Delinquent Notice #2

Last we talked, we discussed the topic of paying your dues in the workplace. Putting in hard work, busting your tail or even waiting your turn to get to the top. As mentioned, today's millenials find it odd to be following the same directions as those of the baby boomers, Gen X'ers and Y'ers - especially when 2 important things are present: Observation #1 was discussed in the first half. 1 -We are innate job hoppers. We aren't really trying to put in 25 to 30 years at a employer. To be honest, we aren't trying to be anywhere for 5 years - so technically our dues should be much cheaper!

It is time to move on to observation # 2- its hard to follow the same principals when we so often find managers and bosses who are in their high power positions not because of talent but simply because a) they know someone, b) paid the due of 'time' or c) not only do they know how to kiss butt but more importantly...whose butt to kiss - it does make a difference!

So I got to thinking... the older workforce is appalled at the younger workforce's idea of promotion, career growth and how to rise to the top, and want us to follow these dated rules and politics. But if we have non-talented leaders, how confident can one feel about paying dues, putting in time and sucking up?

I've worked in a place where not only was my direct boss incompetent, but her boss possessed the same lackluster qualities. This made me mad and I consistently wondered "how did you get this job?" every time I encountered either one of them. To make matters worse, there was nothing that could be done about that situation, as they were in their positions and had been for a couple years, which was weird, because I don't know how they were able to keep getting by???

So, what can we do to break the cycle, sorry to say, nothing. Just do what you have to do, learn everything you can, and you will because with a stupid boss, who usually winds up doing their work and coming up with fantastic ideas and suggestions -YOU. By the time you move on, and you will move on, you will be so on top of your industry game! (Question: So, should we be grateful to our bosses who know nothing, yet challenge us to complete their high level projects? - that's another entry...)

I am no longer naive to think that all executives and managers are super smart, savvy and strategic. Some people will get ahead by sucking up, knowing people or simply by default. But one tip: When you get there you better learn something and fast - you will be asked to prove your ability sooner or later! For the sake of the business and mostly your own reputation, because to this day, my former coworkers and I often indulge in uncontrollable laughter when we reminiscence about our stupid bosses!

Get out of work free!

For those who have trouble committing to a 9 to 5, ideas of how to get out of work or cut the time you are actually there are always coming to mind. My friends and coworkers all agree that as much as we need our jobs to live, eat and survive there simply are days we just don’t want to go to work and would rather endure some pretty interesting situations than go to work!

Here are the Top 10 scenarios that my friends or myself have actually thought of and wished would happen to cause either our tardiness to work or to miss it altogether!

1. Hoping for a tornado or some natural disaster. Ok, maybe at least a warning!
2. Getting into a minor car accident - nothing serious people, just a little tap that would warrant stopping and getting out to talk to the other driver.
3. Fire in the bldg – of course no one gets hurt! Ok – maybe just someone burnt their pop tart in the toaster. Enough for the alarm to sound and an evacuation to occur.
4. Electricity out in your home, or in the company’s building - either one would work for me.
5. My cat gets sick on the carpet right as I was walking out the door – so, I have to clean it up which makes me a little tardy.
6. Pregnant coworker to go into labor right there at work – “breathe!”
7. Building is taken hostage by a disgruntled former employee with a fake weapon, of course – no one is trying to get hurt people!
8. Fire drill/tornado drill/earthquake drill, etc – any kind of drill - this will benefit everyone
9. Catch a cold from someone, grabbing babies who are sick all to get a quick virus, strong enough to keep you at home, weak enough for Airborne to kill in 2 days.
10. Simple sprang of the ankle not broke, sprang or fracture - something that would allow me to work an altered work schedule hobbling along on crutches for a couple of weeks!

Working to the top ~ Delinquent Notice #1

"I should be getting a raise soon!" ~ "I better get a bonus this quarter." ~ "Where is my promotion, I've been here 9 months!"

I spoke to a 21-year-old recent college graduate a couple months back and she indicated to me that she thought upon graduation that she would have gotten an On-Air Radio Personality job because she had gotten her degree in Broadcast journalism. I looked puzzled, wondering why did she think that she would have started immediately upon graduation at the top when her experience clearly rested at the bottom!

In today’s society is anyone really working their way to the top? Does "Generation X" (mid 20's-40's) and the newly titled "Millennials" (newest workers) know how to pay their dues? Or "are we even still in an era of owing them in the first place"?

With reality TV phenomenons like “The Apprentice”, "American Idol" and "America’s Next Top Model" in addition to "who you know and networking circles", hard work and experience are appearing obsolete. There has been a shift from working 60 hours a week and devoting 20 or more years to an employer to graduating college, wanting to be the boss and reaping all the perks that come along with it your first week out of school.

There was a time when interning for free (starting at the very bottom) was the all time success story of working your way up. Remember the inspiring story of young Sean “Puffy” Combs starting as an intern at Uptown Records who is now a “Music Mogul" and "Fashion Icon".

According to the article "Generational Teach Back: What Older Workers and Younger Workers Can Learn from Each Other" on Monster.com younger workers are functioning in the work world with the following ideals:

New Technology: I totally agree with this one, lots of young people are excited by new and futuristic trends - no one has patience anymore, including me. We just want things done, now!

Diversity: Born and raised in San Francisco and going away to college did expose me to different ways of life, theories and work ethic.

Job-Hopping: I know sooo many job hoppers! Younger workers do not share the value of company loyalty with older workers, jumping ship whenever a better opportunity presents itself. Instead of putting in the time, they just look elsewhere.

Risk Taking: Just call us rebels - me normally with a cause, occasionally without one! Younger workers take bigger risks, whether its quitting your job to start your own business - (then you will be the boss), or travelling the world and seeing where you land but always being optimistic. Whoo -today people are a little more gutsier and savvy.

Balancing Work/Life Issues: I love to travel and do things in my spare time. But how much time do we really get to devote to our own agendas. Can you believe the article called young workers "not career driven". Perhaps not - but more so "success-drive".

Fulfilling Dreams: I'm all for fulfilling my dreams! Younger workers want to fulfill their own dreams, and not necessarily those of the company! Often times they are only using the company to further their own objectives.

I still believe there will always be dues to be paid, but they may get cheaper!

Next time, we will examine those who made it to the top, yet know nothing! Be careful what you wish for...

There's cake in the breakroom!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Each year people make New Year's resolutions to get fit and eat healthier. While I'm not setting a resolution to work out more or stop eating red meat, I am going to make a conscience effort to stay away from "workplace birthday cake"!

One must learn that when you enter Corporate America your sweet tooth will be tempted almost everyday. Only the strongest will power will stop you from falling victim to the "newbie nine" (the number of pounds you will gain when you start your first corporate job), similar to the infamous "freshman fifteen" (number of pounds one might gain as a freshman in college).

It seems that there is always a birthday cake with lots of sugary frosting, to celebrate a colleague's birthday, double fudge brownies and macadamia nut chocolate chip cookies to bid one "Farewell or Bon Voyage" as they resign, a cupcake tower to congratulate a retirement, some creative apple fritter and/or caramel coconut bar made by that employee who just likes to bake and wants to show off their skills by bringing in their so-called "overflow" because they made too much, or lastly the decadent Harry and David chocolate truffles a vendor sent to say thanks for the business.

I have to admit - I've been caught up in this free for all munchfest: eating these goodies for breakfast and helping myself to another serving around 3:00pm to help me make it through the rest of the day.

So, instead of resolving that I join a gym that I will end up not going to and wasting my money or cutting out carbs (I love bread and potatoes too much) , I figure I should really resolve to not fall prey to the celebration peer pressures of the office and say "NO" to workplace birthday cake in 08!"