So I’ve been wondering lately about sporting the fringe trend at work. While I’m
of the “keep-it-cool-and-classic” school of fashion, I’m still open to experimenting with funky trends every now and then…
And fringes have been titillating my (sensitive) fashion buds this season…Except rolling in to the high-exec meeting looking like a rock star right before a concert ? Not exactly recommended…Hence today’s trendy but classic pick, this fringe knit cardigan from Lord & Taylor.
Loving the fringe accents on this otherwise traditional piece, lending it a cool, yet toned-down vibe. I’d pair this with a classic pencil skirt like this polished Anne Klein piece , or easy slacks like these Halogen slacks for a busy day at the office.
Here you are, doing your best work, successfully collaborating with and counting on your team members to bring their A-game too. And you walk into work one day, open your email, only to read the bombshell announcement that one of your best collaborators of over four years is leaving you high and dry for another team…Talk about a serious case of being blindsided…We’re gonna need another cup of coffee, please…
As happened to Kelly Ripa, being blindsided at work can happen to the best of us. It may not end up on all national tabloids like the “Live!” star, but it certainly does happen…While this week, we had the opportunity to watch it on live TV, it can also hit close to home in our own careers.
In which case, here are a few lessons to learn from Kelly Ripa:
It’s NOT your fault! One of the first things we tend to do, especially as women at work, is to take the blame for unfortunate things or events happening. Did I do something? Is it my fault? Could I have done something differently? While it’s always good to assess the situation, taking the blame, especially when it’s not yours, only serves to create further damage. Understand some decisions come from higher-ups, and you cannot control the politics or dynamics that very often go into decisions made company-wide. So breathe and repeat to yourself: “It’s Not My Fault!”
Express how you feel…but keep it professional! Managing your anger is not hiding how you truly feel. Depending on the environment you work in, consider talking to your team and bosses about what happened. Be diplomatic and professional in your approach, but explain to them in no uncertain terms that you weren’t prepared for what transpired, and how it affected your work as well as your own personal balance. Be sure to present the situation in professional terms, and to discuss the consequences in terms of work and productivity first. You don’t want to seem like you’re coming off from an entirely personal angle. Yet you do want to put the cards on the table as honestly as you can.
Set expectations…and follow up on them!This is part of asking for what you need. Once you explain that incidents of this nature are highly disruptive to yours and the balance of the team and department, set clear expectations as much as you possibly can. While it’s understandable that some last-minute decisions may be taken from the top, ask to be included in critical talks that would affect you and your team. Go even further by taking the initiative to schedule regular check-ins with management to be kept informed of any upcoming changes.
Now your turn! How would you react if you were blindsided at work like Kelly Ripa?
Coffee break: Are you scared of asking questions at work
You know that moment in the middle of a meeting when you have a burning question on the tip of your tongue. You know it’s a good question too. Actually it’s a great one, and you came up with it. You can already hear the accolades of your colleagues and bosses as they discuss your wonderful insights.
You start fidgeting in your seat, take another sip of your coffee, as you try and work up the courage to raise your voice. Ok now, ok maybe not, after that part, or after this one… And before you know it, Anna with the loud laugh, managed to…ask the same question right before the meeting ends.
As you ponder whether you should walk over to her and ask for your question back, or if extra chocolate is warranted in this case, the real question is: Are you scared to ask questions at work? Are you unsure about yourself and doubting your questions are valuable? Or are you just afraid of looking stupid?
My $0.05: There are no stupid questions. As basic as it may sound, I’ve found this to be true at many levels. You don’t know what you don’t know, and in order to do your best work, you must have accurate information.
Besides, asking questions shows you have an inquisitive mind. The brightest leaders ask some of the most pertinent questions of their teams and organizations to extract the information they need to make impactful decisions.
Ask questions that you truly need the answer for, or think could be beneficial to others. Steer clear from “smartie pants” questions just aimed at making you look good ( I’ve had a few of those backfire at me).
The question you may be afraid of asking may be the one on most people’s minds…
Are you or have you, at some point, been too scared to ask questions at work? What have you done about it?
There’s something about an easy, colorful dress that makes your day just…easier! Like this simple and sophisticated Logan shirtdress from The Limited!
Loving the easy silhouette of this well-cut, draped piece, that can easily go from the office to after-hours, and even to the week-end. Not to mention the easy price tag as well, at $49.99!
That’s the question my friend Fifi would ask me pretty much every morning on our daily commute call, as we both would be rushing to work. And trying to apply our foundation, fix our hair, while sharing yet another tip to get our lives together…
Between the both of us, we had two kids, two husbands, two demanding jobs, and not enough concealer to hide the evidence….And if there ever were a version of hell on earth, it would be laying right there between the time we fell off our beds to when we rolled in to work, aka, the “morning mess”…
Picture this…You set up your alarm for 5am, so you can get up at the crack of dawn in peace (read: without having to pee in everyone’s presence), pray, meditate, read, do something you love (read: nothing), and put on your shoes inside the house (read: not while hopping to the car as the retired neighbor watches you in disbelief)…But…
This is what really happens: Said alarm rings at 5am, you shove the phone under your pillow as you mentally promise yourself to get up in 5 minutes. Which turns into an hour, as you jump out of bed into the shower, clean up as the kids are screaming bloody hell because it’s Tuesday (or Monday, or Wednesday, doesn’t really matter), and tackle your monumental morning to-do list…
For the longest time, I thought that’s what mornings were supposed to be like. This frenzied race out of bed, into taking care of everyone else, before landing into some cubicle or office (hopefully mine), and rushing through a day as packed as my favorite chicken sandwich (the one with melted cheese dripping off the sides)…
According to scientific research, your mornings can really set the tone for the rest of your day. So is it really surprising that frenzied, rushed mornings set the tone for frenzied, rushed days? Or that productive, healthy mornings precede productive, healthy, and enjoyable days? I would say the latter…
Out of my “morning mess”, here are 7 lessons I learnt about making the most of your days, by making the most of your mornings, even if you have a gazillion things on your plate:
Get up earlier. Yes, you’ve heard it before! Nothing beats getting an early headstart on your day. Whether “early” for you means 5am or 9am, give yourself some time before officially starting the day. Some of the world’s most prominent leaders wake up at least three hours before the rest of the world (that’s us) does.For many of us, it means resisting the temptation to hit the snooze button, or throw the alarm clock across the room, for that matter.
Go to bed earlier. Speaking of getting up earlier (and this may hit you like a ton of brick), but you may also have to consider going to bed earlier. Which also means skipping the start of the “Game of Thrones” season, or the Real Housewives explosive reunion, or your late-night Facebook-checking routine. In addition to the fact that it can seriously help with those pesky fine lines too…
Nurture your personal passions. In “What Successful People Do Before Breakfast“, author Laura Vanderkam lists working on your passion, as one of the things the most powerful people do early in the morning. I write this blog when everyone else sleeps, not just because it’s one of the only openings in my busy schedule, but also because doing it first allows me to honor my purpose and gift. Whatever it is that sets your soul on fire, do it first thing in the morning. Honor what makes you happy first, and watch it blossom in your life. In addition to making you immune to bad drivers on the highway, just sayin’…
Show gratitude.Another thing successful people do to leverage their mornings is write down things they’re grateful for. This habit was taught to me by my first business coach. It took me a while to put it into practice, as I didn’t quite get the point at first. Writing down people, places and things you’re grateful for can change your outlook immensely as you get ready to tackle your day, and make you clearer and more open. If you haven’t already, give it a try…
Plan your day.Before the distractions get in and you get your third cup of coffee, plan your day strategically. One of my beloved managers in Big Corporate used to say she does all her planning in her truck on her commute to work. I start planning my day mentally in the shower (something about the hot water and hearing your thoughts for once…). Reviewing your tasks for the day not only gives you a big picture of what’s ahead, but also helps you manage your time more efficiently.
Spend quality time with loved ones. This is where you take the time to enjoy those precious moments that are too far and few in between. Breakfast is my favorite meal, and also my time to cuddle with the kids, help them make their beds or take a shower, and start my day on a loving note. Even if by the time we’re getting ready to leave, they have different shoes on and can’t find their jackets to save their lives…
How do you leverage your mornings to make the most out of your days?
I’ve been obsessing over these pointy-toe, laced Ghillie flats from Halogen for quite some time now. Loving the metal wraparound laces and gleaming studs that add a touch of sophistication to these avant-garde flats. I’d pair these with jeans on a casual Friday, or a nice skirt on any other day.
This week, a music legend and one of my favorite icons of all times, left us! Prince passed away yesterday at the age of 57. Here’s a beautiful tribute by the NY Times. #RIPPrince!
You know ending an email can be kinda awkward? Well, Business Insider tips us off on the best and worst ways to end your emails (+ 27 sign-offs you should definitely avoid)
Wondering what to wear on the day you have to negotiate something really important with your boss, like, let’s say, your next raise? Levo League suggests 6 fashion rules you must follow for Negotiation Day
“Are you late again?”
