Use Behavioral Interviews to Build Team Diversity

Use Behavioral Interviews to Build Team DiversityUse Behavioral Interviews to Build Team DiversityUse Behavioral Interviews to Build Team Diversity PofeldtIts hard to imagine the Green Bay Packers trying to recruit a team where every player was just like quarterback Aaron Rodgers or linebacker Clay Matthews, great as these players are. Pro-football coaches know that winning is about having a diverse team, where members each contribute something unique.The saatkorn holds true in the workplace.Many managers understand this and try to use behavioral einstellungsgesprchsto select the applicants with the best qualifications for each individual job.In behavioral interviews, candidates are asked how they handled past situations, giving you a sense of how they will think and perform in the future.However, the recent trend toward hiring employees for culture fit how well they fit into the existing office vibe can sometimes work against achieving the team diversity companies want, even when firms rely heavily on behavioral interviews to select their team, experts say.The Diversity AdvantageIn asking high-performing employees to tap their professional networks for new recruits like themselves, firms sometimes end up with a group that is lacking in the fresh perspectives and diverse experiences that foster innovation.The challenge, especially for small businesses, is we have a propensity to hire people like ourselves, says Domniki Demetriadou, director, process management, assessments and recruitment services at The WorkPlace Group, a provider of outsourced and strategic recruiting solutions in the New York City area.That can cause firms to fall behind more diverse competitors. McKinsey Co. found in a 2015 report that companies that are in the top quarter for ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to achieve financial results better than the national zentralwert for their industry than less diverse peers. Firms in the top 25% for gender diversity are 15% more likely to be at the median financial performance for their industry.The good news is that by using best practices for conducting a behavioral interview, it is possible to identify candidates who are good culture fit while also building team diversity.These tips will help get you started.Know what values matter to your firm. Getting clear on the core values that define your company culture and putting them in writing will help you craft behavioral interview questions that reveal whether candidates are in sync.In general, when you are looking at someone to see if they are going to be a good culture fit, you want to see if they have a similar value system to the owner or, if its more of a midsize company, the executive committee, says business psychologist Dave Popple, president of Psynet Group, a management consulting firm in New York City that helps companies select talent.Once you see they have the same values and purpose, you start to look for diversity. Youre looking for people to be very simi lar when it comes to value choices and very different when it comes thinking style, personality, and so forth.Map your interviews in advance. When you are hiring for culture fit, the best behavioral interview questions will give candidates a chance to share stories about how they have demonstrated the values your company prizes or not, experts says.Include these questions in a written interview guide for your team to use for each candidate, along with a scoring system that rates certain types of answers on a scale of one to five.The value of an interview guide is everyone who is interviewing is on the same page, says Baltimore-based leadership consultant Karin Hurt, CEO of the consulting firm Lets Grow Leaders, and a former Verizon Wireless executive with experience in human resources.Lets say one core value at your firm is keeping customers happy,no matter what it takes.A good behavioral interview question might be, Tell me about a time you had to deal with a customer service probl em but couldnt resolve it within current company guidelines.In the interview guide, you might award the highest points to candidates who found smart workarounds to company rules, within the bounds of what the firm deems acceptable.You have a context to compare the candidates response to what works within your company or is valued, Demetriadou says.Ask right-size questions. The right behavioral interview questions can also help you select employees who will fit into your size company. For instance, if you run a startup and want to make sure candidates have the roll-up-your-sleeves attitude to get things done, you might say, Tell me about a time you had to build something from scratch. What was the process? How did it go? says Hurt.Someone who cant come up with such examples or offers very superficial ones might not be a good fit for your firm.Build checks and balances into the system. Companies tend to miss out on hiring diverse candidates in the behavioral interview process when int erviewers default to hiring people who just click personally, say experts. Such snap decisions can leave other qualified candidates, including those who might bring welcome diversity, on the sidelines.To avoid that trap, arrange a panel interview before making any final hires and spending five or 10 minutes afterward with colleagues to discuss how the candidate performed.Hurt realized the strength of this approach when she was leaning toward hiring a candidate with rich experience in a specific technical area, and her team, during the panel interview, voiced strong support for a different candidate.They felt this person had a diversity in background that would really complement the team, she says. They felt he was really passionate about leadership and creating cultural change, which was something we were really trying to do at the time.Ultimately, Hurt didnt go with her gut instinct but with the candidate her team picked and never regretted the choice. After all, she explains, he w as going to be their peer.

How to Strategically Play the Job Hunting Game

How to Strategically Play the Job Hunting GameHow to Strategically Play the Job Hunting GameThe job market is tough and competitive and job hunting can become a hectic routine unless you understand how to strategically play the game. Here are a few tips every job hunter should knowAlways keep trackYou should always keep track of the information youre collecting and write it down in one place when you start applying for jobs. This should include important details like the name of the companies youve applied to as well as the positions youve shown interest in pursuing. This will help keep track of and evaluate your job hunting efforts as a whole.Promote by building reputationIts notlage a bad thing to promote yourself, and you can do it without coming off as an egotistical person. Create a portfolio of your work and then share it on social media. It will showcase your skills and hopefully help you land a job that matches your qualifications. It also shows potential employers that you a re self-assertive and proactive.Build out your LinkedIn profileIts important to have a professional profile on LinkedIn as it give employers an easy way of reaching out to you because they can see what you have to offer them right there on your profile page. We can help you build out a profile that will showcase your best qualifications.Create an impressive resumeIts sad to say but many job seekers never make it past the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) so they dont stand a chance at getting their resume in front of the recruiter. We can help with that as well because every Executive Drafts resume is reviewed by a recruiter, hiring manager, and professional writer to get you past the ATS and help you land a great jobContact us for a complimentary resume critique today, and youll see whyForbesnames us one of 15 websites to jump start your career. Our clients believe were the top resume service, and you can read their reviews onYelp Lastly, were active in the Reddit community, where we critique hundreds of resumes. You can find our commentshere.

5 Ways Youre Hurting Your Career Without Realizing It

5 Ways Youre Hurting Your Career Without Realizing It5 Ways Youre Hurting Your Career Without Realizing It There are certain behaviors that are bound to make you look bad on the job. Showing up late, for example, is a good way to incur your boss wrath, as is ditching team meetings or handing assignments in past their deadlines. But there are certain less obvious things you might be doing at work that could damage your career in the long run. Here are five to be aware of.You probably know that constantly moaning in front of your boss isnt the best career move. But griping too much to your peers could have the same effect. If you gain a reputation as someone whos perpetually ungrateful and never satisfied, your colleagues wont want to partner with you on projects for fear that your negativity will impact them. A better bet, therefore, is to keep your complaining to a minimum. Its OK to grumble when your manager asks you to work late three nights in a row, but dont whi ne about every little thing that gets under your skin.Once you get used to a certain routine at work, sticking with it can be comforting. Its also a good practice in stress avoidance. After all, if you know what youre doing, youre less likely to make mistakes or face challenges that make you look weak. Heres the problem, though If you keep up the same routine for too long, youll risk cornering yourself into a dead-end job with limited to no room for growth. Instead, try asking your manager to work on a few new projects here and there so that youre dabbling in different things. Incidentally, this will help with the boredom factor, which might work wonders for your outlook.Its a good thing to have the ability to focus on important assignments and avoid the distractions so many office workers face. But if you err on the side of not being social at work at all, it might impede your ability to build relationships with your peers. Rather than stay put at your desk staring at your laptop a ll the time, make an effort to meet new people and explore networking opportunities within your company. Knowing the right people might help your career just as much as your solid output.Many employees would rather sit back and wait for their managers to critique their work rather than ask for feedback . But actually, the mora feedback you receive, the more opportunities youll get to improve as you go. Rather than avoid asking for feedback for fear of opening up a can of worms, ask your boss for a quarterly sit-down to discuss your performance. This will show your manager that youre invested in doing well and arent too proud to accept criticism.You might think that working late consistently will help your career, since it shows your manager that youre willing to put in the time to get things done. But if you clock those long hours all the time, youll risk burning out and having your performance suffer as a result. Rather than go that route, save your late nights for when the situ ation really warrants it, but leave the office at a reasonable hour a good amount of the time. That way, you wont be the person who gets taken advantage of by folks who come to expect a certain commitment you were never obliged to make in the first place.The last thing you want to do is engage in behavior that hurts your career instead of helping it. Avoid these mistakes, and with any luck, youll excel on the job and keep moving forward.This article was originally published on The Motley Fool . It is reprinted with permission.

The number of people working from home has grown an astounding amount since 2000

The number of people working from home has grown an astounding amount since 2000The number of people working from home has grown an astounding amount since 2000The American commute has changed drastically over the last two decades.As more and more American business shift into a more friendly work atmosphere for workers including increased attention to their personal being, 62% more people are working from home compared to 2000, the largest change in commuting methods, according to a new study.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe study by TrueCar analyzed data from the American Community Survey to compile data in order to get an idea of how America commutes and where its going to be heading in the future.Remote access, which has become a new norm in the workforce, benefits both the employer and employee, according to the survey. Workers are able to avoid commutes while businesses can enjoy reduced operational costs and access a wider pool of talent.Compared to the start of the century, nearly double the amount of Americans (46%) are using motorcycles or scooters when going to work. Taxi commutes nearly doubled as well.The rise in remote access has started hotbed towns where employees arent going to the office. When looking over a five-year period between 2012 to 2017, 12.9% of Bend-Redmond, OR worked from home in 2017, a 7.3% increase from 2012. Other areas that saw large increases included Hanford-Corcoran, CA, Wenatchee, WA, and Asheville, NC.A recent survey of work-from-homers found that 75% enjoyed the comfort of their home offices that they wished they could work remotely forever. The reasoning behind that varied but comfort was at the top with almost half to the workers admitting to working from their beds for an average of 11 hours a week.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

5 Japanese Work Customs to TryAnywhere in the World

5 Japanese Work Customs to TryAnywherbeie in the World5 Japanese Work Customs to Try- Anywhere in the WorldBowing to your colleagues, using super-polite language, and observing formal rituals when exchanging business cards are just a few of the ways doing business in Japan is different than anywhere else in the world.I didnt worry about any of that when I decided to move there after college- I welches too intoxicated by visions of neon lights, bullet trains, and cherry blossoms. But after eight years and several jobs, ranging from English teacher and magazine writer to TV extra, I found myself immersed in this notoriously complex culture, adopting many customs that I would once have found unusual.And now that Ive been back in the States for a few years, Ive realized that I dont want to forget the habits I picked up in Japan. In fact, I think that trying a few of them here just might make everyones job a little more enjoyable. Here are a few Japanese customs that workers worldwide can learn from- and (easily) adopt.1. Start and End Every Encounter with a GreetingWhen I taught in a Japanese junior high for the first time, my mouth nearly dropped to the floor when all the students stood up at the beginning of the class and bowed to me. Luckily, I was never expected to learn all the rules of bowing (its much more complicated than it looks), but observing behauptung exchanges within my own workplace taught me that greetings are essential and should not be neglected.Taking the time to address people any time you meet them may seem like a frivolity, especially when everyone is always in a rush, but theres something about starting and ending an exchange with politeness and courtesy that helps to smooth over everything that comes between. Small things, like saying hello and goodbye to your boss or co-workers every day or starting and ending emails with friendly greetings, can make a huge difference in the strength of your professional relationships.2. Take Care of Your EnvironmentIn the Japanese school system, the entire school participates in an activity called souji, which involves cleaning the classroom and the rest of the campus. Students, teachers, and principals alike will sweep the floors, wipe the blackboards, and pick up any scraps of paper or garbage they find. Because students know that theyll have to clean up, theyre much less likely to make messes in the first place- and they feel a larger sense of pride in their school.I loved this practice of taking responsibility for your environment, and it can certainly be applied in any workplace. Next time you see a mess in the office, instead of thinking It was like that when I found it, consider leaving things in better condition than when you arrived. If you have a common area where people eat lunch, make koranvers the table is wiped down and clean. Pick up trash that you see in the lobby or hallway. Youll be surprised by how a small gesture like this can improve your mood- and your attitude about your office- almost instantaneously.3. Learn to Appreciate the UnspokenThe Japanese believe that for every thought or opinion, there exists honne, your true feeling, and tatemae, what you say to another person to prevent hurt feelings and promote harmonious interaction. This means that its very uncommon for people to directly criticize or disagree with another person. It also means that for people coming from Western cultures, it can be extremely difficult to understand whats going on.But, as I eventually learned, even if theyre not saying it, the Japanese still express their real feelings in subtle ways. For example, when one of my co-workers would try to veer radically from the agenda in a meeting, my boss would tilt her head slightly and purse her lips. Instead of outright telling him to stay on topic, she hoped that her facial expressions would convey her displeasure.Think about how you can pay more attention to non-verbal communication in your daily life. Take a moment t o look at peoples facial expressions and body language. Are you engaging the interest of the committee conducting your job interview, or are they just counting down the minutes until they can politely usher you out of the room? Are people on the edge of their seats during your presentation, or slumped back in their chairs, tuned out? Once you know how to pick up on unterstellung types of cues, you can figure out how to adjust your behavior accordingly.4. Keep Yourself FreshIn Japan, I had a close group of female co-workers who Id often join for lunch. Inevitably, when we returned to the office, everyone would head to the bathroom to freshen up their makeup and brush their teeth- something Id never experienced in the States When you think about it, though, its such a no-brainer. Youre working in close quarters with people, and you dont want your lunch breath to waft over to the next desk and disturb your co-workers.While appearance isnt everything, small details like fresh breath or a little extra deodorant after a hot walk to work can really help you make a positive impression on someone- and avoid turning a potential client or business lebensabschnittsgefhrte off. Try keeping a set of things that help you stay fresh- a toothbrush, deodorant, hairbrush, and the like- in your desk drawer, and dont be afraid to use them (in private, of course).5. Dont Dismiss Anything as TrivialJapan is well known for taking attention to detail to an almost obsessive extreme- just look at bonsai or exquisitely crafted sushi This applies in an office setting, too. A lot of Japanese business etiquette revolves around details that may seem trivial if youre unfamiliar with them, like who should get into an elevator first, where you should sit in a taxi if youre riding with co-workers, and what type of tea you should serve to your visitors (it varies depending on the season).Its important to pay close attention to detail in the work world- even if the detail appears not to matter. Su re, you know you ought to avoid making typos in your resume or showing up late for a meeting. But have you thought about paying closer attention to where you sit and what your posture is like during a meeting? Whether you chat with other people in the elevator? What about the way you respond to a phone call thats a wrong number? Even though these things may seem minor, nailing them can make all the difference in making you look professional and likeable.The bullet trains and neon lights may just be faded memories now, and Ive even trained myself to stop doing mini bows when I run into my co-workers at the water cooler or on the way to the bathroom, but not a day goes by that I dont put into practice one of the business customs I picked up in Japan. I think youll find that adding a little extra courtesy, respect, and attention to detail to your work- no matter where in the world you find yourself- can only be a good thing.Photo courtesy of iStock / Thinkstock.

The War Against Sales Associate Resume Skills

The War Against Sales Associate Resume Skills The Principles of Sales Associate Resume Skills You Will be Able to Benefit From Beginning Right Away If youre searching for a career in sales, the very first place to begin is in your resume. You dont need to devote months, or maybe a complete week. The brief answer is you should incorporate any social media that may help you win the job. The hiring manager will be seeking to see whether your abilities are an excellent match for the organization. Skill requirements will change depending on the job for which youre applying, so make aya to read the work description carefully and review our list of skills listed by job and variety of skill. Just make sure you tailor your objective to the particular sales job youre applying for. You may not think of them as skills, but they might be learned, and should you highlight them in the hiring procedure, youll be more inclined to find the job. If you are uncertain about what to include, req uest assistance from folks who know you well. Your list of skills shows employers what youve learned from previous employment opportunities and what it is you are fruchtwein likely to bring to a different position. Sharpen these skills to lead your organization in the correct direction and construct the geschftlicher umgang you desire. Lots of people contribute to a prosperous retail company and therefore there are a lot of career opportunities in retail. The last product should appear similar to the professionally written resumes at the peak of the webpage. A sale does not need to involve an item. Some customer tafelgeschirr resume samples are offered on the internet, and they might have the ability to offer additional beneficial tips regarding inclusions, but they might not always have the most optimum structure. Sales Associate Resume Skills Ideas Superior communication and analytical abilities, the ability to multitask and meet strict deadlines and the capacity to work both independently and cooperatively produce a proven history of high performance and productivity. If youre a recent graduate or career changer free of experience in retail sales, you will want to compose a sales resume objective. Your sales associate resume needs to appear professional if you wish to have your credentials stick out in a crowded field. Youll have to understand standard accounting and stocking to keep tabs on where you are with respect to your targets and where you should be. Based on what position you want to apply for, associated skills ought to be highlighted properly on a resume. Also make certain you list all your abilities or miss one of the main information. You will need fundamental accounting skills to produce a change and to notice errors. You might have sales-related skills that youre unaware of, like your capacity to persuade, build strong relationships and present solutions. Generally, Sales Associates represent the business and assist custome rs by assessing their requirements and helping them find the correct merchandise or services. A sales associate can help customers in making the best choices should they have good understanding of the goods and services theyre selling. In some instances, they associate resume will also need to include cold calling and customer service duties as well. Retail sales associates work very closely with customers, thats the big reason they should be in a position to resolve the clients complaints satisfactorily. If you are able to write a concise, informative career objective, youll be certain to find the interest of an employer. Your resume is considerably more than a list of former employers and job descriptions. You are not going to have a chance to show your skills in the workplace as you wont bag the job in case you dont prove it beforehand Your livelihood application notice is generally a chance to emphasize your most relevant credentials in addition to experiences. Choosin g Good Sales Associate Resume Skills You have to be dependable, efficient, and can multitask. A sales representative has to be very personable, energetic, trustworthy, and results-oriented. To begin with, show off your prior sales experience and offer details about your accomplishments. Another significant part communication is listening. Its possible to learn to compose a compelling objective statement for your sales associate resume by studying the above mentioned samples, which you may also adapt in earning your objective statements. The easiest way to get interest from the species of staff you want to retain the expert services of shall be because in depth as possible within the description. For example, you may have been required to speak to customers on the telephone or speak to a group of people about an item. To begin with, youre not certain who will read the resume. If you think you have what it requires to be successful in sales, then that in itself is a step in t he proper direction. Its your opportunity to advertise yourself. The Sales associate should be able to come up with a thorough understanding of the current market trends and ought to be in a position to implement these trends cost effectively and also must maximize profit. The Sales Associate must be mindful of all of the developments in the item and a crystal clear understanding of the industry status. Because the retail business is transactional nature, it is simple to consist of numerical quantification to project competence. Identify what the customer is searching for and help her or him solve their problem with an item. You want to get them leave the store happy with the feeling they accomplished their goal, and wish to return to shop at your store later on. The sales associate is generally the very first person a customer encounters on going into the store. Customer service takes in several of distinct jobs. An in-depth understanding of your store is essential, too. Get the Scoop on Sales Associate Resume Skills Before Youre Too Late When it regards your heading, you should be aware that its becoming common to list where you are by city or town without your whole address, since employers are not likely to should send you any mail whenever there are easier ways to get in touch with you. If youre searching for the suitable place to begin, look no further than the resume examples below. Your resume should be formatted in an easy, professional way. The one problem is there are many fish in the sea the same as you.

Why It#8217;s a Good Idea to Make Your Team Multilingual

Why It8217s a Good Idea to Make Your Team Multilingual We believe that the largest limitation to any company with grenzberschreitend ambitions is no longer technological its human, says Jake Jolis, cofounder and CEO of online language-learning platform Verbling. Companies that want to successfully strengthen their international business arent limited by how equipped their computers are, but rather by how equipped their people are.Thats why Joliss companyrecently launchedVerbling Enterprise, a new service that enables companies to set up language lessons for their employees.The Problem Language BarriersVerbling Enterprise aims to address one of the biggest problems in international business language barriers. Although email, chat, and video conferencing make it easy to communicate acrosslong distances, international colleagues do not necessarily understand one another when they do get in contact.According to a 2013 U.S. Department of Commerce report, foreign-owned companies employed 5.6 million people in the U.S., and U.S.-owned businesses employed 11.6 million workers abroad. While some companies strictly hire polyglott employees to make sure employees can communicate across national boundaries, that requirement disqualifies talented individuals who are willing and eager to learn.Normally, companies would address the language barrier by hiring language consultants who visit their offices during set hours to teach group lessons. Human resource managers get stuck coordinating schedules among dozens of employees, and inevitably, there are conflicts, which means attendance for these classes is low. Few employees learn new language skills, and the company doesnt see much, if any, return on its investment.Learning Language Through TechVerbling Enterprise wants to change that by making corporate language programs digital. When companies sign up for Verbling Enterprise, employees are able tobook their language lessons with professional , native-speaking teachers. Employers dont have to worry about scheduling lessons, contracting instructors, or tracking language proficiencies. Their teams can learn new languages from the office or at home, and lessona are available 24/7.We are a technology company, and we dont believe the role of technology is to replace teachers. Its to empower them, Jolis says. Software is good at many things, but its awful at the spoken conversation practice people desperately need. When learning a foreign language, access to the human-to-human speaking practice is what usually makes the difference between novice and expert.Lessons take place with individual teachers over video chat, and Verbling vets prospective teachers to ensure they meet rigorous standards. Instead of codifying a certain way of teaching, Verbling believes learners are unique and their teacher should be, too.That is what makes us so powerful for businesses, says Jolis. HR doesnt have to worry about trying to find a one-size- fits-all teacher for their company, and employees get to pick a teacher who matches their style of learning.Different companies have different needs. Moreover, different employees within each company have different needs. Verbling Enterprise personalizes lessons around the individual employees goals.Setting Companies Up for International SuccessTwo of the biggest challenges international businesses face when battling language barriers materialize in internal communication and efforts to expand. For some of these businesses, internal communication between offices in different countries functions as a central concern. And for companies that want to offer their services to customers whose first language is different from their own, international expansion becomes problematic without a linguistic common ground.In both cases, we reduce language barriers within the company through investment in foreign language skills, Jolis says.From growing revenue in a new market to cutting costs by im proving a supply chain, conducting business across language barriers remains critical to any company with global ambitions.

How to Play the Devils Advocate (Without Being Evil)

How to Play the Devils Advocate (Without Being Evil)How to Play the Devils Advocate (Without Being Evil)So youre brainstorming with some colleagues, and a new idea is put on the table. An idea that, lets just say you arent exactly loving.This is a delicate endeavor. Voice yur opinion too fervently, and you risk offending your colleagues or squashing a good idea that could develop later. But, say nothing, and the idea could easily veer way out into left field- leaving feelings intact, but also leaving you worried about the fate of your team or company.In these types of situations, its no surprise most of us hedge our feedback by blaming our favorite red-tailed villain before voicing our opinion, starting the conversation with, Im just playing devils advocate.And yes, that little devil can be your friend- if you know how to use him. After all, being the dissenting voice your team needs requires a bit mora strategy than a one-liner. So here are a few guidelines for playing devils advoca te- without coming across as an evil mastermind.Know When to Play the PartIf Hollywood has taught us anything, its that you dont mess with the Prince of Darkness unless youre prepared to handle the consequences. Before you can play devils advocate in the office, you first need to seriously consider whether or not itll be worth it. There are some situations where no amount of help- nefarious or otherwise- will do anything but piss off your colleague. Playing the other side with your anfhrer, for example, should be approached with extra care (and I dont recommended it for novice debaters).So before you engage the strategies below, first consider the worst-case scenario. How receptive is this colleague to feedback, based on past experience? Is she likely to go completely off the rails when she realizes youre poking holes in her idea? How might your challenge impact your working relationship with her or with your team? And what will your boss think when he or she hears about it? Try to imagine how the conversation could go wrong, and weigh that against the importance of the topic at hand.If you do decide to play devils advocate, then your next step isnt to say anything- its to to start listening.ListenBefore you can justify disagreeing with someones idea, let her fully lay it out for you first. That means Sit down, pay attention, and make sure the idea-sharer knows youre hearing her. Establishing that connection reinforces respect, and will make your colleagues much more receptive to feedback later on.As youre listening, try to find ways you actually agree, whether its in process or intent. Finding any common ground will help soften any feedback you give later on, and show that youve taken the time to consider the idea from every angle.Just think like your eighth-grade English Lit teacher told you, and tell yourself there are no dumb ideas. At least- not at first.Test in Real Life SituationsEven if youre positive an idea has no legs, the person sharing it obviousl y thought it did, so after youve heard all the nitty-gritty, ask how the plan would play out in real life.For example, if someone has an idea to increase productivity by corralling the team into a communal table in the middle of the office, ask how certain aspects of business would be impacted by the change. What happens if a client calls and the rest of the team is in the midst of a heated debate? What about confidentiality and privacy?By allowing your colleague to walk you through her vision of how various real situations would be handled, you not only confirm that shes considered those potential snags (or not) but you allow her the chance to discuss the challenges without coming right out and telling her you dont agree.Also, dont forget to keep an open mind during this stage. Playing the devils advocate to someone elses ideas also means you need to apply the same standards to your own. Give ideas an honest chance, and test out your own assumptions, too. You just might discover th at the idea has merit, after all.Stay Positive French poet Charles Baudelaire once wrote, The devils finest trick is to persuade you that he does not exist. Thats pretty much what you want to accomplish if youre playing the part yourself. That means, even as youre disagreeing with someone, you should keep your tone positive and encouraging, and try to emphasize that your goal is to address the problem as a team- not just to shoot down an idea.Practically speaking Before you give your feedback, try to find something meaningful (but not too benign) about the idea and comment on that. This is where having that common ground comes in handy. For example, if you were trying to persuade the CEO of Yahoo not to force all the staff working remotely to give up their freedom and work at the corporate headquarters (hypothetical, of course), you could point out that you appreciate the sentiment behind having the entire team under one roof to help foster collaboration. Then proceed. Make it clear youve listened to the idea with an open mind, and shell be much more receptive to your point of view.Dont Beat a Dead HorseThat said, once youve made your point, dont dwell. If everyone has come to your way of thinking as a result, fantastic, but nobody appreciates a gloater. If, however, youve failed to sway everyone in the room, the same strategy applies. Give it a rest and let everyone marinate on the topic for a while before bringing it up again. Remember, if you havent convinced them yet, hearing your thoughts seven more times probably isnt going to do the trick. Youll need a much stronger argument- or to simply admit defeat. (Unfortunately, you cant win them all.)Whether you believe in a red-faced villain with horns and a tail or not, when it comes to playing devils advocate, the mayhem that could ensue if you dont play the part with care is as real as your paycheck, and it should be handled with that in mind. But, when done right, playing devils advocate can not only help ad vance your own ideas, it can build trust and strengthen your relationship with colleagues and help you all reach a better solution to the problem at hand- all without actually being evil.Photo of colleagues brainstorming courtesy of Shutterstock.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 welches passed an employer could reject a job applicant because of his or her race, religion, sex or national origin. An employer could turn down an employee for a promotion, decide not to give him or her a particular assignment or in some other way discriminate against that person because he or she was black or white, Jewish, Muslim or Christian, a man or a woman or Italian, German or Swedish. And it would all be legal. What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 When Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, employment discrimination on the basis of an individuals race, religion, sex, national origin or color became illegal. This law protects employees of a company as well as job applicants. All companies with 15 or more employees are required to adhere to the rules set forth by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law also establishe d the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a bipartisan commission that is made up of five members appointed by the president. It continues to enforce Title VII and other laws that protect us against employment discrimination. How Does Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Protect You? Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects both employees and job applicants. Here are some ways in which it does that, according to the EEOC An employer cant make hiring decisions based on an applicants color, race, religion, sex or national origin. An employer cant discriminate based on these factors when recruiting job candidates, advertising for a job or testing applicants.An employer cant decide whether or not to promote a worker or fire one, based on the employees color, race, religion, sex or national origin. He or she cant use this information when classifying or assigning workers.An employer cant use an employees race, color, religion, sex or national origin to det ermine his or her pay, fringe benefits, retirement plans or disability leave. An employer cant harass you because of your race, color, religion, sex or national origin. In 1978, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1978 and made it illegal to discriminate against pregnant women in matters related to employment. Read about the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. What To Do If Your Boss or Prospective Employer Fails to Abide by Title VII Just because a law is in place doesnt mean people will follow it. Almost half a century after Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was passed, in 2013, the EEOC received93,727 individual complaints. Many claimed multiple types of discrimination. There were 33,068 complaints of race discrimination,27,687 claims of sex discrimination,3,721 reports of discrimination based on religion,3,146 claims of color discrimination and10,642 reports of national origin discrimination (Charge Statistics FY 1997 through FY 2013. Equa l Employment Opportunity Commission). If you experience discrimination at work or in the hiring process go to the EEOC Web Site and read the rules for filing a charge of employment discrimination.

Why Getting to Know Your Colleagues Is Important - The Muse

Why Getting to Know Your Colleagues Is Important - The MuseWhy Getting to Know Your Colleagues Is Important I nailed every word of the presentation. I articulated my points, my visual aids were clear, and my data outlined every reason my peers should get on board with my new big project launching a peer-coaching program. This initiative was sure to make me shine in my role as a leadership coach.But as I looked up from my slides, I could see that the audience was unmoved. Several said they simply didnt have time for it. Others sat silently, but the look on their faces told me all I needed to know They werent into it and wouldnt hilfestellung it- or me. I walked out of the room defeated. Without the critical backing of this group, my project was doomed to fail.Afterward, I sought out my boss for feedback, but her candid response left me even mora stunned. You should take the time to get to know each of your co-workers personally they all have really interesting stories to tell. Huh? Wh at did getting to know my colleagues have anything to do with working together professionally? How is knowing what position Gregs kid plays in little league going to help me to get my work done? Or where Jane is getting married?I considered myself a caring person. I used to be a social worker But, as I thought more about my boss advice, it dawned on me that perhaps there was a disconnect between how my new co-workers expected me to act and how I was behaving. Id completely failed to recognize the culture of my new workplace- not to mention the fact that building relationships with co-workers beyond spreadsheet data had been increasing in importance for a while.When team members came into my office and wanted to chat about their weekends, I half-listened before hastily wrapping up the conversation with a glad to hear, gotta go back to work. When people asked me to lunch, I told them I had a big deadline (which most of the time I did), and replied, maybe next time. But there never was a next time.Heeding my managers advice (I had nothing to lose, after all), I began investing time, energy, and effort into getting to know my colleagues- and not because I was pushing an agenda. I asked my teammate Rebecca how she was spending the holiday weekend. I stopped by Dans cubicle and invited him to join me for a coffee break. I stopped walking past Marys desk in a big hurry in the morning and instead paused to say hello and ask who was pictured in the frame next to her computer. And I listened with my full attention.It took some time for them trust that I was being sincere. In fact, some of them even directly asked me what I needed or wanted, referencing my by now, long-forgotten project. Opting to be candid, I explained that Id made a mistake when I first came on board Id not taken the time to get to know the most important part of my new company, the people. It took time to build relationships and form friendships. But, you know what happened? Being genuinely interested in others and building relationships eased the stress of deadlines and the strain of long projects. Being a true people-person felt good I quickly learned that work relationships are instrumental in helping you succeed. People respond well to those they know and those who treat them right. Once I realized this, three notable things happenedI got picked for better projectsMy ideas were heard (and very often approved)I received additional support When you have strong relationships with your colleagues, youre far more likely to be respected. And when youre respected, you can speak and expect people to listen to what youre saying. Even if your co-workers dont 100% agree with your ideas, theyre likely to take a chance and offer approval if they value you as a person and professional. Having colleagues on your side means that if you make the infrequent last-minute request, ask for a favor, or even miss a deadline, youre not going to be punished for it. Youll be forgiven quickly and every one will move on. Ive come a long way from that crash and burn, and now my days are spent guiding others to career success and fulfillment. The guiding principle on which my practice rests is that the more effort and genuine care you put into building strong work relationships, the more successful youll be.