Help! My Co-Worker Is Now My Boss

Everything was going great, your career was rolling along and then the announcement came down from the executive suite that your co-worker, NOT you, got the much coveted promotion.  Darn!  And you were friends too, so this feels even more awkward.

 

As Lincoln said, “The better angels of our nature” should help us be magnanimous in defeat.  Then again, what did Lincoln know about things going “south”?  You lick your wounds and realize you’re going to have to figure out a way to make this work.  After all, you love the company and the work you’re doing, plus you don’t want to derail the career success you’ve had to date.

 

Here’s our Take Five on how to move forward now that your co-worker is your boss: 

 

 

1. Offer Support – Congratulate them on getting the job and tell them you know they’ll be successful.  They’ll appreciate this vote of confidence because, don’t forget, this is new territory for them.  Offer them your expertise, some special skill that you have that will help them be more effective in the initial months of their new job. 
2. Don’t Be Two-Faced – The worst thing you can do is to put on a happy face to your boss and talk negatively behind their back to others in the department.  Or undermine their efforts and authority by criticizing them: “Joe doesn’t know what he’s talking about”.  If that’s how you really feel, bring it up to Joe rather than badmouthing him which will reflect poorly on you.  Even if people come up to you and say “You should’ve gotten the job”, resist the opportunity to agree with them.
3. Take Orders With a Positive Attitude – This might be the hardest part at first, taking orders from a former co-worker.  Remember that one of the keys to being successful is being flexible.  It’s perfectly normal for them to be giving directions, so accept it in that light and don’t take it as a personal affront. 
4. Be Patient – Keep in mind this is a new position for your boss and that s/he will be figuring this out as they go.  If they happen to stumble, that should not reinforce to you that the wrong person got the promotion.  In a new job, we all have a learning curve and your new boss is no different.  Give them the benefit of the doubt.
5. Keep Your Friendship – Chances are that you were friends (at least at work) with this person as a co-worker.  Maybe you went to lunch or attended conferences together.  There’s no reason for this change in organizational structure to affect your friendship.  It’s perfectly okay to invite them to lunch as you used to.  Be understanding if their new commitments don’t always allow them to accept.  Real friendships tend to survive these new circumstances. 

 

 

Change is part of everyday life in an organization.  Sometimes it works in our favor and sometimes it doesn’t.  That person was chosen over you because they were seen as the stronger candidate.  Use this as a learning opportunity to discover and develop those areas which will make you the next one promoted.  In the meantime, anything you can do to help your new boss will strengthen the department and reinforce you’re a team player. Senior management values this quality in their leaders, which will serve you well in the future.

 

Fred & Gladys

www.whelanstone.com

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

Before You Procrastinate – Read This!

We all do it.  Put off those things we don’t want to do, but deep down inside know we should.  It’s easy to understand why we procrastinate, other things can be more fun.  But the price we pay is that we are never free from that inner voice that says “Hey, you better get that done!”.

 

Here’s our Take Five on how to stop procrastinating:

 

 

 

 

1. Keep Your Eyes On The Prize:  Sometimes you procrastinate because you just don’t want to do something. Assuming you have done a pros and cons list and decide this is something that needs to be done, the best way to get started and keep moving forward is to keep your reasons top of mind.  For example, let’s say you want to become a better presenter and there’s a series of workshops that you know would help.  You’ve been putting it off because you’re focusing on all the things that make it a chore:  you’ll have to drive out of your way; they’ll be work involved; you’d rather be watching CSI or doing something else that’s more fun.  Focus on the reasons why you thought you should do it in the first place.  Being a better presenter will give you more of the types of opportunities that are important to you.  By keeping that thought in your head, it will make it easier for you to move forward.   
2. Break It Into Bite-Sized Pieces:  Many people procrastinate because they see the project in its totality and believe it will take too long. A better approach to take is to break down your goal into manageable action items.  Paraphrasing David Allen in “Getting Things Done”, you can’t do a project, you can only do the next action.  By developing an action plan, it will keep you focused on what the next step is and make completing your project seem more doable.
3. Shoot For Good, Not Perfect: Sometimes we set the standards unreasonably high, which prevents us from even wanting to start. The pressure we put on ourselves can result in doing nothing.  Balance your desire for perfection with the need to get things done. Does it really have to be perfect to create value? 
4. Do It In spite Of Your Mood:  Don’t wait until you are “in the mood” to work on your project.  The mood may never come.  Sometimes working on it will help create the right energy and feed your desire to continue.  Even if you are not in the best mood, any effort you make on your project will still result in progress.  As long as you keep working on it, it will get done.
5. Overcome Distractions:  Let people know in advance that you are not available during the time you’re working on your project.  Turn off your cell phone, don’t answer emails and don’t go surfing on Youtube.  When you are doing something that you’ve been putting off, it’s especially easy to get distracted.  Remove all those distractions that will take you off point.           

 

You might have heard of the “termite revolution”.  Just like the biggest building that will topple as a result of termites eating away, so will any project no matter the size.  You know what it feels like to live with the burden of procrastination.  See for yourself how good it feels on the other side.  

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

 

Whelan Stone

The 5 Things You Should Do Before You Start Your Next Meeting

Oh no, someone’s called another meeting and you have to attend.  That racks up 10 so far this week.  How are you supposed to do your work if you’re constantly in meetings?  The most common complaints about meetings are that they are too long, not always productive and often a complete waste of time.

 

While you may not have influence over how other people run their meetings, you certainly can do something about yours!  

 

Here’s our Take Five on what to do before starting your next meeting:

 

 

 

 

 

1. Have An Agenda – Your meeting should have a clear goal.  What’s the purpose of the meeting and what outcome do you want?  Organize the meeting with the various topics to be discussed and what the desired outcome is.  It should be clear when a decision is expected, as opposed to providing a status on the project. Each topic should have an allotted time (e.g., 10 minutes) and you should lead with the most important things, like what decisions need to be made.  People are freshest at the start of the meeting and you’ll want to take advantage of this. 
2. Invite The Right People – More things tend to get done at smaller meetings.  Only have the people necessary to achieve your desired outcome.  Make sure the people included have the knowledge to discuss the issues and the appropriate authority to make agreements.  You might want to structure the meeting so that decision makers can leave when they’re done.   There’s no need to invite an entire department when one person can represent the group. 
3. Discuss Issues Beforehand – Share the agenda and the issues with the key people beforehand.  The more they know about what will be discussed and what decisions need to be made, the more productive the meeting will be.  Make sure everyone knows what information they need to bring. By having a brief conversation with them prior to the meeting you will know what they may raise at the meeting.  The more you know in advance, the better prepared you will be.
4. Decide How You’ll Manage – Will you make an opening statement that reiterates the purpose and objective of the meeting?  Will you summarize along the way (recommended) or at the end?  Who will take the notes?  How will you keep people on track and draw the meeting to an end?  All these should be decided beforehand so that you are managing the meeting and its not managing you.
5. Keep Them Engaged – We’ve all sat through seemingly endless meetings, where someone droned on and on.  To the extent that you can, engage people so they are actively participating.  After all this is not a lecture, it’s a meeting.  If you notice someone is particularly quiet, ask for their input.  Every voice in your meeting should count or why else would they be in the room?  In the spirit of being inclusive, you’ll want to create an atmosphere in which people feel free to express their views.  Not only will this keep the energy level high, there will be more solutions offered for consideration.

 

Meetings are a necessary part of business and the most effective ones are those in which the best planning was done prior to the meeting.  The planning that you do upfront is a compliment to the people in the meeting, because it shows you care about their time.   Just like you, they have lots on their plate, so help them get back to work soon.

 

Copyright 2008

 

Whelan Stone

Is It Time To Leave Your Company?

Part of managing your career is to keep a close eye on what’s going on in your company.  By keeping current with the health of your organization and industry trends, you will know in advance the things that could potentially affect your job.  

 

There are many people who ignore the indicators that their jobs could be in jeopardy, only to find themselves among the masses looking for work.  In hindsight they wish they had left in the early stages of the warning signs. 

  

Here’s our Take Five on when it may be time to leave a company:

 

1. Downturn in Your Industry – We’ve all seen what’s happened in financial services.  While this is an extreme situation that no one could have foreseen, there are frequently telltale signs when an industry is having problems. Clearly, if a giant in the industry is suffering, it’s only a matter of time before the others follow suit.  Stay informed on the latest news in your industry.  Read Fortune, WSJ, etc., to learn what the analysts are saying and predicting.  If all sources are predicting the same dire future, you may want to consider changing industries.  Long term factors negatively affecting your category will not change any time soon.
2. Company is Acquired – Some people make the mistake of waiting to see how things shake out after the transition has occurred.  The danger is that your role may be eliminated due to duplication.  Once it is imminent that your company will be acquired, it’s smart to be proactive and start exploring your options.
3. Key Customers Leave – Customers are a bellwether for the health of your company.  When key customers start bailing and they are not replaced, it’s easy to do the math.  Losing significant revenue will start having an adverse effect on the company, which will eventually have an impact on your job.
4. Key Initiatives & Budget Cuts – It’s one thing if your company has moved into a different strategic direction, it’s quite another when they pull the plug on  projects that are key to the company’s future growth.  What might seem like stagnation is actually losing ground.  On a smaller scale, you may have just received word that your marketing budget has been cut.  If you are witnessing cuts across all departments, it’s a sign that the company is tightening its belt which may be a precursor to layoffs. 
5. Senior Management Exits – First your CFO resigned, then the CEO took a position in another company and a bunch of VP’s with them.  You would be amazed at how many people will stay in a company with this kind of siren warning.  When senior management starts exiting, the writing is on the wall. 

There are many reasons why people ignore the signs of when they need to look outside their current company.  Some believe things might turn around and hope for the best.  Others are in denial and keep their heads in the sand or feel it may be premature to start looking until the dust has settled.  If you are sensing the company may be changing and that your job may be on the line, take the initiative and start the process of exploring your options.  If it turns out your job is still secure, you will at the very least know more about your options outside the company, even if you don’t need them now.

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

Whelan Stone

How to Get Your Groove Back at Work

Being bored at work can make a day seem like a week. Even jobs people love can sometimes become “old hat”.  You may be at the point where you don’t want to change jobs but want to regain that “new job” feeling you had when you first started. 

 

Here’s our “Take Five” on how to get your groove back at work:

 

 

 

1. Shake Things Up – Take a look at the various components of your job.  What do you like/dislike?  How much time do you spend on each aspect?  Looking at your job through a new lens will allow you to open up to new possibilities.  For example, you can do things in a new way or new order.  You may decide to delegate things you don’t like or find more enjoyable ways (e.g., on a laptop at Starbucks) of doing them.  The key is to look at your job with a new perspective, with the goal of doing more of what you like.  
2. Add Some Spice – Just like a little spice can make a dish taste better, adding spice to your job can make all the difference.  This could be taking on new responsibilities in an area of interest to you, or getting on a committee for a special project, or working with new people from other groups. 
3. Create New Ideas – Attend conferences, seminars, trade shows, all the events you think you don’t have time for.  These can help energize the way you feel about your job.  Another strategy is to call a colleague in a relevant, non-competitive category and ask “What are you guys doing these days that’s interesting?”  That can help spark new ideas.
4. Meet New People – Make it a point to reach out to new people in your industry or who are in a similar position.  This broadens your network and can help stimulate how you approach your job.  Maybe there are people who you’ve done business with over the phone but have never met.  Some people steer clear of vendors, but they could turn out to be really good resources beyond the extent of your relationship.      
5. Raise Your Game – Focus on a segment of your job that you’d like to get better at.  Maybe you’re a Marketing Director and you want to improve your presentation skills by joining Toastmasters or taking a workshop.  Or you may be a Finance Director and want to know more about SOX, or a Creative Director and want to focus on social media.  Focusing on an aspect of your job that you like and would like to strengthen can serve to energize all the other areas. 

 

Just like the song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”, you may have lost the love you feel for your job.  It may just need a little jazzing up and you’re just the person to do it!

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved.

 

Whelan Stone    

 

 

 

Getting Ahead Without Kissing Up

People often complain when others get ahead that they’ve done so by “kissing up” to the boss.  These people frequently say “I’d rather not get that job if it means pretending to be someone that I’m not.” They see trying to get closer to the boss as too much self promotion.

 

What they fail to realize is they can still be themselves and of great value to their boss without compromising the integrity of who they are. 

 

Here’s our “Take Five” on getting ahead without kissing up:

 

1. “Go-to” Person – Be the person your boss can count on in a pinch.  If an important project comes up and they need your help, they know you’ll figure out a way to get it done with a good attitude.   Many people complain about getting extra work, seeing it as a burden rather than an opportunity. They view others’ willingness to take on additional assignments as “kissing up”, but it’s not the case at all.  Being a reliable resource isn’t playing politics, it’s just smart business. 
2. Keep It Neutral – Don’t get too emotional/negative about situations that arise. Contaminating the environment with negativity is counterproductive.  If you’re upset about something, be honest with your boss but do it in a professional way.  Who would you rather listen to, someone who rants and raves or someone who presents the situation in a compelling, yet even-keeled manner?
3. Good Communications – By maintaining frequent communication, you’ll have your boss’s ear.  This might take the form of new information about a competitor or new technology that can help your company.  Letting your boss know you’re thinking about the business is not “kissing up” if you’re genuinely interested.  Don’t do it just to score points.  On the flip side, you may be voicing concerns your co-workers have about company policies, opportunities, etc.  Giving your boss greater insight into what’s going on will enable him/her to be proactive.  This is not done to gain favor with the boss, it is to nip a problem in the bud.
4. Be Yourself – Many people make the mistake of acting one way towards their boss and another way towards their peers.  We’ve all seen people who have an ingratiating manner towards their boss and then are total jerks to everyone else.  Treat everyone with the same respect that you would want in return.  
5. Bond – It’s important to bond with your boss.  This doesn’t mean you have to start playing golf or take on a new activity JUST to bond with them.  Look for other ways to connect that are genuine.  This could be asking about their kids, dogs, hobbies.  If you happen to come across (don’t go looking for one) an article of interest to them (e.g., classic cars, books, etc.), share it with them. 

 

The way we see it, there’s plenty of opportunity to stay true to yourself and create a good relationship with your boss.   This does not have to come at the expense of your co-workers or your integrity.  Be genuine in your approach and everyone will see it for what it truly is.

 

 

Copyright 2008 Whelan Stone. All rights reserved

  

Whelan Stone