Can Exposing Office Secrets Benefit Workers

Can Exposing Office Secrets Benefit Workers Although I havent tapped into the full realm of social media, I was still surprised to hear about a fast-growing appWhisper. Apparently this new tool allows iOS and Android users to anonymously share their secrets and confessions. Like an Instagram meets meme combo, users can create pictures displaying their confessions under a nickname.According to a Yahoo story, heres how it worksLog into the app and type a confession and hit NEXTThe app automatically suggests a picture (it offers multiple suggestions) to go with your text or you can upload a photo. (If this is supposed to be anonymous, I think itd be wise to avoid photos that people can relate you to, i.e. your face.)Change the font (if youd like)Tag the photo with keywords and youre doneLike Instagram and Facebook, users can like your whispers but unlike most social apps one cannot add or gain follow ers or friends. Again, its supposed to be anonymous.I looked at the apps website for an example, and people certainly post a range of things.One photo talks about how a man returned home from the military only for his wife to cheat on him and leave him to be a single dad. Another post is from a pastry chef who says his/her best ideas come when the part is high. It ends with saying, My boss just promoted me for being so creative. If she only knew.And yet another whisper talks about how the person hates how his/her sister takes advantage of the persons disabled father and family. This confession is accompanied by an image of the Kardashian family I see the app has a sense of humor.As I researched this popular app, which gets more than 3 billion page views each month, I wondered what would happen if something like this was implemented in the workplace. Could having a company Whisper app and exposing office secrets actually benefit workers and office communicaton?I think creating an emp loyee-style confessional in the workplace could produce both positive and negative consequences. Those includeThe GoodReleasing emotionsWork causes stress thats no secret. But, oftentimes, workers walk around with a lot of pent up emotions, which is unhealthy. Having an outlet to express themselves anonymously (and without consequences) could help offer a release for stressed employees who may need to get some things off their chests during the work day.Avoid confrontationWhen an employee has an issue with another worker or management, sometimes things can escalate and get out of control, especially if (as stated above) he or she has pent up emotions. Having a company whisper app where employees can openly express how they feel can help avoid office confrontations as workers direct their emotions to the tool instead of colleagues and/or management.Valuable feedbackWhat if a worker felt like he or she was being treated unfairly in the workplace? Or had trouble under a managers leader ship style but was too afraid to speak up? An employee confessional could help with this. As workers anonymously express their opinions and concerns about a company, this can offer valuable feedback for the business showing management the companys strengths and weakness. It will also help with retention strategies as the business will have a better understanding of the common concerns of workers, which may be a cause of turnover.As with all things in life, there can be a good and bad side. And implementing a company Whisper app is no different.The BadIncrease conflictAlthough this app could help avoid office confrontations, it could also initiate them. People are being open and honest with this tool, and not everything they have to say is pretty. If someone reads a post about him or her, this could cause tension in the workplace, especially if he or she then tries to discover the perpetrator.It could also cause tension between employees and management if a teamberaterin sees that hi s or her name keeps popping up followed by negative comments. The person may assume that the confessions are from his or her employees and resent them.Reduce productivityLike all social media, having this app in the workplace could reduce productivity if workers spend too much time 1) making confessions and 2) reading and liking them.Damage work environmentIf there are ill feelings between employees and management and tension in the wok atmosphere, this can drastically affect employee morale. And a low morale can damage a companys work environment, as workers will feel uncomfortable and/or hostile in the office. And no one wants to work in a toxic environment.

Flexible Schedules Make Time for Good Causes

Flexible Schedules Make Time for Good CausesFlexible Schedules Make Time for Good CausesCompressed workweeks, setting yur own hours, working off-peak hours, or working part-time No matter how you do work it, flexible schedule jobs kind of rock. And one of the biggest reasons that we love flexible schedule jobs is because they leave us more time for the other priorities in our lives family, friends, travel, education, random interests, good causes, and hobbies. Those last two, good causes and hobbies, are some of the big reasons why Jeremy Anderson, Director of Client Services, loves his flexible schedule so much.Keep reading to learn how work flexibility makes it possible to be involved in good causesJeremy is our resident groe nachfragener, and recently he participated in The Promise Walk for Preeclampsia 5K Run and Walk in his hometown of Denver, Colorado. supported Jeremy and his group of runners and walkers by donating bright lime green t-shirts, which the team members were able to decorate. We had a virtual sit-down to discuss his run, flexible jobs, and why he loves being able to make time for both.What is the cause for which you ran and why is it important to you?My wife and I have a friend who had Preeclampsia during her second pregnancy and we wanted to support her and her daughter, Nicole. Nicole has Cerebral Palsy due to the complications resulting from Preeclampsia. Nicole is one of our daughters best friends. There is a need for more research because so many moms and babies have died from Preeclampsia complications.It sounds like this run is able to raise awareness for a good cause for so many people. Who else did you run with?We had 11 runners and walkers in our group, all friends of the family who we were running or walking to support them.It can be hard to commit to a hobby like running, which requires continuous attention. Has having a flexible workschedule helped you pursue your running passion?Having a flexible work schedule has helped me to be able to train for events like this. I can schedule my training runs for different times throughout the day, they dont always have to be in the pre-dawn hours, although sometimes they still areDid you get any fun reactions because of your gear?The lime green t-shirts donated by really stood out and people know we were a team. We heard lots of encouragement for Team NicoleCongratulations to Jeremy and Team Nicole

Why Setting Short-term Goals Can Help You Succeed

Why Setting Short-term Goals Can Help You SucceedWhy Setting Short-term Goals Can Help You SucceedMany people develop 10-year plans and five-year plans. These long-term goals are powerful tools to motivate yourself to reach your potential. But, while you are planning your future, dont overlook the benefit of setting short-term goals along the way. What Is a Short-Term Goal? A short-term goal is anything you plan to achieve in less than a year. Most short-term goals will be set three to six months in the future. Usually, a short-term goal will be somewhat easier to attain than larger, multi-year targets, for example, I want to be chief sale officer (CSO) within the next 10 years. An example of a short-term goal might be, I want to increase my commissions by 25 percent within the next six months. Short-term goals are less transformative than their long-term counterparts, but they are just as significant- and the fact that you can attain them in less than a year is motivating in its elf. You can also use short-term goals to propel you along your chosen path. In other words, you need both. Benefits of Short-Term Goals When you choose a goal and set yourself a time limit, you increase your odds of achieving that goal- otherwise, you may get sidetracked. Just setting a specific target for yourself helps to motivate you to put in those extra cold calls during your break, to churn out thank-you notes for every prospect, and to perfect your presentation. In each case, your extra efforts move you further along your timeline, and you experience another boost in morale. A short-term goal might also be a stepping stone to a larger goal. For example, if you want to become chief sales officer, some reasonable short-term goals might be finishing courses in sales management, applying for sales management positions, and finding a career mentor. If your big goal is to become a millionaire within 10 years, your short-term stepping stone might be to shadow your sales teams b est performer and apply their strategies to your sales. Of course, your short-term goals can also be something unrelated to a larger goal for example, saving enough money to buy a new car within six months. Compiling Your List If you are not sure what goals you want to set, sit down and write out some of your ambitions. Be as honest as possible even if you think your dreams are frivolous. Theres nothing wrong with a secret desire to tour Peru by jeep or own a fire-engine red Ferrari. Write down anything and everything you can think of, and then set that list aside. After a day or two, read over your list. See if there are any items that youd like to add or remove from the list, and youll have your final list. Dont try to accomplish all of your goals at once, because youll be splitting your energy in too many directions. Pick two or three goals that are your highest priority and start with those. Write them down, and put that priority list somewhere where you can see it frequentl y. By your bathroom mirror, for example. On another sheet of paper, write down the steps you will take to reach those goals. For a career-oriented goal, you might write, Attend three networking events per month or Send out 10 emails to new prospects every morning. If you are aiming for a major purchase such as a new car, figure out how much money you will need to set aside each week and decide how you will find those funds. For example, switching to a cheaper cable package for a few months. By writing these things down, it will be easier to stick to your plans because there is something about the written word that encourages commitment.

Homeless mans resume gets him job offers from Google, Netflix and LinkedIn

Homeless mans resume gets him job offers from Google, Netflix and LinkedInHomeless mans resume gets him job offers from Google, Netflix and LinkedIn On Friday, 26 year old David Casarez woke up on a park bench in Mountain View, California. He put on a nice shirt and tie, and walked to a nearby highway median.He had a hand-written cardboard sign. It read HOMELESS. HUNGRY 4 SUCCESS. TAKE A RESUME.David didnt ask people for money, he welches asking for people to take his resume. A hopeless job hunting strategy? Far from it.A passerby took a photo of him holding the sign. By mid-afternoon next day, photos of David and his resume had been retweeted over 50,000 times and liked nearly 70,000 times.Whats more, David had also received over 200 job offers.Google reached out to him. Also Pandora, Netflix and LinkedIn. Bitcoin.com asked him if he could work remotely or if he wants to relocate to Tokyo. And there were many others, big companies and small startups alike.Photo Jasmine ScofieldNot e verybody succeeds in Silicon ValleyDavid isnt someone youd expect to find sleeping on a park bench at night.For instance, hes got a bachelors in Management Information Systems from a good university. He also worked as a web developer at General Motors. For a brief moment, he owned a tech startup.But the startup never took off and he ran out of cash in June. At that point, hed already been living in his van for more than a year.Unfortunately, a month ago his van was repossessed. Hes been sleeping in the park since.Photo Jasmine ScofieldThe internet comes to rescueAfter taking his photo on Friday, Jasmine Scofield asked for his permission to to post his picture on Twitter. She also posted a picture of his resume.Later, she also called him by phone. We spoke for about an hour. He came to the Silicon Valley with a dream to be successful in tech and has a lot to offer the community. Hes sleeping in parks and still trying to get freelance work, interviews and applications in.Today I saw t his young homeless man asking for people to take a resume rather than asking for money. If anyone in the Silicon Valley could help him out, that would be amazing. Please RT so we can help David out pic.twitter.com/ewoE3PKFx7 FullMakeup Alchemist (jaysc0) July 27, 2018Jasmine was surprised that the story received so much attention. But as it often happens on Twitter, some people accused her of having selfish reasons for posting about David.I didnt expect this overwhelming response, she later tweeted. But what I really didnt expect was people guilting me for trying to help someone in need, telling me Im ignorant, full of myself, and only in this for self promotion. I wish people could see the good in others sometimes.On the other hand, the community was quick to show more support in helping David get hired. They even started his very own hashtag - GetDavidAJob.Sometimes, the internet is completely wonderful.This story was first brought by the KRON4 news channel.Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

3 Times Its Better to Take the High Road

3 Times Its Better to Take the High Road3 Times Its Better to Take the High RoadConfronting someone at the office can be one of the toughest things to learn how to do. But it can be just as difficult to know when not to confront them. No matter what stage youre at in your career, youll be faced with situations wherbeie its best to take the high road- to just let an idea drop or let an opinion go in order to maintain your credibility, your professional reputation, and, frankly, your sanity.So, how do you know when its time to take a step back, instead of fighting for your side? Weve picked three situations where you should recognize when its time to back down.When Youre WrongSometimes, we get so entrenched in an idea that we keep fighting for it, even if its not necessarily the right approach. But keep in mind that its not weak, misguided, or wishy-washy to retreat from a position when you realize that someone elses idea might be better. It actually shows that youre a logical person w ith the ability to react appropriately to new information.Natalie Pokvitis, an account manager for a software company, recalls a time when standing her ground backfired. I was working with a colleague on an elaborate marketing event to promote our products, and I kept arguing with her every step of the way, she says. The event turned out to be a huge success due to her planning, and by picking apart her ideas, I ended up looking immensely petulant.If you realize that your idea might not be the right one- or that an idea you were initially skeptical of is a good one- you can professionally show that youve changed your mind by saying something like, After seeing the data for the project, I realized that your suggestion to make an update would be beneficial. What can I do to help?When you back down, you prove that youre placing the success of the project above your own personal agenda- which means that next time you do choose to hold your ground, your colleagues will know that youre do ing it for the right reasons.When You Dont Have CloutYou know that new hire who seems to undermine her boss at every turn- always thinking that she has the real answers? Dont be that person. Of course, you should never be afraid to express your opinions and ideas, but if your boss has taken them into account and made a different decision, continuing to fight for your side can make you seem defensive, or worse, like a know-it-all.Ive seen the negative consequences firsthand with one of my co-workers, who has repeatedly voiced her dislike for the company website updates- even though upper management likes them and analytics show that theyve been successful. She has very little influence on the decision-making process, so her constant complaints make her seem like she just wants to pick a fight. And as a result, no one in the organization now wants to ask for her opinion on other projects, because they expect shell be difficult to deal with.Remember that you dont always have a clear pi cture of all of the variables that influence a situation. If your boss has made a decision, especially one backed with strong evidence and support from the rest of the team, its usually best to back down.When the Situation Becomes ExplosiveSometimes, you are right. Sometimes, you do have clout. But sometimes, your co-worker or boss escalates a situation beyond what is reasonable. And when this happens, its best to walk away from the situation. When conflicts move from constructive discussions to yelling and name-calling, being right is much less important than being professional.If you realize that a discussion is getting unnecessarily heated, first try to refocus the conversation. You might say, I know we both have the same goals here- lets try to get back to that. If the person youre speaking with continues to get angry, calmly tell him or her your plan to leave the discussion. Try saying, I think its best that we take a step back and think about this tomorrow. And if we need anot her opinion, Ill ask our boss to join us in the meeting.Make sure you keep your emotions under control (and also keep your boss apprised of whats going on). Dont allow yourself get caught in a situation that could ruin your professional reputation just to make sure your ideas are heard.In geschftsleben and in life, you wont always get the last word in. But, sometimes its best to take the high road and be professional, show that youre a team player, or avoid a tense situation. In the end, knowing when to let go is just as important as knowing when to stand your ground.Photo courtesy of Ryan M.

How to successfully negotiate by using silence

How to successfully negotiate by using silenceHow to successfully negotiate by using silenceYou worry over what to say during critical meetings in your career, such as in interviews and negotiations, but what if you leveraged the power of silence to get what you deserve? Most people think silences are awkward and a sign of weakness in negotiation, but thats far from the truth.Those awkward silences you fear may help you navigate a negotiation with success. The key lies in what you dont say, rather than what you do say. Here are five tips on using silence to negotiate, and it all centers on embracing the stopp.1. Say it out loud and waitWant mora hourly pay? Ask Any chance you will go up to $x? Say what you want and wait. It may take the other person time to sift through the question, all while feeling the need to fill the silence.Rather than you rambling about why you want or deserve the raise to fill the silence, you appear authoritative and patient. And now, make the most of that s ilence.2. Use positive and neutral body languageDont look away or like youre mocking them. Keep eye contact. Relax your shoulders, and direct a friendly yet confident posture toward them with a gentle smile.Dont let your body language contradictwhat you negotiate for - look confidently into their eyes as you wait for a response. When your nonverbal communication matches your verbal, it reinforces the power of the message, point or question.People often forget that other forms of language exist beyond the verbal. Body language is the oldest form of communication. What does your body language say in a tough negotiation? Do you feel forced to break the silence first?3. Silence builds suspenseStorytelling proves a valuable asset during negotiations as you detail specific instances of your valuable contributions. Storytellers use various tools to bring the moral of the story home and create the right kind of tension. A great story uses suspense.Silence builds suspense as the stakes rise , and the more tension your story creates, the more suspense you cultivate. That means your ending gains power and steam if you pace yourself correctly. Slow down during critical moments, and pause when necessary.Great speakers use pauses all the time, such as in TED talks. Powerfully used pauses communicate someone thoughtful who takes the time to consider a point or message, and when given to another, lends the other person time to weigh the issue.Think before you accept an initial offer, since the pause may provoke a quicker reaction from the opposite party not to risk your rejection, gifting you with a higher salary. Suspense hangs in the air since humans feel compelled to fill the silence.4. Silence grounds you in your needYou spend ample time preparing for the negotiation, and you go into the meeting knowing exactly what you need and deserve. You have data and evidence to back up your contributions and worthiness and feel ready to go.In the middle of the negotiation, your nerv es act up, and your train of thought derails. Starting to doubt yourself? Use silence to ground yourself and get back on track.Silence centers you in the present moment and slows you down enoughto look at your internal processing. You end up practicing dual awareness as both participant and observer. Any anxiety or doubt you feel doesnt represent your core or reflect badly on your accomplishments - those are still stellar. Get that derailed thought train back on track, and use silence to ground yourself in your needs. Half the battle is knowing what youre negotiating for, and when you feel the need behind it, youre more likely to bring that passion to the table.5. Pausing allows you to listen and learnTactical silence is your new negotiation strategy, your ally when you hit a stalemate. You need to reach a breakthrough, but youre unable to see eye to eye on the deal points. Prepare to embrace the pause, even though you may feel like youre really doing nothing.The power of the pause allows you to listen and learn. Doing nothing at that moment helps the negotiation move along because communication still occurs. You actively listen with all your senses and have time to process the other partys body language, along with the flow of the meeting.People dont like ambiguity. Trust that the silence gets filled in your favor. Negotiation itself stretches like a tension-filled tightrope tugged as a conversation between two people. Placement matters, as does the pause.Silence is golden, they say, and itll bring home the gold when used strategically. You can train your relationship to pausing and silence through practicing mindfulness - the art of present, sensory awareness. Stay in the moment with yourself, breathe and observe without judgment.Silence empowers you to develop awareness, move through tough situations and gain space to give or receive an answer - especially one that gets you the numbers, perks and benefits you deserve.You may feel afraid that being silent during a negotiation makes you look like you offered up a nonverbal threat, but thats not the case. The pause gives the other party a chance to take in what you said and have offered in the past through your stellar skillset and level of experience.When you control the pause, you stealthily steer the negotiation without tipping off the boss. Of course, you wont spend the whole meeting in silence like a monk. You still need to state your case and back up what you say. Silence will help you pace yourself, refocus on your needs and achieve your negotiation goals.This article was originally published on PunchedClocks.com.

How to successfully negotiate by using silence

How to successfully negotiate by using silenceHow to successfully negotiate by using silenceYou worry over what to say during critical meetings in your career, such as in interviews and negotiations, but what if you leveraged the power of silence to get what you deserve? Most people think silences are awkward and a sign of weakness in negotiation, but thats far from the truth.Those awkward silences you fear may help you navigate a negotiation with success. The key lies in what you dont say, rather than what you do say. Here are five tips on using silence to negotiate, and it all centers on embracing the pause.1. Say it out loud and waitWant more hourly pay? Ask Any chance you will go up to $x? Say what you want and wait. It may take the other pspeciesie time to sift through the question, all while feeling the need to fill the silence.Rather than you rambling about why you want or deserve the raise to fill the silence, you appear authoritative and patient. And now, make the most of th at silence.2. Use positive and neutral body languageDont look away or like youre mocking them. Keep eye contact. Relax your shoulders, and direct a friendly yet confident posture toward them with a gentle smile.Dont let your body language contradictwhat you negotiate for - look confidently into their eyes as you wait for a response. When your nonverbal communication matches your verbal, it reinforces the power of the message, point or question.People often forget that other forms of language exist beyond the verbal. Body language is the oldest form of communication. What does your body language say in a tough negotiation? Do you feel forced to break the silence first?3. Silence builds suspenseStorytelling proves a valuable asset during negotiations as you detail specific instances of your valuable contributions. Storytellers use various tools to bring the moral of the story home and create the right kind of tension. A great story uses suspense.Silence builds suspense as the stakes rise, and the more tension your story creates, the more suspense you cultivate. That means your ending gains power and steam if you pace yourself correctly. Slow down during critical moments, and pause when necessary.Great speakers use pauses all the time, such as in TED talks. Powerfully used pauses communicate someone thoughtful who takes the time to consider a point or message, and when given to aelendher, lends the other person time to weigh the issue.Think before you accept an initial offer, since the pause may provoke a quicker reaction from the opposite party not to risk your rejection, gifting you with a higher salary. Suspense hangs in the air since humans feel compelled to fill the silence.4. Silence grounds you in your needYou spend ample time preparing for the negotiation, and you go into the meeting knowing exactly what you need and deserve. You have data and evidence to back up your contributions and worthiness and feel ready to go.In the middle of the negotiation, you r nerves act up, and your train of thought derails. Starting to doubt yourself? Use silence to ground yourself and get back on track.Silence centers you in the present moment and slows you down enoughto look at your internal processing. You end up practicing dual awareness as both participant and observer. Any anxiety or doubt you feel doesnt represent your core or reflect badly on your accomplishments - those are still stellar. Get that derailed thought train back on track, and use silence to ground yourself in your needs. Half the battle is knowing what youre negotiating for, and when you feel the need behind it, youre more likely to bring that passion to the table.5. Pausing allows you to listen and learnTactical silence is your new negotiation strategy, your ally when you hit a stalemate. You need to reach a breakthrough, but youre unable to see eye to eye on the deal points. Prepare to embrace the pause, even though you may feel like youre really doing nothing.The power of the pause allows you to listen and learn. Doing nothing at that moment helps the negotiation move along because communication still occurs. You actively listen with all your senses and have time to process the other partys body language, along with the flow of the meeting.People dont like ambiguity. Trust that the silence gets filled in your favor. Negotiation itself stretches like a tension-filled tightrope tugged as a conversation between two people. Placement matters, as does the pause.Silence is golden, they say, and itll bring home the gold when used strategically. You can train your relationship to pausing and silence through practicing mindfulness - the art of present, sensory awareness. Stay in the moment with yourself, breathe and observe without judgment.Silence empowers you to develop awareness, move through tough situations and gain space to give or receive an answer - especially one that gets you the numbers, perks and benefits you deserve.You may feel afraid that being silent during a negotiation makes you look like you offered up a nonverbal threat, but thats not the case. The pause gives the other party a chance to take in what you said and have offered in the past through your stellar skillset and level of experience.When you control the pause, you stealthily steer the negotiation without tipping off the boss. Of course, you wont spend the whole meeting in silence like a monk. You still need to state your case and back up what you say. Silence will help you pace yourself, refocus on your needs and achieve your negotiation goals.This article was originally published on PunchedClocks.com.