by Solange Lopes | Mar 18, 2016 | Career |
Photo credit: shop style.com
It’s the weekend, baby!
And my week-end pick is a classic yet funky one! Nothing says funky classic (and classy) like a traditional pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars Converse, like this one from Net-A-Porter! It’s clean and basic to run errands on the week-end (while running after the kids, the cart and the coupons, not necessarily in that order…).
I’d pair it with these high-rise Citizens of Humanity jeans for an even funkier, but always classy, touch!
Enjoy your week-end!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 18, 2016 | Career
This is our weekly career and lifestyle news update, where we round up exciting news of the last week and we let you have it…ahem, news-wise that is…
Think of it as your career gossiping section on steroids…
And while you’re at it, follow us on Facebook, Twitter,IG, and Pinterest!
Here we go…
- Levo asks the question as to who has the collaborative edge at work when it comes to gender roles (and the answer is on point);
- The Muse lists 7 ways quiet people (myself included) can make an impression in meetings without getting out of our comfort zone (#2 is my go-to);
- Want to land your dream job? A Stanford psychologist shares a smart trick to do so (and it’s quite unconventional too…);
- The Personal Branding Blog tips us off on how to effectively combat the “being too busy” syndrome;
- Dreaming to pursue your passion? Here’s why this founder of a $40 million company advises you to save your passion for the week-end;
- Ever had a colleague take credit your work? Corporette tells you what to do (and no, it doesn’t include shoving files down heir throat either…)
- These five questions might explain why you’re the perfect bullying target at work (or not)
- Careerealism lists these three reasons why you should consider mock interviews
- Last but not least, The Corporate Sister has a few tips on working with a friend.
Happy Friday!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 14, 2016 | Career |
Photo credit: shop style.com
Today’s corporate catwalk pick is this contemporary safari trench dress from Ann Taylor. Loving the modern, avant-garde cut of this comfortable, yet stylish dress. The button front and buckle belt create a flattering silhouette, while the long sleeves and knee-length cut are perfect to transition from winter to spring.
I would pair this dress with a modern blazer like this collarless stretch piece from Loft, or this chambray beauty from J. Crew.
So what do you say? Yay or nay?
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 14, 2016 | Career
The email was the last straw. How could Elaine vouch on the entire project without checking with her first? This just violated all the rules of group collaboration ever…and all the friendship rules as well. It was one thing to be familiar with each other outside the office doors. But in here, they were co-workers, and work came first…Or did it?
The situation between Aisha and Elaine is one too familiar scenario between friends who also happen to be co-workers. Dealing with the stress of work and the demands of collaboration at work is difficult enough. When you add to it the pressures of maintaining a friendship, it becomes close to impossible at times.
Have you ever worked with someone you first met and bonded with as a friend? And have you ever teetered the line between effective, successful work collaboration and healthy friendship in the workplace? It’s like dancing on a thin elastic rope, with your brain on one side and your feelings on the other, and a huge stack of to-do’s right in the middle. Not the most comfortable place to be…
Managing friends at work is becoming an increasingly common scenario, especially as the advent of social media and personal, multi-level connections is making many use their friendship connections to land jobs in a still hesitant job market. It’s then becoming crucial to learn to navigate the sometimes tumultuous waters of professional and personal relationships, without losing one’s mind or relationships…
- Set clear ground rules and boundaries. All relationships need ground rules. Complex relationships, including those where you work closely with a friend, demand even clearer and more effective ones. Have a conversation with your friend as to what is acceptable and what is not in your relationship. I’ve had to have one of those awkward at first conversations with a friend I used to work with. We decided that at work, we would strive as much as possible to keep things professional, and save the personal aspect of our friendship for those times outside of the office. While it was challenging at first, it helped us be more productive and successful together, while still remaining friends.
- Leverage your friendships. It may sound counter-intuitive to suggest that we should use the personal aspect of our relationships and friendships at work. While defining clear ground rules and boundaries is essential to a healthy and productive work relationship between friends, negating the friendship and what we know about the person only hinders progress. Most likely, you know this person, their strengths, qualities, and ahem…weaknesses and sensitive points. And it’s actually an advantage as compared to random work relationships in which you have to learn to know your co-workers and teams over time. Use what you know about your friend and co-worker to maximize your relationship at work, while still respecting the already established guidelines.
- Maintain your independence. One of the challenges many, if not most, encounter when working with friends, can be summed up in one word: space. You feel like you should spend all your breaks, lunches or work-related happy hours with your friend at work. Which in turn prevents you from enlarging your network and fostering your own growth. It’s ok to go out to lunch with other co-workers, or hang out with a different team, so you can learn more and in turn have more to offer in your own work and relationships.
Have you ever experienced working with a friend? What other tips would you offer?
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 13, 2016 | Career
This is our weekly career and lifestyle news update, where we round up exciting news of the last week and we let you have it…ahem, news-wise that is…
Think of it as your career gossiping section on steroids…
And while you’re at it, follow us on Facebook, Twitter,IG, and Pinterest!
Here we go…
- For International Women’s Day on March 08th, the Glassdoor Blog did a captivating spotlight on women CEOs;
- It’s Women’s History Month, and to remind us how far we’ve come (and how far we still have to go), Business Insider lists 15 important jobs women have never held, and on the upside, the only 5 jobs where women earn more than men;
- Got a video interview coming up? Undercover Recruiter lists the mistakes to avoid (you may not have thought of #4);
- The Daily Muse shares three things to remember when you’re feeling stupid at work (and yes, it happens to the best of us);
- Levo League gives you the 411 on managing your former co-workers without stepping on anyone’s toes (including your own);
- Corporette tips you off on how to handle being called the wrong name at work;
- We’ve all met that rude person at work? Evil HR Lady reveals when rudeness at work can be downright deadly
- The Corporate Sister tells you why it’s OK to say no at work (and why you should do it more often);
- And the laugh of the week goes to this boss who pooped in his employee’s lunch box (yes that really happened)
On this note, enjoy your Sunday!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 3, 2016 | Career |
Photo credit: shop style.com
Spring is coming (could it come any faster?), and stripes are in! Loving the cool, crisp nautical look of this striped long sleeve top. Perfect for a day at at the office paired with a classic pencil skirt or fresh slacks, or on the week-ends with your favorite pair of jeans. It’s $95 at Nordstrom, and comes in navy blue and white.
If you ask me (and even if you don’t), I’d pair it with a springy blazer like this piped Madison piece from the Limited, available in blue, green, red and yellow. Red or green would definitely be my pick (hello Spring!).
Photo credit: shop style.com
Yay or Nay?
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 3, 2016 | Career |
The meeting room grew silent. Everyone was waiting for Sasha to answer the Director’s question. Seconds stretched into minutes, as all eyes were glued on her, waiting for the answer…
That’s when she uttered the unthinkable: “I don’t know”. Is this how you respond to the Head Director of the Audit department? “I don’t know”? But that’s not the end of the story…
Then she followed up with the 12 words that would make all the difference: ” But I will find out and get back to you on this!” Which she did, exactly a day later, as she sent an email to the entire department with the detailed, thorough answer to said question. Not only did she gain major accolades as a result, but this was actually a turning point in Sasha’s career.
Since then, Sasha’s become quite the pro at saying “I don’t know” at work, while still maintaining the knowledgeable and competent professional reputation she’s always had…As a matter of fact, her ability to admit she doesn’t have all the answers, but that she’s willing to educate herself and others on the topic at hand, has turned her into one of the most sought-after experts in her field…
Have you ever been in Sasha’s shoes? Have you ever been in a situation where you were put on the spot at work and had no idea what to respond? Would you have as easily uttered these words in a crowded conference room, with all eyes pointed on you, expecting you to come up with the right answer? Or would you just have fumbled random words, put something together as fast as you could, trying to look confident even at the risk of it being totally inaccurate?
There are many times at work when we just don’t know the answer. And neither are we supposed to know everything…That would defeat the very purpose of learning and improving in the workplace.
And most times, it’s not because we haven’t looked into it, or aren’t interested in the subject matter, or even worse, aren’t smart, inquisitive or even professional enough. But simply because we don’t know what we don’t know…
It’s in those times that we must remember: the true sign of leadership and professionalism is to remain honest, admit we don’t have all the answers, yet commit to finding out for our own good and the good of all.
When in doubt, it’s OK to say “I don’t know” at work:
- Honestly admit you are currently unable to provide a comprehensive answer (or any answer for that matter).True leaders are not afraid to face their own limitations. The secret here is to be as refreshingly honest as possible. Don’t try to make up an answer or look more informed than you actually are. Remember, this is not a one-time shot, but one more step in establishing your professional reputation and reliability.
- Commit to finding out the answer within a given deadline. While it’s ok to admit you don’t have the answer, what’s even more important is to Immediately make the open commitment to researching the answer. This not only goes to show that you are curious and inquisitive, but also that you can step up to the plate and volunteer to address impromptu requests.
- Follow up and get back to everyone (yes, everyone) who was in attendance with the answer and supporting documentation to back it up. Now this is where you demonstrate excellence. Keep up with your prior commitment and do get back to everyone. Does this add to your already packed to-do list? Sure it does. But it also goes a long way to showing your dedication and initiative, and make you stand out in the midst of the “know-it-almost-all” crowd.
Are you comfortable saying “I don’t know” at work? What has been your experience so far?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
