The Leaders Guide to Team Productivity

The Leader’s Guide to Team Productivity Imagine you have a team of skilled, talented, and educated professionals. Each team member has relevant training and experience, a good attitude, and a solid work ethic. They even get along with each other. And when all these pieces fall into place, they get resultsâ€"they deliver high-quality projects on time and to spec. The problem is the pieces don’t always fall into place. One teammate promises to deliver and then doesn’t. He or she forgets deadlines, misses meetings, misplaces important communications, loses track of to-dos, then apologizes profusely for the inevitable blunders. One person’s fumbles send the whole team scrambling. The result is failed projects, frustrated teammates, and financial losses. Sound familiar? People come to the workplace with various skill sets and backgrounds. They know how to navigate applications, develop programs, design products, oversee communications, manage resources, devise strategies, or lead people, but few are versed in workflow management, and even fewer have been through formal training for it. Nobody gets a degree in productivity. We recently asked 1,160 professionals to tell us how individual performance affects team productivity within their organizations. This is what they said. 94% have at least one teammate who frequently misses deadlines. 91% have at least one teammate who forgets tasks and appointments. 85% have at least one teammate who appears busy but fails to complete tasks on time. 91% have at least one teammate who spends too much time on unimportant tasks. And 9 of 10 say when even one teammate commits any of these blunders, the team and organization suffer. Morale, trust, productivity, quality, customer service, and profitability decline. People can have good intentions and rich technical backgrounds yet still overestimate their ability to manage workload. In fact, we’ve found that as a person’s roles and responsibilities increase, their productivity practices begin to fail them. In order for team members to thrive in a world of endless tasks and inputs, they must develop a few key productivity practices. This is good news. By adopting just a few vital skills, team members can learn to execute effectively on time and inoculate themselves from mishaps and bungles. Here are a few skills teams can begin practicing today for increased effectiveness. 1. End with Action At the end of every meeting, identify a clear next action and a plan for follow-up. Never settle for a vague course of action, such as “Let me work with this for a bit.” Instead, identify concrete next actions by specifying who will do what by when and who will follow up. This not only ensures projects move forward seamlessly but also reduces the need for future meetings. 2. Create a Capture Culture One of the most important but widely overlooked productivity skills is that of capturing tasks, assignments, and ideas in a trusted tool, whether that be a notepad, calendar, or app. When team members consistently capture commitments, they not only are more apt to get work done on time, they also foster trust. When you capture an assignment following a discussion with your teammate, you communicate that you care. And when teammates see you capture tasks, their confidence in you increases. 3. Do the Right Stuff There are three modes of work, and every team member should dedicate time for each. Define work: process inboxes, in-trays, or other requests and clarify inputs into next actions. Do predefined work: complete clarified tasks from calendars or to-do lists. Do undefined work: work on unplanned, irregular, or emergency tasks as necessary. Without boundaries, people tend to spend their time on whatever is latest and loudest rather than on key priorities. Conversely, when team members dedicate blocks of time for each kind of work, and the team has a culture of respecting those boundaries, they complete critical projects and tasks. 4. Make It Okay to Say “No” A “yes” mentality will backfire the minute your yes men have too much on their plate. Avoid dropped balls and missed deadlines by making it okay to renegotiate tasks or decline requests. But here’s the key: frame negotiations not as a complainer craving less but as a contributor craving focus. Instead of “no, I don’t have time for that,” communicate your desire to focus on the right priorities. Foster a culture where teammates seek real solutions rather than agree to every request out of a sense of obligation. Managers can praise this behavior to spur focus and engagement. Workplace productivity is a team effort. To influence how team members do their work, organizations must intentionally create norms for how work is done. They can do this by equipping teams with proven productivity skills. When team members have a shared understanding of how to effectively manage workflow, they foster focus, trust, and accountability. Efficient productivity follows. About the authors: Justin Hale is a speaker, training designer, and Master Trainer at VitalSmarts, a leader in corporate training. He has been a lead engineer in designing the VitalSmarts edition of Getting Things Done ® Training and has facilitated the course and delivered keynote speeches on the skills and principles of stress-free productivity to clients and audiences across North America.  Ryan Trimble is a lead writer at VitalSmarts. He works alongside the company’s authors and researchers to identify and publicize trends in workplace communication and human behavior.

How to Write a Resume That Gets You Interviews

How to Write a Resume That Gets You InterviewsWriting resumes that are targeted for the same job can be a tricky proposition. If you are looking to get a job in a field where it is very competitive and most applicants don't have a comparable work history to yours, it is possible to look for two very similar experience statements and come up with a resume that will land you the job.In some cases, employers don't even know what experience they are looking for in someone for a job. Instead, they may simply be looking for someone who has an interest in their company or their product. This may mean a college professor that writes a number of grant proposals, takes classes on the product line and discusses it with their student group.Other people may prefer certain fields that provide them with a good exposure to the public. People in real estate may like to write about their property portfolio in their resumes. A personal trainer can write about working with athletes and strength trainers who work with clients.When writing your resume, be aware that certain fields may not be appropriate for your experience. For example, many people are unfamiliar with companies that do sales, but it is also possible to find out about these companies before submitting an application. If you have worked at such a company before, you should state this in your work history on your resume. However, if you have never worked at such a company, it may be a mistake to include this information in your resume.Before sending in your resume, take a moment to consider what you will be getting out of the job. There are many ways to use your work history to get a job, so make sure you know what you are getting out of the job. If you want a promotion at a fast food restaurant, you should say so in your resume.Certain jobs require more personal input. For example, you may find that you are better suited for an accounting position, where you can be more involved in the day-to-day operations.Sometimes it is important to stay away from different kinds of work experiences. By saying that you have worked in sales or used to be a public speaker, you are limiting yourself.However, if you just don't have a lot of experience with certain fields, there are ways to mix things up. You should try to find out as much as you can about the job before submitting your resume. This will allow you to focus on more applicable experiences in the job description.

How Introverts Can Use Their Natural Gifts to Win in the Workplace

How Introverts Can Use Their Natural Gifts to Win in the Workplace The gregarious and assertive extrovert is being praised to the heights of royalty in todays workplace.  So it’s not a surprise that introverts feel the need to stifle their true personalities in order to be accepted. Let’s face it.  Your workplace bonus or promotion may be linked to your ability to swiftly communicate your ideas in a group setting. You have to glide through a large room with networking charisma.  Showing initiative usually means  promptly raising your hand for stretch projects and leadership opportunities.  So, the pressure to behave like an extrovert in order to prove your worth is huge. It just makes you want to crawl up in the nearest corner and pray for a professional makeover. Don’t fret. You don’t need a cure for your introversion ways. You just need more confidence in who you are and how you can add value. Introverts are known for their great listening skills, poignant questions, thoughtful responses, and gifted writing abilities. These are all natural gifts that can help less outgoing individuals win in the workplace. So dont stress about the qualities that make you incomparable to your extroverted peers.  Instead, embrace the unique traits that you bring to the table. Youll see a huge difference in your work results. Here are five ways how introverts can use their natural gifts to win in the workplace: 1) Network with a Purpose Does the thought of attending a large networking event and passing your contact information to hundreds of people drain your energy? Don’t do it. Well, not all the time. Focus on making a few deep and meaningful connections. Focus on creating a networking plan and set goals. Take the initiative to set up one-on-one meetings with individuals in your workplace. During these meetings, take copious notes on things that are said so that you can refer to them later. Once you finish your first meeting, follow up with a thank you note and actions that you plan to take as a result of the meeting. Having a plan and a purpose will make your networking experience more rewarding. 2) Join Professional Organizations Find your professional tribe. When introverts surround themselves with like-minded individuals and meaningful growth opportunities, they have a better chance of thriving. Once you join these groups, showcase your affiliation by wearing or using branded materials that display your organization. This will ignite a lot of curiosity in the office and give you a chance to educate others about your professional interests and allow you to build your expertise and gain credibility. When the company is seeking expert advice on your topic of interest, don’t be surprised if you get the phone call to share your ideas. 3) Be Prepared with Good Questions Have you ever attended a seminar or company presentation when the presenter ended by saying, “Does anyone have any questions?” The long dreadful pause may cause awkwardness, giving you the chance to ask a thoughtful question and shine among your peers. Prepare yourself for these moments by reviewing the speaker list and topic in advance. Use this information to ask insightful questions. To enhance the quality of the questions, integrate the speaker’s personal experiences that were delivered in the presentation into the question. For example: “What challenges keep you up at night?” or “How has your roles and responsibilities changed since you first started this job?” Your question will get you noticed by colleagues and will immediately allow you to raise your professional reputation. 4) Present on a Topic you are Comfortable With While extemporaneous speaking assignments might not be up your alley, find ways to deliver a speech about a topic you are interested in or have special knowledge about that others may need help with. Delivering a presentation gives you the time to organize your thoughts and share it in the most meaningful way to participants. Need to build the courage to speak in front of a group? Go to a Toastmasters club and practice your skills in a safe learning environment before you deliver the presentation at work. 5) Create Thoughtful Objectives and Performance Reviews Your attention to detail will serve you well and make your boss’s job a lot easier when it comes to your year-end performance review. Keep a running list of projects that you’ve completed, and particularly note any initiatives or responsibilities you’ve taken outside of your formal job description. Identify people that you have collaborated with. Use your writing skills to remind your employer why you are a valuable employee. And remember, as an introvert, you have some pretty good company: Editors note:   Welcome to Charlene Rhinehart!  Charlene is the newest member of the Ms Career Girl columnists.  Be sure to read all her future articles on Ms Career Girl!   Images: Comfortable  Your DOST.  Toastmasters  Ross Tsai.   Introverts Main  Lex McKee.

Key Differences Between Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile

Key Differences Between Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile If there’s one thing that is sure to make me place my head in my hands with despair and exasperation, it’s seeing a LinkedIn profile that is a carbon copy of a resume. Sigh. LinkedIn may be a complicated beast to tame, but we should all know it is not a place to hang our resume. Answer Me This: What Is LinkedIn? I bet you $1M* that you’ve mentioned the term ‘social network’. And you’d be right. LinkedIn is a social networking service that describes itself as having three key features. It is to: Manage your professional identity Build and engage with your professional network Access knowledge, insights and opportunities What we’re basically talking about is an online networking platform. I have another question for you: If you attended a traditional, face to face, networking event, would you spend your ‘pitch’ reading out your resume? I raise you a further $1M* that the answer is no (and if it’s yes, I’m not sure this relationship is going to work out). The bottom line is that LinkedIn serves a different purpose and audience. Yes, it is a key feature of your professional brand (just like your resume) but there is a very different strategy you should follow. Here we’re going to highlight five key aspects of that strategy and how you can create a LinkedIn profile that supports your resume, rather than replicating it. Tell A Great Story. The beauty of LinkedIn is that it offers an informal platform on which to talk about your professional identity. So, shake off the seriousness of your resume and engage with people on a more human level with personality, charm and spark. When writing your LinkedIn profile summary, think about what makes you different. Do you have any particular interests or mantras that you work by that add colour to your competencies? A playful analogy can also give you something to be remembered by. A savvy LinkedIn profile will weave your personality with your key professional offerings and in doing so create a personally meaningful and commercially relevant narrative. There are 332M professionals on LinkedIn how are you going to strike a chord with hiring managers? Think About Your Audience. Speaking of hiring managers, whilst they are not the only audience members at the LinkedIn show, they are a primary target. When crafting your story, it can be useful to think about a recruiter’s or hiring manager’s journey through your brand. Chances are, they’ve picked the resume that you sent in for *that* job and it’s aroused their curiosity. With their detective brain in full gear, they head to their computer to do some online digging to look at your LinkedIn profile. Now imagine, that hiring manager finds your profile and opens it with anticipation, only to find a copy and pasted version of your resume. At interview, you would do anything in your power to avoid a recruiter feeling deflated, disappointed and despondent so why take this chance when it comes to your online presence? A recruiter wants to open your LinkedIn profile and feel like they’re peeling back the layers of your professional brand, like they’re interacting with another touch point that gives them a deeper insight into who you are, what you do and how you do it. The question is, how do you say what you need to say in a way that doesn’t bore or repeat? One answer is to consider your LinkedIn profile from a higher level. There is no need to go into the nitty gritty of each of your roles, so think instead about the common themes that run through your experience and achievements. Also think about using your roles to highlight different areas of experience. For example,  you may be able to structure each of your roles to talk specifically about competencies such as transformational leadership, change management or performance turnaround. Flip/Reverse It In today’s day and age, it’s very possible that a hiring manager will be doing the above process in reverse. They may have searched LinkedIn for someone like you or have come across your content and then viewed your profile. Our challenge then, is to make a LinkedIn profile that not only engages the reader, but makes them pick up the phone! Like a lot of people, I browse the airport bookshop by picking up a title, opening it to the front page and reading the first paragraph to see if it ‘grabs’ me. Recruiters work in the same way, so as well as needing a great narrative that builds the layers of your professional brand, it needs grab the attention of the reader right from the start. The professional profile on your resume is likely to start something like: Accomplished sales manager with +20 years’ experience in the financial services sector This is a great introduction for your resume as a recruiter wants to know, straight up, your professional standing first box ticked on the selection criteria. (If it doesn’t pack the same punch, I suggest you read my guide on how to improve your resume in 30 minutes. And if you’re strapped for time, you can consider using a resume writing service). But on LinkedIn, a hiring manager already knows what you do they’ve searched for it! What they want to know now is a bit more about who you are. Here are just a few examples of actual LinkedIn profile opening liners that spiked our attention. “I’m a real-life anecdote of the dotcom boom”  â€œMy universal mandate is to help businesses become as commercially competitive as possible”  â€œAs the digital revolution takes hold, the face of television will continue to change at a rate never seen before in its near 100-year history”  â€œWe are all driven to make meaningful connections. With our family, friends, life-partners, our entire existence revolves around our innate desire to feel part of something greater”  â€œFor over 20 years, I have been a part of creating and reviving memories” Profile Headline Just like your resume, your LinkedIn profile gives you the opportunity to create a professional headline. Your resume headline needs to say what you do and your value proposition. While this is also the case for LinkedIn, you also need to think about any additional key words that will help recruiters find you. Those of you who subscribe to my weekly newsletter may already be aware of my (very particular) feelings when it comes to LinkedIn profile headlines and for those of you who don’t, let me enlighten you. LinkedIn headlines are a critical SEO element for LinkedIn’s search algorithm so you need to include the terms recruiters will use to find someone like you. Some great examples include: President, APAC Operations | Senior Change Leader | Financial Services Commercial Sales Director | IT Telecommunications | Strategic Growth Specialist Asian Markets Group Financial Controller | Tax Capital Management Expert | CPA Senior Project Change Leader | Organisational Design Operating Model Reform Static Vs Live This is an important one. Your resume is a static document. Once you’ve sent it to a recruiter or hiring manager is stays on file, as it is, for all time. Whereas LinkedIn is live and organic. Your LinkedIn feed is an opportunity to put yourself in front of your audience every day and great content that sparks interest, debate or opposition is actually going to demonstrate your professional brand, skills, competencies and thoughts rather than just talking about them. We talked earlier about your LinkedIn profile being a tool in layering your professional brand and by using all the platform’s features (status updates, blogs, posted articles and media, recommendations) you can stand-out from the crowd in ways that go far beyond the power of a resume. Recap Your LinkedIn needs to tell a great story Your LinkedIn profile needs to build on your resume, not repeat it Recruiters will follow one of two journeys with your LinkedIn profile. Engage them. Think SEO when it comes to your profile headline Your LinkedIn profile should evolve. If it’s static, chances are you will be too. *hypothetically, of course.

Hiring Your Dream Job - Harvard Resume Writing Guide

Hiring Your Dream Job - Harvard Resume Writing GuideAre you looking for a Harvard resume writing guide? There are lots of reputable and credible sites online offering such things. Some of them even offer services to help you write it. But sometimes, even the best online writing services can't offer the right guidance when it comes to actually submitting your resume online.So if you want to get yourself to that first interview and start your job search, it would be helpful to consult with a professional on this topic. You might not have enough time to visit his office for a consultation, but you can always do it online instead. That way, you will have your resume ready just in a matter of minutes.Once you have that paper ready, you can go ahead and submit it online. You don't need to wait for the mail to arrive anymore. However, most of the resume writing services suggest you to upload your resume on an official website of the company you want to work for. But if you have to, you can even post it in your personal profile.But the problem is that you still have your paper and you still have your other resume to go along with it. You may not be familiar with what sites will accept your resume. Or maybe, you have just recently joined a job hunt and you don't know where to look for these online services. Whatever be the case, here is your Harvard resume writing guide for you.If you are currently a graduate student, then your resume will have to undergo the scrutiny of the employment office at Harvard. And you should be prepared for that. When you do receive an invitation to join their organization, prepare your Harvard resume as soon as possible. Don't make the mistake of forgetting it because that is not a wise idea.Go through the resume and look for the things you need to change. All the information from your paper should be included. Check if you need to remove some items. Also, double check the errors that you have found. Because all of your references are your A lma mater and they will surely want you to remember them.Take out your hand outline, fill out the information you forgot or correct the mistakes. This is the only way you can get this Harvard resume writing guide you have. It won't help you get into Harvard University at all, but it will surely help you get a job there. And don't just put in your application online. Send it to the employer personally.The beauty of doing it this way is that if the employer finds any inconsistencies or you have an issue with the content, you will be able to tell them straight up. You can explain it to them and let them decide whether or not you are the right person for their organization. Only once you get the opportunity, send it in a formal letter.

5 ways to make the most of your summer - Debut summer

5 ways to make the most of your summer - Debut summer This post was written by an external contributor.  Devin Thomas discusses the various ways to spend your free time over summer.   Summer can be a daunting time for a student or recent graduate. The pressure to stay productive despite the unprecedented amount of time to spend doing your own thing can be intimidating. Plus, if you decide to forgo productivity and embrace slacker life, it can leave you with a feeling of ennui. It’s a period of time that comes with the chance to do anything and, inversely, endless opportunities to do absolutely nothing. What I’m here to tell you is that embracing both is the best way to maximise your summer experience. Get yourself a summer internship Working over the summer is not the most fun way to spend your time, but it is one of the most productive. Whilst I don’t want to urge you to spend your summer doing something you don’t want to do, having some structure can enhance the free time you do have â€" and it’s not too late! Whether you’re going to be looking for a grad job in September or just want some extra experience stored up for when you finish your degree, a summer internship is a great idea for any student lacking in interesting ideas for the summer. Travel Having been stuck in the bubble of a university campus and its surrounding city for a few years can be isolating. It can be important to take some time while you’re able to see somewhere new and explore the unfamiliar. If money is an issue, combine this with the first tip and utilise your free time to work toward saving up for a holiday. If however you’re truly resistant to the idea of a working holiday, a quick Google search will reveal flights to somewhere in Europe for less than £50, as well as cheap hostels. Get yourself somewhere warm and get yourself a drink. Go home One of the less thrilling aspects of uni life is the prospect of not seeing your friends from home for long stretches of time. Equally saddening is the prospect of missing out on your parents’ cooking. Return to both with a short stretch at home! If you value your freedom too much to stay with your parents, invite your home friends to stay in your student city for a few days. The wealth of unique things to show them in your home away from home will be a nice change of pace to your everyday routine. Stay in The free time you have now is yours. Relish it. Revel in it. Eat a family sized bag of crisps and watch six seasons of a Netflix show in half as many days. You’ve done another year of work â€" you deserve it. If you’re not the kind of person who can be happy lounging around, there are still options available to you that don’t necessitate leaving the house. You could completely renovate your CV, get some research done into a future career, or get a headstart on your reading for next year. Staying in can be just as worthwhile as the most productive library days. Go to a festival There are few better excuses for indulgence than the reckless abandon and tendency for complete madness that comes with visiting a festival. Being a student may be the best excuse to get drunk any of us need, but why not do it on a sunny weekend where youre forced to sleep in a cramped tent with three other wasted students? If you’re more culturally inclined, there are dozens of UK festivals that cater more for the artsy. Festivals are an excellent opportunity to experience new things, and summer is the prime time for this. From trying to camp with inept friends, to visiting amazing locations and most importantly the music, festivals are an amazing opportunity to live life to its fullest and make lasting memories with the people you love. The best advice I can give would be to get out of the house whenever you feel like it and make this summer the best it can be for you! Download Debut  and  connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Inspiring video The two major happiness traps you must avoid - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Inspiring video The two major happiness traps you must avoid - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog One of the highlights of our 2009 conference on happiness at work was Dr. Srikumar S. Raos wonderfully inspiring and funny presentation which focused specifically on the two main traps we must avoid, that keep us from becoming happy. You can see the whole speech here.And if you like that speech, you should definitely not miss out on this years Happiness at Work Conference on May 17+18 in Copenhagen. Its going to be awesome 12 smart and passionate international speakers will show us exactly how to create happier and more successful workplaces. See the full program and get your tickets here. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Wreck This Journal Breakin On Through to the Other (Fun!) Side

Wreck This Journal Breakin On Through to the Other (Fun!) Side I know Ive had issues. I know Ive had fear. I know Ive been missing weeks being down on myself been wearing my poopypants. I know. Its been sucky and lame-o for me, too. But no more. Wrecking my journal is not a chore. Its not a scary monster out to make me feel dumb. It is an instrument for freedom, and creativity, fun. I started here, at this fun/silly/messy place, but came to a complete stop at one point or another. So, in order to start again, I didnt just do whatever a random page told me to do like I said Id do in my last post but instead, I hand-picked my fun. What looks like fun?, I asked myself. Oh, this page where you sample substances in your home based on color. Lets see what I haveoh, some sunscreen some lotion, Ill finger paint that on ( call the mess in the middle sunotion)and oh, theres obviously some red wine red wine vinegar, so Ill pour that onThe red wine vinegar isnt showing up as red! Huh! Oh well, thats weird. Now I have this honey for a yellowish color a few drops of this vanilla to blen-AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!   Thats when the entire bottle of vanilla poured onto the book, because, uh, I bake so often that I (didnt at all, in any way shape or form) realized that the bottle of vanilla didnt have a top to contain it in any way, so when you pour it out you pour it out. And yknow what? I was thrilled. I laughed took in the overwhelming odor of vanilla-y goodness that was my journal, and loved how it soaked through almost every page. To caption it, I wrote Aah! Vanilla spill! Yummy messy smelly fun! And I was off and running. From glitter glue drops.: to circling words I like in a random page from a magazine (and yes, whore is circled. I happen to like that word as a word).: to actually opening the set of watercolors I got from the dollar store weeks ago after my last session with my coach inspired me to paint my sign: to pasting a random page from a newspaper (I even closed my eyes and everything, but it must have been camelot* that made me pick not only the real estate section, but the Brooklyn apartment listings, which is where were thinking of buying an apartment): Now my journal doesnt close. And smells like vanilla. And has an empty pack of gum sticking out of it, which can be seen no matter what page youre on. And I love it. I know that The Next Chapter closes this chapter in a week, and I have a feeling that, with the way my coaching has blown up (Ive gone from 2 clients/wk to 5, with 2 on the way a group coaching session starting Thursday!), I aint gonna be done when everyone else is. But Im making a promise to all yall and to myself when I say that Im gonna keep on wrecking, and keep on documenting it here for the world to witness me, playing, making a mess, painting, wrecking, having fun. * If you now have the title song from Camelot, or any song from Camelot in your head, award yourself 10 musical theater points.