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I’ve spent the last week on my family reunion. We were supposed to be in Lake Como, Italy, but since my father was diagnosed with Leukemia we decided to stay in the US. We chose Mystic, Connecticut, because it was close to my parents house in Providence and my brother has a house there. This trip was special as my father had officially surpassed the time frame for the prognosis given by his doctor. As I watched him interact with his children and grandchildren, I realize that he has accomplished something few people have. He has reached a place of peace and contentment in virtually every aspect of his life.…
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Posted by Joel Brookman in Direct Your Life, follow your passion, happiness.
The biggest impediment to creating a great work environment is fear in the workplace. Fear causes people to justify their actions, “suck up” to superiors, and “cover their asses,” all of which negatively impact productivity, security, and job- satisfaction.
If we can mitigate fear we can help to create a great work environment. Here are some thoughts on how to do it:
Make merit the basis for promotion
If someone gets promoted, nobody should be surprised at the decision. Promotions should not be based on corporate politics or favoritism. If you are in a management role, merit should be the sole driver for getting ahead and ensure your people understand this.…
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Posted by Joel Brookman in Job security, Management, managing people, productivity, Uncategorized.
As a parent, you receive little or no training for the role, but the day comes when you are completely responsible for the life of a tiny being. Most of us grow into the role and become competent parents. In the end, the quality of your parenting has a strong correlation to the long-term happiness and success of your child.
After your children, the people whose life you have the greatest influence on are your employees. Consider the fact that most full time workers spend half of their waking life doing their job. As their boss you have tremendous control over their happiness.…
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Posted by Joel Brookman in happiness, Management, managing people.
Not long ago I had a discussion with a seasoned manager (in his early 50’s) that was venting his frustration with the younger people on his team. He was having difficulty understanding how to keep this group motivated: “The older generation team members live to work, while this younger group seems more entitled. They see work as a means to an end, their dedication and loyalty is just not the same.” He was asking me how to get them all on the same page. My answer is that you cannot. We now have four generations in the workplace, which puts corporate America in a place it’s never been before.…
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Posted by Joel Brookman in empowerment, Management, managing people, Uncategorized.
“A wise man once said nothing.”
“I know” are two dangerous words. If you know everything, you will learn nothing. Furthermore, nobody likes a know-it-all. Perhaps it makes sense to listen more and talk less. Get interested and take advantage of opportunities to increase your knowledge base.
Stop assuming
As someone begins speaking about a subject that you are knowledgeable about, resist the urge to interject your thoughts. Allow them to speak and see if anything comes up that you didn’t know.
Defer to an expert
When speaking with a subject matter expert, let go of that which you think you know and take in the knowledge that is being espoused.…
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Posted by Joel Brookman in listen, Make people like you, Uncategorized.
Is there someone from your past that did something so awful that it affects you to this day? Maybe your father told you that you would never amount to anything. You could choose to believe him and allow his words to define who you are, or you could choose to let go by realizing that you control your destiny and no one has the power to take that away from you.
Stop blaming other people for your problems
If you blame others for your circumstances, you are giving away your power and relegating yourself to a victim. Victims are at the mercy of those around them.…
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Posted by Joel Brookman in Direct Your Life, eliminate negativity, overcoming limiting beliefs, Uncategorized.
