WrongCompany

Working for the Right Company?

Wasted Talent. Sadly, I see it every day. When I hear about how troubling the workplace has become, and specifically the toxic cultures and environments some people work in, I get knots in my stomach. As a resume writer and career counselor, I often find myself serving as a trusted confidante and advisor. Many times that translates to hearing the dirty …

Killed Career Mojo

What’s Killing Your Career Mojo?

Can you see me? Can you hear me? Does anything I say mean anything to you? Again and again, I hear from professionals who are not being seen, not being heard and, moreover, not being challenged on the job. On top of dealing with feeling invisible, there are large numbers of professionals that lack true validation from their supervisor and/or …

Innovation Launch

A Launch Manual for Innovation – HBR

 Innovation, The First Mile: That first mile—where innovation moves from an idea into the market—is often plagued by failure. In fact, less than 1% of ideas launched inside organizations have any real impact on the bottom line. The ideas aren’t the problem. It’s the process. In his new book, The First Mile: A Launch Manual for Getting Great Ideas Into the Market, …

New Job

New Job – Starting it Right

In a new job, first impressions are so important. This is especially true at a new job where you’re meeting so many people for the first time, and most important of all, your new boss. Because this is such a pivotal moment, and so many recent college graduates are now meeting their new bosses for the first time this summer, the LifeGuides team …

Distrust - trust

Earning Employee’s Trust

Fostering trust doesn’t have to be daunting. Employees are often suspicious and don’t trust management. Everyone has had a bad boss in the past, and that experience can taint future interactions, unless good bosses are sensitive to this baggage. You can’t take suspicion personally, but you do need to address it. Distrust can drain employee productivity and motivation. It can …

Career Stuck ? – Digging Out

A successful career is one of those life goals that is right in line with marriage, a mortgage, kids, and two bright and shiny new cars in the driveway. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. More often than any time in history, well-educated people are stuck in jobs that they’re overqualified for and feel blocked for promotions. So, why not …

Emails that don't get ignored

Emails that don’t get ignored

Your clients and colleagues don’t have time to engage fully with every email they get. Some of them receive hundreds of messages per day. That’s why they start with the ones they can deal with quickly. They may never get around to answering — or even reading — the rest. So how does your email earn their attention? Try these …

Empolyee Engagement

Employee Engagement – DaVita Style

Nobody washes a rental car. People will go the extra mile only if they feel they have ownership. It’s much the same in the workplace. Employees who take ownership of their work — and who feel that what they are doing matters — are far more likely than others to feel engaged on the job. You can have great talent that is appropriately teamed. …

Company Culture

Company Culture Red Flags

Aside from the unpleasantness, bad company culture is also bad for your career. Successful people tend to work for winners, and a good company culture has been shown to drive long term financial performance. Work for a happy place, and you’ll likely do better in life. However, that brings up a question. How can you know anything about a company’s culture when …