Volunteering

Happy Holidays may include time focused on things other than business operations, budgets or networking at the office. After spending the entire year focused on work, it is now time to focus on family, have some fun and recharge your positive energy.

In addition, the Organizational Freelancer identifies well spent on giving back to the community through volunteer efforts. Check out and support local volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood at www.serve.gov.

Have a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

Autonomy versus Collaboration

Autonomy versus Collaboration

Work projects will come and go and it requires a great amount of business savvy, expert skills, passion and initiative to move work plans forward to reach tangible goals. Some organizational freelancers are very vocal and passionate about the direction of their work. Others may collaborate and basically meld into group structure without leveraging their voice in the process.

When you interested in contributing to the overall organization's goals, it is important to make sure that your voice is being heard during the decision-making process while understanding the significance of teamwork. This process is called autonomy.

On the other hand, some people  decide to support the team, even if their direction is wrong. They may side with others and not speak up or challenge ideas as a show of team support. Remember, silence is not always golden.  It may also be detrimental to your tasks. For example, what if you have a cost-saving measure that will create an effective product, reduce production time but you are too worried about the "nay-sayers" to speak up and voice your ideas?

You can still work well with others, meet or exceed the business goals and still remain autonomous. Leverage your voice in a way that your peers feel that you are working with them and not for self-recognition. In addition, when you leverage all of your talents along with your peers' collaborative efforts, you can achieve great things. It does not mean quiet yourself so others may be heard instead of you. If you have an idea, have the courage to share it with the team and be receptive to both positive and negative feedback.

The ability to be autonomous requires the skill to balance collaboration with others. 

How to Wade through the Myriad of Office Politics

Office Politics are those unspoken guidelines and business environment cues used by those in power to maneuver and focus all efforts on their individual goals in the work place. The ability to understand, wade through and survive the politics is a subtle skill that requires understanding of the office covert and overt power structure. It is also includes a delicate dance around certain areas or people who can create trigger mechanisms if it is perceived that the wrong thing is being done.

Moreover, office politics can create a chasm between employees and management if not handled properly. The Organizational Freelancer understands that these subtle cues and guidelines may occur and encroach on their efforts when stepping into someone else's "territory" in the office. Therefore, it may help to leverage the tips below to manage the myriad of office politics before they take control of your project timeline. 

Quick Tips for Wading through Office Politics:

• Get to know the people who run the covert and overt power dynamics
• Identify sensitive areas that may be perceived as a  "territorial" risk
• Do not gossip (don't share it and listen to it)
• Keep above the fray 
• Don't get sucked into power plays
• Avoid prejudging people
• Omit your bias
• Be ready to adapt to rapid change
• Identify the problems and create solutions
• Avoid talking about problems without identifying a problem-solving path that is both tangible and ready to implement

Resilience Effect

         I recently learned about the "Resilience Effect" from Dean Brooks at my university. She said it is the "ability for someone to rise above their challenges to keep moving forward in a positive and grace filled manner. This includes avoiding the temptation of getting stuck in a negative mode when things do not work out as expected. Instead, a resilient person learns to refocus their energy on all good things, even in the face of disappointment."

Managing Conflict

Conflict at work happens whether you expect it or not. There are issues that may arise with co-workers, subordinates and managers because of perceived incompatible goals. While you may consider responding in at the same level of anger and frustration that you may receive negative communications, it is important to take a breath and practice managing your conflict effectively.

Here a few quick tips to manage conflict:

• Identify if the issue is real or perceived as a real issue
• Determine if the angry message is directed at you or if you are target of someone else's anger
•  This will help you decide the appropriate response necessary to remove the issue from your primary concerns. 
• Silence is OK
• Delay your response until you check your facts carefully
• Assess if the issue is factually about an area you may need  to improve personally
• Leverage your internal Locus of Control to not respond negatively
• Do not send angry or angry toned emails back and forth to resolve disagreements. It will never end and it is a waste of time
• Seek clarity on the matter during a non confrontational discussion with the other person
• Let the issue go when you leave the office at the end of the day
• No need to take work baggage home and let it bother you all evening

Forbearance versus Complacency

   Where there is work, they will be challenges. Often work challenges manifest in the form of never-ending or daunting tasks, co-worker issues, lack of support from management, overlooked for promotions or zero recognition for your efforts.

These types of concerns can make the most stalwart employee reconsider their options. Before you put your resume on overdrive and immediately tender your resignation while seeking greener career pastures, consider the following distinction:

Forbearance versus Complacency.

Forbearance allows a person to survive the most challenging work situations with grace, dignity while holding one's temper. Also, forbearance does not equate to being oblivious of your work environment or job related problems.
Letting go of anger, frustration and disappointment regarding your job is easier said than done.

If you are angered or disappointed by a work issue, it will be hard to let it go. Sometimes, we wrap up in our anger like it is a warm blanket in winter. Yet, a person with a high level of emotional intelligence can move forward despite the setbacks to focus  their energy positively. This takes some time and practice. When people leverage their forbearance skills, they can channel their efforts towards other positive career options.

On the other hand, being complacent that your career is not moving in the direction or time frame you want is not healthy because you will allow yourself to accept the status quo. If your work environment no longer provides you professional satisfaction and you ignore the problems it may lead to resentment, anger and undue stress.

Business Card Game

Play the Business Card Game

December 1, 2013

Networking is a great opportunity to meet and connect with like-minded people in your chosen profession. Professional contacts come and go, and it is important to stay in contact with people. Yet, there are some people who simply do not know how to play the "Business Card Game."

The art of sharing as well as receiving business cards from professional contacts includes a genuine reason to connect as well as the follow up. The person who receives your card may become a cherished friend, colleague or business associate based on how you introduce yourself and the style of your card. There are a few quick tips to creating a basic business card that will become your calling card at events, meetings and other business functions.

Business Card Game

• Create a fluid business card that includes your name, organization and preferred contact information.
• Try different types of designs and then show the top three designs to business associates for feedback
• Tight budget: create your business cards using MS Office or other online tools 
• Print your cards at home on card stock paper or visit your local copy store for professional printing
• Be sincere when sharing your new business cards with other business professionals
• Avoid handing your card out to everyone. The goal is to meet and connect with others based on specific mutual business interests.
• Once you receive a person's business card, follow up with a telephone call or email.
• Use a brief message to reintroduce yourself to your new business contact. 
• Coordinate a brief meeting via conference call or email.
• Ask permission to share and receive relevant industry information.
• Update your business cards as you continue your professional journey and move to new jobs.

Elevator Pitch

Blog #11

When was the last time you used your Elevator Pitch? The Elevator Pitch is your brief and concise marketing statement to promote your business acumen. It clearly identifies your areas of expertise in 60 seconds or less. Similar to taking an elevator ride with your new business opportunity, it is critical to keep your message focused on your efforts. 

When is the best time to use the Elevator Pitch? Anytime you are meeting a new business person in a training course, a conference, business meeting or friendly public event. Make an effort to meet new people and sit new someone you do not know during meetings and events. Then introduce yourself with your current Elevator Pitch.

Some quick tips to create an effective Elevator Pitch:

• Draft your Elevator Pitch highlighting your skills and recent achievements
• Practice your pitch on friends and co-workers, then revise the pitch based on honest feedback
• Use eye contact and a firm business handshake to connect with your new contact
• Leverage your public speaking skills to clearly describe your abilities
• Share your business cards with potential business contacts
• End your pitch with a follow up call or email 

The right Elevator Pitch opens doors to new professional opportunities.

Back Up Plan and Change Management, Blog #10

Back Up Plan and Change Management

10/7/13

Change happens all of the time in business and sometimes we are not prepared for the new way of doing things. It can be a change to an open office environment, reduction in force or the entire office infrastructure ending after multiple years of gainful business.

Or it may be a well admired office manager leaving for a new adventure only to be replaced with someone with different values and beliefs compared to yours running the organization. Although we may consider the new leadership, job ending and other changes to be manageable, they still send a small shock to our system. What we once knew is over and done and we need to learn how to blossom and grow from new experiences.

I learned about change at work by wading through varying waves of workplace challenges such as potential RIFs, work stoppages to transition in leadership. Each time I thought about where I will be in a few months once the changes have settled into place. It was hard to determine if I would survive the changes at the office, but I was determined to keep my head up. For example, I left a minor role in public affairs to take on a role as a web content manager in the public sector. I left behind a former manager and team to try on a new role that would allow me to leverage my technical skills for the first time with a newly established group. It was scary, everyone was different from me and I was just ready to jump into work to show off my web skills. I realized I needed to do more than the proverbial “keep my head down.”  I had to approach the changes and people one on one.

After a few months, I noticed the subtle differences in my new team’s work and communication styles and adjusted my approach accordingly to obtain the optimal results. I also made every effort to avoid conflicts, even when I knew a different approach on certain projects would be the best route. I did not give up, I simply choose a different approach to persuade people to also understand and support my suggestions for changes too.

In the past, I usually focus on just my work. Then I participated in a mentorship program about a year ago which resulted in a new approach at moving people to change. My former mentor listened to a story I told him about the challenges of persuading people to accept change in web content and design. Then he suggested I stop selling my ideas in a “whack hammer” approach. He suggested I try something new: just share the benefits briefly, let the person to decide and let it go.  For someone who can readily argue the merits of both sides of an issue, letting something go is not easy for me. Yet, I have been trying this new approach for 8 months with amazing results. Lesson learned.

Backup plan: When I survived a reduction in force a couple of years ago it was devastating to receive the message. It was an email followed by an in-person message stating that I had 30 to 45 days to find a new position or I would be removed from payroll in this private sector organization.

I did not have a backup plan. For example, I did not have:

·        Saving account with money to cover bills for several months

• A new job to walk into
• A part time job to supplement any money I would miss if my job lapsed
• A way to escape the inevitable reality- my job may end

·       

I         I read many books, talked to many people and realized that life was going to change for me again.

During this time of my life, I had a family to care for and a mortgage. How could I not prepare for this change? I never thought it would happen to me. A friend of my mine was also RIF’d at the same time and we decided to work together and network with senior leaders and apply for other jobs. We were fortunate and got new jobs in our respective areas of expertise before the downsizing deadline occurred.

Then I thought about the future and decided to go to graduate school to obtain a graduate degree in communications. This was step one of my backup plan. It really helped to focus on my education as both an outlet and an opportunity to prepare for an ever-changing business environment. Part two of preparing for change included putting money aside for my family’s education plan. It was not a large sum of money, however $10 to $20 dollars a month can add up over a year.

Lastly, I accepted an offer for a part-time adjunct position completely outside of my technical world of web design and HTML. It was the best example of accepting change because I found a new career field that I truly enjoy. If I had shut down when change occurred at work or did not consider a backup plan a couple of years ago, I would have missed an opportunity to grown professionally and personally.  Instead, I learned through education, experience and mentors that this was a time for me to blossom and grow from change.

Active Listening Skills – Blog #9

Active Listening Skills 

Blog #9

Published on 9/30/13

By Tracey Batacan

When was the last time you listened at work with your entire body, mind and heart? For example, you are in a meeting or a conference call and you decided to put down your smart phone or other digital device and truly decided to be fully engaged in the listening process?

Often, it is a challenge to stop and focus one’s listening sometimes because there are so many other deadlines and responsibilities we need to balance. When you leverage good listening skills it allows you to take on new assignments as well as networking opportunities. It also shows people that you are focused on them and their needs.

Some may feel the attempt to stop everything and use active listening at work prevents them from tackling other tasks simultaneously. It may. Yet expending additional efforts to listen will help make you a better organizational freelancer. Some benefits of active listening include:

·       

• Obtain clarity on goals and tasks
• Provide feedback
• Increase trust among colleagues
• Effectively manage priorities
• Let people know that you are present and in the moment
• Generate creative ideas to achieve the best results
• Innovative conflict resolution
• Reflects a complete commitment to the process

Dedicated to HB on 9/30/13. Congratulations on a new year!

Minnow or Shark?

Minnow or Shark? 

Blog #8

9/15/13

Are you a “Minnow or a Shark?” is one of my favorite lines from the TV Show Grey’s Anatomy. Every work place environment is different and it is critically important to know and manage your way through the office environment. It is also savvy to let people know up front what type of organizational freelancer you are at work. Shark or Minnow.

A minnow by definition is a small fresh water fish that is used for bait to catch bigger fish. In some work place terms, a minnow may be perceived as the person to heap loads of assignments on and forget to recognize their good work. Minnows often wait in work meetings for someone to promote their achievements and it does not happen. The sharks on the other hand are only promoting their personal efforts.

It is time to channel your inner “shark” at the office. For example, do you wait for people to pick you for projects?  Or do you volunteer to take on new assignments in addition to your current workload to show off your talents and priority balancing skills? An “organizational freelancer shark” becomes the “go-to” person for projects, expertise, and brainstorming because they get things done in a timely manner. The work place shark will research facts, offer support without thinking of personal gain and truly enjoy the sport of collaboration. They initiate new ideas instead of waiting for someone to tell them what to do next. Also, people tend to gravitate towards them because they have a high energy level.

Find your voice. In addition, an “organizational freelancer shark” is willing to speak up and stand up when conflict situations occur at work. They leverage emotional intelligence, internal locus of control as well as business acumen to tactfully manage the myriad of workplace challenges that occur in a successful manner.

Moreover, the work place shark will rotate with a variety of team members and begin to develop business relationships with other office experts. This will help create a personal subject matter expert (SME) network to collaborate with on a variety of projects because they dependable.

Some “office minnows” may keep quiet at their own business expense. They may feel like there are being treated unfairly instead of investigating and implementing problem solving techniques. Their locus of control may also focus on external factors impacting their work environment, instead of conducting some internal soul searching.

Tips on being an “Organizational Freelancer Shark”:

• Generate ideas and share them with leaders who may support you
• Identify your “Go-to Shark Team” at work (SMEs)
• Find your voice and use it tactfully at work
• Conduct an internal review of your locus of control