Dating The Boss

Posted on November 8, 2011 by R. A. M.

I love my boss It is always a titillating prospect and taboo subject—dating the boss. And yet, it happens with some regularity, with more than you might think.

Forget for a moment that the power dichotomy is skewed in favor of the boss. What do you do if there is a genuine attraction both ways and you want to begin dating?

Well, one or both of you can quit your job, but in this climate, especially, is that realistic? You can agree to ignore your feelings. Can you hear Dr. Phil asking, “So, how’s that working for you?” You can proceed with sensitivity and caution, being careful not to indulge in any displays of affection at work as you proceed on Cupid’s path. You might even be able to keep it a secret for a certain amount of time, but for how long? Someone always spills the romance beans at work. It’s an impossible secret to keep.

Which brings us back to the power imbalance we ignored a moment ago. That imbalance is real. If someone gets hurt, it’s almost certain to be the employee, not the boss. The boss is simply too embedded in the hierarchy of the company, while the other person is not. This is heady information to live with, and you may still decide to proceed with romance. Just be warned. These types of relationships most often end badly for the employee. Take the risk if you must, but do so with your eyes wide open.

Photo © kosheen – Fotolia.com

How To Succeed In A Leadership Position

Posted on September 23, 2011 by J. L. Eisenberg

Leader and her team It finally happened. You got the promotion you’ve been working towards for years, and now you have eight people reporting to you. It’s easy to tell what people what to do and how to do it, but truly succeeding in a leadership role takes something more subtle.

It can be temping to keep a constant eye on your team to ensure that your first project is a success. However, over-managing is one of the worst things you can do to command the respect of your team. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “the best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.”

To make sure your team has the tools they need to get the job done without your constant watchful eye, prepare them well. Be very clear in the goals of the project and the techniques that are required to do it. Allow your team to tell you if they need supplemental training or resources and be timely about providing those things. Listening to what your employees have to say before delegating tasks or setting timelines is one of the most helpful things you can do for the success of your project.

While you don’t want to over-manage, completely ignoring your team until they day they make their presentation is never a good idea either. Schedule regular check-ins to learn where they are and what adjustments need to be made. By scheduling regular communication, your visits won’t come as a surprise, so you’re more likely to see cohesive examples of the work that’s been done. Be sure to give encouragement and praise where warranted each time you check in. Positive feedback will motivate your employees to keep doing well.

Leading a group of employees for the first time is never easy; so don’t be discouraged if things don’t always turn out the way you plan. Above all, remember to learn from your mistakes. You’ll be well on your way to that next promotion in no time.

Photo © Gabi Moisa – Fotolia.com

Preparing For Performance Reviews

Posted on September 22, 2011 by J. L. Eisenberg

performance review business success It’s that time of year again—increased paperwork, increased stress, and a sudden jump in employees asking for customer feedback all signal that a performance review is imminent. These yearly (or bi-annually, or quarterly, etc) meetings with your boss are stressful for everyone involved. However, with proper preparation your performance review can be an opportunity to showcase your achievements and make a case for a promotion or a salary increase.

Although a performance review is the last thing you want to be thinking about during the majority of the year, try not to keep it too far from your mind. It’s easy to forget the details of specific achievements if your memory is your only method of recording them. Instead, take brief notes each week on what you’ve done and the skill sets you used. They don’t have to be formal—their only purpose will be to remind you of what you’ve done throughout the year.

In that same vein, try to solicit a consistent level of customer feedback throughout the year. When presenting to your boss, it doesn’t look all too impressive for the majority of your customer feedback to be from the month preceding the review.

When you start preparing for your review in earnest, start by going over the goals you set at last year’s review. Be prepared to document how you are moving toward each one with specific evidence from a variety of projects. Don’t just discuss the positives: be sure to mention what challenges you faced throughout the year and explain how you used your skill set to overcome them.

Finally, think about what your employer can do to help you achieve the goals you have set. Is further training necessary? More leadership opportunities? Your employer will want to know what he or she can do to help you.

With proper preparation, your yearly performance review can be a time to look forward to rather than dread. After all, when else do you get the opportunity for extended face-to-face time with your boss? Use your time with him or her wisely to make a favorable impression and help yourself to improve at your job.

The Pros And Cons Of Working With A Friend

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Willis P.

sunny morning If you’ve seen The Social Network, you know that going into business with a friend can spell the end of a friendship, but it can also be a rewarding experience built on trust and understanding. When a friend offers to hire you, it can be incredibly tempting, but you have to consider the pros and cons of having a friend for a boss.

Pro: If you’re friends with your boss, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable asking for time off or a promotion. This improved communication will make it a lot easier for you to excel at your job.

Con: In trying to climb the ladder, you may find yourself in an awkward position with your friend; it’s always important to keep your business relationship and your personal relationship separate in this kind of situation, because if you don’t get that promotion or you have to work late, you don’t want it to end your friendship.

Pro: You get to spend a lot more time with a friend. This can be a great way to tighten your friendship if you find a way to balance the two components of your relationship.

Con: If you work for your friend, it can change your dynamic outside of the office. It can be tempting to talk about work related issues when you’re just hanging out, but you have to be very careful to just be friends when you’re not at work.

Ultimately, the most important thing in deciding whether or not to work for a friend is taking some time to evaluate whether or not you are both capable of keeping your work and personal lives separate. This can be difficult, but if you’re up for it, it can also be highly rewarding.