns his way whereas the other is paid in salary, bonuses and perks. One might be rough around the edges, but they both have vision, they both have passion and they both aim to succeed!
“The myth: entrepreneurs are great for getting a company started, but not so great when Wall Street is looking over their shoulder. Part of this thinking is that founders of companies are mavericks, passionate doers with a vision, nontraditional in their approach to management and outspoken - the kind of rabble rousing that makes investors uneasy.” (Brad Szollose) Source attached- and a very good read.
As Brad indicates, a true executive is one who has passion for their role. He gives many examples from Steve Jobs to Harley Davidson from their time based successes to the falling of the company to the success it took by bringing back the entrepreneur to reestablish the successes of these companies.
I agree that it my be a stereotype version of what an executive is or required to do, but with all entrepreneurs they have passion and to mix the two together as a relationship means you have an executive who has passion for what they do, and achieve. I do not particularly agree that you have to have all these special skills to be an executive. A good executive will have vision. An entrepreneur will have vision toward his success in achieving a small business. In time, yes, it grows with successes, but although it can fail, many large corporations fail with so-called stereotypical titles of an executive. Both have to have the inert recipe toward success and the will and knowledge to grow.
“Entrepreneurs must understand that their business(es) should run without them. Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds. He created tight methods for creating every product on the menu. In a business where profit margins are very tight, Kroc showed investors that his structure assured profits, whether he was there or not. Look at Lee Iacocca, former President Bill Clinton, John Johnson, Mary Kay-Ash, Donald Trump, Malcolm Forbes, Warren Buffet, Tony Robbins, Hilary Clinton, HP's former CEO Carly Fiorina, etc. All are reflections of balance between an entrepreneur's spirit and a corporate executive's strategy. The balance between passion and discipline is what drives all of them.”
(Brad Szollose)
As Brad defines both, he clearly makes the paradigm that it is a matter of right brain thinking and left-brain thinking and learning to make both work together.
I think most small businesses are executive leaders although they might not view themselves as such since their main objective is to role up their sleeves, work hard, succeed and profit. Nevertheless, in reality, their status although that is really all it is, is a status quo, they do reflect on the executive analogy with the entrepreneur thinking.
The main difference as stated in the document provided is the entrepreneur works for himself, the executive works for others. One earns his way whereas the other is paid in salary, bonuses and perks. One might be rough around the edges, but they both have vision, they both have passion and they both aim to succeed!
What Actual Does Service Mean
Servant’s attitude. Doing something for the benefit of others. Not thinking of your bottom-line. Thinking of caring, understanding and meeting the dilemma of your client, internal and external. Knowing that with proper service engaged that your windfall would come back 10fold. Service is paying forward. Accepting and acknowledging being the best at what you offer, what you stand for and what you represent. Service is like faith or for some karma. Doing what is right without question, without expectations of receipt.
Catching the Problems Before the Infection Takes Hold
I think both Tom and David are correct. I also feel this will be the next big blow in the main stream as we move out of this economic downfall whereas many companies are hiring not based on experience levels but rather recreating the wheel so to speak as they hire for the low end dollar effect thinking they want everything but not willing to pay the piper. So they hire someone in that may have book knowledge but actual physical experience is costly so they choose the lesser of two evils only in belief that they will make it through the “Perfect Storm.”
In a collaborative agreement I feel Tom makes good points on catching the problems before the infection takes hold., whereas David indicates whether before, during or after it can still be corrected. First off I feel you have know there’s a hole in the ship in order to patch it or you’ll slowly sink despite what your plans maybe. Knowing ahead of time to bring supplies on board for the “what if” scenario will definitely give you the band-aid effect should something happen, you’ll be prepared.
The significance of having the right tools in place will definitely by you time, but once you’re there you definitely have to have a buy-in by all parties, from the ground floor upwards, or you’re spinning your wheels. Financial planning through five key elements, process, organization, knowledge management, technology, and performance management can give leaders the necessary tools to react promptly and come out even stronger.
In a collaborative agreement I feel Tom makes good points on catching the problems before the infection takes hold., whereas David indicates whether before, during or after it can still be corrected. First off I feel you have know there’s a hole in the ship in order to patch it or you’ll slowly sink despite what your plans maybe. Knowing ahead of time to bring supplies on board for the “what if” scenario will definitely give you the band-aid effect should something happen, you’ll be prepared.
The significance of having the right tools in place will definitely by you time, but once you’re there you definitely have to have a buy-in by all parties, from the ground floor upwards, or you’re spinning your wheels. Financial planning through five key elements, process, organization, knowledge management, technology, and performance management can give leaders the necessary tools to react promptly and come out even stronger.
Confidence
You know I learned this not to long back. It's the fear of rejection. I guess it's easier to learn things the older you get. Yet they say you can't teach old dawgs new tricks. Anyhow, an older woman told me during a discussion about dating. Yes, I'm single and 50 and as most guys it has always been a low blow or an ego slap to be rejected when asking someone to dance or whatever it might be. I took her advice and turned toward my business ethics so to speak. She said, "Rejection is nothing to be afraid of. If someone rejects you, simply it’s a message that you do not want to be involved with that person anyway. That person actually saved you the problem of having to break up with them down the road so they weeded themselves out for you.
Using that analogy, it works in many ways with our business associations. I look at an interview as a sales call. If I am rejected, a sense of regret, a cold shoulder, I look at it as someone or a company I didn't want to associated with. If I approach someone to talk and if they turn away or has that attitude, well I can be diplomatic and friendly, but I don't have to do anything with them. If it's an association at work, l have to work with them not sleep with them. So I take the approach here is the information, I'm available to help, but if you don't want the help then it's their problem. Thick skin goes along way in business. I’m one that has to take control over that. I know myself and what I need to do under most circumstances.
Not everyone has the same personalities nor will all personalities click. Remember there are types A's and Type B's. Some need attention; some could care less about attention. Learn the personality traits and you might have whatever the problem is licked.
Also remember when you were a kid and you stood on stage in a play how hard it was to perform because mentally you knew 100 people was watching. Really, it's a mind over matter. That is why the bright light above and directly in front of you was there to blind you from those 100 people watching you. Now just smile and imagine no one is watching.
If you stop for a minute and realize what the purpose is you are doing whatever and block out what it is that bothers you, typically you can overcome many fears. Learn to block. It is like watching a football game; when the wife asks you to come empty the trash do you ever hear her? You do, but psychologically you don't because you've trained yourself to watch the game and nothing will interfere.
On a last note, despite what the fear is, performance, achievements, criticism, whatever, you do learn and maybe this is where you learn it as you get older since we’re always wanting to impress someone in our younger years. Don’t get me wrong we all even older people want to impress our boss but we take it with a grain of salt. As long as you give it your very best, you have done everything you possibly can within your power, stand-up and take note to yourself every time you stand in front of the mirror and say, I did my best, I’m proud of what I did and quit worrying what others say or think about you. You have to be happy with you. If you’re happy, the insecurities will eventually pass with time as you become more adept at being successful and when you do fall, pick yourself up, and learn from your mistakes knowing you know where the roadblock is and how to get around it.
In addition, one thing I’ve always carried with me from childhood that never gets old no matter how old you are is the ole saying of the little train that could…. The little train creeping up the hill thinking there is no way I can pull this load up that hill like the big trains can without slipping and going backwards… Keep saying to yourself I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, and eventually the little train started saying I know I can, I know I can, and when it’s all said and done you’ll stand straight and say to yourself I did it!
Using that analogy, it works in many ways with our business associations. I look at an interview as a sales call. If I am rejected, a sense of regret, a cold shoulder, I look at it as someone or a company I didn't want to associated with. If I approach someone to talk and if they turn away or has that attitude, well I can be diplomatic and friendly, but I don't have to do anything with them. If it's an association at work, l have to work with them not sleep with them. So I take the approach here is the information, I'm available to help, but if you don't want the help then it's their problem. Thick skin goes along way in business. I’m one that has to take control over that. I know myself and what I need to do under most circumstances.
Not everyone has the same personalities nor will all personalities click. Remember there are types A's and Type B's. Some need attention; some could care less about attention. Learn the personality traits and you might have whatever the problem is licked.
Also remember when you were a kid and you stood on stage in a play how hard it was to perform because mentally you knew 100 people was watching. Really, it's a mind over matter. That is why the bright light above and directly in front of you was there to blind you from those 100 people watching you. Now just smile and imagine no one is watching.
If you stop for a minute and realize what the purpose is you are doing whatever and block out what it is that bothers you, typically you can overcome many fears. Learn to block. It is like watching a football game; when the wife asks you to come empty the trash do you ever hear her? You do, but psychologically you don't because you've trained yourself to watch the game and nothing will interfere.
On a last note, despite what the fear is, performance, achievements, criticism, whatever, you do learn and maybe this is where you learn it as you get older since we’re always wanting to impress someone in our younger years. Don’t get me wrong we all even older people want to impress our boss but we take it with a grain of salt. As long as you give it your very best, you have done everything you possibly can within your power, stand-up and take note to yourself every time you stand in front of the mirror and say, I did my best, I’m proud of what I did and quit worrying what others say or think about you. You have to be happy with you. If you’re happy, the insecurities will eventually pass with time as you become more adept at being successful and when you do fall, pick yourself up, and learn from your mistakes knowing you know where the roadblock is and how to get around it.
In addition, one thing I’ve always carried with me from childhood that never gets old no matter how old you are is the ole saying of the little train that could…. The little train creeping up the hill thinking there is no way I can pull this load up that hill like the big trains can without slipping and going backwards… Keep saying to yourself I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, and eventually the little train started saying I know I can, I know I can, and when it’s all said and done you’ll stand straight and say to yourself I did it!
How Do You Deal with Inconsistent Bosses
First, don't take it personal. Secondly, develop a tough exterior (thick skin).Next, think what if this was a client, how would I respond? Would I kick him/her to the side because they're inconsistent, because they're a hothead, because they have no steering, disorganized? No, you work around their needs. They give you a need they have and you learn to work around the differences. You can say fire the company, however the grass is not always going to be greener at the next one, it might be even worse.
Not saying you have to be a yes person, and not saying you have to be your boss’s shadow where they obtain all the credit from your ideas to help build their career, but typically if you make it sound like their response, or idea, or whatever, your chances of survival will be a lot more successful.
It's tough to deal with some personalities. You cannot run from everyone who clashes with your personality. And on the other hand we say we're dealing with an inconsistent boss, do we know that the boss doesn't think he's dealing with an inconsistent employee based on his aspect of what is taking place?
I don't believe people need to be mistreated in words or otherwise. At that point if that's the case you need to sit and speak with that person, always with diplomacy. Sometimes they really don't know the way they're coming across and in a lot of cases based on their routine they might not even know they’re being inconsistent. What they think is normal behavior, may in your eyes be inconsistent behavior. A person needs to view all the entities involved not just what makes them happy or what they perceive to be inconsistent.
If problems persist and you cannot cope some thoughts that may help are as follows. In summary of ideas offer by Gill Corkindale who is an executive coach and writer based in London, who focuses on global management and leadership she offers,
Try to make the relationship more professional. Let your boss know that you have deadlines and appointments to keep.
Be aware of your boss's moods but try not to be drawn in and avoid talking about their personal problems — change the subject.
Try to coach your boss into becoming more organized: ask to see their schedule, goals, and objectives and work together to plan things more effectively.
Don't collude with your boss by picking up the pieces and covering for him/her — don't always agree to stay late if there is a crisis.
Ask your boss for feedback on how you are performing and request opportunities to present your work in front of senior managers.
Build up your network in the organization — meet people for lunch, or drop by to ask how they are getting on. Let them know what you are doing and how you can help them. Ensure that they see you regularly and apart from your boss.
Think about your next career move and whom you need to approach to find out about other opportunities.
Recognize that you and your boss depend on each other but know the limits of that interdependence and when it is affecting you adversely. Start defining yourself clearly to your colleagues and stakeholders.
Make sure that you leave the office early at least once a week and don't be available for work or personal calls at the weekend
Focus on people and activities outside work that boost your confidence and make you feel better about yourself.
Remind yourself that if you don't act on the above, you will continue to fade away in the shadow of your demanding boss.
End.
Many bosses get involved in the adeptness of their job. A lot of bosses in many cases don’t realize how their behavior is affecting their sub-ordinates. Once you’ve approached and understand what issues you have and have done everything within your power to take care of yourself, and then if the problem persists consider the above thoughts. If then the boss is not receptive to your assistance it might be time to consider your options. But to automatically assume that you have inconsistencies is not fair for either party. One must consider if there are other options that you can turn to, or in fact could it be the particular task or tasks what’s creating the problems.
Stress, pressures from higher ups, demands, and timelines can play a part in many aspects of inconsistencies. Maybe the boss does realize but being human may not have time or the thought to ask for help for them self. Remember bosses are supposed to be inhuman and have all the answers. But really shouldn’t they be considered an employee to the circumstances and given just as much latitude to change as anyone with a bad habit. Consider checking all avenues before throwing in the towel, your boss just might be quite appreciative of the actions you’ve chosen to take.
http://blogs.hbr.org/corkindale/2010/04/stepping_out_of_your_boss_shad.html
Not saying you have to be a yes person, and not saying you have to be your boss’s shadow where they obtain all the credit from your ideas to help build their career, but typically if you make it sound like their response, or idea, or whatever, your chances of survival will be a lot more successful.
It's tough to deal with some personalities. You cannot run from everyone who clashes with your personality. And on the other hand we say we're dealing with an inconsistent boss, do we know that the boss doesn't think he's dealing with an inconsistent employee based on his aspect of what is taking place?
I don't believe people need to be mistreated in words or otherwise. At that point if that's the case you need to sit and speak with that person, always with diplomacy. Sometimes they really don't know the way they're coming across and in a lot of cases based on their routine they might not even know they’re being inconsistent. What they think is normal behavior, may in your eyes be inconsistent behavior. A person needs to view all the entities involved not just what makes them happy or what they perceive to be inconsistent.
If problems persist and you cannot cope some thoughts that may help are as follows. In summary of ideas offer by Gill Corkindale who is an executive coach and writer based in London, who focuses on global management and leadership she offers,
Try to make the relationship more professional. Let your boss know that you have deadlines and appointments to keep.
Be aware of your boss's moods but try not to be drawn in and avoid talking about their personal problems — change the subject.
Try to coach your boss into becoming more organized: ask to see their schedule, goals, and objectives and work together to plan things more effectively.
Don't collude with your boss by picking up the pieces and covering for him/her — don't always agree to stay late if there is a crisis.
Ask your boss for feedback on how you are performing and request opportunities to present your work in front of senior managers.
Build up your network in the organization — meet people for lunch, or drop by to ask how they are getting on. Let them know what you are doing and how you can help them. Ensure that they see you regularly and apart from your boss.
Think about your next career move and whom you need to approach to find out about other opportunities.
Recognize that you and your boss depend on each other but know the limits of that interdependence and when it is affecting you adversely. Start defining yourself clearly to your colleagues and stakeholders.
Make sure that you leave the office early at least once a week and don't be available for work or personal calls at the weekend
Focus on people and activities outside work that boost your confidence and make you feel better about yourself.
Remind yourself that if you don't act on the above, you will continue to fade away in the shadow of your demanding boss.
End.
Many bosses get involved in the adeptness of their job. A lot of bosses in many cases don’t realize how their behavior is affecting their sub-ordinates. Once you’ve approached and understand what issues you have and have done everything within your power to take care of yourself, and then if the problem persists consider the above thoughts. If then the boss is not receptive to your assistance it might be time to consider your options. But to automatically assume that you have inconsistencies is not fair for either party. One must consider if there are other options that you can turn to, or in fact could it be the particular task or tasks what’s creating the problems.
Stress, pressures from higher ups, demands, and timelines can play a part in many aspects of inconsistencies. Maybe the boss does realize but being human may not have time or the thought to ask for help for them self. Remember bosses are supposed to be inhuman and have all the answers. But really shouldn’t they be considered an employee to the circumstances and given just as much latitude to change as anyone with a bad habit. Consider checking all avenues before throwing in the towel, your boss just might be quite appreciative of the actions you’ve chosen to take.
http://blogs.hbr.org/corkindale/2010/04/stepping_out_of_your_boss_shad.html
Friday, April 30, 2010
Your Loss
During the previous post that I wrote I received a commentary from a respected recruiter touch base with me and gave me some insite into his day. I was quite taken by it and respected his reply.
My points that I made from the previous post was simply points made from my point of view but definitely had no meaning of showing disrespect for the field of discussion. And by no means was it meant to lash out at any particular person or their trade. I have no doubt as in any professional career recuiters do have their downsides, things that create bottleneck, areas that causes problems, etc. I appreciate the caos that was explained and would never challenge anyone in such a profession.
After reading his forum toward a recent posting he place to attract candidates he indicated that during this posting he recieved 72 applicants that applied in which they all thought they were qualified. After reviewing comments I wanted to make sure I wasn't misinterpreting people but that I didn't think people were complaining about themselves sending off CV's and getting no reply. I believed it's when hopes are built up by those that pose as the ultimate professional and call potential candidates, set appts with potential, list fake jobs to build their databases, don't know exactly the lingo to discuss the job they're representing and now have a list of people they're trying to shortlist and yet those people they've called get no response. I think that's what gives the position a bad name. You've made connection, you discussed the possibilities, you've offered to submit, but there's no follow-through. People are waiting in limbo, why did they call me, what can I expect, should I move on, take the next job that's being offered and if this person calls back tell them "sorry but no thanks"? Then ultimately the shoe is on the other foot, you're aggreviated, went through all that to hear "sorry but no thanks, couldn't sit around waiting, moved on".
Personnally which I might have never stated, I don't wait around for anyone to fulfill my destiny. I do think a lot of job seekers depend way to much on others to fulfill their needs and accept the lazy attitude of if they want me they'll call me. I've felt that way many a mornings I've woke. If I send something in or get a call, I talk to the individual or reply to their emails, etc. as requested. I give myself a set time frame for a response. If I get no response that's fine and dandy with me. My time is just as valuable. Just as jobseekers don't pay the recruiter, recuiters don't put food on my table and pay my bills so I have to keep business going by continuing my search. And we all know it's a full time job searching. There's always a disappointment and a wonder why, but I don't expect anyone to owe me anything. I take my lumbs, and simply think, "your loss" haha and move on. I keep looking and searching if one of those comes around that calls me I worry about it when the time comes.
My points that I made from the previous post was simply points made from my point of view but definitely had no meaning of showing disrespect for the field of discussion. And by no means was it meant to lash out at any particular person or their trade. I have no doubt as in any professional career recuiters do have their downsides, things that create bottleneck, areas that causes problems, etc. I appreciate the caos that was explained and would never challenge anyone in such a profession.
After reading his forum toward a recent posting he place to attract candidates he indicated that during this posting he recieved 72 applicants that applied in which they all thought they were qualified. After reviewing comments I wanted to make sure I wasn't misinterpreting people but that I didn't think people were complaining about themselves sending off CV's and getting no reply. I believed it's when hopes are built up by those that pose as the ultimate professional and call potential candidates, set appts with potential, list fake jobs to build their databases, don't know exactly the lingo to discuss the job they're representing and now have a list of people they're trying to shortlist and yet those people they've called get no response. I think that's what gives the position a bad name. You've made connection, you discussed the possibilities, you've offered to submit, but there's no follow-through. People are waiting in limbo, why did they call me, what can I expect, should I move on, take the next job that's being offered and if this person calls back tell them "sorry but no thanks"? Then ultimately the shoe is on the other foot, you're aggreviated, went through all that to hear "sorry but no thanks, couldn't sit around waiting, moved on".
Personnally which I might have never stated, I don't wait around for anyone to fulfill my destiny. I do think a lot of job seekers depend way to much on others to fulfill their needs and accept the lazy attitude of if they want me they'll call me. I've felt that way many a mornings I've woke. If I send something in or get a call, I talk to the individual or reply to their emails, etc. as requested. I give myself a set time frame for a response. If I get no response that's fine and dandy with me. My time is just as valuable. Just as jobseekers don't pay the recruiter, recuiters don't put food on my table and pay my bills so I have to keep business going by continuing my search. And we all know it's a full time job searching. There's always a disappointment and a wonder why, but I don't expect anyone to owe me anything. I take my lumbs, and simply think, "your loss" haha and move on. I keep looking and searching if one of those comes around that calls me I worry about it when the time comes.
Professionalism
During a discussion I received comments on never ignore recruiters and how job-seekers should screen them just as they screen job-seekers. This may be true in some aspects but it's simple to say most people who are in a professional job as a professional does their work professionally meaning you put your faith in professionals to steer you in the right direction during initial contact. We contine talking about communication.
People put their faith in professionals and look for what one could call guidance. What do I do now that I've been contacted, interviewed by phone, and even face to face, do I sit and wait, continue my search, etc. Imagine for a moment if you were a CEO of a professional firm and a client of yours calls you with information or a suggestion about something that could benefit you or your company whether they are a high money client or simply one you've been trying to lock into for a while. Do you as a CEO simply ignore them because they're one of 100 clients so they're no more valuable than any of the other 99? That one client can make you or break you and might be sitting there waiting to see what you're going to do before before giving you their business rocketing you to the place you've always dreamed of being. Wouldn't you have your EA contact them and make an arrangement to be back in touch with them at some point? Maybe by letter, phone, email or any other medium that surfices. It's simply called, integrity, character, professionalism.
The statement about job-seekers should screen recruiters as they screen you. That's not always possible when they're calling you making you the offer. What do you tell them, give me information on you before this goes any farther? If I like what I hear, I'll do a background check on you and if everything is in order you can call me back in a week to further continue with this phone interview or face to face. I don't think it works that way. As professional job-seekers looking to move toward the next career above unemployment job-seekers are left at the mercy of what would appear and thought of as professionals. They are getting paid to be professionals. Job-seekers are the end product. Do you walk in a department store and pick something up and drop it and break it and walk off and not say anything about it? If you have integrity, and character you follow through and you take your lumps and step up and say oh I dropped it and broke it. You don't sweep things under the rug for convenience or because you are simply to busy hoping no one bothers you.
As disgusting as the job interview I went on earlier in the week and by all means I should have stated to the interviewee that he was simply off his rocker if he thought I would work for what he offered. Being a professional person that I am I thought about everything and took the time to reply to him and state I thanked him for his time and consideration but at this time I didn't feel I was a good fit for what he was offering. It never hurts to make connections and leave connections with your a professional image of ones self. Besides I have integrity, I have character and yes I'm busy also as my time is quite valuable to me, but who knows one day in the distant future I may happen upon this person and they might be my treasures I've been hoping to find. If not what did I actually lose?
People put their faith in professionals and look for what one could call guidance. What do I do now that I've been contacted, interviewed by phone, and even face to face, do I sit and wait, continue my search, etc. Imagine for a moment if you were a CEO of a professional firm and a client of yours calls you with information or a suggestion about something that could benefit you or your company whether they are a high money client or simply one you've been trying to lock into for a while. Do you as a CEO simply ignore them because they're one of 100 clients so they're no more valuable than any of the other 99? That one client can make you or break you and might be sitting there waiting to see what you're going to do before before giving you their business rocketing you to the place you've always dreamed of being. Wouldn't you have your EA contact them and make an arrangement to be back in touch with them at some point? Maybe by letter, phone, email or any other medium that surfices. It's simply called, integrity, character, professionalism.
The statement about job-seekers should screen recruiters as they screen you. That's not always possible when they're calling you making you the offer. What do you tell them, give me information on you before this goes any farther? If I like what I hear, I'll do a background check on you and if everything is in order you can call me back in a week to further continue with this phone interview or face to face. I don't think it works that way. As professional job-seekers looking to move toward the next career above unemployment job-seekers are left at the mercy of what would appear and thought of as professionals. They are getting paid to be professionals. Job-seekers are the end product. Do you walk in a department store and pick something up and drop it and break it and walk off and not say anything about it? If you have integrity, and character you follow through and you take your lumps and step up and say oh I dropped it and broke it. You don't sweep things under the rug for convenience or because you are simply to busy hoping no one bothers you.
As disgusting as the job interview I went on earlier in the week and by all means I should have stated to the interviewee that he was simply off his rocker if he thought I would work for what he offered. Being a professional person that I am I thought about everything and took the time to reply to him and state I thanked him for his time and consideration but at this time I didn't feel I was a good fit for what he was offering. It never hurts to make connections and leave connections with your a professional image of ones self. Besides I have integrity, I have character and yes I'm busy also as my time is quite valuable to me, but who knows one day in the distant future I may happen upon this person and they might be my treasures I've been hoping to find. If not what did I actually lose?
Friday, April 16, 2010
Does Being Frustrated or Aggravated on a Post Show a Lack of Professionalism?
Should aggravation and frustration reflect in post venues on how people really feel toward job-seeking and how they're being treated by asking for communication or should it be stifled and kept quiet since prospective employers and recruiters may use the information in judging people?
I would hope and I know it's not always so, that any potential employer just as any potential good recruiter doesn't take the frustration and aggravation that people impose on a discussion as nothing more than what it is. As I've stated in previous posts with all due respect to all those already employed feeding there families, paying their bills; I don't think anything anyone speaks or spoke about is meant directly, but how business is handled.
As a potential interviewee, a potential customer/client in future associations I would think that companies and recruiters would take their jobs quite professional and actually use threads to help them gain the trust of people/customers for use down the road. Particularly a discussion like some threads would be a map for "how do we do business" and "let's focus on being as professional as we can by using this information to make us better or make our company tops amongst the rest" Surveys are sent out by top companies from around the world asking "How are we doing". Well understanding what's being asked, then a thread should say a lot about "How are we doing" and not directly take it out against the people posting the unhappiness.
People are hungry, want to work and as a professional to a professional (companies, recruiters, etc) people want to be treated as professionals and not as cattle. That's not to much to ask. If in short the least people could be told during an initial conversation/interview/contact "Mr Doe, I apologize if you don't hear from me, but because of the present economic downturn our/my office has been completely backlogged so we're unable to answer everyone directly with information about where they stand on this position I'm interviewing you for, but understand that if you are qualified as the next step up toward this position, I will be in contact with you". You're interviewing/ talking to the person anyway, why can't something be respectably stated and the tone toward this particular group may subside knowing that people are now aware and won't be sitting around waiting.
If all the data that fills everyone's mailbox everyday states, follow-up, be persistence, don't you believe these professional societies and/or companies as professionals should show a slight bit of consideration towards professionals, other than a cold shoulder or quit asking for recommendations toward people who might know someone and quit filling mailboxes with bogus information that doesn't work or no one has intention on using?
I'm sure these people including myself on these threads don't want to see anyone fail or fall short of being jobless meaning recruiters also. In turn that's all people are speaking about is a little professionalism from those that have the ability in the positions they are in to show how professional they truly are and show a little compassion.
In concluding, I truly hope whomever reads these threads from the people they are/have interviewed shows a little professionalism and stops and realizes "I'm dealing with a professional and I can understand the frustrations that has built up over time and how much this person I'm interviewing or have interviewed really wants to work and bring his/her professionalism on board".
I would hope and I know it's not always so, that any potential employer just as any potential good recruiter doesn't take the frustration and aggravation that people impose on a discussion as nothing more than what it is. As I've stated in previous posts with all due respect to all those already employed feeding there families, paying their bills; I don't think anything anyone speaks or spoke about is meant directly, but how business is handled.
As a potential interviewee, a potential customer/client in future associations I would think that companies and recruiters would take their jobs quite professional and actually use threads to help them gain the trust of people/customers for use down the road. Particularly a discussion like some threads would be a map for "how do we do business" and "let's focus on being as professional as we can by using this information to make us better or make our company tops amongst the rest" Surveys are sent out by top companies from around the world asking "How are we doing". Well understanding what's being asked, then a thread should say a lot about "How are we doing" and not directly take it out against the people posting the unhappiness.
People are hungry, want to work and as a professional to a professional (companies, recruiters, etc) people want to be treated as professionals and not as cattle. That's not to much to ask. If in short the least people could be told during an initial conversation/interview/contact "Mr Doe, I apologize if you don't hear from me, but because of the present economic downturn our/my office has been completely backlogged so we're unable to answer everyone directly with information about where they stand on this position I'm interviewing you for, but understand that if you are qualified as the next step up toward this position, I will be in contact with you". You're interviewing/ talking to the person anyway, why can't something be respectably stated and the tone toward this particular group may subside knowing that people are now aware and won't be sitting around waiting.
If all the data that fills everyone's mailbox everyday states, follow-up, be persistence, don't you believe these professional societies and/or companies as professionals should show a slight bit of consideration towards professionals, other than a cold shoulder or quit asking for recommendations toward people who might know someone and quit filling mailboxes with bogus information that doesn't work or no one has intention on using?
I'm sure these people including myself on these threads don't want to see anyone fail or fall short of being jobless meaning recruiters also. In turn that's all people are speaking about is a little professionalism from those that have the ability in the positions they are in to show how professional they truly are and show a little compassion.
In concluding, I truly hope whomever reads these threads from the people they are/have interviewed shows a little professionalism and stops and realizes "I'm dealing with a professional and I can understand the frustrations that has built up over time and how much this person I'm interviewing or have interviewed really wants to work and bring his/her professionalism on board".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)