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Corporate Driver: Accountability

Triggering Others

Just like we can be affected physically by our coworkers, we can also be affected emotionally. Researchers call this phenomenon “emotional contagion” and it can affect our perceptions, decision making, and performance. Managing emotional contagion is particularly critical during high-stress periods when everyone is working longer and harder, and it will relieve some of the …

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Asking for Support

Most people are happy to help when asked. If your experience is different and people do not seem willing to help, ask yourself if your approach is the reason why you’re not getting the support you’d like. Be Specific When reaching out for assistance, know exactly what you want from the other person. “I’d like …

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Track Your Wins

We’ve all been there. Performance review time rolls around immediately after a project you’ve worked on didn’t go well. Rather than finding yourself at the mercy of the “recency” effect, make a practice of creating a record of your performance so that you can accurately capture exactly how you’ve contributed throughout the entire year. In …

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In the Wrong Role?

Being in a role that does not fit has a tremendous upside. Let’s face it, most of us aren’t self-motivated. It’s only when we’re in pain that we take action to change our situation into one that better meets our needs. Perhaps you feel stifled in your present situation—maybe you feel restricted creatively or strategically. …

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Schedule Your Thinking

When you’re in management—and even if you aren’t!—it’s very easy for your day to get away from you. How often have you gone into work filled with plans for the projects you’ll work on and then had your schedule completely hijacked by someone else’s priorities? Or found yourself in “urgent” meetings that are anything but? …

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Take a Breather

It’s no secret that the work world values productivity. It can often seem like your worth is measured by “what have you done for me lately?” If your company provides intangible services, this often translates to working more and more hours—as if more hours equal more productivity. The trap in this thinking is that executives …

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Purposeful Lists

A tried and true time management tool is list making. Just like any tool, though, tailoring it to your preferred work style is the key to making it work for you. Consider these three approaches: Traditional List Typically people list their most urgent tasks first and capture niggling little thoughts so they don’t forget them. …

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Success Criteria

Knowing how your department is evaluated is critical, whether or not delivering directly on them is your responsibility. Make sure you’re familiar with these three areas. Understand Interrelationships Understand how your department’s performance fits within the larger scope of the organization in order to prioritize your actions. For instance, if your function falls on the …

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