Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

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  • American Idol Savvy: Underwhelming Final Performance Means…

    Idol…we’re in for one serious popularity contest.

    While both Kris and Adam truly impressed with their initial performances of the night, they both underwhelmed with the subsequent two.

    And while there is always a significant popularity component in any contest, with singing removed as the primary distinguishing factor in this singing competition, all that remains to determine this year’s winner is fan loyalty.

    Who inspired their fans to get on the phone and stay on the phone?

    While their personal and professional styles couldn’t be more (more…)

  • Listen In -> Job Hunting in a Difficult Market #3: Who Can Help Me Get There?

    Asking for help is awkward.

    It can feel like an imposition to ask our busy working friends, family and associates for help with our job hunt.

    Believe it or not, though, help is exactly what these people are glad to do. The people who know you are naturally disposed to want to help you.

    The key is making it as open and flexible as possible how people can help you. We need more ways to let people know what we’re looking for without limiting the form that help takes.

    In this week’s show, Claudia and I discuss networking and interviews. Join the discussion as we figure out how to show up authentically and communicate to a variety of people what we’re looking for.

    Listen in.

  • Loving Monday: The Stuffy Nose Dilemma

    loving_monday“I can’t afford to be sick today!” We moan as we reach for another tissue. “No, I’m not really sick. Just a stuffy nose. I’ll be fine. I’ll muddle through.”

    The stuffy nose dilemma is that two-edged sword that for some of us is a good thing. We like our jobs. We are in the middle of important projects, and we don’t want this date-sensitive work to be interrupted by a minor stuffy nose. The choice whether or not to stay home and give ourselves an extra day of rest in order to heal is a choice between two good things.

    On the other hand, some of us hate our jobs or bosses or clients, and experience our stuffy nose as a problem compounded by a nuisance. As much as we’d like to stay home (for a variety of reasons), we can already anticipate the snide accusations of stealing a three-day weekend. We feel compelled to show up at work unless we absolutely cannot function.

    What a difference in worlds! In the case where each employee chooses to stay home, one is resting comfortably, while the other is worrying about how (more…)

  • Question of the Week

    How clearly can you articulate the outcomes you expect your team to accomplish?

    The Question of the Week is offered to increase awareness of one’s personal leadership practices and encourage experimentation with creative alternatives.

  • American Idol Savvy: When Saying Less is More

    IdolKris Allen and Danny Gokey are a contrast in verbal styles.

    Need we point out how few words Kris seems to need in order to say what he wants compared to how many words Danny needs?

    The judges may rail on about Kris needing to do more of this or less of that, and he simply takes it in and offers a brief word of thanks. Danny, on the other hand, gushes on and on about why he made the choices he did, explaining where no explanation was requested, and inadvertently reinforcing any negative comments from the judges by repeating them in his eagerness to acknowledge them.

    Two different approaches, two distinct styles, both communicating a certain amount of humility, yet one far more effective than the other.

    Kris stands calm and unflappable, which communicates that he is comfortable in his own skin knowing that he has done what he can. Danny prattles on with nervous energy, which communicates that he needs to be understood in order to feel like he has done what he can. Kris gets his validation from within himself. Danny from outside himself.

    How do you respond to criticism? Can you receive it calmly, learn from what has value and discard what has no merit? Or do you need to explain yourself until you feel the other person understands your position?

    Both are expressions of humility. One is more effective than the other. Sometimes saying less is more.

  • Listen In -> Job Hunting in a Difficult Market #2: What Do I Bring To The Table?

    If one more person asks me what kind of position I’m looking for, I’ll scream. There’s no position on the organizational chart that’s a good fit for me.

    Do you find yourself in a similar predicament? The vocabulary of job descriptions, roles, functions, and career paths isn’t flexible enough for multi-faceted changing, developing people like you and me.

    So what do we bring to the professional table? In this week’s show, Claudia and I discuss how we can describe the unique set of skills, values, working styles, approaches to problem solving, etc. that distinguish us on the job.

    We have a lot to offer, but we need vocabulary and means for communicating that value to prospective employers.

    Listen in.

  • Loving Monday: Gratitude, Home Away From Home

    loving_mondayGratitude is like coming home.

    In whatever adventure you might be immersed, whatever the crisis in which you might be struggling, no matter the problems you face or the difficulties you encounter, there exists a quiet place to which you can always steal a moment of rest.

    Gratitude.

    If this week is starting out on the rough side, get up from whatever you are doing and step outside. As you set off around the block, remind yourself of what you have to be thankful for.

    It might be a person. It might be your health. It might be a professional opportunity. It might be a delightful meal you enjoyed recently. Let your mind go.

    If nothing comes to mind, simply say, “Thank you” and take a deep breath.

    One trip around the block. One ten-minute break to think of nothing except that for which you recognize as blessings, gifts, and treasures. One significant pause for which there is room for nothing except your most personal and intimate expression of gratitude.

    Now, without any further reflection, you are in a better position to face your week. Whatever the adventure, crisis or challenges that await you, a more centered, poised you is free to address them. You are functioning from a sounder frame of reference.

    You are at home. The grateful heart can always find its home away from home.

  • Question of the Week

    How are the people around you affected for good and ill when you come under pressure?

    The Question of the Week is offered to increase awareness of one’s personal leadership practices and encourage experimentation with creative alternatives.

  • Film Short “Obedience” Is Thought-Provoking Treat

    familyposterweb2Check out this film, Obedience, made by a couple of friends of mine.

    Obedience was originally created as part of the 168 Hour Film Project, in which participating filmmakers had exactly one week (168 hours) to interpret an assigned quote from the Bible in film.

    I think you’ll enjoy it.

  • Listen In -> Job Hunting in a Difficult Market #1: Tackling Discouragement

    Just when it seems the economy couldn’t get worse, another set of precautionary lay-offs is announced on the evening news.

    Though fear fills the air and all panic around you, you show up calm, collected, and quietly confident.

    We begin a new series this week… Job Hunting in a Diffcult Market.

    How do you become that one who feels confident when discouragement lurks just behind the next job rejection?

    How do you keep your energy levels up when the job market feels overwhelming before you’ve even started?

    It’s not an easy environment to be in a job search. To pretend otherwise would be naive. But neither can we afford to be intimidated into inaction by what feels like long odds. What can we do? Where can we turn?

    Job Hunting in a Difficult Market

    Week 1: Tackling Discouragement
    Week 2: Resume Makeover
    Week 3: Networking Confidence
    Week 4: Your Job Hunting Strategy

    Listen in. You’ll both feel better about yourself and find yourself taking concrete steps toward your next job.