I know you have found yourself in conversations with a co-worker who says something like this: “She is pretty, and that’s why she was promoted.” Or… “His uncle owns the business, and that’s the only reason he was able to get a job here.” Or… “They keep taking credit for my ideas and holding me back.” Sadly, [...]
By Michael Masterson | Mon, Dec 7, 2009
If you spend a lot of time training your employees, you may be making a big mistake. Your primary job is to build your business. That includes teaching people what you know. But if you devote too much time to it, your business will suffer.
By Michael Masterson | Tue, Nov 24, 2009
You’ve got a nasty task ahead of you that you’ve been putting off forever. But now your procrastination has gotten out of hand — and could have serious consequences. If raw fear isn’t enough to get you started, here’s one final, desperate step you can take.
By Michael Masterson | Tue, Nov 17, 2009
Here’s a statement worth thinking about: “The percentage of mistakes in quick decisions is no greater than in the long, drawn-out vacillations, and the effect of decisiveness itself makes things go and creates confidence.”
By Michael Masterson | Thu, Nov 5, 2009
The EEOC’s mission? To make sure workers are not unfairly terminated, harassed, or discriminated against. Good in theory. But many bad workers are using the agency to get money they don’t deserve. Employee “retaliation” lawsuits were up 23 percent in 2008.
By Michael Masterson | Wed, Nov 4, 2009
1. Start on time. 2. If there’s someone with a reputation for tardiness without whom the meeting can’t take place, schedule a briefing with him 15 minutes beforehand. If he gets there on time, use that 15 minutes to discuss the big issues. If he’s 15 minutes late, he won’t hold things up. 3. Distribute a short [...]
By Michael Masterson | Tue, Nov 3, 2009
Like the stereotypical male who won’t ask for directions when lost, many workers clam up when they get stuck on a job. It’s an avoidable mistake. Getting a hand from others is an important part of being a member of any team. You’ll be better off if you mention your difficulty to a colleague. Chances are [...]
By Michael Masterson | Fri, Oct 30, 2009
Profiled in The Wall Street Journal the other day: A single mother, hit hard by the recession. She can barely keep a roof over her family’s head. Her salary was cut by 60 percent. And buying even the basics is a struggle. A story we’ve heard again and again. “How sad,” I thought [...]
By Dr. Srikumar Rao | Thu, Oct 29, 2009
We seek it here, we seek it there. We seek happiness everywhere. Yet it eludes us. All of our activities — our pursuit of fame and fortune, our quest for meaningful relationships, our drive to build or change things — are directed searches for this ephemeral state. We get there, but we can never heave a [...]
By Michael Masterson | Thu, Oct 29, 2009
Sharks are said to be the most efficient eating machines on the planet. They are perfectly equipped to hunt and kill. The shape of their bodies… the way they propel themselves through the water… the sensitivity of their hearing and smell… and the construction of their jaws.
By Bob Cox | Thu, Dec 10, 2009
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