Career Skills for Today – Mindreading

Recently a GovLoop forum asked: “What one skill do you wish you had?”  The very first response was “Mind Reading.” In my July 14, 2010  blog, I wrote on the career skill Trend Spotting, or Foresight. So I just have to respond. Indeed Mind Reading seems to be a Competency all by itself. Not toContinue reading “Career Skills for Today – Mindreading”

More Boomers Starting Own Biz

Reuter’s Wealth Blogger, Mark Miller, shared the statistics of Entrepreneurs age 55 to 64 now represent a rising share of start-up activity, according to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, accounting for 23 percent of new entrepreneurs in 2010, up from 14.5 percent in 1996. As this age group experiences the early buyouts, early retirementContinue reading “More Boomers Starting Own Biz”

Change at Work – Bring a friend

Its  so much easier to do something different or scary if someone else does it too.  We used to dare each other to do something “dangerous.” But it wasn’t so bad if someone else did it first. Courage comes in many forms. Even as adults we often prefer to go somewhere new when we takeContinue reading “Change at Work – Bring a friend”

Change Success – Initiate more conversations

When there is an organizational change, a systems upgrade or change in policy/procedures or leadership, a common mis-belief is that if we give people the facts, they can handle the change.  Facts are important to answer the “why” question.  But it doesn’t get to a personal level – and that’s where the change must beContinue reading “Change Success – Initiate more conversations”

WIIFM? First, Listen

People are so overwhelmed by things changing in their lives and their work that we can count on them begin distracted while we are trying to communicate. Whether you are leading a training session or a meeting, over half the people are preoccupied with other thoughts.  Some are already gearing up to argue with you.Continue reading “WIIFM? First, Listen”

Free Resources to Learn/Upgrade a Skill

No matter what your role in the organization – executive or candidate – many people are finding that they need to learn a new version of a technology, or a greater proficiency in a another language in order to enhance their careers. Using the resources below you don’t have to attend a ‘class’ or revealContinue reading “Free Resources to Learn/Upgrade a Skill”

Plan B – 5 things to do if your office temporarily shuts down

What are you doing as federal employees and all the contractors and others dependent on federal agencies anxiously await Congress to approve a budget? I hear many are doing nothing at all; business as usual. Some don’t think it really will shut down. Others believe if they don’t plan for it, it won’t happen. AndContinue reading “Plan B – 5 things to do if your office temporarily shuts down”

Abundance in the job search?

Now that sounds like I’m in my own la-la land.  But Jason Alba started me thinking with his blog: http://www.jibberjobber.com/blog/2011/03/31/rethinking-abundance-mentality-job-search-version/ The concept of abundance has been around in many forms throughout many civilizations. Some may know it as ‘living with intention’ or ‘positive thinking.’ When it comes to job search, our emotional strength is criticalContinue reading “Abundance in the job search?”

Change is tough – Stop being miserable.

One of my favorite bloggers has offered us this lovely gift of not only his wisdom but also his poetic talent. In this Seussical tale Kerry Patterson draws from his own experience (and all of us have similar ones!) to stop  perpetuating much of our own misery. You can download this story for yourself orContinue reading “Change is tough – Stop being miserable.”

Network How-to

In her blog, “How to Build Your Network in 12 days“ Debra Feldman points us to the specific actions we can take to  develop an effective career network.   Some are basic, others are more advanced. All of the tips help us get beyond our current contacts and create more visibility of what we can andContinue reading “Network How-to”