STARTING A NEW JOB

A new job and new co-workers represent a clean slate and a fresh start. It is chance to build or re-establish reputations and a professional network.

For some, it can also be a period of anxiety and discomfort as they attempt to carve out a comfort zone from the new and unknown.

The following are some helpful hints that can help you or someone you know navigate the first few days with a new organization.

A Baker’s Dozen

What knowledge or advice would you have liked to know at the start of your career that you know now?
If you could make a list of a dozen of the most important truths for your younger self, what would you include?

Once you have written this list, your challenge is to share it with as many people as possible. This is my list.

A note to students …

Recently I was listening to a radio commentator discussing a valedictorian speech that a Grade 12 student had given. The speech was excellent and typical of many other valedictorian speeches I have heard, but at that moment, it struck me. The speech was perfect for those high achievers, the popular students, those kids for which high school was full of good and great memories. What was lacking was any mention of “one of the invisible.”

I HAVE TO WORK 70 HOURS A WEEK!

Retail, manufacturing, non-profit, charity: it doesn’t matter the field of endeavour, we’ve said this or know people who have said it. These people are super-dedicated, high-achievers, passionate about what they do and stubbornly refuse to admit that they are completely wrong. Anyone who consistently works these kinds of hours, either does so because they want to or because they can’t (or won’t) delegate.

things that drive employees crazy …

Today’s post is about some of the things that drive employees crazy. Awareness is the first step: It is important to do more than just recognize the things on this list; you need to take steps to overcome each of these frustrations. Your associates are the key to your success. This is not a comprehensive list; these are some of the more common frustrations that I have seen in a variety of organizations, both “for profit” and “not-for-profit.”