April 12, 2017 Seven Things To Think About How Helping Others in Their Career Can Help You In Yours

People hire people they know and like. In fact, most people get hired because of a referral of a friend, family member or former colleague. Therefore, being nice and acknowledging others for their achievements is a great way to forge friendly work relationships. In time, these colleagues and contacts will proactively recommend you for future positions and opportunities. Here are seven ways to become the king or queen of niceness. Seven simple things that can expand your network and create a wider pool of potential opportunities.

1. Be the Change: Show people what you believe life’s important things to be – don’t just tell them. If teamwork, supporting others, and a positive work environment are a high priority then show don’t tell.

2. Encourage Everyone: Everyone loves a pat on the back and to hear that they are doing a good job. Find ways to extend your heart and hand to those who need them.

3. Honor with Humility: Admit your mistakes and say the magic words: “I was wrong.” These words leave a better impact than “I’m Sorry.” Also when you are right be humble and don’t flaunt your “wins” and “successes.”

4. Thoughtfulness: Promise to think before you speak. Even when asked, give very little advice and let others take the lead and explain their plan and how to implement it.

5. Appreciation: Find daily ways to express appreciation and gratitude for everything people do to get the job done.

6. Patience: Let others know that everyone makes mistakes and deserves time to start over and do things again. Treat others with the same level of patience you’d hope someone would give to you.

7. Tolerance: Remove assumptions and see people for who they are and not what you expect them to be. Don’t just accept others. Instead make proactive strides to embrace them and make them feel part of the team.

It’s time to bring niceness back! Think about it. You are far more likely to advance your career with kindness than by treating others poorly. This week brush up on your niceness and soon you’ll find that it is an effective professional tool to create change.

March 27, 2017 Living on Purpose Project Question of the Week: Where do nice guys and gals really finish?

We’ve been told that nice people finish last, but is that really true? Here are seven things to make sure you are attracting good business karma. Each will help you prove that being kind and nice not only makes you a good human being but also gives you a huge leg up in your career and life.

1. Express gratitude: Give credit when it is due. In fact, give credit, even when it isn’t. People need to be acknowledged and doing so will make you look good, and them feel great about themselves. Praising others for their contributions is step #1 in becoming a great supervisor and leader.

2. Make time to be kind and thoughtful: Give a compliment. It might give someone a badly needed lift. As adults, we spend most of our time there. So why use some of those minutes to boost a co-worker’s spirits. Making your co-workers feel more positive about themselves will make them feel the same way when they are not at work.

3. Be optimistic: The can do-spirit is the fuel that makes things go. Nobody wants to work with or be a Debbie or Daryl Downer! Be the team member who gives the needed pep talk, offers fresh ideas, and encourages others no matter what.

4. Ha Ha: We don’t work in a bubble, but rather with real people dealing with real life. Aging and sick parents, money problems, strained relationships and much, much more. Share a funny story with someone who is dealing with something difficult. A good laugh can be great medicine and a great way to forge a genuine bond and friendship.

5. Watch your mouth: Resolve to stop shooting from the lip. Words can hurt more than any physical weapon. And, never forget that the words you have to eat can be very hard to digest. Choose your words wisely and always show others respect, especially when you disagree.

6. Apologize when you realize you are wrong: Remember, apologies never diminish who you are – they elevate it. Show others by example that you can admit your mistakes and be better because of them.

7. Encourage a beginner to try something new and take a risk: Nothing ventured nothing gained is not just a saying but a “major key” and fact of life. Someone once encouraged you, so pay it forward by helping someone looking to break into your industry. Regardless of level, you can and should always work as a connector who helps others network and partner to achieve common goals.

Even if nice guys and gals do “finish” last it’s far better to follow the golden rule – do to others, as you would have them do to you. “Nice” is not and will never be a four-letter word. Today pick one of these ‘acts of niceness’ and be that person who makes someone else’s week!