by Solange Lopes | Aug 4, 2014 | Career |
how to deal with a nice boss – pay scale.com
Happy Monday! How to deal with a nice boss? Duh…be thankful and pray s/he never changes! I’ve had all kinds of bosses, good ones, not so good ones, nice ones, short ones, tall ones…And like most people, what I seem to remember is the not-so-good-experiences with the not-so-good ones. After all, don’t we all tend to remember bad times more than we do good ones?
According to a 2013 survey by the Workforce Institute at Kronos, 75% of employees said they’d rather have an effective and high-performing boss over a nice one! So much for praying for a nice boss when your current one adds yet another project to your already overwhelming schedule…Yes, really, it’s a problem when your boss is not nice at all (not to use other more suggestive terms), and it’s a problem when your boss is too nice. Except it’s easier to identify and target potential problems with a not-so-nice boss (among others how to make them nicer), than with a sweeter, less demanding manager. And since as women professionals and corporate sisters, many of us do not necessarily possess the innate ability or opportunity to challenge the status quo, this can literally turn into a career-killer. So what is one to do to reverse the apathetic tendency that sets in with a nice manager who may knowingly (or unknowingly) under-manage and reduce your chances at career success:
1. Take Ownership Of your Career! Unfortunately, most “nice” managers are not the best at challenging the status quo. They may not also be the best at providing the tough feedback, challenging opportunities or lateral assignments that will make you noticed and advance your career. While you may be able to rely on a tougher boss for honest, no-nonsense feedback and motivation, here you may have to take ownership of your career and success! Request more feedback from your boss, start asking questions, look into opportunities around you, observe the politics and dynamics and begin charting your own path!
2. Enlarge your network! Success is built through connections, so start enlarging your professional network. Discuss upcoming opportunities with other managers, find common ground with related departments and groups, join common interest groups and associations at work. You never know where the next opportunity may come from, but you can get ready for it…
3. Make a move! If all else fails and you can sense your career dipping down the wrong end, it may be time to make a move! Whether you choose to move laterally or take an entirely new position outside of the company, getting away from the negative clout of a “too nice” manager may sometimes be the only career-saving move to make! Don’t fear looking ungrateful or taking too big of a risk, your career will thank you later!
Is your boss too nice?
The Corporate Sis
by Solange Lopes | Aug 3, 2014 | Career |
Weekly news update – auto straddle.com
Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is having a great week-end, refueling and relaxing before the start of the week (again!)…As for me, I’m sipping on my morning’ Joe, sifting throughout the news that made me smile, sigh and outright burst into laughter (or other things) this week:
- Looking at my backed-up laundry loads, I can definitely relate to this NPR blog post around “when work becomes a haven from stress at home“, just sayin’;
- The NY Times confirms paid leave encourages female employees to stay (as we’ve been saying for years);
- The National Journal tells us, in a compelling, must-read article, what it’s like to balance work and family as a woman of color;
- Speaking of women in tech, the Hire More Women in Tech campaign gives us a few real pointers on how to hire much needed women in tech, while Fast Company reveals New York’s tech companies have the biggest gender gap and the Huff Post confirms diversity data shows the need to focus on women of color;
- In positive, woman-forward news, For Harriet celebrates attorney Michelle Roberts’ election as first woman head of the NBA Players Association;
- WSJ points out the scary, but real, fact that unfortunately, women are penalized for promoting other women, and more so when it comes to minorities pushing for other minorities, just sad!;
- As you think about packing your meals for the work week, Mashable shares 5 nutritionist secrets to supercharge your 9-to-5;
- In happy, feel-good news, Business Insider tells us about two MIT grads who created a startup almost exclusively hiring autistic employees;
- And if you’re looking for a match made in heaven between your boss and yourself, well, eHarmony unveils a service to do just that;
- In work fashion news, I’m loving Elle‘s selection of “perfect” work pants, while Refinery 29 reveals Banana Republic’s new fab collection with Roland Mouret (can’t wait!), along with 8 brunch outfits even better than your meal;
- Lat but not least, The Corporate Sister is keeping it real with advice on how to break up with your inner critic, why you should have a “stop doing list“, and how to develop thick skin at work.
That’s it for my news ranting for this week, I’m off to brunch! Enjoy your Sunday, much love!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 1, 2014 | Career |
City-Crepe-Palazzo-Soft-Pant-Paisley – $54.95 – nyandcompany.com
I love an easy, flawy, no-fuss pair of pants for the week-end, other than my favorite jeans or cargo pants. Hence this week-end’s pick, these crepe Palazzo soft pants.
Love the easy, flawy look of these soft pants, which can easily be paired with a simple tee and accessories during the day, or dressed up with an elegant blouse and heels in the evening. I would even wear these to work, on a less formal day.
These soft pants are also softly priced, at $54.95 at nyandcompany.com. And it’s buy1 get 1 free to boot….
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 1, 2014 | Career
Cap Sleeve Fit and Flare Dress – $29.95 – the limited.com
For our Work It feature today, I’m back to my (healthy) obsession with the fit-and-flare silhouette (check out our other selections here, and here, oh and here too). Loving this cap sleeve fit-and-flare dress from The Limited. Many fit-and-flare dresses are sleeveless, so it’s nice to find one with sleeves (which makes it easier to wear alone).
The silhouette is traditionally flattering while still being forgiving, and the teal color is my favorite (also available in blue, red, and burgundy). It’s on sale for $29.90 at thelimited.com, and you can get an extra 40% off on all sales items!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 1, 2014 | Career |
Coach – abcnews4.com
Happy Friday!
I have this girlfriend called Keisha. Really, she’s more like the frenemy you can’t seem to get rid of…ever! You know, the girl who’s a lot like you but seems bent on criticizing everything you do! “Girl, doesn’t look like you’re getting this promotion!” “Girl, you said that during the departmental meeting, ouch!” Girl this, girl that! And it’s not like you can ignore her calls, or block her on Facebook, for the simple reason that she’s right there…in your head!
We all have our own Keishas, the nagging voice in our heads, especially as corporate sisters, that tells us we’re not qualified enough, not vocal enough, not smart enough, or that we don’t exactly look the par. Keisha is our very own personal inner critic, the sister who tries to make us feel justified, safe and comfortable. Yet, what Keisha really does, is sabotage our efforts, impede our progress, and stand in our way to success, professional or otherwise.
Ever thought you didn’t really deserve that promotion, and thus failed to ask for it? Ever wanted to volunteer for that pilot project at work but refrained to for fear you’d fail at it? Every time you’ve shrunk back in the face of challenges, chances are you were wrestling with your inner critic, your own Keisha. And it may be high time to break up this unhealthy, failing relationship:
1. Check out the competition! If you don’t really know what you’re up against, chances are you won’t know how to fight it. What your innermost thoughts? What patterns of negativity and self-doubt do you give in to? What triggers your negative self-talk? Analyze the voice in your head, and learn to recognize the negative signs before they occur.
2. Stop Thinking, start acting! Overthinking may at times keep you away from opportunities of growth and success. If you’d like to volunteer for this project, go ahead and do it! Thinking you deserve a promotion? Stop thinking, schedule some time with your boss and speak your mind! Just do it!
3. Practice tunnel vision! When it comes to success, focusing on what really matters and eliminating distractions is key! Re-focus on your goals and objectives, and let go of the dead weight and negative voices. It may seem simplistic, yet by calibrating your focus, you can succeed in silencing the self-doubt and minimizing the obstacles in your way.
So yeah, Keisha, it’s been real but time to move on! Girl, bye!
Nene Leakes - pinterest.cM
The Corporate Sis.
