The Best Resignation Ever

We are on the brink of another year when you are going to have to make serious, yet life-changing decisions- perhaps finding a new job. Recently, a client advised me of her decision to quit her job. She had been unhappy for a couple years and after a few sessions of confidence boosting, self-evaluation, and weighing outcomes, she decided it was time for her to seek employment elsewhere.

Lauren (name has been changed to preserve confidentiality) worked for 7 years as an administrative assistant for a medium-sized company in manufacturing. She was unhappy because, over the years she had witnessed the following:

·       Favoritism/Undeserved promotions

·       Nepotism

·       Poor decision making

·       Poor interpersonal behavior from leaders unaddressed by upper management

·       Limited to no communication from upper management

And the list goes on.  When she made the decision to leave, I was concerned about how she was going to end her tenure with the company – on a positive or negative note.  Rule #1: You never want to focus on the negative, always focus on the positive from your perspective not the company’s; this is really about you, not them. After brainstorming ideas regarding her behavior and attitude from now until she leaves, the following exit interview speech was devised:

It is with sincere regret that I must submit my resignation, effective two weeks from today. I am grateful for the opportunity to work for (name of company/supervisor); however, I feel that it is time for me to seek a different career path.  

I am fortunate to have learned so much during my time here and will confidently use those skills to my success.

Thank you for giving me the confidence I need to pursue my chosen path. Best of luck!

This brief speech does not say anything about the poor management decisions, behavior, or suggests any disgust as to why Lauren is leaving. It is always best to leave on a positive note by not pointing fingers or bashing anyone in particular (even though you may really, really want to and they may really, really deserve it). Rule #2: The key word is REFRAIN. Other important tips to remember when resigning are:

·       Leave with dignity. Tactfully say, ‘goodbye’ to your colleagues and leave out the door with your head held high. You are making a decision that you feel is for your own good, so act and look like it.

·       Give proper notice. This is a simple but often forgotten courtesy. We get so fed up with a job and immediately want to throw in the towel right then and there. Rule #3: Our reputation precedes us. Review your company’s policies on voluntary resignation, if two weeks’ notice is documented, you are obligated to give 2-weeks’ notice. So what you’re leaving, no sense in breaking rules now. This is the worst time to break rules, remember Rule #3.

·       Stay professional and productive. Just because you decide to leave, does not mean you should change your attitude. In fact, take it up a notch and go the extra mile on a project or prepare notes for your successor. Nothing looks better than a team player who’s leaving, and is still playing the game, giving 110%, until the game ends.

Company’s hate to see employees leave because it costs time and money to find replacements; however, sometimes there is no choice, especially when the employee has detached themselves. As administrative professionals, it is our job to remain professional; otherwise, we would be called ‘administrative un-professionals.’ Rules #1, #2, and #3.

Abnormal Behavior Works in the Workplace

Will a normal person please stand up? I asked this question during a presentation once in a crowded room of 125 attendees and everyone stood up. I was not surprised. We all think we are ‘normal.’ But what does ‘normal’ really mean? The Webster Dictionary defines normal as average, a typical state or condition; the usual. Would you like to rethink your answer now? Think about the context which ‘normal’ is used. Yes, we want a normal heart rate. Of course, we want a normal weight; but do you really want to behave as an average or usual person?

I was watching a scene on a television show of two co-workers having a private chat that turned into a heated conversation. They were friends as well as colleagues; one of them noticed that the other had become distant and less conversational and decided to confront him about his behavior. She started by saying, “I’m worried about you.”

“Why are you worried? I come to work, do my job, and go home. I give appropriate emotional responses and take social cues from behavior. I am being normal. Why are you worried?” Replied the slightly agitated co-worker.

I was halted by the idea that her co-worker thought that he was being ‘normal’ by performing those specific tasks. Here’s a question: Do you give appropriate emotional responses and take social cues from behavior? Be honest. These will help… 

When was the last time you overreacted to a situation at work that almost cost you your job, or at least a reprimand?

How did you react during your last performance review when your supervisor told you the areas you needed improvement in?

What did you do when your supervisor showed disapproval or yelled at you in front of other employees? 

Get the idea? Were you being ‘normal’ in any of those situations according to the agitated co-worker? In today’s society, it is not normal to give appropriate emotional responses and take social cues from behavior because so few people know how to do it! It’s actually abnormal.  It’s irregular, odd, and even strange. In fact, people view negative behavior as the norm. Is that a shocker? Why else is there so much poor leadership and these people still have jobs? Maybe that’s why the co-worker was worried, because he wasn't acting normal? Hmm….

It’s time to start behaving abnormally. Don’t live up to people’s expectations – be irregular! Here’s how:

Boss's Day - October 16 - Best Boss of the Year Contest

Who is the best boss?

Do you have a boss that goes above and beyond for their employees? Want to show your boss how much you appreciate their leadership? Make this Boss’s Day, October 16, a special one and nominate your boss for Best Boss of the Year and enter for a chance to win a lunch for you and boss (value $75) to any local restaurant and they will receive a certificate for Best Boss of the Year.  

Tell us about your supervisor and why he or she should win Best Boss of the Year. Post your response to this article and get entered to win.

The Best Boss and Appreciative Employee will receive:

• $75 Gift certificate for the winner and their boss to local restaurant of their choice
• Boss and employee will be interviewed by Elite Office Concepts and the  article will be posted on the Office Professionals Place blog 
• The best boss will receive a Best Boss of the Year Certificate
• The appreciative employee will receive an Employee Appreciation Certificate

Contest rules:

• One post per department, per company.
• Contest entry must state why the candidate is worthy of the Best Boss of the Year Award.
• Entrant must be willing to want to have lunch with the winner
• Winner will choose restaurant of choice. No cash value or refund for gift certificate.
• Limit entry to 300 words.
• Upon posting entry to this article, send an email to eliteoffice@icloud.com so that we can have a contact email address, just in case you are the successful entry.
• Contest ends October 17, 2013. Winner will be announced on October 24, 2013.

Administrative professionals get a day in April, your day is coming. Here’s your chance to acknowledge the great leadership in your department.

Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery

Recently, an attendee approached me after a presentation I gave entitled, Supercharge your Self-Confidence and she was very upset. In tears, she said that she enjoyed my presentation and wished she could speak with confidence and be assertive like me. I was flattered and at the same time concerned that this caused her so much grief.

My response to this young woman was:

“I must admit I was not born with confidence; I had to learn from my mistakes, as well as the mistakes of others. I had to be open and honest with myself and realize that in order to achieve my goals I needed to change.”

Here’s how I implemented change:

Got a mentor. A mentor is someone who will be your co-pilot. Mentors provide advice and feedback along the journey until you reach your destination. They may give you feedback that is not so favorable, but that’s their role; respect the advice as “constructive comments.”

Joined professional development organizations. The best way to grow within yourself is to be around others with the same mindset. Nine years ago, I joined the IAAP, an organization for administrative professionals; this was the best decision I ever made because I learned many new skills, such as leadership and technology and met new acquaintances along the way. There are many other organizations out there, find one that suits you and get involved!

Practiced. Practice does make perfect and it makes you comfortable. Just like when you learn how to cook a new dish, wouldn’t you prepare it a few times after you learn the recipe? Once you learn the ingredients and have cooked the dish, you will add your own spice. Have you ever heard of the “spice of life?” What is your spice?

I asked her, “Are you willing to change?” She smiled, nodded her head slowly, and said, “Yes. I’m tired of feeling like people are walking over me.” Her tears of sadness became tears of joy because she accepted that it was time for a change and change is good when it’s necessary.

The first thing to do is to identify your mission, then you will be able to create goals based on what your life’s purpose. Stephen Covey, author of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says, “If you don’t set your goals based upon your mission statement, you may be climbing the ladder of success only to realize, when you get to the top, you are standing on the wrong building.” You have to know what you want out of life, in order to get what you want in your life.

She thanked me profusely and said she would call me to setup an appointment to talk about her mission statement.

Happy 4th Anniversary to the Office Professionals Place!

Happy 4th Anniversary!

 It's the largest office party on the internet! 

The Office Professionals Place is celebrating 4 years of service for the most important people in the office - YOU!

For the entire month of August, we will be celebrating office professionals all over the world!

Post your funniest office party story or idea for a great party and win a chance to be featured on the Office Professionals Place blog! Oh yea, you will receive a special gift for your next office party - a $50 gift card to your favorite store or restaurant!


 Office Party Guidelines:
1 .RSVP. Like Elite Office Concepts on Facebook.
2. Attend the Party. Post your office party story or idea on this page. No duplicate posts allowed.
3. Invite your Friends. Tweet or Facebook your post and get comments.
4. Network. The post with the most comments WINS! The more the merrier! Comments from the Office Professionals Place personnel (Dewoun Hayes) are exempt from the contest.
5. Party responsibly. (no profanity, don't use real names, and be respectful).

  Let's party!

Thanks for keeping the party going!

Performance Review Blues

Dear Worklife Coach,

I am dreading my upcoming performance review. My supervisor always seems to find fault in my work. I feel like the review is turning into a one-sided gripe session. How can I prepare myself for the criticisms without feeling bad about myself?

Signed,

Performance Review Pooped

Dear Pooped,

Performance reviews are designed to develop and improve skills, not feel like an attack. They identify areas for improvement  as well as acknowledge achievements. Unfortunately, many reviews leave out achievements.

First, prepare a self-evaluation of your own and be honest. Think of it as a personal critique and don't forget to list accomplishments. Conducting an honest, well thought out, self-evaluation will better prepare your responses to the evaluation your supervisor will conduct. Also, if your accomplishments are not mentioned, you will be ready to politely remind your supervisor of what you have done since the last review.

Second, create an action plan for your pitfalls. List ways that you will improve on your shortcomings. Develop processes, change methods, and ask for suggestions/recommendations.

Third, and most important, thank your boss for the feedback. This let's them know that you appreciate the feedback and will do your best to improve so that this item will not be a pitfall but an improvement/accomplishment.

Be thankful for performance reviews, they are supposed to be used a tool that will help you make one step forward to being a better employee for the company.



Thanks for the question.

Got a question? Email worklifecoach@excite.com or Tweet #worklifecoach

Worklife Coach Disclaimer:
Ask a Worklife Coach provides information and advice on topics impacting todays busy office professional. Dewoun Hayes, Elite Office Concepts and The Office Professionals Place will not be held responsible for advice taken out of context or acted upon negatively.

Ask a Worklife Coach - Dealing with Disappointment

Dear Worklife Coach, 

I was recently passed up for a promotion to someone else in the department who has been with the company fewer years than I have and this was a position that I know very well because I worked closely with the individual who left. I am very disappointed in the decision and think the company is devaluing my skills. Should I look for another job? And how will I be able to work with this person who has stolen this job from me?

Undermined

Dear Undermined,

The fact that you applied for the job and got as far as the final interview deserves kudos. Dealing with disappointment is an important skill we need as is rampant in the workplace. First, ask yourself (on a scale of 1 to 10) how dissatisfied you are as a whole? Remove the disappointment factor of the current situation. In other words, do you like your job? Do you like what you do? If you answered yes to either of the questions, or your level of dissatisfaction is below 6, then re-think how you can adjust to the situation. Here are three ways:

1.       Accept the decision – acceptance means that you understand the decision that was made and you will look at the future with a positive outlook.

2.       Adjust your attitude – now that you have accepted the circumstances, change your attitude. The good news is that you can change YOUR behavior, emotions, and feelings. Winston Churchill said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Make a difference and start with changing how you think.

3.       Acknowledge – if you can do the first two, this will be easy. Recognize that this person was chosen for a reason, so give your new boss a chance.  

Once you can accept, adjust, and acknowledge, you can think logically and not let your emotions jeopardized your professionalism. Don’t let others behavior dictate yours.  If all else fails, seek new employment.

Got a question? Email worklifecoach@excite.com or Tweet #worklifecoach

Effectively Working Together in Smaller Offices

A two-person office can be just as intimidating as an office of 25 or more.  Smaller offices are required to do more with the resources given them and that includes empowering the few bodies available to accomplish the tasks. The bar of effectiveness and productivity is raised and the atmosphere can get intense.

The most important task is the ability to get along with each other and work as a team (short-handed team) to perform the business activities of the organization. Do you have to like each other? Of course, it would help, but we all know that there are some personalities that are hard to like. However, as an administrative professional, it is in our job description to remain professional. Here are 4 ways the small office can succeed:

World Laughter Day!

Just know everyone is being watched.

Today is World Laughter Day! Laughter is the cure for what ails us! Having a good chuckle will reduce stress, release tension, and boost your immunity system.

Stress got you down? Need a good laugh? Here are some expressions for those days when you need to laugh to keep from crying... 

Who knew that the keyboard had other functions?

               I keep hitting the ‘escape’ key but I’m still here.

               I keep hitting the ‘delete’ key, but you’re still here.

The next time the repairman/woman comes to fix your office equipment, ask this….

               How do I set the laser printer to stun?

When you want to make your case about more office space…

               How can I think outside the box when I work in a cube?

Performance review rebuttals…

                I am working on my procrastination issues, just you wait and see.

                I always arrive late at the office, but I make up for it by leaving early.

During  the Interview…

                I like work, it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.

                I will be a team player, if you pay me like a professional athlete.

Make everyday World Laughter Day, your heart, body, and mind will thank you. For more laughs, read the blog, Laughing All the Way to Work, by Patricia Robb, she will have you in office stitches.