Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom How to Increase Your Learning Agility

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom How to Increase Your Learning Agility An old manager once told me I had the ability to quickly assimilate information, that he could tell me how to do something and I would then apply that knowledge to a variety of different situations. I now see this feedback as the ultimate compliment, for my manager felt I had learning agility, and apparently, learning agility is critical to success. Learning agility is openness to information and the ability to gain and apply insights. People with this trait often follow a non-traditional path and are able to develop professionally from an array of diverse experiences. Learning agile people aren’t perturbed by shifts in direction. They are focused on the end state and are willing to put themselves out there. When they fall, they get back up. They take risks and often receive commensurate rewards. Consulting firm Green Peak Partners recently collaborated with researchers from Teachers College at Columbia University to assess the value that learning agile individuals bring to their organizations. Their study found that private equity-backed C-suite leaders who ranked high for learningagilityon an assessment test also outperformed less-agile peers as measured by revenue growth and “boss ratings” issued by their Boards. Learning Agility Can Be, Well, Learned As project team leaders or project managers, there is much you can do to foster learning agility in yourself and in your organization. Here are five tips from Green Peak Partners. Innovate: Repeatedly ask, “What else? What are 10 different ways I could approach this? What are several radical things I could try here?” You might not actually execute all the ideas you come up with, but you shouldn’t dismiss anything out of hand. Trust your intuition: Always look for a pattern. For instance, think through the similarities between current and past projects and the common thread that ties various aspects of your business together. Cultivate calm through meditation, and learn to listen before immediately reacting in a stressful situation. Become more reflective: Explore “what-ifs” and alternative histories for projects with which you’ve been involved. Never pass up and opportunity for genuine feedback, asking: “What are three or four things I could have done better?” Make sure the question is open-ended but specific so that you can take action on what you learn. Take more risks: Look for stretch assignments where success isn’t a given. These might involve new roles, new parts of the company, or new geographies. Learning and exploration, rather than positive business outcomes, should be the main goal. For the rest of the article, visit Intuits Fast Track blog.

How to Romance The Man (or Woman!) in Your Life

How to Romance The Man (or Woman!) in Your Life It’s very common for people to assume that romance is more for women in the relationship. It’s often portrayed that way in the media from famed novels to prolific movies on the big screen you find guys going above and beyond to sweep their ladies off their feet. While women are more emotional lovers than men, that doesn’t mean guys don’t like a little romance in their lives on occasion. But no matter the gender, if you want to switch things up in your love life, use these tips below to romance your significant other! Special Delivery Your guy might not be the type that enjoys receiving a bouquet of flowers, but there are tons of other things guys can get that make them feel just as special. Send him chocolate gifts like an assortment of gourmet chocolates with his favorite flavors in it and a simple note that lets him know he was on your mind. You can also have fresh fruit, a gift basket, a bottle of wine, or any other romantic gift delivered to his home or office. Bed in Breakfast Start your partner’s day off right with breakfast in bed. Get up extra early and prepare your guy’s favorite breakfast foods (or head to a nearby diner if you’re not the best chef). Place the food neatly on a plate and perhaps add a rose or a small note sealed with a kiss. As the saying goes, food is a way to a man’s heart, so waking up to a plate of delicious pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, or toast will really put a smile on his face. Massage There’s nothing like the rub of a loved one to take the stress and tension out of a day. When your guy gets home from work, create a relaxing environment for him to put his feet up and then give him a good massage. Allow him to unload about his day as you rub the stress away. You Plan the Date Is your guy always the one to come up with the plans for date night? If so, it’s time for you to switch things up a bit. Plan the date yourself. Try to choose something that speaks to his interests more than your own as it can go a long way. For example, you might get tickets to his favorite sports team event, go golfing, take him to a local bar, or treat him to his favorite restaurant. Ask him to go on a date with you and you take the lead (meaning you drive and pick up the bill). Plan a Vacation When is the last time the two of you had some alone time? Check your schedules and plan a surprise romantic getaway. It doesn’t have to be far or cost too much money to be special. Try to center the trip around the two of you incorporating things you both enjoy. If you can, score some perks by calling ahead and asking the hotel staff to set the room up really nice with candles and flower pedals. Flirty Messages You should never stop flirting with your partner. Flirting is a form of flattery that makes a person feel desired. This is essential to keeping the romance in your relationship. There’s nothing wrong with telling your guy how hot he looks or how much you desire them. Send a text message during the day, slip a note in their lunch, or announce it to the world on social media. Space During Sports Season This one might surprise you, but there’s nothing a man loves more than space and freedom to enjoy his favorite sports! It may not seem very romantic, but trust that he’ll fall in love with you. You can even take it a step further and make sure that his chair is ready, the snacks are on deck, and the beer is cold. You’ll go down as the best wife/girlfriend in history. It’s true that women love romance. They like to be wined and dined, have sweet nothings whispered in their ears, taken to nice places, and spend quality time with their guys. However, men too appreciate a little romance from you to them. Show your guy just how much you love him and make him fall in love all over again with a little romance.

The Kama Sutra of Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Kama Sutra of Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Who knew that physical positions mattered so much when it comes to generating novel, useful and profitable business ideas? Your feet, your hands and your use of space directly impact your fluency (how many ideas you can generate), flexibility (the sheer number of ideas) and originality. In recent studies conducted at the University of Michigan and New York University, researchers demonstrated that your body guides your mind. Change your position, burst with creativity. Here’s the measurable evidence submitted by Suntae Kim, Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks and Evan Polman in the New York Times on Sunday. People walking around unrestricted while tasked to come up with original ideas for use of a common toy generated 25% more ideas than those who were forced to stay within a path marked by tape while doing the same assignment. People who were instructed to alternate between two hands as they came up with new ideas for a use of a building generated 50% more novel ideas versus people who were told to use one hand only . People sitting outside a cubicle came up with 20% more word associations (variations on the word “tape” for example, like worm or measure) than those sitting inside the cubicle. For a long time we’ve known that objects impacted your perception of the environment â€" especially those around you. Carrying a warm cup of tea will generate more “wow, these strangers sure seem warm and hospitable” thoughts than an holding a piece of ice. Now we know that where you are and what you are doing with your body can generate the billion dollar category busting innovations. Would you like your personal brand to be seen as abundant, effective and overflowing with effective solutions? Do this. Take a hike. Do a downward facing dog yoga move. Sit on the roof. Carry a lucky (fake) rabbit’s foot. Let the cubicle dwellers stare at their screens. Make your fortune. Want to be more creative without adding any expense to your budget? Email me: Nance@NanceRosen.com Author: Nance Rosen is the author of Speak Up! Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name: nancerosen

Personal Branding Weekly and How Many Likes - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly and How Many Likes - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Editor’s Note:   It’s quality not quantity, right?   So, I leave you with just a quick note this week as I step into start my adventure at the New Media Expo with our own Manoush here attending, too!   The Personal Branding Blog is represented and I hope you follow the tweets and updates. Plus, if you’re here at #NMX, too, then please let me know â€" I look forward to meeting you in real life! Here’s what you missed last week: A New year Full of Wow and Can Do! by Deborah Shane Personal Branding Pledge for 2013 by Nance Rosen An Introverts Guide to Interview Success by Heather Huhman Transform Appreciation into a Returning Clientele by Elinor Stutz 5 Ways to Pump Up Your Career Muscle by Glassdoor.com 4 Expert Tips for Never Fail Negotiation by Skip Freeman Use the Holidays to Boost Your Brand by Kristen Fischer The Importance of Daring by Jacob Share Dont Bring Excuses. Bring Solutions by Jeff Shuey Dialing In Your Personal Brand Across Cultures by Peter Sterlacci Transform Yourself? Change Who You Hangout With! by Beth Kuhel Why to Respond Slowly to Emails (Part 2 of 2) by Pete Leibman A special welcome to Peter Sterlacci who joins us from Japan to provide us insights on personal branding across cultures. Welcome Peter! We look forward to your comments and interaction this week. How Many Likes Is Enough? Social networks are able to reflect how popular a brand is. For example, Twitter and Pinterest allow users to see how many followers they have while LinkedIn shows a user’s networking stance. On the other hand, Facebook shows how many “likes” users have; the more “likes” users have on their page the more popular they are. Quantity vs. Quality on Facebook “Likes” Getting a million likes is great, but not all brand pages have a million likes. In most cases, shooting that high continues to be a dream. However, a brand that does not have a million “likes” is not necessarily unpopular or unsuccessful and vice versa. So, how many “likes” are necessary for your brand? Is it a thousand? Or, is it ten thousand?   In truth, there isn’t a comfort zone to be reached by achieving a certain number of “likes”. We should never be satisfied with any particular number of “likes”, especially with an online presence that is constantly growing. There will always be more individuals out there who we need to persuade to click “like” to our brand page. One should consider the simple comparison of quality versus quantity. There are opportunities out there that allow you to purchase a “like” at a cost. Buying random Facebook “likes” is a conventional tool to boost visibility, but won’t benefit your brand in any “sharable” way. These “likes” are often inattentive and won’t provide any shareable content. In some ways, they can actually make your analytical tool calculations unreliable. So obtaining “like” through genuine interaction is the best and most practical method. [tweet this]. What is the quality of the “likes” that you have? How much interaction do you receive in comparison to your likes? Do you respond to conversations? Are your “likes” valuable and profitable to your brand, or are they just statistics? Numbers do say a lot, but don’t always influence the audience as directly as your content can. While the quality is crucial, the quantity of “likes” may possibly affect your image. Less than a hundred “likes” may create an impression that you aren’t really serious about your online exposure. Less than thirty gains you no online exposure. To achieve audience respectability, a brand should have around a thousand “likes”. It is the quad-digits that seem to have the most influence on a general audience, and are more likely to gain additional likes for simply being the “trend” at the moment. In conclusion, when it comes down to Facebook “likes,” it is always better to consider the difference between quantity and quality. Gathering these “likes” because your content is shareable is most effective because it reflects your true standing with the audience. It is best to keep in mind that you should never have a minimum amount of target “likes.” Trying to gain Facebook “likes” is an ongoing process that you must constantly work at. The more you do, the more your content will be shared and the more likely it is that you are to get more “likes.” Author: Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of  buzz2bucks.com  â€"  a word of mouth marketing firm, and a professional speaker and trainer on developing social networks that work. She provides workshops, webinars, seminars and direct services that help create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand.   Maria Duron is co-founder  and moderator of  #brandchat   a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of branding that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers.

7 Reasons to Work in Construction and One Reason Not To CareerMetis.com

7 Reasons to Work in Construction and One Reason Not To Source â€" Unsplash.comImagine going to a job every morning where you get to work along with your friends, use your skills to create something brand new and use your mind and experience to solve complex challenges. A job in construction can be personally beneficial as well as financially lucrative, giving you a well-rounded career with the opportunity for growth. Thanks to a growing industry and a need for more construction workers, the job outlooklooks great.7 Reasons to Work in ConstructionThink that a career in construction may be right for you? From the benefits of working with a close-knit team to the potential benefits of improving the community or even traveling, construction jobscome with a lot of perks. Here are seven reasons to consider getting a job in construction:1) Construction Isn’t Just One Type of JobevalWhen you think of construction, you may picture people in hardhats constructing a building. Within the field of construction are a number of specialties, though, a nd you can choose one that’s suited to your skills, interests, or both. For example, carpenters handle cutting and shaping materials to build and install them.evalConstruction electricians install wiring when a building is first constructed. Masons are the people who build the construction by working with blocks, brick, or marble. You can even be a construction supervisor â€" which is predicted to be one of the top jobsthrough the year 2026. The job you choose may depend on the skills you already have or the ones you’re most interesting in learning.2) You’ll Be Part of a TeamIn construction, excellence depends on the team more than the individual. If you’re the type of worker who thrives in a team setting and loves collaborative projects, construction will give you what you’re looking for. In addition to working toward the same on-the-job goal, you could build relationships and bond with your co-workers.Plus, you’ll be working alongside other professionals and you’ll l ikely learn from one another. When the project is complete, you’ll have a physical representation of your combined efforts.3) No Two Days Are the SameIf you can’t stand the thought of sitting in an office five days a week, construction is an excellent way to ensure every day is a little bit different â€" or a lot different. The point of construction projects is to move the project along; as you and the team are making progress, the work you’re doing will also change and evolve. This is also good news for people who like to think on their feet and quickly adapt.By the end of the day, you could be on to a completely different task than what you started on. For those in management positions, there’s also the added responsibility of staying on top of industry trends and regulation changes.4) You’ll Be on a Non-Traditional Work ScheduleIf a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule has never seemed to fit with your natural, daily rhythms, a job in construction may be a better-fitting alternati ve. Construction workers tend to start work very early in the morning, maybe even before the sun comes up.Early birds will love getting up and getting to work when their energy is high. Plus, a major benefit of starting work early is finishing early, too. You’ll be off work well before most other people, which means you can avoid rush hour, run errands when everyone’s still at work and take advantage of a few more hours of daylight.eval5) You May Have the Opportunity to Contribute to SocietyevalBy researching construction companies before applying for a job, you can find ones that share your values. A number of construction companies are using their skilled teams to give back to society. For example, the Boston-based Consigli Construction Company has been involved with the Boston Cares Bed Project, which builds beds for local children in need.Skanska, one of the largest construction companies in the world, has a number of “giving back” initiatives, including participation wi th area food banks and park cleanup.6) You May Get to TravelNew structures are going up all the time, which means skilled construction workers are needed everywhere. If you’re interested in finding a job that also lets you travel, construction may be a great option. The larger the company or the wider their reach, the more opportunity there will be to travel for work. You may be able to travel around the country or even internationally.In addition to seeing other parts of the world, you’ll also know that you made an impact beyond your hometown.7) You’ll Be Motivated to Stay in ShapeevalConstruction work requires a lot of physical stamina and strength. If you’re not the type of person who wants to hit up the gym every day, a construction job can provide the same sort of physical training without the actual weights. You’ll also be motivated to stay healthy and in shape, as you’ll see how much better you perform at work when you’re fit and energetic.The stronger you are, the safer you’ll be, too, as you’ll avoid issues that come with losing your balance or straining your muscles.One Important Consideration: SafetyConstruction accidentsare the leading cause of on-the-job accidents and deaths. If you’re interested in a career in construction or you’re wondering if you want to stay on this career path, it’s important to consider the safety statistics:In 2017, there were 4,675 private industry worker fatalities; almost 21 percentof them were in construction. (Note that private industry or private sector refers to non-government jobs.)Not including highway collisions, the leading causes of deathfor workers in the private sector were falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and “being caught.” The caught-in or caught-between category includes deaths due to being compressed by an object or equipment, or being caught, struck or crushed by a collapsing piece of equipment or structure.These “Fatal Four” accidents caused almost 60 per cent of construction worker deaths in 2017.If you’re still interested in a job in construction, the solution may be to take the time to find a reputable company to work for. Companies that follow OSHA guidelineshave a better chance of keeping their employees safe. These guidelines include processes for fall protection, hazard communication and up-to-date electrical methods. Construction companies should also carry Workers’ Compensation insurance, so in the unfortunate case that an injury does happen, you will still be taken care of.How to Work Your Way Up in the Construction IndustryIn order to find the best and highest-paying construction jobs, especially if you want to work your way up the ladder, consider attending a trade school. These schools differ from regular colleges and universities in that the coursework is specific to one career and the programs are usually shorter than a traditional four-year program. In additional to a traditional classroom experience, like lecture s, trade schools also offer hands-on training. The program will prepare you to take certification and licensing exams in order to get a job in your field.If you want to work your way up in the construction field, you could be handsomely rewarded â€" construction managers make an average of more than $90k per year. The best-paid managers make as much as six figures. Location may play a role in income â€" the highest-paying states for construction managers are Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey and New York.Becoming a construction manager requires more than on-the-job construction knowledge. Most managers have a background in both contracting and construction, but they also possess necessary leadership skills. For example, they’ll have strengths when it comes to communication, organization, scheduling and problem-resolution. Managers will also have to be experts in compliance, as part of their job is to review projects to ensure they’re following building and safety regulatio ns.Even if you’ve never considered a career in constructionbefore, it’s well worth exploring. There are so many aspects to construction jobs that people don’t know about. Instead of assuming you’re not cut out for a construction job, try listing the elements you’d love to get out of a career, then compare them to what different types of construction jobs offer. You may discover that this profession checks all the boxes.

Motivation Monday Maybe Its Time To...

Motivation Monday Maybe Its Time To... You know its Monday when I jump on my motivation soapbox! And what better day of the week to do this?! Today, try completing the rest of this phrase Maybe it is time to In essence, you are asking if you need to adjust your direction or alignment. We typically wait until the end of December to make resolutions for the new year, but what if you did this more regularly? You bring your car in for an oil change more frequently than you self diagnose, dont you?! Your Values Maybe it is time to reassess whats important in your life and what motivates you. Your Direction Maybe youve been coasting in your job and it is time to establish a course of action to move you out of complacency. Your Knowledge Maybe you havent been updating your skills and knowledge. Now is a really great time to increase your intellectual power! Your Health At your annual doctors appointment, they probably made some recommendations for exercise and eating better. Are you? Or have you procrastinated? What You Do For Others When was the last time you volunteered or maybe you need to bow out of some of your volunteering duties. Volunteering takes time and you should enjoy it, so are you? Making Changes Takes Effort Adjusting any of these things take effort and we are often so busy with the monotonous daily routines, we run out of energy to take on additional work. But today, just start with your list! It may get you thinking.

Grown-Up Gigs Fashion (Re-)Stylist Bryn Taylor

Grown-Up Gigs Fashion (Re-)Stylist Bryn Taylor Thats Bryn! You guys! I did the best thing ever for myself last month. I hired Bryn Taylor, aka The Re-Stylist, to give me a Closet Cleanse â€" and boy, do I feel (and look!) 10 pounds lighter! We started our appointment by chatting about my style and my needs, and then we took a jaunt to my closet (which I like to call Dead Man Walking. Or is it The Green Mile? Either way, it aint good). Let me set the scene because I wasn’t smart enough to take a picture: think of a nice-size closet with 1 bar going across and a sagging shelf on top, with shoes thrown into piles onto the floor and many items sharing hangers, shoved in there willy-nilly. Now also picture half of a 10-drawer dresser overflowing with sweaters, tanks, and tees. Then think of a big-ass jewelry box filled to the brim with who-knows-what. Thankfully, Bryn didn’t take one look at it and run off screaming into the night. Instead, she made me feel like I wasn’t a hopeless mess and started taking manageable piles of clothes onto my bed. Loved her already. With  each and every piece she’d ask where it came from, how old it was, how often I wore it, and how I felt in it â€" and then promptly gave me her assessment:   too worse for wear, a good staple, “hang-out” only, rockin’, outdated, hold-on-to-until-you-upgrade, try-on, and blech (usually the brown stuff got a “blech”). In what seemed like no time at all, we had gone through my entire closet, all the drawers, the shoe piles and the jewelry without any tears, head explosions, or anything close to an argument. I started trying on the pieces we needed to reassess while â€" wait for it â€" Bryn started putting outfits together from my closet to photograph, giving me my own personal lookbook based on the clothes I already have. Genius! She also helped me create a list of things I need, like red jeans (!), a plum pencil skirt (!), black jeggings and leopard print shoes. Obviously, Bryn totally got the style I was going for (something like Punky-Brewster-in-her-30s-mixed-with-some-Zooey-Deschanel) and allowed me to embrace it without looking like a crazy child-woman. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about it, as Bryn’s site and blog (and personal style!) are super sophisticated and a bit neutral/preppy, too. I was so relieved to know that she got â€" and appreciated! â€" my colorful closet, and gave me tips on how not to look like I was on the wrong side of crazy-colorful (i.e. when you’re mixing patterns you have to match colors, you can wear all the color you want as long as there’s at least 1 neutral, etc). Pairing that with the actual lookbook of what I already own â€" yes, she accessorized, too â€" allowed me to shout “Eureka!” (figuratively, of course) and dress like a goddamn grown-up already, tha nkyouverymuch. Now, I’m 6 large bags of stuff lighter and actually know what’s in my closet! I’m planning on keeping the lookbook going, snapping pics and adding to it whenever I put something together that’s Bryn-worthy. See what I mean? Look! Bryn showed me how to match patterns without looking like a crazy person, folded up my red skirt to represent the red jeans I get to buy. Look how adorable Im gonna be! Of course, before Bryn left I asked if she’d like to be featured as a Grown-Up Gig, and she answered my questions lickety-split. Thanks, Bryn, for all your help and all you do! 1. What did you wanna be when you grew up? Lots of things! First it was a lawyer, then a journalist, and then an actor. Looking back though, I remember daydreaming about how I would dress for each of those jobs, not about the job itself. I should have known then that fashion was on the brain. 2. How did you find your way to the styling world? I took a part-time job as a fit model for a young designer, and as time went on, she hired me to do a bunch of other tasks around the showroom. I began helping out with the styling of the showroom and the fashion shows, and found that I really loved it. I didnt even know that styling was a thing that people got paid to do! I enrolled in an intro course at FIT to learn more, and ended up falling in love with the occupation. 3. Your styling background was in magazine shoots, ad campaigns, runway shows, album covers, and films (yup, I read your About page ?? ). Why did you decide to start The Re-Stylist and shift your focus to personal styling instead? All of the projects were exciting, but I found personal clients to be the most rewarding. I love being able to solve real fashion dilemmas and use my skills to make women (and men!) look and feel their best. 4. Honestly, I think that your Closet Cleanse service is one of the most genius business ideas ever. How did you come up with it? Thanks!! I love doing it. I came up with the idea from a lot of trial and error. But in the end, each element of my service is something I would want myself. Thats what it came down to. 5. Knowing what you know now, what piece of advice would the current Bryn tell the pre-Re-Stylist Bryn? Have patience. I am, by nature, incredibly impatient, so when things dont happen right away, I get nervous. I would tell myself to slow down, have confidence in what youre doing, and celebrate every victory, big or small. And don’t let your mother throw away her amazing ‘70s dresses.