Real-life Leaders, Their Shortcomings, and How They Overcame Them "A business owner has to realize that, as the saying goes, 'A skunk stinks from the head down,' and a business does too," writes Bill McBean in his book The Facts of Business Life. That’s why, McBean posits, behind every great leader is a successful business. But just because you’re sitting in the leader’s chair doesn’t mean you excel at managing and motivating a team. Plenty of highly-placed executives lack essential people skills, or worse, rule with a bully’s iron fist -- it’s their way or the highway, a la TV bosses Donald T... view article details

Summer Presents Unique Opportunities for You to Advance Your Career Summer is No Time to Slack Off at Work And suddenly, Summer. Coats go into storage, you’re buying sunscreen by the gallon, and your mind instantly shifts from spreadsheets and status meetings to suntans and sandy beaches. However, while kids might be screaming "school's out for summer" and racing for the playground, things don't quite work that way as an adult in the business world. But don't worry, the tips below won't be as painful as summer school. So here are 5 ways you can use summer to your advantage professionally. ... view article details

Tips for Getting Out of a Rut & Back on the Horse What to Do After You Get the Axe Maybe you thought everything was going fine at your job, and you were shocked to get your walking papers. Maybe you made a mistake that led to being let go. Whatever the reason for being fired, the effects can be devastating financially and emotionally -- often leaving people drained of their savings and their self-esteem. But the effects don't end there, says Dana Manciagli, veteran hiring manager and author of "Cut the Crap, Get a Job!" She points out for better or worse, it's much easier to find a new job ... view article details

Over the last two years you've heard it: "Consider yourself lucky to have a job." Whether coming from the manager sugar-coating furloughs and four-day work weeks, or the family member who needs help with the rent -- again! -- going through the same routines, when what you really want is to move on, can be soul-destroying. But on balance, are things so bad? Does leaving really make sense? You decide… This job doesn’t challenge me anymore Stay: In today’s job market, it is unlikely your boss is concerned that you might walk, so why should you? Keep plugging away and allow yourself the time and s... view article details

You Can Be Introverted & Excel at Public Speaking Recently, after I gave a presentation, a few audience members came up to me and insisted that I couldn’t possibly be an introvert (could, too!). Why? They said I was “on fire”—fully engaged with my audience. I was giving a workshop on public speaking, and had a ball helping make such a universally feared activity accessible, and even fun.Like many introverts, even though I need my quiet time to get fueled before and after a presentation, I enjoy being in front of the room, engaging with audiences. How can you do that? The trick is to t... view article details

In our unstable economic times, there are few employees who feel absolutely sure their job will still be here tomorrow. But it's not productive to be distracted by needless worry every day. So how do we know when to relax and when to worry (and start polishing up that resume?) Pay attention to true warning signals, but don't get too caught up in office gossip. It can lead to low morale. Just keep your eyes open for these signs that your job may be on its way to the downsize dump.1. There are rumors of layoffs Here's an obvious one. Generally, when the... view article details

Make the Best of a Good Situation In many ways, it is an ideal situation. Looking for a job while you already have one has many benefits. You can take your time to find a job that you love without feeling the pressure of having to pay the rent. You get to bone up on your interviewing skills, and discover if the field that you’re interested in is really a fit for you.That is, if you don’t get caught.The one huge caveat about job hunting while you have a job is just that…you already have a job. And if your boss or catty colleague catches wind that you’re interviewing for another positio... view article details

There's a Right and Wrong Way to Quit a Job So you're quitting? Congratulations on getting a new gig or just getting out of your old job that wasn't working. But no matter why you're leaving, make sure you do it the right way.Your parents probably told you to be the bigger person, right? Well now it's time to put that to the test. And that test can be pretty difficult if you really hated your job. There's no question that, for some people, it feels really good to quit with a bang and stick it to everyone who wronged you in the past. But even though that'll give you instant gratificati... view article details

Don't Hate, Appreciate! The first Friday of March is Employee Appreciation Day. But do you feel appreciated?This 'holiday,' established in 1995, serves as a day to honor workers across the country. After all, National Bosses Day is celebrated in October, so it’s only fair the rank and file employees have their moment in the sun as well. That’s why it doesn’t matter whether you scrub toilets or if you’re a budding advertising executive on Madison Avenue – Employee Appreciation Day is about recognizing people for a job well done. Every job and every worker.The question is how should you... view article details

When Your Work Is Done, Get Out of There Pamela Selle wants you to go the heck (we softened up her original language) home. Seriously. If it is 6 p.m. or if you are done with your projects for the day or your brain is just burned out from the last eight hours of staring at a monitor, Selle says, just get out of the office. It's tough to be the first one to leave the office for fear it makes you look bad, but going home when your work is done does have benefits. It's better for your productivity, it's better for your employer, and it is most assuredly better for you. In February, Phila... view article details