Category: News

Business—like most of life—is a team sport. Companies succeed because people work together to create outcomes that no individual could accomplish alone. Learning how to create good team behavior is complicated because education (in general) is an individual sport. Throughout our years of school, we are given assignments to be done alone and are evaluated on our personal knowledge of the material.

There are good reasons to make sure that everyone in a class has learned the material. Still, it means that most of us don’t practice taking on group projects and particularly at developing strategies to ensure that everyone takes care of their responsibilities.

That is a particular problem when one of your colleagues is not carrying their share of the load. So what should you do when someone is slacking off?

Lead with empathy

An old finding in social psychology is called the “fundamental attribution error.” The idea is that when you explain the behavior of other people, you tend to assume that it has to do with some aspect of who they are rather than the situation they are in. Part of the reason that this is seen as an error is that when you describe the reasons for your own behavior, you tend to focus more on the impact of the situation rather than on your own traits.

When a colleague isn’t getting their work done, it is natural to think that they are lazy or that they don’t care about the work as much as you do. While that is possible, there might also be something going on in their life that makes it hard to complete the task.

When you notice that a team member has not gotten work done, start by asking how they’re doing. Particularly during the pandemic, many factors might make it hard for people to complete their assigned work. Many people are dealing with childcare and family care issues. Other people are dealing with illness in the family. And still, others are having to cope with anxiety and depression associated with the pandemic.

The more you understand about a colleagues’ situation, the more you’ll be able to figure out how you might be able to support them in the work that needs to get done.

 Look for bridgeable gaps

There are two key aspects to motivation that drive people to get things done. First, people are energized when they experience a gap between where they are right now and where they want to be. Second, energy has to be channeled into a specific set of actions that will allow the person to close that gap. A lack of motivation often reflects a problem with the gap, the bridge, or both.

When a colleague does not care about a project, they won’t have the motivational energy to work on it. Sharing why you think the project is important can help a colleague create their own gap. For example, there are times when a piece of a project you have been given may seem silly or irrelevant. The work you do may provide an important input to another aspect of the project that you are not aware of. If you are given more information about how your efforts play a crucial role in someone else’s work, you can energize you to get the work done.

At times, though, a colleague may understand why the work is important but may not really have all the knowledge or skills they need to make progress. Unfortunately, not everyone is good at admitting what they don’t know, and so they may procrastinate on a project, hoping someone else will take it over rather than getting the help they need to succeed.

If they are working in an area, you know well, talk about what steps they are taking to move a project forward. If they seem to be unsure of what to do, offer a few suggestions for moving their task forward. You might also suggest someone in the organization that would be a good mentor.

Ask for help

If those two steps don’t work, then it is time to work with a mentor of your own. Rather than just complaining to a supervisor that a colleague isn’t getting their work done, sit down with someone you see as an effective leader. Describe what you have done so far and ask for advice about how to proceed.

The main idea here is that you don’t practice leadership for the first time when you are given a role that requires you to lead. You have to develop those skills as early as possible in the work you do. Asking for help when dealing with difficult situations with colleagues demonstrates to other people in the organization that you are focused on solving problems rather than asking someone else to solve them for you. It also sends the message that you are willing to learn from other people. Those traits make you more attractive as a candidate for new responsibilities in the future.

Acing an interview requires a certain set of skills. While your resume, experience, and expertise speak to your abilities, how you perform in an interview shows hiring managers your personality, character traits, and your ability to communicate and behave in a desirable manner. Here we explore what interview skills are and the top 15 skills you need to ace your next job interview.

Researching the company

You should never show up to a job interview with little or no knowledge about the company and the position you’re interviewing for. Before the interview, take time to thoroughly research the company and take notes of information you find especially appealing or that you have questions about. Not only does this ensure you know exactly what to expect if you are hired, but it also shows initiative on your part and demonstrates that you possess solid research skills to the interviewer.

Spending time preparing

You should avoid winging an interview at all costs. Many employers can quickly recognize a candidate who hasn’t spent time preparing for an interview, and this can ultimately have a negative impact on your chances of being considered for the position. Before you go to the interview, do the following to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared:

• Re-read the job description and take notes of any areas you have questions about.
• Look over your resume so you are familiar with how you initially presented yourself to the employer.
• Spend at least 30 minutes practicing hypothetical interview questions with a friend or family member to get warmed up for the real thing.
• Write down several examples of times in which you portrayed your skills and abilities as they relate to the job you’re interviewing for.

Dressing for success

Your outward presentation plays an important role in how an interviewer perceives you. Take time to select an appropriate outfit the night before your interview. If you’re unsure of what attire is appropriate, consider calling the human resources department of the company and asking what their preferred work dress code is.

Arriving on time

Arriving late to an interview could result in you missing out on being considered for the job. Make it a point to get to the interview at least 10 minutes early to ensure you make a positive first impression.

Practicing good body language

Your body language is an important form of communication, so take notice of how you use it during an interview. Good rules of thumb include maintaining eye contact, holding good posture throughout the interview, smiling often, and leaning forward slightly when responding to questions or engaging in conversation with the interviewer.

Asking questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions throughout the duration of the interview, whether they be related to an interview question or to the company or position. Asking questions encourages a two-way conversation and demonstrates that you care and are listening to what’s being said.

Thinking through your answers

Take time to think through your answers before responding to a question. This ensures that you’re providing the most effective and relevant answer possible and also helps you avoid uncomfortable ‘ums’ during the interview.

Taking notes

Taking notes is a great way to ensure you remember important information and to make sure you don’t forget to ask questions you think of while the interviewer is speaking. Bring a pen and pad of paper to the interview and take short-hand notes when necessary.

Using the STAR method

The STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, is a great way to effectively portray your skills and expertise to interviewers. Use this method when answering questions about your skills, experience, or previous work duties.

Portraying confidence

Exuding confidence in an interview will help you feel more comfortable and confident in yourself and will also show the hiring manager that you believe you’re truly suited for the position. However, be sure to not be so confident that it comes across as arrogance. Focus on being polite and thoughtful while also portraying a professional level of confidence throughout the interview.

Practicing active listening

When the interviewer is speaking, practice active listening by focusing solely on what they are saying, nodding your head at appropriate times and responding with well-thought-out answers.

Showing interest

Showing interest in the job and company is a great way to demonstrate your excitement about the job opportunity. Express the passion you have for that particular work and reiterate your interest in the position at the conclusion of the interview.

Using appropriate language

It’s important to keep your language professional during a job interview. Avoid using slang or curse words and speak in a clear and concise manner.

Emphasizing your strengths

Don’t be afraid to talk about your strengths continuously throughout the interview. Take advantage of any opportunities presented to provide examples of your strengths. If you feel uncomfortable talking about yourself in such a manner, spend some time practicing before the interview so you can do so in a polished way.

Expressing your thanks

Once the interview is over, don’t forget to thank the interviewer for their time and consideration of you for the position. You should also send a thank-you note or email when you get home from the interview.

In a world reshaped by the pandemic, we’ve all learned to make adjustments and create new routines to take care of ourselves and be productive. But things are about to get a little harder. As we slide into our first pandemic winter, many of the outlets we’ve turned to for relief, connection, and joy will become less accessible. Socially distanced meetups, outdoor exercise, open-air dining—it’s all a little more complicated when the temperature drops.

Mental health experts warn that winter during the coronavirus pandemic will pose some unique challenges. Seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that occurs in the winter months, affects an average of at least 5% of American adults even before you take COVID-19 into account. With the ongoing global health crisis, experts predict even more people will struggle.

Here are nine micro steps you can take to help you fend off loneliness, find motivation, and prioritize your well-being despite the wintry challenges ahead.

Stay Connected

Loneliness, isolation, and the attendant mental health challenges have been major byproducts of the pandemic. For the 35.7 million Americans who live alone, the prospect of a lonely winter may seem particularly bleak. Social connectedness is tied to both our physical and mental health; when we interact and engage with others we experience less stress, more happiness, a stronger immune system, higher motivation to take care of ourselves, and even improved memory and cognitive skills.

It takes a little creativity, but we can start taking small steps to maintain and strengthen our relationships—with both personal and professional benefits.

Start a Group Text With Friends

Science shows there’s power in consistent kinship, even if it’s a simple daily “thinking of you” message. Send that silly photo you took of your dog to your college friends or reach out to your old trivia crew when you come across something that reminds you of those geography rounds that always seemed to be your team’s downfall. Remind your friends you care, and they’ll remind you back.

Schedule a Virtual Coffee Break With a Friend

Social isolation can have powerful negative effects on your health, but spending time with others—even virtually—helps you stay connected. So when you’re feeling lonely, put a remote coffee date or catch-up session on the calendar. Or do it preemptively, before you start feeling isolated.

Ask Someone What They’re Doing to Take Care of Themselves and Stay Connected to Loved Ones

Social distancing can make us feel further apart, not just physically but emotionally. Bridge the distance with this simple question—you might learn something, or find you have something in common.

Establish Habits That Keep You Motivated and Productive

Those of us who thought working from home would lift us to new heights of productivity, focus, and accomplishment—well, we know how that turned out. Sure, working from home has its perks (goodbye, stressful commute!). But without the guardrails of going into the office and coming home, we’ve found ourselves in a world of boundaryless permawork—with longer days and more meetings—and are dealing with the burnout that comes with it. Our days are filled with back-to-back Zoom calls, little or no in-person interaction with coworkers, and more distractions at home from partners, kids, pets, and that pile of clothes we absolutely must sort before turning to our next work task.

Whether we’re working from home or going to an office this winter, these microsteps are great for making the most of our time and doing our best work.

Every Morning, Write Down the Top Three Things You Want to Accomplish That Day

Relentless prioritization is more critical than ever. Give yourself structure and clarity by focusing on three objectives every day—and when they’re done, you can declare an end to your work day, knowing you’ll come back tomorrow recharged.

Switch One Video Meeting to a Phone Call Each Day

Research has found that the sustained concentration required in video meetings means back-to-back Zoom calls will quickly tire you out and add stress to your day. Swapping one out for a phone call will give your eyes a break, and you can even pair the screen-free chat with a short walk around the neighborhood (or just around your room) to introduce movement into your day.

Do a Time Audit

At the end of the day, take two minutes to reflect on how you spent your time on work, family, household, and yourself. This exercise is an eye-opening way to look at your use of time and how you might make small improvements.

Make Sure You’re Not Forsaking Self-Care—and Fun!

We can’t do our best work if we don’t take care of ourselves. This might sound obvious, until you consider how our collective definition of success is pretty much synonymous with sacrificing our well-being, celebrating hustle culture and burnout, and generally running ourselves into the ground. But this approach to success wasn’t working before the pandemic, and it definitely isn’t working now.

So by all means, work hard, chase your ambitions, and be grateful for your opportunities. And know that when you prioritize self-care, you’re not stepping away from your goals—you’re fueling yourself so you can get where you want to go.

Set Time on Your Calendar to Focus on Small Passions Each Week

Make some time in your schedule to do something you love, even if it’s just for a few minutes. And stick to it. You wouldn’t miss an important meeting or doctor’s appointment, so treat this time with the same respect. You’ll begin to build the muscle of prioritizing the things that bring you joy.

Play an instrument, paint, write poetry, pull out your favorite video game, try a new recipe, look at the stars—whatever it is that fills you with joy, or purpose, or both. You might feel at first like you’re being bad—taking a few minutes for yourself, the horror! But in fact, studies show that pursuing passions outside your work can have benefits for your personal life and your career. (

Identify One Source of Negative Stress in Your Day

Before you can solve a problem, you have to name it. Pinpoint just one experience or scenario in your daily life that routinely creates negative stress. Interactions with a certain person? A moment in your day that always seems to be rushed and unpleasant? Once you recognize a pattern, you can begin to take steps to prevent stress from becoming cumulative and unmanageable—like taking a few breaths to reset, clarifying expectations with your colleague whose meetings tend to stress you out, or rearranging your schedule to smooth stressful transitions.

Do One Small Thing Each Morning That Brings You Joy

How you begin your day can set the tone for the rest of it—so make a conscious effort to do something that will start you off right. It might be meditating, walking, reading while you drink your coffee, making a breakfast you love, or trading stories about weird dreams with your kids. From this foundation, you’ll build up strength and resilience for the rest of your day—and the rest of this unusual winter.

Asking your employer for more money isn’t easy, even when you know you deserve it. If you knocked it out of the park over the past year, took on more responsibilities or received a stellar performance review, it’s smart to talk to your manager about a pay increase.

We can help you find a new job, but if what you want is more money at the job you have — and you’re not sure how to start the conversation, your best bet may be to put your request in a letter asking for a raise.

Here are some examples of what you could write in an email asking for a raise along with tips to help you develop confidence about the message you want to send.

Do your salary research

You’re not going to get very far if the amount you ask for is not in line with the realities of today’s job market. Completing your own comprehensive research will help you understand what a competitive wage is for someone in your position and geographic location.

Researching the numbers will also demonstrate to your boss that your salary request is backed by real data versus your own subjective opinion.

Pick the right time

One of the first steps in knowing how to ask for a raise is identifying the best time in your company’s cycle to have the discussion. Does your company have a policy of granting pay raises only during performance review periods? Check your employee handbook for guidelines. In some cases, it won’t matter. But in others, it can be crucial.

Consider also whether your organization has had recent layoffs or a hiring freeze. The economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected many businesses. If you bring up your pay when your company has just furloughed employees or is seeing reduced revenues, your appeal is likely to go nowhere fast, regardless of how amazing you are.

Make the request

When you’ve researched your salary range and chosen a good time to broach the subject, make the ask. Email your manager and explain that you’d like to connect to review your compensation. Outline your impact clearly and concisely. Prepare compelling bullet points that convey exactly how you’ve excelled in your current role.

Don’t mention what your coworkers make or any personal reasons you might have for needing more money.

Next in the letter, ask to meet with your manager to discuss the salary you’re seeking. If this is the first time your boss hears you want more money, set the stage appropriately. You might consider a sentence or two in an email, such as this: Could we have a short discussion to review my salary or devote a few minutes to that topic during our next one-on-one video meeting?

If you have a performance review coming up, it’s a good idea to ask ahead of time: Would it be OK if we discussed my compensation during my performance review?

And if you have already expressed the desire for an increase, you should go ahead and share it either as a percentage or as a dollar amount. Your email might include a line like this: We’ve discussed my wish for additional pay, and after some research, I’d like to request a salary increase of X percent.

Back it up

In a longer letter asking for a raise, provide context to explain how you landed on the salary figure you are providing. Numbers are convincing, so use them in the descriptions of your accomplishments: money saved, revenue earned, services improved, responsibilities taken on.

Just as you did in your salary negotiations when you interviewed for the job, your request should reflect the value you bring to the role, goals you’ve met or exceeded, results you have delivered, and industry averages based on your job skills and years of experience. It’s easier to put nerves aside when you feel ready to answer hard questions about why you deserve an increase.

Offer appreciation for the consideration

Remember to thank your manager for supporting you in your role and for considering your request.

After you hit send, be patient. Your manager may need to talk to a higher-up or HR before getting back to you. Those conversations and the resulting negotiations can take time.

Again, no matter the response you ultimately receive to your request, make sure to thank your manager for allowing you to express yourself — even if you don’t get what you were looking for. Seek clarity on what would be required for a future salary discussion, and set a time to check in again. Negotiating is a process. Putting your request in writing is likely just the first step, but if you make the ask, it can pay dividends.

Sample template of a letter asking for a raise

Dear (Name),

As my X-year anniversary gets close, I would like to formally request a review of my salary for my work as a (job title). During my time at (name of company), I have taken on additional responsibilities and have achieved success in several areas. I’ve made a brief list of just some of my accomplishments and responsibilities, which include the following:

• Taking the lead on …
• Meeting goals in …
• Improving efficiencies that led to a savings of $X for the company …
• Achieving success in …
• Adding to my (skill level or education as it relates to the job) …

Aside from my X skills in this role, I have also demonstrated excellent X abilities and proficiency with X. The staff can count on me for X.

I enjoy my work here and appreciate the support you and the team have shown me. Given the added value I have brought the company, I think it is fair to request a bump in pay. Based on the research in the Robert Half Salary Guide, I’ve found that the midpoint salary (or median national salary) for this position is $X for my experience level. Considering regional variances, an X percent raise would put my compensation closer to those salary benchmarks.

Thank you for your consideration. I am willing to work with you to accommodate my request, taking into account what is best for the company. Please let me know if you are available for a short meeting.

Sincerely,

Name

Being goal-oriented doesn’t come naturally to everyone. If you are not naturally goal-oriented at work, here are five ways you can keep yourself on track toward your work-related goals.

Practice planning

 It’s not enough to have a goal; you have to know what it will take to accomplish it. That’s where planning comes in: For each goal you set, sit down and write down every task that needs to be done to meet the goal. These might be short-term tasks — such as sending an email or purchasing a supply — or long-term projects, such as completing a course or landing a new client. Once you know the steps you need to take to meet your goal, you can organize those steps to use your time most effectively.

Manage your time

 Time-management is the ability to plan and prioritize your time, and it’s key to meeting your goals. To manage your time effectively, you need to know how long your plan will execute, then assign any tasks accordingly to make the most of your time and energy. (Sometimes, it’s helpful to assign tasks on a calendar or write your to-do list in order of the time of day you need to accomplish each thing.) Don’t forget to schedule breaks; they can help you refocus and regroup before starting your next task.

Track your progress

 Just like you need to know the steps necessary to reach your goal, goal-oriented people also know where they stand about their goals. In other words, they take the time to evaluate if they’re on track and decide whether they need to pivot or reallocate their time and resources to reach their goal. Be sure to schedule periodic check-ins with yourself and honestly answer the question: Am I where I need to be to meet my goal? If the answer is no, it’s time to re-evaluate your plan and make needed changes.

Keep yourself accountable

 Goal-oriented people don’t necessarily have will powers of steel. Instead, they stay accountable to themselves. If you struggle with motivation and accountability, then consider getting an accountability buddy — a coworker or friend who is willing to help you stay motivated by checking in with you every day. You’ll update them on your progress, and they’ll help boost your motivation toward your goal.

Stay positive

 Meeting your goals can be tough work! But staying positive can make the work toward your goals a little easier. When you’re working toward a goal, give yourself positive affirmations, such as, “You can do it!” or “You’ve got this!” Or create a vision board you can look at, and that will remind you of why you want to reach your goal. For example, if you’re vying for a raise, perhaps a picture of a beach — where you plan to take a vacation with that money— will keep you motivated and help you stay positive.

Whether you are currently filling out a job application or preparing for an in-person interview, you may be asked to provide an answer about your salary expectations. This can be an awkward question because you have to define your worth while also maintaining a sense of flexibility. Check out this informative guide to help you understand why employers ask this question and how you can answer it in a diplomatic way.

The importance of salary expectations

Whether you are currently filling out a job application or preparing for an in-person interview, you may be asked to provide an answer about your salary expectations. This can be an awkward question because you have to define your worth while also maintaining a sense of flexibility. Check out this informative guide to help you understand why employers ask this question and how you can answer it in a diplomatic way.

What are salary expectations?

Salary expectations refer to the amount of money a prospective employee expects to be paid for the position in question. You may be asked about your salary expectations as early as the application phase, or further along in the process during a phone or in-person interview. How you answer can determine several factors including:

• The salary you end up receiving if you obtain the position
• How an employer perceives you as a candidate
• Whether or not you get the job in question

Why do employers ask about your salary expectations in a job interview?

Employers ask you about your salary expectations for a variety of reasons during your job interview. Here are some examples:

• They want to assess how you view yourself and your previous qualifications
• They want to determine whether your salary expectations align with what they can offer you based on their budget
• They want to see if you’re over or under-qualified for the role when compared to other roles within the company and their salary levels
• They want to be respectful of your needs and qualifications in relation to the position in question

What to include and exclude when asked about salary expectations during an interview

To approach the topic of salary expectations in a professional manner, you need to know what to include and exclude from your answer. Here are some items to include or exclude when answering the question: what are your salary expectations? to help you create a polished answer:

Include

• Job-focused language that implies your passion for the industry over salary expectations
• Information about your previous work experience and qualifications that constitutes a particular pay grade
• Salary ranges to imply openness and flexibility
• Questions about the company and the type of salary range allotted for the position

Exclude

• Mentioning strict salary expectations or unwillingness to negotiate
• Discussing salary range that is well below your current or previous salary
• Statements that reference your need for money rather than your love for a particular line of work
• Talking about salary ranges of company competitors

Example answers for salary expectations in an interview

Here are a few example answers to the question: ‘What are your salary expectations?’ to help you come up with your own:

To demonstrate openness

‘Due to my passion for marketing and my desire to work for such an inspiring organization, I am open to negotiating my salary at a further point.’

To demonstrate specific expectations

‘I would be okay with a baseline salary of $45,000 as I have two years of event planning and coordination experience where I earned $44,000 and I am eager to learn more.’

To demonstrate flexibility in salary range

‘My salary expectations are between $50,000 to $60,000.’

To demonstrate an interest in the position while gauging the employer’s budget

‘Can you tell me more about the daily work environment and my roles and responsibilities? What type of pay grade would you assign to this position based on those duties?’

To determine specific needs when asked to come up with an actual number

‘I would like to earn $80,000 for this position because I know it requires working more than 40 hours a week, managing a department and representing this organization. I am ready to dedicate myself to the job and this company.’

At the height of shelter-in-place this past spring, I was only leaving my home about once a week to go grocery shopping, get exercise through hikes, or carry out other essential activities.

During one point of quarantine, it crossed my mind that any source of excitement—no matter how dangerous or out-of-character—would be a welcome respite. Sound familiar? When deprived of healthy activities that feed our brain’s dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and other “happy” chemicals we receive from excitement, variety, and connection, our mental circuits can malfunction.

When brains struggle to confront constant monotony, you slide into uncommon habits. For instance, you might have found yourself taking on addictive behavior around social media, gaming, gambling, or any other activity that would help give you a slight mental boost. Maybe, you’ve gone in the other direction and find yourself struggling to even find a way to get out of bed in the morning.

Through my work as a time management coach as well as my connections with people, I was hearing of individuals, who were typically early-risers, getting out of bed around 10 or 11 a.m. due to low mood and negativity.

If you fall into any of these categories or simply have a more mild level of boredom with the sameness of each day, there are still things that you can do to break up the tedium of your workweek. Keep in mind, what is permitted will vary by your local restrictions, and what you choose to do will be dependent on your comfort level with venturing out.

Work Space Transitions 

Even though you probably never thought about it much before, the “rat race” offered a lot of variety. You woke up, dressed for work, commuted, attended meetings, went to lunch, and headed home.

By nature of the workday’s structure, there are quite a few different things you do and people you interact with. And although commuting across the hall to your home office is convenient, it can get boring.

To mix things up, consider changing your location throughout your workday. For example, you may start in your office, do some work at the dining room table, and then finish the day on the front porch. If you get easily distracted by your home environment or the people within it, consider constraining yourself to a smaller area, such as the basement.

Further, try to make small physical shifts, such as sitting down in an armchair for brainstorming or standing up for phone meetings.

Another workday transition: punctuate the same ole, same ole by changing up your thinking. Extend a meeting to someone at your company you don’t regularly work with and with whom you can have a fun conversation. Other ideas: Attend a training in something you’re interested in learning or take on a special project you feel extra motivated around.

Finally, there are small ways where you can introduce some flair such as changing up your Zoom background, having flowers on your desk, or sharing something funny with your colleagues. At times, the little things can count for a lot.

Wellness Challenges 

Before businesses and venues shut down, I was at my gym at least five days a week. In its absence, I’ve had to get creative on how to add challenge and variety to working out and staying healthy. If you’re struggling in this area, here are some ideas of what worked for me.

When the days were cold, dark, and short, YouTube was my go-to for workouts that got me up and moving in the morning. For my own preferences, I would choose videos featuring groups of people working out, ideally on the beach. I quickly became bored of my favorite YouTube channel, after which I sought out newer videos as well as Facebook Live videos with local fitness instructors.

Once the weather started to get much better, hiking, bike riding, running, and swimming became possibilities. I scoured Google maps for new state parks and metro parks in my area; fortunately, there were many options.

Once Memorial Day hit, swimming outside in lakes with a wet suit was a possibility. So now Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, I swim across a .4-mile wide lake at a state park with a few of the members of my swim and triathlon team for safety. Tuesday, I lift weights. And Thursday and Sunday, I do shorter distance sprint and stroke work in front of a smaller beach near me.

Goes to show, you can still be active each day in a variety of ways. And you can find things you like to do—whether it’s different workout videos, walking in different places, paddle boarding, or doing some other variety of activities that bring you joy and a fitness challenge.

Diverse Socializing Opportunities 

Different types of interactions with people create unique experiences. A deep one-on-one conversation is different than a small-group discussion; hanging out drinking refreshing beverages is different than running together.

As you can, seek out this variety. Have a heart-to-heart with a close friend, but then get with a group to just laugh and shoot the breeze. In my week, I purposely try to make sure that I have a mix of different ways that I’m interacting with people, so I’m not solely having serious discussions or solely keeping things shallow.

Also, think about different activities you can do with your family during this time. Maybe it’s exploring a town you’ve never visited, playing new games, or even working together on a home project.

Learning and growth add excitement to our lives. So another way you can break up the monotony of your workweek is to invest time in a hobby.

For instance, you can learn a new skill, practice an instrument, read a few new books, or make something for your home. I heard stories of people using their reduced work hours to develop artwork or break out of a mental funk by practicing piano during 15-minute breaks.

Another benefit of these types of activities is that not only do they offer change, but also they give you something tangible to work on where you can see progress and have some level of control. It’s so satisfying to know you can plan to do something and complete it without worrying about what new rules and restrictions will pop.

Once everything calms down, there won’t be the entire bouquet of choices we’re used to. In the interim, turn to these varied options to add flavor to a bland workweek.

We all know that managers need to coach their employees, but how can employees become more coachable? Effective leaders are more like coaches, leading their employees toward career development, ultimately, greater job satisfaction. While managers help lead their employees to accomplish their goals, coachable employees are part of this vital part of the equation.

“Coaching must be focused on what the person being coached wants to achieve,”. “It can be a mutual goal that benefits both the leader and the employee, but leaders need to be careful. The problem is if the employee isn’t ready to be coached. That could be due to doubt or fear about the outcome.”

Whether it’s from a professional coach, a manager, or a peer, being coachable is a crucial aspect of continuing to grow as a professional at any level. To be coachable, you need to have three critical traits:

Be open to exploring beyond the surface

Be open to being coached. A willingness to try is crucial to have a working relationship with your manager to succeed. It’s important to be willing to explore what you don’t know so your manager can help you achieve your goals and hone your professional skills

A passionate desire to pursue and fulfill your professional goals

Although you might need a willingness to try, you must desire to sustain the relationship over time with your manager to reach success and build on professional progress. Possessing a passionate desire to pursue and fulfill your professional goals will help sustain your willingness even when you encounter obstacles and failures.

Courage to be vulnerable

Achieving goals takes courage, even if you are willing and have the desire. To be coachable, you must dig deeper and uncover the root of your fears and the cause of what stops you. When you’re able to explore each fear, you’ll often find that they’re baseless.

While all three traits are necessary, a lack of courage is often the stopper for becoming coachable. Even if you’re willing and have a desire, when it comes down to the deciding moment, fear may stop you from following through.

Career growth may seem like a controversial topic right now. Can you really have career growth in the middle of a global pandemic? Some people might roll their eyes at the thought or brush it off because it seems impossible. But what if it’s not?

Whether you’ve been tossed into an unexpected job search or you’re secretly on the hunt for a new job, career growth should be your top priority. If you don’t make it a priority, you risk becoming stagnant, or worse, taking a step back in your career when it might not be necessary.

But, even if it is a priority, you might not be taking it as seriously as you think. Here are five subtle signs you might be holding yourself back from career growth.

You’re on cruise control or panic mode

This global pandemic has thrown tons of people into cruise control or panic mode. If you’re on cruise control, you’re probably telling yourself that now is not the time to make any sudden moves. Even though you’ve wanted to change jobs for a while now, you’ve likely convinced yourself that it’s best to keep your head down at work until the coast is clear. If you’re in panic mode, then you’re likely not thinking strategically about the next step in your career. You might be feeling like you have to take whatever you can get, without evaluating what you want or the various ways you can contribute to the next company.

Both cruise control and panic mode are harmful to your career growth. Cruise control might feel safer, but it’s keeping you stagnant. Operating in panic mode might be stopping you from seeing all the ways you could successfully pivot your career and could have you taking detours you might not have to take.

You don’t know what career growth you want

Career growth looks different for everyone, especially right now. Career growth could mean more mentorship, more money, more leadership opportunities, more training and development, more impact, new challenges, a new industry, a better work environment, the list goes on and on. You may not want all of those things at once. You may not be able to get every single one of those things right now. But, it’s important to recognize which of those things are most important for your personal career growth so that you can at least try to aim for them.

It’s like when you decide you want a specific car and all of a sudden you start seeing that car everywhere you go. But, if you never decided, you would’ve never noticed it passing you by. It’s the same way with career growth, if you don’t know what you want, you won’t have a clear focus moving forward and you’ll likely end up settling because you didn’t know what to pay attention to or ask for in your job search.

You’re dwelling on the wrong things

It’s too easy to think negatively right now. But when it comes to your career growth, especially landing a new job that moves your career forward, thinking negative is 100% guaranteed to keep you stuck and stagnant regardless of how nice it would be to land a new job you’ll love. If you’re constantly asking yourself, “What if I don’t get it?” instead of, “How can I increase my chances of getting it?” then you’re spending too much energy entertaining negative possibilities when you could be welcoming positive ones.

Instead of dwelling on the wrong thoughts and soaking up all the negative news, start paying attention to the things that are going right. Scroll down your LinkedIn feed and soak up the success stories of people celebrating accomplishments and starting new jobs right now, even if they are few and far between. Decide that it’s possible for you too. Attaining career growth is not just about doing the right things but thinking the right thoughts as well.

You’re relying on motivation

No matter how well our intentions are, motivation is like that flaky friend who says they’re going to show up to the party but rarely ever does. When you’re worried about still meeting your deadlines, not catching coronavirus and landing a new job, you need something stronger than motivation if you want to make career growth a priority. You need a plan. When you have a clear and strategic plan on how to land a new job that will offer you the career growth you want, you can rely on discipline and consistency rather than motivation.

You’re not strategic about getting support

You hear people say all the time, “network, network, network!” But, reaching out to strangers on LinkedIn expecting world-class advice and top-notch referrals without even building a genuine relationship or having a real conversation is not the way to go. Connecting with other professionals, and getting support from experts or career coaches, when done the right way, can be a catalyst for success. But if you have no clue how to do that, if you’re mass emailing people without any thoughtfulness if you think getting support from a career coach is a luxury and not a necessity when you know you need guidance, then you’re not taking your career growth seriously and you should consider changing your approach.

Hear me loud and clear: it is still completely possible to land a new job that moves your career forward, even right now. But it starts with you. If you know you’re guilty of one of these five things, that is good news! That means there is plenty of room for improvement and that you still have the power to move your career in a more satisfying direction.

During times of uncertainty, it’s easy to think, “screw it.” The goals you had before — land a new job, get that promotion, secure a higher raise — seem distant, especially in the middle of an unforeseen pandemic. But the way I see it, you only have two options: wait around for things to get better and for something good to magically happen to you or do what you can to make good things happen for you? If you’re a high-achiever who prefers the second option, here are five power skills you should master to keep your career moving forward no matter what:

Aim for Excellence

The good news is that if you’re an ambitious professional, you’ve probably been aiming for this since day one of your first job. We’re taught to work hard, over-deliver, rinse, and repeat. But if you’re not careful, you can get in the trap of saying yes to everything and committing to too many things. This can result in you working hard on busy work and failing to exude excellence when it truly matters. Or worse, if you’re a perfectionist, you can get caught in the procrastination trap, which eats away at your time and creates a never-ending to-do list that can impact your performance.

All work is not created equal, and knowing the difference is key to consistently delivering excellent work. Patty Azzarello sums this up well in her book, Rise: 3 Practical Steps for Advancing Your Career, Standing Out as a Leader, and Liking Your Life. She says, “You have to find a way to deal with all of the work, not do all of the work.” To create a track record of excellence, you can’t be afraid to set priorities and work strategically.

Advocate for Yourself 

The biggest lie we were told growing up is “put your head down and do the work.” The idea is that if you just grind, hustle and do your best work, someone will eventually notice you and give you everything your heart desires without you having to ask for it. I believed that lie, and the only thing I got from following that advice was bread crumbs.

If you want to have a successful career no matter what, you need to learn how to speak up. No one will ever be more invested in your career growth than you, and it’s your duty to show others why you’re ready for it. Regardless, if you want to grow within your company or desire to land a new job elsewhere, don’t expect your track record to speak for you. Remind people of your track record. Let go of the idea that you’ll seem arrogant or obnoxious if you advocate for yourself. The sooner you learn to speak up for yourself gracefully and confidently, the better your career will be because of it.

Build Genuine Connections

I have a confession: early in my career, I thought I could do the whole “no new friends” thing. I was wrong. No new friends will lead you to no new opportunities. To succeed in your career, regardless of what life throws your way, you must be willing to build genuine connections in and out of season. Yes, that means when you need a new job and when you don’t. Doing excellent work and advocating for yourself are essential skills, but you also need allies in rooms you may not have had a chance to enter yet.

At work, it can be easy to build relationships with your colleagues on the same level as you but don’t limit yourself. Seek out relationships with colleagues on different teams and senior leaders and executives you may not interact with often. But don’t just stop there. Look around at people at other companies and in other industries that inspire you and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with them, too. When done the right way, these relationships can dramatically impact the trajectory of your career.

Adopt a “How can I help?” Mindset

It sounds simple, but most people don’t always think this way. But, when you’re so focused on yourself, you may miss moments to be present, memorable, and invaluable to others. Adopting a “How can I help?” mindset will also help you boost your confidence in work meetings, job interviews, and other situations that may typically feel nerve-racking or intimidating. If you’re constantly thinking about how you can help someone else, you’ll pay more attention to their challenges, and you’ll increase your chances of building a reputation as a problem solver.

Please note, you do not need to be a people-pleaser to achieve this; boundaries are critical. However, in moments when you desire to make a great impression, you can quiet a lot of noise in your head if you switch your focus. Practice better understanding the other person, listening, and considering how you can help them move forward, even if they happen to be ahead of you in their career.

Cultivate Your Growth Zone

If you master the other four skills, you’ll find that your career will reach new heights in due time. However, I’ve seen so many high-achievers hit ceilings in their careers because they stay in their comfort zones for more time than they should.

No matter how far along you get in your career, if you want to keep moving forward no matter the circumstances, you have to always be willing to be a student, be uncomfortable, and ask for help. If you find that you’re not learning or feeling uncomfortable in some area, then you’re probably not being as challenged as you could be in your career. On top of that, success leaves clues, so if you’re not willing to ask for help to get to the next level of your career, you’re likely making the journey much harder than necessary. Your growth zone is where the magic happens, and cultivating your growth zone is critical if you want to keep rising in your career.

Just like life, our careers are full of curveballs. But, if you’re willing to aim for excellence, advocate for yourself, build genuine connections, adopt a “How can I help?” mindset, and cultivate your growth zone, you’ll always be able to bounce back and move forward no matter what comes your way.