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.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 2, 2016 | Career
Photo credit: shop style.com
Floral is definitely in the cards fro this Spring! And with it this gorgeous Betsey Johnson pick which will turn heads both on- and off corporate duty.
Loving the classic cut of this conservative, yet very stylish midi sheath dress. The lively floral patterns on this otherwise chic and sober grey dress add a touch of whim to it. I would wear this dress as is, without much accessorizing, to let the elegant floral pattern shine.
What do you think? Yay or nay?
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 28, 2016 | Career |
Photo credit: shop style.com
Spring is right around the corner. And as every time the weather’s in transition, transitioning our work wardrobe turns into one more thing to think about. Like that time you had to carry around your humongous winter coat and sweat bullets in your extra thick pantyhose, as you got soaked in the first Spring rains because you forgot to check the weather (and your umbrella).
Or the day after that perfect sunny day when it decided to snow at the beginning of April, and your toes were ready to give up on you in those totally inappropriate but trendy flats. If you live in the Northeast, I know you’re jumping up and down nodding…
Well, after so many times when the temperature plays hide-and-seek with maw wardrobe choices, I started gathering a bit of wardrobe (and toe-preserving) wisdom. The result? 7 ways to ease that work wardrobe transition from winter to spring without messing with your toes, sanity, or bank account:
- Layers, layers, layers! If there ever was a weather wardrobe transition commandment, it’s this one: layer up! Nothing like coming into work with your heavy winter coat to ward off the morning chill, only to melt in the heat after-hours as you try to keep up with your networking buddy. Learn the art of always being ready for any work situation by layering smartly. Invest in classic layering pieces like cardigans and sweaters like this textured Heritage long sweater cardigan, as well as camisoles like this Halston lace inset piece.
Photo credit: shop style.com
- Invest in a classic trench coat! It’s not just a statement piece, but it’s also a perfect part of your work wardrobe as you transition to warmer spring weather. Pick a smart, classic trench coat like this Via Spiga double-breasted stunner, or a more relaxed version like this French Connection draped front one.
Photo credit: shop style.com
- Leather it up! An elegant leather jacket is the perfect piece to go from winter to spring. And it can go from your Monday to Friday wardrobe, to your week-end date night outfit in an instant! I like this very ladylike quilted version from Neiman Marcus, but would definitely splurge on this Tory Burch asymmetric stunner in a hot fashion minute.
Photo credit: shop style.com
- Accessorize your way! Don’t downplay the role of accessories to help you make the jump from season to season in professional style. Nothing like a great scarf to ward off the cold, and add a touch of je-ne-sais-quoi to your work outfit. I like this simple Anthropologie Meribel wrap scarf, and also this colorful Kate Spade plaid version with charming tassels on the end.
Photo credit: shop style.com
- Don’t commit shoe suicide! Did I mention I almost lost my toes due to poor in-between-seasons shoe choices? Well, in the national interest of professional toes everywhere, let’s pick shoes that can actually take us from winter to spring with all our toes intact. Like these smart French Connection moccasins, or these stylish but practical Giani Bernini booties.
- Work the workbag! This ultimate accessory sits in a category of its own. Bring on some Spring sunshine into your dark winter wardrobe with a fresh statement handbag. Like this punchy Kate Spade tote bag, or this juicy Kara tie leather carryall.
Photo credit: shop style.com
- Go easy on the trends! Every change of season brings with it its collection of new trends. Some of which may not be exactly for you…So take a deep breath, and go easy on the new trends. Focus instead on what works for you, your body type, and your work environment. This Spring, I’m loving the floral trend but going easy on it with more classically cut pieces like this Betsey Johnson piece.
What other tips do you have when transitioning your wardrobe from Winter to Spring?
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 28, 2016 | Career |
Ruthless = “having or showing no pity or compassion for others.”
Mary was torn inside. She had to make a cut in the team, and she had to make it now. Although Bill was a good friend, and despite the fact he brought significant industry experience to the team, he lacked the vision and drive to push the team forward. If anything, he was unconsciously sabotaging the progress of the team, squandering away precious resources and poisoning morale. It was time. Mary sat back at her computer, and sent the dreaded meeting invite. “Bill, we need to talk….”
Mary’s decision is one of the many ruthless, yet necessary, decisions many a leader has to make at work. When I say “leader”, I don’t just mean those in position of authority or power. There are countless times in any of our careers, when we have to make decisions to advance our work, vision and purpose, and be leaders in our own way. Those times almost inevitably involve other people, situations and circumstances we must act upon or influence to bring our goals to pass. And some of those times more than likely involve being ruthless for the greater good…
Being ruthless at work doesn’t mean stepping all over others to establish yourself in a selfish and personal way. Instead, it’s letting go of the sense of obligated pity or compassion for others when it doesn’t serve the greater good. When the choice is between damaging your career or team efforts, or tolerating negative work influences out of misplaced pity or compassion.
While I’m a proponent of helping each other as we climb the corporate ladder, there are a few situations when you have to ruthlessly act to further yours, and others’, career interests:
- When you need to set the vision: Imagine putting together a strategic and critical project for your Company. Your vision for it is precise, defined and sharp. This is when you know who to trust, who to cut, when to push or pull your own, or your team efforts. Even when it seems what you’re working on is not as critical or priority as other projects, every time you’re seeing and setting the vision for a project or endeavor, being ruthless in your decisions is one way to drive your vision to completion.
- When you need to protect your career or your team: It’s one thing to be nice, it’s another to let your career sink for fear of taking the right opportunities to push yourself and your team forward. This includes seizing opportunities and asserting yourself, as well as understanding when setting aside some people and ideas is necessary to progress. So write that email to your boss to compete for that position and present yourself as the best. Assign responsibilities in your team to drive success, or push that co-worker aside who threatens the integrity and effectiveness of your team.
- When you need to get past the crisis: We all experience moments of crisis in our career. When you miss the promotion. When the project is going to hell in a hand basket. When the performance talk turns sour at year-end. When the economy turns awry like in 2008. In order to pull yourself by the bootstraps, and weather the storm, you must make decisions that may hurt some in order to save your bigger purpose. This may mean leaving your employer or team for a better one, re-allocate people and resources to finish strong, or simply re-focus your efforts at the expense of ditching former priorities.
Would you be ruthless at work in these situations? What other situations would you be ruthless in your career?
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 21, 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…
- Major news for a major TV network! NBC announces Channing Dungey has become the first African American to head a major network (and we’re doing the happy dance over here!)
- If you didn’t watch the Grammy’s last week (and even if you did), Business Insider reminds us of how powerful Taylor Swift’s speech was for all young women (alongside the subtle dig at Kanye of course…)
- In sad news this week, we mourn the loss of literary legend Harper Lee. Thanks for giving us How to Kill A Mocking bird, RIP!
- Wondering why no one respects you in the office (ok maybe the admin)? The Daily Muse points at 7 subtle (or not so subtle) reasons
- Employee Schedule Pro gives us tips on how to conduct an effective employee evaluation
- Not a morning person? Don’t despair, Fast Company tips us off on how to rise early, learn a new language and read more books in just one year…I’m tired just thinking about it lol
- The Corporate Sister writes about how being an entrepreneur can boost your career (and your coffee consumption)
- Want to sweat in style? WhoWhatWear list 14 sports bras that make a style statement
- I’ve been on this health kick (on most days at least), and I love this Mango Ginger Kale smoothie from Minimalist Baker to help me kick the calories from the previous day’s ahem…brownies!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 16, 2016 | Career |
Photo credit: shop style.com
Today’s pick is a classic dress with a twist, literally. This DVF Julian dot-print wrap dress takes the iconic wrap dress from classic to yowza! In addition to giving us an early taste of spring…
Love the dotted abstract print on this dress, coupled with the very practical yet stylish three-quarter sleeves. Not to mention the always flattering wraparound style. This dress is $238 at Neiman Marcus.
So what do you think? Yay or Nay?
Love and success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Feb 16, 2016 | Career, Start Your Business
The day baby daughter brought a not-so-good behavioral report card from school, we knew the family “chatty” gene had hit again. You see, we kinda like to chat around here, and the gene had certainly not missed the next generation. And of course, the first thing we thought of doing was take away her privileges, including the music lessons she enjoyed so much.
But what happened afterwards left us all quite surprised, and relieved that we limited the taking away of privileges to occasional TV watching and candy eating. The more she got involved in her music lessons, the better her behavior and discipline turned in school. All of a sudden, my smart and chatty baby was smart, disciplined and focused. I knew my side of the family had that gene too by the way…
What if the same thing happened in our careers? If extra-curricular activities can the catalyst to success at school, entrepreneurship might just be the boost our careers need to be more focused, disciplined, and ultimately, wildly successful.
Take myself for instance…I was the one at the back of the conference room, who could barely manage to utter a word. All the good ideas and insight I had were magically imprisoned in my brain. Somehow, some way, nothing would come out of this mouth of mine, which by the way would prove to be very chatty in different circumstances…
After I started blogging, something also magical happened. The very fact that I trained myself, day in and day out, to speak, if only through the written word, made me bolder. I went from hiding behind the walls at work, to actually speaking and sharing my ideas. My brain (and mouth) was now wired to express itself. The start of my entrepreneurial venture had spilled over to my career, and the results were surprising even to me…
Developing your entrepreneurial spirit changes your career for the better. The minute you start creating, innovating, and expressing yourself, that’s the minute you’ve empowered you career.
This is also the very reason why college students are now encouraged to be more entrepreneurial with their job search. It’s also why some of the most prevalent career advice out there is to approach your career as an entrepreneur.
Among the many benefits that entrepreneurship can bring to your career, are:
- You show up more for your career. Many of us just let our careers happen to us. Day in and day out, we drag ourselves to the same desks, perform the same tasks, speak to the same people, and go home to the same feeling of emptiness. Yet the minute that “entrepreneurial” gene is activated in us, whether it’s through a side hustle, a new project, or even just a desire to create something new, we start “showing up” more at work. Speaking up in meetings. Offering news ideas and insight. Wanting to change and revolutionize things. And most times, it’s all the spark we need for success.
- You learn to manage failure. The foundation of entrepreneurship is failure. Doesn’t the average “overnight success story” take 10 years? There’s a reason why most entrepreneurs are filled with grit and determination. What if you could bring the same grit and determination to your own career? What if developing and nurturing your own entrepreneurial gene by starting your side business, creating a new project, or committing to a particular result, could also help you manage and turn career failure into success. What if that missed promotion, that failed pitch at work, would push you to work harder, instead of deterring you from trying again?
- You own your career. So many among us feel like our careers are dependent upon our managers’ will to promote us. Or the budget’s availability. Or the economy. There always seems to be something standing on our way to success. Always some external obstacle we don’t quite control. Yet being an entrepreneur teaches you to take responsibility for your own fate. To own it. Imagine bringing this to your own career, and taking your own advancement and career growth into your hands? How about asking for a raise instead of waiting for the budget to grow? Or presenting a new initiative of your own, rather than putting up with the status quo?
Now let me ask you this: How can you start adding some of that entrepreneurial zing into your career today? Not tomorrow, not next month or next year, but TODAY! Can you start your own side hustle, begin a project at work, or commit to a specific result today?
Let me know in the comments…
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
