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.