Let's Get Ready to Rumble...

I wanted to put on boxing gloves today and phantom punch an irrational and immature colleague of mine like Ali did Liston.

When I entered into the work world, to my surprise, I found it to eerily resemble high school. There were cliques, unbelievable bad attitudes and the infamous wishy washy behavior, i.e. I'm not talking to you today so we will ride this elevator in silence and I will pass you in the hall numerous times, because I don't like you. Naive me, thought that if you worked in an office, you acted like you had common sense and decency. Boy was I wrong!

Although, I would love to knock out some of my annoying coworkers, www.boston.com offers eight tips to help deal with difficult coworkers. You should probably try those tips and not a TKO.

1. Approach conflict with an open mind
2. Consider what might have caused the conflict
3. Be respectful of differences
4. Try to cut the conflict off in its early stages
5. Listen carefully
6. Be mindful of your language
7. Ask for help
8. Be sure the problem is resolved

At the end of the day.....while ideal, you don't have to like anyone you work with, but you do have to respect them and act in a professional manner.

Click here for the full article: http://www.boston.com/bostonworks/galleries/workplaceconflict?pg=9

The School of P. Diddy

I read recently that P. Diddy has plans to open a business school in Harlem, NY, where he would embark on "building leaders" as he mentioned in a CNN interview. I'm not sure if he needs a whole school or academy, but I would find it interesting if different business moguls and leaders taught specialized courses or seminars at colleges and universities to help students explore some unconventional methods of achieving success, skill application and other real life business case studies.

In my experiences my most meaningful learning came from a mix of literature and from people who have been in the trenches, having worked in my field of study and who were able to apply all the lessons they learned from the textbook.

So, go for it Diddy! I am sure you'd teach an interesting course.

Fun career site to check out...

In my quest to find all things work related and fun, today I ran across "Karen Burns' - Working Girl" website, which offers career advice. Very cute site; take a look at the 59 jobs she's held over the last 48 years of her life. Whew....
One question: Where are the "Working Guys"? I know you're out there - somewhere...

http://www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com

Here is an interesting statement, my boss heard on a radio show yesterday and shared with me today. Add this to the career growth section of your mental notes file. I am paraphrasing a bit, but the message still speaks loud and clear...

"Your talent can take you places, but your character can keep you from getting in."

The job is the perk...

In the past 6 months to a year, my colleagues and myself have noticed our premium coffee and hot chocolate supply vanish, the disappearance of business lunches and holiday parties and the our company trinkets (shirts, coffee mugs, and just because items from corporate express) leave our king fu grips. Looking on the bright side we should have seen this coming after the 1st rounds of company-wide lay-offs (which left us thankfully with our jobs), the halting of the 401k company match and tuition reimbursement, the introduction of mandatory furloughs and disappointingly the freezing of bonuses and pay increases.

While we are thinking that this sucks and how are they gonna keep taking these things from us, it is important to keep in mind at all times, that companies are doing these things to try to prevent the lay offs and save money which will be used to pay your salary!

At the end of the day, I can bring in my own beverages, have a holiday party among my own family and friends, use the unpaid vacation days I am required to take to relax or run errands, and dust off my old company trinkets (because in reality we really don't use that stuff anyway) and crack a smile every 1st and 15th when I get the ultimate perk - my paycheck!