Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

Category: Working Matters

  • When Everything You’ve Got is the Bare Minimum

    Sometimes we limit our efforts at work to our job description because we don’t want to step on toes or be perceived as presumptuous.

    Many job descriptions are so full that it takes all we’ve got just to complete our daily responsibilities.

    In our podcast conversation on The Literalist, Claudia are discussing the reality that there are occasions when all you’ve got might be the bare minimum.

    The example I want to talk about today is crunch time. Crunch time is when deadlines get moved forward, and all previous planning no longer applies. Crunch time is when there is an unexpected absence on the team, and their workload needs redistributing.

    There are times when more or different is needed of us. If we do not have eyes to notice these needs, then our faithful fulfillment of our job description risks being interpreted as avoiding work, not being a team player, or doing the bare minimum.

    What we need to do is expand our personal definition of “faithful”, “loyal” and “dedicated” service. Instead of limiting it to the strict fulfillment of our written job description, (which is a good thing), we need to include the fulfillment of the greater goals of the department.

    When we view our job description as one piece of many in the achievement of larger department goals, then we open up new perspectives for viewing how we might best adjust during crunch times.

    Instead of being seen as doing the bare minimum, we are the ones who are making things happen, getting things done, and part of the solution.

    It’s not a matter of choosing between being too self-protective or too self-effacing. It’s a matter of being wise about your involvement given the leaders and team with whom you work. These are different for each of us.

    How do you gauge your supervisor’s perception of you?

  • Loving Monday: The Gift of You

    You are a gift the rest of us need this week.

    On behalf of those you will encounter, thank you for being who you are.

    Thank you for your choices. Thank you for your perspective. Thank you for your working style. Thank you for your demeanor.

    This place would be less without you. Less strong, less rich, less thoughtful, less wise, less bold, less vibrant, less beautiful, less alive.

    You know how many of your particular distinctives are impossible for me to include here. Thank you for every one of them.

    Thank you for showing up today. Thank you for showing up fully yourself. It’s going to be a better week because you are here.

  • What is “Courageous Networking?”

    Insightful Link

    I came across a helpful term this morning. “Courageous networking.”

    People experience networking differently. Some love making new connections. Some can’t stand it.

    If you’ve just been promoted, though, and are learning to function in a new realm of expanded responsibilities, freedoms and pressures, you need as many connections as possible.

    “Courageous networking” has to do with being active and systematic about finding and connecting with the sorts of people you need. Check out William Byham’s post, Just Got Promoted? Network! Network! Network!

    He’s got some specific ideas for what you can do.

    On your side,

    – Karl

  • Listen In -> When Playing by the Rules Backfires #1: The Literalist

    Fulfilling one’s job description is a good thing. Right? Well, not always.

    We begin a new podcast series this week entitled, “When Playing by the Rules Backfires.”

    Wait a minute. Is that possible? I thought we were supposed to play by the rules.

    Yes, but sometimes in doing so we undermine our own effectiveness, sabotage how others perceive us, or forfeit key opportunities.

    Join Claudia and I as we meet and discuss:

    1. The Literalist
    2. The Silent Achiever
    3. The Peacekeeper
    4. The Enforcer
    5. The Rule Keeper

    Today, we meet the Literalist. Join the conversation and listen in.

  • Loving Monday. A New Weekly Feature.

    Getting out of bed on Mondays, is your dominate feeling one of anticipation or dread?

    Do you feel like you’re being drawn into the new week or being dragged into it?

    Today we begin a new weekly series entitled, Loving Monday. Let’s start the week off together with a brief encouragement to step into our weeks with an intention to show up authentically, engage fully, and make it a good week for ourselves.

    Whatever our circumstances, we have choices for how and whether we will engage. By accepting ownership of those choices, we can experience a rich sense of accomplishment in the midst of our complex, if not difficult, lives.

    Let’s encourage each other to step into each Monday determined to greet the week with anticipation, resolve and a good sense of humor.

    Together, I am confident we will look forward to loving Monday!

    On your side,

    – Karl

  • Two Keys to Perseverance

    Perseverance is not always a matter of mustering sheer will power.

    While determination on our part is crucial, we come up against obstacles, opposition, and constraints that hold us back, sabotage our efforts and attack our spirit. What once felt like an indomitable fount of energy, creativity and genius slowly crumbles beneath us even as we scramble for higher ground.

    I‘ve been learning that perseverance requires tactical preparedness, as well as inner strengthening.

    More than sheer commitment to our own project or dream, we need to be aware and savvy about the people and forces that work against us. We have to including contingencies in our planning to account for opposition, and initiatives to head off anything we can anticipate in the way of trouble.

    There is no room for naive idealism. To deny the reality of difficulties is to participate in one’s own defeat.

    We also need an inexhaustible spirit and strength of character. Such inner resources don’t appear from nowhere. Two lifelong tasks to this end are: 1.) digging a deep well of resources that restore, refresh and renew you, and 2.) learning to draw on those resources when needed.

    Which is your stronger suit when mustering the determination to push forward in spite of all that would hold you back? Do you lean on your sound planning or your inner tenacity? What might we learn from your success in persevering?

  • Do Others’ Perceptions Matter?

    My clients know I feel strongly about accepting personal responsibility for how others perceive you.

    Check out the research that Liz Strauss shares on the impact perceptions can have on behavior.

    You not only create perceptions by how you choose to behave, but your behavior choices are affected by how you think others already perceive you!

    Are you inadvertently taking your cues from others? Think about it. It’s not a game or a trap. It’s an issue of self-awareness. Can you take a step back and have a look at what’s going on even while you are a participant?

    On your side,

    – Karl

  • School Starts Today… What Else?

    School starts this week here in Los Angeles. Varied summer activities yield to resuming Fall routines.

    Whether or not we have school-age kids of our own, this massive shift in schedule is going on all around us.

    The opportunity lies in riding the wider shift in attitude to give a boost to our own plans. Is there a project you’ve been meaning to begin? Use the team’s return from summer vacations as a launching point.

    Has work effort been flagging? Then use the Fall to regroup and refocus. Has communication been rare? Use the season shift to gather everyone and discuss some important aspect of your work together. Is the office a mess? Schedule a “Back to School Work” day for everyone to get organized.

    If you designed your own “Back to School Work” initiative, what would be its focus?

  • Lifelong Learning… Visually

    Always making a case for lifelong learning.

    Indexed

    The entire Indexed site is a must-visit.

  • Listen In -> Uncertainty & Stress #5: Stay Connected to Your Relational Network

    If you were to lose your job, how surprised would your network of acquaintances be to hear from you?

    What if you were already in conversation with a wide circle of people on an on-going basis?

    In our series on Uncertainty and Stress, Claudia and I conclude with a look at the value of maintaining casual relationships.

    No special skills are necessary. No massive investment of time is required. Just you at your most natural, authentic and comfortable self, taking an occasional initiative to check in with those in your circles.

    Talk about something you can do to reduce your own stress levels!

    Listen in.

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    Catch up on the entire series on Uncertainty and Stress.