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Building Workplace Relationships

Building Workplace Relationships

Effective Interpersonal Relationships Are Key to Success

Effective interpersonal work relationships form the cornerstone for success and satisfaction with your job and your career. How important are effective work relationships? They form the basis for promotional opportunities, pay increases, goal accomplishment, and job satisfaction

The Gallup organization studied indicators of work satisfaction. They found that whether you have a best friend at work was one of the twelve key questions asked of employees that predicted job satisfaction. Without a good friend or friends, at work, the work satisfaction of employees deteriorates1

Why you need it?

One it keeps you in Check

It helps you get a second opinion.

You are able to learn new aspects of working for output.

It keeps you clued in on the tempo and pace of the workplace

It doesn't make you a pariah

How you can Build it?

Find common Interests

  1. Share more of yourself at meetings.

    One of the best ways to build relationships is to let others know who you are. This can come by sharing your expertise, knowledge and personality at meetings. Other people will either get to know you, like you or want to hear more from you. They will find you more approachable and thus the chance of building relationships begins to occur. If you are fearful to share at meetings, think ahead of time what you want to say so that you are more prepared.

  2. Speak positively about the people you work with, especially to your boss.

    Get in the habit of speaking positively to others and providing quality feedback about the people who work with. Many times the information that gets shared (whether positive or negative) comes back to the person who is being discussed. People will enjoy hearing that you have said supportive things about them and will know that you are on their side. That will build trust. Be careful of the workplace gossip that is so prevalent and don’t contribute to it.

  3. Improve your interpersonal skills by supporting other people’s work.

    Having a team attitude gives you a big competitive advantage. Ask how you can get involved with others. This will form a closer connection because you are working directly with someone else to help them meet their goals. They will appreciate your support and get to know you better which is vital to creating a more connected working relationship.

  4. Ask others to become involved in your projects or activities.

    Don’t be afraid to ask others for help and bring them onto your projects. The more they can participate in the activities you are working on, the better you get to know each other. You’ll enjoy working with others in getting more things done.

  5. Write thank you notes.

    Write notes of appreciation to the people who are doing exemplary work, making positive contributions and going above the call of duty. These notes can be hard-written, sent via email or done by voice mail. Send them to people above you, below you or at the peer level. Colleagues like to be appreciated and will feel closer to you by having been noticed and thanked for their contributions.

  6. Initiate conversations by asking questions.

    When we first meet someone it can be a bit intimating. We often don’t know what to say or how to say it. Asking questions is a great way for you to listen and let the other person share. They will feel closer to you when they have shared about themselves and you demonstrate you’re interested in what they have to say. Then share something about yourself so the relationship becomes a two-way interaction that can help establish a bond.

  7. Initiate repeated interactions and communications.

    An important part to building relationships is to continue interacting with the person you have gotten to know. As you get to know each other better, personally and professionally, you establish a closer connection that can greatly impact your satisfaction.

  8. Participate in activities with others that don’t involve work.

    As you get to know someone, you might find similar interests that may warrant an outside the work activity. This can greatly impact relationships because you are beginning the process toward friendship. Go out to lunch together during the work day or do things in the evenings or weekends. If you are married, you can visit with other couples to establish more connection at work.

  9. Share information.

    The information you share can be directly related to their work or it can be about a subject you know they will enjoy reading. You are thinking of them and helping them with the right information or content.

  10. Introduce yourself at social work events.

    Social events like lunches/dinners with colleagues, retreats, conferences and holiday parties are good places to interact in an informal setting. If you can reach out and introduce yourself to some of the people who you work with or who you want to know better, you’ll find they are more inclined to let down their guard. It will be easier for you to get to know them and for you to share about who you are—and you’ll become more visible as a result.

 

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9 Signs Your Side Hustle Can Go Full Time

9 Signs Your Side Hustle Can Go Full Time

9 Signs Your Side Hustle Can Go Full Time

The internet is filled with stories of successful side hustles. More people than ever before are starting up businesses on the side to make some much-needed extra cash.

A US-based survey recently revealed that 43% of permanently employed workers had a side hustle on the go and that 30% of the respondents needed that extra income to make ends meet.

Are you one of them?

If you said yes, you’ve probably wondered if your side hustle could become a full-time job, and if it was time to quit your 9-5 and enter the world of self-employment.

These are the 9 signs that will tell you if your side hustle has the potential to turn into a full-time gig.

1. Your Business is Getting Noticed

Small side hustles usually start with little to no interest from customers. You may do a commission for a family member or friend that generates a couple of referrals, or sell a few products on platforms like Amazon and Etsy. However, if your product proves successful, it could quickly gain attention from potential customers who approach you with projects and commission work.

One thing that customers will always notice in your work is your passion.

This is the key to a successful side hustle; you need to make money doing something you love.

A clear sign that your side hustle is becoming your main gig is that you start turning away more work than you are accepting. This boils down to your limited capacity, as you can only work on side hustle projects after hours.

If you start turning away customer after customer, it’s a good time to take the plunge and turn your passion project into a permanent career.

2. Your Hustle is Tipping Your Work-Home Balance

One of the trickiest parts to starting a side hustle is maintaining your work-home balance.

You may already hold down a full-time job, powering your side hustle on the weekends and late at night. As your side business grows, you’ll have even less time to spend on yourself and those you love. This can strain your personal life and your well-being as a whole.

This sign can be difficult to manage, but it’s also an indication that your side hustle has the potential to become your primary source of income. While it’s crucial to strike that balance and look after yourself and your responsibilities, take the incoming work as a sign that you can leave your job and still earn decent money doing what you enjoy.

3. You’re Looking for a Change

If you’re desperate for a change in your life, it’s time to stop playing it safe and start taking risks.

Reflect on the life you’re living now and the work you do. Answer honestly as to whether you prefer your side hustle work and if you’ll regret not taking the chance to grow it into a full-time business.

If you’d love to become your own boss, work from home and dictate your own working hours—and you’re willing to put in the work—it’s time to take your hustle to the next level.

4. Other Businesses Want to Buy Your Concepts

Yet another sign that you should consider upgrading your side hustle is when larger, more established businesses voice interest in buying out your concepts. This is flattering, and it helps you to see your business through other people’s eyes. It also means that your products and services have true potential and that your income is likely to continue to grow over time.

It’s tempting to sell your ideas to other companies for a lump sum. But you could stand to earn more in the long run if you’re willing to go the distance with your side hustle.

5. You Have Authority in Your Industry

Is your name often mentioned when people have specific problems that need solving with industry-specific solutions? Do people always approach you for support and advice instead of turning to other renowned people and brands in your industry?

These are clear signs that you have sway in your line of work, and that you would continue to do so if you quit your 9 to 5.

6. Your Situation Aligns with Your Hustle

These are challenging economic times. Not everyone is ready for a big career change.

Assess your finances carefully. If your side hustle is attracting plenty of attention, you’ve probably come to depend on that income to supplement your paycheck.

Quitting your 9 to 5 may cause your income to dip temporarily. You need to know exactly how long you have to turn your side hustle into a thriving business that brings in enough money to cover your expenses. You should also have a clear idea of how far you’re willing to dig into your savings.

If you already have the equipment you need and your side hustle doesn’t require capital, or expenses like stock or rent, this could be another sign that it’s ready to become your permanent gig. You won’t need to factor in huge expenses and can earn profits from the minute you scale up.

7. Your Side Hustle Brings in More Money Than Your Job

This is the most obvious sign that it’s time to quit your job.

However, you need to think about a few points before you do. Consider the other benefits your current job offers, such as health insurance and pension.

Compare the costs of taking these benefits out individually to the profit (not income!) your side hustle produces. If you can provide yourself with the same benefits and still make decent money at the end of the day, it’s time to make the move.

8. You Have a Clear Business Plan in Place

Your side hustle will never become your full-time job unless you start off with a business plan.

It’s easy to rely on referrals when you’re only working on the weekends or evenings. However, if you’re looking to build a long term business, you need to plan every aspect of your side hustle’s progress. You must ensure that it’s viable and the numbers add up.

Once you write up a business plan, you’ll see the growth potential of your hustle if you were to quit your job and focus on it full time. Additionally, you can work out just how long it will take for the business to grow into something truly impressive.

9.  You’re Truly Passionate About Your Hustle

“Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”– Confucius

If you have a persistent passion and belief for your concept and you’re willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to turn your dream into a reality, follow that dream. Pursue the fulfilment you are searching for! If you don’t, you may regret it.

The Bottom Line—It’s Up To You

Turning your side hustle into a full-time job takes passion, commitment, long, hard work hours, and sacrifices along the way. However, your efforts are rewarded as you’re doing something that you truly love, working for yourself, and making a good income at the same time.

There’s no perfect time to make the change. Look for the signs that the time may be right, do your planning and research, and take the leap when you feel ready!

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Leaders: Man Management.

Leaders: Man Management

The Secret to Managing People

For 10 years I’ve been using a secret for managing people.

Early on, this management “trick” helped me overcome a lack of experience. It worked like a compass… always pointing me in the right direction and giving me tools for digging myself and my team out of holes.

Later, as I taught this trick to others, I came to better understand its subtle power. It helped me to better understand and manage myself as well.

The trick eventually became a habitual practice for me. Now, when I’m thrown into any leadership situation, I rely on this tool more than any other to find my way. I’ve wanted to share this trick with my team for years. Last month I had my chance, as we hosted a leadership workshop for 23 managers in our business.

My trick is something called Situational Leadership.

It’s not something you can fully learn in a 2-day seminar, let alone a short essay, but it will still be helpful to give you a brief overview…

The basic idea behind Situational Leadership is that there is no single perfect method of leadership. Instead, managers should be flexible and train to adapt their leadership style to the individual and the task. Whenever somebody starts talking about management, people wonder, “What does this mean for me? Is my life going to get harder? Is it going to be more work?”

Let me ease your worries. This approach to management makes your job better, not worse. Situational Leadership is about giving team members what they need to succeed and feel great about their work.

Have you ever felt micromanaged? Have you ever felt overwhelmed in your work and gone to your boss for help only to have your comments fall on deaf ears? Have you ever wondered what it is your boss does all day as you plug away, bored with the same old tasks you mastered long ago?

If so, your boss was not a Situational Leader.

Situational Leaders engage with their direct reports. They understand the work they do and the challenges they face. They provide encouragement. They teach new skills. They advocate for you and your career with their peers and supervisor. And Situational Leaders leverage their authority to overcome team challenges.

Being a Situational Leader begins with diagnosing the development level of a team member. This typically happens by asking questions and observing the work of the team member.

For example, imagine you’re responsible for planning the company’s holiday party this year. In order for me to use the right style of leadership, I might ask a series of questions like, “Have you ever organized an event before? If so, tell me about that event? What was the hardest part? What did you like about it? What would you do different next time?”

All of these questions give me insight into your level of competency and motivation related to event planning. This is important to understand.

People often get defensive when asked probing questions. It’s natural to feel this way, but it’s a mistake. You see, there is no wrong answer. There is no judgment. Instead, it is an effort to understand so we can serve you and our mission properly. It takes a leap of faith at first, but I implore you to try it. I’m certain you’ll see the benefits.

Situational Leaders identify the development level of their reports by asking questions and observing behavior over time.

From there, Situational Leaders adapt their management style to provide what’s needed to reach the goal and move the individual to the next stage of development.

There are four leadership styles: Coaching, Directing, Delegating, and Supporting. Each style is a different blend of support and direction.

Let’s return to our holiday party example. Consider these two scenarios.

Scenario A: During my questioning I learn you’re excited about the opportunity to plan the party. I also learn you have planned parties in the past for groups of 20 or fewer people.

Scenario B: During my questioning I learn you have organized several events in the past. One of those events was a friend’s wedding with 200 guests. I learn you planned all the details and managed all the vendors. You’re willing to take on the project, but you understand it won’t be easy.

If I tried to manage these scenarios using the same style, I’d be making a big mistake. Clearly my report in Scenario A needs more direction. On the other hand, the more-experienced report in Scenario B only needs my support. It’s likely my report would feel “micromanaged” or “hung out to dry” depending on how I handled the situation.

Despite the leader’s faults, a committed employee could still pull it off through hard work and dedication, but it would be unnecessarily miserable. Hard work and dedication is critical, but it’s only part of the answer.

Situational Leadership is our “trick” to unlocking the best in every team member and making their progress more visible so they find their job more enjoyable. That virtuous cycle is a win-win for everyone and is the best way to manage people.

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What is your Passion? Let’s Define it first

What is your Passion? Let's Define it first

What Is Your Passion?

As we all know, statistically the majority of Americans are not happy with their jobs or career. I am not going to pin point any specific numbers, because the percentage varies from 60 to 80%, depending on which source you’re looking at. Either way, it makes me wonder, why is it that so many people are unhappy with their careers. Was it a poor career choice to start with or perhaps they were passionate about their jobs in the beginning and over time that passion wore off? Many people I talk to claim that they don’t know what they are passionate about or they think they are not passionate about anything at all. If that’s you, I have good news – yes you do have a passion and I bet you even know what it is and we’ll get to it later.

First, let’s define what passion is. The dictionary defines passion as a powerful compelling emotion or feeling or desire. By my definition, passion is not just a feeling or desire, in my opinion it also involves action. I define passion as a compelling, self-generated desire to create something or make something happen over a long period of time without any immediate promise of a reward. Different from motivation which typically involves a promised reward in the end or a simple inspiration, which typically happens in the moment, passion is something that lasts for months, or even years and the immediate rewards are rare. Most of the time we are not even thinking about the rewards as doing what we are passionate about is a reward in itself. There are times you may not even feel motivated to do anything, yet your passion will find a way to make it happen.

If you look back and think about what made you decide to choose the career you’re currently in, what was it? Was it your desire to make your parent proud? Were you chasing fame and fortune, carefully calculating which career would be the most profitable and where you could be most successful? Or did you just mind your own business ignoring and resisting everyone’s advice until a perfect at the time job opportunity simply fell into your lap? Regardless of what your personal story about it is, somehow you ended up being in a place you are in right now – unhappy about your job and staying there because you need to pay your bills. The real question is, did you really follow your passion to pick your career? For some of you this may be the answer to your misery. Some of you may argue that initially you were passionate and loved what you were doing, you may even still love the work itself, but the politics are a mess, too much overtime work, your co-workers are mean, you are not getting paid enough and yada yada yada…

If you were passionate about your job in the beginning, what happened over time? What made you lose your passion and why can’t you feel it anymore? Let me speak to that. Think of a passion as a fire, a self-generated fire, that initially gets ignited deep within your soul. This fire has a potential to grow stronger overtime and burn brighter, or it can die off overtime. All fires need fuel in order to continue burning. Your passion needs more than one type of fuel in order to continue to burn brighter, although some fuel types can keep it alive longer while others are missing.

The first and the biggest fuel that will keep your passion going for the longest is making a contribution and helping others. If other people are not getting any value or benefit from whatever you are doing, you will eventually want to stop doing it. The other fuel is support from others: family, friends, co-workers, clients, your career coach J. The third important fuel system is having a balanced lifestyle where you get to spend enough time with your family and not work all the time. Your compensation is also a fuel for your passion, although not the strongest one. I am not saying money is not important. But sometimes many of us can survive for long periods of time on low income if we get to do what we love. But even the happiest low-income individuals complain about money or the high cost of living every now and then. And finally, in order to keep the fire of your passion alive, you have to grow in your career – constantly expanding and learning new things.

Finally, for those of you who think you don’t have any passions or you don’t know what you are passionate about – I believe you do, you simply don’t think you have enough fuel to keep your passion going and your fire has been long extinguished by the sold water of many reasons why what you really want to do won’t work.