Managing Others: Just Say Yes

Most of the times a “no” means “no” and a “yes” means “yes.”

Yes!

Then there are times though when that “yes” can mean “no.”

As I discovered recently, I should learn how to use that yes when I mean no more often.

If you haven’t, you might do well to learn it too.… Read the rest

Mostly in the Wording: When Would You Like Me to Start?

I had coffee with a colleague I’ll call Andy; he’s got a problem.

You might have the same problem too.

Subject? How to (finally) get an offer from a firm that’s been courting him for  10 months. Position scope change, multiple lunches and interviews, headcount freezes and freeze liftings have all come and gone without “the offer we’ll be giving you” actually happening.… Read the rest

[Managing Your Career] Mitt Romney Fires Big Bird

Optics – whatever they might be – count. A lot.

Just ask Big Bird.

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney announced that he’d stop funding PBS – effectively sacking Big Bird and the Sesame Street crew that generations of kids and their parents have grown to love – as one of the first steps to lower the multi-trillion Federal debt. It was a rare misstep in a sterling first debate performance against President Obama in Denver.… Read the rest

Sending Out an SOS: How to Ask for Job Search Help

Getting off the dime and asking for help in a job search is often the hardest thing that people encounter.

It doesn’t have to be.

Here’s how:

  1. Be clear about what’s going on. If it’s better spoken, make a call and talk directly. It’s almost always best to make a call and talk directly with close contacts and colleagues before casting a wider net via a broadcast note. 
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