The Globe and Mail recently invited me to respond to a reader’s query for its Mentor Minute column — which they published in today’s Career Section. The topic is related to performance reviews. If you are a leader responsible for direct reports - you may want to read this:
See here for the online version at the Globe and Mail (but not sure how long it will be accessible).
Or here for a PDF of the article right here.
As always, feedback and questions welcome!
To a TGIM Worklife!
September is a great time to recharge your work ‘mojo’ by taking on a new goal or two. That’s the theme of one of my recent articles published in my column “Ask a Coach” in the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) online newsletter CareerVision. Thought you might be interested in reading it…..
Q. I recently finished a large project at work that I had been involved with for months. It was extremely busy with a tremendous amount of effort, but I enjoyed the challenge and it resulted in a huge success. Now that it’s over, the pace has slowed down and I’m feeling a little bored with not enough to do. Any tips?
A.
Questions for Reflection
It’s Labour Day. How’d that happen so fast? Wasn’t it just here yesterday??? Hmmm….somehow I don’t really feel like labouring today. How about you?
Actually, I’ve got some conflicting feelings. Part of me wants to get going, get focused and roar into the new season with gusto. At the same time, a substantial part of me is still resisting. I’m not ready to let go of the summer just yet. Too many ’summer-like’ things I still want to enjoy. And, I’ve geared down a bit this summer and not 100% sure I’m ready to gear back up.
Or maybe I am.
I just took a few minutes to do a “Labour Day” reflection in my journal. The idea was to rev up my ”work-life mojo”. I asked myself three questions:
1) What do I want to celebrate and remember about Summer ‘08 (work, personal, other)?
2) What am I looking forward to in the coming season (work, personal, other)?
3) What do I need to do to keep my work mojo alive and energized as I say goodbye to summer and hello to the fall?
A lot came up for me with that reflection. I realized that I had a fantabulous summer — it’s energizing in itself to remember the good times rather than dwell on the fact that it’s coming to an end. I also remembered that I have fantastic opportunities ahead — and lots to look forward to both in my work life and personally. I’m still reflecting on that third question. For me it’s going to be something about structures to maintain the balance — so that I don’t get too carried away in the rush of the season and forget to build in those ‘gear-down’ times that I so enjoyed this summer.
Focusing my attention this way has already helped shift my mindset and how I feel about completing summer and heading into the next season. By intentionally paying attention and celebrating the joys I’ve had and remembering the meaningful opportunities ahead of me, I’ve given my work-life mojo a boost. Not complicated stuff. Sometimes it’s just about how we choose to focus – what we choose to pay attention to. It’s very ‘EQ’ish wouldn’t you say?
In the spirit of Labour Day, here are a few past posts that you might enjoy as you get ready for the new season:
1) Beat the “Back to Work September Blues”
2) Hello September: Random thoughts from others in answer to: How do you feel about September coming
3) Is Your Work a Job, Career or Calling? Food for thought if you are in the mood to reflect on what work means to you.
How about you? I’d love to hear from you — about your thoughts, strategies and ideas as you head into this new season and get ready to bid summer ‘08 adieu!
Happy Labour Day and to a TGIM Work-life!
I was just quoted in an article published in the current issue of Advisor’s Edge Magazine. The article explored various assessments to help companies hire the right fit. I talked to the reporter about emotional intelligence and how one’s EQ impacts one’s potential for success at work.
Given that, I thought I’d highlight an article I wrote for Canadian HR Reporter on EQ: Emotional Intelligence at Work.
For those that aren’t familiar with my work in the coaching world - I am certified in the BarON EQi assessment (the world’s first assessment to measure emotional intelligence). As a certified coach, I incorporate EQ (coaching, philosophy and assessments) in most of my coaching assignments.
I am now in midst of ramping up my certification another notch and adding EQ360 to my roster. Where the EQi gives a self-reported assessment of one’s EQ, the EQi360, expands the picture to include the perceptions of others in your work and life. It is a powerful tool both to further develop your self awareness — and potential to further develop your performance, fulfillment and relationships at work (and in life).
If you are interested in learning more – get in touch!
Till then,
To a TGIM work-life,
Eileen
A client of mine (on the communications/PR side of my biz) recently retired from her role as VP Communications of the organization she’s worked with for the past 10 years. I’ve had the privilege of working with her these past 6 years (I provide communications counsel) and have come to know her quite well. In the days leading up to her farewell party - and at the party itself — I’d heard her reminisce about her career and repeatedly say: ”It’s all about the people.” In her parting words, she counseled her younger staff to remember how important and valuable relationships are in one’s work-life - in many cases, even more important than the actual work!
“It’s all about the people”. I couldn’t agree more. To read more -><> Read the rest of this entry »
Hello again! Remember me? I know, it’s been a while since I’ve last posted. I confess, I’ve been MIA (missing in action). I haven’t been much in the blog writing mode these days because I’ve been in the major “DOING” mode. Busy, busy…..espousing/talking/working….TGIM work-life in a variety of workshops/retreats/webinars. It’s all been great fun — with a lot of work — but lots at once, so a little less time to blog (sorry folks!).
In any case, I thought I’d share a quick snapshot of where I’ve been recently wrt to workshops, presentations, etc. :
Ministry of the Environment: I delivered a 1/2 day workshop: “Strategies for a TGIM Work-life” — Tips and strategies for engagement. See here for testimonials.
Centennial College: Lead a two and a half day retreat for the college’s most senior leaders: “Reflective Leadership Forum” — exploring strategies to build reflective practice in one’s daily work and life. See here to read what they had to say.
Project World / Business Analyst Conference: Lead a two day workshop for project managers and business analysts: Coaching Skills for Leaders. See here to read what they had to say.
Upper Canada Law Society: Participated in a panel discussion on Work-life balance at their 3rd annual Solo and Small Firm Conference. Great feedback - soon to upload.
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA): Presented a Webinar :“Assertiveness at Work” (which I’ve written about in previous posts - and am in process of planning a follow-up teleclass - details to be announced but likely in the fall). If you’d like to listen to the archive - click here. And to read some of the great feedack - see here.
Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC): Presented a Webinar: “Asking the Right Questions for Career Success”. Testimonial.
AND ALONG THE WAY…and in between I had all my other work — I’m not complaining, actually I’m quite grateful for all my clients and the terrific work opportunities I’ve had. But (yeah, there’s a ‘but’)….it has been BUSY so I’ve been time-challenged these days,
Now that summer’s here….I hope to slow down just a bit for a little while. Time to reflect on all that ‘doing’ and the learning along the way. I’ll be back….will write about the experiences, learnings, insights, etc.
But for now….I’m honouring my TGIM work-life needs and catching my breath.
To a TGIM Work-life!
Eileen
Because I buried the ‘lead’ in yesterday’s post:)….here I am again, ‘asserting myself’…this time more clearly:)
I am developing a teleclass series (Assertiveness at Work) to build on the Webinar I’m presenting tomorrow and need your input. If you think you might be interested, please take a moment to complete a very short questionnaire. This will help me suss out i) if there’s enough interest out there to offer such a program and ii) to meet the needs of those most interested.
It’s fast (the questionnaire), it’s quick and it’s HERE….THE LINK TO A QUICK SURVEY.
Thanks and to a TGIM work-life!
More than 700 people have registered for my upcoming CICA-hosted Webinar “Assertiveness at Work” scheduled for this Wednesday, May 21st. That’s a lot of interest! I suggested that topic (and have written articles on this blog before) because the theme of assertiveness skills seems to resonate with a lot of folks that I meet, work with and coach.
Leaders of all levels find themselves stretched as the stakes of work and life keep getting higher. All competent and talented — they recognize that assertiveness is not an all or none proposition. Fuency in assertiveness skills is personal and for many of us, can be further developed over time. Part of the emotional intellegence skillset, assertiveness plays a role in the degree that we are fulfilled, how effectively we perform — and generally how much we get of what we want and need in work and life.
Does this resonate with you? If so, please take notice….Drumroll please…..(darn I’m buring the lead in this post:)
INTRODUCING: the Big Cheese Coaching Lab© – with the first offering focusing on a Teleclass series on: “Assertiveness at Work”.
In the incubator as we speak, I am developing a group coaching teleclass series (likely six sessions…once per week) and I need your input! In the spirit of the Big Cheese Coaching Lab© — I want to hear from you so I can ensure I develop a program that is most meaningful and relevant to those most interested.
IF INTERESTED - PLEASE TAKE A COUPLE MOMENTS TO COMPLETE A SHORT SURVEY HERE.
Please assert yourself and make your voice heard!:)
And check back soon for more details!
Till then, here’s to a TGIM worklife!
Eileen
This just in: Mondays are out and Tuesdays are in!
Well, in Britain that is…
The Globe and Mail ran a brief on Friday revealing some new stats: According to a recent survey conducted by a company called Peninsula in Britain, nearly half (48%) of British workers now consider Tuesday to be the most productive day of the week, beating out Monday for the first time.
Apparantly this is a reversal from five years ago, when 36% chose Monday and only 24% said Tuesday was the hardest day of the week.
Why the switch? According to Deb Gibbons, head of employee relations for Peninsula, Mondays tend to be the day for more socializing, catching up, greater levels of sickness and absenteeism, etc…..so “the real work gets done on Tuesday”.
Absenteeism, sickness…..on Mondays????? Well, that’s not good! Sounds like a call for some TGIM boosting wouldn’t you say???
So maybe we’re not so passe after all. Maybe I’ll keep the name of this blog afterall. TGIT (thank goodness it’s Tuesday) just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
In any case, wishing you a TGIM day on this lovely holiday weekend Monday (in Canada anyways).
Eileen
I’ll be presenting a Webinar called “Assertiveness at Work” on May 21st for the CICA (Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants). If you are interested in this topic, email me - I might be able to arrange some access for a few more people.
Here’s the Webinar promo description:
Do you occasionally (or often) feel held back in your career because you haven’t appropriately asserted yourself? Do you find it challenging to promote yourself, your views and your opinions?
Do you feel uncomfortable and/or hesitate to speak up — especially on issues that might involve some conflict? Do you find yourself frequently saying yes — when you’d rather say no?
….. Whether you have an outgoing or shy disposition, there are assertiveness skills you can develop to help you more effectively and authentically express yourself in a variety of work and life situations……
If interested in developing assertiveness - either for yourself and/or others in your work-life, contact me to learn more/explore coaching and/or workshop possibiliites. Assertiveness is part of the emotional intelligence spectrum and is increasingly becoming an area of focus for me in my practice.
Hey did you notice how I just asserted myself in that previous paragraph…..well, gotta practice what I preach!:)
To being authentic, self-expressed and getting more of what you want! Sounds like a TGIM work-life!
