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June 2010

Monday, June 7, 2010

How to Gain Respect at Work

Do you feel respected by the people you work with?  Do you respect your boss?  What about your employer?

Being able to garner respect at work is one of those important intangibles that can make all the difference in your ability to get things done.  

Recently on my show “Making a Living with Maggie” on Martha Stewart Living Radio, I focused on specific steps to getting more respect with productivity expert Niyi Taiwo author of Respect: Gaining It and Sustaining It.  

Here’s what he had to say about gaining respect:

  • You must demonstrate respect for others if you want it for yourself.  Sounds simple but sometimes we don’t respect the people we have to work for and with.  What then?  Niyi’s advice – even if you can’t respect the person, respect the position.  Your boss deserves a certain level of respect just for being in the position.  If you can respect the role and the control he/she has over your job, you will act in a more respectful way and that can only help you garner more respect.
  • Be a performance employee.  According to Niyi, performing well consistently is key to sustaining respect. His definition of performance goes beyond being competent.  A performance employee is one who projects a positive attitude and finds the upside or opportunity in every challenge.  Performing well also entails energy and drive, understanding what motivates you and aligning your work with those values.

As Niyi points so aptly points out, “Success without respect if very hollow.”  It’s also more difficult because you don’t get the support you need from others.  

Try boosting your own levels of respect by finding ways to respect others and managing your own performance well.  And if you have more ideas on gaining and sustaining respect, share them.  I respect your opinion!

 
Posted by maggie at 1:33 AM
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Monday, June 14, 2010

Special Announcement: Find My Advice In Whole Living magazine!

"There is no passion to be found playing small-in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela

Having just returned from a trip to Africa, I found these words from Mandela even more inspiring and relevant when it comes to making a great living in a challenging economy. 

To help you achieve your potential, I'm very pleased to announce the launch of my new Career Path column in Whole Living magazine (formerly Body & Soul).  In it you will find uplifting yet straightforward and tangible advice to create the career and the life you've always wanted.  Further details are included in this press release.   

Common questions about changing jobs and addressing job security concerns can be found in my print column as well as online with my weekly posts on the new Whole Living Daily blog.  

Don't settle for less.  Pick up your copy of the June issue of Whole Living on newsstands and log on to WholeLiving.com/blog today.  

Here's to you making a great living!

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.)

 

Posted by maggie at 4:33 PM
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Friday, June 25, 2010

Career Lessons Learned (So Far) From The World Cup

If you're not one of the billions who've been watching World Cup Soccer, you're missing out on some key career lessons.  

Now I understand, you can't watch every game over the course of a month. (The World Cup lasts from June 11th to July 11th.)

But you can get the highlights here of the most important career lessons learned so far from the players, coaches and fans.

(Photo courtesy of US Army Africa.)

Career Lessons Learned from the World Cup

  1. Meditate and visualize your goals coming to fruition -- It works!  Just ask US Midfielder Landon Donovan.  He scored the winning goal with just minutes remaining to push the US into the second round of play.  In a post-game interview, Donovan said he meditates and visualizes himself scoring goals as preparation.  Sounds like a great strategy for any goal -- with a soccer ball or not.  (Learn more on How to psych yourself up for success.)
  2. Don't wait to be tested to bring your "A" game.  The coach for Italy dismissed media reports that his team had delivered lackluster play in their matches stating there was no need to play hard because they hadn't really been tested.  Unfortunately in a must-win game against Slovakia, the Italians came up short and lost the match.  Italy shocked the world by failing to make the second round after having won the entire World Cup tournament in 2006.  Get in the habit of doing your best even when you don't have to.  It will build your confidence and abilities for those times they're needed most.  (Read more on Avoiding the Summer Slump.)
  3. Cooler heads really do prevail.  Unfortunately the French team fell into disarray when conflicts between some players and coaches erupted in a flurry of resignations. France failed to make the second round and the remaining team members headed home.  Emotions can get the best (or rather worst) of us if we let them.  When you're upset with your colleagues or boss, don't react from emotion but calm down first and act with reason.  It may sound easier said than done but in hindsight I'm sure many of the French players and coaches have learned this lesson the hard way and publically.  (Watch my video on How to Deal with a Difficult Boss.) 

I hope you'll join me and catch a match or two of this 2010 World Cup.  Even watching on TV, the energy and excitement are palpable and uplifting.  You might even learn a thing or two you can apply back at the office.

Go USA!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

(Second and third photos courtesy of JasonWhat.)

Posted by maggie at 2:32 AM
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