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Articles from Jane Cranston | Selfgrowth.com
- Aspects of Personal Branding in the Workplace - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2014 from Jane CranstonWhen working with my executive coaching clients, or presenting to a group of leaders, I am struck by how often people identify with what they do versus who they are and what they have to offer. In the extreme they spend more time selling their employers than themselves. Good for Company X, bad ...
Views: 1309 - Articulate Your Workplace Brand - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2014 from Jane CranstonOver this past weekend, I had my annual “lunch on the lawn” party, big long tables in the garden laden with fresh food from the local farms and the ocean. It is an event people look forward to, so no one ever turns down the invitation. Note to readers — invite people to lunch on weekends. They ...
Views: 1941 - No Off-Season in the Workplace - by Submitted on Sep 26, 2013 from Jane CranstonI was walking in the Times Square area the other day when I spotted a person wearing a very graphic tee shirt. It read, “No such thing as off-season.” While I'm sure he was thinking NFL, NBA, or MLB, my wheels turned toward the workplace. I can't tell you how many times people have told me, ...
Views: 1955(1 vote) - Are You Bold Enough? - by Submitted on Sep 26, 2013 from Jane CranstonRecently, my assistant, Naomi, shared a TED lecture with me. The speaker told an incredible story of a childhood riddled with extreme poverty, homelessness that was saved by love and encouragement. He spoke of taking bold moves to create an adult life of true abundance, contribution, and ...
Views: 1522 - What Top Employees Complain About - by Submitted on Aug 28, 2013 from Jane CranstonI am fortunate to work as an executive coach with people at many levels, in different stages of their careers, and in a variety of industries. Even though there is significant variety and diversity in my client base, I am often struck how similar their thought processes and experiences are. This ...
Views: 1552(2 votes) - Your Work Vacation Strategy - by Submitted on Aug 28, 2013 from Jane CranstonMy vacation strategy! I can hear the cries already, “I have to have a strategy for vacation as well? Isn’t a career strategy, a life plan and an investment direction enough?” I’ll say “maybe” but mean “no.” While I have written much about the value and importance of work, I am a devout ...
Views: 1422 - Are You Tone Deaf in Your Workplace? - by Submitted on Aug 28, 2013 from Jane CranstonAre you tone-deaf in your place of work? Do you miss cues when people make a snide remark? Or, are you dismissive, insensitive, or judgmental in tone with your verbal comments that would seem benign on paper but have real bite when said? Do you say things to people in a tone that would make them ...
Views: 1467(1 vote) - Are You the Boss to Work For? - by Submitted on Jul 30, 2013 from Jane CranstonFirst let me correct my title — I would prefer the phrasing, “Are you the boss people want to work with?” because “with” sends a message of partnership and collaboration rather the servitude. Let’s hope we’re past the later. I’ve spent most of my career(s), be it in a corporate environment, ...
Views: 1802(1 vote) - Learn from Success not Failure - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2013 from Jane CranstonYou’ve heard people say again and again, “I learned more from my mistakes than my successes.” My reply is “I doubt it.” They’ll spend hours, days, and endless energy trying to correct (or worse defend) a mistake by analyzing and dissecting in post mortem, generally producing a patched up ...
Views: 1699(2 votes) - Commitment to Diversity in the Workplace - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2013 from Jane CranstonOver past decades the issue of diversity has taken a very visible place in the growth and structuring of the workplace population. Whether it was caused by mandates or natural shifts in population, the job sites look quite different. The challenge, as I see it, is not only to continue to push ...
Views: 1553(3 votes) - Your Conflict Handling Toolbox - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2013 from Jane CranstonConstructive conflict is an essential part of any team, group, or partnership dynamic. If people do not disagree or come to the table with a variety of perspectives and their unique set of values, battles would eschew, new ideas would not flourish, and creativity would be stifled. When ...
Views: 1366 - Who’s Stealing My Energy? - by Submitted on May 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonThe April 2013 issue of Inc. features Tim Ferriss, the author who brought us “The 4-Hour Workweek” and other productivity books, blogs, and seminars. Ferriss’ 80/20 rule says that “eighty percent of one’s productivity comes from 20% of one’s efforts and likewise 80% of your wasted time comes ...
Views: 1512 - What Do I Really Want and How Can I Find It? - by Submitted on May 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonI was working with an executive coaching client the other day developing a strategy for the next steps in her career. For reasons unclear to me, I thought our discussion was off course. Was I not asking the right questions? Not hearing the underlying comments or insights? Influencing her answers ...
Views: 1247(1 vote) - Quick to Say “No”? - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2013 from Jane CranstonI’m standing on line at the supermarket behind a mother and her five year old son. Bored, tired, and cranky, the child wants out, as does the mother. The boy starts asking questions and for things. “No!” says the mother. “No” is the answer so many time that she is ahead of her son’s requests. ...
Views: 1918(1 vote) - Job Search is Like Dating - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2013 from Jane CranstonI’ve helped people advance their careers, switch jobs, and change employers most of my work life. It is over a year since my husband passed away and recently I’ve decided to test the dating waters. Within weeks of navigating the dating scene it occurred to me that looking for a date and ...
Views: 1405 - What to Do When an Employee Says, "I Quit!" - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonTurnover, voluntary or forced, is part of the workplace cycle. As in nature, some changes take place a leaf at a time while in other instances a hurricane performs the serious pruning. This article addresses some things you should consider when an employee enters your office and says, “I ...
Views: 1687 - Is Your Best Employee About to Quit? - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonThe job market in many parts of the United States and the world is shifting for the better. I have a number of clients and colleagues who are voluntarily choosing to make a move, often for more money and a better title. It should put all of us who work with and for others on constant ...
Views: 1730(1 vote) - What to Say to a Grieving Person - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonWhen a loved one, friend, neighbor, or co-worker has a loss, most people feel compelled to say something. The question is “what?” Having lost some very important people in my life as well as attempted to console friends and colleagues who have had to deal with death, here are my suggestions ...
Views: 1489 - Difficult Conversations – 3 Essential Steps to a Positive Outcome - by Submitted on Feb 28, 2013 from Jane CranstonNo one likes having the difficult conversation whether it is in his or her personal life or at work. Unfortunately they often are essential. What makes the interaction scary is the unpredictability of the response and reaction of the receiver as well as your issues about the topic at ...
Views: 2602 - Tips to Being a Better Boss - by Submitted on Feb 28, 2013 from Jane CranstonNo matter what type of workplace you choose to operate in, you undoubtedly have to manage people. They might be direct reports, clients or customers, interns, freelancers, vendors, colleagues, and of course the often most challenging of all, your boss or business partner. Here are a few tips on ...
Views: 1590(2 votes) - Your Future-Focused Resume - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonAs most of you know, I’m a strong advocate of everyone having an updated resume and bio. It prevents you from being placed in the embarrassing situation of being asked to “shoot me over your current resume” and having to say you don’t have one or lying and scrambling to create something. The ...
Views: 1854 - Why Performance Appraisals are Essential - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonAbout eight years into my first career (as many of you know I’ve had a few), I ranked high enough to have access to files. As any good snooping executive would do, I looked at my folder. To my surprise there was almost nothing in it. Okay, yes, there was the usual tax forms, my original ...
Views: 1429 - Networking -- Myths, Facts and How Tos - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonThere is a myth circulating in the workplace and neighborhoods. It goes something like this “Networking during (fill in the blank, Thanksgiving, Christmas, August, end of quarter, bad weather… ) is a waste of time because no one is around.” Simple logic would tell you that can’t possibly be ...
Views: 1256 - What Do Employees Want? - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2013 from Jane CranstonI came upon a survey by Universum, a global employer branding company. They asked more than 65,000 college students to list what they considered to be the top 250 employers. No surprise Google ranked #1. Consulting companies such as McKinsey, Bain, and Boston Consulting were high on the list as ...
Views: 1674 - Capable of Disruptive Ideas? - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2012 from Jane CranstonThe other night I was watching an interview of two major players at Google Ventures. Google Ventures is the in-house “radical” venture group of the organization, the people who hunt for new ideas and people with ideas, and then invests time and skills with them with the hope of finding the next ...
Views: 1414(2 votes) - Fuel, Focus, and Feedback — Essentials of Team Leadership - by Submitted on Oct 31, 2012 from Jane CranstonWhether you are leading a major initiative, trying to get your team to the next level, or attempting to corral a group of volunteers, there are three important steps every leader needs to apply to ensure a positive outcome and invested participants. They are the 3 Fs — fuel, focus, and ...
Views: 1308 - Too Tough on Yourself and What to Do About It - by Submitted on Oct 31, 2012 from Jane CranstonA behavior common among very successful people is setting high standards for themselves as well as others. Whether the actions are going to be seen by friends or colleagues, or done strictly in private, doesn’t seem to matter, high achievers place the bar at the top rung for almost anything and ...
Views: 1525(2 votes) - Raise the Bar -- Focus on Successes - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2012 from Jane CranstonThe story tells of an interaction between a parent and his high school-age child. The adolescent presents with a report card of four As and one D-. Because of our prejudices and experiences, we the reader are inclined to think the parent is going to either lecture or at least focus on the low ...
Views: 1576(1 vote) - First Step to Changing Behavior - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2012 from Jane CranstonI recently had the opportunity to invite a friend and her grandchildren to a local fair. I’ve been going to the event for years and like the predictability and tradition; plus it supports a good cause. The carousel is always in front of the big house, the face painting under the elms, and you ...
Views: 1668 - Become More Creative By Remembering Less - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2012 from Jane CranstonMy first kindergarten assignment was to go home and find out the family home phone number. The next day we practiced memorizing those digits. As I recall the teacher helped us put the number sequence to some kind of rhythm not dissimilar to those 800 ads that help you remember where to buy a ...
Views: 1870 - How to Get the Offer - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2012 from Jane CranstonI see it over and over again, a client goes on an interview, makes it past HR (in my book the highest hurdle), is sent up to meet the department head, onto the hiring manager with a stop by the top person, and then no offer. What happened? Ruling out the circumstances beyond your control, ...
Views: 2159 - Responding is Key to Your Success - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2012 from Jane CranstonIt shouldn't surprise me anymore, but it does. When a potential coaching client contacts me, I often ask two questions, "How did you find me?" and "What made you interested?" Ninety percent of the time, the answer to the first question is "I Googled 'career coach.'" No surprise, I work hard to ...
Views: 1757(2 votes) - Taking Control of Office Clutter - by Submitted on Apr 30, 2012 from Jane CranstonI was in the Container Store watching what seemed like hundreds of people buying all sorts of plastic containers to put their “stuff” in. It got me thinking about the types of clutter we have, particularly in the workplace. While I don't, nor do my executive coaching clients, partake in the ...
Views: 1459 - Three Essential Qualities of a Great Supervisor - by Submitted on Apr 30, 2012 from Jane CranstonWe’ve all had our share of poor or mediocre bosses, but what qualities do most great supervisors seem to have? I would argue three of the essentials are transparency, flexibility, and leadership. Here’s what they look like in action. Transparency: A tremendous amount of workplace time is ...
Views: 2099 - Gratitude is Good for Your Health - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2012 from Jane CranstonI’ve never understood why it is so difficult for some people to say “thank you.” It begs the question, “Are we really grateful?” and, “For what and whom?” And most important, “Can we admit it to ourselves and share it with others?” Recent research by Micheal E McCullough, a professor at the ...
Views: 2091 - Five Hiring Mistakes Smart Employers Make - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2012 from Jane CranstonIn good and bad employment times, it seems certain people can locate, attract, and select the best. Whether they’re looking for a new CEO, to fill a line position, or searching out the best childcare worker, some employers seems to get the right results. Why is that? Are they just plain lucky? I ...
Views: 1464 - Other Ways to Communicate Besides E-Mail - by Submitted on Dec 31, 2011 from Jane CranstonHas someone IM’d you recently? I don’t mean someone down the street or in another region, I’m talking about the person sitting next to you. Is every “conversation” you have with your boss on e-mail? Gotten a text condolence note lately? (I did, no kidding, can’t say it was very consoling.) Have ...
Views: 1738(2 votes) - Manage Your Time to Fit the Challenge - by Submitted on Dec 31, 2011 from Jane CranstonEveryone is trying to manage time. When you hear them talk, you would think it could be manipulated -- stretched or duplicated. It isn’t possible and for those who think they can, it’s more of a game than a solution. Knowing there are but 24 hours in a day, the challenge becomes more about ...
Views: 1450(1 vote) - Getting a Raise in a No Increase Environment - by Submitted on Dec 31, 2011 from Jane CranstonMoney is tight everywhere. Even people doing well are feeling the impact of local, national, and global slowdowns in the economy. That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean no one is getting merit increases, promotions, and salary adjustments. Whether you work for a company that has a very ...
Views: 1650 - Getting Great Employees for Less Money - by Submitted on Dec 31, 2011 from Jane CranstonIt’s just a fact of work life -- not everyone has the same amount of dollars to invest in opportunities or challenges. In today’s economic environment the numbers with less is accelerating and even those with resources appear to be hesitant to spend. This is true especially when it comes to the ...
Views: 1511 - The Sorry State of Apologies - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2011 from Jane CranstonAll of us make mistakes, say things we didn’t mean, forget, or are rude when we may not have intended to be. Experience has taught me most people don’t intentionally harm others but once they do, they’re reluctant, or find it difficult, to take responsibility for the damage. According to ...
Views: 1396(1 vote) - The Sorry State of Apologies - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2011 from Jane CranstonAll of us make mistakes, say things we didn’t mean, forget, or are rude when we may not have intended to be. Experience has taught me most people don’t intentionally harm others but once they do, they’re reluctant, or find it difficult, to take responsibility for the damage. According to ...
Views: 1372(1 vote) - Humanizing Your Work Place - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2011 from Jane CranstonThe statistics speak. Most people spend more time at work than in any other activity; more than hours with their family, eating, sleeping, or interacting with friends. That said, wouldn’t it seem logical that we would spend an hour and some effort making our workspace as conducive to the job at ...
Views: 1708(1 vote) - Creating Awe-inspiring Presentations like Steve Jobs - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2011 from Jane CranstonWe all have attended presentations. I’m sure you will agree most were terrible – boring, redundant, and/or visually offensive. I am guilty of giving a few myself. You too? To improve my knowledge base and skills, I started studying the product launches of Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, Inc. I then ...
Views: 1875(1 vote) - Building Trust at Work - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2011 from Jane CranstonI had a boss, I’ll call him, Ted. Ted was very political and used his high emotional intelligence to play all sides of every issue just to make sure he was always covered. I heard him lie by fact and omission. So clever was the man that when opinions were asked, he was able to shift positions ...
Views: 1552(1 vote) - Extroverts in the Workplace - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2011 from Jane CranstonIn contemporary psychological terms, “extrovert” is used to describe a individuals whose temperament type or preference directs and receives their energy from external sources. In the practical sense, they are action people who plug into others for their juice. They’re not generally drawn to ...
Views: 7259(1 vote) - Hire for Skill, Retain for Results, Fire for Chemistry - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2011 from Jane CranstonWhen working with managers and executives in a coaching relationship, I’m often struck as to how naïve some are to the realities of the day-to-day operating on the job and the politics of the workplace. All too often people tell me how many hours they work and about all the effort they ...
Views: 1556(1 vote) - Leadership Lessons Learned from My Father - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2011 from Jane CranstonNo matter how much individuals like their jobs, they’re entitled to be paid. Years ago the company my father was an executive with was purchased in a hostile takeover. The new owners were unable to deliver the paychecks on payday. Their response was, “They’ll just have to wait ‘til Monday.” “My ...
Views: 2374(2 votes) - Introverts in the Workplace: How They Operate; How They Succeed - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2011 from Jane CranstonIn modern behavioral terms, “introvert” is used to describe individuals who are most comfortable in the inner life of the mind, come across as more reserved, and are less likely to seek numerous or large interactions. They represent approximately half of the population. In the workplace their ...
Views: 3393(2 votes) - Encouraging and Making Progress - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2011 from Jane CranstonDo you have days when you feel like you’re getting nowhere or sense a project will never end? Worked on initiatives where you were only part of the solution and would never see the finished product? Wonder what happened to that suggestion that received such a positive reception and now seems to ...
Views: 1568(2 votes)