Problem at Work 9: Mistakes and Losses on the Job

This concludes our series on problems at work that can lose you your job or stall your career

Everyone makes mistakes. Some mistakes have little impact. Hopefully, you identify and correct most mistakes before anyone sees them. Occasionally, mistakes get past you and have great impact. Some mistakes only affect people within the company. Others hurt clients. Still other mistakes go viral and damage everyone’s reputation. Those mistakes can kill, not only stall, your career.

How to Avoid Letting Mistakes Get Seen by Others

You can implement a few simple safeguards to avoid making mistakes. You cannot implement all of these ideas for each piece of work completed. You would never get your job done. Periodically, however, you can spot check:

• Measure twice and cut once remains good advice
• Quadruple check your work before submitting it
• Ask someone with strengths that compliment your weaknesses to check your work
• Use technology helps (like spell and grammar check) but don’t rely on them
• Avoid arrogance, pride, or fear that leads to mistakes—don’t get complacent

What to Do When Your Mistake Becomes Known

Tranquilheart offers good ideas:

• Admit your mistake
• Present your boss with a plan to fix your mistake
• Don’t blame anyone else for your mistake
• Apologize for your mistake, but don’t beat yourself up
• Correct your mistake on your own time

Mulling at Work offers additional tips for when you make a mistake at work:

• Take responsibility
• Analyze the failure
• Avoid beating yourself up (it’s good to hear this one twice)
• Keep it in perspective
• Talk it over with someone you trust
• Give it time
• Consider Training

I emphasize the point that both Tranquilheart and Mulling at Work stated first. Admit the mistake quickly. Never try to cover it up or hide it. Acknowledging the mistake and submitting your ideas for resolving it show responsibility and initiative.

In conclusion, I share a series of comments to About.com’s question Tell Us About a Mistake You Made at Work. Read their answers and your mistake will seem less disastrous.

Join me on Monday when I share a few success stories from my clients

Problem at Work 8: Drinking, Drugs, & Testing on the Job

This continues our series on problems at work that can lose your job or stall your career

Drinking, drugs and testing create problems for careers. While many encourage or rationalize drug and other abuse at work, companies increasingly test to eliminate such abuses. Several factors drive companies to implement stricter surveillance and zero tolerance policies: corporate liability, reduced production, increased health costs and absenteeism. Failure to pass a drug test most frequently results in immediate termination.

Social versus Corporate Acceptance

Social acceptance of heavy drinking and drug use accelerated in the past two decades. We witness scenes of drunken celebrities coming out of clubs and repeatedly entering rehab. In addition, fictional stories of office drug use and drinking remain a staple of prime time television and especially cable.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) states “Today, in some industries, taking a drug test is as routine as filling out a job application. In fact, workplace drug testing is up 277% from 1987” While the ACLU does not endorse drug testing, they admit “Employers have a right to expect workers not to be high or drunk on the job.”

Companies Fight Back Against Losses

Pre-Employment Drug Screening (PDS) shares the following

“Drug testing has become an important safety issue in the workplace for Human Resources and Safety professionals. A large percentage of Fortune 500 companies perform drug testing. The purpose is to lessen the impact from drug abuse in the workplace, including tardiness, absenteeism, turnover, attitude problems, theft, decreased productivity, crime and violence. The US Department of Labor estimates that drug use in the workplace costs employers $75 to $100 billion dollars annually in lost time, accidents, health care and workers compensation costs. 65% of all accidents on the job are related to drug or alcohol, and substance abusers utilize 16 times as many health care benefits and are 6 times more likely to file workers compensation claims then non-abusers. (The articles stipulates that the various studies used estimates rather than hard fact numbers.)

Return Friday to review how mistakes can cost you your job or stall your career

Problem at Work 7: Obsolete or Inadequate Skills

This continues our series on problems at work the could lose you your job or stall your career

Obsolete or inadequate skills stall careers. You must continually update and learn new skills. Technology and other factors force companies to upgrade what they expect. Consistent downsizing gives remaining employees the responsibilities of eliminated positions. Improvements in software allow people to do more than in the past.

The belief that younger workers possess up-to-date skills remains the number one reason employers eagerly recruit young workers. Older workers who add up-to-date skills to wisdom and experience offer a attractive package to weary companies.

Examples of Skills Needed to Do the Work Today

Look at the changes:

• Auto mechanics must calibrate computer chips and use computer-based diagnostics
• Secretaries now process accounts payable and receivables and other account work
• Managers, secretaries and other workers set up 10-12 station computer networks
• Machinists need to learn more than NC computing to operate multiple station robots
• Managers need to create production, sales, and other reports in various programs
• Sales representatives process sales on tablets or other handheld computing systems
• Graphic designers or animators use computer programs to draw, illustrate and design
• Retail workers use computers as cash registers and handheld scanners for pricing
• Automated inventory control systems move containers and pallets with fewer people

Upgrades and new versions require you to regularly enhance your understanding and skills.

How to Maintain Current Skills and Skills in Demand

Fortunately, you may maintain your skills and acquiring new ones relatively easily and inexpensively. You can:

• Join user groups or on-line chat rooms that share tips, work-around, & experience
• Complete online courses that you find or that others in your field recommend
• Attend seminars or workshops offered by manufacturers or software providers
• Study articles, reports, or videos published online in journals, blogs, or more
• Read books about topics pertinent to your work
• Enroll in workshops or short courses offered by community or trade schools
• Ask someone—who possesses the skill you need—to tutor and give you experience

Join me Wednesday to discover how work related drinking, drugs, & testing lose jobs

Problem at Work 6: Inappropriate Jokes & Email

This continues our series on problems at work that could lose you your job or stall your career
The workplace changed significantly in the last four decades. Behavior that used to endear one to management or co-workers, now offends and stigmatizes both employees and the organization. While litigation based on the civil rights act and other laws enforced these changes, common decency and social changes dictated and accepted them. Companies will not tolerate inappropriate jokes, emails, or other communications in today’s workplace.
Defining Inappropriate Communications
The courts and administrative law defined several issues that now can constitute various forms of harassment. Many of these form a basis for immediate or unconditional termination. They include:

• Telling a racial, sexual, religious, age, disability or other kind of joke that could be considered offensive
• Create a hostile work environment or one in which someone feels uncomfortable
• Send or accept emails on the corporate account that contain offensive pictures, messages, or content (courts gave rights to corporations to check personal emails)
• Comment on the physical appearance or attributes of any co-worker, client, or others
• Never touch any one physically remains the best advice
• Pushing your religion or proselyting in the workplace creates a possible discriminatory setting
• Avoid saying anything that others could consider discriminatory to anyone based on age, gender, race, color, religion, marriage, disability, or other protected conditions
• Viewing pornographic or hate-based web sites or chat rooms at work

Learn More to Avoid Future Problems
You should review the following web sites for more information:

• How to Identify Inappropriate Behavior in the Workplace
• Sexual Harassment Usually Starts with Inappropriate Comments
• When Men Cross Boundaries
• How do You Handle Inappropriate Humor in the Workplace
• 12 Most Awkward Workplace Comments and How They Can Damage Culture
• Management: How to eliminate “unexamined bias” in the workplace

Whether you agree with the rulings and direction, you will do best to comply. Failure to do so will result in termination and probable legal action. Most companies maintain a no tolerance policy on issues related to these kinds of comments or actions.
You can take online courses to help you understand better and avoid future problems:

• Learn Appropriate Office Behavior
• Etiquette Training Courses Directory

We will continue on Monday by exploring how obsolete or inadequate skills stalls your career

Problem at Work 5: Hygiene, Dress and Appearance

This continues our series on problems at work that can cost you your job or stall your career

Previously, I shared the vital importance of doing three things on the job. First, do the job they want done. Second, fit into the team or organization. Third, give a good return on their investment. Hygiene, dress, and appearance create visual examples of how well you fit into the organization.

Poor Hygiene Can Offend Supervisors & Co-Workers

Poor hygiene stalls more careers than one would imagine. Generally, you should:

• Bathe once a day or multiple times a week
• Wash and brush your hair frequently to keep it clean and neat, not oily or disheveled
• Avoid heavy perfumes or colognes that trigger allergies or discomfort in others
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, use mouthwash and breath aids
• Use caution with foods that create odors in your skin or breath (like garlic or onions)

Dress Similarly to Others in your Job or the One You Want

Written and unwritten dress codes establish the uniform for work teams. Nobody would seriously consider a football player who showed up for the game wearing a basketball uniform. His or her dress would convey that they did not come to get the job done.

You must wear the uniform of your work team to fit into the team. Recognize that if you send the message you don’t want to fit in, management will comply with your desires and send you away.

In addition, dressing similarly to people doing the job you wish to do conveys your aptitude and fitness for the promotion .

Appearances Send Messages for Good or Ill

I do not think work teams should all share the same skin color, ethnic or gender appearances. I hope we, as a country, no longer discriminate on race, creed, color, religion, and gender.

Consider the image the company wants to project. Let your mentor and network guide you about how to match your appearance to the one the company wishes to portray.

Return on Friday to explore the dangers of inappropriate comments, jokes, emails, or more

Problem at Work 4: Rude or Obnoxious Behavior

This continues our series on problems that can lose your job or stall your career

Rude and obnoxious behavior remains a major cause of stalled careers and terminations. Many times, you may not even recognize your behavior offends people. Conversations around the copier or after hours can deteriorate into unhelpful gossip, murmuring, and back-biting. All of these behaviors may lead to bad feelings, offended personalities, or reprimands.

What May Constitute Poor Behavior

I recognize the challenges affiliated with poor behavior. I created this problems for my own career on four different occasions.  The first and second times, I did not recognize that my behavior offended people. The third time, I asked questions and opinions that appeared defensive and cantankerous.  The fourth time, I doubted my superiors and murmured about their decisions. I made serious mistakes that cost me promotions and resulted in two demotions. My behavior was wrong and unprofessional.

Alina Tugend, at the New York Times, describes the descent into incivility occurring today. I suggest that you read the article.

Examples of cantankerous, obnoxious, and rude behavior include:

• Interrupting people, especially supervisors or management, when they are talking
• Try too passionately to influence or change decisions already made by management
• Raise your voice or use a tone that could be considered offensive or contentious
• Tell offensive jokes or stories that might make people uncomfortable
• Talk too loud in a cubicle environment, and take phone calls during meetings
• Gossip or back-bite about management and other workers to fellow workers
• Appear defensive or contentious in conversations, messages, or meetings
• Criticize, demean, or ridicule management, its directions, or its policies

Improve Your Behavior and Repair Relationships

Excellent books and training can help you learn to communicate more effectively. I suggest just a few:

• Crucial Conversations, Kerry Patterson and his colleagues at VitalSmarts
• Crucial Confrontations, again by Kerry Patterson and his colleagues at VitalSmarts
• 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions by Vicky Oliver
• Repairing Relationships is an article by Whitney Hoffman

Join me on Wednesday to find out how hygiene, dress, and appearance affects your career

Problem at Work 3: Poor Performance or Productivity

This continues our series on problems at work that could get you fired or stall your career

Your performance and productivity affects how your supervisor perceives your value to the company. Great performance and productivity reflects well on future raises and promotions. Poor performance and productivity, however, decreases your perceived value. Continued poor performance or productivity jeopardizes your job and future career.

Why Poor Performance or Productivity Stalls Your Career

Your company hired you to produce a certain amount of product or service. They pay you a salary to perform as they expect. Failure to produce what they expect indicates that they will not see a positive return on their investment. Continued poor performance and productivity leads them to believe that you will never deliver what you promised when they hired you.

How to Resolve Poor Performance and Productivity

You might improve your performance and productivity with the following steps:

• Clarify exactly what they expect of you in terms of
  • Productivity: how much they expect you to produce or deliver
  • Effectiveness: what they want that to accomplish
  • Efficiency: how much time, money, or resources they expect you to use
  • Quality: the excellence of the work the company expects of you
• Identify a mentor and network of connections to help you improve your performance. Let them assist you to
  • Nurture your skills and abilities
  • Understand how the company works more effectively
  • Connect with the people who contribute to your production
  • Set realistic goals to improve your productivity and performance
• Increase your productivity and performance until they meet expectations
  • Work harder based on the advice of your mentor
  • Work smarter using the information and abilities your network gave you
  • Work faster, but more accurately, under the direction of your supervisor
• Measure your performance each day, week, or month
  • Compare actual performance to expectations and performance goals
  • Create a graph to easily see your progression and improvement
  • Create home run statements that illustrate your improvement
  • Show your graph, and share your home run statements,  with your supervisor

Improving your performance and productivity restores the company’s faith that you provide a good return on investment.

Join me on Monday when we discuss the problem of cantankerous, obnoxious, & rude behavior

Problem at Work 2: Persistent Tardiness & More

This continues our series on problems that can get you fired or stall your career

Businesses expect employees to arrive at work on time. They expect workers to report on the job on the days and shifts assigned. They expect employees to return from lunch and breaks on time. Businesses feel they dictate terms of employment in exchange for the salary, benefits, vacation, and leave they give. They expect employees to meet those terms and suspect employees who do not.

Why Business Owners View These as Problems

Persistent tardiness, absenteeism, and returning from breaks late raise concerns in the minds of your employers and supervisors. They consider that you may possess a:

• Lack of commitment to the company
• Lack of self-discipline that means you will also not complete the work assigned
• Poor time-management skills that could manifest themselves in your work
• Lack of respect for the company or it’s management and values
• Rebellious streak towards the rules, culture, and systems of the corporation

Companies will give you a certain amount of sick leave. They generally do not expect you to use all of it. The less you use the better.

What You Can Do to Resolve the Problems

Several actions will help resolve the concerns listed above:

• Change your behavior
• Always show up for work at least 10 minutes early
• Plan for emergencies and delays in your commute
• Call your supervisor if you will be late and explain why
• Return from lunch and other breaks a minute or two early
• Get enough sleep, eat healthy, and exercise to stay healthy
• Avoid situations that could expose you to contagious diseases
• Communicate your changes to your supervisor and management
  • Apologize for your mistakes from the past
  • Assure them that you will change
  • Explain what you will do to reduce tardiness, absenteeism, or late breaks
  • Share home run statements highlighting the success of your changes

Your employer wants to know that your commitment to the company remains strong, that they can rely on you.

Join me on Friday when we examine how poor performance or productivity is a problem

Problem at Work 1: Problems that Stall Your Career

Today we begin a series outlining problems that can get you fired or stall your career

I work with a lot of people that find their career stalled. Management passes them over for promotions. Management neglects to give them plumb assignments, nor include them in key meetings. They receive no or low raises. They receive the first pink slips when layoffs or terminations occur. Too frequently, they do not understand why these things happen to them—repeatedly. They often complain and ascribe their problems to others: co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, and clients.

Problems You May Create

Many times we create the problems for ourselves without recognizing it. If these problems persist, you may lose your job or find yourself dead-ended within the company:

• Persistent tardiness, absence, extended phone calls, lunch or other breaks
• Poor performance or productivity
• Cantankerous, obnoxious, or rude behavior
• Bad hygiene, dress, or appearance
• Inappropriate comments, jokes, emails, or other communications
• Obsolete or inadequate skills
• Work related drinking, drugs, or testing problems
• Mistakes or losses at work

Problems Others May Create

In addition to the problems we create for ourselves, others may also create problems for you:

• Cliquish, aloof, and exclusive co-workers
• Office gossip, back-biting, sabotage, and back-stabbing
• Unsupportive, demanding, and critical supervisors
• Impossible deadlines, unrealistic expectations, and lack of resources on the job

Whether you create the problems or someone else does, you need to resolve them or face negative consequences. Continued poor practices or problems severely affect your advancement or growth. I know. I possess personality problems that cost me a job once and continue to prevent my promotions. I’m working on resolving them, but have not made enough progress in the past 11 years. I hope to share ideas for you, if you find yourself with a problem that can get you fired or stall your career.

We will explore each of these reasons over the next four weeks.

Join me next Wednesday to learn more about tardiness, absences, and extended breaks

How to Plan a Career 15: When to Leave Your Company

This concludes our series on planning a career within your current employer

Previous posts helped you identify opportunities for growth within your current company. In addition, we discussed how to open the opportunities through business relationships, your network of contacts, and a mentor. Sharing home run statements with your supervisor and other connections allows them to see how you can help them obtain their project, operations, or team goals. Yet, for all that the time may come when you need to leave your current employer.

Reasons to Leave You Current Employer

You may find several reasons for leaving your current company:

• Changes in management or ownership make the culture unappealing to you
• Opportunities for growth or satisfaction cease to exist within the company
• Possibilities for more growth or satisfaction present themselves elsewhere
• Friends or acquaintances from your past ask you to join them somewhere else
• Directions and interests you once wanted to achieve no longer drive you
• Economic difficulties force the company to layoff employees
• Behaviors and poor performance create situations that lead to your termination

Plan Your Departure Well

The following checklist may improve your departure and future prospects:

• Delay your departure until you accept a new job—if possible
• Maintain good relationships with your supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates
• Provide non-offensive and non-inflammatory reasons for leaving
• Express appreciation for the experiences, training, and opportunities they gave you
• Assure them you will respect the confidence they placed in you and not jeopardize it
• Ask for a letter of recommendation from the person who gives the best reference
• Identify options for continuing health benefit, dental, and life benefits
• Understand severance or unemployment benefits you may receive
• Transition and protect your 401K or other pension benefits—don’t touch them
• Download emails, contacts, and calendar to a safe location and delete personal items
• Reconcile all outstanding expense reports, commissions, bonuses, or obligations
• Consult a legal expert about written or verbal contracts
• Submit change of address and mail forwarding (if applicable)
• Keep your doors open and maintain contact

Monday we will begin a new series exploring barriers that may prohibit future career growth

How to Plan a Career 14: Business & Relationships

This continues our series on how to plan a career within your current employer

The last two posts discussed the benefits of building a network within the company and of finding a mentor to guide you through the corporate maze. Both a network and mentor require you to use relationship skills. Sarah and Jared Stewart teach people how to build business relationships. The Stewarts, brother and sister, authored The City of Influence to share their theories on building relationships.They espouse the motto“People do business with people they know, like, and trust.” 

People Who Walk the Talk

Jared, Sarah, and I have known each other for eight years. Our very busy schedules prevent us from seeing each other that often. Yet, they both reach out to me frequently to see how I’m doing. They exemplify the principles they teach. They walk the talk.

Sarah and I ran into each other last week at a business expo. She saw me sitting at a table with some friends. She asked if she could join us. She spent almost an hour catching up, learning about the people sitting at the table, and brightening our lives.

Keys to Building a City of Influence

Jared and Sarah condensed the basics of business relationships into 9 keys to building a City of Influence:

1. Exit the coliseum
2. Decide to govern
3. Recognize that bricks trump
4. Avoid relationship arrogance
5. Develop relationships just because
6. Learn, Serve, Grow
7. Swim in pools
8. Measure influence
9. Establish relationship laws and systems

Watch The Following Videos to Learn More

“Business is about relationships” proclaim Jared and Sarah. Issimo Productions produced the following very short videos to help you learn more about the power of relationships. I encourage you to watch them:

• Overview of the City of Influence
• Ray Kroc illustrates how the concept of Learn, Serve, Grow blesses so many others
• Milton Hershey: highlights the benefits a governor can bring to a city of influence
• Ub Iwerks demonstrates how those around you can help you achieve your dreams

I encourage you to study the book. Learn and practice the keys outlined in The City of Influence.

Return Friday for the end of our series  on how to plan a career within your current company

How to Plan a Career 13: Find a Mentor

This continues our series on how to plan a career within your current employer

Finding a mentor remains a key to planning a career with your current employer. I have discussed the concept of mentors in previous posts. Mentors guide people who are new to the company as well as people starting a career—or starting a new career. They impart their wisdom and understanding about the company to new workers. Mentors guide you through the pitfalls, written, unwritten rules, and the corporate culture of your company.

Seeking Success outlines the following steps to succeed with a mentor:

Finding a Career Mentor

1. “Don't expect your manager to be your mentor.
2. Look for senior people within your company who have been along a career path similar to yours.
3. Find an individual who shares your values, work style, and sense of humor.
4. Choose someone you admire, and who is uplifting.”

Asking for their Support

1. “Before you ask for support, prepare a plan. What exactly do you expect of them? If you're asking this person to commit, they need to know what they are getting into. It is not reasonable to ask for more than one meeting a month. Define the type of guidance you need. For example, you may want a promotion to manager and want help creating an action plan. Be as specific as you can.
2. Invite the potential mentor to meet to discuss your career. Assure them that you are not asking for a job, you're just looking for some advice.
3. At the meeting, define the relationship and your vision. Don't assume the person you are asking will say, "yes." If you sense they are not sure, ask them to think about it overnight. Give them room to say, "no." If they feel pressured to accept, you may not get the level of participation you want.”

Find a mentor within your current company. Let him or her take you under their wing and teach you the ropes.

Join me on Wednesday to continue learning how to plan a career within the organization

How to Plan a Career 12: Building a Network

This continues our series on how to plan a career within your current employer

Our last post explored the options for growth you may find within your current employer’s organization. You may pursue multiple options for key projects, special assignments, or promotions.

You will proceed better if you build a network within the organization. The Free Dictionary defines a network as “An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support.” The definition outlines three elements of a network:

“Extended group of people with similar interests…”

1. People working at the same company share the corporate interest of showing a profit, exceeding productivity and caring for clients. They want to get things done.
2. They also share a common interest of thriving within the company to find happiness and provide for their family. Each employee desires greater satisfaction and growth in their job.

“…Who interact and remain in informal contact…”

1. Your group makes the effort to interact and remain in contact through emails, conversations, collaborating, coordinating, and other contacts affiliated with working together
2. You also maintain informal contacts. Some groups go out together, play sports together, or just have lunch together. Good networks congratulate others on personal achievements.
3. You also remain informally connected even after leaving the group or company

“For mutual assistance or support”

1. You recognize that your network helps you perform better at work.
• The administrative assistant keeps things organized and flowing smoothly.
• The facilities group maintains your workstations, lights, and machinery.
• The purchasing group ensures you have the materials you need to produce the product.
2. You accept the obligation to provide them your assistance and support. You make the effort to learn what they need. You serve them so they can do their job better or improve their personal life.
3. Your relationship grows as you serve them and they serve you with mutual assistance and support.

Your network increases your visibility. Networks keep each other informed of opportunities. Networks mentor and teach one another. Networks multiply the ability of everyone in the group to achieve their goals.

Join me on Monday when we reexamine how to find a mentor to nurture you within your career