Archive for October, 2007
The Office: Business Lessons: Season 4 Episode 5
Written by Ron Desi on October 26, 2007 – 3:03 am -Lesson #1: Encouraging creativity gets people motivated, keeps them energized and creates a cohesive team.
It was great seeing Pam excited about creating the graphic logo and pulling an all-nighter. It was even better seeing the Dunder Mifflin staff pull together to write and produce a catchy jingle. When Michael Scott said, “It’s not me,” in response to hearing the first jingle, Darrel, the stock manager, said in response, “It’s better than you, it’s us!” This short retort is a testament to their teamwork.
Lesson #2: You have the power to build AND squash creative energy.
As the Dunder Mifflin team was in the middle of creating the commercial jingle, Michael yelled, “I hate it! I hate it!…I don’t hate it. I just don’t like it at all. And it’s terrible.” After Michael made this statement, you could see the energy and enthusiasm just evaporate. As a boss, leader, or team member, you have the power to build energy and motivate through your words and actions. You also have the power to demotivate and destroy any enthusiasm that existed.
Lesson #3: Pay attention to the heart
Phyllis was tasked to stand in line at a Sue Grafton book signing and recruit her for the new Dunder Mifflin Infinity, Scranton Branch, TV commercial. She comes back to the office in tears. She says that she asked Sue Grafton to participate in the advertisement and Ms. Grafton declined. Since she was not suppose to take “No” for an answer, she persisted and was thrown out by security. She was embarrassed that she was thrown out in front of her friends. Rather than consoling her, Michael asks, “So did you or did you not get Sue Grafton?” Pay attention to the heart as well as the bottom line.
Lesson #4: Don’t be like Michael Scott
(This is a lesson that can be taken from any episode of The Office.)
Michael Scott’s complete lack of sensitivity, total self-absorption, and complete ineptitude is one reason why the show is so funny. It is funny because we all intuitively know we aren’t supposed to act like Michael Scott. Of course, most of us don’t act like him nor do we behave in the same manner; else we would likely get fired. However, many of us show glimpses of Michael Scott every day. Look at how you behave and react in certain situations. Analyze how you communicate good and bad information. Examine how you treat your fellow team members or employees. Likely, you behave like Michael Scott in some small way. Improve yourself by acting the opposite (except in those very rare instances where Michael is compassionate or competent…but that’s not very often).
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5 Steps to Career Planning: Step 1
Written by Ron Desi on October 20, 2007 – 3:27 am -Since that time, I’ve taken his advice to heart and now impart what I learned going through the process. I crafted a 5 Step Process for Career Planning which I hope helps you in your planning process.
However, before we get to the 5 Step Process, watch this short video of Joni Daniels, Principal of Daniels and Associates, speak about the importance of career planning.
Step 1 of 5: Self Assessment
Socrates said, “Know Thyself”. This 2,000 year old advice is the first step in developing a career plan. To uncover your passions and strengths, I suggest taking one of many assessment tools.
Below is a list of tools available to all UB/Towson MBA students. To take any of these tests, please contact the UB Career Center (410-837-5440) or the Towson Career Center at (410-704-2512). There is a small fee to take these assessment tests.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The MBTI provides you with information about your preferred methods for taking in information, interacting with people, making decisions and planning your life. This self-knowledge is useful; it will enable you to better assess work environments and determine if they provide you with an atmosphere conducive to your preferences. Several versions of the MBTI are available, including MBTI Interpretive Report, MBTI Interpretive Report for Organizations, MBTI Step II (Expanded Analysis Report), and the combined MBTI/Strong Report. A counselor can provide you with more information about the available versions.
Strong Interest Inventory
Whether you are exploring careers or considering a job change, the Strong Interest Inventory® provides the most valid, powerful and up-to-date information to help you make informed decisions. The Strong’s items measure your interests in a broad range of occupations, work activities, leisure activities and school subjects. Your pattern of responses is compared to the patterns of responses of people in different occupations with the idea that if you have similar interests, you are likely to find certain occupations satisfying.
Values-Driven Work Card Sort
Helps you clarify those characteristics of work that are most important to you. Values are the core principles that give meaning to your life. When your values are aligned with your work activities and surroundings, you are more satisfied; when they are not aligned with your work, you tend to be less content with your life. The Value-Driven Work Card Sort helps you assess your work values in four areas: intrinsic values, work environment, work content and work relationships.
In addition to taking these tests, there are a few other ways to “know thyself” a little better. The following exercises can help you uncover your purpose, values, and strengths.
NOTE: For all of these activities, write your comments on a sheet of paper or into your computer.
Exercise #1: Think of an activity, outside of work, that you enjoy. Pick an activity that is challenging, but fun. Pick an activity that totally engages you for hours while it only seems like a few minutes have passed. Write down the activity (or activities).
Exercise #2: Think about that activity. Why do you enjoy it so much? What qualities make it enjoyable? For example, if you play recreation league soccer, is it the game of soccer itself? The competition? The exercise? The team work? The social component? Again, why do you love this activity?
Exercise #3: Now, think of a time at work where you thoroughly and utterly enjoyed an activity. Choose an activity that made time melt away and put you in “the zone”.
Exercise #4: What was it about that activity that made you so engaged? Was it the quiet time? Was it the mental complexity? Was it the creativity you demonstrated? Was it working with others? Why was this activity so engaging? Write down your thoughts.
Exercise #5: If you became a sudden billionaire and never had to work again, what would you do for free? Why would you do it? List the qualities and skillsets that this task entails.
Exercise #6: One day, you won’t be here. Death is a reality. What is the legacy that you want to leave? Remember your legacy lasts long after your death. How do you want people to remember you? What would you want them to say about you at your funeral?
Exercise #7: How you see the world and yourself is based on your belief system. What are the beliefs you hold about yourself, others and the world? Do you see yourself as confident or insecure? Do you see the world as lacking where there are have’s and have not’s or abundant where everyone can be successful despite the odds? Do you trust or distrust others? List out everything you can possibly think of that defines how you see yourself, other people and the world in which you live.
Exercise #8: What do you do well? What do you do that is better than most other people? What can you do that no one else can? List all of your strengths (all strengths, not just the ones associated with work).
Exercise #9: Define success in your own terms.
Exercise #10: Are you happy? Not content, but truly happy. Why or why not.
After you answer these questions you will have an amazing snapshot of yourself. You’ve uncovered your passions, values, strengths, definition of success and your current state of happiness or unhappiness. This is the starting point.
In my next article I will discuss Step 2 of 5: Career Historical Assessment.
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5 Steps to Career Planning: Step 2
Written by Ron Desi on October 19, 2007 – 3:29 am -Take a look at your career; where you’ve been and where you are now. If your resume is not up-to-date, then quickly write down your job title, the company you work for and your general responsibilities.
Exercise #1: Look at all of the jobs you’ve had thus far in your career not counting your current position. What skills have you learned? What experience have you gained? What strengths have been improved? Even if you did not like the job, there is a good chance that you learned a valuable skill. Did these jobs help you discover your strengths? What are they? Did these jobs uncover weaknesses? What are they? What did you like about the jobs? What did you loathe about the jobs?
Exercise #2: Similar to exercise #1, but analyze your current job.
After these two exercises you’ll have a better idea of your total skill set and strengths and weaknesses. This helps in honing your career plan.
The next step is to look at is Your Dream Job Worksheet.
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The Office: Business Lessons: Season 4 Episode 4
Written by Ron Desi on October 19, 2007 – 3:03 am -At work, we are faced with decisions each day. Some decisions are made easily and others take a bit of thought. Sometimes, a decision we make is the wrong decision and an error is made, money is lost, a client is upset, or a document goes missing. In my opinion, it is always best to admit a mistake or failure early in the process. I’ve seen too many people hide a fact from their boss hoping it will go away and all it does is get worse. Eventually, the person’s boss finds out about the mistake and the boss’ first question usually is, “Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”
This does not mean that you should run to your supervisor for every issue or that you should not try to rectify the situation on your own. You must be proactive and find solutions to problems (that’s why you’re getting paid for what you do!). If the error is “fixable” then fix it and inform your boss of the error, why it occurred, how it was remedied and what you are doing to ensure it does not happen again. If there error is significant in nature, it might be best to inform your boss first, gain insight, and partner for a solution. Being open and honest is always a good policy. Hiding information, especially negative information, just festers and eventually winds up getting worse and making everyone upset.
For leaders out there, it is critical that you welcome openness and honesty. Team members will make mistakes and it is far better for employees to inform you of their mistakes earlier in the game than later. Let them know that mistakes happen and when they do you expect to be notified, you want them to document the issue, how they will fix the situation, what they learned from the experience and what they plan to do so the mistake doesn’t happen again. Be a coach. Be a mentor. Teach your team to be a high performing, learning team.
Similar to situations in your organizations where a mistake was made and “doom and gloom” permeates the air, The Office ended on a note of hope. Dwight is back to his old self thanks to good deeds from Pam and Jim. Angela has accepted a date with Andy and Jan opened up to Michael and took their relationship to a new level. Despite the mishaps, there is always that silver lining. There’s always hope in the midst of hopeless situations.
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5 Steps to Career Planning: Step 3
Written by Ron Desi on October 18, 2007 – 3:30 am -Job descriptions detail the basic responsibilities of a job. They spell out the responsibilities of the position, what is expected, who you will be reporting to, the location of the position, whether traveling is required and will sometimes list benefits and salary information.
What you want to do is write a job description for your perfect job! This won’t be a narrative but a comprehensive list of the critical characteristics of your dream job. List these characteristics on the Dream Job Worksheet. Be as comprehensive as you can. Here are some questions that will help you start your list.
- What are the general and specific job responsibilities?
- Will you be self-employed or working for an organization?
- What is the dress code (suit and tie, business casual, casual)?
- How long is the commute?
- Can you telecommute?
- Do you want to work on salary or commission or some other pay structure?
- What is the salary? What is the bonus structure? What is the commission package?
- What are the benefits (i.e. health insurance, 401K, etc.)?
- How many weeks of vacation do you expect? Sick days?
- Describe the work environment (i.e. competitive, team oriented, etc.).
- What is your supervisor’s management style?
Once you define all of the characteristics, assign a weight to each in the Dream Job Worksheet. This weight determines its importance and thus can help you analyze specific job opportunities. This tool gives you a quantitative comparison of each job for which you are applying. It also help you clarify what is really important to you in a job or career.
You must also be realistic. Don’t expect to make millions as a school teacher and don’t expect lots of vacation and flex-time as a high-powered stock broker. You may need to make concessions. Perhaps a job that has on-site daycare also requires you to work until 6PM or later. Can you make such a concession? The Dream Job Worksheet helps you to determine which characteristics are most flexible so you can find that “close to perfect” job.
When you’re ready, begin steps 4 & 5; Goal Setting and Developing your Plan.
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