Leading By The Incompetent - Should I Leave?

 (Image courtesy of Flickr user JD Hancock)

I ran across this article that I wanted to post. Warning..the language is a bit harsh.  But it really makes the point and emphasizes the point I want to make:

Career Advice: Leaving is a Career Management Strategy

Source: (MoneyWatch)  COMMENTARY You hear it all the time: "He's completely clueless." "What in the world were they thinking?" "That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard." And when you hear it coming out of your own mouth, that means you're having an "idiot boss" moment and are probably heading for the margaritas, the LinkedIn (LNKD) jobs page, or both.

It's rough when your boss is an idiot. Even worse is when the CEO is an idiot. And sometimes the idiocy propagates throughout the entire management team like a contagious superbug.

A friend of mine is jumping ship from a once-great company that's now run by morons. The company used to have a market cap of $50 billion. Now it's worth about one tenth of 1 percent of that. When my friend actually pondered if he should quit the Popsicle stand for a better position at an awesome, growing company, I thought, "OMG, the idiocy's gotten to him too!"

I have those idiot boss moments all the time. No, I don't really have a boss these days, but now it's even worse because I'm always hearing and writing about executives and boards of companies that make the same dumb mistakes over and over. And some of them are pretty hard to believe.

10 reasons why smart people do dumb things
3 types of bosses that should be fired
7 tips to manage your boss -- and yourself

Over the past year alone, executives of tech giant HP (HPQ) and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIMM) couldn't have done a better job of driving their companies off a cliff if they'd cut the break lines and floored the accelerator pedals themselves.

RIM's co-CEOs recently stepped down, replacing themselves with a guy who plans to keep things more or less status quo. Investors, who lost about $70 billion over the past three years or so, weren't too happy about that. Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? Yeah, it's not too bright, either.

Yahoo's (YHOO) corporate color is purple. Company founders Jerry Yang and David Filo thought that was the color of creativity and innovation. After five years of mega screw-ups and gross mismanagement, I'm beginning to wonder if somebody dropped a batch of magic mushrooms into the purple paint at company headquarters. I don't think shareholders would be one bit surprised to learn that Smiley here, from Yahoo's corporate values page, is actually running the show.

Enough with the fun and games; let's get serious about what you should do when you have those idiot boss moments. Here's a hint: it's not necessarily all bad; you have more choices than you think.

Are you sure it's not you? In the case of my friend's company, as well as Yahoo, RIM and HP, there is definitely something screwy going on with the leaders of those companies. But that's not always the case. Sometimes we lash out at our bosses because we're frustrated with ourselves, jealous that someone else got the promotion, or angry that we're not doing better than we are. Sometimes we're looking for a fall guy or someone to demonize because it's too painful to look in the mirror. Not that I'm a shrink or anything, but it's often the case, nevertheless.

Cut them some slack. To be fair, most employees aren't aware of everything that goes on behind closed doors and exactly why decisions they may think are stupid are actually made. And even if they are dumb, bosses are human too, which means they're allowed to make mistakes. Nevertheless, it's frustrating when those mistakes give you a massive headache or a shrinking bank account. In that case, you still have three more choices.

Say something to someone. Not that I'm saying you should, but before you drink yourself into oblivion, drive yourself nuts, or throw in the towel and move to a deserted island, you might consider actually saying something to your boss or someone in the chain of command. Who knows? They might actually appreciate the feedback. Maybe you know something they haven't thought of. Or maybe they'll label you a troublemaker and fire you on the spot. I'd think long and hard about it, but in any case, it's an option.

Head for the bar. Or better still, the gym. When you're stressed out, burned out, or just plain mad at the world for sticking you with a bunch of idiots for managers, it always helps to remind yourself that life is more than your job. So, whatever works for you to push the reset button and get some perspective, do that -- you'll feel better. And keep doing it over and over until you can't take it anymore. Then you're down to the last option.

Head for the hills. The reason why you should never let any of this stuff really get to you, ruin your day, or ruin your life, is because you live in a free country. And while it's a really tough job market, you can always quit and do your own thing or, in time, find another job. Sometimes even committing in your head to get the heck out as soon as you can and beginning the search process is enough to make you feel better. Really.

Those are my five ideas for what to do about an idiot boss. If you've got a better idea, I'm sure we'd love to hear it. Image courtesy of Flickr user JD Hancock.

Career Management is Online Brand Management

Star headhunter and author of Work It! How to Get Ahead, Save Your Ass and Land a Job in Any Economy! Allison Hemming recently walked Relationship Masters Academy members through the steps to make their brand scream "hire me!" Chief among her advice was to pay attention to what you communicate through social media. Here's her top six rules to avoid a bad social media hangover.

1. Online Reputation Management is your responsibility, so learn the rules.
2. Nab your handles and domains, ideally with your real name for transparency, professionalism, and clarity.
3. Decide which social network you will use for friends and which you will use for professional purposes, and stick to it.
4. Think before you tweet or status update: If your client, CEO, or potential HR rep would be mortified, dial it back.
5. Most companies do background checks and delve deep into social networks to dig up dirt. Set your privacy rules accordingly.
6. If you feel like you need an outlet, use a handle other than the name you use for professional purposes.

Source: Keith Ferrazzi - Founder Relationship Academy

Keep Your Professional Edge - Find Your 1%!

 The Power of 1%

In all the years that I’ve conducted seminars and workshops across the country, I’ve come to this conclusion: It’s not about how much you know or the volume of knowledge you possess. But - is what you know relevant and is that relevant knowledge being applied to gain meaningful, intended results? (By the way, you always get results; the question is, are these results what you really wanted)?

I’ve also learned that great, relevant knowledge can come in small packages.  It could be one quote or one principle that when applied can gain significant results.

Consider this brief story:

I recall an executive coaching client several years ago who was seen as ineffective in his new role as vice president.

In our initial meeting, one of the first items we discussed was what he considered to be the critical priorities that would substantially improve his effectiveness (mind you it wasn’t working more hours…he was working plenty).  We determined the most essential action was taking the time to plan.

You mean it was something as simple as applying one principle - taking the time to plan was the initial targeting solution? 

Believe it or not - yes! The simple act of planning his week and in that mapping in his schedule the most critical, non-negotiable actions that absolutely needed to happen to create meaningful results.

The result?...within just a few weeks his direct report saw a complete turn-around in his performance.

Awh….there’s the formula - one simple principle applied generated a significant, meaningful, intended result.

Therein lies the premise of this book.

I’ve taken many of my “small package” simple tips, principles, and how-tos and laid them out in a compact book format for your consideration.

This is a tool for targeted learning for busy professionals.  Targeted learning is intended to get at the meat or essence of something quickly…so it can be used just as quickly.

It comes in a portable handbook format or an expanded version which includes coaching questions and a place for notes:

Order handbook here - The 1% Edge - the handbook

Order workbook here - The 1% Edge - the Workbook


You can also follow the blog: www.the1percentedge.com

Special Announcement - New Book Release - The 1% Edge

The 1% Edge - Power Strategies to Increase Your Management Effectiveness
Authored by JoAnn R. Corley

Buy here: https://www.createspace.com/3467099

In the years that I've conducted seminars across the country, I've come to this conclusion: relevant knowledge can come in small packages. It could be one quote, one principle that when applied can gain significant results.

I once coached a derailing executive where it was determined that the most essential action to turning around his performance was taking the time to plan.

You mean it was something as simple as applying one principle - taking the time to plan was the initial targeting solution? Believe it or not - yes! The simple act of planning his week and in that mapping in his schedule the most critical, non-negotiable actions got immediate, necessary results. In fact, within a few weeks, his direct report saw a complete turn around in his performance.

Awh....there's the formula - one simple principle applied generated a significant, meaningful, intended result.

There in lies the premise of this book. I've taken many of my "small package" simple tips, principles, and how-tos and laid them out in a compact book format for your consideration. This is targeted learning for busy people. Targeted learning is getting at the meat or essence of something quickly...so it can be used just as quickly.

Also this book is compact enough you can carry it with you. Consider this your portable coach!

The tips are broken up into categories; areas that you may want to target for development. Each is what I consider a "high-impact" area. High-impact means if there is growth in that area, there will be a greater measure of satisfying results.

This book is also designed for self-coaching. There is space on each page for notes, a draft action plan, and a names of those with whom you'll want to share the information. When you share information with others, it's reinforced within yourself.

The mantra of this book? Learn, plan, act, and pass it on.

If you'd like to participate in an ongoing dialogue for how to get and maintain your 1% for your management and/or career success go to the 1% blog: www.the1percentedge.com

Or join the newly forming community on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/JoAnn-Corley-The-1-Edge/121451387909734

American's Work Satisfaction At An All Time Low

Does this apply to you? If so, you may want to consider engaging a career coach.

The Miserable Worker - CNBC.com

A Great Question For You

Can You Believe It's the End of the Year?
December 2009 E-coach - thought-filled challenges to stir and inspire for your professional success.

Working Wisdom
Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.” -Margaret Thatcher

Coaching Moment
Coaching Question – What is it that you really want?

The Power of Wanting
When you contemplate this question consider it carefully.
The question is not…
what should I want
what do I sort of want
what an I suppose to want
but…
what do I REALLY want

Wanting is a powerful resource. Wanting is motivating, authentic; you don’t need help with it. It’s present and undeniable.

Ask this of yourself in all the contexts of your life that really matter and take the time to listen to yourself with no judgment. Give yourself permission to be brutally honest. Give yourself a moment for clear, resounding perfect truth. Make sure to capture it on paper.

The next question…what will you do with it? We’ll address that in 2010.

For now do this with yourself….use this with your team, giving it a context that you feel would be useful to your unique company / team situation. Allow answers with no judgment and see what surfaces.

Remember the power of wanting can address many personal and professional challenges.

How will you use yours and others?

Year–End Round Up
The end of the year typically lends itself to focused reflection and planning for the upcoming year. If this is not a personal practice, I highly encourage you to do so.

3 Recommendations…that can be used personally and professionally:

1. Professional Assessment - on a professional level I recommend you use as assessment resource I recently posted on my blog.
Assessment Tool - It re-frames the phrase strengths and weakness as assets and liabilities.

2. Ask yourself - What did I learn this year? Ask this of each team member...

3. Did I get – reach the outcomes I wanted – why and why not?

Many of us learn from, books, tapes, seminars etc. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from life and teach the people you lead and love to do so the same.

Final Thoughts....
It's been quite a year for me personally and professionally with many highs and lows. I am very grateful for my life, the wonderful experiences I've had, and the great people I've met along the way.

For those of you who have subscribed for quite a while, thank you. For those of you who are new, welcome!

My commitment?...to continue to pass on valuable information to enhance your personal and professional life; to contribute to your success however you define it. I count it a privilege to have been a part of your life.

Look for some exciting initiatives I'll be rolling out in 2010.

New Projects You Might Find of Interest
Tweet My Quote - I love quotes - here's a place to share yours - and where you can get "coached" with a quote
Bite-size Podcasting - Seminar in a Bite
My main site: www.joanncorley.com

To your happiness and success and to a great 2010!
JoAnn
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Speaking & Training
Looking for a speaker in 2010 or bringing training to your company? I've recently added one of the most in demand topics Emotional Intelligence to my Topics Portfolio.

One attendee remarked, "Every person in every company should go through this."?

Another, "If I'd only known this stuff when I was younger, it would have made such a difference."

Career & Performance Coaching
Contemplating a job or career change? Consider coaching - click here to learn more
Need advice? Use the Work Life 911 page of my site

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The Key To Professional Success - Be People Wise

This blog is underwritten by Management-in-Minutes, a portable learning resource for the busy professional that uses "laser learning" to accelerate building a knowledge base. The lessons are short (usually 2-4 minutes) and on each lesson page there is an audio clip with it's text version and an mp3 download link for portability.

Every so often a lesson will be posted in this blog for you to sample. This lesson is in the Sample Library, which you can access here: Sample Lessons

The Lesson: How People Operate
Would you like one of the best professional success tips? A key to success that will transcend any generation? Learn how and why people operate the way they do. The easiest way to lay a foundation for that knowledge is through the use of personality or temperament profiles....read on.

 

How People Operate

Audio Lesson –  Duration: 3 mins. 20 secs.

1. Double click arrow to LISTEN NOW! 

2.  Read along with the transcript below or print and read for later.

3.  Right click the MP3 FILE link MP3 to download and "save as"

     to your hard drive for continuous listening or to transfer to your mobile device.

4.  For additional lessons use the Search Box (top left) or the Download Library (top right).

 

---

 

 Transcript 

How People Operate

WC: 408

Read time: 1-2 mins.

 

I remember when I got a new car several years ago and it had many new gadgets and functions I was not familiar with. For the first time in my adult life, I actually pulled out an owner’s manual for a car. I needed to learn how to operate every aspect of this vehicle to experience its full potential.

 

You know that really is the same when it comes to managers and their teams. I wish that when someone was promoted to management, they received a book entitled – How People Operate 101. Because in reality, that’s what managers are doing - operating people in the context of a process to obtain an outcome that results in profit for a company.

 

Yet, the majority of newly promoted managers receive little to no training and are thrown out to fin for themselves…(kinda like those parents who want to teach their kids how to swim and just throw them in the water and say, “Now…swim!”)

 

Knowing how people operate: what makes them tick, how they are wired, what motivates them, what skills they possess and how to engage them is essential to the effectiveness of a manager. That effectiveness directly impacts the bottom line of a company and this is where there seems to be what I call – THE BIG DISCONNECT….the very thing that impacts the profits of a company is the very thing companies spend very little time and money investing in.

 

So for those of you managers, who already feeling the pain of resulting from a lack of knowledge in this area, here’s what I recommend. Step 1 in how people operate 101 is to use a temperament or personality profile. There are great tools on the market that are easy to use.   Theses profiles provide a very useful framework to understanding people in the ways I listed above.

 

Here are some recommended resources:

Dr. Keirsey – book: Please Understand Me

The DISC Profile

Tony Alessandra - book: People Smart

Both books can be obtained at Barnes & Noble, Amazon…etc.

 

I believe having a working intimated knowledge of a personality profile is essential to a manager’s knowledge base.

 

You know many people talk about diversity training in our work cultures. I believe that in that context the single most important diversity issue today is not necessarily race or ethnicity…it is personality differences, of which employees get the least amount of training. Managers, let’s start with you!

  

 

 

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Corporate Wellness and Safeway Grocery Stores

By: JoAnn Corley
On going component of the health care debate is the roll that employers play is promoting health within their populations.  A wonderful model of this is the grocery store Safeway, which President Obama has noted several times in recent speeches.


No matter your opinion regarding a company's participation in the health of their employees, Safeway has demonstrated value in doing so; value both in their both line through lower health insurance premiums, but also in the improved health of their employees.  


AS WE GO TO "PRESS": Safeway, Inc. with 1,775 grocery stores across the US and Canada just announced a new program to further reward employees for healthier behaviors. In the news today is its CEO Stephen Burd talking about their program, its rationality  and implications for healthcare reform. Watch his 16-minute video at:

http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/About-Us

Safeway's success might very well set the stage for a surge in employers to begin rewarding proper diet and nutrition, more than they already are, because their healthcare costs and workplace productivity will be directly affected by their workers poor choices. 

So here's a viable question: Will the ways in which you handle your own health impact your employment? Definitely worth thoughtful consideration.

Management Tips - #1 - Develop the Leadership Edge

One of the things I love about blogging is valuable information can be delivered in a short format like my Management-in-Minutes portable learning resource for busy professionals. The lessons are in small bites....(I call it "lazer, high-impact learning"). The duration is usually 2-4 minutes. Short can be high-impact and deliver significant value. To check this out, you can go this link to sample first hand: Sample Lessons

With that in mind, I will posting what I call Management Power Tips and Professional Power tips (e.g. time management, productivity..etc.) in a variety of series.  All of the tips posted are pieces of the coaching and management training seminars I conduct, as well as from my professional seminars. If the content of any of the tips appeals to you and you're in a position to bring someone into your organization or refer, you may want to consider one of my training seminars.  To find out more about that, you can do directly to my website: www.joanncorley.com.

One final note, many of the tips will conclude with the Action Prompt - this is the coaching component.  Keep in mind...it's not so much what you know, but what you do with what you know that really counts.

THE LEADERSHIP EDGE – BE INSPIRING
Here’s a quality greatly overlooked and yet sorely needed in the workplace! This quality is sure to give you the leadership edge.

Be Inspiring! I love this word. Inspiring someone or a group of people is special in that inspiration touches many parts of a person and like our previous power tip… you don’t need an official leadership title to be this way. 

Consider this:
When someone is inspired their vision or how they see things is impacted, changing the way someone sees something removes blocks that might have impeded them from taking action up until that point.

Inspiration typically involves an expression of energy and that’s contagious! Don’t you feel more energized when you’re around an energized person?

Finally, and I think of significant importance, inspiration touches the spirit!  The human spirit, I believe, is at the heart of a person’s motivation.  Infuse a person’s spirit with inspiration and every part of them is engaged to move toward the outcome.

You as a team member or manager can get so much mileage out of the quality of being inspiring.  It’s magnetic, memorable and a quality worth cultivating!

Action: Take some time to think about this and consider how to practically add inspiration into how you interact with others as well as how to infuse it into your team culture.
Posted by: JoAnn Corley, Management Coach & Advisor

The Reality of Current Employment Presents Updated Job Search Strategies

When you’re hit everyday with continuing news of the employment challenges, it can almost feel as if no one is getting re-employed after a layoff.

The truth is, according a recent article posted at Career Builders, that one half of those unemployed have in fact been employed again. I thought to myself wow!

Of important note in this article are the tactics and strategies undertaken to help make that happen. Here's where you can get job search advice and career management advice all rolled into one?

If you are still unemployed, it may be worth considering anyone of these. For some of us, it really will mean a significant change.

Changes in Pay – in this category one might think everyone took a pay cut…oh not so. Some did – but some received offers comparable and some even higher.

Transferring Skills to Other Industries - this is an essential component of a job search. Many people confuse industry and job title and lump them together. In fact they are very separate. You can be an accountant in many different industries. In fact, every industry needs an accountant! That fact alone opens up endless possibilities.

Relocation - 
Ever thought about moving?…well now might be the time. Many workers had to do just that to get a job. 1 in 5 found jobs in a new city or state.

Starting a Business – for some there has been for a while a nagging sense or little small voice saying, “I’d like to start my own business.” That’s what re-employment looked for some. Those considering that option, according to this article 3 in 10.

Altering Appearance – what that mean for you?...how far would you go? Among the options considered or done: lost weight, changed hair color or style, dressed to look younger, teeth whitened, enhanced makeup….is it time for a make over?

Whether it’s these or others…one thing for sure, getting creative, taking continued action and maintaining a focused sense of confidence is key!

If you feel you need some personalized help, you can learn more about career coaching at the link provided.

http://www.joanncorley.com/Career_Coaching.html

To access the entire article go to: http://www.theworkbuzz.com/job-search/q2-jobs/

To your success!

JoAnn Corley, Management Advisor & Coach