The Exponent Vol 2003 no 7, October 2003
“You To The Power Of Us”

“Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it.”
 - William Durant, founder of General Motors

Welcome
Do you have something you’re going to do? Is it to build your chapter, your life, your relationships? Is it to learn more? Are you intent on owning and/or building a business? Whatever it is, are you doing what it takes to do it? Which part of Pareto’s “equation” do you fall into – the 80% or the 20%?


Like Your Job (or at least the paycheck)?
Summary of an article by John Vincent (Techies.com http://home.techies.com/Common/Content/2001/02/3career_layoffproof.html)

It’s a rough economy out there. People are still losing jobs, and some are even having a hard time finding a first job! How do you keep your job or position yourself to best get one? Find out what bosses need and become that. There are universal things you can do to improve your odds of avoiding being out of work.

Be overqualified.
"The most important thing a person can do to make themselves retainable is continuing education above and beyond any company-funded education," says Jean Mowrey, who helps businesses deal with layoffs. "Understand the history of your job skill, be up to snuff with the latest trends, and know what's on the horizon. Become the go-to expert." And knowing your own current job inside and out may not be enough: A company trimming staff may combine two jobs into one.

Be a team player.
Figure out how best to go “above and beyond” in being a part of what your boss and the company are trying to achieve. "You have to be seen not only as a contributor but also as part of the team," says Shirley Peddy, author of Secrets of The Jungle and the survivor of three rounds of layoffs at Exxon. "You need to make sure you're not one of the people who is 'just doing your job.' "Lots of times people mistakenly think that their job is doing only what they've been asked to do – and those people are very replaceable." The key to weathering layoffs, Peddy says, is to make yourself irreplaceable. Make it impossible for the boss to envision the team without you.

Be a visionary.
Tell your bosses, outrightly and implicitly through your work, that you are concerned with the long term success of the company. Don’t just go to the boss and say, “hey, I’m a concerned employee who wants to help,” either. Actually find some/several things that would really make a difference in some way and then go about getting permission to or simply make them happen (if doing so without first getting permission won’t cause even more problems)

Make favoritism work for you.
No matter how hard you work, no matter what your skills are, some managers are going to make their decisions about who to retain based on who they like the best. The key to making the boss happy with you is to not only do the work assigned, while also going “above and beyond.” Remember to make your boss look good (unless there’s an ethical problem, at least). One way to do that is to find out what her/his boss wants and help your boss deliver on it.


Are You Listening?

Active listening. If those words conjure up images of undergraduate Triangles sitting in rapt attention as you say what you have to say or you don’t know that it is possible to hear without listening, perhaps you should read the following list. Too often in today’s hurried world, we each tend to forget that the listener has responsibility for communication along with the one “sending the message.” We don’t remember as often as we should that we must not let our own “filters” of experience, education, habit, etc. come between us and real understanding. Here’s a list of things we should each practice when it comes to listening. Investing in these actions will help us make our own lives easier, more effective, and more pleasant. That’s a great return on investment!

• Don't assume that you know what the other person is talking about.
• Let them finish what they're saying, and think about it, before responding.
• Don't interrupt.
• Ask questions to clarify what the speaker is saying.
• Suspend judgment.
• Recognize that communication is difficult, and treat it as a powerful stranger.
• Rephrase what you hear. "I hear you saying that…"
• Check out the words as well as the significance of the words.
• Wait for the other person to confirm or clarify your restatement.
• Don't argue with what the other person is saying.
• Accept that the other person thinks what they think, feels what they feel, and wants what they want.
• Ask questions to advance what the speaker is saying.
• Listen for what is said and not said, for what is clear and what is confused.
• Draw the speaker out.
• Don't change the subject until the speaker feels satisfied that his or her original thought has been communicated and fully developed.
• Think of yourself as a catalyst for learning rather than as a competitor for airtime.
• Maintain a high commitment to the truth.
• Don't violate the speaker's space with probing questions that pry into private areas, unmentioned by the speaker.
• Ask questions to acknowledge what the other person is saying.
• Make sure the speaker feels heard.

Active listening is the only way to truly listen. All other listening is a pretense that leaves people empty, unsatisfied, and unfulfilled. Unfortunately, active listening is the exception rather than the rule. In the workplace as well as in the home, we do not practice these skills on a consistent basis. We tease and taunt, push and pull, demand and doubt, criticize and condemn leaving everyone battered and bruised in the process. Wouldn’t you rather feel fulfilled than bruised? Don’t you suppose “the other guy” feels the same way?


A Short Sketch
Br. Galynn Ferris neb

The following set of contrasting remarks has been offered as a character sketch of a good leader. For a personal challenge, as you read through the list, circle the descriptive words you believe most closely identify you!

Self-reliant but not Self-sufficient
Energetic but not Self-seeking
Steadfast but not Stubborn
Tactful but not Timid
Serious but not Sullen
Loyal but not Sectarian
Unmovable but not Stationary
Gentle but not Hypersensitive
Tenderhearted but not Touchy
Conscientious but not a Perfectionist
Disciplined but not Demanding
Generous but not Gullible
Meek but not Weak
Humorous but not Hilarious
Friendly but not Familiar
Holy but not Holier-than-thou
Discerning but not Critical
Progressive but not Pretentious
Authoritative but not Autocratic



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Comments, Questions, and Material always welcomed!


In F, S, & C,

Tim Eiler minn87

Pursue Excellence Relentlessly!!!!