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.

iPhone can't myTouch this...

I was once an iPhone fan. Oh yes, I had the device for a while and loved the simplicity. From the amazing design to the apps at a fingertip. There is something more than just the device, it seems as though one is part of an exclusive community of users. The UI via iTunes can be a bit annoying but using a telephone has never been more amazing.

That is, until the first monthly bill arrived. At less than 700 daytime minutes, texting and data the $115 per month really got on my nerves. This is especially because of what's been reported of late - AT&T service is horrid. Of course, part of the penalty, er bill, came in part due to New York municipal taxes. Still, over the course of a lifetime this will be an incredibly expensive means of communication. That's right, once you step forward into the civilized light of smartphones going back is nearly unheard of.

I know because after my iPhone was stolen I gritted my teeth and "saved money" using Boost service for over 3 months. (Cringes) Let's just say some text messages didn't arrive for 72 hours.

Currently, the myTouch is my phone of choice. Frankly, the cost of unlimited everything is less than the limited voice package with AT&T. I don't mind paying for the phone over 20 months because I still pay less than the unlimited packages at Verizon or AT&T. The Droid interface is extremely personable and the app number is almost at 20,000. T-mobile has introduced remote mobile backup, a must-have, and the thing actually takes video footage. On the horizon is the Google Nexus which will reduce to a paltry sum the number of people ordering that hideous device known as the Shmoid, er, Droid.

If Google releases the Nexus not tied to a carrier that will be not just an iPhone, but carrier, killer.

Clarity for projects when priorities shift often

In the business world, new opportunities often come with a tangled web of tasks. One document is sent with a list of where energies should focus. Minutes later, this has been altered due to a review. How does a freelance employee work through this mess to develop an orderly sense of priorities?

One of the first lines of fire is an immediate superior. When there are diverging interests does one ask or assume that silence is approval? I have recently learned the hard way, again, because a project requiring email, phone and other contacts has been through several revisions. I thought a comment was made about outsourcing the creation of a contact list. Without being sure, a file was opened (about two weeks old) containging a "To Do" list with this activity in the number one position.

Sadly, instead of communicating with the CEO first, collation of the materials was started only to find out I was right. There is a fine line at which there is too much communication and the door is opened to begging for micromanagement. I have a strong need to avoid this at all costs. Sometimes, however, ensuring the vision of the overseer matches my own is quite productive.

Focusing on projects regardless of outside distractions

With all of the never ending interruptions from outside events, focusing on projects can be very difficult. The same is quite true when operating inside of an office environment. There are conversations which take place that are not essential to business, political games to play and endless rounds of communication.

Prioritizing what needs to be finished is an essential skill. However, this alone will not get the job done (pun definitely intended). It is also important that outside noise can be muted. Multitasking does have its place, but turnaround can be aided by sticking to a singular task. In our current labor force, many employers cite the need for multitasking but the skill of focus must not be forgotten.

For those who are in the freelancing or consulting business this noise can come from family. Ironically, those who we know the most tend to exert the most pressure on our behavior and saying "No" becomes quite difficult. This was true last night when a request was put in for me to help someone with their resume. I didn't have the time because I needed to focus on a task with a deadline. Instead of just listening to my need for work my family member became quite irate. My development in the business, and overall disposition, allows a disconnection from such irrational speak.

In all things, boosting someone elses credentials while hurting your own is a delicate game.

Keeping former business contacts alive - Yes or No?

I have a strong social sense of self that can outweigh my own internal drives at times. Call it compassion, a unique perception or just an unknown which is genetic - the branding isn't that important. What I have noticed is that this goes against what is considered "acceptable" within some business models.

Sever all ties with former co-workers upon moving from one job to the next. Especially true if in the context of political turmoil or termination.

My own inclination is to do nothing of the sort. Even though there are certainly emotional ties to a workplace and the "daily grind" which sorts out our weekly schedules relationships are hard to find. That's not just said in the sense of those which are romantic but those with any person that serves as a conduit for learning. Through whichever mechanism, there are only a limited amount of people which one can encounter in a lifetime. Removing any person, unless an act is incredibly malicious, dilutes the potential for success.

In many cases, negativity can be turned towards a more productive cause. For example, when laid off from an employer one former coworker has remained, until presently, a solid friend. One friend met through the position is now forming his own nonprofit and I'm helping frame messaging for that enterprise. Most importantly, I learned to deal internally and engage in a positive attitude regardless of what others may choose as their path. This was necessary because HR was deceitful, misleading and management ousted me even as we spoke of rectifying a technological mishap. Just because others perceive dishonesty as "appropriate" workplace behavior this says nothing of my reaction. I was nearly as proud of my work for the employer as the calm demeanor with which I communicated directly after being removed.

We can learn the most from those who inititally rub us the wrong way. If someone is an ineffective manager remaining a friend, genuinely, can offer clues as to internal drives to better understand a personality trait that may be encountered again. Unclear, indecisive action can be met with development of leadership skills that faciliate upstream management.

Bottom line: There's always something to learn from everyone. Remaining focused on my needs to be humanistic and engage in clear, ethical business practices is more important than any pleasure gained short term through reactive behavior.