Retaining relationships with former bosses & Managing Up - Part 1

Depending on the nature of a relationship separation the value of a former boss can be perceived as minimal. This is true in situations where someone is terminated without cause - it does happen. It has always been my policy that relationships are not severed because one never knows the social capital, or network, that is being incinerated.

Interacting with the greatest number of working styles - and under varying pressures - develops a solid character. It is those with whom one has the most problemmatic relationship that the most can be learned. My own relationships with those initially seen as the most distinct from my own pesonality proves my initial assumption to be in error.

Being uncomfortable can be productive. There are exceptions. If anyone has violated the rights of an employee or caused them extreme anxiety through inappropriate sexual advances. I have never experienced either and common sense would dictate these shouldn't be continued.

Many times, the finger rests squarely on my own actions or transmission of anger or passive aggressive behavior onto others. There is a large amount of personal responsibility and inertia that plays into the ability of anyone else to distract from projects or throw "off balance." The main reason many of the personal stories I've heard played out in a certain manner is due to one rule of "sheeple" mentality:

Regardless of the distraction caused by an employers rude or unprofessional behavior employees are unwilling to respond with positive bridges and "manage up" when necessary

More in the upcoming post regarding managing a boss by staying on a project-driven bridge.

Text and Donate

In a world that has seen the staple campaign of many nonprofits, via mail, take a dive an innovation has been born - txt 2 donate. This is all the flutter with the horrific incidents in Haiti which have left many in a quandry with how to help.

Through sites such as mGive The NYTimes recently reported that over $2 million has been given to disaster relief. Contributions are just tagged onto the regular monthly phone bill. This provides a rich interface for the donor experience and could replace shopping for a site via web.

It is, however, very important that everyone do research before giving. There will be many charities claiming to send aid - some have much higher overhead expenses than others. At the end of the day, if one wishes to make a higher donation it may be further personalized by a visit to the site. This is certainly the case when one wants to give in memorium and etc. Txt 2 donate is another function of our "ever-smarter"phones. The human element, however, cannot be replicated.

Clear Expectations

I have found that in working with clients there are conflicing motivations - relationship building and quick turn around on invesment. Relationship - building is inherently more complex and requires an audience-directed focus.

One of my clients is experiencing the need for quick volume based activity. In an effort to get there an opportunity exists for foreign based data work. Such an activity is not necessarily tied in with a cultivation campaign. Conversations speaking about "productivity" can be held from each of these perspectives. The employer may mention that it is important to increase brand exposure. Meanwhile, there may be additional comments about culvitation citing lengthy development cycles.

One can have an agenda with each, but the balance is extremely important.

If a salary package has already been negotiated comments which espouse the value of this contract should be taken seriously. When there are low funds and in a bad economy such conversations are likely to occur. It's an opportunity to prove the value of the work.